During the course of my nearly 22 years of writing and reporting for this industry, I’ve been to countless residential and commercial trade shows, conventions, meetings, etc., not to mention on a daily basis being able to communicate with people throughout the country from every level and sector of the industry.
Most years I attend both the winter and summer Carpet One conventions, which, by the way, are extremely well produced affairs that rival the production of anything that the people in Hollywood can put together.
According to a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which predicts that this year millennials will represent the majority of the workforce and, by 2030, this connected, tech savvy group will comprise 75% of the workforce, it is imperative that we understand their needs and values to recruit the best and brightest.
While new and improved products are constantly hitting the market and, in the last couple of years the luxury vinyl business—be it tile, planks or the ever-expanding wood plastic composite floors—has exploded in popularity, sheet vinyl has managed to remain a viable option and first choice for many applications on both the commercial and residential sides of the fence.
When it comes time to retire, every store owner should have a plan in place in order to seamlessly pass the torch on to either the next generation of the family, a faithful employee or even an outside source.
While the residential industry continues to plow through a mixed business climate, one needed to look no further than the world famous Merchandise Mart and the 47th NeoCon to feel the strong pulse of the commercial industry, as more than 50,000 people from around the world fought off heavy storms and tornado warnings to see the newest products for projects they were working on and learn about the latest trends for upcoming jobs.
I’ve been writing for the trade press for nearly 30 years and never noticed during this time the most important element of selling is used in almost every human interaction.
Just about any retail sales trainer I’ve ever listened to will tell you to greet your customers at the door and never leave their side until they buy or walk away.
