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Technology and nature drive consumer choice

Rita Bancroft • Jan 29, 2024

Technological strides in synthetic fibres have given rise to a multitude of new carpet collections, offering unmatched softness underfoot, easy maintenance and viable end of life recycling options. Simultaneously, there has been a noticeable consumer shift towards a growing desire to incorporate natural materials into our homes and a greater all-round focus on sustainable flooring solutions.


For the second year running, sustainability, circular economy and environmental protection played a key role at Domotex, the world's leading trade fair for carpets and floorings which took place in Hannover, Germany on 11 to 14 January 2024. This included four Green Collection Awards, which were split into categories to reflect different aspects of sustainability, ranging from using sustainable materials, evaluating flooring emissions, demonstrating sustainable production, and the social responsibility of employees. 


Sonia Wedell-Castellano, Global Director of Domotex said,

"In a world where resources are becoming scarcer and the consequences of the climate crisis are starting to hit us more frequently, sustainability must become an integral part of everything we do. That is why we have made the decision to maintain and expand our value-based keynote theme Floored by Nature and the special display The Green Collection.

If you set a scientist the task of creating the perfect future fibre for flooring, they’d find it hard to match the many advantages of wool. This natural, rapidly renewable material has been an integral part of every Ulster carpet for over 85 years. Soft and luxurious to the touch and easy to maintain, wool is also durable, anti-allergenic and a natural insulator.

Even the waste from this amazing material can be reused, with wool dust being recycled as a natural fertiliser by Yorkshire farmers.


Using predominantly British and Irish wool, every year the equivalent of 1.47 million fleeces of wool is processed by Ulster Yarns, an Ulster Carpets Group company, for use in Ulster’s carpets. Every Ulster carpet uses at least 80% wool, with a number of 100% wool carpets also available, including the Natural Choice Collection.

While many people instinctively think that wool is white, nature
had gifted us with different sheep breeds that have naturally different coloured fleeces. This undyed wool is transformed into
a variety of different carpets, including Natural Choice Axminster,
the Wilton range known as Natural Choice Plains and the tufted
loop Natural Choice Textures.


This Collection showcases wool at its very best and gives home-owners plenty of choice to find the colour and style to match their home.  


The natural benefits of wool can also be found in Axfelt Triple Layer Underlay from Ulster Carpets. Made from 100% recycled materials such as recycled yarn and wool fibre, wool rich carpet waste and rubber made from recycled tyres, Axfelt’s triple-layer construction enhances durability, insulation and support when used with a woven carpet.  

Alternative is a leading provider of innovative and sustainable flooring solutions, committed to transforming spaces through creativity and craftsmanship. With a focus on quality, design, and environmental responsibility, Alternative continue to redefine the way we experience and interact with our living spaces.


Woosie is Alternative’s first wool and sisal mix carpet where natural fibres meet in a stylish, soft and strong carpet. The three-ply woollen yarn delivers the soft luxurious feel underfoot while the hardwearing
sisal brings rustic lustrous texture. This unique combination brings out
the best qualities of sustainable fibres which are firm favourites in
today’s interior styling.


This versatile collection works perfectly as a fully fitted floorcovering
or as a made to measure rug. Best of all, the Woosie collection not
only promises style but also comfort and durability, making it the ideal choice for bedrooms, lounges, dining rooms, home offices, stairs, or a stair runner. 


Lorna Haigh, Creative and Marketing Director at Alternative said,

"We believe that flooring is the foundation of design, and the
Woosie Collection exemplifies our commitment to pushing
boundaries in both aesthetics and sustainability. We have created three versatile designs in two natural colourways using the interwoven fibres of the wool and sisal”.


The three designs include Woosie Check available in Wild and Wonderful, Woosie Panama available in Wise and Whimsical, and Woosie Boucle available in Wistful and Winsome. All designs are constructed in 70% sisal and 30% wool, with latex backing and available in a 4m width.

EcoSense by Furlong Flooring is shaping the future of carpets with sustainable polypropylene innovation. Pioneering Future Fabrics in Sustainable Flooring, this groundbreaking carpet range takes a bold step towards eco-conscious living, placing sustainability at the forefront of interior design.


At the heart of EcoSense lies the Avondale collection, a testament
to Furlong Flooring's commitment to sustainability. Crafted from 100% recycled polypropylene, Avondale challenges
preconceptions surrounding carpet materials.


Polypropylene, often overlooked in discussions of recyclability, takes centre stage in the Avondale range, proving that this versatile material can contribute significantly to a sustainable future. Its 2-ply yarn construction combines style with environmental mindfulness, offering a sophisticated aesthetic while championing eco-conscious living.


EcoSense champions a shift in the industry, showcasing that polypropylene can be a responsible choice for carpets. Moth-proof,

bleach cleanable, and supported by a 7-year warranty, the
Avondale range ensures durability without compromising on
eco-friendly principles.


As we envision the future of fabrics, Furlong Flooring's EcoSense emerges as a beacon of innovation, challenging norms and setting a new standard for sustainable living in the world of interior design.

For more information contact:


Alternative • 01264 335111 • www.alternativeflooring.com

Furlong Flooring • 01322 628700 • www.furlongflooring.com 

Ulster Carpets • 028 3833 4433 • www.ulstercarpets.com


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FEATURED ARTICLES

Safety in numbers, buying better

01 May, 2024
When independent retailers combine their resources there’s safety in numbers in a tight market – maintaining prices, protecting margins and buying better. So the role of buying groups in the flooring sector has never been more relevant than now. Group buying power, own-label competitor protection, product selection expertise plus a whole basket of business and marketing support are the reasons why more than 1,200 of the UK’s most savvy retailers have signed up. All of the buying groups emphasise that each individual retailer’s independence is sacrosanct, and you can usually pick and choose how much or how little of the group’s services and products you get involved with. Those smart deals you already have with key suppliers can carry on if they’re advantageous to you. So there are no obvious reasons not to consider joining a group – but which one? They’re all a little different and this article explores the options... SMG says it has something for every retailer, large or small, long established or just starting out. Members run their business as they see fit but gain advantage from the comprehensive package of benefits and, all for the lowest annual membership fee.

Boldly going where no underlay brand has gone before

By FLOORING NEWS : Tredaire • 23 Apr, 2024
Get ready to embark on a journey like no other as Interfloor unveils its latest campaign, aimed at promoting the unparalleled benefits of Tredaire branded underlays to both retailers and consumers alike.

Registrations open for a bigger Harrogate

23 Apr, 2024
The Flooring Show 2024 has opened for registrations today with the promise that the exhibition will be 30% bigger than last year as the popular event expands into an additional hall in September. The show will open its doors at The Harrogate Convention Centre from 15-17 September with 250 brands under one roof. After its success in recent years, the event will be expanding into Hall Q at the Centre with new exhibitors and and exciting new "Designer Spotlight" feature. With just under five months to go until doors open to the industry event of the year, exhibitors are preparing to showcase their extensive collections of carpet, laminate, LVT, wood and vinyl flooring, plus much more. Big names already confirmed to be exhibiting at this year’s show include: Abingdon Flooring, Alsa Flooring, Associated Weavers, Ball and Young Ltd, Bjelin, Bostik Limited, Brampton Chase, Cavalier Carpets Ltd, COREtec floors, Cormar Carpet Co., F. Ball and Co., Furlong Flooring, Hugh Mackay, Interfloor, Kellars, Lifestyle Floors, Likewise Flooring, Penthouse Carpets, Tarkett, Victoria Carpets & Design Floors, Westex Carpets and Wilsons Underlays, just to name a few.

Showtime in Solihull at INDX

04 Apr, 2024
The agenda setter for the season • April 30 and May 1

LVT leader signs up to Anti-Greenwash Charter

25 Mar, 2024
Karndean Designflooring is looking ahead to a greener flooring industry as the first flooring manufacturer to sign up to The Anti-Greenwash Charter. The move demonstrates the company's commitment to the development of a greener built environment and it has also published the Karndean Evolve strategy and Sustainability Report 2023 to map out how it is working to create a better future with a promise to think differently, act decisively, and create real change.

First impressions count

By Rita Bancroft • 23 Mar, 2024
Our hallways probably withstand the greatest footfall in our home – it’s where we welcome guests and connect from room to room. First impressions count, so entrance areas need to be welcoming, durable, practical, and beautiful. Putting your best foot forward is made easier with Ulster Carpets , regardless of your taste. Combining style and substance, their range of Axminster and Wilton carpets, manufactured in the UK, and loop carpets, made by Danish specialists, Danfloor, mean you can make the right first impression at your entrance. Added to that is the option of complementing your choice with coordinating designs and colours throughout your home. Their popular plaids are a great way to include pattern and colour. Choose from Braeburn, Beaumont, Glenmoy or Boho Hamilton designs which range from the more traditional styles to the modern take on this classic design. For plains, finding the right colourway won’t be an issue with Ulster’s extensive Wilton offering. Opt for the high twist plain and heathered yarn of Grange Wilton, the gently textured twists of York Wilton, the smooth finish of Ulster Velvet or the 100% wool option of Natural Choice Plains. "Their popular plaids are a great way to include pattern and colour. Choose from Braeburn, Beaumont, Glenmoy or Boho Hamilton designs...”

POSitivity - the latest display stands for 2024

04 Mar, 2024
Effective POS is essential in a crowded, competitive market but your floor and wall space is a precious commodity that all your suppliers want a piece of. So we’ve selected some of the best displays to help retailers drive forward your business in 2024 with the latest from Abingdon, ACG, Cormar, Furlong, Harvey Maria, Invictus, ITC, Likewise, Tarkett and Victoria. Also, check out our ten top tips for successful POS.

Leading at the edge

26 Feb, 2024
If you’re looking for that competitive edge that sets you apart from your rivals, well look at the “edge” of your actual flooring installations – the trims, tramlines and edge enhancements that make all the difference. Smart finishing touches to carpet and LVT projects are increasingly popular with discerning consumers and can be the difference between customer satisfaction and customer delight – and an opportunity to add value to your sale. Consumers with higher disposable incomes tend to be less price sensitive on up-market accessories which represent a small part of their total investment in new flooring. Manufacturers have risen to this opportunity with premium products that can be highly profitable for retailers and installers. A prime example is the highly popular range of profiles from Gripperrods , part of the market-leading Interfloor portfolio.
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BUSINESS NEWS

Subdued house sales hinder flooring

01 May, 2024
Sluggish house sales are expected to impact flooring revenues later this year with the latest data showing that recent improvements have reversed. Figures from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) show the total number of residential housing transactions down 6.5 percent on the same month last year. Sales have now been lower on a year-on-year basis every month since November 2022. But the HMRC data for March also reverses a slight improvment in the trend - February had seen the decline slow down but March is less optimistic. The flooring sector watches housing transactions closely as new homes are a key driver for consumers to buy new flooring and furniture in the months after their move.

Consumer confidence edging up again

26 Apr, 2024
Retail analysts say confidence among consumers for major purchases like furniture and flooring is "heading in the right direction" and is up three points over this time last year. The GfK Major Purchase Index, which covers consumer appetitite for buying big ticket items like furnishings and appliances, edged up 2 points in April over the previous month to minus 25, 3 points higher than April 2023. Another GfK index measuring changes in positivity about consumers' personal finances during the last year is up two points at -11; this is 10 points better than April 202 3. “While the Overall Index Score remains negative, all of the underlying five measures this April are significantly better than they were last April ," says Joe Staton, Client Strategy Director, GfK. " These improvements reflect the impact on household budgets of lower inflation and the anticipation of further tax cuts. “However, we are a long way from the much firmer sentiment last seen in the period before Brexit, Covid and the conflict in Ukraine. There is a lot of ground to make up, and caution is needed in the face of continuing economic and fiscal challenges, and revised views on when the Bank of England might cut borrowing costs ," he said. “But Spring has arrived and maybe consumer confidence is, at last, slowly becoming brighter and heading in the right direction.”

Green shoots for flooring?

22 Apr, 2024
Retail sales in the flooring sector showed the first glimmers of growth in March with strong gains over February and a marginal year-on-year increase that reverses recent trends. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a 1.1% increase in sales for March to £271 million compared to this time last year. This follows a February figure which was nearly 1% down in a series of declining statistics. Those flooring sales were an encouraging 32.4% up on February - reflecting seasonal factors. The flooring figure also impressively outperforms the furnishing sector as a whole which fell sharply in March by 7.5% following another decline in February of 4.5% (revised by the ONS from the previously reported 6.1% reduction). Kris Hamer, Director of Insight at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Sales volumes returned to growth in M arch. While c onsumer confidence remains weak, it is well above levels seen last year. Large ticket items like furniture continued to sell badly as consumer spend remains restrained by the high cost of liv ing." Overall retail sales across all sectors in the UK were up in March by 4.6% year-on-year.

Flooring defies inflation fall (again)

18 Apr, 2024
While UK consumer price inflation marked a small fall in its rate this week and furniture experienced deflation, flooring continued to get more expensive. Carpets and other floorcoverings prices rose 2.5%, in March up from of 1.7% the previous month - however, this is lower than the 10.3% rise recorded for this time last year. Furniture and furnishing retail prices fell by 2.3% in March, a further decline following the 1.6% reduction in February - its lowest rate for nearly two and half years for a second consecutive month. According to the latest Office for National for National Statistics (ONS) data, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 3.2% in the 12 months to March 2024, down from 3.4% in February.

Flooring imports continue decline

16 Apr, 2024
The ongoing slow start to the year is borne out by continues declines in carpet and vinyl imports into the UK. The value of floorcoverings were down for the fourth straight month in the latest data for February and 6.8 percent on a year-on-year basis to £119m, according to HMRC figures compiled by The Furnishing Report . Carpets were down 8.8% with especially weak data from the Netherlands at -25% and Belgium at -9.5% but Turkey continues to assert its importance in the sector with sales into the UK up 29%. Vinyl fared little better with a drop of 8.3% ,marking the seventh month in a row of declining imports. Parquet and wood strip flooring was up for the first time in four months with a 5.5% increase.

Furniture spending inches up

09 Apr, 2024
Consumer spending in furniture and flooring stores inched up last month according to debit and credit card data from Barclays. Transactions were up 1.7% in March compared to this time last year. Actual spending declined 5%, down for the fifteenth consecutive month, but those figures now reflect falling price inflation in the sector.  Karen Johnson, Head of Retail at Barclays, said: “Retailers were braced for a more subdued start to 2024, and recent figures are in line with expectations. The wet weather has been a key factor in the slowdown in discretionary spending, as it’s meant fewer visits to the high street and to hospitality venues. “However, in spite of this initial lull, many retailers are confident that spending will rebound in the coming months," she said.

Carpetright looks for cost-cutting to meet reduced demand

08 Apr, 2024
Carpetright is reported to be reviewing its 400-store estate and seeking cost-cutting measures after a slowdown in demand for flooring. According to a report in The Times newspaper, the group has appointed restructuring specialists Teneo, to explore various options to improve the performance of the loss-making flooring chain. The newspaper says Carpetright "has been troubled recently as consumers reduce their spending. It has also suffered intense competition from rivals such as Tapi." The retailer was forced to turn to a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in 2018 to exit under-performing shops and reduce rents but a spokeswoman for Carpetright said it was “not in planning” for another CVA and said the group had a “number of advisers looking at how we improve our performance, as we do in the normal course of business." Underlying losses before tax for the the 14 months to January 1, 2022 were £23.4 million, an improvement on a previous loss of £53 million.

Flair forges ahead

04 Apr, 2024
Leading UK rug supplier Flair increased sales 15% last year and "continues to successfully grow". The Glossop-based business saw turnover increase £5.5m to £47m for the 12 months ended 30 June 2023 and managed to increase its margin by 1.3% to 23.9% "despite ongoing inflationary pressures within the market."

Pressure easing on business solvency

04 Apr, 2024
Insolvencies in the furnishing and flooring sector are falling for the first time since the end of 2022. According to proprietary data compiled by The Furnishing Report , 137 companies were either wound up or placed into liquidation or administration in the three months to end March. That figure is a quarter down on Q4 2023 and was the first fall since the final three months of 2022 — a sign, says the Report, that pressures may be easing across the industry. Meanwhile, March saw growth in the number of businesses launched in the sector with 190 new furniture and carpet retailer incorporated on the Companies House database.

Optimistic Polyflor improves profits

28 Mar, 2024
Polyflor manufacturer James Halstead plc has reported improved profits despite a dent in UK sales, and the vinyl specialist is positive about the future. In its results just filed for the six months ended 31 December 2023, sales were down 8.8% to £136.5m from £149.6m in 2022. Within these figures, UK sales were down 5% compared to Europe which declined 15%. But p re-tax profits for the group were £27.4m, up 18% from £23.2m recorded in the previous year. “Our UK businesses (Polyflor and Riverside) fared well with manufacturing efficiencies through increased output more than offsetting the slightly lower sales in the UK . The principal area of sales shortfall against the prior year was in the product group of luxury vinyl tiles which was unsurprising given these ranges cross into the domestic consumer market ” said the group's statement to investors. But the directors said export markets were growing and added "UK activity is showing improved confidence against the last six months."
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Saving 7,000 tonnes from landfill

01 May, 2024
More than 7,000 tonnes of waste vinyl flooring have been collected and recycled through Recofloor since the scheme was founded by Altro and Polyflor in 2009. Through the sustainable collection service for commercial waste vinyl flooring, material is recycled back into new flooring, as well as traffic management products. Recofloor is widely regarded as a great example of circularity in the flooring sector. To date, Recofloor’s collection of 7,060 tonnes has produced 8,282 tonnes of carbon savings – equivalent to taking 2,161 cars off the road for a year. It also equates to 2,353,000 square metres of vinyl flooring having been recycled. The carbon savings estimate is based on displacing concrete in traffic management products, the main application for the recycled flooring.

Country rolls, take me home

30 Apr, 2024
For some homes only the natural look of wool carpets will do. With the new Country Collection from Abingdon Flooring these very same homes can now choose the practicality of Stainfree carpets too. Using a special yarn that combines a matt lustre with a Berber fleck, the Country Collection has all the look of a natural wool yarn but with the bleach-cleanable practicality and lifetime stain warranty that comes with Abingdon Flooring’s Stainfree carpet family. To create its classic country living feel, Abingdon Flooring’s designers have created three textured loop designs for the new collection. Linear, Herringbone and Weave designs capture the charm and rustic texture of chunky wool loop carpets, adding sophisticated detail with subtle textured patterns. Each carpet comes in a range of ‘undyed’ beige tones and restful neutral grey hues like Elephant. Charlotte Coop, head of marketing, Abingdon Flooring: “The Country Collection is really a first for Abingdon Flooring and shows just how versatile our Stainfree yarn can be. These chunky loop pile carpets really do look every bit as good as their wool counterparts but are bleached cleanable and more affordable. What’s more, the Berber fleck is also great at covering up dust and dirt between vacuuming.” Manufactured by Abingdon Flooring, with a 10-year warranty, the Country Collection features its signature fleece backing, enhancing underfoot comfort, warmth, and sound reduction. Proudly made in Britain, the Stainfree Country Collection is available in widths of 2.5m, 4m, and 5m, offering versatility to suit any space. T 01274 655 694 • www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

Waterproof wood with warranty

29 Apr, 2024
With a history of innovation, Quick-Step has become a leading flooring brand with a range of premium quality floors for consumers that expect the best in design and function. Now with wood, vinyl and laminate floors; Quick-Step has a waterproof floor for every room. The first and only waterproof wood floor, Cascada has made the seemingly impossible, possible: a wood floor that can be used in kitchens and bathrooms without worry. Cascada uses Wood for Life technology and a precision fit to prevent moisture reaching its core and providing a lifetime warranty in kitchens and bathrooms. It’s not only being waterproof that makes Cascada an appealing choice. Wood for Life technology also makes it easier to clean by repelling dirt and spills and avoids the build-up of dirt in the grain and joints that can cause blackness over time. With Cascada, homes can boast the natural beauty of wood with the practicality usually associated with synthetic floors. Quick-Step has also elevated the performance and design integrity of vinyl with the Alpha Vinyl collection. Featuring HydroSeal in combination with a precision fit to fully close joints, Alpha Vinyl is 100% waterproof. Its built-in underlay also speeds up installation, reduces noise and boosts comfort, so that Alpha Vinyl is not only waterproof, but warm, quiet and comfortable too. Yet for many consumers, it’s the floor’s attention to design that distinguishes it as a premium option. A refined surface structure brings exquisite texture, accurately tracking every grain and knot with realistic depth for the most natural looking rigid vinyl flooring to date. And with the Ciro herringbone and Illume stone collections sitting alongside its Blos and Bloom planks, Alpha Vinyl explores a range of inspiring and authentic natural looks. The impressive durability of Quick-Step’s laminate floors are now waterproof across most ranges and in the Capture collection, laminate is brought closer to nature than ever before. www.quick-step.co.uk

Moduleo’s perfect match

26 Apr, 2024
Fast-to-fit, strong and comfortable, Moduleo LayRed can now be finished with a range of high-quality accessories that are perfectly matched to the floor’s striking wood and stone designs. The new Moduleo LayRed Accessories line-up includes upgraded skirting, a new scotia and the clever 3-in-1 profile. Using a waterproof mono-material construction with direct-print technology for the perfect pattern match, the new accessories are a significant upgrade. The new mono-material is made with up to 30% post-consumer recycled content. The 3-in-1 profile can be used for expansion, end and adaptor duties, while skirting and scotia are available in pattern matched and paintable versions. The direct-print technology ensures an endless design on pattern matched skirtings so that there is no obvious join from one to the next. Matthew Brook, national sales manager, Moduleo: “LayRed is a premium quality floor that deserves perfectly matched, premium quality accessories, and with the new collection that’s exactly what it now has. These new mono-material solutions are made to improve the look of any LayRed installation and with our new direct-digital printing, there’s no obvious pattern repeat, with every pack including variation for a more natural appearance.” 

Finished to perfection

25 Apr, 2024
The updated floorwise profiles range is now available with smart new anodised finishes that complement the latest floorcovering decors and match up-to-date door furniture, switches and socket styles. When it comes to a first class flooring finish, it’s the details that matter. Now, with updated Zenith and Max Reflections profiles ranges, installers can achieve that fantastic finishing touch with more finishes available than ever before. Finishing a carpet installation with Reflections profiles, installers can now choose the new Brushed Black and Brushed Space Grey finishes, alongside the existing Brushed Steel Nickel and Chrome. For wood, laminate and LVT flooring the extended range of Zenith profiles now includes Black and Space Grey, alongside the best-selling matt silver and matt gold finishes. Many profiles are also available in oak, dark walnut and grey oak wood effects. Both collections feature a wide range of task-specific profiles. Richard Bailey, managing director, floorwise: “With our brand new Black and Space Grey finishes, we’re responding to the latest trends in floorcovering decors as well as contemporary door furniture, switches and sockets; delivering the perfect f inishing touch to any installation. Joining classic looks as well as the modern Brushed Steel Nickel and Chrome, these new finishes make Zenith and Max Reflections a great choice for installers and retailers looking to give their customers something a little special.” Max Reflections profiles are supplied in boxes of 0.9m lengths or tubes of 2.7m lengths. The Zenith ranges are supplied in 2.7m lengths in boxes of five or 10. Both profile collections come individually wrapped to ensure they arrive in perfect condition and are available from floorwise distributors across the UK, Ireland & Europe. T 01509 673974 • www.floorwise.co.uk

COREtec with more tech

24 Apr, 2024
Originally launched back in 2019, The Naturals and Megastone collections are the most popular COREtec ranges in the UK. Now 2024 sees a comprehensive update with some great new additions. The existing collection of 32 colours comprising 14 wood planks, 8 herringbones and 10 tiles across 2 toast-rack displays grows to now display 46 colours on 3 toastrack displays. COREtec will add 11 wood planks in 1500mm, 1800mm, creative multi-series and ultra realistic pressed bevel formats along with increasing the popular herringbones to a total of 10 colours across three sizes. Five tile designs will be deleted to make way for six brand new Megatile large format stone designs giving 11 stone designs in total. The full new Naturals collection is stocked exclusively by Likewise Floors with all designs available now for quick delivery.
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