INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW 

AMA Research has published the Eighth edition of the "Floorcoverings Market – UK 2007" report. The report incorporates original research and provides a comprehensive review of the overall floorcoverings market exploring key sectors and end use applications.

Product Areas Covered:-

• Carpets

• Wood/Laminates

• Vinyl

• Ceramic Tiles

• Others – Linoleum, Natural Stone, Rubber, etc

The market was worth over £2 billion at manufacturers prices in 2006, continuing the trend for only moderate overall growth experienced since 2001. There have been further changes to the floorcoverings mix in 2004-06, reflecting the slowing of laminates sales, the buoyancy of ceramic tiles, vinyl & solid/engineered wood and some marginal recovery for carpets.

The new edition of the report analyses overall market trends, product mix, supply and distribution structures etc, while reviewing the key factors influencing these issues and future prospects for the market.  Also reviewed are product sales, trends and specification issues within each of the major application areas.

Of Particular Interest:-

• Decline in laminates market in 2004 with only moderate value gains to 2006.

• Marginal recovery of carpet sector in 2006.

• Continued buoyancy of vinyl and ceramic tiles underpinned by contract market.

• Sustained demand for solid and engineered woods.

• Growth of natural stone sector.

Key areas of coverage in the report include:-

OVERALL MARKET

• Total Floorcoverings market - analysis of size by VALUE, historical trends and market characteristics.

• Analysis by major product sectors - carpets, wood & laminates, vinyls, ceramic tiles, linoleum, etc.

• Review of key products included within each sector.

• Review of key market influences – housebuilding, construction, etc

• Future Prospects – estimates of overall market performance 2007-10.

CARPET

• Definitions - market size by value, recent trends including market opportunities and threats, market performance in 2004-06, future prospects 2007 - 10.

• Overseas trade in carpets, significance, size by value, recent trends, major supplying countries, destinations of exports.

• Tufted Carpets - market size by VOLUME and VALUE, recent performance, fibre types - trends, future prospects.

• Woven Carpets - market size by VALUE. Mix between Axminsters and Wiltons. Trends in woven products, future prospects.

• Fibre Bonded and Non-Woven Carpets – key trends.

• Rugs - small but strong product sector, trends, reasons for buoyancy.

• Carpet Suppliers - major manufacturers, market shares, company information, areas of corporate restructuring, strength of import suppliers.

WOOD / LAMINATES

• Definitions – solid wood, engineered hardwood and laminates.

• Market size by VALUE, market characteristics & trends, current situation in 2005-06, forecasts of future growth prospects 2007-10.

• Mix by value for end-use sectors for contract and domestic markets.

• Key suppliers in the wood floorcoverings market - major manufacturers, distributors and suppliers, market shares, company information, changing market structures.

VINYL

• Definitions - market size, trends, current situation, forecasts. contract & domestic mix, imports & exports.

• Domestic sector, relative significance of product types - cushioned vinyl sheeting, un-cushioned vinyl sheeting and vinyl tiles, trends, future prospects 2007-10, product features.

• Contract sector - product types, vinyl sheeting and vinyl tiles, future prospects.

• Vinyl suppliers - major manufacturers, market shares, company information.

CERAMIC TILES, LINOLEUM & OTHERS

• Ceramic Tiles - Market size, mix between wall and floor applications, trends key features, imports & exports, future prospects, major suppliers.

• Linoleum - Market size, international trade, product forms, future prospects.

• Others – including natural stone, cork and rubber – estimates of market size, leading suppliers.

DISTRIBUTION

• Domestic Distribution - definitions, shares by major channel – Multiples, Independents, Specialists, DIY, Builders Merchants, Dept. Stores, Mail Order, Internet etc. - areas of growth and decline, major companies within each channel.

• Contract Distribution - mix by major channel - healthcare, education, commercial retail, industrial, leisure, areas of growth and decline.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

• Prospects for the floorcoverings market 2007-10 - major factors influencing market performance.

• Developments in the major product and market sectors.