FLOORING INDUSTRY NEWS JANUARY 2021
Welcome to our news round-up for January 2021 – a great way to keep up to date with all the latest news, views and commentary for the flooring industry and business owners. To keep on top of all the latest industry news why not follow our LinkedIn account – we always post interesting news stories and article links on our page.

2021 CFJ/CFA AWARDS ENTRY DEADLINE
The deadline for entries for this year’s awards is the end of January.
“This year’s awards will be hosted by the Reverend Richard Coles and will take place at Coombe Abbey in Coventry.
Because installations have undoubtedly been affected by Covid-19, CFJ has this year decided to extend the timescale for entries. If you’ve completed an installation between January 2019-December 2020, you’ll be eligible to enter the 2021 awards. Although the success of the 2020 Awards, presented via video by former world snooker champion John Parrott on Friday 11 September, has been widely praised by the awards’ sponsors, participants and viewers, the optimistic hope is that next year’s event will be held in a world free of Covid-19.”
More details are available on the CFJ website.
THE STOCKLISTS REPORT ON THE LATEST UK LOCKDOWN
The Stocklists reported on January 5th details of the latest UK lockdown and how it affects the industry.
“The ‘hardest yet’ extension of national lockdowns across the UK closes all non-essential retailers, but floor fitting has scope to continue as tradespeople may work in consumers’ homes.
The strengthening of Covid restrictions yesterday closed all the remaining flooring retailers – the 20% that were outside the English Tier 4. In-store one-to-one appointments are also precluded by ‘stay-at-home’ legislation.”
More details are available on The Stocklists website.
LOCKDOWN STATEMENT FROM CFA PRESIDENT
Contract Flooring Journal president Hamish MacGregor made a statement regarding the latest UK lockdown.
“Transmission rates are now the key and I cannot stress enough that while Construction and Contract Flooring remains open, we MUST focus on the Safe Operating Procedures (SOP) and how we apply them to play our part in maintaining the opportunity to work.”
The full statement can be read on the CFJ website.
WORKING ON SITE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Construction Scotland have made available two documents which offer safe operating guidance during Covid-19. These are “Working on site during Covid-19 pandemic – Construction Guidance” and “Advance addendum no.1: 11th January 2021”
Both of these documents are hosted on the Construction Scotland website.
WEBINAR: ACTION ON RESPIRATORY HEALTH SUMMIT
The Contract Flooring Association announced a Webinar taking place on 02/02/2021 at 11:00. The Webinar is titled “Action on Respiratory Health Summit.”
The webinar will see “a panel of occupational health specialists and industry leaders coming together to discuss the current position with regards respiratory disease in construction, and to share some best practice standards, real case studies and solutions.
This session is designed to be highly interactive – the panel will share their own insights as well as addressing questions posed by you – when you register you are given the opportunity to submit a question for discussion.”
More details including panel members and links to register are on the CFA website.
FLOORING OUTPERFORMS RETAIL DECLINE
The stocklists reported on the Office of National Statistics latest trading data which showed that flooring retailing grew by 3.2% in 2020.
“Floor retailing grew by 3.4% in 2020 against a background of the UK’s worst high street sales decline in history, says latest data from the Office for National Statistics.
Strong trading between lockdowns boosted flooring, with analysis showing that sales in September and October were up 53% and 65% respectively on 2019 figures – compared to the darkest days of April at 76% down and May at nearly 80% down.”
Full details are available on The Stocklists website.
RETAIL RE-OPENING IN APRIL?
The stocklists report on Governments plan to re-open non-essential retail in April.
“ Government officials are reported to be working on plans that could see non-essential retail re-open in April in a phased route out of lockdown.
Today’s Daily Telegraph (27/01/21) quotes Whitehall sources saying that after schools start re-opening in March, a three-step plan would see non-essential retail re-open in April and hospitality venues in May.”
Full details on The Stocklists website.
FURTHER READING
We hope you enjoyed our flooring industry news roundup. We have a huge luxury vinyl flooring range which can be found on this link.
Remember, follow us on LinkedIn to keep up to date with the latest flooring industry news.
