In a move designed to place Internet marketing power at floor covering retailers' fingertips, the WFCA said it plans to partner with marketing products developer Bridgeway Media Group to launch a new company, Creating Your Space. The company will offer web-based marketing products and services for use by the WFCA's membership, including access to in-store merchandising programs, web-based training modules and Internet support.

Creating Your Space will incorporate Bridgeway's extensive library of web-based content, sales training, product information videos, proprietary software and Internet tools, the WFCA said. These tools will be offered to the association's more than 2,000 retailers to help members build business online.

"By providing retailers with new tools to assist and service consumers through the Internet, we hope to build our membership as well as retain current members by positioning the floor covering category on par with other discretionary purchase items such as consumer electronics, furniture and travel," said D. Christopher Davis, WFCA president and CEO.