RUG DECOR REVISES FORMAT, NAMES
MELANIE HAYIM AND SUE ANN BURKE

ST. LOUIS, MO  -- Rug Décor is revising  its relationship with independent Rug Décor store owners and  introducing a new company management team headed by Melanie Hayim as general manager and Sue Ann Burke as executive buyer and merchandiser.

Scott Hayim has relinquished his title as ceo of Rug Decor. He will continue as a Rug Decor corporate partner and board member.

The new licensee relationships with independent Rug Décor stores became effective on January 1, 2011.  The Rug Décor management changes are effective March 1.

·         Rug Décor currently operates five corporate stores in  St. Louis, MO, and  Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Destin, and Fort Myers, FL

There are  12 independently-owned Rug Decor locations including free-standing stores in Hilton Head, SC; Fayetteville, NC, Myrtle Beach, SC, Charleston, SC; Naperville, IL, Port Charlotte, FL; Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City and Tucson. Store-within-a-store locations include Gulfport, MS (Inside Floor Trader), Mobile, AL (inside Floor Trader), and Johnstown, NY (inside Ruby & Quiri Furniture).

o   The new format will result in a significantly reduced cost structure for the Rug Décor Licensees, he noted.

Scott Hayim has been president of Rug Décor since 2004 when it was a division of CCA Global. He led the division through its transition to become an independent company in 2009 and 2010.

Melanie Hayim, who will become general manager of Rug Decor, has experience at every level of the rug and floor covering business. Most recently, she was an independent sales representative. Earlier, she was director of product and merchandising for ProSource National, a division of CCA Global, plant manager for the custom rug division of Shaw Industries, and merchandiser for ABC Carpet &Home in Florida.

Sue Ann Burke was most recently director of product and merchandising for Rug Decor. Earlier she was advertising manager and merchandising associate for ProSource National, a division of CCA Global.       

 "We have been working closely with our key vendors to make our business model efficient and competitive in today’s environment and to make our stores exciting environments where our customers receive an unparalleled rug-shopping experience," said Melanie Hayim.  

"Rug Décor has a great group of store owners and managers and our corporate stores have a talented and enthusiastic team of managers. I really look forward to working with everyone to accelerate our recent progress.”

Scott Hayim said this is a  positive step for everyone.  "Rug Décor is able to continue to offer its traditional services and support to all of the stores that carry our brand," he said. 

"Our stores can now operate with significantly reduced costs for those services. Melanie Hayim and Sue Ann Burke will be a great team, continuing the development of our 21^st century retail model."

"While I am  sad to be stepping back from the day to day operations of the company, I believe that there are exciting areas where I can help build the area rug channel in the U.S..”

2.3.11