In 2014 and 2015, the
contract floorcoverings market began to recover from a relatively flat period
experienced in 2012-13, and growth in 2015 was estimated to have been around
4%, according to a report recently released by AMA Research. This performance
was underpinned by strong growth of 7% in the floor tiles sector and by
returning confidence in the commercial construction sector. The contract flooring
market tends to be less volatile than the domestic market with more steady
market conditions and overall demand within the contract sector is dependent on
levels of business confidence, investment and growth of commercial new build
and refurbishment work.
The contract
floorcovering market has changed significantly over the last decade in terms of
both products used and specification levels. Key to this change has been the
move away from carpet to ‘smooth’ floorcoverings with more integrated use of
different types of flooring materials within a single installation. Design and
aesthetics have also become increasingly important features in recent years,
with contrasting colours and textures also used to provide differentiation
between locations.
“There has been
little change to the contract floorcoverings product mix over the last 2-3
years, with carpet retaining the largest single share followed by vinyl, wood
and floor tiles”
said Andrew Hartley, Director of AMA Research. “Modular floorcoverings have become more prominent in recent years.
Initially associated with carpet tiles, floor tiles and laminates, this trend
has expanded to include vinyl tiles - particularly luxury vinyl tiles - and
more recently, linoleum tiles.”
Contract carpets have faced significant competition from
smooth floorcoverings but enjoyed estimated growth of around 3% in 2015,
underpinned by higher refurbishment and new build work in the private retail
and offices sectors. The contract vinyl market has performed better than both
the overall vinyl market as well as other contract floorcoverings materials in
recent years. Contract vinyl has been at the forefront of product innovation
with the development of a wide range of sector specific products, and the
market has also benefited from greater specification of slip resistance and
safety flooring in key end-use sectors, including health, education,
entertainment & leisure.
Demand for wood flooring in the contract sector reached a
low point in 2011 but the recent trend has been upwards with growth of 12% to
2015. The sector continues to be affected by strong competition from other
smooths, but wood floorcoverings have benefited from the trend for the mixing
of flooring types.
The contract floor tiles sector was affected by the
recession but experienced less severe decline than the domestic floor tiles
sector, and good growth in 2014 and 2015 has been due to higher demand from
sectors such as hotels, retail, leisure and offices. The trend for larger
format floor tiles and increasing adoption of higher value porcelain tiles,
particularly stone effect designs, have all helped to underpin value growth.
Prospects for the
contract floorcoverings market remain positive into the medium-term, with annual
value increases of around 3% currently forecast to 2020. The forecast is based
on the strengthening of the recovery for new build and refurbishment work in
key private commercial construction sectors, but tempered by forecasts of flat
or lower demand from some public sector end-users.
The product mix for
contract floorcoverings is unlikely to change significantly due to the number
of end-use sectors, the range of sector specific products and the propensity
for the replacement of ‘like with like’, with carpet set to retain its leading
share.
The ‘Contract
Floorcoverings Market Report – UK 2016-2020 Analysis’ report is published
by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services
within the construction and home improvement markets. The report is available
now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242
235724.
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