NEW YORK MICRO-MINI MARKET IS
AFTER-PARTY FOR SUMMER MARKET
At Karastan's 295 Fifth Ave. Showroom, from left: Karastan's Courtney S. Jones, northeast regional manager; David Greenberg, NJ Decorating Exchange, River Edge, NJ; Elizabeth Miller, Karastan senior vp of style and design; Karastan vp Bill Roach; David Bello, chief operating officer of NJ Decorating Exchange, and Pat Carroll, Karastan territory manager.
By Lissa Wyman
NEW YORK -- A handful of rug tenants conducted a micro-mini event at New York's 295 Fifth Ave. showroom July 21 and 22. It was an after-party to the Atlanta International Summer Market aimed at northeast retailers who had not attended the Atlanta show.
Retailers who visited the Karastan and Oriental Weavers showrooms included independent stores from the tri-state New York-New Jersey-Connecticut area, as well as some major retailers headquartered in the area.
Sam Belak, vice president of sales of Oriental Weavers of America; Brett Finkelstein, OW regional sales representative, and Koorosh Yaraghi, president of RugsUSA, Mineola, NY. Yaraghi tells us that he did not attend the Atlanta market because he normally does his market rounds in Atlanta in January.
"This event was a service to our customers who weren't able to attend the Atlanta Market this Summer. Not only did it allow us to show our new products to people who hadn't seen them before, but we were also able to review strategies with the retailers who went to Atlanta," said Sam Belak, vice president of sales for Oriental Weavers of America.
At the Karastan showroom, there was also a positive response to the two-day micro-market. "A substantial number of retailers responded to our invitation, largely independent stores from the surrounding area," said Courtney Jones, Karastan's northeast regional sales manager.
"We need to get retail feedback on new products and programs, and seeing our retailers in a relaxed setting that is close to home is one way that we can better service our customers," added Elizabeth Miller, senior vice president of style and design for Karastan.
The vendors noted that the two days also provided an opportunity to maximize the showrooms at 295 Fifth Ave. in Manhattan. "Any time we can use our showroom is a plus. It maximizes our investment here," said Jones.
The post-Atlanta event was not intended to compete in any way with the international market in Georgia, the executives stressed. In fact, it's not an entirely new idea. Both companies are active in presenting various small open houses and road shows throughout the year.
"Hosting small events gives our sales people an opportunity to focus on something different. It brings them out of the day-to-day routine and helps to renew their motivation," said Belak.
At Karastan: Andrew Vecchiariello, left, vice president of Forello Carpets & Area Rugs, Norwalk, CT, with Scott Rusnak, Karastan territory manager.
07.23.09