Why retailers add Timbo oak parquet
Flooring retailers partner with Timbo to offer solid European oak herringbone and chevron without importing a container, tying up cash in stock or writing their own product content. You keep the customer and set the price. Timbo supplies the oak from Melbourne and backs you with samples and marketing.
The retail market is crowded and tightening. Australian floor covering retailing turns over about A$3.7 billion a year across 2,049 businesses, and revenue has fallen about 3.1% a year over five years (IBISWorld). National chains such as Carpet Court, with 200+ stores, compete hard on mainstream ranges (Carpet Court). A premium solid oak parquet range is one of the clearer ways for an independent showroom to stand apart.
Common problems for retailers, and how Timbo helps
| Problem | How Timbo helps |
|---|---|
| Importing parquet means a container, a long wait and cash tied up | Order project quantities from Timbo's Melbourne stock, with no container minimum |
| Customers ask for herringbone but the range is all engineered | Add 18mm solid European oak herringbone, chevron and pattern parquet |
| Writing specs and product pages takes time | Reuse Timbo product content, specifications, imagery and guides |
| Mixed grades in one range confuse customers and cause complaints | Timbo's oak parquet range is Prime grade, so the look you sell from the sample is the look you quote |
| Exclusive supplier contracts restrict the range | The partnership is non-exclusive |
| Few genuinely new leads | Homeowner enquiries to Timbo are referred to partners and the directory lists you |
What you can sell
Timbo's range is focused, so it's easy to train staff on.
| Product | Specification |
|---|---|
| Solid Oak Herringbone Parquet – standard | Prime grade European oak, 710 × 123 × 18mm, tongue and groove, natural brown, 16 panels ≈ 1.4 m² per box |
| Solid Oak Herringbone Parquet – large | Prime grade European oak, 820 × 123 × 18mm, tongue and groove; box coverage confirmed on order |
| Solid Oak Chevron Parquet | Prime grade European oak, 18mm solid, continuous V |
| Pattern parquet | Including the Hybrid Oak Timeless Pattern Parquet – 15mm patterned oak squares, 450 × 450mm and 800 × 800mm |
Whether a batch is raw or pre-finished is confirmed when you order. Raw stock lets the installer sand and finish on site to the customer's chosen colour, while pre-finished stock suits faster jobs. See the herringbone collection and chevron collection.
Selling points your customers respond to
- Solid, not a veneer. 18mm solid oak can be sanded and refinished over its life. Our solid vs engineered comparison sets out the trade-offs honestly, including where engineered is the better choice.
- European oak provenance. China supplies 43% of Australia's engineered wood product imports (Wood Central), so some customers look specifically for European oak.
- Prime grade. A clean, calm look that lets the pattern carry the room. Explain grades with our oak flooring grades guide.
- A classic pattern. Herringbone and chevron are long-standing favourites in Australian and New Zealand renovations, not a passing trend.
Retail price benchmarks
Melbourne retailers list raw solid French oak herringbone 710 × 126 × 18mm at $94.99/m² incl. GST (SET Timber Supplies, Melbourne Timber Supplies). Engineered oak herringbone sells for roughly $79–$160/m² supply only, and $160–$320/m² installed (Skov, Imperial). Herringbone labour runs about $60–$100/m² for standard installs and $90–$120+ for complex ones (The Flooring Guys).
Wholesale prices are shared once you accept the partner terms. Timbo doesn't publish them, but they're set so partners have room for a margin under typical retail prices.
Setting up Timbo in your showroom
- Get samples of the products you want to show, and a spare set for clients to take home.
- Add product pages to your website using Timbo content, rewritten with your local details.
- Brief your installers on 18mm solid glue-down parquet, or partner with an installer who does it every week.
- Ask for your directory listing so homeowners searching Timbo can find your showroom.
Frequently asked questions
Can a small independent showroom become a Timbo partner?
Yes. There's no container minimum and no joining fee, so the program suits independent showrooms as well as larger retailers. Tell us roughly what you expect to sell when you apply.
Will Timbo sell to customers who walk into my showroom?
No. Timbo doesn't sell to homeowners. Enquiries that reach Timbo are referred to partners, not served direct.
Do I need to hold Timbo stock in my store?
Not necessarily. Many retailers keep samples and display boards and order stock per job from Timbo's Melbourne warehouse. If you'd like to hold stock, talk to us about quantities.
How should I price Timbo parquet to my customers?
You set your own retail price. Our trade pricing guide shows current market benchmarks and how to work back from them to a margin.
Can I sell Timbo to customers in another state?
Yes. Freight from Melbourne is quoted per order to anywhere in Australia and to New Zealand.