Manchester, NH, May 25--Flooring America’s ongoing commitment to upgrade and improve its members’ operations with new programs and services has contributed to the co-op’s third consecutive year of same-store sales gains again in 2003.
“We’re helping our members compete at a higher level of presentation and professionalism,” said Evan Hackel, Flooring America’s President. “They have enthusiastically and successfully integrated our many new initiatives into their daily operations, and the customer clearly has responded favorably.”
New products and services introduced in 2003 produced a nine percent same-store sales increase. Compared to the relevant segment, Flooring America outperformed the industry. “This year we are on track to same-store sale increases in double digits,” said Hackel.
Flooring America’s approach to marketing, advertising, in-store displays, and consulting components allowed Matt Wagner, owner of Bob Wagner’s Flooring America of Downington, PA, to generate business quickly. He added a third location in Wilmington, DE, incorporating many of the new Flooring America programs.
“Their turnkey store program enabled us to open a new showroom last October that’s as close to a 100 percent Flooring America store as I’ve seen. Our first six months have been very successful.” With the opening of that store, Flooring America is now represented in all 50 states.
“The consistently professional image created by Flooring America--in its product selection, displays, brochures, warranties, even its price tags—helps our customers reach a comfort level with our salespeople that leads to a purchasing decision,” said John Menarde, Jr. The president of Feasterville Flooring America in Feasterville, PA. Menarde is also a member of Flooring America’s Advisory Council. He attributes most of his growth in 2003 to increased sales of hardwood flooring.
Notable among his many hardwood sales were those to customers who had initially come in to shop for carpet. “The financing initiatives Flooring America provides also help us to get buyers off the fence,” said Menarde.
Both Menarde and Wagner were among the latest recipients of Flooring America’s Shining Star Award, presented at the retail flooring cooperative’s National Convention last month in Houston. The award is presented to those members who post exceptionally high sales volumes through their use of Flooring America’s many products and programs.
