During the first and middle stages of the pandemic, Covid made big gatherings impossible, including large trade shows. For many of our large vendors, this disruption give rise to new thinking about other ways to show their rugs to wholesalers like us.
One of our largest vendors has pulled out of both the Atlanta and High Point trade shows in favor of investing in a large showroom near their headquarters.
A few other vendors are doing the same or at least contemplating it.
Trade show space is massively expensive. Though it’s useful only once or twice a year during big shows, the rent still comes due all year and it ain’t cheap.
Alternative to Trade Shows
The logic is simple: it costs less to fly customers to your space than it does to maintain trade show space.
There are other advantages too: close to the warehouse; no shipping costs back and forth between headquarters and trade shows; more display control; access to more inventory, etc.
Our Experience
My wife Karen and I recently visited the newly built showroom of one of out biggest vendors. We liked it.
The atmosphere was pleasant and relaxed.
There were half-dozen other rug-sellers like us there. It was great talking with them. We all suffer the same problems: slow deliveries, and difficulties in finding competent, stable employees. Communication seemed easier and more abundant than what you might find at a trade show.
And the Rugs...
We saw a broad spectrum of rug styles from contemporary to traditional.
In the traditional camp, there was a nice selection of Oushaks, pictured above, that were made in Afganistan. This is obviously a difficult place to do business, but it has the advantage of producing high quality work at a lower price. In these days of sky-rocketing prices, every little bit helps. As the trend back to traditional rugs continues, these are definitely worth a look.
What This May Mean for Designers
You will probably see less and less product at the trade shows that survive the pandemic trauma. Most likely absentees from trade shows will be heavy items like rugs and furniture, which are enormously expensive to ship and handle.
Trade shows may be a less important resource for new design ideas and emerging trends.
We Will not Change
Going forward the goal of our two showrooms at Addison/Dicus & Bailey remains the same: make rugs available that are working for our interior design customer base.
Closeouts
Tampa
TUFENKIAN #2-0059623 LOTUS AND VINE 939.249 GOLDEN SUEDE 8'11"X11'11"
CORE SHAKTI WOOL AND REAL SILK
DESIGNER NET - $9045 EACH
CLOSE OUT - $3500.00 EACH OR $6500.00 FOR TWO!
Orlando
88-ALC-5, Alchemy Lt Ivory, 7'11x9'10
All faux silk (viscose), hand-knotted in India.
DESIGNER NET: $4204
CLOSEOUT PRICE: $2100
88-ALC-6, Alchemy White Ice, 8'10x11'11
All faux silk (viscose), hand-knotted rug from India.
DESIGNER NET: $5684
CLOSEOUT $2800
Addison/Dicus & Bailey Close Out Policy
The best way to find out about our latest closeout is to subscribe to our newsletter.
You must have an account with Addison/Dicus & Bailey to buy one of these rugs.
The closeout offers will begin when we send the newsletter between the 20th and 30th of each month and last for 30 days.
No returns. No showings in homes.
Rugs can be picked up at the showroom, or we can arrange for home delivery and set up for an extra charge.
These are individual pieces in one size in one color.
First come, first serve.
Don't worry about storage wrinkles. We will steam them out.