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07072015 AmericasMart's Integration of Home and Rug Sectors Mirrors Retail Buying Patterns and Vendor Expansions

7/7/2015

AMERICASMART'S INTEGRATION OF HOME AND RUG SECTORS MIRRORS RETAIL BUYING PATTERNS AND VENDOR EXPANSIONS

"Rug manufacturers are expanding their market and product lines and are also bringing more designers into the rug arena."


Kevin Malkiewicz

ATLANTA - The push by AmericasMart to integrate the rug and home decor sectors continues to gain traction and is "creating a new dynamic as more home interior buyers are finding their way to the rug showrooms," says Kevin Malkiewicz, Vice President of Leasing, Home & Rug, at  AmericasMart. In an exclusive pre-market interview with Rugnews.com Malkiewicz said the integration is a "natural as more rug manufacturers are getting into throws, pillows and furniture while more furniture and home accents manufacturers are adding rugs to their collections." 

Malkiewicz cited Georgia-based Surya and Jaipur Rugs and Port Washington, N.Y.-based Safavieh as examples of rug manufacturers that have branched out into furniture, lighting, and home accessories. "Rug manufacturers are expanding their market and product lines and are also bringing more designers into the rug arena. Overall, the melding of the two product categories is helping both segments and we expect to see more of that in the future," he said. 

Further helping the traffic flow is the sixth-floor bridge that connects all three buildings at AmericasMart. Opened in January, the bridge provides one continuous route and access to all product categories: rugs, furniture, accessories, gifts, tabletop, textiles and linens and fashion apparel and accessories. "It has changed the traffic flow and different buyers are coming on to the traditional rug floors and, frankly, more rug buyers are venturing out into the other floors and showrooms," he said.

The July market should benefit from a vibrant market in January 2015. "We kicked off the year strong and we expect the second half to be as good, if not better," he said. "The economy is strong so we’re very optimistic."

New and Expanded Showrooms

Fueling that optimism is the expansion of several showrooms. The 12,000 square feet showroom left vacant by the withdrawal of Shaw from the area rug segment last year has been leased and will be split evenly between Rizzy Home and Golden Oldies, a vintage decorative accessories and furniture company. The Rizzy Home showroom (6-C-8) is another example of a rug company integrating its rugs and home textile products. 

"We have new lines being introduced and new designers and several showrooms have expanded or relocated," Malkiewicz said. Among those are Radici USA, which moved to the third floor and Kashee & Sons, which doubled its space on the fourth floor. Harounian Rugs International moved from the sixth floor to the fifth and completely renovated the showroom.

"We're very excited and expect the July market to post very strong sales," Malkiewicz said.

 

07.07.15

 


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