FLOORtalk

Bill Yeadon, training facilitator for Jon-Don, shares his insight into carpet's place in the future of homes in the U.S. He also notes the shortage of qualified installers in the industry and the shortage of craftsman in the building industries, as compared to the abundance of cleaning technicians that have been entering the maintenance sector for a host of reasons. Also discussed is the low cost for entry into flooring maintenance.

Bill Yeadon, training facilitator for Jon-Don, discusses the cleaning and maintenance sector during the recent economic upturn and how the sector is reacting to the market share decrease in carpet. He also talks about cleaning and maintenance companies' move into hard surface products, who are the customer’s for this service, and the success rate within the hard surface sector. Yeadon also shares his views of the long-term view of cleaning and maintenance contractors.

John Simonson, president of Webstream Dynamics, and Steve Simonson, founder of iFloor, Parsimony.com, and Adazo.com, discuss further the recent Supreme Court ruling in the internet sales tax case decision, and how it will effect large and small online retailers and brick and mortar flooring retailers that also operate online.

John Simonson, president of Webstream Dynamics, and Steve Simonson, digital pioneer and founder and CEO of iFloor, Parsimony.com, and Adazo.com, discuss their reaction to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the internet sales tax case, the problems it creates for some larger online retailers, as well as the marketplace sellers. Also discussed is the availability of software to assist third-party sellers, the problems involved with taxing interstate commerce for smaller online retailers, not only involving state taxes but municipal and city taxes, and registration fees.

John Simonson, president of Webstream Dynamics, and Steve Simonson, digital pioneer and founder and CEO of iFloor, Parsimony.com, and Adazo.com, discuss the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in South Dakota vs. Wayfair that says internet retailers can be required to collect sales taxes even in states where they have no physical presence, Both panelists offer their opinions on the ruling and how it will affect independent floor covering retailers, large and small online retailers, and big box retailers.

Mike Cherico, vice president of Floors and More, discusses the importance of a positive in-store experience and how Floors and More can assist retailers in this area. Cherico also talks about recommendation in the area of sales training by the organization, the cabinet programs offered by Floors and More to retail members, and future plans of the group.

Mike Cherico, vice president of Floors and More, discusses the importance of an effective website and digital marketing to members of the retail community, the value Floors and More places on content and consistency, and the channels of distribution for one’s message and digital applications. Cherico also talks about the propensity for flooring retailer to switch retail groups and frequency of a retailer to belong to more than one groups in the Floors and More organization. He discusses the techniques many retailers use to expand and how retailers are dealing with the installation situation in the industry.

Mike Cherico, vice president of Floors and More, talks about the organization’s recently-held semi-annual convention held in Denver. He discusses the retail groups operating under the Floors and More banner, including Big Bob’s Flooring and Floor to Ceiling, the concept of each, and their history. Cherico talks about his take on the attitude of the retail flooring community and the inclination of unaffiliated retailers to join a group or affiliated retailers to change groups as well as the most common need among retailers. He also discusses the mood of the convention as well as its various elements.

Scott Levy, president of Arley Wholesale, discusses the 16th annual Arley Classic held in Scranton, Pa., the turnout, and it’s various events held, noting that the turnout was the best ever. He talks about the types of customers that attend, the breadth of product shown at the classic, and the new products that have been added recently. Levy discusses the geographic area served by the company and recent changes as well as the level of involvement in ceramic by floor covering retailers.

Scott Levy, president of Arley Wholesale, talks more about the recently held Arley Classic and how many floor covering retailers add ceramic tile to their offerings, how they display ceramic, and expand the breadth of their offerings. Levy also talks more about the new products the company has added to their selection and ways of effectively displaying ceramic as well as the company’s philosophy towards its customers and their unique approach to build success.