EDITOR’S VOICE 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 November/December issue of Tomorrow’s Retail Floors.


Normally, in our last issue of the year, I would use this opportunity to reflect on the year we’ve had and drop in a cliché or two about how quick the past twelve months have flown by. But nothing can quite compare to 2020.


Hitting many industries hard, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the retail flooring market, as the lockdown meant that many manufacturers and physical stores had to close. Just when there was light at the end of the tunnel, lockdown #2 was announced. As the government told non-essential retailers that they had to close their doors to the public once again this November, debate ensued over whether this included flooring retailers. With many independent retailers shutting up shop, some of the major players in the market faced a backlash on social media for remaining open on the grounds they supplied building materials. After about a week of heated debate, however, most of the big-name retailers made a U-turn on their decision and closed their physical stores.


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With the forced closure of stores, focussing on your online presence, and the virtual services available to your customers, is more important than ever. In fact, we hear from one retailer in this issue who shares his story of how the online side of his business boomed when he had to close his store. To enhance your digital knowledge, we have a dedicated section on Virtual Tools & Services with advice from technological experts. In our ‘What’s New’ section, you’ll also find details of new virtual services launched by brands such as F. Ball and Balta.


Elsewhere in this edition, we have all the latest industry news and product launches, as well as an extended feature on LVT.


We hope you enjoy the issue and we’ll see you next year!


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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