Flooring America Introduces Five-Star Selection System For all Hard Surface Categories

April 18, 2002
Flooring America

Manchester, NH (April 18, 2002) – Flooring America has just made it easier for consumers to purchase hard surface flooring with the introduction of a comprehensive Five-Star Selection System for all hard surface categories. The system was launched at their April Convention in Baltimore.

“We wanted to build upon the success of our Five Star Selection System for carpet,” said Evan Hackel, President of Flooring America. “The system instilled confidence in our customers when they purchased carpet, because we made it easy for them to compare quality versus price, and select the carpet that best met their needs and budget. We want customers to feel that same confidence when purchasing hard surface flooring.”

As in the carpet system, one star denotes standard performance for a hard surface floor at an affordable price, while five stars highlights the best of the category with greater warranties at a higher price point. The Five-Star Selection system offers an evaluation of each hard surface category independently. Each product is ranked on specific criteria, which include, but is not limited to, price, application, durability, ease of maintenance, and damage resistance. The star system gives the customer a benchmark to assess these factors that are so important in the buying decision.

“The stars help guide the customer in the shopping process. They help her to quickly narrow down her choices so she can focus on selecting the product that best fit her needs and budget,” said Sally Kelly, Senior Director of Merchandising. “It makes buying floor covering easy.”

In addition, a new hardwood display, featuring the latest in hardwood technology from manufacturers like Bruce, Robbins, Hartco, Kahrs, Mohawk, Shaw, and Mannington in over 200 styles and species, will make the shopping experience easier for customers. Only the most popular styles and species from each manufacturer were selected to be included in this new display – allowing the customer to view the best of what each manufacturer has to offer in just 16 feet of display space. A new ceramic display is just as impressive, featuring over 120 ceramic and stone styles in the exclusive Terra del Sol Collection, from such reputable manufacturers as DalTile, Crossville, and Florida Tile. Several regional distributors round out the collection, enabling Flooring America stores to offer their customers the fashions that are most popular in their area of the country. The new displays will arrive in stores in July, in advance of the busy fall selling season.

Product specifications for both hardwood and tile products are clearly labeled on the back of each sample, and copies of these spec sheets are readily available from the Flooring America store for interested customers. Pricing for all the new products is also available on Flooring America’s intranet, where the member can easily plug in whatever margin they like and the “Everyday Low” and “Sale” prices are automatically calculated and easily printed on Flooring America price tags.

About Flooring America

Flooring America, with a sales volume of $1.4 billion, consists of more than 500 member-owned floor covering stores throughout the United States and Canada. Flooring America provides members with exclusive brands and warranty programs, comprehensive multi-media advertising programs, complete showroom merchandising packages, plus training in management and sales. It operates as a division of CCA Global Partners, the world's largest flooring group. For information on becoming a member of Flooring America, contact Tom Heffner, National Membership Director, at 800-466-6984, ext. 1501.