Eyes specialty stores with rack programs

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 3/18/2002 12:00:00 AM

BROOKLYN, NY —

Hellenic Rug Imports Inc. is expanding its reach in retail to include carpet and furniture specialty stores, president Steve Mazarakis said, thanks to the company's new rack programs.

"[Our participation at the recent] trade shows enabled Hellenic to accomplish this and enter these categories with extensive rack programs," he said.

Hellenic's rack programs of composed of 10-, 20- and 30-arm freestanding racks that can display various rug programs.

"This allows the retailer to show the full Hellenic line and gives the end customer the chance to see the rug and order the size they need," Mazarakis added. "Rugs that are displayed on these racks are always available in all program sizes and are shipped within three to four days of the order. The actual 6' x 9' racks are designed to be spacesavers. Hellenic realizes how expensive retail real estate is, so the all new racks are designed so the retailer can display 20 rugs within 24 square feet, 40 rugs within 35 square feet and 60 rugs within 48 square feet in their stores."

Each rack also comes with its own fully installed lighting system. There is no cost to the retailer when it stocks the rack entirely with Hellenic product.

To help promote and manage the new rack program, the company recently hired and/or contracted a new group of sales executives both in the United States and in Canada. The U.S. team includes Mike Neuman, covering Northern California; Cristina Papadaki, covering Southern California; Maria Mazarakis, covering New York and Northern New Jersey; C.L. Needham, covering North and South Carolina; Bryan Miller, covering Pennsylvania, Delaware and Southern New Jersey; Debbie Taylor and Lauri Bais, covering Minnesota; Heather Nemer, covering Wisconsin; and Jim Swan, covering Michigan.