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Four years ago, AmericasMart made a bold decision to integrate home furnishing exhibitors into its traditional rug floors (3-6) in Building 1. The showcase of diverse collections gives buyers access to more products, ideas and expertise.
“Retailers and designers appreciate the one-stop approach of having so much complementary merchandise within easy reach,” says Kevin Malkiewicz, vice-president and leasing manager.
One-stop buying works for the designer needing the perfect rug to complete a client’s den; the furniture store owner expanding into rugs; the carpet retailer adding more home accessories;
or the lifestyle shopkeeper looking for display vignettes inspired by the latest trends.
“A creative lifestyle rug and home furnishings environment fits with the changing marketplace which has fewer specialty stores and more merchants selling online and across multiple product classifications,” says Malkiewicz.
Elk International Group readily adopted the idea. “We took a leap of faith by moving to a larger location on the 6th floor, historically a rug floor, several years ago,” says CEO Bradford Smith. ELK
is a manufacturer and distributor of lighting, wall décor, gifts and home accessories. Other home furnishing exhibitors have
joined them.
“The floor has broad appeal to customers wanting to shop multiple categories in one location, while allowing greater opportunity to view merchandise in lifestyle settings,” says Smith.
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