I love music. One of my favorite concerts to attend is Dave Matthews Band. I’ve seen him about half a dozen times at the Jones Beach Theater here on Long Island. If you really listen to the song lyrics, there are messages. Take The Best of What’s Around: “And if you hold on tight to what you think is your thing, you may find you’re missing all the rest.”
So true. Many of us lean into what we know best, the safe space to work and play — creatures of habit, predictable. But maturity, growth, mind development all happen when you go outside that comfort zone and explore what is possible. I’m not suggesting reckless change, but mindfully engaging with the best of what’s around.
We’ve been producing the More Than Floors Issue for years now. At first, while there were early adopters to expanding portfolios on the supply side, in distribution and at retail, there was more hesitation than openness. Organizations such as CCA with KIBA and AHSG have developed programs and secured vendors to help facilitate expansion beyond flooring.
Suppliers too have expanded their portfolios — MSI and Daltile are bullish about countertops, for example. And several companies, such as CALI, have moved into the turf business. Hallmark offers cabinets, countertops and flooring for a full home opportunity.
Why these investments? Opportunity. Opportunity to diversify your business into other outlets creates a balance particularly in economic downturns. The opportunity to offer your partners whole home solutions — from inside to outdoors — allows for an increased ticket sale and a customer that will look to you for a multitude of installations. Sure, it takes time, education and adjustment but the results can mean owning more of a renovation and a repeat customer that goes beyond updating flooring.
And during soft times, like we are experiencing now, having more to offer the customer and being nimble to a fickle market is a good thing. Diversity also allows you to be prepared for the best of times as well.
Mohawk has set its sight on being out front when business returns to a greater pace. And as we head into the home stretch of 2023, we had the opportunity at a recent media event to speak with Mohawk’s Jeff Meadows and Trey Thames about this year, the year to come and the company’s investment in future success.
While Meadows noted that pure retail operations were experiencing the worst of the downturn, and the builder market as well, “2023 is still the third best year for most dealers,” he said.
Still, the company has invested significant capital, Meadows shared, in its plants and new innovations. He said the downturn is soft and with these investments, “when it comes back quickly, we are prepared. We will be in a lot better position because of it.”
Guiding some of Mohawk’s latest moves were the disruption in importing and the need for more consistent product. As well, the company is looking ahead at the next demographic of consumers and what their wants and needs are.
For example, Meadows said of Mohawk’s latest sustainably minded resilient, “PureTech is off the charts good,” noting its non-PVC story, price point and good looks.
Added Thames, “There is not trade off with being a sustainable product.” Soft surface too received attention with new yarn systems. Higher-end product, they said, held up well, pointing to the company’s Godfrey Hirst and Karastan brands.
There is more to come during market season and from what we’ve seen and heard, there will be a little disruption coming from Mohawk as well.
How are you disrupting your market and how are you capturing more of the consumer’s attention? We’ve seen and heard some creative stories during this year. Change isn’t always easy but to stay in one place at the exclusion of the rest shouldn’t be an option. Be bold and take on the best of what’s around.
Stay safe. Stay inspired.