Returning to The Flooring Show for the first time in seven years, Karndean now stands as one of the UK’s only manufacturers purely dedicated to LVT, Marketing Director Gavin Smith tells The Stocklists. Founded in 1973 and one of the original market leaders in luxury vinyl tiles, the company’s highly focused approach has allowed it to become a true specialist in the category, across every type of LVT. “It keeps us at the forefront, rather than following,” says Gavin.
At The Flooring Show this year, the company introduced 17 new wood and stone designs in its Knight Tile range, with a particularly distinct Acacia design covering the floor of its stand. “Knight Tile is our entry level product,” Gavin explains. “It’s our most accessible, but that doesn’t mean we do the design any differently.” The acacia used for three new designs, for example, was found “in a lumber yard somewhere in the Midwest US” before being brought back to the UK to be scanned for the LVT range. Scanning the materials for LVT allows Karndean to bring natural details to its new designs while protecting the environment from further exploitation.
With the original specifications of the product remaining consistent for 30 years, Gavin says, and with sales remaining strong over that time, it’s easy to see why Karndean has seen fit to develop the product. “It’s really nice to be do something at that entry level to make the new ranges and collections accessible to as many people as possible.”
Additionally, the show provided an opportunity to showcase the company’s new Xplore Point of Sale units. According to Sales Director Richard Allen, “Following extensive market research, we are implementing a long term investment programme with our retail network, commencing with our new and improved instore displays.
“These are designed to make it easier than ever for retailers to help customers select a floor they’ll love for a lifetime. Providing clear product information and large product samples available to handle, the displays aim to help guide consumer decision-making, as selecting a floor can be very hard.”
The simple, modular units are able to showcase the entire Karndean collection, featuring a swing arm display for added convenience. According to Gavin, the company is aiming to roll out 1000 Xplore POS units to retailers by the end of 2025.
Karndean’s return to Harrogate wasn’t just about flooring. Visitors were also be able to support the company’s nominated charity, Shelter, which helps tackle homelessness and housing issues across the UK. Visitors got the chance to purchase the limited-edition SMOKEY x SHELTER toy – raising over £500.
The show was a big success for the manufacturer, Gavin says, providing a platform for high-quality conversations across the industry. “That’s not just customers,” he explains, “that might be suppliers, it might be colleagues who have gone to other parts of the industry. It’s good to catch up with the wider market and not be too insular. It keeps everyone sharp.”
www.karndean.com
Please click to view more articles about
> Karndean Design Flooring <