HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network back issues from January 1996:
Hot bet at CES: digital goods star at show in Vegas. (1996 Winter Consume Electronics Show)
Jan 01, 1996; ... LAS VEGAS--The 1996 Winter Consumer Electronics Show is gearing up to be a showcase for the digital products that will take the industry into the next century.The show, which runs from Jan. 5 through 8 here, and is put on by the Electronic Industries Association/Consumer Electronic ...
The big picture: how four regional chains make money on electronics.
Jan 01, 1996; ... PENNSAUKEN, N.J.--As merchandising manager of American Appliance, Steve Hassell recognizes that successful electronics and computer retailers don't sell boxes, they sell entertainment.Just as home theater is a concept that retailers try to sell to the masses who are looking for ...
Season grinds to a halt; some bright areas in home products. (1995 holiday season)
Jan 01, 1996; ... NEW YORK--Final Christmas shopping statistics are still dribbling in, but there is agreement that consumers around the country acted more "like Ebenezer Scrooge than a jolly Santa," in the words of Alan Millstein, a New York-based retail analyst. The generally downbeat analysis included home ...
Textiles on hold. (home textile market scales back to match weak consumer demand)
Jan 01, 1996; ... NEW YORK--In response to one of the slowest holiday seasons in memory, home textile buyers are delaying new orders, revising projections downward and, in some cases, canceling previously written business.To move merchandise and prepare for their first and second quarters, ...
Factors disclaim role in Ch. 11s. (retail industry accuses factors of pushing stores into Chapter 11)
Jan 01, 1996; ... NEW YORK (FNS)--Factors have come under attack from retail executives in recent months for pushing stores into Chapter 11 by cutting trade credit, but they say criticism is being misdirected.Retail executives have been saying that factors contributed to the rash of retail Chapter ...
A traffic problem at show? Furniture Pavilion draws concern. (at the 1996 Consumer Electronics show, Las Vegas, Nevada)
Jan 01, 1996; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.--Build it and they will come. Or will they? That's the question nagging more than one furniture maker scheduled to exhibit at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.The cause for concern, according to furniture exhibitors, is the new furniture Pavilion, ...
Altra's way. (Altra Industries' business strategies)
Jan 01, 1996; ... Lodi, N.J.--While imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, Altra Industries, a privately held supplier of imported ready to-assemble furniture here, has no intentions of complimenting its competitors by adopting a me-too mentality.The six-year-old company attributes much of ...
Atlantic to sell lamps of its own.
Jan 01, 1996; ... SANTA FE SPRINGS, Cal.--Atlantic Inc., which has licensed Dana Lighting to market a line of lamps combined with CD racks, plans to market its own line of media-storage Lamps.Right now, Dana Lighting sells halogen torchieres combined with CD racks under its license, which is due to ...
Doing Domotex: big profile for American companies. (rug exhibition, Hannover, Germany)
Jan 01, 1996; ... HANNOVER, Germany--More than 65 American area rug suppliers and an untold number of US. retailers are packing their bags for Domotex, which opens here next week.More than 1,000 exhibitors will present a variety of area rugs and other types of floorcoverings at the show. More than ...
Incoming. (Solium introduces a three-way fluorescent light bulb system)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... RANDOLPH, Mass.--Solium, a subsidiary of Pacific Scientific Corp., has introduced a three-way fluorescent light bulb system that can be used with three-way and standard incandescent lamps. The new system delivers three levels of light from a standard three-way socket equivalent to a ...
Alpan in decorative arena. (indoor lighting)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... CAMARILLO, Cal.--Alpan Inc., supplier of high-tech electronic home improvement, safety and security devices, has entered the decorative indoor lighting arena with the Hercules light. The Hercules stands 16 inches tall, features a pivoting head, 12-volt, 20-watt halogen bulb, and a motorized ...
Conscience makes cash, says CARE. (cause-related merchandising; import rugs)
Jan 01, 1996; ... ATLANTA--Cause-related merchandising is an issue that's pushing many consumers, hot buttons these days, according to are cent survey released by CARE, the worldwide relief organization based here.The issue is touching retailers, and area rug retailers are rushing to support ...
Switching channels: retailers adapting. (area rug distribution)
Jan 01, 1996; ... NEW YORK--From rugs at your local 7-Eleven to rugs on QVC, the floorcovering business is breaking into new channels of distribution. Area rug customers are changing channels, and retailers and suppliers are changing right along with them."Right now, specialty stores are strong area ...
Simmons sets new logo, strategy.
Jan 01, 1996; ... Atlanta--To forecast the company's global future and aggressive growth strategy, Simmons is trading in its old logo for a new corporate identity"We are in a much stronger, more prominent position within the industry," said chairman and chief executive Zenon Nie, who took the helm ...
New Bertram & MacLeod niches. (ready-to-assemble furniture)
Jan 01, 1996; ... Stockton, Cal.--Bertram & MacLeod, a domestic manufacturer of solid-wood, ready-to-assemble furniture here, is hoping to carve additional niches for itself with the introduction of a number of new products that feature new design motifs, new woods, and new items made of a combination of wood ...
Casual Lifestyles adds production. (production facility)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996; ... DALLAS--Casual Lifestyles, a Minneapolis-based maker of futons, has expanded its production capabilities with the addition at press time of some 20,000 square feet of manufacturing space at a facility here.According to Chet Stoler, president of Casual Lifestyles, "Our volume has ...
Universal names Revington president. (Universal Furniture Limited; George Revington)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... HIGH POINT, N.C.--George Revington has been named president of Universal's North American Operations.Revington succeeds Don Mitchell who resigned and has since taken the position of president of LADD Casegoods Group. (HFN, Dec. 25, 1995).The disclosure was made by Paul ...
Richardson Brothers Co. expands use of antique finish on merchandise. (wood furniture)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... SHEBOYGAN FALLS, Wis.--Motivated by "very generous" retailer approval for its recently introduced antique-finished merchandise, Richardson Brothers Co. is expanding its usage in the line."Dealers have requested that the finish be used on our Missioncraft dining room," says Jim ...
Craftique to produce Thomas Day collection. (Craftique Furniture, mahogany furniture inspired by historic cabinetmaker)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... MILTON, N.C.--In a setting as historic as the period its collection will reflect, Craftique Furniture, a division of Pulaski, reported its plans to reproduce select pieces of solid mahogany furniture. The new collection is inspired by 19th century artifacts crafted by legendary free-Black ...
Rhodes, Glick complete acquisition. (Glicks Furniture Co.)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... ATLANTA--Rhodes Inc. and the Glick Furniture Co. (Glicks) have completed the previously reported transaction in which seven retail furniture stores and one distribution center of Glicks in Columbus, Ohio, are being acquired by Rhodes. The stores purchased recorded more than $41 million in ...
Krause net 3rd qtr. sales down. (Krause's Furniture Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... BREA, Cal.--Krause's Furniture, Inc. has reported sales and operating results for the third fiscal quarter and nine months ended Oct. 29, 1995.Net furniture sales for the third quarter of fiscal 1995 were $31.3 million compared to $31.9 million reported for the corresponding ...
Window into the Far East. (Cotton Inc. provides sourcing information)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996; ... NEW YORK--Finding one's way among the manufacturers of Asia may become a little easier.Cotton Incorporated is preparing a comprehensive database that will provide sourcing information on apparel and home product manufacturers in the Far East. The first edition, which will be ...
Front runners. (table runners)
Jan 01, 1996; ... New York--The mania for heirloom-quality fabrics is making its mark on the dining room. Jacquard tablecloths are in great demand, as are upholstery-weight placemats, chair pads and table toppers.But the accessory which has gained the most from the woven explosion is the table ...
Global protection. (textile design; copyright regulation)
Jan 01, 1996; ... NEW YORK--Textile Producers & Suppliers Association, an organization founded to protect copyrighted textile designs, says its programs are starting to have a worldwide influence, as shown by new policies at Heimtextil `96.The association's chairman, Michael Richman, who is also ...
Special on throws. (gift-with-purchase promotions; Rug Barn Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996; ... NEW YORK--Buy a cappuccino machine, get free demitasse cups, flavorings, a frothing pitcher and a recipe book.Gift-with-purchase promotions drive the housewares industry, but can they work in textiles? Buzz Leer, vice president of sales and marketing for The Rug Barn, thinks so. ...
Communique. (Crosswinds Designs)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... NEW YORK--Andrea Hickman, former design director for Curtron Curtains, has launched a company called Crosswinds Designs, which will sell home fashion products with an emphasis on window treatments. It will also design and market accessories such as table runners and placemats, chair pads and ...
A foretaste of trends to come. (bed and towel products)
Jan 01, 1996; ... What will follow the wrinkle-free cotton sheet as the next major product introduction in this category?I expect it will be the sateen from Springs confined for a time to JC Penney. While it will not start twins at $10, it should be halfway between the $10 and $20 retail area. And I ...
Mills flourish via new technology. (textiles)
Jan 01, 1996; ... NEW YORK--The buzz words around fabric mills these days are definitely "new technology." Whether it's investing in high-speed airjet looms or upgrading their computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems, mills are finding that state-of-the-art technology is essential ...
Malden lines up outside help. (Malden Mills)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... LAWRENCE, Mass.--Malden Mills says it is lining up outside suppliers to fill orders for flock fabrics while it forms a plan to rebuild that part of its business, wiped out by a fire three weeks ago.The fire, at the mill complex here last month, also damaged finishing operations of ...
Pockets of bliss at retail. (home and health items)
Jan 01, 1996; ... NEW YORK--Although apparel retailers, among others, disclosed somewhat disappointing results for the critical Christmas selling season, housewares and tabletop retailers reported several bright spots, especially better cookware, crystal gifts and personal care.Nearly all housewares ...
Braun power. (President Bruce Cleverly; acquisition of Thermoscan Inc.)
Jan 01, 1996; ... LYNNFIELD, Mass.--Bruce Cleverly, the president of Braun U.S., was on board at the small appliance and personal care giant for less than three weeks when the company finally closed its deal to purchase Thermoscan Inc. He certainly had his hands full. Not only did he have a new business to ...
Copco in kitchen storage. (Easy Find line)
Jan 01, 1996 ... WOODRIDGE, Ill.--At this month's Housewares Show, Copco plans to leverage its 30-year-old brand name established in mid-priced, enamel-on-steel teakettles and kitchen accessories--by offering Easy Find, its first kitchen storage line.The company will also expand offerings in ...
Margins targeted. (upright vacuum cleaners)
Jan 01, 1996; ... NEW YORK--Upright vacuum cleaner manufacturers are exploring strategies to improve margins in the category. With low-end prices for uprights hitting consistent retails between $49 and $59, and with average retails often dipping below $100 for a fully featured hard sided unit, the pressure is ...
Sears. (Sears, Roebuck and Co. beats Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in third and last quarter 1995 for vacuum sales)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... CHICAGO--Sears is back on top. The national chain, based here, has regained its ranking as the nation's number-one seller of vacuum cleaners, according to Trendata, a Norwalk, Conn., market research firm.For the second quarter, Wal-Mart had unseated Sears, ...
Elite Appliances. (will market MK Overseas breadmakers)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.--Elite Appliances will market MK Overseas line of Pillsbury branded breadmakers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.MK Overseas USA, the Fountain Valley, Calif-based division of MK Seiko, makes the Pillsbury licensed bread machine. Elite Appliances is the licensee ...
Trudeau drops Genin name. (acrylic supplier Genin Trudeau and Rosti becomes Trudeau)
Jan 01, 1996; ... BOUCHERVILLE, Quebec, Canada-After more than 100 years, Genin Trudeau, a leading acrylic supplier based here, will change its corporate name and brand name to Trudeau effective today.The firm's two branded lines--Genin Trudeau and Rosti--will cease to exist, said Paul Trudeau, vice ...
Goebel, Timberlake agree. (figurine manufacturer Goebel and American artist Bob Timberlake sign agreement)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996; ... PENNINGTON, N.J.--Goebel, a leading figurine manufacturer, has signed a licensing agreement with American artist Bob Timberlake. The collection by Bob Timberlake includes a line of gift items and collectibles. Plans are in the works for a series of collector plates, miniatures and limited ...
Melannco gets sole Silver Crane rights. (Melannco International named U.S. distributor for The Silver Crane Co.)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... NEW YORK--Melannco International, a division of International Silver Co., has been named the exclusive distributor for The Silver Crane Co. in the U.S.The Silver Crane Co. offers an array of embossed tins, both filled and unfilled, in high-quality tinplate."We are ...
Braun updates Oral-B, blender. (Braun North America)
Jan 01, 1996; ... LYNNFIELD, Mass.-Braun North America is introducing new generations of several of its products at this month's International Housewares Show in Chicago.The personal care and kitchen electrics supplier will show new variations of its Supervolume hairdryer, Braun Oral-B plaque ...
The big gainers at CES; 50% more floor for telecom, satellite. (Consumer Electronics Show)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996; ... ARLINGTON, Va.--The 1996 Winter Consumer Electronics Show might not break any attendance records, but certain product categories have a dramatically increased presence at the show.The Electronic Industries Association/Consumer Electronic Manufacturers Association (EIA/CEMA), the ...
Frigidaire updates. (Frigidaire Co. focuses on functional features)
Jan 01, 1996; ... DUBLIN, Ohio--A year after introducing its stylish Frigidaire Gallery and Frigidaire Gallery Professional collections, Frigidaire Co. is putting more emphasis on functional features for the upscale signature lines.Appearance remains a primary component, and SKUs in the ...
A double feature for Int'l Jensen. (International Jensen Inc. develops new loudspeaker line)
Jan 01, 1996; ... LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--International Jensen Inc. will be launching two new loudspeaker lines under its Advent brand name at Winter CES and taking a much more aggressive approach with the Jensen car audio line.Jim Braun, International Jensen's vice president of marketing and sales, ...
Theater's the ticket. (home theater systems may see huge sales)
Jan 01, 1996; ... Retailers headed for Winter CES later this week may have a lot of things on their minds, but the one thing that unites them is an expected boom in home theater system and component sales.Virtually all retailers contacted for this story cited home theater and its individual ...
Canon U.S.A. (sponsors NatureServe) (Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... ARLINGTON, Va.--Canon U.S.A. is sponsoring a new online program from The Nature Conservancy that gives users detailed information on conservation and natural history. Called NatureServe, it can be found as part of The Nature Conservancy forum on America Online, which currently serves four ...
Maytag Corp. (joins World Wide Web) (Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... NEWTON, Iowa--Maytag has established a home page on the Internet, a place where consumers can obtain information on appliances, read the latest Maytag Corp. news and receive tips on cooking, doing their laundry or washing their dishes. They can even find themselves in the midst of Ol' ...
Panasonic's heavily featured VCRs. (Panasonic Co. offers new models with special features)
Jan 01, 1996; ... LAS VEGAS--Matsushita Consumer Electronics Co., manufacturers of Panasonic branded products, is kicking off its 1996 line at the Consumer Electronics Show with a number of heavily featured VCRs.While the company said prices were not yet available, the VCRs are targeted to the ...
FCC hears pleas for digital TV. (Federal Communications Commission)
Jan 01, 1996 ... WASHINGTON--A senior representative of Thomson Consumer Electronics has urged the FCC to give prompt approval to a proposed digital system for over-the-air broadcasting.Bruce Allan, vice president for technology and business development at Thomson Consumer Electronics, offered the ...
Fresh winter CES crop on tap from Matsushita. (Matsushita Electronics Corp. of America presents new line of Technic products) (Consumer Electronics Show)
Jan 01, 1996 ... LAS VEGAS--Matsushita Electronics Corp. of America will unveil a slew of Technics products at Winter CES later this week, including several new THX-certified items.Starting off Technic's offerings are two THX-certified home theater receivers and four non-THX models that use Dolby ...
Theater-in-a-Box from Celestion. (Celestion Inc. presents home theater component)
Jan 01, 1996 ... HOLLISTON, Mass.--Celestion Inc. will try to attract consumers not normally interested in home theater with its new Home Theater-in-a-Box (HTiB).Celestion believes the combination of the HTiB's price point, easy installation and the fact that all the Dolby Pro Logic circuitry is ...
Duracell: mass owns batteries. (mass merchandise stores sell 40% Duracell USA batteries)
Jan 01, 1996 ... BETHEL, Conn.--Duracell USA reported mass merchandise stores accounted for almost 40 percent of battery sales, much done through the strategic placement of product displays.In 1994 mass merchants sold 38 percent of all batteries in the $3.8 billion dollar category and by 1999 ...
Atari's division all play. (Atari Interactive division formed to develop multi-platform games)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... LAS VEGAS Atari Corp. will reveal at Winter CES later this week it has formed Atari Interactive, a new division dedicated to the development and distribution of multiplatform video games.Ted Hoff, Atari's president of North American Operations, stated, "With Atari Interactive, we ...
Universal Electronics' comeback. (company turnaround under president Dave Gabrielsen)
Jan 01, 1996; ... TWINSBURG, Ohio--As comeback stories go, Universal Electronics could rival the Yankees in '78 or Truman in '48.When Dave Gabrielsen arrived here last December from Mr. Coffee, he inherited a company that was losing nearly $17 million, and feeling the pressure from creditors, ...
Circuit City sales up in quarter. (third quarter ending November 31, 1995)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... RICHMOND, Va.--Circuit City Stores Inc. reported its sales for the third quarter and first time months of the fiscal year were up the chain said it would add 60-plus stores next year.For the third quarter ended Nov. 31, sales were up 27 percent to $1.78 billion from $1.41 billion ...
Sanyo takes car audio on the road.(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... LAS VEGAS--Sanyo Inc. will be backing its new mobile audio and video products with an expanded promotional tour, featuring the company's demonstration van, and more interactive sales training for its dealers.The tour, which first took to the road last year, will concentrate on ...
Creative Lab's bid for mass: video conferencing package now $999.(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... Las Vegas--Creative Labs today is cutting the price of its desktop video conferencing software to $999, hundreds of dollars off the original price, in a move to bring the technology to more of a mass consumer audience.ShareVision PC3000 allows users to communicate by voice and ...
Home PC trend; a pick-up in multiple-unit families. (personal computers)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996; ... North Salem, N.Y.--Roughly 40 percent of U.S. households own PCs, and many of those have more than one, according to a recent survey, which reveals a small but growing trend of multiple-PC families.By mid-November, computers had found their way into 38 percent of U.S. homes. Of ...
Casio's aim.(QV-10 digital camera)(Product Announcement)
Jan 01, 1996; ... DOVER, N.J.--Unique. Innovative. Trendy. Pick a word and it likely applies to one of the many niche-oriented consumer products Casio Inc. has marketed over the years."How about this? Quality," said Mario Rosen, president and chief executive of Beyond Hi-Tech Electronics, a ...
Motorola's beefing up Flex paging.
Jan 01, 1996; ... Las Vegas--Motorola's Flex technology, the new high-speed standard for one-way paging, takes center stage here this week, as the paging giant rolls out its latest line of products in the Flex format.Flex, developed by Motorola's advanced messaging systems division to replace ...
Accessories: there's gold in those margins.(computer accessories)
Jan 01, 1996; ... What would you call a computer product category that delivered profit margins of 25 percent or better, didn't require much shelf space, was hardly ever returned, and in many cases generated repeat business?In this age of low-margin desktop PCs, would you call it a pipe dream? ...
The crowded computer shelf. (manufacturer marketing to retail market)
Jan 01, 1996; ... It's not news to anyone in our industry that there are too many players and cut-throat competition for the limited retail shelf space available.Although growth in the computer industry is strong, profit margins are razor thin, products are obsolete in six to eight months, and ...
Sanctuary inks pact with Morpheus. (Sanctuary Woods Multimedia Corp., Morpheus Interactive partnership)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... SAN MATEO, Cal.--Sanctuary Woods Multimedia, manufacturers of CD-ROM games including The Journeyman Project2,: Buried In Time and Ripley's Believe it or Not! The Riddle of Master Lu, said it has inked a deal with 3-D game developer Morpheus Interactive.Under the agreement, ...
'Longevity depends on hot debut.' (InfoTech Inc. report on CD-ROM software market)(Brief Article)
Jan 01, 1996 ... WOODSTOCK, VT.--Infotech, the CD-ROM market research firm that recently published the 7th edition of its Optical Publishing Industry Assessment, has a message for game developers: Without an initial strong sell-through, your product won't be on the retail shelf for long.According ...
Colonial Data's caller ID due at CES.(Colonial Data Technologies Corp.)
Jan 01, 1996; ... LAS VEGAS--Colonial Data Technologies, a leading Caller ID company, will make a big splash at WCES this week when it exhibits on the show floor for the first time.The New Milford, Conn.-based company, which is making a move from manufacturer of stand-alone units to full-line ...
Panasonic adds caller ID feature. (new telephone products)
Jan 01, 1996 ... LAS VEGAS Panasonic Co. is joining the growing number of telephone manufacturers adding Caller ID capability to their products now that the service is available for long-distance as well as local phone calls.Panasonic will show two new cordless phones with Caller ID features ...
Dialing for dollars: grabbing consumers' fancy, the category offers retailers ringing opportunities. (includes related article on selecting a card supplier)(Prepaid Calling Cards)
Jan 01, 1996 ... Question: What single item sold at retail today can be used instantly by literally every customer who walks into the store--from college students to business professionals, from vacationing families to military personnel, from teenagers at the mall to grandparents across the country? ...