AmericasMart integrates Rug and Home areas for January markets

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 12/12/2012 11:17:04 AM

Atlanta - The AmericasMart is kicking off its 2013 market season by integrating its home furnishings and home accents with area rugs in Building 1 "to facilitate buyers' changing needs."

With the shift, AmericasMart said it hopes to deliver "an even more dynamic array of area rugs and carpets as new companies join the mix and established showrooms introduce even more extensive collections in refreshed, expanded showrooms."

The market runs Jan. 10-13, with temporary exhibits Jan. 11-13 with a preview party from 4 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 10

Four Hands, a home furnishings company, will be on Floor 4 of Building 1 - a floor formerly exclusively dedicated area rugs. The shift is part of a move to create product collections and destination resources better suited to fit the way retailers shop. Throughout Floor 4, new and existing showrooms are expanding to be able to present more complete collections of rugs and complementary furniture and home accents.

Safavieh has added a 3,000-square-foot space across the aisle from its current 13,000-square-foot Floor 5 showroom to present its line of home furnishings. On the same floor, Amer has more than doubled to 6,000 square feet.

Surya, an area rug and home furnishings company, shifted space to Floor 12 in Building 1, which was classically a home furnishings floor. The move enables Surya to show its entire line of home accents in addition to its area rug lines.

"We are excited about the dynamics of Building 1," said Dave Savula, executive vice president of leasing, AmericasMart. "These changes are designed to help buyers. We understand retailers present integrated home and rug products in their stores, and designers need to source complete collection, so we're creating destination locations to easily see as much merchandise as possible."

Karastan is growing to more than 7,000 square feet on Floor 3. And, Concepts International returns to AmericasMart with a 1,200-square-foot showroom. Also on floor 3, Kaleen has doubled showroom space to more than 6,000 square feet.

"This expansion allows Kaleen a stylish and elegant, yet fully functional setting for our ever-expanding product assortment." says Joe Barkley, executive vice president of Kaleen, "the objective is to provide our guests with a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere to view Kaleen products under the best conditions possible. We think AmericasMart's home focus will help us as well."

Aminco Inc., with more than 50 years' experience in Oriental carpet, is returning to Floor 4 after an absence and Home Accents Alliance has a new showroom on Floor 5. Home and More has taken a space on Floor 3.

The Mart's Magnificent Carpet Awards will be presented by AmericasMart in partnership with HTT parent company Sandow Media as well as the Oriental Rug Importers Association (ORIA). The ceremony is set for January 11 starting at 6 p.m. at the Georgia Aquarium for all market attendees. There will be 13 select rug awards and three Retailer of the Year recognitions.