HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network back issues from January 1995:
Home fires holiday business. (holiday sales of home furnishings, consumer electronics)
Jan 02, 1995 ... NEW YORK--Christmas is finally over. The general conclusion: not too bad, but not as good as expected. Home furnishings and consumer electronics did considerably better than sluggish apparel.The yet unanswered question for Christmas '94 is not how much retailers sold, but how much ...
Microsoft hits home. (home software market)
Jan 02, 1995; ... REDMOND, Wash.--Let's play a game of brand association.Thissue paper? Kleenex. Soft drink? Coca-Cola. Consumer software? Microsoft?The king of computer operating systems (more than 80 percent of the world's PCs use Microsoft operating systems) and the sultan of business ...
Express on IPO track. (Home Express Inc.; initial public offering)
Jan 02, 1995; ... WASHINGTON (FNS) -- Home Express Inc. plans to go public to finance an expansion program to more than double the number of its stores in two years.The chain, based in Hayward, Cal., has filed a registration for an initial public offering totaling 3.3 million shares. The company ...
Simmons pitches a health line: new BackCare mattress, it says, keeps the body aligned.
Jan 02, 1995; ... Simmons Co. plans to introduce a health-oriented line of mattresses it calls BackCare, which are designed for "proper back support.""Consumers want products that will assist them in being as healthy as possible," says chairman and chief executive Zenon Nie. "Beautyrest is designed ...
Pyrex gadgets change hands. (Robinson Knife Manufacturing Co. purchases Pyrex Accessories line from Corning Consumer Products Co.) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... SPRINGVILLE, N.Y.--Robinson Knife Manufacturing Co. has acquired Corning Consumer Products Co.'s Pyrex Accessories line of kitchen tools and gadgets.Robinson has exclusive rights to sell, market and distribute the line of 34 products, said Robinson's president, Jim Walsh. It is ...
Ex-Penny buyer pleads guilty to taking bribes. (JC Penny; Jimmy Gayle Locklear) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995; ... DALLAS--Jimmy Gayle Locklear, former senior buyer for JC Penney, has pleaded guilty to receiving approximately $1 million in bribes and kickbacks from housewares and textiles manufacturers while employed by the retailer, according to the U.S. Attorney's office of the Northern District of ...
Restrict markets to boost sales: George Whalin urges market-targeting to avoid price.
Jan 02, 1995 ... NEW YORK--George Whalin, founder of Retail Management Consultants Inc., thinks housewares, apparel and textile manufacturers ought to be more selective in whom they sell to.Speaking to a high-powered group of manufacturers, bankers and industry analysts at a presentation hosted by ...
When will Magnin be Saks? Ask customers. (store conversions will be completed when Magnin merchandise is sold) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... CINCINNATI--Shoppers, who have been kept on the periphery of the intricate Federated-Macy's merger, will have the final say in how fast four I. Magnin stores become Saks Fifth Avenue.In essence, it depends on how fast they shop and how much they spend. A Federated spokeswoman said ...
A virtual picture paints 1,000 words. (Ethan Allen's InteriorsPlus! CD-ROM upholstery catalog)
Jan 02, 1995; ... It's time for furniture retailers to merge into the information superhighway. And Ethan Allen has moved into the fast lane with InteriorsPlus!, a CD-ROM based video catalog system that has enabled its retailers to gain sales in custom upholstery.With its burgeoning Comfort ...
GLM names Murray show manager. (George Little Management's Dorothy Murray to manage Visual Marketing & Store Design Show)
Jan 02, 1995; ... NEW YORK--Dorothy Murray is the new show manager of The Visual Marketing & Store Design Show, the show's producer, George Little Management, says.She's replacing Lynn White, who has been named show manager of George Little Management's Boston Gift Show.Murray joined ...
Communique. (Winston Furniture Co. and Loewenstein Furniture Group merge) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... Winston Furniture Co. Inc. and Loewenstein Furniture Group Inc. have merged as WinsLoew Furniture Inc. In the works for several months, the merger was finally approved at a joint shareholders meeting last month. WinsLoew Furniture is based here. It designs, manufactures and ...
Eye on: Nora Fenton. (gift and accessories manufacturer launches Light Harmony portable lighting division) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... Nora Fenton, manufacturer and importer of gifts and decorative accessories for more than 50 years, has launched a portable lighting division, Light Harmony. Until now, lamps had accounted for only a fraction of the company's business and had been sold only to furniture stores. ...
Fort Mill, S.C. (Joseph Scalzo named Wamsutta Home Products marketing VP) (People Watching) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... Wamsutta Home Products has named Joseph Scalzo vice president of marketing and general merchandise manager. He succeeds Michelle Griffin who has left the company. Scalzo joined Springs ...
New York. (Dennis Walker named Louis Nichole Inc. CEO) (People Watching) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... Dennis Walker, former president and chief executive of Louis Nichole Inc., has been named president of Givenchy Corp., the U.S. arm of Givenchy S.A. Walker is ...
Hamilton, Ohio. (Leshner Corp. deal to design kitchen linens for Ingleman Designs) (Communique) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... The Leshner Corp., a towel, table and kitchen manufacturer, has signed an agreement with Ingleman Designs, a home fashions design firm based in ...
Emerson Radio readies RTA debut. (ready-to-assemble furniture)
Jan 02, 1995; ... PARSIPPANY, N.J.--The ready-to-assemble furniture industry anticipates Emerson Radio Corp., a manufacturer of electronics, becoming a player in RTA furniture in 1995, having just experienced the emergence of kitchen cabinet maker Mill's Pride into the category in 1994.Emerson, will ...
First Powell Collection free-standing store scores. (Victorville, CA, store) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995; ... VICTORVILLE, Cal.--In a continuing effort to capitalize on its furniture collections, the Powell Co. and Southern California retailer Steve Moniz, owner of six-store chain A Royal Suite Waterbeds, joined forces in the creation of the first free-standing Powell Collection store in time for ...
Sources feature home theater furniture. (to be shown at Consumer Electronics Show)
Jan 02, 1995; ... LAS VEGAS--Home theater is the "buzzword" for furniture manufacturers at the consumer electronics show here this month.LADD Furniture Inc., with its Custom Home Theater line, and manufacturers of ready-to-assemble furniture, including Altra Industries, Ameriwood Furniture, Bush ...
Soaking up success: upscale bathroom RTA debuts in Penney's spring catalog. (J.C. Penney Company Inc's ready to assemble bathroom furniture)(includes related article)
Jan 02, 1995; ... It's usually the first room you visit in the morning and the last room at night--the bathroom. Remodeling it is big business, and so is furnishing it.Consumers spent a total of $9.5 billion remodeling bathrooms in 1994, according to a study from the National Kitchen & Bath ...
Furniture shipments seen at $24.1B by '97. (household furniture shipments; 1997) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... NEW YORK--Household furniture shipments will reach a record $24.1 billion in sales for 1997--a 12.9 percent increase from 1993's record $21.3 billion, according to the CIT/Commerical Services Household Furniture Forecast: 1995-1997.The CIT report predicts the furniture industry ...
Lighting firms ready Dallas debuts. (Dallas International Lighting Market)
Jan 02, 1995; ... DALLAS--Lighting and accessories firms are gearing up for one of the biggest shows of the year, the Dallas International Lighting Market, to be held Jan. 7 to 13 at the Dallas Market Center. Buyers from lighting showrooms will shop the market for myriad new lighting styles, from high-end ...
Domotex: for more than just looking. (US rug manufacturers plan to sell to the international market during rug show in Hanover, Germany)
Jan 02, 1995; ... NEW YORK--Some of the American rug suppliers packing to go to Germany for Domotex next week say they are looking for a selling market, ratherthan just a place to do homework.In the past, American rug suppliers have gone to Domotex, the international floorcovering market in ...
At Showtime: nature's hues, textures. (January 1995 Showetime fabric market in High Point, North Carolina)
Jan 02, 1995; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.--The strong trends at this week's Showtime fabric market include nature's colors, spicy shades of red, textured cloths and sharp price points for wovens.Showtime is the nation's largest decorative fabric market for the furniture industry. This season's ...
Noel converts stock of Belding Heminway. (The Noel Group)
Jan 02, 1995; ... NEW YORK--The Noel Group, whose holdings include specialty fabrics, insurance, industrial hardware, sporting goods and snack food companies, reported that it converted half of its Belding Heminway preferred stock and accrued dividends into common stock early last month.According to ...
Assessing the pros and cons of GATT. (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) (includes related article on practical impact on textile industry)
Jan 02, 1995; ... WASHINGTON (FNS)--Now that the U.S. has finally approved GATT, what does it really mean to textiles manufacturers and retailers? After all the acrimonious debate, industry sources agree there are positives and negatives for each side.On balance, it's a winning situation for home ...
People watching. (housewares industry personnel activities) (EHN)
Jan 02, 1995 ... NEW YORK--Oxo has named Larry Witt to the newly created position of national sales manager.Witt was previously national sales manager of a nationally distributed rug company, and was a housewares buyer for Federated's Burdines ...
Seen and heard. (Kenwood U.K. has purchased Ariete) (EHN) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... KANSAS CITY, Mo.--Kenwood U.K. has acquired Ariete, an Italian manufacturer of upscale products including irons, espresso makers and food processors. These items could eventually wind up in the U.S. market under the Rival Select brand, according to a business agreement between Rival and ...
Zenith Electronics Corp. (expansion plans) (Communique) (EHN)
Jan 02, 1995 ... GLENVIEW, III.--Zenith Electronics Corp. has reported plans to expand production of color TV picture tubes, install new automated production processes and start up a new production line for projection TV picture tubes. These programs were approved in mid-December by Zenith's board of ...
Curtis Mathes Holding Corp. (new headquarters in Dallas, Texas) (Communique) (EHN) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... DALLAS--Curtis Mathes Holding Corp., a manufacturer and distributor of consumer and industrial electronics products, has moved from Garland, Texas, to a larger headquarters facility here. The new facility has 65,000 square feet for warehousing. It also permits the consolidation of the parent ...
DirecTv. (agreement with Twentieth Century Fox) (Communique) (EHN) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LOS ANGELES--DirecTv, one of two Digital Satellite System broadcasters, reported it has signed a pay-per-view agreement with Twentieth Century Fox. Under the agreement, DirecTv will offer films from the studio on DirecTv's Direct Ticket Pay Per View service. ...
SDI Technologies Inc. (Ezra Ashkenazi, president and in charge of international trade alliances) (People Watching) (EHN) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... RAHWAY, N.J.--SDI Technologies Inc. has given Ezra Ashkenazi a new corporate role, in addition to his job as president of Zenith Audio Products. He is now responsible for the creation of ...
UL proposes a new detector code; carbon monoxide false alarms prompt reassessment. (Underwriters Laboratories,)
Jan 02, 1995; ... NORTHBROOK, Ill.--Manufacturers of carbon monoxide detectors said they are prepared to cooperate with the Underwriters Laboratories if the organization revises its standards for the burgeoning category.The proposal made by UL last month to revise its standards for carbon monoxide ...
Robeson unveils iced tea, cotton-candy makers.
Jan 02, 1995; ... SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J.--New products, including a cotton-candy maker, iced-tea/coffeemaker and espresso machine, will be shown by Robeson at the International Housewares Show in Chicago.The cotton-candy maker now allows old fashioned cotton candy to be made at home. It is quick, ...
Bionaire sees $99.99 HEPA air filtration unit as big hit. (high efficiency particulate air)
Jan 02, 1995; ... WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--Bionaire is aiming to bridge a gap in the High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration market.At the International House-wares Show in Chicago, Bionaire will introduce its lowest-priced true HEPA unit, which hopes to position as the highest-priced model ...
Hitachi enters rising breadmaker category. (Hitachi Home Electronics)
Jan 02, 1995; ... NORCROSS, Ga.--Hitachi Home Electronics is rising to the occasion with the introduction of four breadmakers at the 1995 International Housewares Show in Chicago.According to industry sources, breadmakers have become sizzling hot in the current fourth quarter. Hitachi's expansion ...
The reign at Royal now cleft in twain; Balch eyes customers, big picture as Merriman assumes presidency. (Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. chairman John Balch, new president Michael Merriman)
Jan 02, 1995; ... CLEVELAND--Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.'s chairman and chief executive, John Balch, has one less title on his business card. He says it'll give him more time to look at the bigger picture--and to spend with customersMichael Merriman stepped into a new role as president and chief ...
DeLonghi's retail clout to ease floor-care entry. (DeLonghi America Inc. introduces vacuum cleaner line)
Jan 02, 1995 ... CARLSTADT, N.J.--Leveraging of its retail accounts may be the key as small electrics and seasonal supplier DeLonghi America Inc. makes its move into the domestic floor-care market. The company's initial line of high-end, Italian-made vacuums will be on display at the upcoming International ...
Vac shipments exceed last year's. (1994 shipments of vacuum cleaners) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... NORTH CANTON, Ohio--Thoughts of Thanksgiving entertaining sent vacuum consumers to the stores and orders to manufacturers up, according to figures compiled by the Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers Association (VCMA).With a little help from the national holiday, full-sized vacuum ...
Tenex wheels out new carts. (home and office storage carts)
Jan 02, 1995; ... ELK GROVE VILLAGE, III.--Tenex Corp. has rolled out a new cart program to address specific storage needs in the home, office and children's areas.The new products include two models of WorkSpace carts--the Home Office Cart and Multi-Use Cart--plus a Kid's Kart.The three ...
Kaminstein to roll out CasaBella line. (Kaminstein Imports' housewares products)
Jan 02, 1995; ... HAWTHORNE, N.Y.--In an assortment-broadening move, Kaminstein Imports will unveil a line of housewares products at the upcoming International Housewares Show in Chicago.Continuing along the path carved by Kaminstein's Fratelli Re line of contemporary stick goods, smallwares and ...
Himark strikes new note in CD storage. (Himark Enterprises' compact disc storage units)
Jan 02, 1995; ... HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.--Himark Enterprises Inc.'s Sight & Sound division is hoping for hit sales with the introduction of its line of furniture-quality compact disc storage units at the International Housewares Show.Himark's Classical Multi-Media Storage Cabinet features architectural ...
The Bag Stand moves to new Cal. home. (new corporate headquarters) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... ALISO VIEJO, Cal.--The Bag Stand Co., a supplier of PVC-framed laundry care accessories and organizational products, went home after the holidays--to its new home, that is.This week, the Bag Stand is completing a move of its corporate offices into a 20,500-square-foot building ...
Atari Jaguar games, Viacom's on SNES bow. (Viacom New Media, Super Nintendo Entertainment System)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LAS VEGAS--Besides video game giants Sega and Nintendo, Winter CES also plays host to several third party video game software makers that are currently showing new game titles for the first half of 1995.Third party software licensees showing their new software titles here include ...
Himark spotlights 8 CD storage cases. (Himark Enterprises)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LAS VEGAS--Accessories storage maker Himark Enterprises will be showcasing its 1995 lineup of eight new CD storage cases here at CES.New accessory storage products for this year include Himark's Sight & Sound CD revolving twin tower storage case for audio CDs. The tower features a ...
Rayovac promos for alkaline, heavy-duty, Renewal lines. (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LAS VEGAS--Rayovac Corp. at winter CES will outline its retail promotional plans for its full line of akaline, heavy-duty and patented Renewel rechargable alkaline batteries and Power Station rechargers for the first half of 1995.Retailers can choose a promotional program best ...
Babbages-Software merger: biggest specialty chain. (Software Etc. Stores Inc.) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... DALLAS--The merger between Babbages Inc. and Software Etc. Stores Inc. has been formally completed, the companies disclosed late last month, effectively creating the largest software speciality retail chain in the country.The deal calls for the two software retailers to become ...
TDK CD-R add-on line debuts. (TDK Electronics, recordable compact disc and cassette cleaning products)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LAS VEGAS--TDK Electroncis Corp. is showing its new lineup of compact disc and cassette tape cleaning accessories products here at CES.TDK's accessories lineup for 1995 consists of its new line of high performance CD-R accessories as well as updated versions of its current audio ...
Upgraded CyberMaxx headset to bow. (VictorMaxx Technologies virtual reality device) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LAS VEGAS--VictorMaxx Technologies is planning to introduce an upgraded version of its CyberMaxx virtual reality headset.Introduced last June, the 13.5-ounce headset can be used with a PC or video game machine to create a 360-degree viewing field which the game user controls ...
Major changes in high-end Thomson TVs. (Thomson Consumer Electronics)
Jan 02, 1995; ... FORT MYERS, Fla.--Thomson Consumer Electronics' new generation of high-end ProScan color TVs represents major changes in design and technology based on a $50 million R&D investment, according to company officials.The new models, unveiled at a press briefing here and high-lighted by ...
Pentax ads to zoom in on targets. (compact zoom camera marketing) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--Over 10 million compact zoom cameras have been sold internationally by Pentax Corp. since the company introduced what it claims was the first compact power zoom model eight years ago.In a year-end statement, Pentax said that prior to the introduction of the IQZoom ...
Memtek to promo its CD, audio, video lines. (Memtek Products) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... SANTA FE SPRINGS, Cal.-- Memtek Products will launch a variety of promotions for its lines of audio and video tape and compact disc products beginning this month and continuing through March.Marsha Arones, senior product manager, audio and video tapes, said the company's ...
Projectavision to strut technology. (LCD projection television technology to be demonstrated at Winter Consumer Electronics Show) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LAS VEGAS--Projectavision Inc. will demonstrate its latest advance in LCD projection television technology during the International Winter Consumer Electronics Show here later this week.Licensees for the system include Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Japan; Samsung Electronics, ...
Eveready set to disclose plans for rechargeables. (Eveready Battery Company)
Jan 02, 1995; ... LAS VEGAS--Eveready Battery Company Inc. is planning to have a press conference Friday morning at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show to let the world know in more detail where it is headed with its rechargeable batteries business.The specifics of that press event have not been ...
No frustration Universal remotes due. (Universal Electronics Inc.)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LAS VEGAS--Universal Electronics Inc. will present two new universal remote controls at Winter CES that are said to avert initial setup frustration, loss of code memory due to battery failure, and assure product compatibility.The One For All One Call 3 and One Call 4 will be on ...
Sony ImageSoft shows 3 new sports titles. (video game software)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LAS VEGAS--Video game software publisher Sony ImageSoft is showing its new lineup of three ESPN sports video game software titles for the 16-bit Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), as well as Sega CD, at CES here.Titles include ESPN Sunday Night NFL, ESPN ...
E3 proclaims its difference from SCES. (Electronics Entertainment Expo, Summer Consumer Electronics Show) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995; ... SAN MATEO, Cal.--This year's first Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) will be no summer CES, claim the sponsors of the fledgling electronics entertainment show who promise a more focused and efficient convention.E3, scheduled to be held at Los Angeles next May 9 to 11, will differ ...
Harvey posts losses in qtr., 9 months. (Harvey Electronics, third quarter ending October 29, 1994) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... SECAUCUS, N.J.--Harvey Electronics, a New York-area chain, cut its thrid quarter loss by almost $100,000.Harvey's president, Arthur Shulman, said the chain's financial improvement continues, "despite the horrific weather during the first quarter, due to both an increase in sales ...
Sega 32X upgrade sees a sold-out Yule. (Sega of America)
Jan 02, 1995; ... REDWOOD CITY, Cal.--Based on frenetic end-of-year sales of Sega of America's new 32X game peripheral, company officials said they will have no problem selling all 600,000 units shipped in 1994.At press time, Sega's newly introduced Sega 32X upgrade had already sold nearly 50 ...
Houston Tracker's dealer. (Houston Tracker Systems, dealer promotion) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--Houston Tracker Systems Inc. (HTS), a division of EchoStar Communications Corp. and a manufacturer of satellite TV equipment, has initiated a dealer promotion offering a free electronics package with each Tracker V satellite receiver purchase.Running through ...
Toshiba's biggest projection TV. (Toshiba America Consumer Products) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LAS VEGAS--Toshiba America Consumer Products Inc. will introduce its largest projection TV as well its first co-called multimedia TV at Winter CES here later this week.The 61-inch cinema Series model TP61E90 PTV will ship in April at a suggested retail price of under $4,500. The ...
Nickelodeon replaying hits in January and February. (1995) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... NEW YORK--Nickelodeon, which appears on the RCA Digital Staellite System and is part of MTV Networks, is giving some its most popular shows additional plays through January and February based on a new half-hour rotating time slot.This week and next, viewers will be able to join ...
Casio slates LCD monitor, radio LCD TV. (introduces new products at Consumer Electronics Show)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LAS VEGAS--Casio Inc. will be presenting a wide array of new consumer electronics items at CES.New Casio products being shown include an LCD video monitor; a dual disc boombox, and a handheld AM/FM radio with a built-in thin film transistor (TFT) LCD color TV. These are from the ...
Samsung to launch VCR with StarSight. (Samsung Electronics America Inc.; includes related article)
Jan 02, 1995; ... LAS VEGAS--Samsung Electronics America Inc. will unveil what is said to be the industry's first VCR to incorporate StarSight at the International Winter Consumer Electronics Show here later this week.The model VRF8905 is a top-of-the-line, four-head, hi-fi unit that offers ...
Myriad Panasonic products to debut. (at the International Winter Consumer Electronics SHow)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LAS VEGAS--Matsushita Consumer Electronics Co. will present a bevy of new Panasonic products at Winter CES here later this week, including new dark-tint TVs and the company's first car navigation system.Panasonic's first car-navigation unit uses a CD-ROM-based computer and Global ...
U.S. Gold unit to focus on game titles. (Front Street Publishing to develop computer video games) (Brief Article)
Jan 02, 1995 ... LAS VEGAS--Software publisher U.S. Gold has spun off an offshoot to concentrate on developing and publishing interactive game titles for the home entertainment market.To be called Front Street Publishing, the new division will be responsible for developign computer video games from ...