A flooring retailer has reported a significant increase in sales in 2020, attributing them to lockdown DIY.
Leeds-based leading floor retailer, Stories Flooring, previously known as Lifestyle Flooring, reported a 45% sales increase compared to the same period in 2019.
It also noticed a huge 63% increase in organic online traffic, as more people searched for improvements they could make to their homes since lockdown.
The company has also employed more staff to support with the increase in sales and expects more hires over winter with further local restrictions being put in place. Stories Flooring has also invested £100,000 in a new brand, website and order management system to facilitate the rise in sales.
Founder of Stories Flooring, Yarl Christie, said: ‘‘It’s great that more people are enjoying DIY as a positive way to spend time at home. There are tons of benefits that come with carrying out DIY, not just physically transforming your home but also the mental health benefits.”
“After seeing sales increase over summer, we felt it was the right time to create a brand that reflects more around who we are and what we stand for. ‘Stories Flooring’ will focus on the homeowners telling a story with their homes and the perfect flooring is the finishing touch.”
“Of course, we know we’re very lucky to be an industry that can continue to flourish and we’re constantly considering ways we can support smaller businesses during this difficult time.’’
Research from a Google Trends report showed that searches for ‘DIY materials’ spiked in March and then again in August — which were both times when tighter restrictions were put in place in the region.
‘Flooring’ searches took a slightly different trend, as they peaked in March but then continued to steadily grow across the summer months.
Comparing 2020 to 2019 for the term ‘flooring’, it is clear that more people are relishing home improvement projects this year and are seeking online stores to facilitate.
