Anticipating DOMOTEX: UK Flooring Market

Continuing on with our series about anticipating DOMOTEX 2010 and the opportunities for flooring, here is a report on the UK Flooring Market brought to us by Cheryl Withers of the London office of the U.S. Commercial Service and colleague of Catherine Mayer.

Opportunities in the United Kingdom

The UK Flooring Market

The UK market for floor coverings was worth around $9.7 billion in 2008. Carpet accounts for around 55% of the UK market. It has traditionally been the most favored form of floor covering in the UK primarily because of the climate and the comfort factor. However, wood and tile are increasing in popularity and gaining more of a market share. The non-domestic sector (offices, retail, leisure, and education) is also experiencing a shift to wood. Solid wood was popular during the 1990s but the situation has reversed as laminated wood [i.e., engineered wood] has become increasingly cheaper to purchase. Sales of solid wood are still expected to increase but so is the competition. The UK imports a large amount of wood from Scandinavia and Germany. The market has been affected by the current recession but I expect the current drive for more new housing and refurbishment projects to have a positive influence once the crisis ends. Natural/eco products or unique products would be particularly welcomed.

Flooring Journals/Trade Associations

Mr. Allan Little
Director
British Textile Machinery Association
Mount Pleasant, Glazebrook Lane
Glazebrook, Warrington WA3 5BN
Tel: +44 (0)161 775 5740
Fax: +44 (0)161 775 5485
Email: btma@btma.org.uk
Web site: http://www.btma.org.uk/

Mr. Ashley Heath
Chairman
The Tile Association
Forum Court
83 Copers Cope Road
Beckenham
Kent BR3 1NR
Tel: +44 (0) 8663 0946
Email: info@tiles.org.uk
Web site: http://www.tiles.org.uk/

Mr. Michael Hardman
Chief Executive
The Carpet Foundation
MCF Complex
60 New Road
Kidderminster
Worcester DY10 1AQ
Tel: +44 (0)1562 755 568
Fax: +44 (0)1562 865 405
Web site: http://www.carpetfoundation.com/

British Wood Flooring Association
1A Vicarage Lane
Dunchurch
Warwickshire, CV22 6QP
Web site: http://www.bwfa.co.uk/

Contract Flooring Magazine

Contract Flooring Journal

Tile UK

For more information about doing business in the UK,

Please contact:

Cheryl Withers
U.S. Commercial Service
American Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
London W1A 1AE
United Kingdom
Tel: 44 (0) 20 7894 0471
Fax: 44 (0) 20 7894 0020
Email: cheryl.withers@mail.doc.gov

The U.S. Commercial Service — Your Global Business Partner

With its network of offices across the United States and in more than 80 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://www.export.gov/eac.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this report is intended to be of assistance to U.S. exporters. While we make every effort to ensure its accuracy, neither the United States government nor any of its employees make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of information in this or any other United States government document. Readers are advised to independently verify any information prior to reliance thereon. The information provided in this report does not constitute legal advice. The Commercial Service reference to or inclusion of material by a non-U.S. Government entity in this document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by the Commercial Service of the entity, its materials, or its products or services

International copyright, U.S. Department of Commerce, 2009. All rights reserved outside of the United States.

Thank you, Cheryl, for this report -- and Catherine for involving your colleague!

As it relates to DOMOTEX, the U.S. Commercial Service in Frankfurt is your contact for export assistance. Although each country has a trade specialist, the Frankfurt office - and Catherine Mayer - coordinates those offices. Catherine Mayer will be at DOMOTEX 2010 and scheduling meetings with American visitors and foreign buyers to promote the sale of American made products.

If you are attending DOMOTEX and want to benefit from the services provided by the US Department of Commerce, Commercial Services Division, please be sure to contact Catherine Mayer, Jim Gould or me to schedule an appointment. US DOC services include market research, introductions to foreign markets and guidance on how to do business in any specific foreign country.

Next, opportunities in Russia.

~ Rita

Rita Dommermuth, Hannover Fairs USA
rita@hfusa.com - Tel: 562-901-9191


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