All part of CCA Global Partners, the nation's largest floor covering cooperative, the three distinct retail groups brought to exhibitors on the conneXtion Floor across the street at the Orlando County Convention a triumvirate of new sales opportunities. For rug suppliers, the addition of CCA's luxury division, IDG, meant an additional 100 retailers shopping for high end rugs to complement their designer broadloom offerings.

 

"Never has the philosophy of  'stronger together' been more clearly demonstrated than with the addition of IDG and The Floor Trader groups," said Keith Spano, president of Flooring America, Flooring Canada and The Floor Trader. "Members now have the opportunity to augment their current retail platform and cast a wider net around a more diverse customer base than ever before through our three distinct business models; outlet [The Floor Trader], full service retail [Flooring America/Flooring Canada]or designer/luxury [IDG]."

 

Just days before the opening of Atlanta International Rug Market, exhibitors previewed new products to an audience that included many retailers planning to attend this week's Atlanta event. "Rugs are my passion. It would not feel like a new year without Atlanta market. I wouldn't miss it," said IDG member Sam Presnell of The Rug Gallery in Cincinnati. 

 

Luxury retailers such as J&S Flooring of Livingston, NJ, and Landry & Arcari of Salem, Mass. (who also exhibited its custom capabilities with a rug weaving demonstration), shopped the show for unique products for the designer customers, among them a broad range of new handmade broadloom products from Kaleen.  According to Blake Dennard, Kaleen has grown from 11 lines in 2015 to 23 with 2016's introductions displayed with a wall of rug options at its expansive new booth.

 

Also fresh with new product were Momeni, Nourison, Karastan and sister brand American Rug Craftsmen.  Surya took two spaces on the ConneXtion floor: one for rugs and its custom program in conjunction with Shaw, and another for its growing line of home accessories featuring lighting, mirrors, pillows, and wall art.

 

Surya's cross-category display was in lockstep with CCA Global's plans to grow members' businesses by encouraging them to branch out into related products for the home.  Unveiled at conneXtion was a new proprietary Tribute by KILZ paint program enabling member stores to sell top quality paint which will be custom colored and delivered to the consumer by the manufacturer. 

 

Continuing with its track record of developing the most innovative programs for its members, the executive teams discussed the launch of new initiatives in all areas of the business from technology to marketing. According to Frank Chiera, senior vice president of marketing & advertising for the three groups, "Every year we invest in the latest technology and create marketing programs that will work hard for our members. This year is no different. We've mapped out robust programs for each brand to leverage to elevate recognition in their respective markets, whether it's targeting the outlet, mid-market or luxury audience." 

 

Key highlights include: Vision 20/20, Installing Happiness, website enhancements and strategic partnerships with brands who offer complimentary services such as the Tribute by KILZ paint program and iRobot for the Flooring America and Flooring Canada group. 

 

For IDG, the Design for a Difference movement, the only community-driven designer movement and its designer program remain the priority for 2016. Krista Eliason, president of IDG comments, "Over the last several years, we've watched Design for a Difference gain tremendous momentum with our members and the huge impact these participating showrooms have had in their communities. We understand that Design for a Difference and the designer program are closely aligned. Our goal is to continue to support these programs to drive growth."

 

Over the last few months, the executive team immersed themselves into The Floor Trader business. Executives will outline many exciting initiatives for The Floor Trader group including the rebuilding of its marketing positioning, access to robust social media and digital marketing programs, enhanced in-store design and new websites. 

 

Spano told members, "We are headed into the year stronger and more powerful than ever before by creating more bleeding edge technology for showrooms, developing new opportunities for the future and leveraging even more buying power with suppliers. All of these elements coupled together position us to make a big impact in 2016 and capture more market share."

 

ConneXtion hosts Keith Spano, president of Flooring America, Flooring Canada and The Floor Trader, and Krista Eliason, president of International Design Guild, with IDG exhibitor Len Braunstein of custom rug maker Seldom Seen Designs of Livingston, N.J.

Kaleen

 

Cedric and Danielle Eckenrode of ProFloors Flooring America of Naples, FL shop Kaleen's sophisticated booth featuring a new combined rug and broadloom display fixture for easy merchandising at point of sale. Kaleen execs at right are Blake Dennard, senior vp and Tim Boylan, sales rep.

 

 

Mohawk took side by side booths for sister brands Karastan and American Rug Craftsman at last week's conneXtion 2016 conference in Orlando.

Landry & Arcari

Julie Arcari Cook and Jerry Arcari of Landry & Arcari pose with Sonam Norbu, a master weaver on staff at the Salem, MA-based retailer. An IDG member, Landry & Arcari shopped the show, but also demonstrated their custom capabilities to fellow member-retailers.

 

 

 

 

 

Plaid is back, and Nourison's Gingham Plaid broadloom was a featured product shown in one of the company's sleek display fixtures for retailers.