The industry, for at least the 40 years that I have been a part of it, has had an installation problem, and most likely a good while before that.

Everybody wants to gain some sort of insight into the future, to get some sort of realistic inkling as to what business will look like next month, next year and beyond.

How many pieces have you read recently about store closings? In the last several months there have been too many to mention.

Vinnie Virga has been in the flooring business more than 30 years, spending nearly 13 years at CCA Global Partners.

The premise of this interview is what appears to be a pretty grim outlook for many independent retailers out there.

What percentage of floor coverings are being sold online?

Carpet One has been holding conventions for 32 years. These events are not only as well orchestrated and professionally staged as any Las Vegas production, they present member retailers with a host of new programs and products, educational and networking opportunities and a great deal of excitement and fun to boot.

In June of last year, Karen Mendelsohn joined Mohawk Industries as senior vice president of marketing, after a nearly 17-year stint in the building products and services arena with Masco.

In this space, we have talked about installation repeatedly: the challenges facing independent retailers in the arena of installation and the presumption of many retailers that superior service is their hallmark.