HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network back issues from February 1996:
New slot for Turf: named president of Crate & Barrel.(Barbara Turf)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996; ... NORTHBROOK, Ill.--Crate & Barrel, the 61-store specialty home furnishings retailer based here, last week named Barbara Turf, its key merchandising executive, president of the company. Gordon Segal, founder of Crate & Barrel and president since 1962, becomes chief executive ....
Fueling furniture: retailers share strategies they'll present at Impact conference.
Feb 05, 1996 ... CAPTIVA ISLAND, Fla.--The weak pulse of sales in the furniture industry is causing concern among retailers and suppliers, but executives gathering here for the second annual Impact furniture conference Feb. 8-10 are seeking strategies to pump new life into the category. With ...
Kmart refines strategy; seeks new GMM for soft home.(general merchandise manager)
Feb 05, 1996; ... TROY, Mich.--After last week's merchandising shakeup, Kmart's new top merchant, Warren Flick, says he still has a few key ingredients to add before his recipe for reviving the ailing discounter is complete. Number one on the former Sears, Roebuck executive's list is a new ...
Hot forecast for electronics.(consumer electronics)
Feb 05, 1996; ... NEW YORK--Sales of personal care items and high-end kitchen electrics will continue on an upward swing through the turn of the century, due in part to the aging of the baby boomers, according to a new study by an independent market research firm. The small-electrics industry ...
Emerson bringing Andriani back to head new division. (Emerson Radio Corp., Marino Andriani, president of new product development division)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996; ... PARSIPPANY, N.J.--Emerson Radio Corp. has created a subsidiary to market its Emerson brand products and hired the president of Welbilt Appliances to run the organization. Eugene Davis, Emerson's president, said the new subsidiary will oversee product development, pricing and ...
Oneida names president. (Peter J. Kallet)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... Oneida Ltd.'s board of directors has named Peter J. Kallet president and chief operating officer. He replaces Gary Moreau, who left last month to head Lionel. Oneida, with sales of more than $490 million in 1994, is the largest ...
Taking stock: retailers' results for the four weeks ended Jan. 30, 1996. (stock prices)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996; ... NEW YORK (FNS) -- Retail stocks, coming off a dismal 1996, became further depressed in the four weeks ended Jan. 30, with losers on the HFN stock index nearly doubling gainers, 37 to 19. The weakness was seen in all retail groups, and reflected poor sales trends over Christmas ...
Federated's rating on some notes falls. (Fitch Investors Service L.P.'s rating of Federated Department Stores Inc.'s senior notes)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... NEW YORK--Fitch Investors service lowered the rating on Federated Departments Stores Inc.'s $500 million 10 percent senior notes to BB+ from BBB- and removed it from FitchAlert. The credit trend is stable, Fitch said. The notes were placed on alert with negative implications on ...
Developers: sweet Georgia malls.(outlet malls)
Feb 05, 1996; ... ATLANTA (FNS)--Factory outlet mall developers have Georgia on their minds. This Southern state, which is bracing for invasion by all those Summer Olympics contestants this year, has also become a center of outlet mall activity. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc., ...
Home goods stores top apparel. (1994 financial data for home appliance and furnishings stores)
Feb 05, 1996 ... NEW YORK--Earnings from operations for hard goods specialty stores averaged 5.35 percent in 1994, according to the recently released FOR 1995 Edition-Financial & Operating Results of Retail Stores in 1994. The FOR, in it's 70th edition, is published annually by the National ...
Shopping centers study: cut costs to survive.(International Council of Shopping Centers survey on operating expenses in 1994)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... NEW YORK--Cost-cutting by the nation's malls may help them weather the shaky health of the retail real estate market, according to a study published by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Median operating expenses at shopping centers in the United States ...
Driving demand: makers going to Impact conference offer solutions. (furniture executives discuss the market)
Feb 05, 1996 ... Innovation, fashion, quality and perceived value are the keys to consumers' pocketbooks. Leading manufacturers of furniture, bedding, lighting and area rugs say one of their primary vehicles for stimulating consumer demand is improving product offerings, whether through ...
Dissecting furniture's tough year. (1995)
Feb 05, 1996; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.--In a year when other industry sectors appeared to be running at full speed, the furniture industry spent much of 1995 mired in the mud with no tow truck in sight, says a leading industry analyst. Budd Bugatch, senior vice president and furniture industry ...
Face-lift for no. 2 in RTA. (ready-to-assemble furniture)(O'Sullivan Industries)
Feb 05, 1996; ... LAMAR, Mo.--O'Sullivan Industries, the number-two domestic maker of ready-to-assemble furniture here, is hoping to intensify its marketing services and product development departments with an influx of new faces. According to Mike O'Sullivan, vice president of marketing, ...
Accent Lamp files. (Accent Lamp and Shade files for bankruptcy)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996; ... NEWTON, Mass.--Citing losses incurred upon the bankruptcies of mayor retail accounts and a tough economy, Accent Lamp & Shade filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition last week. The company's petition did not specify assets or liabilities. According to the petition form, ...
Grand Rapids, Mich. - Ameriwood Industries. (president Joseph Miglore resigns)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--Ameriwood Industries says that Joseph Miglore has resigned as president and chief executive. Miglore, whose plans could not be learned, is being replaced on an interim basis by Charles Foley, vice president and chief financial officer. ...
Dallas - Kennedy Group. (Monica Sturgell appointed corporate sales manager)(Dallas, TX)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... DALLAS--Kennedy Group, one of the country's largest manufacturers representatives for decorative accessories and gifts, has appointed Monica Sturgell to the new post of corporate ...
Dallas - Dale Tiffany. (offers ceiling fan kits with stained glass lamps)(Dallas, TX)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... DALLAS--Dale Tiffany has gone across category lines to bring its Tiffany-style stained glass, reverse-painted glass and other decorative lighting style to the ceiling fan industry. Dale presented line of ceiling fan light kits, in 10-inch, 12-inch and 13-inch sizes, to be sold to specialty ...
Dallas - designer Robert Sonneman. (new line of accessories, including lamps)(Dallas, TX)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... DALLAS--Designer Robert Sonneman presented his new line of mid-priced decorative accessories under the: USE, Tools for Civilization line at the Dallas Lighting Market and the juried Accent On Design pavilion of the New York Gift Show. The line is being distributed through KDG, a new ...
Dallas - CSL Lighting. (new lamps, including sconces)(Dallas, TX; CSL Lighting Manufacturing Inc.)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... DALLAS--CSL Lighting presented a wide array of contemporary lighting fixtures, including several pendants and sconces that utilize incandescent, halogen and xenon light ...
Montreal, Quebec. (Ridgewood and Charleswood issue warnings that some pieces of their children's furniture tip over)(Charleswood Furniture Corp.)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... MONTREAL, Quebec--Two makers of ready-to-assemble furniture, both owned by Dorel Industries, headquartered here, have issued voluntary warnings alerting consumers to the fact that certain pieces of juvenile furniture sold under the Youth Options name, pose a tip-over hazard under certain ...
Little Rock, Ark. - Cheyenne Lamps. (product introductions)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--Cheyenne Lamps has introduced a number of decorative Victorian-look accent, table and floor lamps to retail from $19 to ...
New York - Murray Feiss Lighting. (product introductions)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... NEW YORK--Murray Feiss Lighting has introduced a number of collections of portable lamps at the recent markets. Designed by Wesley Glaver, the lamps are grouped in a traditional crystal and brass series with stretched-silk shades, a ...
The right stuff. (Slumberland)(Company Profile)
Feb 05, 1996; ... Today, mattresses compete with a number of items that consumers would rather buy first. That, coupled with the fact that consumers are only in the market once every seven to 15 years, makes the bedding retail climate even more challenging. For one retailer, Ken Larson, ...
Ameriwood branches out. (will offer bakers' racks, A-frame futons and wooden benches)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996; ... GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--Ameriwood Industries, a maker of ready-to-assemble furniture here, enhanced its assortment with the addition of a line of wood-and-metal bakers racks, a short line of A-frame futons and a number of wooden Farson's benches. All these items, imported from ...
Emess to handle Brilliant in U.S. (Emess Lighting Inc.; Brilliant Lighting)(includes related article about departure of CEO David Grolman)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996; ... ELLWOOD CITY, Pa.--Emess Lighting, based here, has signed on to become the sole U.S. distributor of Brilliant Lighting, its German-based sister company that produces upscale functional lighting. Emess Lighting and Brilliant are subsidiaries of Emess PLC, the British commercial ...
Black, blue and red all over? Rugs.
Feb 05, 1996; ... ATLANTA--The style forecast for area rugs has shifted to encompass rugs in shades of black, blue and red at the Atlanta Area Rugs Market. At the same time, area rug styles popular at previous markets--from naturals and naturals with color to antique looks and ...
Michigan furniture stores want direct shippers taxed.
Feb 05, 1996 ... LANSING, Mich.--The Michigan Retailers Association is pushing for a law that would slap sales taxes on furniture shipped from areas such as High Point, N.C., directly to Michigan consumers. The Michigan Department of Treasury has asked the MRA to provide examples of how furniture ...
This End Up posts record-breaking year. (Rosedale This End Up Inc.)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... RICHMOND, Va.--The 168-store home furnishings chain This End Up posted more than a 10 percent increase in 1995 sales over ...
Leggett & Platt continues acquisition drive.(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... CARTHAGE, Mo.--Leggett & Platt, Inc. reported three recent developments in its ongoing acquisition program that should add about $75 million to annual sales. Near the end of last year, Leggett acquired Hoover Wire Products, Inc. of Georgetown, Ky. Hoover has annual sales of about $25 million ...
Mills feel the pinch; gain at Springs bucks the trend. (Springs Industries Inc.)
Feb 05, 1996; ... New York--Dismal retail sales at the end of the year, combined with the continuing effects of higher costs of raw materials, resulted in losses for Fieldcrest Cannon and Thomaston Mills, and lower earnings for Burlington Industries. Springs was the only mill to report a gain in profits ...
Filling out. (Arlee Group)(includes related article on Bob Flynn, head of Sleepquarters division)
Feb 05, 1996; ... New York--For those who thought that Bud Frankel might even be contemplating retiring from Arlee, think again. The 20-year-old company and its chief are still going strong. The supplier, known for its decorative pillows, has added two new divisions--table linens and ...
Uncovering new uses for fibers.
Feb 05, 1996; ... New York--Manufacturers are banking on new home furnishings applications and the development of new products to drive the fiber and fiberfill businesses this year. They said that in light of 1995's price increases for synthetic and natural fibers, they are looking beyond the ...
The rustic indoors; Revman offers rugged outerbedding. (Revman Industries Inc.)
Feb 05, 1996; ... New York--Believing it is in the vanguard of the Next Big Trend in decorative bedding, Revman Industries isn't waiting until April Market to launch its new Indoor Outfitters line of rugged outerwear for the bedroom. At this week's mini-market, visitors to Revman's New York ...
Best Brands' new vinyl tacks.
Feb 05, 1996; ... NEW YORK--The price competitiveness and slim margins associated with the vinyl tablecloth and placemat business have challenged suppliers to come up with innovative merchandising strategies. One of the leaders in creative marketing is Best Brands, a promotional table-top and ...
It's snowing throws in yule looks. (blankets, Holiday designs)
Feb 05, 1996; ... NEW YORK--Throw manufacturers will roll out plenty of alternatives to the standard triple-woven cotton construction at holiday market, including expanded acrylic designs, new licenses and merchandising programs. An overview of key introductions follows: Arlee The ...
Blankets for the frozen tundra. (thermal fleece bedding products)
Feb 05, 1996; ... New York-Fieldcrest Cannon is the latest supplier to get into the Artic tundra, introducing thermal fleece blankets and throws at this week's holiday market. In addition to more plush warmth products, blanket suppliers also will focus on new colors, constructions and licenses ....
Awash in yule bath offerings. (bath linens; holiday designs)
Feb 05, 1996; ... Bath resources are brimming with holiday offerings at this week's Mini Market. AVANTI LINENS president Arthur Tauber said he is getting a "super reaction" to two embellished towel ensembles for holiday '96. One features Christmas packages. The other, bells. Avanti ...
Heimtex heralds figurative designs. (Heimtextil fair; textile industry trends)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996; ... FRANKFURT, Germany (FNS)--Heraldic and figurative designs were a major trend at this year's Heimtextil fair here as companies tried to introduce patterns other than traditional florals. The heraldic designs included tapestry-style weaves, such as those at Valdese Weavers, ...
Mastercraft sues Jazzman and Rytex. (Mastercraft Fabrics; Jazzman Sportswear Corp.; Rytex Decorative Fabrics)
Feb 05, 1996 ... Mastercraft, a division of Collins & Aikman, reported that it has filed suit in Raleigh, N.C. against Hoboken, N.J.-based Jazzman Sportwear Corp. and in Charlotte, N.C. against Tarzana, Call-based Rytex Decorative Fabrics. The suits allege that Jazzman and Rytex have sold products ...
House of Fabrics inks pact with bank group. (extends debtor-in-possession agreement with Bank of America)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... House of Fabrics, which reported earlier this year that it would close 86 stores, has signed a definitive agreement with its bank group, led by Bank of America as agent, for an extension of its debtor-in-possession financing facility through April 30, 1996, in the amount of $17.3 million ....
Ebner becomes Lenzing president. (E.F. Ebner; Lenzing Fibers Corp.)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... Lenzing Fibers, a producer of rayon staple fiber, has named E.F. (Ted) Ebner to the position of president. He will report to Mikel Dodd, formerly president and chief executive, who will continue with his responsibilities as chief executive' end director of ...
'Surface interest' at Showtime. (weave designs; fabric market show)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996; ... HIGH POINT--The two words that best summed up this month's Showtime fabric market were "surface interest." In showrooms across the market, fabric makers touted special weave effects from strie warps and clubbing techniques to tissue picks and double-cloth constructions. ...
Oneida's entree. (introduces stainless steel serveware)
Feb 05, 1996; ... ONEIDA, N.Y.--Oneida Ltd. aims to reinforce its presence in the housewares departments of specialty and department stores with the launch of a line of stainless steel serveware. Oneida, the leading supplier of stainless steel flatware in all retail channels, is the latest tabletop company ...
Mixing it up. (KitchenAid products)
Feb 05, 1996; ... ST. JOSEPH, Mich.--This is not your mother's KitchenAid. The company whose name is synonymous with premium stand mixers has over the past several years applied its venerable name to other appliances in its effort to become a total kitchen resource. KitchenAid, a division of ...
Better baking boom. (high-end bakeware)
Feb 05, 1996; ... NEW YORK--Manufacturers and retailers within the $314 million metal bakeware industry are counting heavily on "better bakeware" to provide substantial growth in the coming year. The higher-end segment outperformed its low-end counterparts during the fourth quarter, said ...
Buyers mull a fit for Hoffritz. (International Housewares Show; Lifetime Hoan Corp.; line of cutlery and personal care items)
Feb 05, 1996; ... CHICAGO--Lifetime Hoan's Hoffritz line was the buzz among cutlery and gadget buyers at the International Housewares Show last month, with most praising the sleek new look of the cutlery, knife blocks and gadgets. Still, many of the buyers surveyed by HFN said it was too soon to tell if ...
First Alert. (finances for 1995)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... AURORA, Ill.--First Alert reported virtually flat sales for 1995, or $246.3 million compared with $248.4 million in 1994, a decline of less than 1 percent. For the three months ended Dec. 31, sales were $76.4 million, a decrease of 23.8 percent from the period the year before. Operating ...
Direct To Retail. (electric toothbrush)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
Feb 05, 1996 ... NATICK, Mass.--Direct To Retail, which established brands through direct response for subsequent roll-out to the retail marketplace, is introducing the SonicBrush, a sonic-style electric toothbrush. According the the firm, it cleans teeth with 7,000 sonic vibrations per ...
ISI Basics. (aluminum cooking bag)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
Feb 05, 1996 ... PINE BROOK, N.J.--ISI Basics has introduced The Smoker Bag, a three-ply aluminum cooking bag. With a layer containing 100 percent natural wood-chips and sugar to flavor food cooking inside. The bag can be placed in the oven, on a barbeque ...
Royal China shifting sales to N.J. (Royal China & Porcelain Companies)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... MOORESTOWN, N.J.--The Royal China & Porcelain Cos. Inc. will transfer all sales activities currently handled in its Forty One Madison Ave., New York showroom to its corporate headquarters here. The move is effective Feb. 12. "The move is being made to consolidate and streamline ...
Hair trends bring versatility.(hairsetter products)
Feb 05, 1996; ... NEW YORK--Women admire a range of hairstyles with volume and body, and hairsetter companies are happy to note that they have the products to achieve those looks. Vendors in the 3-million to 4-million-unit category explained that, depending on the length and texture of hair, ...
Royal to rejoin VCMA. (Royal Appliance Co. resumes membership in Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996; ... CLEVELAND--After a two-year hiatus, Royal Appliance Co., the $280 million manufacturer of Dirt Devil brand vacuum cleaner products, is set to return to membership in the Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers Association (VCMA). The vac maker was scheduled to send three executives to ...
Dec. vac shipments soar 15.2%; rise 5.8% for year. (vacuum cleaner shipments in 1995)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... NORTH CANTON, Ohio--Capping a year of strong growth, the vacuum cleaner industry finished strongly with December shipments up 15.2 percent, according to the Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers Association. Shipments of uprights, canisters and sticks totaled 942,304 ...
Extras pay off. (Thomson Consumer Electronics might extend bonus product marketing concept to RCA, ProScan satellite TV brands)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996; ... DEPTFORD, N.J.--Thomson Consumer Electronics, which includes a "bonus product" with GE Digital Satellite System accessories kits, may extend this selling strategy to accessories under its other brands, RCA and ProScan, later this year. "It was a strategy that paid off," said ...
Builders' Show potpourri: innovations spice white goods.(National Association of Home Builders' Show)
Feb 05, 1996; ... HOUSTON--The National Association of Home Builders' Show that ended last week had its major-appliance introductions. Every large manufacturer and several smaller ones had something to brag about as new. But these products were a far cry from the wave of innovation that marked the 1995 ...
Toy story: selling youth electronics is not a game.
Feb 05, 1996; ... NEW YORK--Sales of youth-oriented electronics are booming, but manufacturers and retailers are scratching their heads about how to best merchandise the products. Youth-oriented electronic products, such as personal stereos embellished with cartoon characters and clock radios ...
North Reading, Mass. (Peter Wellikoff named president/CEO of Equity Group).(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... NORTH READING, Mass.--Peter Wellikoff was named to the post of president and chief operating officer of the Equity up, a wholly owned subsidiary of the B&W Group, which distributes B&W ...
Scottsdale, Ariz.-Go-Video Inc. (in VCR service and repair pact with Tandy)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--Go-video Inc. has struck an agreement with Tandy Corp. to provide repair and warranty service for Go-Video Dual-Deck VCRs through The Repair Shop at RadioShack. RadioShack has about 140 repair centers and more ...
Balacynwyd, Pa.-Primestar Partners Ltd. (pact with GE American Communications gives Primestar parity with DirecTV satellite system)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... BALA CYNWYD, Pa.--Primestar Partners Ltd., which offers the Primestar digital satellite TV service, has signed an agreement with GE American Communications Inc. that will give its medium-power satellite TV service rough parity with the high-power Digital Satellite System from DirecTv-Thomson ...
Olafsson leaves Sony. (Olaf Olafsson, of Sony Technology Strategy Group; Sony Computer Entertainment America president Martin Homlish resigns)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996; ... Foster City, Cal.--Olaf Olafsson has resigned as chairman of Sony's Technology Strategy Group after four months. No successor has been named. At the same time, Martin Homlish, president of Sony Computer Entertainment America, is changing jobs. He will return to Sony ...
Channels draw DSS sales. (Digital Satellite System channels numerous)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... NEW YORK--The greater number of channels offered on the Digital Satellite System versus what's available from cable is the single most important reason customers buy a DSS system, according to the results of a new survey. A Nielsen study of more than 550 people nationwide, ...
AHAM adds to the numbers. (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers' statistics for shipments in 1995)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996 ... CHICAGO--More meditations on the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers' shipment and forecast tables (HFN, Jan. 29, page 53): * December shipments were the lowest for that month since 1991, but exceeded the average 3.62 million units of '86 to '93. The latest ...
Salomon's wisdom: unit sales to rise.(Salomon Brothers market survey shows unit sales of major appliances rising in 1996)
Feb 05, 1996 ... NEW YORK--Some positive business trends have a majority of major-appliance retailers projecting unit-sales increases in the coming year, according to the latest Salomon Brothers market survey. The semiannual poll--said primarily to cover big chains and therefore a significant ...
Digital leaving home: says it'll focus on business PC user. (Digital Equipment)(Brief Article)
Feb 05, 1996; ... MAYNARD, Mass.--Digital Equipment Corp. said last week it will exit the home PC business and sharpen its focus on the b,business user, who has long been the company's strength. Digital will not be leaving the retail channel entirely, however. It will sell products to retailers ...