The mouldings market may be mature but there are plenty of profitable opportunities to be had for stockists and suppliers who introduce innovative products with novel uses that will appeal to a new generation of end users.
Demand for time-saving solutions is rising across the customer spectrum. Professional installers and joiners are increasingly calling for part and fully-finished timber mouldings that will enable them to save time on-site, allowing them to progress quickly onto their next job.
This looks set to continue as consumer demographics change, the population ages and buyer characteristics and preferences evolve. The Changing Rooms-inspired DIY enthusiast is gradually being replaced by homeowners who share the same interior design aspirations but who wish to spend minimal time on home improvements and prefer the manufacturer – or a professional tradesperson – to “do it for them”. This presents real opportunities for primed, pre-foiled and fully-finished products.
Linked to this emphasis on ease and speed of use is growing demand for shorter, more functional mouldings lengths that are easier to manage and are closer to being ready-to-fit at the point of purchase.
When it comes to the styling and aesthetics of the latest mouldings designs, the more innovative suppliers are developing new ranges that complement today’s diverse and often contrasting design trends – from pared-down, minimalist styling to classic, ornate styles reminiscent of interiors from centuries gone by.
New niches
Whether it’s modern, simple mouldings with contemporary silver trims, intricately carved period ornaments, or mouldings inspired by the crafts and décor of other countries, by trialling exciting and varied designs, manufacturers are helping to carve out new niches and attract new users to a well-established product.
The recent popularity of aluminium, plastic and hardwood profiles points to the changing nature of the market. Pine mouldings are still in demand but, despite the higher premium, hardwood mouldings continue to have plenty of end user appeal, thanks to their durability and high-quality finish.
One area not to be overlooked is the profit potential of flooring accessories. With wooden flooring continuing to dominate the floor coverings market, DIYers and professional installers alike are using mouldings such as quadrants and scotias to help conceal any unsightly gaps and provide the finishing touches to flooring installations.
Environmental credentials
The environmental credentials of timber mouldings are also becoming increasingly important, particularly amongst merchants, and specifiers in the public and commercial sector. More specifiers are demanding sustainable products that are formally accredited through recognised timber certification schemes, such as FSC and PEFC. Retailers too are serving growing numbers of ethical consumers, a strong indicator of the future importance of offering certified timber products.
So, it would seem that interesting times lie ahead in the mouldings market place, with new criteria coming to the fore when it comes to end users’ purchasing decisions. Despite a difficult trading period over recent months, indicators suggest that retail and trade sales are beginning to stabilise, and product innovation and real assessments of how best to meet customers’ needs will help to ensure that suppliers and stockists can prosper in what is hoped will be a time of market growth.
If merchants and retailers are prepared to review their mouldings range in line with changes in customer tastes and requirements, and if they work with an experienced supplier who can offer support and advice, stockists can easily mould the profit potential of this product group into a long-term, lucrative shape.
