Rug vendors look forward to Buildings B and C
By Lissa Wyman -- Furniture Today, July 30, 2006
Las Vegas — The few pioneer rug vendors that showed here this week were joined by wagonloads of colleagues who are heading West to help populate Buildings B and C.
"There's no other choice, this is the future for our business," said Nasser Rahmanan, president of Masterlooms, one of the first rug showrooms to open here. He said the company's World Market Center showroom, shared with Jerry Aziz & Co., is already profitable after one year of operation.
About a dozen major rug vendors show in the first WMC building. More were in temporary space this market as they await the completion of buildings B, set to open in January, and C, projected for July 2008. Almost all the remaining rug majors also were in town to walk the market and make a final decision for space in the upcoming buildings.
"Las Vegas is going to make it. This market will pay for itself," said Allan Wagenheim, chairman of Trans-Ocean Imports, which will be showing in Building B next January.
In general, Wagenheim said business is good, but the pattern of consumer buying continues to evolve. "The Internet, catalog houses and mass market stores are where the action is at retail today. So the traditional retailer has to wake up and decide how to alter his business strategy."
Shaw Living does not have a WMC showroom, but did have a presence here. Several Kathy Ireland Home partners, including Shaw Living, had product presentations at the Standard showroom.
"We've had people coming in who have never been in the rug business before. They're buying full rack programs," said Marcia Satterwhite, West Coast national accounts manager for Shaw Living.
Safavieh, which was one of the original Las Vegas rug showrooms, is building a West Coast furniture and rug presence, according to Cyrus Yaraghi, a company principal.
"We have a lot more room to grow in the West Coast," Yarahi said. "We're seeing totally different faces. We're learning about key customers in the West."
"We keep inventing new ways to come to market," said John Feizy, CEO and founder of Feizy Rug. "In a few more years, as this market matures, Las Vegas will be the premier market for home furnishings."
Feizy is scheduled to move into a 14,000-square-foot showroom in Building B later this year.
Lee Harounian, a principal of New York-based Harounian Rugs International, said he has signed a lease for a 3,000-square-foot space in Building B. He said he expected the space will give the company "a greater penetration into the West Coast market."
Leasing is in full swing for Building C, which will house a floor covering center on two floors.
"Our lease is signed for building C. Meanwhile, we are pleased with the results we've had at the Convention Center," said Diane Carleo, director of marketing for United Weavers. "Furniture stores represent the largest part of our sales, and it's increasing every year, so this will be an important market for us."
The Atlanta Rug Market with January and July shows may appear to conflict with Las Vegas, but most rug executives say the two events will probably coexist.
The big question mark is the Surfaces Floor Covering Expo, which traditionally takes place in late January or early February in Las Vegas. In 2007, Surfaces will run Feb. 7–10, a week after the Las Vegas Market. The consensus is that Surfaces will rapidly fade as a rug venue.
Rug majors Nourison, Oriental Weavers and Feizy are opening at Building B in January. All three were once big exhibitors at Surfaces. Feizy has opted out of Surfaces. Nourison and Oriental Weavers, both opening showrooms in Building B, say they will exhibit at both Surfaces and the WMC in 2007.
"For the time being, we plan to show at Surfaces with a reduced presence," said Alex Peykar, a principal of Nourison.
Oriental Weavers also will stay at Surfaces in a smaller space. "We'll wait and see what happens," said Mike Riley, executive vice president.
Hellenic has been out of Surfaces for a few years, and Steve Mazarakis, president, said there is no chance it will return.
"I've made my commitment to the World Market Center. We'll have a permanent showroom in Building 3. The World Market Center is where my real customers are headed."
Not every big vendor is beating a path to the WMC. Floor covering giants Shaw Inds. and Mohawk Inds. are not making decisions at this time. Both have been out of Surfaces for several years, and conduct road shows around the country.
Rug supplier Karastan has pulled out of the High Point market and will take part in the New York Metro Market Sept. 17–21. The Mohawk division also continues to size up Las Vegas.
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Rug vendors deepening Las Vegas presence
Aug 13, 2006 -
Rug vendors deepening Las Vegas presence
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