Shaw adds accent

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 1/29/2001 12:00:00 AM

DALTON, GA -Shaw Rugs, traditionally a domestic and international manufacturer of polypropylene, nylon and wool rugs, will begin importing accent rugs for the first time in June as part of an effort to expand its offerings to new retail outlets, namely gift retailers.

"The accent rug category isn't necessarily growing, but it does get us into the gift category," said Jeff Meadows, division vp. "It's the only importing I see us getting into right now."

Shaw Industries currently has manufacturing operations in the United States and Mexico, as well as sales offices here and in Singapore, Hong Kong and Miami.

The new accent rugs are being imported from China and are hand-hooked wool.

"We're still working on the colorways," Meadows said.

Shaw Rugs' existing licensor, Tracy Porter, has been commissioned to design this new import line, which will include 10 to 12 patterns.

"We've worked with Tracy for four years already," Meadows said. "She was our first license, and we've done very well with her.

"We're hoping to make them lively, bright and colorful," Meadows said.

The target customers are primarily gift retailers-catalogs and stores.

"But we are also going to pitch it as promotional stuff with our mass merchant customers," Meadows said.

Price points are set at $39 for a 2' x 3' to $59 for a 3' x 5'.