Flooring Industry News September 2021

BANK HOLIDAY BOOST TO FOOTFALL

UK retailers enjoyed a bank holiday bounce in footfall of 14% compared to 2020 over a weekend that is an important sales occasion for the furnishing and flooring sector.

The latest data from Springboard said footfall in UK retail destinations increased by 4.9 per cent last week over the previous week with high streets and shopping centres doing best with respective rises of 6.9% and 4.8% while retail parks saw only a 0.8% increase.

Comparing footfall to the same week in 2020 which also included the bank holiday, the number of shopper visits was 14.2% higher overall.

Read the full article on The Stocklists website.

FLOORING RESILIENT TO HIGH STREET CLOSURES

In the cull of high street brands that saw over 5,000 stores close in the first half of this year, furniture and flooring showed its resilience.

According to latest analysis by the Local Data Company (LDC), of the 5,251 retail outlets that pulled down the shutters between January and July 2021, only 135 furniture and flooring stores closed.

This compares with 1,063 fashion shops that closed (including many of the multi-outlet mainstream chains), 452 charity shops, 428 car dealers, 377 betting shops and 286 bank branches.

Read the full article on The Stocklists website.

“FAMILY REUNION” FOR FLOORING

The flooring industry is celebrating the success of the national flooring show at Harrogate, described by many as a “family re-union’ for the trade after a two-year absence.

Many key exhibitors said it was among the best shows ever as visitor numbers were comparable with 2019 levels and levels of business in a buoyant flooring industry were high.

“Nobody knew what to expect this year but it has been a great success with a really good quality event and strong business all round,” said Lisa Shirley of F Ball, who were one of many exhibitors who had extended their stand space this year.

Read the full article on The Stocklists website.

MORE HOPE FOR THE HIGH STREET!

Independent high street retailers have recorded the first net rise in openings for four years.

A net total of 804 locally run stores opened in the first half of 2021, according to the latest review of the market by analysts at the Local Data Company (LDC).

The number contrasts with a net 5,251 chain stores, hospitality and leisure businesses that closed down during the period, as more small business owners (and shoppers) ventured into the nation’s local shopping districts.

Read the full article on The Stocklists website.

FURTHER READING

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