Retailer profile: Toons
Spotlight on the flooring retailers who are putting their trust in the yellow bucket.
For this issue, we spoke to Paul Walton, manager at Toons Furnishers in Castle Gresley.
Fifty-five years since Toons was founded by Bill and Jean Toon in 1970, it remains a family-owned business, with daughter Belinda taking on the role of MD after Bill passed away.
We started by asking Paul about its history.
“We began trading in carpet and rugs at market stalls in 1970 before moving to our current site in 1981. The business has grown continuously since then, and the showroom now has two floors, with furniture and bespoke kitchen offerings, as well as a café.”
How does the company stand out?
“We only ever want our customers to be satisfied – to walk across their floor every day and know that it has been installed to the highest possible standards. This comes through well-trained, highly skilled and knowledgeable staff, as well as ensuring that we keep up with customer preferences so that we can always provide a service that exceeds expectations. Excellent and transparent service and building strong trust with customers are a part of this.”
What trends are you seeing in the market at the moment?
“Currently we are finding the market to be cautious. The traditional, middle ground customer base has shrunk slightly and is increasingly competitive as customers tend to shop around more. However, we have seen growth in more high-end work.
“A recent and ongoing trend for us seems to be herringbone LVT, and we’re noticing the increasing popularity of traditional, warmer colours too. Interestingly, we’ve also seen a recent increase in traditional straight-lay plank.”
How has the market changed since you first set up?
“Over our 55 years of business, the market has changed entirely, from the products that customers want to buy to the way they purchase them. We started just selling carpets and rugs, and now we have a relatively large flooring department filled with engineered wood, LVT, Vinyl and more.
“Customers expectations have changed too, in terms of both the quality of products and the service that they receive.”
“Installation has also changed with the advent of a wider range of floor preparation products to optimise the appearance of finished results.”
Are there any standout jobs that you have undertaken that you are particularly pleased with?
“The more challenging floors are the engineered and solid wood jobs, particularly in older properties and where a full DPM is needed. However, that’s our trade, and we are paid by customers to make it happen.”
Which F. Ball products do you use?
“Our main stocks consist of Stopgap 1200, Stopgap 300 and Stopgap 1100 smoothing compounds, Styccobond F46 adhesive for vinyl, including LVT, and Styccobond B95 for wood, Stopgap P121 and Stopgap P131 primers, as well as Stopgap F77 and Stopgap F78 DPMs.”
How do you engage with the support that F. Ball offers?
“Our full-time estimators attend free training courses at F. Ball Centre of Excellence, as do most of our fitting crews, in addition to FITA training.”
What do you enjoy most about your job or the industry?
“When I look back on completed work and say ‘yes, that looks fantastic!’ We get a good number of return customers too – so it’s nice to think that they are probably thinking the same. Also, to know that your team have done the best work and given the best possible installation they can for our customers is rewarding.”
