Hardwood Floors October/November 2025
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK '26
2026 EXPECTED SALES GROWTH
Another 37 percent have switched to domestic suppliers to mitigate concerns. “We have seen sales increase. We are 100 percent domestic running, and we have had people come to us asking to provide pre finished options that they normally would source from Canada.” Other actions included: • Increasing inventory levels to mitigate risk • Shifting sourcing to different countries • Absorbing cost increases without raising prices • Delaying or canceling projects/purchases At the time of the survey, 32 percent of respondents said they have not made any changes to their sourcing strategies. Wood flooring historically has been considered a luxury item and somewhat insulated from economic fluctuations, said Jered Slusser, director of sales at Pioneer Millworks. “The people we are selling to are purchasing as high-end, high-quality products and services. I don’t see that altered by world trade, especially since we are producing a 100 percent American-made product. “I think everyone would like to have everything made in the U.S. That is the goal of the current administration: to bring manufacturing stateside. But it’s just not possible. Some materials grow in other places of the world. There’s no scientific way to do it. Some trees don’t grow here, and we can’t find a substitute without it being cost-prohibitive.”
17
Up significantly (8%+)
39
Up somewhat (3 to 7%)
31
About the same (-2 to +2%)
11
Down somewhat (-3 to -7%)
2
Significantly down (-8%+)
5%
0%
15%
10%
35%
25%
55%
30%
45%
20%
50%
60%
40%
IN WHAT WAYS HAVE TARIFFS INFLUENCED YOUR SOURCING OR SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY?
Increased prices to offset tariff-related costs
45
Switched to domestic suppliers
37
Increased inventory levels to mitigate risk
33
32
No changes made
Shifted sourcing to different countries
22
Delayed or canceled projects/purchases Absorbed cost increases without raising prices Negotiated pricing or terms with suppliers
21
20
19
16
Reduced product offerings
15
Other
5%
0%
15%
10%
35%
70%
25%
55%
65%
30%
45%
20%
50%
60%
40%
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
SUPPLY CHAIN IMPROVEMENTS In recent years, some members have
What are your top concerns for 2026? 1. Tariffs/trade policy 2. Consumer demand 3. Interest rates
attributed supply chain disruptions to the closure of small- and mid-size mills, as well as high shipping and logging costs, remnants of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, most NWFA members (70 percent) report no supply disruptions for any product in 2025.
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