INDUSTRY UPDATE NEWS


Keynote Theme for DOMOTEX 2019 is Announced


The new keynote theme for DOMOTEX 2019, which will be held from 11th


-14th


January 2019, is CREATE’N’CONNECT: New Designs for a Connected World, organisers have announced.


Both exhibitors and visitors enthusiastically embraced the 2018 launch of a fresh exhibition design that introduced a clear hall layout, an annual keynote theme and the special Framing Trends showcase. Now, for 2019, the world’s leading trade fair for carpets and floorcoverings will be focusing on the mega trend of connectivity. Registration for DOMOTEX 2019 has been very strong so far, with more than half of the exhibition space being booked already. Companies and creative designers


are invited to participate in the Framing Trends special exhibition with their innovative designs.


The redesigned DOMOTEX – with its easy-to-navigate site and hall layouts plus the eye-catching “Framing Trends” showcase – has been warmly embraced by the market and is now entering its second season. The new lead theme has been announced, and registrations for DOMOTEX 2019 are already pouring in, with more than half of the available space already booked. As a networking hub, DOMOTEX is ideal for meeting up with one’s international clientele while at the same time generating scores of promising new leads.


The lead theme of the upcoming DOMOTEX 2019 – “CREATE'N'CONNECT” – refers to the idea of modern connectivity. Connectivity is affecting every aspect of how we live, work and interact. Technology and digital


change are accelerating this development, and new cultural patterns and habits are manifesting themselves in new approaches to how things are designed. The theme of “connectedness" also has strong symbolic and emotional aspects. With their numerous design options, floors play an important role here: providing the very foundation for the rooms in which we live and work. We are in constant contact with floors and flooring, and are consciously or subliminally always aware of what is beneath our feet. Floors are integral design elements, inspiring us, providing orientation and setting the stage for human interaction.


DOMOTEX 2019 will be held from 11th


-14th January (Friday through to


Monday) in Hannover, Germany, with approximately 1,400 exhibitors from over 60 nations expected to participate.


www.domotex.de/home


business as we open new stores across England, Wales and Scotland.


“This bricks and mortar expansion strategy complements the significant online presence we have built up since starting trading in 2012.


“We are growing at a fantastic rate, whilst at the same time being able to maintain online pricing in our high street stores.


“And, just as importantly, it means we are investing in towns and cities across the UK, creating dozens of new job opportunities for local people.”


Online Retailer Invests Over £1 Million In Physical Stores


A fast-growing online flooring retailer is investing over £1 million in the opening of nine new ‘bricks and mortar’ stores across the UK in 2018.


Connection Retail has already opened four stores this year – in Newport, Swindon, Edinburgh and Keighley - with further openings planned in Birmingham, Croydon, Crewe, York and Leeds.


This will mean that, in the space of a just over a year, the North-East company will have increased its number of physical stores by more than 130%.


twitter.com/TRetailFloors


The first opened in Gateshead in February 2017, with five more following throughout the rest of last year.


This represents an investment of well over £1 million and the creation of dozens of new jobs.


And the rapid growth is set to see the company’s annual turnover rise from £24 million to £35 million in 2019.


The new stores opening in 2018 will all sell products from the company’s three brands, Flooring Superstore, Direct Wood Flooring and Grass Direct.


Managing Director Dan Foskett said: “This year represents a significant expansion of our retail flooring


The new stores will predominantly focus on Flooring Superstore and Direct Wood Flooring with Grass Direct being a concession. Joining all three brands mean they are unique in selling not only quality carpets but also providing a huge range of other flooring, such as laminate and luxury vinyl tiles, as well as a handpicked selection of artificial grass from the UK’s largest range. The latter is designed to meet the growing demand from householders for artificial, rather than real grass.


www.flooringsuperstore.com www.directwoodflooring.co.uk www.grass-direct.co.uk


Tomorrow’s Retail Floors | 07


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