About RugIndustry
Built for the U.S. rug trade.
News, education, and industry intelligence for the people who sell, design, import, and weave rugs in America.
Founder & Editor
Iman Baktash
Founder & Editor, RugIndustry · Charlotte, NC
Iman Baktash is the founder of RugIndustry and has spent over 8 years working inside the rug and carpet trade. Of Persian heritage, he draws on a lifetime of cultural and commercial understanding of rug craftsmanship - from tribal weaving traditions and city workshop production to modern dealer logistics and the global supply chain.
In parallel with RugIndustry, Iman is building All Oriental Rugs, a marketplace platform designed for the U.S. rug trade - connecting buyers directly with dealers, importers, and manufacturers across the country.
Outside of these projects, Iman runs a US-based digital strategy practice (Danabak) that works with rug businesses on growth, search, and audience development. That dual perspective - rug industry insider plus digital growth operator - shapes how RugIndustry is built and what it covers.
He writes regularly on rug history, market dynamics, and the changing economics of the U.S. trade.
Why RugIndustry exists
The U.S. rug industry runs on relationships, regional expertise, and accumulated craft. A retailer in Atlanta needs to know what a Heriz from 1920 should sell for. A designer in Chicago needs to understand the difference between hand-knotted and hand-tufted before specifying a piece. A manufacturer in High Point needs to know what's moving in the showrooms 500 miles away.
But the trade lacks a dedicated, modern publication built for the way the industry actually works now - with AI-driven search, shifting consumer behavior, sanctions reshaping the supply chain, and a generation of master weavers retiring without successors.
RugIndustry exists to fill that gap. Not as a hobbyist blog. Not as a coffee-table magazine. As a working trade publication - practical, accurate, and built by people inside the trade.
What we cover
Industry news
Market shifts, manufacturer launches, distribution changes, retail dynamics, sanctions, and trade-impacting policy.
Manufacturer & retailer directory
Curated listings of importers, manufacturers, retailers, and trade services across the U.S. rug industry.
Education Center
89+ glossary terms, deep-dive guides on rug history, regional weaving traditions, and design symbols - built as a working reference.
Digital magazine
Quarterly issues featuring long-form coverage, industry interviews, and curated visual content for the trade.
Trade events
High Point Market, AmericasMart, regional shows, auctions, and trade conferences relevant to the U.S. rug industry.
Market analysis
Pricing trends, category shifts, consumer behavior, the rise of online-native brands, and what it means for incumbents.
Who it's for
RugIndustry is built for people who work in or sell into the U.S. rug trade:
- Independent retailers - competing against chains, online brands, and shrinking inventory
- Interior designers - specifying rugs for clients and needing to understand what they're buying
- Manufacturers and importers - reaching the U.S. trade and tracking what's moving
- Auction houses, restorers, and appraisers - working in the antique and vintage rug market
- Buyers and collectors - researching specific pieces, regions, or eras
If you handle rugs as part of your business, RugIndustry is built for you.
Editorial standards
Editorial coverage on RugIndustry is independent of advertising and directory listings. Companies that advertise, sponsor the magazine, or appear in the directory receive the same editorial scrutiny as those that don't.
When we cover a manufacturer, retailer, or product, the coverage reflects our honest read - including criticism where warranted. Sponsored or paid placements are clearly labeled as such.
If you spot an inaccuracy in our coverage, please write to [email protected] with the correction. We publish corrections openly.
Get in touch
Let's talk about the trade.
Story tip, correction, advertising inquiry, directory listing, or just want to connect - reach out directly.