WHAT’S NEW?


DOMOTEX 2021 MOVED TO DOMOTEX DIGITAL DAY After initially being postponed to 18th


- 20th May, DOMOTEX will no longer take


place as a hybrid trade show format this year.


In the midst of the escalating global pandemic, Deutsche Messe AG organisers have decided that planning and carrying out a physical presence on site in Hannover is not possible this year. Instead, new digital formats will cover the topics of the international floorcoverings industry in May 2021.


Currently, an alternative digital business platform is planned in the form of the DOMOTEX DIGITAL DAY on 20th


May, 2021. The focus element of


this platform is a digital conference that will address current and forward- looking topics in the international flooring industry.


Dr. Andreas Gruchow, Member of the Management Board of Deutsche Messe AG, commenting on the final decision, said: “Trade shows like DOMOTEX, which are characterized by a very high level of internationality on both sides, amongst exhibitors as well as visitors, have a long planning period. Following the recent surge in global


VICTORIA PLC REPORTS RECORD SALES IN 2020


Floorcoverings manufacturer and distributor Victoria PLC has reported a strong performance over the past year, with the Group achieving all-time record revenues and operating profits for the third quarter to the end of December 2020.


Despite the UK lockdown in November and on-going COVID-19-related challenges, the Group’s revenues were more than 10% up on the previous year.


The group attributed the performance to three principal drivers:


Firstly, Victoria’s business is now highly diversified geographically - generating nearly 75% of earnings and cash from outside the UK. The Group sells its products to thousands of flooring retailers across Europe, North America, the UK, Australasia, and the Middle East.


04 | Tomorrow’s Retail Floors


coronavirus cases, accompanied by lockdowns, worldwide travel warnings and restrictions and quarantine requirements, we now have had to make this decision. Unfortunately, for the first time in its 32-year history, we will not be able to organize DOMOTEX in 2021 as a physical trade show on our exhibition grounds in Hannover. Even a hybrid DOMOTEX is not realistic in the current situation, as it would require a certain proportion of physical exhibitors and visitors


Secondly, all of the Group’s factories remained open throughout the quarter, with full production schedules, and the Group’s logistics centres maintained deliveries to customers to satisfy demand, whilst providing a COVID-safe environment for all staff. The Company intends to continue operating from all of its sites during the current quarter.


Finally, its strategic investment in logistics and distribution in the UK, completed in late-2019, has provided Victoria with a sustainable competitive advantage. The objective of this investment was to improve the customer experience - enabling retailers to hold lower inventory levels (reducing their working capital and warehousing costs), whilst still being confident that product would be received when required for installation.


Commenting on the record performance, Executive Chairman


on-site, combined with travel from all parts of the world. We have therefore decided to organize DOMOTEX as a purely digital event, in order to give our customers the necessary planning security from now on.”


DOMOTEX 2021 will take place as a digital-only event on 20th


Exhibition Grounds. www.domotex.de/en


Geoff Wilding said: “Demand for flooring product is strong from consumers’ renewed focus on investing in their homes but we are outperforming the market generally and believe this to be both sustainable and ongoing due to the benefits of our unique service proposition. This is a direct result of the substantial investment we made in our logistics platform during 2019.


“Undoubtedly, the UK November lockdown had some impact on our performance - we would have done even better without it - and the current lockdown may similarly impact the final quarter of FY 21. However, Victoria has clearly shown its operational resilience by achieving record revenues and earnings in the December quarter and the Board believes it is well placed to meet this headwind.”


www.victoriaplc.com www.tomorrowsretailfloors.com


hybrid DOMOTEX is scheduled for 13th 16th


January, 2022, at the Hannover


May. The next -


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