Carpet code of practice backed (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Carpet code of practice backed

LOBBYING supported by carpet firms including Kidderminster's Brintons and Victoria has resulted in the impending introduction of a consumer code of practice for the industry.

From March, 1,100 registered specialists will be able to use the Office of Fair Trading - OFT - code logo on signage and letterheads to show they have signed up to the Carpet Foundation code.

The Kidderminster-based foundation, set up to promote the interests of the industry, has been working on the code for the past 18 months, hoping to secure OFT approval, under its Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.

Now it has succeeded, the development has been hailed as a "huge boost" for the carpet industry.

The Carpet Foundation is the first organisation in the consumer durable sector to have earned OFT approval.

Only four other organisations have a code approved by the OFT.

It has been achieved through collaboration between manufacturers associated with the foundation, retailers and buying groups.

The code is launched to consumers on Thursday, March 1 and will appear in all the foundation's advertising.

A key factor in winning approval was the result of mystery shopping, which revealed 98 per cent of consumers were likely or very likely to buy from a registered specialist next time.

The Carpet Foundation has said the code will put it in the "premier league" for customer service standards and position registered specialists as authorities in carpet retailing.