Happy Harrogate lifts the flooring gloom
The strong sense of community that is Harrogate and its annual Flooring Show triumphed over the heavy atmosphere that hangs over the flooring trade right now.
“The biggest surprise at the show was how positive everyone was,” said Andrew Bramall of Betap. His sentiment was often repeated during the three-day event and is testament to the resilience of the flooring sector.
The halls were busy from the start on Sunday and the majority of exhibitors were pleased with the levels on business being done and the sun shone on the Yorkshire spa town adding to the air of optimism.
“Harrogate did what it does best – bringing the industry together as a community to generate a positive vibe. The sense was that we’re all in this together and we’ll survive and thrive,"
says David Spragg, editor of The Stocklists.
“The level of investment in modern and creative stand presentations was high and while there was no blizzard of new products, the quanitity of new launches and intelligent innovations was conspicuous,” he said.
This was the biggest Flooring Show in recent times with 30% more exhibitors and extra floor space with the expansion into Hall Q. The level of investment in modern and creative stand presentations was high and while there was no blizzard of new products, the quanitity of new launches and intelligent innovations was conspicuous.
Market commentary
There is a structural change ripplling across many of parts of the industry right now after the collapse of Carpetright, IDS and The Floor Room at John Lewis, the withdrawal of ScS from flooring and corporate re-sructuring at key manufacturers such as Headlam and the Victoria Group.
2024 is judged to be the bottom on the market with the consensus that things can only get better.... but everyone is wondering when!
Industry leaders at the show reckon key players are anywhere between 5% and 20% down on business this year. Many retailers are counting on strong demand in the run up to Christmas to have any chance to break even this year.
But the industry’s response has been impressive. Service levels have generally risen to exemplary levels this year to ensure no sales are lost to delays and mis-deliveries. The housing data is looking positive in terms of new developments and estate agent sales.
And the absence of Carpetright and ScS is not unwelcome among the legions of independent retailers. The“right-sizing” that is happening in some major players should be healthy in the longer term, and many will tell you that there are “positioning for the recovery.”
Harrogate revealed many new products designed to command better margins for retailers in the middle/upper segment of the market that is still spending.
For more Harrogate see our 'Launch Pad' & "Trends' pages.
