Shaw said it plans to extend its Spring Savings Month for an additional month. The promotion, which begins May 1 and is centered on the new line "Couture - Elegant Floors by Shaw," will continue until June 30, 2005. The company had previously said the promo would end May 30

During the promotion, retailers can offer customers either12 months or 24 months, no payment/same as cash. The plans are administered through CitiFinancial, both feature special buy-down rates for Couture dealers. Retailers offering Couture, which are primarily Shaw Flooring Alliance (SFA) members, are also being offered in-store and advertising material, including a TV commercial, that highlight the "Springs Savings Month" theme.

The company said its SFA members will also have special discount rates (6 months and 12 months, no payment/same as cash) on all Kathy Ireland and Couture carpet styles. "This is really unprecedented for retailers to have a year-long opportunity to take advantage of aggressive buy-downs," says Blane Haywood, Shaw's director of retail marketing.

The company has announced two other credit promotions for summer and fall 2005: the "Summer Sales Event," July 1 - August 30, and "Kathy Ireland Fall Flooring Days," September 2 - October 17.

In the "Summer Sales Event," SFA retailers will also have two credit options: 12 months or 24 months, no payment/same as cash. The promotion will include products made from Shaw Fibers, including EverTouch, Comfortouch, and the company's new ClearTouch PET. In addition, SFA Vendor Partners Mannington and Hunter-Douglas are joining the summer promotion by offering the same buy-downs on selected products.

For the "Kathy Ireland Fall Flooring Days" promotion, retailers will have the option of 6 months or 15 months, no payment/same as cash until 2007. All Kathy Ireland carpet, laminate, tile, and rugs will qualify.

As an additional incentive for retailers who sign up for Shaw/CitiFinancial Retail Services is the company's "Wild Card Promotion." Participating retailers can choose a date for a one-time, two-week promotion. During the promotion the store can offer customers 12-months, no payment/same as cash on any products the dealer sells. Haywood notes that the "Wild Card Promotion" is ideal for grand opening, anniversary, and holiday sales.