Quick verdict
Vinyl sheet wins for clinical zones, clean rooms, sports, large continuous wet zones (commercial kitchens, hospitals). LVT/SPC wins for residential-feel hospitality, mall retail with design-led plank aesthetic, fast install where joint count is acceptable.
Side-by-side comparison
Form factor: sheet is continuous roll, LVT/SPC is clickable or glue-down planks/tiles. Joint count: sheet has few welded seams; LVT/SPC has joints at every plank edge. Water resistance: sheet (welded) is effectively waterproof; LVT/SPC is plank-waterproof but joints can leak. Subfloor: sheet requires self-levelled SR1; LVT/SPC tolerates slight unevenness. Repairability: sheet patches with welded offcut; LVT/SPC replaces a damaged plank.
Sector verdict
Healthcare, sheet wins (welded + coved). Education classrooms, sheet wins (acoustic + durability). Sports, sheet wins (EN 14904). Office, both viable; LVT/SPC if plank aesthetic is required. Hotel rooms, both viable. Mall retail: LVT/SPC for plank aesthetic; sheet for design uniqueness or wet zones. Commercial kitchen, sheet wins (R12 + welded). Residential/serviced apartment: LVT/SPC reasonable.