HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network back issues from February 1995:
Selling the real sizzle. (retailers add food services to attract customers)(includes related article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... The pungent smell of Swedish meatballs wafts through the 150,000-square-foot Renton, Wash., IKEA franchise, the single largest home furnishings retailer in the Pacific Northwest.Co-owners Bjorn Bayley, former president of IKEA North America, and Anders Berglund, former president of ...
CompUSA veterans at it again. (former CompUSA executives plan chain of telecommunications retail outlets)
Feb 06, 1995; ... NEW ORLEANS--Two former executives of CompUSA plan to open a chain of telecommunications retail outlets called Communications Superstores & More, and hope to develop as many as 250 sites around the country.Nathan Morton, former chairman and chief executive of CompUSA, the nation's ...
Majors top all records. (record sales of major appliances in 1994)
Feb 06, 1995; ... CHICAGO--Major appliances not only shipped in unprecedented numbers last year, but obliterated the previous record by 5.25 percent.[CHART OMITTED]The expectation was manufacturers would move 50 million or so units in 1994; the final tally came in at an unexpected reality ...
Appliances pull for Electrolux. (AB Electrolux reports increase in household appliances sales in 1994) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... STOCKHOLM (FNS)--AB Electrolux, the appliance conglomerate that owns Frigidaire Co. and Eureka Co., reports increased volume and "good income growth" in the United States for the year ended Dec. 31. The improvement in sales trailed off in the fourth ...
Fire strikes Milliken plant. (Milliken Carpet's Live Oak Milstar complex in La Grange, Georgia) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... LA GRANGE, Ga.--A fire last week shut down Milliken Carpet's Live Oak/Milstar Complex on Lukken Industrial Drive here.The complex is a dyeing and finishing center and distribution point for carpet tile and broadloom.According to Thomas Malone, president and ...
SRO at E3 expo. (exhibition space sold out for first Electronic Entertainment Expo) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... SAN MATEO, Cal.--Sponsors say they have sold out all 340,000 square feet of exhibit area for the first Electronic Entertainment Expo.Approximately 230 companies have rented space at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the Expo, also known as [E.sup.3], which will be held May 11 ...
Meyer means to get cooking in Macy's. (Meyer Corp. to open Five Star Cookware shops in 34 Macy's stores) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... NEW YORK--Meyer Corp. plans to open the Five Star Cookware Shops in 34 Macy's East locations starting this spring.The shops will feature all the cookware manufacturer's upscale offerings. Cookware brands include Analon, Steelon, Circulon and Circulon Professional, as well as the ...
Sponsors say Domotechnica unaffected by raging Rhine. (home appliance trade show in Cologne, Germany unaffected by flooding) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... COLOGNE, Germany--The facilities of Domotechnica, the huge biennial home-appliance show here, seems to have escaped unscathed from the serious flooding across most of Europe last week.According to organizers of the exhibition, scheduled for Feb. 21 to 24, flooding here was limited ...
Founder of Dakotah doffs one of his hats. (Dakotah Inc. chief executive relinquishes top post to focus on sales) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... WEBSTER, S.D.--Upscale textiles manufacturer Dakotah is beefing up its management team by adding a separate chief executive. George Whyte, currently chief executive, chairman of the board and president, is stepping down from the CEO position to focus on sales, marketing and new-product ...
Thomaston net falls 95 percent in quarter. (Thomaston Mills) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... THOMASTON, Ga.--Thomaston Mills said earnings fell 95 percent in the second quarter, partly because of muslin sheets and rising costs. Net earnings for the quarter ended Dec. 31 were $98,064, down from $2.1 million the year before. Sales were $67.1 million, up 8.7 percent.Earnings ...
President exits post at Dynasty. (Dynasty Classics president Herb Biggers resigns to join Home Depot Expo) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... CARSON, Cal.--Herb Biggers has left his post as president of lighting manufacturer Dynasty Classics to join Home Depot Expo.Biggers remains on the Dynasty board of directors and continues as a partner in Hancock Park Associates of Century City, Cal., which bought Dynasty Classics ...
Selling where crowds gather; unusual sites draw throngs in railroad stations and airports. (unusual locations for home furnishings stores) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... NEW YORK--Non-traditional retail sites are sprouting all over the United States, in office buildings and bus stations, train stations and airports.And while one might think these are great places to sell books, ties and Alka-Seltzer, these alternative sites are particularly good ...
Seeing the city on foot, shopping from bed by phone. (The New York Gift Express shopping service) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... NEW YORK--Tourists from all over the world come to shop in New York.According to The New York Gift Express, an innovative service that merchandises through a catalog-type brochure, some don't even leave their hotel room. It's yet another form of alternative shopping.Of ...
Airport mall? Detroit thinks it will fly. (Detroit Metropolitan Airport plans to add shopping mall) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... DETROIT (FNS)--Detroit Metropolitan Airport is gearing up to offer travelers the kind of shopping typically found in suburban malls.Airline passengers prowling Metro will soon be able to buy the latest gadget from Sharper Image, a pair of Timberland boots, a Christian Dior scarf, ...
High Point, N.C. (Sauder Woodworking, Room Additions by Mill's Pride move to new showrooms) (In The Markets) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... Sauder Woodworking, the largest vendor of ready-to-assemble furniture, and Room Additions by Mill's Pride, a newcomer to the RTA category, are each relocating to larger showrooms in High Point in time for the April market. Sauder will take a 14,000-square-foot showroom on ...
San Francisco. (futon makers have joint display at San Francisco Mart) (Trends) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... Futons were the name of the game here during the winter furniture market.Casual Lifestyles, Shamiana and New West/From The Source all held court at the Concourse Exhibition Center. Futon players including Powell, Rosalco, Fashion Bed Group, IBC and Tempo showed their wares at the ...
People Watching. (Frederick L. Schuermann Jr. named president of LADD Furniture) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... HIGH POINT, N.C.--Frederick L. "Fred" Schuermann Jr. has been named president and chief operating officer for LADD Furniture with responsibility for LADD's 12 operating companies. Since ...
Blue Mountain, Miss. (Hugh McLarty resigns as CEO of Bench Craft) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... Hugh McLarty, one of the founders of Bench Craft, a Masco upholstery company, is stepping down. The move follows the appointment of Tom Cunningham as president of Bench Craft in late 1994 ....
Elting: big plans for Oak Street (plans eventual expansion to full-line furniture company) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... CHICAGO--John Elting, former president and chief executive of Fashion Bed Group and 22-year veteran of the metal bed business, says his new company, Oak Street Furniture, is "a lean operation" initially focusing on metal bed imports, wood and futons. But it has the long-term goal of becoming ...
High Point grows in importance for RTA mass-market suppliers. (furniture market, ready-to-assemble) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... CHICAGO--RTA furniture manufacturers are finding that the High Point markets in April and October are growing ever more important to mass market buyers of home furnishings.According to vendors, furniture buyers for several discount chains, including Kmart, Wal-Mart and Venture, ...
Lightbulbs 101: Philips enlightens consumers on energy efficiency. (Philips Lighting marketing campaign) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... CHICAGO--Philips Lighting is attempting to untangle the web of confusion that surrounds the retail sale of energy-saving compact fluorescent lightbulbs.The category grew by between 40 percent and 50 percent in 1994 and will grow by an annual rate of 20 percent over the next few ...
Adesso now lights up its niche. (lighting products selling well)
Feb 06, 1995; ... NEW YORK--After nearly six months in business, Adesso Lighting, a division of MTLS Lighting Inc., is carving its niche as a decorative lighting supplier to department and specialty stores, showrooms and mail order catalogs.Adesso's products, according to president Margaret "Peggy" ...
Rug makers ready for hot Surfaces. (Surfaces '95 floor-coverings market)
Feb 06, 1995; ... LAS VEGAS--Area rug suppliers coming off the tremendous success of January's Atlanta Area Rugs Market are expecting another blockbuster in Surfaces '95 this week.Sponsored by the World Floor Covering Association, Surfaces features all types of flooring, including area rugs, ...
Something for everybody: styles, media, pricing heat Atlanta Mart. (Atlanta Merchandise Mart) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... ATLANTA--The motto for this year's January Atlanta Area Rugs Market seemed to be "shop 'til you drop."While the Atlanta Merchandise Mart does not release attendance totals for the Atlanta Area Rugs Market, Chas Sydney, vice president of the Atlanta Merchandise Mart, noted that ...
Dominant at Domotex: naturals, classics, new styles strike gold. (rug industry exhibition) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... HANNOVER, Germany--Style was the buzzword at Domotex, held here in January. Suppliers delighted in presenting both new and updated patterns and colors to more than 31,000 showgoers.While natural rugs, particularly with color added or with fabric borders, were arguably one of the ...
Karastan the first U.S. Wools of N.Z. licensee. (rug manufacturer signs agreement with Wools of New Zealand) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... ATLANTA--Karastan is the first domestic carpet and rug manufacturer to become a Wools of New Zealand licensee, reported Charles H. Maddrey, North American managing director of Wools of New Zealand."To increase U.S. consumption of wool grown in New Zealand, we are working with firms ...
Rug-Hold opens Ga. distribution center.
Feb 06, 1995 ... ALTON, Ga.--The Rug-Hold Co., based in New York, has opened a 40,000-square-foot master distribution center here.The new facility, located on North Hamilton Street, will handle the underlay company's packaging, warehousing and shipping functions, says O.A. (Bud) Wyman, president of ...
Riverdale Decorative Products. (signs license with Jena Hall, designer) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... WOODBURY, N.Y.--Designer Jean Hall enters a new product category with the signing of a licensing agreement with Riverdale Decorative ...
Perfect Fit. (new ensembles for Joe Boxer line) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... NEW YORK--Perfect Fit will be introducing three adult bedroom ensembles by Joe Boxer at the April Market. Nicholas Graham, designer and alter ego of Joe Boxer, designs juvenile and infant bedding for Perfect Fit.Perfect Fit's president, Chip Fontenot, says Graham's whimsical ...
Lacey Mills. (Lacey Rug Mills names Michael Castillo VP of sales and marketing) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... FAIRMONT, Ga.--Lacey Mills has named Michael Castillo vice president of sales and marketing. He succeeds Sam Kohlmeier, who is national sales manager at Cecil Saydah. Castillo will be based in Chicago ...
Editing Biennale des Editeurs.
Feb 06, 1995; ... PARIS--Biennale des Editeurs de la Decoration, the high-end decorator fabric fair here had a new face this year. It was held in a new space at the Espace Eiffel Branly, and exhibitors were notably less elaborate in their displays.The biennial fair is known for showcasing the ...
New looks, classics, naturals fabric stars. (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.--Fabric suppliers at this month's Showtime market here took their cues from the familiar bridal adage, featuring something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue--among other colors.Blue and blue-green are rising on the horizon, as suppliers ...
Buyers see happy holiday harvest. (table linen buyers) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... NEW YORK--Buoyed by a successful holiday season, table linen buyers are flocking to Winter Home Textiles Market with shopping lists that include not only more quantity and quality than last year, but also greater demand for Thanksgiving and harvest patterns.The harvest theme, ...
Pillowtex splits in two: core, woven divisions. (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... DALLAS--Pillowtex Corp is dividing itself into two divisions.One, the Pillowtex products division, is responsible for the company's core lines of business--pillows, mattress pads, comforters and other bedroom textiles.The other, the woven products division, comprising ...
Springs end on high note. (Springs Industries) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... FORT MILL, S.C.--Springs Industries, a leading manufacturer of home furnishings and specialty fabrics, reported record fourth-quarter 1994 sales and earnings, with earnings for the full year higher by 32 percent on record sales.Net sales in the fourth quarter were $533.2 million, ...
It's beginning to look a lot like...Christmas? (textiles industry)
Feb 06, 1995 ... NEW YORK--While consumers are thinking spring, vendors are gearing up for Christmas '95. At the Winter Home Textiles Market this week, buyers of table linen, decorative pillows and throws will see traditional, elegant and whimsical Christmas looks, as well as an array of Halloween and ...
Crown Crafts: records for qtr., 9 mos. (textile industry)
Feb 06, 1995 ... NEW YORK--Crown Crafts Inc. reported a record financial performance for the third quarter of its 1995 fiscal year.Crown Crafts's net sales for the quarter, which ended Jan. 1, was $59.702 million, up 6 percent from $56.281 million in the third quarter of fiscal 1994. The current ...
Eastward ho! (Stroud's opens superstores in Midwest markets)
Feb 06, 1995; ... CITY OF COMMERCE, Cal.--After years of watching specialty chains invade its home turf, Strouds has decided to turn the tables.Leap-frogging over desert, plain and prairie, it has staked a claim in metropolitan Chicago, opening superstores in Schaumburg and Vernon Hills. Next month, ...
Making book on future trends. (JC Penney's new catalog) (Column)
Feb 06, 1995; ... The new spring-summer catalogs of the larger retailers of home textiles indicate what these able merchants are organizing for the new year. Their new books reflect and refine trends and consumer responses and reactions of the prior years. And also from these catalogs come the sale values ...
Show-goers exhibit their faith in Mexico. (household furnishings industry) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... MEXICO CITY--Even before President Clinton moved to rescue the Mexican peso, visitors and exhibitors at two surprisingly busy Mexican trade shows were showing their faith in the Mexican economy.Mobilario '95, a first-time four-day furniture and appliance show, attracted 2,600 the ...
Management Stages buyout at Whitney Corr-Pak Int'l. (storage products industry) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J.--Senior management, backed by an investment firm, has bought Whitney/Corr-Pak International, a manufacturer of storage products.The management team bought out the former owners, Harold Kay and Anton Schiffenhaus, for an undisclosed amount on Jan. 27. The ...
FIT aims to raise the profile of home. (Fashion Institute of Technology, training program) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... NEW YORK--The Fashion Institute of Technology plans to expand the home furnishings courses currently offered by its marketing department.Under a program now in development, FIT hopes to offer a Bachelor of Science specifically in home products marketing.The school ...
Pointerware offers mass hard anodized. (cookware) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... DALLAS--Pointerware Corp. of America says it is offering a customization program in hard anodized aluminum cookware designed to put mass merchants into that end of the cookware business. So far, hard anodized products have been the province of department and specialty stores.Made ...
Mirro begins its biggest ad push. (cookware industry)
Feb 06, 1995; ... Mirro Co. has embarked on its largest consumer advertising program to date.The yearlong, nationwide television and print campaign concentrates on WearEver Concentric Air cookware and its AirBake insulated ovenware. The company plans to make 350 million impressions on national and ...
Metro scales weigh in in new hues. (bath scales) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... CHICAGO--Metro Corp. thought its bath scales would carry more weight at retail if they had a new wardrobe. So it added soft, clay rose packaging whose color-coded tabs indicate in what price range each scale falls.The color-coded system, introduced at the International Housewares ...
MSI to distribute Seca Scales in U.S. (Measurement Specialties Inc.) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... FAIRFIELD, N.J.--Upscale supplier Measurement Specialties Inc. (MSI) will begin U.S. distribution of the German-made Seca line of professional-quality scales. Products had been distributed here by Port Chester, N.Y.-based Polder Inc.In April, MSI will begin shipping five models of ...
Nordic ware unveils toaster ovenware. (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... CHICAGO--Nordic Ware is hoping to move ovenware out of the oven and onto the counter with a new line of products that fit toaster ovens. Called Toaster Ovenware, the four SKUs were unveiled at the International Housewares Show.Aluminum Toaster Ovenware was designed to replace or ...
Wide-mouth thermal carafes from Zojirushi. (Zojirushi America Corp.) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... BELL, Cal.--Zojirushi America Corp. has expanded its line of thermal carafes with products offering wide mouths, folding handles and other features. Additions were displayed at the International Housewares Show.Introductions include the TuffWide vacuum bottle, an unbreakable, ...
Frames follow furniture's lead. (photo frames) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... NEW YORK--Makers of photo frames are increasingly taking their lead from furniture trends in the treatment of woods, finishes and metals."Frames are taking the direction of furniture more and more," said Kevin Donase, national sales manager for Malden International Designs. The ...
Mickey Mouse, Betty Boop prance across acrylicware patio prints. (tableware industry) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... NEW YORK--It looks like prints are the coming thing in acrylics for the patio.You can find Mickey Mouse, Betty Boop, putters, fish, veggies, sunbursts, just about anything you can render in color is fodder for the backyard this summer.Popular motifs include the perennial ...
CIT sees little growth in electrics: exports will provide the greatest opportunity for U.S. manufacturers. (CIT Group Commercial Services forecast for household electronics industry through 1997)
Feb 06, 1995; ... NEW YORK--Makers of kitchen electrics, seasonal appliances, personal care products and vacuums can expect a 1.1 percent growth in the value of small appliance shipments yearly through 1997, according to a study by the CIT Group's Commercial Services arm.The lender's Third Annual ...
Tooth care becoming high tech with myriad sophistical systems.
Feb 06, 1995; ... NEW YORK--Once upon a time, people like George Washington outlived their teeth, chomping through meals in their later years with wooden dentures.Years later, the advent of fluoride in toothpaste and advances in dental hygiene and technology improved the health and longevity of ...
Tucker taps VP to revamp. (Tucker Housewares Inc. appoints Bob Morissette as vice president of manufacturing)
Feb 06, 1995; ... LEOMINSTER, Mass.--Tucker Housewares has taken on a new executive charged with revamping manufacturing and delivery operations to help offset rising raw materials costs.Bob Morissette, formerly a plant manager at Tredegar Molded Products in South Grafton, Mass., has been named vice ...
Shipments of vacs at new highs. (vacuum cleaner shipments for 1994, Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers Association report) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... NEW YORK--Full-sized vacuum shipments climbed for the third consecutive year, reaching new highs of 14.09 million units in 1994, according to statistics from the Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers Association (VCMA).Shipments for the year were up 9.7 percent from 12.85 million units in ...
Year of the combination TV-VCR: retailers, makers see growing popularity resulting from improvements. (1995)
Feb 06, 1995; ... If 1994 can be said to be the year projection TV finally came into its own, 1995 definitely is shaping up to be the year of the combination TV-VCR.Retailers and manufacturers say the product is growing in popularity as the result of a combination of improvements, such as larger ...
Roberds assesses strategy: several new units or single gigastore. (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... DAYTON, Ohio--Electronics/ furniture retailer Roberds will soon join the ranks of so-called gigastores if it moves forward with plans to open a 150,000-square-foot-plus store next year.At this time, Roberds has said it will enter a new market next year by either following its past ...
Ready to wear: BIC America offers home theater systems with many built-ins.
Feb 06, 1995; ... STOW, Ohio--Home theater can be effectively merchandised these days without a miniature movie-house room.So claims BIC America, which offers a line of audio-video furniture that includes two models with speaker components built right into the cabinets.Home theater, ...
Builders' Show: items, yes; venue, no. (1995 exhibition)
Feb 06, 1995; ... HOUSTON--The Builders' Show here was a Jekyll-and-Hyde event. The products were great, but there were lots of problems getting around the show and the city.The innovations on display will be in stores for years to come. Commercial styles, flexible refrigerator space, convection ...
Whirlpool: everything's coming up rosy. (new appliances for 1995)
Feb 06, 1995 ... NEW YORK--Whirlpool's North American Appliance Group will introduce more than 800 models of major appliances this year, helping to drive the accelerating changes in the industry.Whirlpool and Roper dishwashers; KitchenAid gas ranges; 18 electric ranges; a complete refrigeration ...
Frigidaire's massive Gallery ad campaign. (Major Appliances)
Feb 06, 1995 ... DUBLIN, Ohio--Frigidaire Co. has begun the most massive advertising and promotional campaign in its history to support the introduction of its Gallery collections.Extensive broadcast and print ads and elaborate point-of-purchase materials are part of the wideranging effort to gain ...
Two more Distinctive Appliance distributors. (Major Appliances) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995 ... PASADENA, Cal.--Distinctive Appliance Corp. here has added another pair of distributors, one in the eastern United States and the other in western Canada, to handle its Dacor products.S.S. Fretz, based in Philadelphia, represents the high-end cooking-product manufacturer in eastern ...
Apple to cut Mac prices. (Macintosh computers) (special section: The Computer & Software Network) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... CUPERTINO, Cal.--Apple Computer Inc., in a bid to recoup lost market share, plans to reduce prices of its Macintosh computers this year, the latest in a continuing effort to expand its business.The company would not specify the amount of the price cuts. Despite an increase in ...
Aiwa entering multimedia PC market. (Aiwa America) (special section: The Computer & Software Network) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... MAHWAH, N.J.--Known for its home and portable audio products, Aiwa America Inc, is taking the plunge into the multimedia PC market with a line of computer peripheral products.Yasuo Inomata, Aiwa's vice president of marketing, said the company is banking on the public's familiarity ...
Voyager: Windows-compatible software. (special section: The Computer & Software Network)
Feb 06, 1995 ... NEW YORK--The Voyager Co., a publisher of entertainment based CD-ROMs, laserdiscs, books on floppy disks, and multimedia development tools, is releasing several Windows-compatible versions of its software.Voyager, founded in 1984, has won critical acclaim for CD-ROM releases. A ...
Electronic Arts buys Bullfrog. (interactive games producer Bullfrog Productions) (special section: The Computer & Software Network) (Brief Article)
Feb 06, 1995; ... SAN MATEO, Cal.--Electronic Arts, the interactive entertainment company and publisher of children's educational CD-ROM titles including Electronic Arts 3D Atlas, has acquired Bullfrog Productions Ltd., a European interactive game developer. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. ...