'Can-do' attitude evident in rugs
By Lissa Wyman -- Furniture Today, September 30, 2007
High Point — Rug vendors are approaching the fall market here with a "can-do" attitude, despite continued softness at retail.
Aggressive players are establishing new partnership programs aimed at the furniture segment. They also are introducing programs that help furniture stores display and sell rugs with minimum investments in inventory and floor space.
Even smaller rug companies are not letting the economy get them down. Everyone seems to have at least a few fresh product stories to tell.
"We are kicking off our 35th anniversary with a dinner party for customers, and we have new products and designs to help build excitement," said John Feizy, founder and president of Feizy Rugs.
He said that even though recent economic news hasn't been good, there is still buying and selling going on at stores. "In this kind of atmosphere, it's very important to have the right products at the right prices," Feizy said.
Surya has been adding to its executive sales and product development team and is introducing cross-category product coordinates such as pillows, wall art, throws and lamps. The company also hired a visual designer to maximize the impact of its High Point showroom in Showplace.
"We are looking at the psychology of the buyer," said President Satya Tiwari. "We have to think of what attracts a buyer to a showroom. Furniture buyers only have a set number of vendors they can visit during High Point. We want to be a destination."
At Safavieh, principal Cyrus Yaraghi said, "Most people are sitting back and taking it easy in a down economy. That's not our philosophy. We've got to be aggressive. We are introducing new lines and merchandising programs. We're not just waiting for business to get better.
"Presentation is everything," Yaraghi emphasized. "We recently introduced our Loft program, a completely coordinated line of furniture and rugs. The trend in furniture stores is lifestyle merchandising, and having a comprehensive program takes the guesswork out of it for buyers."
Abbyson is another company that offers both furniture and rugs. "At this market, we are going even further to offer a meaningful relationship between the two product categories," said Yavar Rafieha, vice president of sales and marketing.
"Our new Room Ready To Go program gives retailers and designers an opportunity to develop customized
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