| I recently had a discussion with a colleague of mine | | | | more easily and quickly to these sudden economic |
| who I hadn't spoken with in quite some time. I have | | | | changes. So, how does this benefit you, the |
| been out of the loop this past year, when it comes to | | | | consumer? |
| current events in the tile industry; having spent the | | | | You are now seeing in the market place, a closing of |
| majority of my time on my online tile business. I was | | | | the gap between high priced handcrafted tiles and |
| shocked to hear how much our economic situation in | | | | mass produced imports. Small artisan studios have cut |
| the U.S. has effected the Global market. Some of the | | | | their prices to attract more business, while the larger |
| most well known factories in Spain and Italy have | | | | companies have increased their prices to make up for |
| closed their doors. The cost of importing has gone up | | | | the lack of demand. It used to be that the average |
| and the sharp decline in the housing market delivered a | | | | porcelain or ceramic wall tile would cost $5.00-$7.00 a |
| blow that many companies could not prepare for, let | | | | square foot. Handcrafted tiles would run $18.00 per |
| alone defend. | | | | square foot and higher. I've come across some studios |
| It used to be that many tile specialty store showrooms | | | | that charge $100.00 per square foot for their tile. I |
| would display beautifully handcrafted tile to catch the | | | | believe, as you shop for tile for your home |
| eye of their potential customer. People would be | | | | improvement project, you will find that beautifully |
| drawn in by the "wow" factor only to settle for a | | | | handcrafted tile has become much more affordable, |
| selection more in line with their budget. Small artisan | | | | while the cost of a good quality porcelain or ceramic |
| studios could never compete with the price point of | | | | import has gone up. You will never equal the warmth |
| factories that produce tiles in mass quantities. The | | | | and uniqueness of a handcrafted tile. Truly handcrafted |
| advantage that the small studio has in the wake of this | | | | tile will guarantee that your kitchen or bathroom or |
| economy is they operate on a higher margin of profit | | | | fireplace, will be the only one of its kind. |
| than the larger companies and therefore can adapt | | | | |