Floorzap & WFCA Release '26 State of the Retail Industry Report

Salt Lake City, UT, February 12, 2026-Floorzap announced the release of its 2026 State of the Retail Flooring Industry Report, a research study examining how flooring retailers are responding to changing customer expectations, margin pressure and increasing operational complexity. 

The report is based on a survey of nearly 200 flooring store owners and operators, combined with insights from 1,300 homeowners, delivering clear benchmarks and actionable takeaways for the year ahead.

This year's report was developed in partnership with the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), with a focus on installation quality, installer certification and the downstream impact on claims, customer satisfaction and profitability.

"Nearly one-third of top performers still expect 21%+ growth in 2026. The difference isn't demand-it's execution," said Matt Buckley, general manager at Floorzap.

The findings reveal a widening gap between retailers who have modernized their operations and those still relying on manual, disconnected processes. As lead volumes fluctuate and customers demand faster quotes, clearer communication, and flexible payment options, operational efficiency has emerged as a critical competitive advantage.

Key findings from the 2026 report include:

• Nearly 60% of retailers convert more than 30% of inquiries, making missed calls, slow responses, and inconsistent follow-up one of the most expensive hidden growth constraints in 2026
• 80% of flooring retailers offer financing, but use it on less than 5% of jobs, leaving meaningful deal size and scope expansion unrealized
• Top performers invest in integrated systems at just three to ten employees, compounding visibility, margin control, and execution advantages before complexity forces change