Page 12 - CFJ_DistSupp25

Distribution round-up

THE INDEPENDENT FLOORING GROUP

Can you start by telling us types with more on the way. The profitable. Digital sales will only

a little about your company move to hard flooring types has grow, and we intend to be a part
and how long you’ve been seen us place a new focus on of it.

operating as a distributor within hard floor underlays, screeds and

the flooring sector? adhesives. There have also been With the new government
We are the Independent clear moves upmarket in metal in place, have you seen any

Flooring Group consisting of 16 profiles and demand for more effects on business confidence,

independent distributors across decor matching profile variants. investment decisions, or trading
the UK. We were formed in 2021 Demand for products made conditions?
KEN ROBB to develop a new model for from recycled raw materials
CEO, The Independent the independent distribution is still there but has become a Everyone has been impacted
Flooring Group by the changes to National
sector and are now moving into standard expectation rather than
our 5th year of operation. We a new demand trend. Insurance, and these added costs
have members who’ve been in By adopting our Floorgear do not help us or the economy
business from 2-40 years. brand name as the marketing to grow. There is a marked
We are owner managed and name for The Independent increase in the use of AI to cover
bring a breath of fresh air to the Flooring Group, we’re adopting administrative tasks and perhaps
trade through the experience, a new national approach which the NI changes have created
knowledge and enthusiasm that is in line with service oriented a rush to understand it and
only an independent operator digital hub concepts in other capture its advantages.
can offer. industries.
This year we have re-presented How has business performance Have there been any noticeable
our group as Floorgear Trade been over the past 12 months? changes in buying behaviour -
Centres with a view to bring new Have you noticed any particular for instance, increased online
services and products to market areas of growth or challenge? engagement, smaller but more
that can match the width and Overall, we believe business
value of any wholesaler in the UK. has been slightly down, at best, frequent orders, or greater
Floorgear Trade Centres static in 2025 to date. Current interest in sustainable products?
offer a wide range of products Search engines are the main way
through its Floorgear brand that changes like the growth of a customer engages potential
can be ordered on its national online trading and structural suppliers of floorcoverings -

sales portal. They also act as changes in the distribution Saturday shopping trips to a

hubs for the Floorstars national sector make it difficult to have local flooring retailer are no

installation service which is an accurate market assessment. longer the primary way to find

opening new opportunities for We’ve certainly increased our the perfect floor. While online

the industry. sales, but they may not be the
case for everyone. The biggest customer acquisition is the key,

What types of flooring challenge we face is managing online transaction still represents
products and brands do you the growth of online sales to just 25% of the market. There

currently distribute, and have ensure a profitable future for are forecasts predicting that this
you diversified your portfolio our member companies. We’re will rise towards 50% by 2030

to reflect recent shifts in the happy to embrace online sellers in flooring, driven by the new

market? and believe we’ve developed

Over the last five years we’ve a customer trading approach infrastructure being put in place

extended and developed our which enables them, and to make online flooring sales and
Floorgear range of 17 product therefore ourselves, to remain easier journey for consumers.
Sustainability continues to play
a pivotal role across the supply
chain. How is your business
advancing its environmental
practices or meeting customer
expectations in this area?
As a distributor, the main
influence we can yield is in

supplier selection and those
supply partners who offer
sustainable products are more

likely to find a place in our
portfolio.
www.floorgear.co.uk/the-

independent-flooring-group/

12 Distribution Supplement www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
December 2025 @CFJMagazine