Carpetright appoints advisers on cost cutting

One of the UK's largest carpet retailers, Carpetright, has appointed advisers, Teneo, to look at ways of reducing costs. Carpetright has recently experienced a downturn in sales.

Following Teneo's examination of the business, there could be closures of unprofitable shops and rent reduction negotiations.

In a 14-month period up to January 2022, the company had revenues of £372.6 million, down from £493.2 million the previous year. Carpetright lost £23.4 million pre-tax during the period to January 2022, which was less than the previous loss of £53 million.

Most Carpetright shop locations have several competitors close by. Martin Harris, the son of Lord Harris of Peckham, Carpetright's founder, has opened rival carpet shops close to many of Carpetright's stores.

Carpetright's longstanding business model has been to heavily discount carpet prices and offer money off larger orders. There has been less demand for high value premium quality carpets, which is one reason for the drop in the company's sales.

While at first customers may be under the impression they can find bargains at Carpetright, shoppers who compare prices can often find that the same quality carpets can be found at a similar or cheaper price at a local independent carpet retailer. Many prefer shopping at an independent carpet retailer in Chester or North Wales as they feel they get better customer service.

Though some consumers choose hard flooring rather than carpets, there is still a large demand for traditional carpets that add luxury and warmth to a room.

Are national carpet brands rebranding cheaper alternatives?

Do national carpet brands, such as Carpetright, offer more affordable prices compared to local retailers? Alternatively, could these well-known brands be rebranding substandard products?

Allegedly, Reportedly, some prominent national brands rebrand inexpensive carpets to give a false impression of high quality. Many believe that these carpets are introduced into the market at soaring prices, only to be subsequently discounted during sales promotions. Nonetheless, even after these carpets have been substantially reduced in price, identical carpets can still be bought for less money from local independent carpet retailers.

National brands often use names for their branded carpets that imply they are luxury carpets, which they aren't. These include titles such as Duchess, Champagne, Emperor and Belgrave. They may be offered at half price or part of a buy one, get another for half price deal. These deals often sound too good to be true and probably are. The original price may have been heavily inflated above a fair price for the carpet, only because it can later be halved. The other issue is the quality of the carpet, which may not be that high. Then, there may be added costs such as fitting, fitting accessories, delivery and underlay, which may not be part of the deal.

Like for like?

The primary factor to consider when determining whether to buy from a national brand or a local carpet retailer is to know if you are comparing equivalent carpets.

Comparing similar carpets can be challenging for consumers. Despite appearances, the products may differ in quality. Although a national brand carpet may have a higher price, it could be of inferior quality compared to carpets from a local store.

National brands frequently market carpets under their own brand labels. However, they do not make the carpets themselves; they get them from carpet producers who may also supply identical products to other vendors that rebrand them. In many instances, these identical carpets can be bought through independent carpet retailers at cheaper rates.

The challenge with carpet comparisons that arises is that identical carpets are often marketed under diverse brand names. This makes it difficult to ascertain if you are comparing prices for the same product.

Judge for yourself

To judge which is the best carpet deal, you could try comparing carpet samples. Visit both a national brand carpet shop and a local retailer for samples. Find a carpet sample that looks the same at each shop to compare the quality. Ideally, take home the carpet samples so that you can take your time comparing the quality. If there is no local branch of a national carpet seller near you, free samples may be obtained from their website.

Assessing the quality of a carpet can be quite difficult for the inexperienced eye, as multiple factors contribute towards determining the quality. It is important to examine the density of the carpet and how closely its fibres have been stitched together. Is the carpet made from tough fibres and made to last? Additionally, the fibre twist, which is the number of times strands of carpet are twisted together, needs examining. Stronger carpets tend to have a greater number of twists. Alternatively, a carpet may have a loop pile that improves its durability.

Can you get a better deal from an independent carpet retailer?

Proprietors of local independent carpet retailers have extensive knowledge about carpets. Ask them to examine your samples from prominent national brands. They may stock a comparable colour and quality of carpet at an equivalent or reduced cost. Alternatively, they are likely to sell an improved quality of carpet for not much more than the branded carpet offered by national retailers. Since high-quality carpets have a longer lifespan, they can ultimately prove more economical.

Most local independent carpet retailers have straightforward deals, with many including free fitting and quality underlay as part of the cost. When you add up the additional costs some national carpet retailers charge, you may find that you get a better deal from the local carpet seller.

Independent retailers sell good quality carpets at fair prices without having to resort to sensational deals. You also have the satisfaction of supporting the local economy.

Local carpet dealers tend to foster long-term relationships with their domestic and commercial customers. Without the vast marketing investment of the large carpet retailers, they rely more on testimonials from satisfied customers who have had fair deals. Happy customers are likely to recommend others to a carpet retailer.

Whilst you may appear to save money by buying carpets from a national retailer, on closer examination this is not always the case. You could be better off going to a local retailer for carpets.

The hidden costs of national carpet chains

When looking for a new carpet, many are attracted to prominent national carpet chains such as SCS, CarpetRight and Tapi due to their extensive range of options and seemingly low prices. Consumers could be unaware of the hidden costs associated with shopping at these establishments. When carefully considering these additional costs, better deals can likely be found at smaller, independent carpet retailers.

Quality

One of the hidden expenses is associated with the quality of the carpets. Major chains do not manufacture their carpets; instead, they buy them from a supplier and then label them with their own branding. These identical carpets are also distributed to independent carpet shops which may offer them at a lower price compared to the major companies.

The brand labels of these carpets may suggest luxury, with names like Duchess or Champagne. These rebranded carpets are frequently offered at discounted rates, giving consumers the impression that they are getting a great deal when in reality, they are investing in a poor product.

If you pay a premium for a higher quality carpet from an independent retailer, this can ultimately be more cost-effective, as it will have a longer lifespan before needing replacement.

Free installation

Certain national carpet retailers claim they provide free installation services, but you must question the true nature of this offer. It is important to recognize that carpet installers do not offer their services without compensation, therefore their fees are likely included in the total cost of the carpet.

Free underlay

Carpets often need underlay, although some come with built-in underlay. Underlay not only prolongs the lifespan of the carpet, but certain types also offer insulation and noise reduction benefits. Major carpet retailers may provide complimentary underlay; however, it is likely to be lower quality. Opting for better grades of underlay will entail an additional cost.

Delivery

Many national chains use freelance carpet installers who may not deliver the carpet, while delivery fees may be extra. Most independent retailers employ their carpet fitters who will deliver and fit the carpet at the same time.

Personalised service

Major carpet retailers hire sales assistants who frequently earn a percentage-based compensation based on their weekly sales performance. This arrangement can result in a scenario where the sales representative prioritizes the monetary worth of a transaction over identifying the most suitable carpet to meet your specific needs. Consequently, you may ultimately incur unnecessary expenses by buying a better carpet than you need or can afford.

Smaller carpet shops have the advantage of providing a more customised and attentive service. Instead of being assisted by a pushy sales representative, you will often interact with the proprietor. These owners are keen on establishing a personal connection with customers, taking the necessary time to understand your preferences and budget constraints to recommend the most suitable carpeting options. In some cases, they may even offer to conduct an on-site visit to your residence or place of business to accurately measure the space and provide a cost estimate, a service that is often complimentary, whereas larger national retailers typically charge a fee for the same service.

In general, you can expect a more personalised service from an independent retailer.

Is the deal too good to be true?

Upon entering into the large showroom of a prominent national carpet retailer, you might find yourself captivated by the grand posters showcasing exceptional promotions, such as a fifty per cent reduction on all items or a special deal of purchasing one carpet and receiving another at half-price. It is not uncommon to discover a wide array of carpets at discounted rates ranging from twenty to sixty per cent off. Additionally, complimentary fitting services or free underlay may be offered with every carpet purchase.

Passionate sales representatives may tell you about the exceptional bargains they provide. However, you must consider whether these offers are truly as remarkable as they seem. In reality, all carpet companies must make a profit on every deal to sustain their business operations. The inclusion of hidden fees ensures that they can generate profits from every carpet transaction.

The Office of Fair Trading has criticised leading carpet retailers for misleading customers into thinking they are getting a bargain by artificially inflating the original price. Ethical independent retailers may have sales or offer discounts sometimes, but they don’t exaggerate the original price.

Home Style Carpets and Flooring is committed to transparency by providing quotes for flooring with no concealed costs involved. If you purchase the identical carpet from us as sold by a nationwide retailer, you might discover that you end up paying a lower price.

Research shows homeowners unhappy with their interior design

A survey of 2,000 households found that one in three of them don't like their own interior décor. However, nearly half (48%) said that they intend to renovate their living spaces within the next year.

A spokesperson for Shutterly Fabulous, which commissioned the research said:

“The research has really highlighted how people are living in spaces they’re not actually particularly happy with, which is a real shame."

Rooms can be improved by simple things that don't cost a lot such as a fresh coat of paint, decluttering and rearranging furniture, though this is not enough to change the top interior dislikes of dated carpets, ugly furniture and shabby skirting boards.

The survey discovered that the rooms which need the most attention are the living room and kitchen. The top reasons for not renovating are lack of money and time. Often, rooms were once renovated in styles that were trendy at the time but now look dated. Some of the top style regrets are bright paintwork and expensive furniture, which often looks ugly.

Two of the most disliked items according to the survey, are lino and unfashionable carpets. These can easily be replaced. Laminate flooring and carpets are popular flooring choices which don't cost too much. Visit a local flooring company in Chester or North Wales to see a wide variety of floor covering materials in a wide range of colours and patterns to suit all tastes and budgets. Skilled flooring installers can quickly create a new floor that transforms and modernises a room.

How Jeremy Hunt solved Downing Street flea problem with new carpets

In Liz Truss’s new book, she complains of itching caused by flea bites at the flat she lived in at 11 Downing Street when she was Prime Minister. She left after 50 days, at which point Chancellor Jeremy Hunt moved in.

Truss reported that the flat was sprayed with flea killer. She blamed Boris Johnson’s dog Dilyn for bringing the fleas into Downing Street.

Hunt himself has recently said he had a more drastic and costly way of solving the Downing Street flea problem; he replaced all the carpets at his own expense using a security-cleared company. Since the new carpets were installed, Jeremy Hunt and his family have not suffered from flea bites.

Up to 50 eggs a day are laid by fleas in pet fur. After larvae are hatched, they fall off the pet and are often embedded in carpets where they can stay for months. High-piled carpets are favourite places for fleas to inhabit.

For flea-infested carpets in the Chester and North Wales area, new carpets may not be necessary, though fleas can be difficult to get rid of.

To avoid dogs bringing in fleas, there are many prevention options available from vets. Vacuuming is the best first option to remove fleas from carpets, but if they persist deep clean the carpet with a wet carpet cleaning machine. For expert help, use a pest infestation specialist business or, like Jeremy Hunt, just throw the carpets out and buy new ones.