The European flooring market has managed to increase its turnover by 5.6% in 2022, but this was entirely due to the inflationary environment. However, hopes for a longer-term recovery phase with rising sales after the business slump due to Corona are not being fulfilled, according to a study by Interconnection Consulting.

Sales in the European flooring market stagnated last year (-0.2%) and are unlikely to get off the ground in the next few years. In 2023, Interconnection expects a further contraction of 0.3%. The European flooring market in particular will continue to be severely affected by the shortage of raw materials, rising prices and increasing transport costs, which also clouds the forecast for the market. “A more positive development may occur if the construction sector shows more dynamism than expected,” explains Monika Pan, author of the study. However, this will require investment in housing projects, lower real estate interest rates and a less tight monetary policy overall, Pan adds.

Germany is Weaker

The German market is the largest in Europe with 381.3 million square meters, followed by Turkey and Russia. Germany is also clearly number one in terms of value, with a market volume of €8.1 billion, ahead of France and the United Kingdom with €3.8 billion and €3.3 billion, respectively. However, Germany in particular is stumbling a bit in the next few years. For the largest market, an annual growth rate of -0.2% is expected up to 2025. But even across Europe, significant volume growth is not expected until 2025.

Parquet Loses Ground

Overall, ceramic tiles are the strongest product segment in Europe with 26.6% followed by laminates with 23% and elastic floor covering with 12.4%. However, it can be seen that the share of ceramic tiles has increased, while laminate flooring has lost market share. Strongly declining last year was the product group of parquet flooring, which lost about 4.5% and now comes to 8.7% market share. Causes for this decline were shortages, delays in deliveries, and sharp price increases. Nevertheless, parquet flooring managed to defend its number one position in terms of value. The main European players are: Altro, Amorim, Beauflor, Forbo, Gerflor, Nora (Interface), Tarkett, Kährs, Windmöller, Parador, Junckers.

The study examined following countries in the European Region: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Turkey and Russia.

Link to Global Flooring Market News

Link to the report

10/02/2023

Copyright: Interconnection, Publication free of charge for coverage regarding the study and InterConnection Consulting.