Editorial

Engage your creative side as a Rug Décor franchisee

Would you like to own a store full of a variety of beautiful and colorful rugs? Do you have a creative side you are anxious to express? If so, then may want to consider one of the most exciting Franchise opportunities available: Rug Décor, the country’s largest national rug specialty store.

One of the benefits of being a franchisee is the group buying power provided by being a part of a larger system. Franchisees of Rug Décor reap these rewards in a big way as the parent company, CCA Global Partners, is the largest flooring cooperative in the U.S. with 15 affiliated companies and over 3,600 associated dealers. From classic styles to Warhol-inspired, and from traditional to transitional, you’ll be able to offer your customers a nearly endless variety of ways to enhance the beauty of their homes.

Besides superior buying power, Rug Décor franchisees also receive advanced technology support and state-of-the-art marketing techniques, including national brand advertising and public relations, which will give them a competitive edge in this marketplace.

“We have 37 current locations and plan to increase that to 60 by 2008,” says Mark Jameson, vice president of franchise development. “With our large in-store inventory and superior franchisee support, we offer an outstanding opportunity in a high demand industry.”

What makes this business such a hot property is the current trend from builders and decorators to install hard flooring in homes. Where wall-to-wall carpeting provided a backdrop to a room , an area rug is often a focal point, making an upscale rug store a destination for both designers and homeowners.

“Stores are located in high profile, lifestyle oriented shopping centers, usually with other home furniture and home accessory stores,” says Jameson. “Our shops are visually appealing and our inventory is unmatched in both quality and price. In our stores we focus on the design aspect of the rug and how it will complement the home, so a hard sales approach is unnecessary. In fact, since the majority of our custom ers are female, women franchisees or managers who enjoy the creative aspect of home decor are particularly successful.”

Scott Hayim, president of Rug Décor, says that their rugs are designed specifically for the U.S. market, where 75% o rugs are purchased as accessories and often the last item purchased for a room. “Our customers aren’t looking for a beautiful rug; they are looking for a rug that will make a room look beautiful. We offer a tremendous variety of rich colors, designs and textures. Right now the hottest category in rugs is transitional, which is a catchall title that includes everything from mild contemporary to country. Our inventory is also tailored for specific regions. For example, the Tommy Bahama line, which is palm-themed, is extremely popular in coastal areas.”

Hayim, who says he grew up in the rug business, finds the industry exciting because, “you get to work with people who are making positive changes to their homes and feeling good about the experience. “We offer beautiful rugs at moderate prices. We don’t sell rugs in a bag like a big box store and you won’t need a security guard to carry out one of our rugs. Our goal is to give customers an awesome variety of merchandise with a tremendous level of personal service so they experience a world-class, unparalleled rug shopping experience.”

If someone wants to make a dramatic change in a room, suggests Hayim, there is no easier way than with an area rug. “If someone wakes up Saturday morning and decides they want to dress up the house for guests arriving that night for dinner, they can go to a Rug Décor store and buy a rug. Since we have so many rugs in stock, they can take the rug home and immediately change the look of the room. Our customers enjoy both the shopping experience and the end result.”

In addition to a great product, the Rug Décor franchisee benefits as well from a truly turnkey operation. “We help with site selection and lease negotiation; we hire the architect and construction firm; and we’re there the week prior to the store opening to make sure everything is taken care of,” says Jameson. “Everything involved in the startup of the business – from purchasing to training – is covered.”

Franchisees have numerous training opportunities including a week at corporate headquarters in St. Louis , Missouri , which includes both classroom and on-site training at the company store. “We also have online training which is always ongoing,” says Jameson, “and an annual convention. We are very dedicated to making our franchisees successful.”

Marketing has also been carefully planned for Rug Décor franchisees and a variety of strategies are available, from radio and television advertisements, direct mail programs, and a 48-page catalog. A Marketing Gift Card is also available, and can be used as a cross-promotion with, for example, a local furniture store (the furniture store sales person can give the gift card as a thank you to customers which will lead the customer to the Rug Décor store).

Rug Décor franchisees have opened stores from California to New York and from Minneapolis to Florida . The corporate office has recently focused on larger development agreements and territories such as Chicago and Atlanta have already been awarded. Both area developers and single unit owners are welcome to review the Rug Décor opportunity and no specific background is required although an orientation in design and retail flair are both desirable.

To learn more about the exciting opportunity available as a Rug Decor franchisee, click HERE on Bison.com or complete and submit the form below.