HORIZON HOME IMPORTS BROADENS U.S. MARKETING AND AIMS AT E-COMMERCE
Horizon Home Import's  Ibrahim collection is  hand  hand hand tufted using both cut and loop construction. Hand carving for additional texture. Made in India of New Zealand wool blend, it retails for $249 in 5x8.

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Horizon Home Imports  was established in 2007 as a factory-direct importer specializing in container shipments from its manufacturing facilities in India. Now the company is expanding its distribution, with particular focus on the e-commerce segment of the market, according to Zubair Alam, company vice president.

Horizon  Home Imports distributes products  from a 75,000 sq. ft warehouse in Charlotte, NC. This Spring, the company opened a new permanent showroom in the Commerce and Design building in High Point, NC.

HHI plans to diversify its product assortment for the Fall 2012 High Point Market. “In addition to rugs, we plan to feature lamps and wide range of home accents products," said Alam.  

 HHI’s specialty is hand tufted rugs in cut and loop constructions with hand-carving  for additional texture. HHI rugs are made In India of New Zealand blend wool and retail at $249 for 5x8 size and $499 in 8x10. 

The value-oriented retail price points reflect the company's commitment to be a low-cost provider to both the ecommerce business and bricks and mortar retailers.

" HHI brings products to US retailers from the grass roots level. If our retail partners are able to make good net margins, it will help them grow stronger and expand in this most competitive market. So it helps us as well," according to Alam. "We strongly believe in that mutually beneficial relationship."

Alam noted that HHI operates on the principal of quickly turning merchandise. "It is most important to keep the assortment fresh, particularly when dealing with the e-commerce channel," he said. "We bring in at least a dozen new sku's every quarter. Currently we have over 300 sku's which are stocked in five sizes. All our orders are guaranteed to be shipped within 24 hours and delivered in three to four working days. "

Discussing  e-commerce, Alam said the company sees this market segment as still in its growing stage. "This channel is going to get even bigger over the coming years, and we want to grow with it," he said.

"We are concentrating on building a brand aimed at the 22 to 48 year-old age group, which is sensitive to pricing but demands high fashion looks. Most importantly, they are looking for value," said Alam. 

HHI is also discovering new ways to market its products using online social  networking. The company established a Facebook page  in late 2011 and Alam said the page already has over 60,000 "likes." 

4.27.12