Every two weeks, FCNews seeks out flooring retailers across the country to offer their advice on hot topics of the day. This week we asked: What gives you hope 2023 will be a good year?
Here are their responses:
The hope I have for the success of 2023 rests with my incredible team members who have worked so hard to overcome all of the challenges of the last couple of years. Seeing what they have been able to achieve gives me the confidence that we can crush whatever challenge comes next.
— Lauren Voit, Great Western Flooring, Naperville, Ill.
This [slowdown] will all work out in the long run because recession balances inflation by design. We will eventually get back to normal—the big question is when?
— Ben Case, The Carpet Collection, Lockport, N.Y.
It’s important that we view every year as a good year. You can’t allow macroeconomic circumstances to determine your fate. Yes, you must be reasonable with projections. However, a projected downturn is a good time to take market share as the competition pulls back on their marketing expenditures.
— Bobby Merideth, Flooring America OKC, Oklahoma City, Okla.
The commercial, multi-family and retail renovation sectors should increase and offset the decline in new home numbers. Homeowners have increased equity due to the rising real estate market the past few years and I believe many are cash strong. Overall, I believe it will be a year of growth and opportunity for those willing to put forth the effort and continue to invest in their business.
— Kevin Rose, Carpetland USA, Rockford, Ill.
So long as there’s no leak in the boat, we should be able to weather the storm. We are intentional on keeping a healthy team as customers buy because of our team—not products.
— Roy Tokuhama, Abbey Carpet & Floor of Hawaii, Honolulu
