September 29, 2004

 RUGS DIRECT TO OPEN 10,000 SQ.FT.
 RETAIL SHOWROOM IN RICHMOND

WINCHESTER, VA - Rugs Direct will  open a new 10,000 sq. ft. rug specialty store in Richmond, VA in November, according to Randy Kremer, president of the multi-channel retailer.

The move is part of a corporate plan to open Rugs Direct stores nationwide. Rugs Direct also has a major Internet presence and recently launched a national catalog of rugs.

 The store will contain  over 2,000 rugs for immediate delivery. Customers will also have access to over 50,000 area rugs through the company's online area rug gallery, RugsDirect.com. 

In a merging of the two forms of retailing, Rugs Direct stores  also provide multiple online kiosks to consumers for convenient product browsing and ordering.

The new store will be located at the intersection of West Broad Street and Gaskins Road, in the Circuit City Plaza. Rugs Direct will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm and Sundays from 12 pm through 6 pm. "The demographics, growth opportunities and proximity to our corporate headquarters made Richmond the obvious choice for our next retail venture,€VbCrLf Kremer said.

The showroom contains  three sections: The Main Gallery, The Boutique, and The Clearance Department. "Our Main Gallery offers a representation of what we carry in our online gallery and direct mail catalog. Consumers have a unique opportunity to see and feel many of the patterns and qualities from each of our suppliers,€VbCrLf explained Bill Martin, national sales manager.

The Boutique is a more intimate area displaying high-end rugs. On display are elaborate hand-made one-of-a-kind rugs.

The Clearance Department will contain a variety of  products at significant savings.

 "Customers want selection, service and value. We want them to develop not only a bond with the products, but also with the atmosphere of the showroom and our knowledgeable sales and design consultants. The new Rugs Direct showroom encompasses all of those elements,€VbCrLf stated Martin.

The new store will feature area rugs in a variety of sizes ranging from 2'x3' through 12'x15' estate size rugs. Prices will range from under $10 to more than $20,000.

Rugs Direct will carry product from over 40 suppliers including Karastan, Shaw, Sphinx, Nourison, Couristan, CMI, Oriental Weavers, Milliken and Stanton/Trans Ocean. 

  "We look forward to opening the Richmond store as the next step in our national expansion plan. We feel Richmond is a terrific market for our store and look forward to serving our new customers for many years to come.€VbCrLf said David Craig, CEO of Rugs Direct.

 Rugs Direct Adds Search-By-Color to Website

Rugs Direct has added a new shop-by-color browsing component to its www.rugs-direct.com website, Randy Kremer told rugnews.com.

"For the first time, consumers can zero in on a specific color and with one click, all the rugs containing that color can be used. The colors are not limited to the normal computer tones. Consumers can look for extremely subtle shades," Kremer noted.

Kremer explained that the new shop-by-color component will make shopping on the Rugs Direct site easier for consumer. "The aim is to maximize satisfaction and minimize returns," he said.

Kremer added that the company plans to apply for patents on the shop-by-color technology.