How wholesalers have become flooring retailers’ competitors
This month, we received the following letter from David Ironside, a shop owner and reader. If you’re interested in responding, or having your opinion appear in an upcoming issue, get in touch via the contact page on our website.
“When I opened my carpet business in 1968, I had to have a shop with a shop front before I could open an account with a carpet wholesaler – they did not deal with carpet fitters.
“Sadly, that’s not the case anymore and wholesalers now have trade counters where anyone can walk in and buy at trade prices. Because of this, our carpet fitters have become our biggest competitors and they routinely leave their business cards with our customers saying: “Next time you want any flooring go into a shop and choose what you want then let me know and I’ll get it for you and be cheaper!”
“Because of this, more and more shops are closing down, and unless the wholesale trade puts a stop to this practice and only sells to bona fide retailers, I fear that eventually carpet and flooring shops may disappear altogether.
“Does anyone else share this view?”
David Ironside, The Carpet Barn