FCA Network introduces a new five-display soft-surface merchandising system called
SelectFit 360 for its members.
FORT MYERS, Fla.—FCA Network, a buying group of 70+ flooring retailers, held its annual convention in Fort Myers, Fla., earlier this month where several vendors showcased soft surface offerings including custom rugs.
At the same time, FCA Network unveiled a five-display soft-surface merchandising system for its members that is intended to simplify the shopping experience. All the products in the new display system, called SelectFit 360, can be made into custom size rugs. In the near future the merchandising system will feature its own custom rug program for dealers.
Despite the dominance of hard surface, soft surface continues to be a big draw for the retailers of FCA Network, many of whom reside in colder states where soft surface still reigns supreme.
“We do a significant amount of soft surface, and we sell custom area rugs,” said Steve Knisely, owner/manager of Wholesale Carpets & Flooring, Fox River Grove, Illinois.
Added Carlton Billingsley, president of Floors and More, Benton, Arkansas, “We have always offered carpet/rug fabrication even before the growth of luxury vinyl plank. Many of our customers enjoy having the same new carpet from one room made into a special size, shape or even standard rug size for another room in the home. We inform our customers that we offer this service and work with them on size, shape and delivery after the rug is fabricated.”
On the vendor side, The Dixie Group (TDG), Shaw Floors, Mohawk, Engineered Floors and Phenix Flooring showcased their latest collections. “High-end carpet is frequently used in custom area rugs, which is a growing segment in the residential flooring market,” said T.M. Nuckols, president of the residential division of TDG, whose three residential brands sell broadloom that can be customized into rugs.
In fact, most carpet mills today offer some version of a custom/bound rug program. Shaw Floors showed a selection of its Pet Perfect+ offerings geared for active households. Natural Embrace, which is available in 12 nature-inspired colors, reflects the beauty of sisal and jute rugs—without the upkeep.
Mohawk’s position is that while the industry favors hard surfaces, it wants to make it easier for the dealer/consumer to buy custom rugs to complement that hard surface. “The fortunate thing is most hard surface needs a good rug,” said Jamie Welborn, senior vice president of residential carpet product development. “Carpet has become much more stylish because of technology advancement in patterns and colors so we must make it easy to turn a broadloom carpet into a custom rug.”
Dreamweaver, the residential retail brand of Engineered Floors, touted its PureColor High-Def color technology, which boasts an enhanced texture and tighter twist, with up to 24 colors to create a high-resolution finish. Area rug options are available for dealers looking to pair rugs with hard surface, the company said.
Core vendor Phenix Flooring was showing FCA retailers its Signature Home Pet Safe collection. As the exclusive provider of polyester and nylon carpets with built-in Microban antimicrobial protection, Phenix’s carpets and rugs remain 99 percent cleaner than untreated surfaces.