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ATLANTA MARKET AREA RUG EXHIBITORS REVEAL EXPECTATIONS, STRATEGIES
RugNews.com queries 10 key area rug exhibitors for Part 1 of our exclusive summer market business story. Pictured, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Newton collection from Loloi.
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ATLANTA -- Area rug companies exhibiting at this week's Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market open the doors to their AmericasMart showrooms looking back on solid first-half sales, and ahead to a strong finish to 2019.
Whether they focus on interior designers, brick and mortar, e-commerce or all three channels combined, the consensus is that targeted product, in-stock positions and market discounts will rein in summer shoppers who also seek to fortify their fall and holiday retail sales with the best deals and fashions for the end-use consumer. Also, look for RugNews.com's continued coverage of rug executive expectations in the run-up to Las Vegas Market later this month.
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Amer Rugs introduces the hand-knotted Bristol collection, shown, BRS-19
"We have seen a steady rise in sales in all our categories, especially in our machine-made and hand-knotted collections," said Anupriya Choudhary, director, Amer Rugs. "We expect to generate even better sales this summer compared to last year because of new promising collections like Zenith, Bristol, Cambridge and Boston, to name a few."
The printed Boehme collection by Jaipur Living, shown, BOH07
"Our business is showing solid growth and we continue to surpass last year's business on a monthly basis. I don't see this stopping anytime soon," said Teresa Roberts, director of national sales, Jaipur Living. "My expectation is Jaipur Living will have a solid performance at summer market based on the number of appointments we've been booking. Our customers always enjoy getting a look at our new rugs, pillows, poufs and throws -- and what's trending," she continued.
Surya debuts the machine-made Lincoln collection, shown, LIC2302-582
"The year is off to a tremendous start that is really a continuous momentum from the year prior," explained Jackie Paulsen, director of marketing at Surya. "We credit this success not only to our broad selection of accessories across all styles and price points, but our industry leading in-stock options and our customer-focused service levels. We have new rugs launching across a wide selection of constructions which makes us the ultimate rug destination as it truly is one stop shopping."
Loloi will present the machine-made Isadora collection, ISA06
Loloi, which expands its Atlanta showroom this market to accommodate one-of-a-kind rugs and framed textile art collections, reported an exciting start to its 15th anniversary year. "We have seen tremendous response to our new Loloi brand collections and licensed collections alike," Cyrus Loloi told RugNews.com. "We look forward to our continued year-over-year growth and anticipate a great summer market ahead."
Kas unveils the machine-woven wool Ria collection, shown, 6822
Kas Rugs is also playing up in-stock availability. "We're expecting summer market traffic to be comparable to last year and sales to be stronger as we introduce new collections that are fully stocked and ready to ship. We're also hoping for a stronger designer market in Atlanta this year," said Kas Rugs' Brianne Coradini.
Jaunty's Dublin collection, shown, DU71 in moonlight
Jaunty has seen increases in sales during the past couple of months after a soft first quarter, and is expecting to see the momentum going in the positive direction this summer and for the remaining of the year, said the company's Kami Navid. "Customers are looking for unique and different products with textures using 'blended' yarns coupled with a high-low effect, and the hard twist construction which would translate into high perceived value products in very affordable price points," he said.
Kalaty launches the Infinity collection, shown, IT-254
"We're halfway through 2019, and we are already experiencing an excellent year at Kalaty," said Ramin Kalaty, president. "No doubt, the strong economy is a contributing factor to successful sales in the high-end hand-knotted category. Yet, we are also seeing excellent sales in our more popular-priced K-Two rugs. If the economy continues in this direction, by year end, Kalaty will have had one of its best years."
LR Resources mimics hand-knotted looks with Mirage, shown, 81567
"We've experienced a slight increase in the first half of 2019, and hope to boost that growth with new collections," said Mike Thompson of LR Resources. "We are hoping for a good summer turnout by individual accounts in Atlanta. We are also showing in Vegas for the first time this summer in an effort to reach new western U.S. customers and those who don't attend Atlanta Market."
Capel introduces the machine-woven Landis collection in olefin. Shown, Isfahan charcoal.
"We think retailers will be impressed by all of the exciting new designs we have in store for market," said Cameron Capel president-sales and marketing for Capel Rugs.
"We're seeing an uptick in demand for better-end goods with a strong value proposition. At our opening price points, we continue to expand the range of what's possible with machine made designs. And at the higher end, we're expanding our assortment of luxurious traditional and transitional hand knots. Most of these new rugs will be available for shipping by October or soon after, making them a great way to freshen up floors as we head into the holidays."
Safavieh's new indoor outdoor Montage collection, shown, MTG246P