Market Trends of China Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) Industry
China Leading In LVT Export To Europe and the Americas
There is a lot of LVT flooring in the European and American markets that is made in China and sold in the global market with outstanding performance. The British company Karndean is also made in China. China's prominence in LVT production is not likely to change significantly in the coming years, though domestic production will become a bigger part of the overall picture. However, there are also some good LVT flooring companies in China. Currently, only 10% of the LVT consumed in the United States is produced domestically, and virtually all rigid LVT (WPC and SPC) is made overseas. Currently, rigid LVT accounts for 62% of US sales. China not only makes almost all of the world's supply of rigid LVT, but it also makes the bulk of flexible LVT. Moreover, if there is an LVT, rigid or otherwise, with a click system coming from an Asian manufacturer, it's probably coming from China.
As per the data released by customs in China for China PVC flooring. In December 2022, total PVC floor exports were 342,900 tons, an increase of 8% over the previous month and a year-over-year decline of 31%.
Manufacturer Owned Stores Leading The Distribution
In China, flooring can be purchased from retail stores and even the internet, but no buying groups or home centers promote it. The majority of retail stores are owned by flooring manufacturers, who also install and service the floor. The retail channel in China is very fragmented, with the 50 largest retailers accounting for less than 5% of the total market.
When it comes to purchasing flooring, there are several retail options available in the country. Because flooring is a building material and not a home decoration, it is often sold with plumbing fixtures and lighting. This is a big factor in deciding where to buy flooring. Flooring manufacturer-owned stores and home products and design malls are the largest retail outlets for flooring in China. Manufacturer stores can be stand-alone units or showrooms located within large, multi-story structures where other home products, such as plumbing and lighting fixtures, are sold. These are the most preferred channels for the purchase of flooring products in the country.
