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.
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.
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.
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.
December 17, 2006—Retailer Aaron Pirner, CEO, CAP Carpet, a 10 location chain, based in Wichita, Kansas, in the final part of a five-part series discusses the actions CAP takes during weak markets and the creative steps he takes with channel partners to increase margins. Pirner talks about his approach to advertising and relationship selling and his views on how independents are taking market share from larger players.
December 13, 2006—From Shaw Industries, Buddy Bevil, Director of Marketing Communications and Kathy Young, Director of Creative Services, in the first part of a three-part series, discusses the companies’ enhanced advertising and communications program. In this segment Bevil and Young talk about the company’s traditional stance on advertising and outline its new stance going forward, they also discusses consumers' perception of flooring companies and the brand the company will feature in the program.
December 13, 2006—From Shaw Industries, Buddy Bevil, Director of Marketing Communications and Kathy Young, Director of Creative Services, in the second part of a three-part series, discuss the companies’ enhanced advertising and communications program. In this segment Bevil and Young discuss the media selections, made by the company, the program’s goals, their expectations in terms of consumer response and the products that will be featured in the program.
December 13, 2006—From Shaw Industries, Buddy Bevil, director of marketing communications and Kathy Young, director of creative services, in the final part of a three-part series, discusses the companies’ enhanced advertising and communications program. In this segment Bevil and Young discuss the online element of the program, the role shelter and women’s magazines play in consumer purchasing decisions, and the core message of the program.
December 12, 2006—Floor Focus magazine Co-Publisher Frank O’Neill looks back at the week in the floor covering industry discussing: The merging of the Midwestern operations of Tarkett and Kraus, the benefits of such a move and the implications for other players in the industry: The closure or sale of Tandus’ U.K. manufacturing operations and the company’s focus on manufacturing operations in North America and China; More on Shaw’s Evergreen facility and the repositioning of the Anso brand and; Home Depot's Homeway deal in China.
December 12, 2006—Kathy Van Pelt, vice president, Member Programs and Services at FloorExpo, in the second part of a two-part series, discusses an initiative launched by Home Solutions, by FloorExpo called Home Solutions Design Community, aimed at improving the performance of design consultants and design centers through education and communication. In this segment Van Pelt talks about design consultants, their ability to increase revenue, how they work with homeowners to create a positive experience and some of the other tools available to FloorExpo members.