Upheaval in the flooring industry?
Independent retailers have never had it better!
In the past month, the flooring industry has seen dramatic shifts, with three major national retail chains facing serious setbacks, resulting in job losses, disrupted order fulfilment, and uncertain warranty validation.
With Carpetright going bankrupt, SCS exiting the carpet market, and The Floor Room falling into administration, the landscape has changed significantly. Only one national retailer remains—TAPI, however that too could be on shaky ground as co-founder Martin Harris has left the business after more than a decade.
The flooring trade is unique, as national chains have historically held less than 40% of the market share. Independent retailers have long dominated, and it looks like their influence will continue to grow.
Carpetright enters administration
In July, Carpetright, one of the UK’s largest flooring retailers, entered administration. For decades, they were a go-to for home and corporate flooring needs, offering a wide range of budget-friendly options. However, the cost-of-living crisis led to reduced spending on home renovations and furnishings. A cyberattack in April further impacted their business, leading to over 1,800 jobs at risk.
Fortunately, some Carpetright locations were saved by larger retailers like Tapi helping to preserve jobs. Still, approximately 200 stores remain vacant, awaiting new occupants.
The Floor Room, linked to John Lewis, collapses
The Floor Room, a sister brand to Carpetright and operating within John Lewis stores, has also collapsed into administration, leading to 200 job losses. As a result, the company is no longer able to fulfil customer orders.
SCS exits the Flooring market
Despite its name, “Sofa Carpet Specialist,” SCS has stopped selling carpets and flooring entirely. Flooring accounted for just 8% of their revenue, and the company struggled to gain traction in this segment. While SCS has remained silent on the reasons behind this move, they have assured customers that all existing orders will be fulfilled, and warranties will remain valid.
Customer Care
We believe customers are increasingly realising that independent retailers offer superior value, better quality fitting, and overall better service than the national chains. While we may be biased, this has always been the case.
As a brick-and-mortar retailer, we are also noticing customers turning away from online-only suppliers. More and more, they are appreciating the importance of in-person fitting services, hands-on customer care, and the ability to view products firsthand – something independent retailers excel at.
5 reasons to choose local independent brands
- 1. Friendly and full of expert knowledge
- 2. Great prices to support local economy
- 3. Location is key
- 4. Huge range of products
- 5. 5* customer care
As a family run business who have been operating for over 28 years, we know a thing or two about flooring and excellent customer service. We pride ourselves on our high quality work, and 5* customer service.
Choosing the perfect flooring can feel overwhelming, but with our knowledgeable showroom staff by your side, we’ll help you select the ideal flooring for any room.
We ensure that each customer will be looked after from start to finish. Our dedicated team of floor fitters, boasting over 100 years of combined experience, will guarantee that your chosen product is installed to the highest standards.
1We offer a FREE measure and quote service. Get in touch to book in.
Why not pop down to the largest flooring showroom in Cambridgeshire, we are open Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm