RANGE REVIEW: TILES & TILING
Patterns and shapes remain a key element of the market with “random lay” decorative tiles for both walls and floors increasingly offered by suppliers. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are available in a very wide range of colours, styles and effects. In addition, new technologies have meant that production turn-around times have been improved which has resulted in manufacturers being able to supply limited runs of higher- value products aimed at the upper end of the market. Imports remain a key feature of the market, given the low number of UK-based volume manufacturers but high levels of demand, with European producers dominating import supply and UK-based manufacturers under increasing pressure. The market is therefore susceptible to exchange rate fluctuations and higher manufacturing costs.
Distribution of floor and wall tiles is likely to continue to evolve. Whilst distribution in the contract sector is generally direct from manufacturers or distributors, there continues to be an increasing cross-over between the domestic and contract sectors. Distribution routes in the domestic sector are more complex and are likely to be impacted by the structural
changes occurring in the retail sector, with many operators now selling via ‘click and collect’ and other channels. Both independent retailers and home improvement multiples have lost share in recent years, while the specialisation and focus on tiles has helped tile retailers maintain share. In 2016, it was estimated that the leading overall distribution channel for floor and wall tiles destined for the residential market in the UK was tile specialists - i.e. distributor showrooms, independents, tile specialists and retail tile multiples – which accounted for around 60% of sales.
It should be noted, however,
that considerable cross over exists between some channels, with for example, some leading national builders’ merchants having a significant retail presence. Prospects for the floor and wall tile market into the medium-term remain relatively optimistic, though a more modest growth scenario is likely to be a feature of the market into the medium-term, with the market forecast to grow to around by 7% between 2017 and 2021. Levels of residential RMI are forecast to increase despite the economic uncertainty, and the trend for ‘get someone in’ - rather than DIY – is expected to continue benefiting the market.
Going forward, the floor and walls tiles market is likely to continue seeing significant competition from other surfacing materials, such as waterproof panels, including thin porcelain panels, LVT and other types of wall and floor coverings as well as the use of prefabricated bathrooms/wet room pods used in the contract sector.
More information is available in the report ‘Floor and Wall Tiles Market Report – UK 2017-2021 Analysis’, which is published by AMA Research. The report is available now and can be ordered online at
www.amaresearch.
co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.
www.diyweek.net
15 JUNE 2018 DIY WEEK 15
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