Article: Building blocks: the ABCs of area rugs for retailers ready to enter the business. (includes glossary) (supplement: Retailers' Guide to Area Rug Basics)

In the old days of area rug retailing, most rugs were Oriental designs or braided pieces. Times have changed.

Today's beginning retailer is likely to hear terms like "gabbeh," "Axminster" and "polypropylene" thrown around by any manufacturer or supplier he or she might visit. And the array of choices these days is truly staggering. Natural sisals compete for showroom space with tribal designs in muted, rich colors. Cheerful, country-inspired hooked rugs are displayed next to Orientals with complicated patterns. Lush Tibetan pieces in exotic vegetable-dyed shades share space with openfield border rugs.

While at first the choices seem overwhelming, new retailers ...

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