30 in 30 - Episode 19 - Why Service Beats Price in Flooring Wholesale - Luke Crooks

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom sits down with Luke Crooks, Managing Director of Solent Wholesale Carpets, an independent flooring wholesaler based on the South Coast.Luke shares the story of how his grandfather moved south after the war, started with carpet shops, and eventually built the wholesale business that the family still runs today. He talks about what it takes to stay relevant in a changing market, why service still matters more than being the cheapest, and how Solent has built a reputation for helping retailers, contractors and fitters when they need stock, support and answers quickly.This is a brilliant conversation for anyone in flooring who has ever felt the pressure of price, stock, supplier relationships, customer expectations or the temptation to chase every possible direction in business.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Solent Wholesale Carpets started as a family business nearly 60 years agoWhy wholesalers have had to adapt as retailers gained more direct access to manufacturersWhy Luke believes service, stock and reliability often matter more than saving a few poundsHow Solent supports customers with fast delivery, WhatsApp support and practical problem-solvingWhy flooring retailers should think carefully before filling their showroom with too many branded standsThe three non-negotiables Luke would focus on if he opened a flooring shopWhy sales skills matter just as much as flooring knowledge in retailHow debranding products can help retailers protect margin and reduce price comparisonWhy fitters, retailers, contractors and wholesalers often think the grass is greener elsewhereHow Solent handled Covid, supplier payments, stock challenges and customer demandWhy paying for good advice can save money in the long runWhat is next for Solent, including expansion into South EssexMemorable Quote:“Buying from a wholesaler is not all about price, it’s about service.”Speaker Information:Luke CrooksManaging Director, Solent Wholesale CarpetsSolent Wholesale Carpets are an independently owned flooring wholesaler based in Chichester, supplying carpets, vinyl, LVT, wood, laminate, carpet tiles, underlay and accessories to the trade. Their website states they hold over 500,000 sqm of stock, with most products available next day across the South of England and within three days nationwide.Website: https://www.solentwholesale.com/Instagram: @solent_wholesaleFacebook: Solent Wholesale CarpetsWhere to Find The UK Flooring Podcast:Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/59DLhGPVKNtVoS656EYtxqListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-uk-flooring-podcast/id1606720642Visit The UK Flooring Podcast website: https://theukflooringpodcast.co.uk/Watch on YouTube via Cockerill & Co: https://www.youtube.com/@cockerillco6141The UK Flooring Podcast is hosted by Tom and Sarah Cockerill and shares stories, lessons and honest conversations from across the UK flooring industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.