Flooring Podcast

Architect & Designer Peter Conant on the Commercial Market Place

December 27, 2006—Architect and designer Peter Conant, Principal of the New York-based architectural firm Conant Architects, in an archives presentation first aired in November of 2005, discusses the economy, its effects on business and the changing New York market. Conant looks at the changing focus of corporate clients, design trends in 2005, his views on basic floor covering product groups and how they have effected the way he writes specifications. Conant also discusses his priorities when initiating a project, his approach, the checklist he follows and the role maintenance plays in his flooring decisions.

Retailer Lee Horwitz on A&M Carpet

December 26, 2006—Lee Horwitz, owner of A&M Carpet and Big Bobs of Fresno California, in an archives presentation first broadcast in April 2005, discusses this unique four store operation, keeping abreast of his customers’ needs, the A&M approach of visiting the customer’s home, his efforts to reduce SKU’s in his stores, the advantages of being a stocking retailer and how his philosophy differs from soft surface to hard. Horwitz talks about the company’s ad budget his observations about gender and buying decision and who really makes the buying decision, the A&M sales force and its approach and its skills in area of interior decorating and color coordination. Horwitz also discusses his approach to technology and B2B and his expansion plans.

David Birnbrey on Location, Location, Location, Selecting a Retail Site (40:27)

December 25, 2006—David Birnbrey, President, The Shopping Center Group, in an archives presentation first aired in November, 2004, discussed the science of retail site selection, the prime features that large and small retailers should consider in selecting an ideal location and the latest technology available to assist in the process. Birnbrey talks also talks about the recently announced acquisition of Sears by Kmart and how the enclosed mall has fallen from favor and may be readying for a comeback.

Barker on the Market

December 21, 2006—Mike Barker, Investment and Retirement Management, discusses this holiday season and the market, its up move from summer lows, events concerning the housing market of the past two weeks and how it is influencing the floor covering shares. Barker talks about the GDP and consumer price index reports, how events in Thailand have affected global markets, recent comments by Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker the what a Santa Claus rally is all about.

Werner Braun, CRI President on Seal of Approval Info Cleaning and Maintenance – Part 1 (13:32)

December 20, 2006—Werner Braun, president, Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), in the first of a three-part series, talks about the association’s Seal of Approval program for pre-spray and in-tank carpet cleaning chemicals and deep cleaning systems. Braun discusses how the program can help floorcovering retailers and sales people increase sales by providing science-based answers to consumer questions on cleaning and maintenance at the point of sale. Braun also talks about a variety of Seal of Approval program information that is available on the association’s website carpet-rug.org.

Floor Focus Co-Publisher Frank O’Neill and the Week in the Flooring Industry

December 19, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Co-Publisher of Floor Focus magazine, discusses the activist shareholder investment firm Relational Investors and its efforts to bring change to Home Depot and cease board activity that it calls “strategic adventurism", and Home Depot’s move into China with the acquisition of Home Way. Also discussed is Pergo's expanded relationship with Sam’s Club in Mexico and the U.S., ProSource’s rollout of a new smaller format store, which targets major metro markets, the stepping down of Jim Jolly as J&J Industries CEO and the naming of Jeanne Matson as StarNet's new president and CEO of as Lori Dowling steps down.

Retailer Aaron Pirner, CEO of CAP Carpet on the WFCA & Retail Groups - Part 1 (12:13)

December 17, 2006—Retailer Aaron Pirner, CEO, CAP Carpet, a 10 location chain, based in Wichita, Kansas, in the first part of a five-part series, discusses his tenure as chairman of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), the expansion CAP has enjoyed as a result of joining select retail groups, the retail sales environment of 2006 and his expectations for 2007.

Aaron Pirner, CEO of CAP Carpet on Cynical Consumers and Increased Levels of Competition– Part 2 (9:

December 17, 2006—Retailer Aaron Pirner, CEO, CAP Carpet, a 10 location chain, based in Wichita, Kansas, in the second part of a five-part series, discusses the changing perception and cynical nature of today’s consumer, the rate of speed with which the consumer is demanding greater levels of product selection and higher levels service and the resulting rise in levels of competition among first-class retailers. Pirner discusses his fondness for reformatting the sales floor and and how internet tools are becoming a necessary element for retail survival.

Aaron Pirner, CEO of CAP Carpet on the the Short Comings of Maintenance Warranties- Part 3 (14:33)

December 17, 2006—Retailer Aaron Pirner, CEO, CAP Carpet, a 10 location chain, based in Wichita, Kansas, in the third part of a five-part series, discusses the CRI Seal of Approval program for spot cleaners and the efforts of some major mills’ to link approval chemicals to warranties. Pirner shares his views on the short-comings on this initiative including the lack of channel partners education, the lack of sample labeling, the difficulty in the availability of the approved chemicals list, and the lack of accessible to approved chemicals in area stores. He also discusses the damage carpet as a product he will receive for this move.

Retailer Aaron Pirner, CEO of CAP Carpet on What's Needed on the Internet - Part 4 (10:50)

December 17, 2006—Retailer Aaron Pirner, CEO, CAP Carpet, a 10 location chain, based in Wichita, Kansas, in the fourth part of a five-part series, discusses his view on the importance of developing internet strategies among channel partners and the major challenge in years to come for supply channel partners to align themselves in a way to produce sales and not just furnishing education and developing leads. Also discusses are the shortcomings of dealer locators and the need for technology to track sales produced by leads. Pirner talks the steps he has taken with the WFCA and others.