A transatlantic alliance aims to help independent retailers in the UK fight for a bigger slice of the fiercely competitive floorcovering market.
Attention will focus on wooden and laminate floors – seen as areas with the potential for massive growth in the UK.
Midlands-based buying and distribution organisation Associated Independent Stores (AIS) has joined forces with CCA Global Partners in the US, the parent company of Carpet One. The merger will give AIS increased buying capacity, and bring marketing and advertising expertise and training programmes to independent retailers in Britain.
The new UK company, Flooring One, will use its purchasing power to source floorcoverings worldwide – and it has laminate and wood floors earmarked as an area for considerable development.
Flooring One managing director David Grebby said: ‘As far as laminate and wood floors are concerned we are at the bottom of a steep and interesting learning curve. I think the market in the UK is on the move and don’t see carpet regaining its previous very dominant position.
‘If our members are not up to speed with penetration on laminate and wood flooring they are losing profit so it is up to us to point out the benefits to them.’
Flooring One will also be sourcing ceramic, vinyl and other floorcoverings for independent retailers nationwide.
AIS, which has 235 member stores, currently has an annual spend of more than £100m in the floorcoverings sector and the plan is to double that in the next few years in a market of around £2bn.
Mr Grebby said: ‘The venture is of mammoth importance and the biggest deal to be announced in the UK floorcoverings market in the last 25 years.’
