Dalton—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) released a new “Tuesday Tips” this week. In the series, WFCA experts present short video tips for improving customer service and optimizing staff performance. In the end, it’s all about understanding the importance of doing 100 things just 1% better than your competition.
In this week’s Tuesday Tips, Tom Jennings highlights a common mistake in confrontation—letting emotions shape opinions instead of sticking to facts. His reminder is simple: facts keep conversations productive.
Arlington, Texas—Shaw Industries showcased its 2026 product lineup across its family of brands at the Southwest Flooring Market. Following is a closer look at the introductions:
Shaw Floors
For carpet, Shaw Floors introduced a reimagined ColorWall for SFN members.
Shaw Floors is going big in 2026, with 31 introductions across its carpet and hard surface portfolio, along with four new merchandising units. In hard surface, Shaw Floors is extending its most popular and fastest-growing collection, Pet Perfect, into new categories with the introduction of Pet Perfect Luxury Vinyl and Pet Perfect Laminate. Briard, the debut style in Pet Perfect Luxury Vinyl, features proprietary PawDefense Technology, delivering 50% more scratch resistance than traditional luxury vinyl. The product is manufactured at Shaw Floors’ Plant RP in Ringgold, Ga.
“With Pet Perfect hard surface, we’re giving retailers solutions that reflect how people actually live today,” said Terri Harrington, VP, brand leader for Shaw Floors. “Pet Perfect is the one brand for the whole home—it fulfills all the solutions.”
As with all Pet Perfect products, the collections offer enhanced protection for life with pets and are backed by Shaw Floors’ warranty, the Pet Perfect Promise—if a pet scratches it, Shaw Floors will replace it. To support these new offerings, the brand has developed two new displays for each respective collection.
Terri Harrington of Shaw Floors shows off the new Pet Perfect laminate display.
Rounding out its hard surface introductions, Shaw Floors is expanding its hardwood portfolio with Bridgewater Eucalyptus, an exotic wood style offering distinctive character and strength, along with new color additions to established styles Expressions and Cornerstone II. In luxury vinyl, the brand is introducing Ignite, a WPC style featuring hickory-inspired visuals; Synergy, a new SPC style with refined stone looks; and Pathways 6 and Pathways 12, glue-down styles designed for efficient installation. Additionally, Shaw Floors is adding six new tile and stone styles.
For carpet, Shaw Floors introduced a reimagined ColorWall in October 2025, exclusive to Shaw Flooring Network members, designed to simplify whole-home design. The updated destination features six new carpet styles, each available in 35 coordinated colors. Designed to work alongside Shaw Floors’ hard surface portfolio, ColorWall is intended to give consumers a single, cohesive starting point to design their home.
In Pet Perfect, three new No Pattern Match styles, Joyful Spirit, Natural Instinct and Tailored Craft, join new cut-pile introductions Grand Influence I, II and III. The step-up Pet Perfect+ expands with two new No Pattern Match styles, Secret Destination and Secret Adventure, alongside the cut-pile style Refined Beauty, completing the lineup. Shaw Floors is also introducing a new Pet Perfect merchandising destination that allows dealers to showcase up to 24 Pet Perfect and/or Pet Perfect+ styles.
“Pet Perfect is the one brand for the whole home—it fulfills all the solutions,” Harrington said.
COREtec
Seth Arnold of COREtec Floors with a new WPC offering, Retro Revival.
COREtec is debuting three new COREtec Originals styles and one new COREtec Tile style. Additionally, the brand is adding five new colors to its top-selling Grande line.
New COREtec Originals styles include Retro Revival, which Seth Arnold, brand leader, predicted would be a “bonafide winner—the next product to go viral for us.”
Retro Revival boasts premium hardwood-inspired visuals at a value-driven WPC price point. The style blends traditional neutrals with untraditional oak grains on 9 x 30, up to 72-inch multi-length planks that add variance and authenticity, with the handcrafted look and feel of American hardwood. Coastal Luxe features a modern maple visual on premium ½- inch thick 9 x 72 WPC planks. Lakehouse Luxe introduces walnut and oak looks on premium ½-inch thick 7 x 72 WPC planks. The Grande line features an enhanced painted bevel while EIR technology adds a natural texture for an authentic look and feel.
“We’re committed to leading with designs that bring meaningful value to our customers and consumers,” Arnold said. “We’re growing exponentially, gaining share in the trade-up market. [Dealers] trust that our products perform. Everybody is trying to chase what we are doing in the past while we are moving ahead and staying ahead of the curve.”
Anderson Tuftex
“From the beginning, we set out to serve eco-conscious, luxury consumers and residential interior designers, and we remain firmly committed to those audiences.” That’s according to Bailey Walton, vice president of Anderson Tuftex, referencing the brand’s strategy for 2026. “Our strategy hasn’t changed; we’ve sharpened the approach, but we haven’t shifted from it.”
This month, the brand is debuting five carpet collections: Harmony, Rooted, Still Life, Modern Artisan and Nova. All Anderson Tuftex carpets are Cradle to Cradle Certified and carry the CRI Green Label Plus certification.
Anderson Tuftex’s hardwood launches include Artisan Oak, featuring hand-hewn textures, timeworn edges and an appearance of naturally aged patina. Crafted from 7.5-inch-wide white oak planks with a rich oil finish, the collection is offered in five colors, all inspired by heirloom materials. Valencia Walnut features smooth texture, high variation and reactive stains that highlight the wood’s natural movement. “With Artisan Oak and Valencia Walnut, we set out to create hardwood styles that feel uniquely Anderson Tuftex—rich in character, grounded in craftsmanship and thoughtfully curated for today’s luxury consumer,” Walton explained.
Philadelphia Commercial
Kieren Corcoran, vice president of Philadelphia Commercial, said the intention behind its new products is to simplify selection by offering coordinated systems that work together.
Carpet products include Duoscape, a modern collection that pairs broad market appeal with the fluidity of organic structure. The carpet tile combines EcoSolution Q Nylon with StrataWorx backing to balance durability, style and value, while the matching broadloom features the same fiber on ClassicBac backing for consistent performance across formats. Matching carpet tile and broadloom enables a seamless visual transition across a space, giving customers flexibility to specify different formats without sacrificing a cohesive aesthetic. Both broadloom and carpet tile share four core base colors, while carpet tile offers additional colorways.
For its hard surface products, Philadelphia Commercial is debuting two new collections: Indwell II and Parquet Plank. Indwell II supports design continuity across diverse commercial environments with a single style offered in seven platforms, Corcoran said. Parquet Plank offers a modern interpretation of a classic parquet look in a high-performance luxury vinyl format. Its woven diagonal pattern creates a herringbone-like visual without the need to side-match planks.
TotalWorx
Total Worx is launching 16 products under PrepWorx, its flooring preparation collection. The lineup includes solutions designed to streamline surface preparation, from removing old adhesives to leveling subfloors.
Alpharetta, Ga.—Alliance Flooring appointed Rachel Stanley as vice president of member experience, an executive role focused on strengthening engagement, retention and long-term member value.
Stanley brings 15 years of experience building and scaling customer experience, adoption and retention functions across technology and manufacturing organizations. Most recently, she served as vice president of customer experience at Brava Roof Tile. There, she built and led a 25-person CX organization that supported revenue growth from $125 million to $225 million.
Before Brava, Stanley held the role of vice president of customer experience at Banzai, a SaaS marketing technology company that went public in 2023. At Banzai, she led customer success, onboarding and support initiatives that achieved 115% net revenue retention.
In her new role, Stanley will lead Alliance Flooring’s member experience strategy and serve as the voice of the member at the executive level. Her focus will include strengthening program adoption. She will work to improve engagement and retention. She will also help members clearly understand the financial value of Alliance programs.
“Alliance Flooring has always been built on relationships and helping independent retailers succeed,” said Ryan Dunn, co-CEO of Alliance Flooring. “Rachel brings a rare combination of strategic leadership, operational discipline and a deep understanding of how experience impacts business results.”
Stanley’s connection to Alliance Flooring spans decades. She attended early Alliance conventions as a teenager and worked for the company early in her career. She later built her professional reputation independently.
“After two decades of developing the experience and leadership skills needed for this moment, I am excited to return and focus on delivering exceptional value to Alliance members,” Stanley said.
Las Vegas—For the fourth consecutive year Mohawk was a multiple winner in the 2026 Best of Surfaces competition, a contest cosponsored by Floor Covering News and Informa Exhibitions, which owns and operates The International Surface Event (TISE). Mohawk and its Karastan brand earned accolades from judges in three categories— Style & Design, Disruption and Innovation.
Now in its 15th year, the awards program has become the benchmark for new product excellence and booth design at the industry’s premier trade show.
The Best of Surfaces winners, announced on the show floor at Surfaces, are as follows:
Innovation: Mohawk (SmartStrand Color Wall with Pur-Ease)
Disruption: Mohawk (Worry-Free Hard Surface Destination)
Technology: Rara AI (AI Floor Finder)
Carpet: Couristan (Dublin)
Resilient: Mannington Mills (Lineage)
Hardwood: AHF Products (Bruce Natural Choice)
Laminate: Stanton Design (Nuvo Grand)
Best Booth Design Smaller: Cali
Best Booth Design Larger: AHF Products
The judging was initially conducted by a panel of floor covering retailers who were tasked with poring over the scores of entries in each category to come up with finalists by the start of Surfaces. Specifically, they were each asked to explore all submissions and select their top picks that they believe best represented the category in which they were entered. The most popular selections by consensus in each category made it to the final round, which were viewed on the first day of Surfaces—in some cases by the original judges as well as select retailers.
From new products to anniversary celebrations and, yes, puppies, Surfaces 2026 offered something for everyone.
Las Vegas—If there was ever an instance where quality trumped quantity, it was The International Surface Event (TISE) 2026. With attendance estimated to be down due in large part to the massive winter storm that disrupted transportation for tens of thousands of people, Surfaces 2026 made up for it with a show that was hailed by manufacturers and retailers for its positivity and high energy.
“The quality of traffic and buying was strong,” Dana Hicks, group director for show organizer Informa, told FCNews. “People had positive things to say about purchasing, about booth traffic. Every year coming out of COVID-19 the quality of traffic here has been strong.”
The consensus among exhibitors was that people attended for all the right seasons. “Out” were the proverbial tire kickers, and “in” were the serious businesspeople.
“TISE was a great show this year and felt especially strong in terms of newness,” said Bruce Odette, president of Carpet Exchange, with 17 locations in Colorado. “There was a lot on the floor that felt fresh and different.”
Liz Rivera, product manager for FCA Network, Shorewood, Ill., added, “Surfaces is an important show if you’re serious about your business.”
Indeed, that level of importance was felt by many of the exhibitors, especially at some of the busier booths, like Stanton. “It’s nice to know that Stanton has become a destination,” said Adam Feldberg, senior director of product and innovation. “Day 1 we were slammed. Consumers are still spending on the better-end goods; we’re in a good niche.”
Some dealers said there were benefits to the lighter attendance. As Michel Vermette, CEO of AFS Group in Columbus, Ohio, explained, “It gave us time to have quality conversations with the most senior manufacturing/distributor leaders.”
For Alex Roberts, CEO of Roberts Carpet & Floors, Houston, the benefit of being at Surfaces was gaining knowledge “from the best of the best in the business. If I take one to three nuggets from each meeting, if I learn something, then that’s an incredibly valuable day,” she said.
CTEF held certification classes during the exhibition.
Surfaces 2026 included a few new wrinkles that Hicks said were in response to people asking for more networking opportunities. To that end, Informa added:
A retailer reception at the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) booth
A distributor reception at the TISE stage
A meeting of industry influencers at Skyfall
VIP Executive Lounge (formerly the Wedding Chapel) that allowed show goers the ability get away from the crowds, check emails, do some work in private or have a snack
Upgraded the education curriculum with more business-centric topics (AI as one example).
Hicks said there is already strong interest for the next Surfaces, which will be held Feb. 2-4, 2027, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Following are some highlights from each product category from Surfaces 2026:
CARPET
As the number of carpet mills attending Surfaces has dwindled, the pressure to stand out has been ratcheted up in recent years.
In hopes of separating themselves from the pack, several carpet companies have relied on color as a differentiator, with each company staking a claim to offering the best, most vibrant colors.
That was the case again this year as mills leveraged the latest technology to bring out new patterns and color combinations that are a far cry from the boring beige of yesteryear.
Mill executives argue that color is critical in modern carpeting because it acts as a foundational design element, influencing mood, defining space and reflecting personal style while serving practical, high-traffic needs. Current trends favor warm, nature-inspired tones and textures that create cozy, versatile and sustainable environments.
What’s more, color is essential for hiding dirt, debris and traffic wear, especially in high-traffic areas, making textured or multi-tonal carpets a popular choice. Beyond color, retailers were drawn to high-fashion styles of premium wool products offering options from broadloom to rugs and runners.
RESILIENT
Mohawk’s Ken Walma pledged ongoing support for CFI.
For the resilient flooring category TISE 2026 delivered a strong reminder that the customer remains king. New product introductions alone no longer define innovation, nor do incremental changes in size, shape or color set the benchmark for progress.
Across product subcategories, suppliers emphasized solutions aimed at eliminating friction throughout the buying journey. Updated display systems favored ease of use and aesthetics, enabling retailers to better navigate expansive assortments. The message from suppliers was clear: simplification—and a streamlined path to purchase—is key.
WOOD
Mercier’s Wade Bondrowski, JP Dumas and Sebastien Mercier.
One look at all the hardwood flooring products making their debut at Surfaces last month made one thing abundantly clear: this category is still very much alive and kicking despite ceding market share to competitive hard surfaces. Across the show floor, hardwood suppliers put their best foot forward by expanding offerings to include trendy new colors while amping up the product’s performance to better resist moisture incursion and denting. Visitors also saw a healthy dose of pattern as suppliers unveiled their respective versions of popular patterns, including herringbone and chevron. There were also sightings of narrower-width products, which goes against the grain (pardon the pun) of the long/wide trend. But as the saying goes: everything old is new again.
LAMINATE
FCEF’s Kaye Whitener (right) with installer Charity Adeoti.
The resurgence continues. Virtually every major hard surface supplier showcased a new laminate flooring line at the show. Suppliers are once again seizing this opportunity to ride the laminate wave by promoting their unique capabilities. Whether it’s new laminate herringbone designs or wide-plank formats with much fewer pattern repeats, suppliers are looking to fuel retailer excitement for a category that’s been in existence in the U.S. since the mid-1990s, but has been gradually losing share to waterproof products like WPC and SPC. In recent years, however, many retailers and distributors have been warming back up to laminate as an alternative to low-end SPC—a sub-segment that has experienced some failures in the field.
TILE
Tarkett Home showcased its full line of hard and soft surfaces.
Every year TISE serves as a barometer for where the flooring industry is headed. At this year’s show the tile category showcased an evolution from one-off product innovation to overall satisfaction—not just in the home but at the retail level as well. Simplified product selection was the name of the game.
I don’t want to sound like a broken record, and I know I say it every year, but it always seems like Surfaces is over before it began. You get off the plane and jump in an Uber, arrive 15 minutes later at your hotel and the next thing you know you’re doing the reverse. Yes, dear diary, Surfaces ends just as fast as it begins.
I knew this was going to be a good show from the start. Positive vibes, dear diary, positive vibes. After a pretty rough January, I knew my luck was changing when I was able to secure the one remaining upgrade on the plane and my gate was B22 rather than the typical B122 for those of you who know Terminal 4 at JFK. (Usually the gate gods have me log 10,000 steps long before my plane lands in Vegas.) We also got the Seahawks into the Super Bowl for my son (a fan since age 8) and we even make a few shekels at the tables. All before the Surfaces curtain was raised.
But you know, dear diary, I have come to realize the best thing about Surfaces is seeing everyone. Whether they are lurking around Mandalay Bay on Sunday night, setting up their booth the morning of Surfaces Eve, walking around the NFA specialty vendor showcase or are three sheets to the wind at Eye Candy, it really is exhilarating to catch up with friends, old and new. It’s like a club. We are all in this together.
Whether I am walking the show floor or back home in New York, the obligatory question that always gets asked is “How do you think the show is (was)?” So, dear diary, here’s my standard answer for 2026: I thought traffic was down a bit, primarily due to a ridiculous winter ice and snowstorm that impacted two thirds of the country the weekend before the show. For many, if you didn’t get out on Saturday you weren’t getting out at all.
With that said, I thought the major players had strong shows. Mohawk, Mannington, Stanton and Engineered Floors were constantly wall to wall with attendees. Exhibitors, for the most part, all came away satisfied.
The second most common question: “What was your one takeaway from the show?” This one, dear diary, was easy. In a word, enthusiasm. In another word, positivity. Exhibitors and attendees alike are looking forward to 2026. The prevailing sentiment was that January was a strong month—certainly compared to last January—and many started seeing a pickup in December. So it’s not that people are tired of being negative; they are truly seeing positive signs.
Question No. 3: “Name a few products that stuck out in your mind, days and weeks after the show.” Mind you, I didn’t see everything on the show floor, but this is what stuck:
Cali took the wraps off an engineered wood called First Press, which looks good and may retail for under $6, basically a buck above vinyl. That’s going to invigorate some retailers’ wood sales. Novalis showcased some new designs, including an Old World style herringbone that gives off speakeasy or home library/study vibes. Nox is always taking sustainability to the next level— Terra being the latest example. But its Modu product, inspired by traditional Korean materials, was colorful and memorable. I don’t think Stanton ever introduced an unattractive product and that now extends to hard surface. Mohawk can’t help but dominate due to sheer size.
How about a few random thoughts? Glad you asked, dear diary. I will always miss Michael Goldberg, but watching his two sons, Mickey and Jason, the kings of rivals Rite Rug and America’s Floor Source, playing blackjack together could never have happened while their dad was alive… You never saw a man get on a roll at craps until you have seen my business partner, Dustin Aaronson, in action… I think Jodie Doyle is going to be good for Triforest/Toucan… Never want to mention the same company twice in this column, but the people charged with Cali’s booth design are among the best in the flooring industry… The Mohawk team may be the only humans on the planet who can get me out on the dance floor… Great spending time with Tom Lape, making his first Surfaces appearance in six years… Len Andolino is a class act… Shaw got it right with the puppies… Looking ahead to 2027, Surfaces overlaps the Builder show and KBIS. Book your flights and dinner reservations early. I’ve officially warned you…
Orange, Calif.—MSI released its 2026 Design Trends Lookbook. Designed to inspire creativity, the 2026 Lookbook highlights four design trends featuring MSI’s latest and most sought-after products. Styled room scenes, product swatches and expert insights help homeowners and professionals reimagine projects using modern colors and patterns.
“Our 2026 design trends reflect how the design world continues to evolve and how those influences translate into real spaces,” said Emily Holle, director of trend and design. “We are seeing warmer neutrals layered with rich earth tones, renewed interest in classic patterns and a growing appreciation for handcrafted tile.”
The Lookbook showcases on-trend flooring, countertop and wall options for renovations and new builds:
Light and Luster
Light and Luster aims to create calm, radiant spaces through creamy off-whites, soft ivories and warm neutrals. Cozy textures, gentle curves and luminous finishes enhance light-filled interiors inspired by artisanal stone and timeless design.
MSI fluted wall tiles, including Urbanslat Flute Maple, pair with Taj Mahal-inspired AuraTaj or MarfiTaj quartz surfaces. Warm tan tones from the McCarran Herringbone Collection complete the look.
Vintage Villa
Vintage Villa blends expressive color with refined neutrals for a layered, timeless aesthetic. Plums, muted greens, slate blues and soft terracotta appear through elegant veining and geometric accents.
Calacatta Cinela quartz anchors the palette with warm cinnamon veining. Mosaic tile, such as Verdant Green Geometrica Pattern tile, adds depth and earthy contrast.
Willow Market
Willow Market delivers an airy, relaxed aesthetic with soft pastels, graceful curves and classic patterns. Floral motifs, scalloped edges and traditional tile formats bring structure, while washed blues, delicate greens and creamy marble tones create serene interiors and exteriors.
XL Rockmount Stacked Stone Atlantic Blue establishes a textured base. Exotika Biotite porcelain tile introduces subtle pastel movement. Light wood flooring like Tifton from the Everlife XL Studio Collection completes the look.
Velvet Truffle
Velvet Truffle adds depth and warmth through rich browns, creamy neutrals and classic patterns rooted in old-world charm. Wood textures and refined quartz surfaces create moody yet versatile spaces.
Umber Acoustic Wood Slat Panels and Wayne Parc Reserve luxury vinyl planks add warmth and character. Calacatta Fioressa quartz and Elbe Alabaster porcelain tile soften the palette.
Liz Rivera, product manager for FCA Network, Shorewood, Ill., added, “Surfaces is an important show if you’re serious about your business.”
As the number of carpet mills attending Surfaces has dwindled, the pressure to stand out has been ratcheted up in recent years.
I don’t want to sound like a broken record, and I know I say it every year, but it always seems like Surfaces is over before it began. You get off the plane and jump in an Uber, arrive 15 minutes later at your hotel and the next thing you know you’re doing the reverse. Yes, dear diary, Surfaces ends just as fast as it begins.
Orange, Calif.—MSI released its 2026