Our exclusive survey of 260 flooring retailers finds that the resilient floor category is changing its product mix. Resilient flooring sales continue to average 14 sales per month – consistent with 2008 sales.

The economy may be showing signs of a turn upward. First, the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index grew again, to 54.9 in May (from 40.8 in April). Additionally, solid efforts in single new home starts in Southern California (April) and home sales rising 2.9 percent in April (according to the National Association of Realtors), show the economy may be finally turning around.

No doubt about it – the National Floor Trends’ 2009 Trade Directory and Buying Guide appearing in this month’s issue along with its online, fully searchable version combines the industry’s most up-to-date information available with the immediacy of online updates.

A closer look at the category showed that the residential replacement portion captured 54% of 2008 sales, more than twice the 22% for the builder/new construction category. The contract/commercial segment followed at 17% with Main Street commercial at 8%.

We need change now. The flooring industry is in a rut – a big rut. Sound familiar? The change we need can only be fulfilled with a united flooring industry sharing one vision: A Vibrant Housing Market.

Just three months into 2009, it is definitely not business as usual for the floor covering industry. Clearly, all segments have taken a different approach in conducting business. Those driven to success during these economic times are now closer to their business partners.

Did you happen to catch that wonderful segment on eco-friendly flooring that debuted recently on two cable TV networks? It is sponsored by the World Floor Covering Association and started running on the WE Channel on Sept. 5 and on The Learning Channel show, Designing Spaces, the following day.

Signaling what promises to be a new era in carpet production, Mohawk and its supplier have found a way to make its SmartStrand carpet using corn sugar rather than petrochemicals. The company said the move to a raw material that is far more plentiful and less expensive has been made possible by a process introduced at a newly-opened plant that supplies carpet polymer for Mohawk.

While they lament that they can not touch or feel the products they are considering, consumers using the internet to shop for flooring say they appreciate both the breadth of information available and the convenience it affords.

The Anderson Family of Companies cut the ribbon on a multi-function facility designed to honor its rich history. The new 165,000-sq. ft Bob Anderson Design Center, in Fountain Inn, S.C., will handle design, administrative, research, educational, installation training and warehouse functions.