| Rugnews.com Top News Stories of 2010:
RUG INDUSTRY TAKES ADVANTAGE OF
TOUGH TIMES WITH DIVERSIFICATION By Lissa Wyman
As the Great Recession lingered through 2010, "Diversify or Die" became more than just a slogan for the rug industry. Diversification was the top news of 2010 for the rug industry. What began as a trickle in 2009 became a torrent in 2010 as small, medium and large vendors and retailers made decisions to alter their business models. The industry has diversified in several ways, including new product categories, new ways to present products and new channels of distribution. In 2010, Rugnews.com ran over 20 stories that involved diversification, making the choice of the year's top news easy. But after the slew of stories that created the top spot, the decisions on top stories became much more difficult. We are sure you'll have something to say about these choices, and we welcome your response. Let us know what you're thinking. Use the comment box or e-mail us at lwyman@rugnews.com. The year was so newsworthy, we expanded our list to include 25 stories this year. Here it is. Have fun. RUGNEWS.COM 25 TOP STORIES OF 2010 click on the headline links to read stories 1. DIVERSIFICATION Momeni Diversifies Into
Broadloom Carpet Business
and
Momeni Names Pat Shaw and Stephanie Shaw
to Head New Broadloom Division OW Group ReBrands Hospitality
Division Under OW Hospitality Name
and
Oriental Weavers Names Hartsfield
Broadloom Product Manager Shaw Begins Production of Woven Broadloom
and
Shaw Living Introduces Display/Interactive Kiosk Harounian Moving Into Mass Market Channel Dynamic Rugs Poised for Growth,
Entering Broadloom Business Spring Air Mattress Company to Open
on AmericasMart Rug Floor Due Process Diversifies into Mass Market
with new FOB Direct Ship Program Rizzy Adds Furniture,
Changes Name to Rizzy Home
and
Riz Kidz to Showcase at Showplace in High Point Safavieh to Enter Pillow and Bath Rug Categories
and
Safavieh Launches Kids Division
Renaissance to Introduce New Modern Collection Boutique Design Show Targets Hospitality Market Nourison Names Hay to Direct Tufted Broadloom Production and Development Emma Gardner Launches
Emma at Home Label Rugs Direct Partners with Bari Furniture
and
Rugs Direct Offers One of a Kind Rugs
and
Rugs Direct to Launch
Product Highlight Videos in 2011 Rug & Home Wholesale Outlet
Opens in Kannapolis, NC Mohawk Joint Venture with
Chinese Ceramic Tile Maker
2. RUG AUCTION AT HIGH POINT MARKET If we made our "Best of" decisions based on our reader comments, the two editorials on the High Point Market rug auction would win hands-down.
We certainly can't ignore our readers, so
we give this controversy the second spot.
A Disgrace in High Point:
Auction of Oriental Rugs and Whiplash from Auction Story
3. THE ROAD BACK TO HIGH POINT
After years of showroom closings, rug vendors
are returning and also expanding their presence in High Point. The move indicates increasing interest in the furniture channel of distribution. Trans Ocean, Liora Manne and Shaw Living
Take New High Point Showrooms High Point Scraps Controversial ReZoning Plan;
Safavieh Plans to Build 'High Point Pavilion'
and
Safavieh Adds New Shag Showroom in High Point Loloi in Major Expansion of
High Point Showroom Sphinx Expands Presence at High Point Market Momeni Returns to High Point Market with
Permanent Showroom
828 Returns to High Point Market with
Temporary Space at Suites at Market Square Rug Gallery at Suites at
Market Square in High Point
4. NEW YORK MARKET GAINS STRENGTH
Increasing participation in the New York Home Fashions Market (formerly the NY Home Textiles Show) indicates greater interest in mass market retail channel. Nourison to Open New 10,000+ Sq. Ft.
Showroom at 295 Fifth Ave. in New York Loloi Opens NY Showroom
and
Loloi in Licensing Agreement with Kate McRostie Kaleen to Exhibit at 7W New York Feizy to Open Permanent NY Showroom Linon to Show during NY
Home Fashions Market Week New Showrooms Signify Growth of
Mass Market Channel AND
New York is not ALL about the Mass Market. The luxury market is also growing!
New York International Carpet Show
Comes of Age
5. Safavieh Enters Licensing Agreement
with Ralph Lauren
A top consumer brand has been without a
rug industry partner for many years.
6. Karastan Restructures,
Becomes More Aggressive
Karastan Rugs Appoints Roan Vice President Karastan Expands AmericasMart Showroom Karastan Names Welch Midwest Regional VP Karastan Historic World's Fair Rug on Display at Macy's Chicago State Street Store
7. Capel Restructures Sales Organization
8. Rugnews.com Editorial:
Einstein Moomjy to Close Manhattan Store The end of an era.
9. Feizy Names Robetor VP of Sales
10. Farewell to four iconic figures
of the rug industry Elizabeth Miller Hector Bahamonde
Eddie Watts
Harold Keshishian
11. U.S. TRADE SANCTIONS WITH IRAN
Sweeping US Sanctions Against Iran
will Affect Rug Imports
and Oriental Rug Importer Associations Issues Statement Asking that Iranian Rugs be Exe
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