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 ago
Why wholesalers have had to adapt as retailers gained more direct access to manufacturers
Why Luke believes service, stock and reliability often matter more than saving a few pounds
How Solent supports customers with fast delivery, WhatsApp support and practical problem-solving
Why flooring retailers should think carefully before filling their showroom with too many branded stands
The three non-negotiables Luke would focus on if he opened a flooring shop
Why sales skills matter just as much as flooring knowledge in retail
How debranding products can help retailers protect margin and reduce price comparison
Why fitters, retailers, contractors and wholesalers often think the grass is greener elsewhere
How Solent handled Covid, supplier payments, stock challenges and customer demand
Why paying for good advice can save money in the long run
What is next for Solent, including expansion into South Essex
Memorable Quote:
“Buying from a wholesaler is not all about price, it’s about service.”
Speaker Information:
Luke Crooks
Managing Director, Solent Wholesale Carpets
Solent 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_wholesale
Facebook: Solent Wholesale Carpets
Where to Find The UK Flooring Podcast:
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/59DLhGPVKNtVoS656EYtxq
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-uk-flooring-podcast/id1606720642
Visit The UK Flooring Podcast website: https://theukflooringpodcast.co.uk/
Watch on YouTube via Cockerill & Co: https://www.youtube.com/@cockerillco6141
The UK Flooring Podcast is hosted by Tom and Sarah Cockerill and shares stories, lessons and honest conversations from across the UK flooring industry.
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