TISE 2026: Insights from the Show Floor
By Richard Wildanger, Flooring Industry Analyst
Walking the aisles at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the prevailing mood at TISE 2026 could best be described as cautious optimism. Exhibitors, distributors, and product leaders echoed the same sentiment: while the industry continues to navigate a multi-year slowdown, there’s hope that 2026 will bring either stabilization or modest improvement—particularly in the second half of the year.
With new home construction lagging, existing home turnover low, and consumer confidence slipping, much of the conversation centered on three priorities: protecting margins amid inflation and price pressure, driving operational efficiency, and capturing share in a slow-growth environment.
Product Trends: Differentiation Becomes Growth Strategy
Across categories, product managers and senior sales leaders emphasized a 2026 strategy grounded in stability, supply-chain discipline, and strong visual differentiation. Three materials stood out:
- Resilient Flooring: Supply Chain Strategy Front and Center
- A major theme was the ongoing pivot toward North American manufacturing wherever possible. Distributors highlighted domestic sourcing as a hedge against tariff volatility and global logistics uncertainty.
While much of the category remains imported—particularly resilient options—buyers are actively seeking offshore suppliers less exposed to high duties. On the product side, resilient visuals continue to impress. Wood and stone looks are becoming increasingly convincing, with improved texturing and tactile realism helping drive differentiation.
- A major theme was the ongoing pivot toward North American manufacturing wherever possible. Distributors highlighted domestic sourcing as a hedge against tariff volatility and global logistics uncertainty.
- Soft Surface: A Push to Reclaim Market Share
- Carpet exhibitors stood out for their concerted effort to make soft surface relevant again. Instead of the flat neutrals that dominated for years, displays featured: bold geometrics, layered tonal effects and richer “3D” texturing designed to create sensory depth.
The strategy is clear: reposition carpet as an intentional design material for performance zones—home offices, stairs, bedrooms—where comfort, acoustics, and warmth matter.
- Carpet exhibitors stood out for their concerted effort to make soft surface relevant again. Instead of the flat neutrals that dominated for years, displays featured: bold geometrics, layered tonal effects and richer “3D” texturing designed to create sensory depth.
- Laminate’s Return: Value Rises in a Tightening Economy
- Laminate is materially back in the conversation. With widespread waterresistant technology, a strong value position, and improved visuals, laminate is winning attention from consumers and retailers looking for affordable alternatives to rigid core products. Many attendees called it the “sweet spot” product for budget-conscious projects in 2026.
Industry Dynamics: Consolidation Brings Both Efficiency and Uncertainty
Consolidation—on both the supplier and distribution sides—was a recurring topic. Attendees cited several advantages that emerge post-integration: centralized logistics, broader product assortments, stronger product development capabilities, and simplified purchasing through single-source suppliers.
But exhibitors also voiced concerns. Consolidation can reduce pricing competitiveness, limit product choice, or create service disruptions as systems and cultures combine.
Smaller suppliers and regional partners emphasized the ways they’re differentiating in this environment: agility, deep local market knowledge, and high-touch regional service.
Education Themes: Navigating Market Transformation
The 2026 education tracks aligned closely with the industry’s operational focus. Four themes stood out:
- Workforce Development
- The installation labor shortage remains one of the industry’s most urgent issues. Sessions focused on building mentorship pipelines, strengthening career paths, and creating standardized certification models to attract the next generation.
- The installation labor shortage remains one of the industry’s most urgent issues. Sessions focused on building mentorship pipelines, strengthening career paths, and creating standardized certification models to attract the next generation.
- Sustainability Beyond Compliance
- Sustainability conversations seem to be shifting from marketing claims to practical implementation. Topics included: circular design models, sustainable sourcing transparency, and how to communicate complex environmental data to increasingly skeptical consumers.
- Sustainability conversations seem to be shifting from marketing claims to practical implementation. Topics included: circular design models, sustainable sourcing transparency, and how to communicate complex environmental data to increasingly skeptical consumers.
- Digital Commerce & AI
- Digital sessions advanced well beyond basic ecommerce tactics. “Retail 3.0” was a major focus, with discussion around: AI-powered design tools, interactive digital sampling, and using automation and analytics to increase close rates in a lowtraffic retail environment.
- Digital sessions advanced well beyond basic ecommerce tactics. “Retail 3.0” was a major focus, with discussion around: AI-powered design tools, interactive digital sampling, and using automation and analytics to increase close rates in a lowtraffic retail environment.
- Leadership & Community
- Leadership programming—including the Women’s Leadership sessions, highlighted the importance of mentorship, inclusive culture, and developing diverse teams as a long-term talent retention strategy.
Final Thoughts
TISE 2026 revealed an industry operating with discipline and clarity. The era of “new for novelty’s sake” has given way to a strategy grounded in stability, intentional differentiation, and cost control. With tariff exposure and economic uncertainty on everyone’s mind, success in 2026 will come from the organizations that execute sharply, manage costs wisely, and find creative ways to win share in a flat market.