Dalton, Ga.– Scott Humphrey, CEO of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), announced the annual winners of the Gold Standard Award, which recognizes stores that have created an outstanding consumer retail experience. In the category including retailers with sales over $10-million, Coles Fine Flooring based in San Diego, Calif., took home top honors. In the under $10-million category, Brian’s Flooring and Design based in Birmingham, Ala., was recognized.
The first-place winner in the over $10-million category received a choice of one of the following: a two-day on-site custom CFI carpet seaming class or a two-day on-site custom sales training class. The winner also received one-year online WFCA University tuition. The first-place winner in the under $10-million category received the same class options as above as a single-day of classes.
In addition to the recognized winners, each award category recognized 2nd and 3rd place recipients. Second place winners in both categories received $1,000 in WFCA Trade Scholarship funds, plus one year’s worth of WFCA University tuition. The 3rd place winners in both categories were honored with $500 in WFCA Trade Scholarship funds, plus one-year’s tuition to WFCA University online.
Second and third place winners included: Over $10-million: Carpetland USA, Davenport, Iowa (2nd place); H.J. Martin and Son, Green Bay, Wis. (3rd place). Under $10-million: Russell Martin Carpet and Rugs, Naperville, Ill. (2nd place); Independent Carpet One Floor and Home, Westland, Mich. (3rd place).
Coles Fine Flooring continues to uphold their Gold Standard award winning performance this year in the over $10-million category. Last year they placed second. Among other things, the retailer’s standout success is attributable to its firm commitment to client service, employee retention programs, and community involvement. Coles strives to accommodate consumers in every aspect, including the accessibility and presentation in its showroom, which now includes a Kitchen and Bath Design Center that is staffed with experts that boast over 50-years collective experience; a dedicated customer service department that is staffed seven-days a week; and a one-year satisfaction guarantee that is one of the strongest in the industry.
Stepping up from their third place position last year, Brian’s Flooring and Design caught the judging panel’s eyes in the under $10-million category due to its growth and dedication to total customer satisfaction on every job. Brian’s Flooring describe themselves as “deliberate, adaptive and efficient” in fulfilling the expectations of customers. Brian’s Flooring takes its relationships with its customers very seriously. The client relationship does not end when the job is over. Brian’s Flooring has ongoing, committed customer appreciation initiatives and, with a relationship built on trust and satisfaction, customers keep coming back.
To receive the Gold Standard Award in either category, companies are reviewed and judged based on: knowledge, ensuring a knowledgeable management and staff who work to remain informed on the state of the industry at all times; customer service, providing courteous service and offering customers help throughout the purchase and after-purchase processes; quality of store image, a clean, professional, well maintained store must be presented both inside and out at all times; and code of conduct, the facility must adhere to the WFCA Code of Conduct. A company also must be a member of the WFCA, have been in business for at least 3 years, and have a clear Better Business Bureau report.
For more information, visit wfca.org.
