Most European markets saw a slight increase in wood flooring sales during the first quarter of 2018 compared with the same period last year, according to the European Federation of the Parquet Industry (FEP).
Belgium and the Netherlands saw the highest estimated sales increases, at 3 percent above the first quarter of 2017.
Austria, France, Italy and Sweden all saw an estimated growth of 2 percent in sales. Norway, Finland, the Baltic States, Norway and Spain all recorded increases of 1 percent or less.
Wood flooring sales in Denmark and Switzerland remained flat.
Germany registered the only sales decline, falling 5 percent from last year.
The decrease of sales in Germany âreflects the subdued residential market, the lack of installers which leads to shifting of projects, the competition from âwood lookâ floor coverings and the disappearing spaces for hardwood flooring on shelfs in DIY,â according to the FEP report.
The FEP Board of Directors met April 4 to discuss the market conditions.
