| COURISTAN EXPECTS BUSY VEGAS, FOCUSES ON ANNUAL TRENDS WITH SUMMER SHOPPERS Couristan's summer 2019 Vegas area rug assortment will focus on the key trends laid out in its annual trend video. |
LAS VEGAS -- Couristan looks forward to a busy Las Vegas Market focusing its showroom on the key directions laid out in its annual trend video, launching here and prominently displayed.
"Our annual trend video has become the hallmark for our industry based on the positive feedback we have been receiving from customers as well as consumer reactions on our social media platforms," said Couristan's Larry Mahurter, vice president of marketing and advertising.
"There has been an uptick at Las Vegas Market in regard to attendance in recent summers," Mahurter said, noting that impacted the decision to launch the video at next week's show. "Obviously in Las Vegas we are seeing many of our Western accounts which we would not see in New York, and we are happy to report that we have booked appointments with many of our significant distribution channels."
In recent years, Couristan has fine-tuned its business strategy to more effectively meet the needs of its broad base of customers to help grow various channels.
Couristan's annual trend video is so popular with buyers it has become a yearly staple. Shown, a screen grab from the 2019 video on view at the company's showroom.
Click here to view video.
"It's important to also recognize the growth potential of our big box operations and e-commerce accounts, and to create marketing plans to enhance sales among all channels. We feel that all these actions have enhanced this year's sales over 2018," Mahurter said, noting that Couristan has placed much emphasis over the past several months on improving the brand's online shopping experience in the form of product imagery, informational content and video content.
"In addition, we have answered the call from our brick and mortar accounts by designating products just for them; this is based on looks, constructions and price points. It's extremely important to never lose sight of our dealer base -- the foundation of our distribution among brick and mortar accounts," he explained.
Heading into summer market at Vegas, Couristan keeps the focus on how its latest product debuts fit into the directions outlined in its
Annual Trend video. Themes and trends outlined are A Study in Contrast, By Virtue, Bohemian Rhapsody, Milk & Honey and Northern Light (
read story).
Couristan grows its roster of digitally printed rugs adding the Caledonia collection, which features non-skid backing and saddle-stitched edges. Shown, Caledonia's Kamla design.
"We will be expanding our digital print category with the introduction of several new collections including Caledonia Pasha, Prairie and Prairie Hide These collections offer digitally printed area rugs in a range of contemporary, traditional and even cowhide looks. For the classic designs, colorations have been modernized to suite today's decision makers."
Price points are based on what Couristan has determined to be the "sweet spot" for 5x8 and 8x11 rugs across a various of distribution channels and are based on analytics. "We feel that we are able to provide products in these prices ranges without compromising our style, color and quality values.
"It's another approach we are taking as we did many years ago as a pioneer in the outdoor category. We are extremely excited about the looks we are bringing to Las Vegas. What's more. because of Couristan's strength in outdoor, Mahurter said, this will remain a category of continued growth and is another area of focus at the July market.
For summer Vegas shoppers, Couristan offers several promotions based on product purchase savings and freight savings. Below are some of the highlights Vegas market-goers can expect to find at the Couristan showroom (B360).
TOP DESIGNS FOR SUMMER MARKET
Caledonia
Couristan's digitally printed, machine-woven Caledonia Rhapsody.
Debuting in Vegas is the new digitally printed Caledonia collection of floral motifs, With a machine-woven base made of 100 percent polyester, these rugs feature a non-skid backing and saddle-stitched edges.
Marseille
Couristan's indoor-outdoor Marseille 2428/3281 debuts in Vegas.
Couristan introduces the durable indoor-outdoor Marseille, a collection of flat-woven area rugs made of 100 percent fiber-enhanced Courtron polypropylene. These weather-resistant rugs are UV stabilized to resit signs of fading or deterioration.
Pasha
Couristan rolls out the digitally printed Pasha collection. Shown, Persepolis
Among the new printed collections being introduced by Couristan in Vegas is Pasha, which reworks classic designs in modern color combinations. Made in China of 100 percent polyester, these rugs feature a non-skid backing and saddle-stitched edges.
Prairie
New from Couristan is the digitally printed cowhide Prairie 2837/2710.
Couristan introduces its digitally printed Prairie collection of geometric cowhide-inspired designs. The range is machine-woven of polyester with a non-skid backing. Similarly are the company's new printed Prairie Hides, which emulate cowhide rugs.