Transitional styles are expected to remain big sellers in 2025 and Feizy's hand-tufted Belfort collection additions are
expected to be a Vegas favorite. Shown, 869-8A28F green
SPECIAL REPORT -- Area rug executives heading to the first major US furnishings fair of the year are upbeat and expect retailers to update their rug assortments as they shop showrooms across World Market Center during Las Vegas Market, Jan. 26-30.
What's more, some expect that the winter edition, which runs concurrently with The International Surfaces Event, Jan. 27-30, will get a lift as TISE attendees head to World Market Center to browse area rugs to round out their assortments. And all are relieved to put 2024, which was not only an election year but also a year marred by inflation and price increases and also unreadable consumer sentiments.
In this exclusive industry Snap Survey, RugNews.com uncovers what executives expect not only for Las Vegas Market but also what they anticipate for the year ahead.
"While business for the bulk of 2024 was soft, our sales have experienced strong growth since November, with significant momentum in our designer business segment," Mike Riley, president of Feizy Rugs, told RugNews.com.
"This upward trend is supported by increased customer demand and strategic market positioning. Given the momentum with our designer businesses, our top categories at market include better tufted and hand-knotted products. Designers value the quality, craftsmanship, and unique aesthetics in our line offering."
"Looking ahead to 2025, market indicators remain encouraging. The rise of AI-driven insights and integrated sales platforms positions us well for sustained growth. We are confident in our ability to capitalize on these opportunities and continue driving success in the year ahead.”
Feizy expands its wool hand-tufted Belfort collection with several additional classically inspired floral patterns debuting
alonside several new collections. Shown, 869-8A27F gray
Harounian Rugs International (HRI) also is bullish on 2025 and its handmade lineup. "The area rug business is an accessory business which pretty much tracks the furniture business and so 2024 was a year of flat but steady business," said Greg Jordt, HRI executive vice president sales and marketing. "Everyone is looking for new ways to maintain market share. The state of the economy and the very unusual election campaign year contributed to the soft business around the country.
"We have two categories that continue to be our trend leaders and they are traditional and transitional." Greg Jordt, HRI
"We are very positive about the growth of our business in 2025," Jordt continued. "With the election behind us and the very encouraging predictions on all fronts as to the economy, there are going to be a lot of opportunities for growth, and we feel well positioned. While Vegas market attendance has been trending down for the past several years and becoming more and more regional, we are hoping and preparing for a strong well-attended January market but our expectations are very much tempered by the past.
"We have two categories that continue to be our trend leaders and they are traditional and transitional," he noted saying they remain a major focus of featured area rugs on display at the HRI showroom during market.
HRI's Splendid collection of hand-knotted wool rugs features the updated traditional patterns that made it a favorite in 2024.
For machine-made specialist Dynamic Rugs, which also continues to include handmade rugs in its lineup, expectations are high as well. "Our business in 2024 has shown that home décor and the rug industry are not immune to the events in the political arena," said Matthew Rouhanian. "Inflation in the first half of the year and the presidential elections in November have impacted various businesses, including ours.
"However, our strategic partnerships with big box stores have not suffered. We maintain a stable and positive relationship with them. When it comes to our big winners from 2024, transitional rugs came out on top. The simplified look of transitional rugs helps customers create a modern and clean style." Rouhanian continued.
"We already have a good response for Las Vegas Market, with a lot of requests for meetings and inquiries about collections." -- Matthew Rouhanian, Dynamic Rugs
"We expect business to pick up as we enter the new year. A more stable housing market and lower interest rates are something we are hoping for, as this drives customers to shop more. We have a few exciting events to start the year on a good note. We are also expecting significant interest in our newest collections, as well as our bestsellers. As the fashion world sees new emerging trends, those trends get reflected in home décor and the rug industry. 2025 will be a year where we see a lot of new styles. Customers should expect new colors, shapes, interesting textures, yarns and much more!"
"We already have a good response for Las Vegas Market, with a lot of requests for meetings and inquiries about collections we will showcase," Rouhanian said. "We have a lot of new exciting collections that are the results of the constant ongoing creative efforts that we put in, so we can deliver the highest quality rugs at affordable prices for every customer. For 2025 we plan to keep delivering excellence in every aspect of our business, which is the core value of our company. We pride ourselves in providing high quality rugs, friendly customer service, and following growing trends in the fashion world of home décor. Expect plenty of new collections in 2025," he concluded.
Dynamic Rugs continues to introduce directional transitional machine-woven rugs and debuts the Charlotte collection
for LVMKT. Shown, 19905-199
Couristan, which refocused its area rug strategy in late 2024, to focus on handmade qualities, anticipates the results will begin to pay off this year. "2024 was challenging, but energizing, as Couristan has made some significant changes to its area rug offering and we are seeing an excitement in our customers that lets us know we are giving them something new and fresh that they may not see elsewhere," said Marlys Giordana, vice president of product development, rugs. "Handmade pieces were our big standouts, as they moved us in a different direction and allowed our customers the opportunity to see that we are more than just outdoor products."
"Our expectations are to continue with this new direction, expanding our unique, handmade assortment, while continuing to offer fabulous outdoor products. The hope is that the economy will begin to level out after all of the turmoil and people will once again turn to updating their existing homes and possibly investing in new ones, which is always a good thing for the home furnishing industry."
"Because Couristan has both broadloom and area rugs, the overlap between Surfaces and World Market will hopefully bring customers to both sides of the business that haven’t been before," Giordano added. "We are expecting the markets to be exciting as they usher in the new year and set the tone for the remainder of the year.
"For 2025, Couristan will continue to grow and evolve and challenge ourselves in new ways and in new directions. Couristan is just getting warmed up and we believe that 2025 will be an amazing year for us," she said.
Among the
handmade collections debuting at Couristan is Desi, hand-knotted of wool. Shown, DES1 1001
At Natco Home, the domestic manufacturer is also optimistic. "The fourth quarter was strong, so we are happy to be finishing the year with momentum," said Jim Thompson, vice president sales and marketing, Natco. "We have seen increased interest in our made in the US products. With speed to market, quicker turns and the assurance of stable pricing, customers are leaning into US manufacturing."
He continued: “We expect to see our fourth quarter gains continue into 2025 and are optimistic that we will see healthy increases this year. We are expecting good traffic at the Las Vegas show. We have been hearing good reports from some of our key retail partners and expect buyers will be looking to freshen their assortments."
Natco's domestic rug assortment continues to be a big seller and will be a major focus in 2025. Shown, Adore's Iliana design