Tile Shop offers social media temptation

Fast-growing flooring retailer The Tile Shop is leveraging social media with a clever contest idea to expose its expanding brand to more customers.

The operator of 92 specialty flooring stores is giving social media users until May 22 to enter its, “Ugliest Kitchen & Bath Contest,” for a change to win $1,000 in free tile and a design consultation. All photo submissions will be eligible for weekly $100 gift card drawings. Homeowners can enter photos of their ugly kitchens and bathrooms to Facebook or Instagram using #thetileshop for a chance to win.

The contest is an inexpensive way for the brand to generate awareness as it pursues aggressive growth this year. The company expects to open 20 stores, remodel 15 to 20 locations and exit 2014 with a total of 108 stores nationwide compared to the current 92 locations. The company’s stores offer a selection of more than 5,000 different types of tiles and natural stone products and are designed to showcase between 30 and 70 bathroom and kitchen vignettes.

"I love to bring our tile to life for customers in our showroom displays, which showcase the most current design styles and trends. Each Tile Shop store features our tile and stone products in a real life setting, so shoppers can experience how they'll look and feel in their own home,” said Kirsty Froelich, corporate design director for The Tile Shop.