Except in Germany, the parquet market grows in the first quarter

The overall mood is positive in the European parquet market according to the European Federation of the Parquet Industry (FEP). In the first quarter, turnover in all countries rose slightly or was stable. With one exception: in Germany sales decreased by five per cent compared to the same period last year. The reasons for this are the subdued property market, the lack of tradesmen, competition from other floor covering materials in wood-optic and reduced shelf space for hardwood flooring in DIY stores. Quarterly movements in the individual countries:
Austria: +2 per centBelgium: +3 per centBaltic countries: slightly positiveDenmark: unchangedFinland: +1 per centFrance: +2 per cent (estimated)Germany: -5 per centItaly: +2 per centThe Netherlands: +3 per cent (estimated)Norway: 0 to +1 per centSpain: +1 to +2 per centSweden: +2 per centSwitzerland: unchanged