The Slightly Downward Trend on European Parquet Markets Already Observed in 2012

The European Parquet Industry Federation (FEP) estimates that the slightly downward trend on European parquet markets already observed in the second half of 2012 has also continued in the first few months of 2013. There is so far no indication of any stabilisation or even turnaround trend. In fact, at its last meeting on 24 April 2013, the executive board of FEP determined that the bigger European sales markets in particular, with the exception of Germany, have shown a declining tendency during the course of the first quarter. Parquet sales in the first quarter have shown a declining trend in seven of the twelve countries under consideration, stagnation in four countries and only in Norway has slight growth been achieved. In contrast, in the last market analysis, which was drawn up in October 2012, the executive board still noted growth in the three countries of the DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) region.