By Jennifer Alexis
CMI, a manufacturer of braided-texture area rugs and accessories, has introduced its “Mini Rug Sample Center,” designed to maximize retail sales opportunities in a minimal amount of space with a small investment.
CMI’s new sample center uses five square feet of floor space and a self-service rack to display six styles and millions of color and design options, according to the company. The selling tool allows retailers with limited space to display a snapshot of the multitude of options available to the consumer.
Retailers choose any six of 32 binders available. Free merchandising aids offered with the Mini Rug Sample Center include a full-yarn pom set, style story cards, a full-color catalog and rug-style name labels.
The cost of the sample center ranges from $849 to $1,278 depending on the components ordered, but the company is currently offering a promotional price of $499 or free with a $1,000 net order. The fixture alone is $300.
“We like to talk with our customers about their needs, and then try and respond by producing appropriate displays,” said Donald Scarlata, president and chief executive officer of CMI. “With this mini sample center, we’re recognizing the squeeze the economy is putting on retailers and thought that a less expensive display that took up less space was in order.”
Scarlata added that drop-shipping is available for easy ordering and delivery.
CMI, meanwhile, has recently taken big steps to improve its own display space. It debuted a much larger Atlanta AmericasMart showroom this January. The theme of the new showroom is “simplicity” and features classic displays of the company’s braided-texture rugs and large photo posters of room photography hanging on walls of solid color.
One of the main displays emphasized the company’s new Renaissance collection, which utilizes recycled Sunbrella yarn from Glen Raven Custom Fabric’s Renaissance Recycling program. The display also included a teak lounge chair, a Sunbrella umbrella and Sunbrella pillows.
CMI also unveiled several braided-texture rug collections—Ridgevale, Shear Natural and Valencia—as well as its sample rug center.