Article Number : 4663 |
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| Date | 7/17/2009 9:14:26 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=4663 |
| Abstract | By Louis Iannaco Bamboo, which, along with its sister offering cork is widely known as an “alternative” choice in flooring circles, has been on the upswing in recent years. Due heavily to the green movement, as well as to the glut of... |
| Article | By Louis Iannaco Bamboo, which, along with its sister offering cork is widely known as an “alternative” choice in flooring circles, has been on the upswing in recent years. Due heavily to the green movement, as well as to the glut of home design/improvement shows, bamboo flooring has never been more popular. It also hasn’t been more versatile. No longer offered in just the “natural” shade for which it became famous, bamboo, due to state-of-the-art technological advancements, is now available in many different styles, textures and colors than ever before. So not only is it environmentally friendly, it’s styling too. Renee Flovin of Absolute Flooring in Half Moon Bay, Calif., said, most of the time, Absolute sells its bamboo products (from EcoTimber) through in-store displays. “Some clients are aware of the product, but most have misconceptions about bamboo flooring. Most of the time, the end user is not always aware of all the facts. I usually will point her in that direction depending on what she is looking to get out of her floor. The end user is usually aware that it is green but not sure why.” Sean O’Rourke, vice president of sales for hard surfaces at Avalon Carpet Tile & Flooring in Philadelphia, said, “we use large 24-inch samples to sell the products (from US Floors) we inventory which are the best sellers—standard horizontal and strand woven in natural and carbonized. “Consumers typically know of the green story with bamboo and are thinking it is the latest in flooring fashion,” he explained, “but few consider the disadvantages from a performance standpoint, especially since the lowest priced product is the one that is going to sell the most.” When it comes to selling bamboo, Paul Toma, co-owner of Common Ground Green Building Supply in Durham, N.C., believes in a multi-faceted approach. “We do just about everything since we are a full scale flooring retail store. We have free-standing displays, signage, literature and we also include it in a fair amount of our advertising. Most of the time, we use it in the advertising when we’re highlighting a sale of some kind, or a new product. All the retailers who talked to FCNews believe an educated sales staff cannot be underestimated, especially when it comes to selling an alternative product. “It’s very important the sales staff be fully aware and knowledgeable,” said Flovin. “We pride ourselves on knowledge and not so much on pressuring for the sale. We want to find what works best for her lifestyle and everyday life. I like to bombard the end user with a lot of information so she can make an educated decision.” O’Rourke, whose operation does very well with the products it stocks from US Floors, noted, “Our salespeople are very well informed on the performance characteristics of all the different types of bamboo. We practice role play scenarios, ie., when a customer comes in looking for bamboo— how to determine her needs and how to get her into the right product, which may be something completely different.” With the way bamboo’s popularity has grown in recent years, it is not surprising these retailers have enjoyed strong sales with the product. “Our bamboo sales have tripled in the last few years,” said Flovin. “I attribute this to strand woven bamboo. It is constructed to be much more durable and stronger for our chaotic lifestyles. This is the only of bamboo we sell due to its durability and hardness. “The original bamboo is actually a very soft species and dents and scratches very easily,” she added. “The new, improved strand woven has exceeded our expectations.” According to O’Rourke, bamboo sales for Avalon have grown about 20% in the last year; “mainly because it is more established in the marketplace through TV shows, shelter magazines, etc., and because the standard products are a low priced option at $2.99 per square foot.” Toma, like Flovin, carries EcoTimber bamboo flooring, and while he’s only been selling it for a short time, he has been very impressed by its popularity. “We’ve only been open for one-and-a-half years, so we don’t really have the history to make many claims. “Also, with the economy the way it is,” he concluded, “we’re surprised we sell anything at all, as it’s getting more difficult for people to spend money. That being said, I’ve been in the industry for many years, and have seen bamboo really take off. There are some very nice products on the market that are allowing people to see what bamboo can really do, and it’s paying off.” |