Article Number : 5176 |
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| Date | 1/5/2010 9:10:35 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=5176 |
| Abstract | LONG BEACH, CALIF.—The economic decline has not been a complete loss, as seen at the National Wood Flooring Association’s (NWFA) Wood Flooring Expo and Conference, which centered on enhancing business in today’s market and... |
| Article | LONG BEACH, CALIF.—The economic decline has not been a complete loss, as seen at the National Wood Flooring Association’s (NWFA) Wood Flooring Expo and Conference, which centered on enhancing business in today’s market and prepping for tomorrow’s. “Though show attendance was down about 28%,” said NWFA’s Ed Korczak, executive director and CEO, “there was a higher turnout than expected. We were more than satisfied with attendees from across the globe, and 238 companies exhibiting.” Attendees were more concentrated than ever on the No. 1 topic sweeping the industry today: “How can I increase my business?” To that, NWFA devoted time to several key issues affecting today’s independent retailer, including the green movement, the Web, today’s customer and overall business strategies to prepare companies for the economic upswing. Korczak said green is something consumers and the industry cannot get enough of right now, which was obvious from the increase in FSC-certified, LEED-accredited, Lacey Act-compliant and recycled marketing and merchandising seen on the exhibit floor. “The industry is beginning to move more in concert with the environmental movement and the various green organizations,” said Don Finkell, NWFA’s secretary and president of Anderson Hardwood Flooring, who pointed to the fact that this was the first year that the U.S. Environmental Investigation Agency was in attendance. Regarding marketing, on the other hand, educators pressed the Web issue, compelling attendees to “throw out the days of Yellow Pages and welcome the age of the Internet—the fundamental media of the future.” Other suggestions on appealing to today’s shoppers included simplifying prices, using credit, onetime buys, and more. |