Today's Flooring News

Keep up to date with the most recent news in the flooring industry. Today's News...As it happens! We update this news several times a day so you can stay connected.

West Coast Ports Overburdened, Congestion Creating Delays

Washington, DC, February 19, 2021—The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have been overburdened with a deluge of container imports over the last few months, reports Supply Chain Dive.

Coverings Reports on 2021 Tile Trends, Hosting Webinar on Feb. 23

Arlington, VA, February 19, 2021––Coverings has announced the 2021 tile trends forecasted by three leading international tile associations and sponsors of Coverings, Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association of Spain (ASCER)/Tile of Spain, and Tile Council of North America (TCNA), in commemoration of National Tile Day, which is February 23.

China Reduces Tariffs on Certain Wood Products

Washington, DC, February 19, 2021—China's Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council declared that tariffs have been reduced on certain products imported into China beginning January 1, according to the Decorative Hardwoods Association.

Housing Starts Down 6% in January

Washington, DC, February 18, 2021-Privately owned housing starts in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,580,000, 6% below the revised December estimate of 1,680,000 and 2.3% below the January 2020 rate of 1,617,000. Single-family housing starts in January were at a rate of 1,162,000; this is 12.2% below the revised December figure of 1,323,000. The January rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 402,000.

Jobless Claims Rose by 13,000 in Second Week of Feb.

Washington, DC, February 18, 2021—In the week ending February 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 861,000, an increase of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level, according to the Department of Labor.

Import Prices See Biggest Gain Since 2012

Washington, DC, February 18, 2021—Prices for U.S. imports increased 1.4% in January, after rising 1.0% in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The January advance was the largest one-month rise since the index increased 1.4% in March 2012.