07122010 Rugs Direct Offers One of a Kind Rugs

RUGS DIRECT OFFERS
ONE-OF-A-KIND RUGS

WINCHESTER, VA – Rugs Direct is now offering consumers one-of-a-kind rugs, according to Randy Kremer, president of the online retailer.

“We are a volume seller,” said Kremer. “As such, it’s been extremely challenging for us to merchandise products that are available in limited quantities, much less a product for which only one exists anywhere in the world.”

But, according to Kremer and the company’s chief information officer, Greg Culler, Rugs Direct has developed a method of real-time inventory that now makes it possible to display the image of a one-of-a-kind rug and immediately remove it once a sale has been made.

“This technology, like most of what we do at Rugs Direct, was developed internally,” said Culler. “It prevents one of the worst things an online retailer can do. Namely, offer something for sale that is no longer available.”

“This is a completely different way of presenting product to customers,” said Bill Martin, executive vice president of Rugs Direct. “With the exception of clearance items or our Special Buys, most all of our product is mass-produced and generally available in large quantities. But rug-buyers are becoming much more discriminating today,” noted Martin. “They want something no one else can put in their homes that makes their environment truly unique. A great way to do this is with a hand-made area rug that is a one-up design.”

Rugs Direct is also trying to dispel the perception that one-of-a-kind rugs are too expensive for most people to consider purchasing. “There certainly are unique rugs on the market that can cost many tens of thousands of dollars,” said David Craig, chief executive officer of Rugs Direct.

“We now offer several of these and if you look at the craftsmanship you’ll see they are worth every penny. But we know these rugs aren’t for everyone. So we offer many selections at a significantly lower price point,” Craig said. “With our discount pricing of up to 66% off retail, there are hundreds of one-of-a-kind rugs in our online store that are incredibly affordable.”

07.15.10