Kaleen's Luxe collection continues to gain traction with retailers and designers for its versatility of application. Shown, Nectar collection

HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Area rug executives surveyed by RugNews.com at the fall edition of High Point Market anticipate a pickup in sales for the fourth quarter as they enter the year's historic busy sales season.

In fact, many area rug players are looking forward to turning the page on 2024 and entering 2025, following an unpredictable election year and unreadable consumer demand. At High Point Market, they rolled out trend-forward rug collections catering to top-selling categories in an effort to woo retail buyers and designers and help end the year on a positive note and kick off 2025.

Driving sales at hand-knotted and hand-crafted specialists are designs that feature innovative textures and weaves, and traditional and transitional designs in fashion forward colorations. At cross-category players the gamut of popular choices runs from super soft machine-woven rugs to machine-washable pieces and fresh hand-tufted assortments full of texture and crafted of wool.

Says Harounian Rugs International's Greg Jordt, "Since the beginning of August there has been a definite uptick in sales across all of our distribution channels: specialty retailers, design firms, to the trade showrooms and high-end furniture stores. So based on this early fall surge in sales we are expecting a very strong finish to 2024." Jordt pointed to several factors he said might be contributing to this, including lowered interest rates, a strong stock market, strong economic indicators, plus the company's recent rug introductions.

"Traditional designs in clearer colorations continue to be a strong trend," Jordt said. "Transitional looks always are at the top of a buyer's shopping list and we really are offering some great fresh new designs and colorways this fall."


HRI's hand-knotted Splendid collection is to be among 2024's bestselling collections. Show, VIN-3

Likewise, Kaleen expects positive results at High Point Market, with company COO Monty Rathi noting, "Our pre-scheduled appointments filled up, reflecting strong interest from both existing and new buyers. We expect robust engagement at our showroom, driven by the market’s demand for unique, high-quality, and sustainable rugs that complement a wide range of interior styles.

"We expect buyers to focus heavily on our Luxe collections and Custom Rugs program this fall. Buyers are seeking products that bring sophistication, style, and durability to any space, making Luxe a perfect fit. Additionally, our Custom Rugs program is generating significant interest due to its flexibility and personalization options. Designers and retailers increasingly want unique pieces tailored to specific needs," he continued.

"For 2024, we expect year-over-year growth," he said. Top sellers include the company's Home & Porch PET polyester-based products, which have continued to gain traction due to their environmental benefits, trending styles, and durability. Its Hook & Beam and Pure Life broadloom lines have been key drivers of sales, for their versatility and adaptable applications, he said.

And high-end hand-crafted Luxe by Kaleen collections have also "played a major role in driving sales by catering to clients looking for upscale, fashion-forward designs. The demand for luxury, premium textures, and intricate patterns continues to grow," Rathi added, noting that Luxe sales are growing as the program's broadloom orders gain traction.


Kaleen introduces three new collections to the high-end LUXE assortment of handcrafted rugs. Shown, Jinan

Hand-knot specialist S&H Rugs, which added a range of innovative weaves and designs for fall shoppers, expects a Q4 pickup in business.

"We always do well with our wool weft Oushak pieces in High Point, as well as with our vintage, worn-out tribal pieces," explained company founder Ori Wilbush, who said S&H debuted new colors and designs especially for the fall market.


S&H Rugs expands its Market Square footprint to accommodate more of its brand-new hand-knotted rugs.

"We have expanded our showroom to exhibit and display more rugs and are next to eight different hand-knotted rug companies that mainly carry classic authentic Turkish rugs. This will hopefully make the Suites at Market Square’s second floor a destination for quality hand-knotted rug sourcing."

Wilbush expects S&H Rugs' zero-pile collection of antique revival rugs to be top-sellers as well as the company’s very special modern programmed rugs and one-of-a-kind art-level pieces to appeal to designers at the show.


Shoppers looking for contemporary neutrals had plenty of hand-knotted options at the S&H Rugs' Market Square space.

"We are very aggressively introducing newness this October," said Cyrus Loloi, principal, Loloi. “Our customers are looking for this and we are delivering with more than 30 new rug collections, along with many new pillows and wall art designs.

"We are also forecasting a very strong close to the year in terms of end of year sales," he said. "We have strong inventory across both MAP collections and e-comm-friendly collections, and our price point remains sharp and aggressive."

Loloi's customers, he says, are always drawn to the company’s handmade collections so multiple high-end groupings from India that are GoodWeave certified will be introduced. "We also have a healthy assortment of new power-loomed collections that are equal parts beauty and easy maintenance which customers will love.

"While the industry has seen softness in retail this year, Loloi has seen strong sales particularly in our running line collections, as well as collaboration product, including Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines, Amber Lewis, Rifle Paper Co., Brigette Romanek, and Chris Loves Julia. 2024 is going to finish strong and we are excited about what 2025 will bring as well."


Loloi debuts its textured hand-tufted Prudence collection, offering tufted tonal high-low motifs. Shown, PRU-01

Kas Rugs expects a positive fall season and has seen a pickup in business in recent weeks. "We are expecting Q4 to be stronger as well. This is our time to sell rugs, so we are optimistic to end the year on a good note," said Santhi Yarlagadda, vice president e-commerce, licensing & new business development. "We are already preparing for 2025 in terms of an uptick in sales starting in Q1 as well as for product development."

Yarlagadda said buyers at High Point are seeking indoor-outdoor placements for 2025, unique programmed handmades, and machine-wovens with color and in warmer neutrals. "Texture is always important and people are continuing to look for more variety in machine washables or easy-care rugs."

The categories that are driving 2024 sales at Kas include handmade rugs (in tufted, woven, and knotted qualities), easy care and washables, outdoor and machine-woven in rich colors and neutrals. "Q4 should end the year on a good note, and we are looking already at some placements for Q1 and Q2 and expect the year to only improve," Yarlagadda said.


Kas Rugs expects its handmade rug debuts to help the company end the year on a high note. Shown, Hayden

Finally at handmade rug specialist Jaunty, Kami Navid also expects a stronger second half. "We are looking forward to a good increase in sales in fall/winter of 2024. Buyers are looking for more transitional and contemporary patterns with unique and innovative constructions and having more vivid colors."


Jaunty continues to expand its popular hand-tufted Sterling collection of raised motif geometric and linear styles in neutral palettes.