EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome


Editorial Editor


Georgie Whitworth


georgie@opusbm.co.uk Advertising


Account Director Clare Gapp


clare@opusbm.co.uk Production


Production Director Hannah Wilkinson


hannah@opusbm.co.uk


Designer Nigel Rice


nigel@opusbm.co.uk Designer


Daniel Etheridge


daniel@opusbm.co.uk CEO


Mark Hanson mark@opusbm.co.uk


Hello and welcome to the January/February issue of Tomorrow’s Retail Floors!


Happy New Year! It’s certainly not the most ideal start to the year, although not entirely unexpected. But unlike the blissfully unaware entrance into 2020, the world is armed with incredible new advances in medicine and technology and it’s looking like there is finally light at the end of this long tunnel as we continue in the fight against COVID-19. What’s been clear from covering regular trading updates, and speaking to many people across the industry, is that lockdown and the virus has brought both ups and down for the residential flooring sector; but trading has hit overwhelming and unanticipated heights for many as the influx in DIY and online purchases has rocketed sales of flooring.


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In the last issue, we got a retailer’s perspective on the pandemic, as Paul Humphries of Best4Flooring shared his experience with his Stockport store and online offerings over the past year. This time, we spoke to Rupert Anton, of the Carpet Foundation- a trade body for the carpet industry. In his article, Rupert reflects on the impact COVID-19 has had on the carpet and flooring sector, in particular what it has meant for retailers, and shares his predictions for the upcoming months. Also in our Carpets, Rugs & Accessories section, we have plenty of content providing inspiration and advice to help you plan for the year ahead.


As the years go by, one word that only grows in stature is ‘sustainability’. This edition has a dedicated focus on the topic, touching on a wide range of subjects from the benefits of wool to underlay made from recycled bottles. Elsewhere in the issue, we also have all the latest industry updates and product launches, and we take a look at Pantone’s Color of the Year.


Happy reading!


Georgie Whitworth, Editor FOLLOW US ON TWITTER OR TWEET US @TRETAILFLOORS https://twitter.com/TRetailFloors 02 | Tomorrow’s Retail Floors


www.tomorrowsretailfloors.com


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