Flooring Podcast

Floor Daily Flooring Professional Podcast
Consumer Research Expert Lis Calandrino on Focus Groups – Part 2 (15:09)

Consumer Research Expert Lis Calandrino on Focus Groups – Part 2 (15:09)

April 29, 2006—Lis Calandrino, Director of Consumer Research, Fabulous Floors magazine and focus group facilitator in the second part of a three-part series on focus groups talks about dealing with panelists of both genders and the techniques she calls upon to draw out information during focus group. Calandrino talks about the core information she often seeks during focus group sessions, such as what drives consumers to switch from one product to another or from one retailer to another and what causes consumers to be partial to a particular product, and what drives them want to buy a particular product. She talks about techniques used at gathering data and the methods used to interpret the data that has been collected. Also discussed is a joint venture between and Fabulous Floors and FloorRadio that will conduct consumer focus groups on behalf of retailers and suppliers.

Consumer Research Expert Lis Calandrino on Focus Groups – Part 3 (16:19)

Consumer Research Expert Lis Calandrino on Focus Groups – Part 3 (16:19)

April 29, 2006—Lis Calandrino, Director of Consumer Research, Fabulous Floors magazine and focus group facilitator in the final part of a three-part series discusses preparing for a focus group, the process of knowing the client’s customer, defining the customer’s lifestyle, attitudes and mind-set as it relates to the purchase of non-flooring products and services and their attitudes about pricing and the value of things like warranties. Calandrino talks about setting session goals, responding to panelist’s input, making the session fun and promoting interaction among participants and how focus groups can be particularly productive for retailers large and small. Also discussed is the report that is commonly issued following a focus group.

Mohawk Industries 1Q Conference Call – Part 1 (18:08)

Mohawk Industries 1Q Conference Call – Part 1 (18:08)

April 29, 2006—Excerpts of Mohawk Industries first quarter earnings conference call presented in two parts. This the first part features the opening statement from Mohawk Chairman & CEO, Jeff Lorberbaum followed by a question and answer period with answers provided by Lorberbaum and CFO, Frank Boykin.

Mohawk Industries 1Q Conference Call – Part 2  (16:28)

Mohawk Industries 1Q Conference Call – Part 2 (16:28)

April 29, 2006—The second part of a two-part series featuring Mohawk Industries first quarter earnings conference call. Included are excerpts from the question and answer period with questions fielded by Mohawk Chairman & CEO, Jeff Lorberbaum and Mohawk CFO, Frank Boykin.

Barker on the Market  (32:33)

Barker on the Market (32:33)

April 27, 2006—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management discusses the market reaction to rising oil prices and its reaction to the comments made yesterday by the new Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke that many feel was a signal that the Fed would halt rate hikes. Barker discusses the recent positive economic news, Mohawk’s first quarter earnings report, the rising prices of oil and their possible affects on earnings, the 6-month strategy and the Chinese central bank's move to boost a key base rate and how that may affect U.S. business.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill on Shaw’s Evergreen, Martha’s Rug Line and Home Depots Newest Acquisition

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill on Shaw’s Evergreen, Martha’s Rug Line and Home Depots Newest Acquisition

April 25, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill discusses: Shaw’ purchase of the remaining 50% of the Evergreen Nylon recycling operation in Augusta, Georgia; The agreement between Martha Stewart and Safavieh for a new rug line to be launched at the Atlanta Winter Market 2007; Home Depot’s pending acquisition of the catalog and online retailer Home Decorators Collection; The sales of Amtico at auction: Interface’s sale of its European fabrics unit; The possible sale of Propex’s Seneca South Carolina plant; and Tile Partners for Humanity’s donation of six trailer loads of tile stone after Coverings 2006.

FloorExpo President and Three FloorExpo Members Discuss the Homebuilder Market – Part 1 (11:26)

FloorExpo President and Three FloorExpo Members Discuss the Homebuilder Market – Part 1 (11:26)

April 23, 2006—The first part of a five-part series, presented in segments of about 10 -15 minutes, this series looks at the homebuilder sector of the floor covering industry with three flooring contractors and FloorExpo members: Tom Boschwitz, Home Valu Interiors, Minneapolis, Steve Hoppe, Arlun Interiors, Colorado Springs and Denver, Blake Lewis, Atlanta West Carpets, Atlanta and Jay Smith, president of FloorExpo. In this segment panelist discuss their companies and current trends among the large national and small builders, and Home Depot’s presence and growing threat in marketplace.

FloorExpo President and Three FloorExpo Members Discuss the Homebuilder Market – Part 2  (12:49)

FloorExpo President and Three FloorExpo Members Discuss the Homebuilder Market – Part 2 (12:49)

April 23, 2006—The second part of a five part series that will be presented in shorter segments of about 10-15 minutes. This series looks at the homebuilder sector of the floor covering industry with three flooring contractors and FloorExpo members: Tom Boschwitz, Home Valu Interiors, Minneapolis, Steve Hoppe, Arlun Interiors, Colorado Springs and Denver, Blake Lewis, Atlanta West Carpets, Atlanta and Jay Smith, president of FloorExpo. In this segment the panelists discuss the slowing housing market and the pressures this places on all in the channel in the face of rising oil prices and builders seeking to drive cost from the system. Also discussed are the problems that the recent series of supplier price increases had on contractors and how suppliers might improve the process in the future. Panelists also discuss their companies’ approach to design centers and how each interacts with builders and their approach to upgrades.

FloorExpo President and Three FloorExpo Members Discuss the Homebuilder Market – Part 3  (13:40)

FloorExpo President and Three FloorExpo Members Discuss the Homebuilder Market – Part 3 (13:40)

April 23, 2006—The third part of a five part series that will be presented in shorter segments of about 10-15 minutes. This series looks at the homebuilder sector of the floor covering industry with three flooring contractors and FloorExpo members: Tom Boschwitz, Home Valu Interiors, Minneapolis, Steve Hoppe, Arlun Interiors, Colorado Springs and Denver, Blake Lewis, Atlanta West Carpets, Atlanta and Jay Smith, president of FloorExpo. In this segment the panelists discuss the variety of non-floor covering products each offers talk more of the about controlling upgrades in the various types of design center models, home buyer and builder attitudes concerning toward home customization and upgrades. The panelists also discuss their attitudes toward the growing trend that is seeing some of the industry’s major suppliers finalizing deals with major home builders and the pressure this is placing on contractors and how flooring contractors differ from other contractors in this situation