Rug vendors expanding Vegas presence
By Lissa Wyman -- Furniture Today, January 14, 2007
Las Vegas — World Market Center officials say they have big plans for the floor covering industry.
Several major rug vendors will have showrooms in the Las Vegas Market's new Building B, which will be open for the Jan. 29–Feb. 2 market. Still more are planning to move into Building C, which is slated for completion in 2008 and will feature two floors of floor coverings, including rugs, carpets, hardwood, tile, stone and laminate.
Nasser Rahmanan, president of Masterlooms, said the company is planning an expanded showroom in the third WMC building.
"The position that we have right now in Las Vegas is excellent, and it's getting better as we expand our showroom and plan to move into the new third building," said Rahmanan, who said he has been happy with the market here.
"The traffic is there and we have seen a lot of people in Las Vegas that we never saw in High Point or Atlanta. We've also been impressed that it's truly an international market," he said.
Babs Blair, director of leasing for the World Market Center, said buildings B and C both will have a number of rug showrooms.
"Building C, which will be completed in 2008, will see an influx of new and expanded floor coverings showrooms, with much of the space already pre-leased. With targeted destinations, we are making the environment more conducive for buyers," said Blair.
She said the WMC also is seeing a rush for space in Building C from decorative accessories companies.
Kas Oriental Rugs is leasing temporary space in Las Vegas in January and plans to open a 6,000-square-foot showroom in Building C, according to Rao Yarlagadda, president.
"We see a huge future in Las Vegas and at World Market Center," said Yarlagadda. "As the Center expands to 12 million square feet, we are seeing a lot of furniture dealers who prefer to come to Las Vegas Market based upon the convenience of flights, hotels and entertainment."
Colonials Mills, which has been showing in temporary space, also will lease a permanent showroom in Building C in 2008, said Don Scarlata, president and CEO.
"Las Vegas Market is a great fit for us as a company and I am very excited for the third building to open," Scarlata said. "World Market Center has been designed to be very easy for buyers to shop.
"In fact, due to the presentation and the fact that the buildings will all be connected, World Market Center has the potential to give us as a company broader exposure and more sales because buyers tend to walk the entire market in Las Vegas."
He said the company stands to gain exposure to a wide variety of retailers, such as catalog and e-commerce merchants who may be at market looking at other items.
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