HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network back issues from June 1997:
Play and pay. (Viacom Corp. opens first Viacom Entertainment Store)
Jun 02, 1997; ... With opening night fanfare, Viacom Corp. made its debut in the world of enter- tainment retailing, unveiling its first Viacom Entertainment Store on Chicago's Michigan Avenue.The 30,000-square-feet, two-story showcase joins pioneers in the retail enter- tainment format Niketown and ...
Hilfiger in home. (Tommy Hilfiger to license bed and bath products with Revman Industries)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997; ... The wait is over. Nine months after HFN reported that apparel powerhouse Tommy Hilfiger would be creating a home collection, he has signed with Revman Industries for bed and bath products.Hilfiger, a leader in men's and boy's apparel and one of the hottest stocks on the New York ...
Nautica, Ex-Cell set table linen launch. (Ex-Cell Home Fashions plans to introduce Nautica table linens)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997; ... Ex-Cell Home Fashions will launch Nautica table linens at the October market. The line, which will include tablecloths, placemats and accessories, will fill a void in the market for upscale casual looks, according to Barbara Rogoff, vice president of Nautica Apparel's Home Collection. ...
Up to the challenge. (excerpts from a speech by Kmart Corp. chairman and chief executive, Floyd Hall)(Transcript)
Jun 02, 1997 ... I would like to highlight our progress in achieving the turnaround of Kmart Corp. - 1996 was an exciting year, a year of great progress, dynamic change and a year of renewed energy.This past March, Kmart announced its strongest annual earnings performance since 1992, and we have ...
Take a brand stand. (licensing as a marketing tool)(Editorial)
Jun 02, 1997; ... Manufacturers have long used licensing creatively, as a tool to extend brand presence into merchandise categories the licensor considers non-core. Retailers also have successfully undertaken licenses to bring cohesion to unbranded or brand-fragmented departments.Retail brands are ...
That's entertainment. (Bloomingdale's as a forerunner in the use of entertainment as a retailing tool)(Editorial)
Jun 02, 1997; ... The launch of Viacom's first store, on Chicago's Michigan Avenue two weeks ago (see page one), has set people talking about the rise of entertainment retail- ing. Throwing out words like interactivity, brand identification and info-tainment, industry pundits would have you believe Disney, ...
Heading south. (problems encountered by textile firms moving to the South, away from New York)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997; ... Southern migration may be necessary for the well-being of most bird species but is it necessary for the health of the nation's home textiles mills?When most of the major mills moved their executive headquarters South some three years ago, some asked designers to move. Others saw ...
CEOs for Proffitt's, Younkers units. (Proffitt's appoints Mark Shulman to president and chief executive of Younkers division; appoints Toni Browning to president and chief executive of Proffitt's division)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997 ... Department store retailer Proffitt's named Mark Shulman president and chief executive of its Younkers division, and Toni Browning president and chief executive of its Proffitt's division. Both report to Robert Mosco, president and chief executive of Proffitt's Merchandising Group. ...
Prepaid phone card hookup. (SmarTalk Teleservices Inc. plans to purchase SmarTel)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997 ... Prepaid phone card supplier SmarTalk Teleservices Inc. of Los Angeles last week agreed to acquire Boston-based SmarTel, also a prepaid supplier. SmarTel, a privately held company, will remain in Boston as a wholly-owned subsidiary of SmarTalk, a public company ....
CEO shift at Home Depot. (Bernard Marcus vacates post of chief executive)
Jun 02, 1997 ... The Home Depot's Bernard Marcus announced last week at the company's annual stockholders meeting here that he is stepping down as chief executive but emphasized he will continue as chairman of the board.He and Arthur Blank, who adds the CEO designation to his title as president, ...
Handmade importers seek to satisfy demand. (rug dealers relieved after United States ends quotas for Chinese merchandise)
Jun 02, 1997; ... With the China quota situation resolved, handmade rug importers are getting down to the business of trying to satisfy growing retail demand for their pro- ducts.Rug importers heaved a collective sigh of relief over the pact made between the U.S. and China in February that ...
Trans-Ocean Imports passes test of time. (established rug trader thrives by offering broad selection)(includes related article on firm's 1972 entry to China)
Jun 02, 1997; ... Trans-Ocean Imports, the 90-year-old rug importer, refuses to act decrepit. With finely honed survival skills, the company continues to reposition itself in the marketplace. And it's one of the few old-timers to survive and prosper in today's fiercely competitive retail arena.The ...
Booster shot for basics: antimicrobial push pumps up sales. (bedding manufacturers, retailers promote health feature)
Jun 02, 1997; ... Manufacturers and retailers of antimicrobial basic bedding products said that after two years in the marketplace, these items have proved to be reliable sellers.That success, however, is dependent upon factors like timing, packaging and the availability of a good, better, best ...
The payoff in licenses. (designs for home furnishings must have lasting appeal)
Jun 02, 1997; ... For a license to work in a home textiles product mix, it must not only be unique, but "evergreen," -- a property that continually produces a return on investment, said Jack O'Grady, vice president of licensing for Fieldcrest Can- non.O'Grady was just one on a panel of industry ...
Carving the next niche. (velvets, similar fabrics for home furnishings)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997; ... Cut and carved fabrics, particularly velvets, are taking the sophisticated casual trend to the next level. Home furnishings manufacturers say these fab- rics are appealing because of their versatility.Sculpted, pleated, ribbed and striped velvets are appearing in all product ...
Doran to sell organic cotton unit. (Doran Textiles Inc. in deal with Stonecutter Mills Corp.)
Jun 02, 1997 ... In an effort to streamline its operations after filing for Chapter 11 last December, specialty yarn and fabric producer Doran Textiles has agreed to sell its organic cotton business to Stonecutter Mills Corp.According to Doran president and chief executive David M. Roberts, the ...
Wellman net falls in 1st qtr. (polyester maker earns $8.7 million in quarter ended March 31, 1997)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997 ... Wellman Inc. first quarter earnings dropped 25.7 percent to $8.7 million, or 28 cents a share, from $11.7 million, or 35 cents a year ago, based on more shares outstanding.However, first quarter earnings showed an improvement over the fourth quarter of 1996 primarily due to modest ...
Conso 3-, 9-month results up. (Conso Products Co. earnings through March 29, 1997)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997 ... Conso Products, a supplier of decorative trimmings for the home furnishings industry posted a 4.7 percent sales increase for the nine months ended March 29. Sales were $55 million compared to $52.5 million during the same nine month period in the prior year.Net income for the first ...
Hoover courts brides: ad blitz taking aim at first-time buyers.
Jun 02, 1997 ... The Hoover Co. is launching its largest bridal advertising program this summer with ads slated to appear in six of the leading bridal magazines.The program, aimed at reaching first-time vacuum cleaner purchasers, will utilize two different ads in Bride's, Modern Bride, Bridal ...
Newell's office plan.(Newell Office Products' plan for expansion includes acquisition of Rubbermaid's office products division)
Jun 02, 1997 ... Like a diner between courses - a diner with a very healthy appetite - Newell Office Products, a division of $3 billion Newell Corp., is pausing to digest while looking ahead to what's next.With Newell's purchase of Rolodex final an agreement to buy Rubbermaid's office products ...
Retail bristle battle: competition drives toothbrush tags down.
Jun 02, 1997; ... Competition for shelf space is heating up in the power toothbrush industry at under-$60 price points.A proliferation of suppliers and SKUs is creating downward pricing pressure, retailers and suppliers agreed. Except for Sunbeam, whose dental products are all under $40 retail, the ...
Pitching to new targets: many vendors refocus campaigns to extend the brand's reach.
Jun 02, 1997; ... Leading tabletop and housewares vendors are targeting a new customer, or have homed in on their core consumers, with advertising campaigns launched this year.Consumer advertising has dominated the tabletop industry, and leading housewares vendors have also viewed consumer ...
Cookie stamp appeal: family fun, collectibles.
Jun 02, 1997; ... Retailers and vendors note that cookie stamps have become hot sellers, primarily because they can be used for a family activity and because the items appeal to collectors."Those cookie stamps are just unbelievable," said a housewares buyer at a regional department store chain. "We ...
Wagner Ware looks to upgrade image of cast iron assortment.
Jun 02, 1997; ... Wagner Ware, under new ownership for less than a year, aims to upgrade the image of its cast iron assortment with new packaging and a step-up line.Last fall General Housewares Corp. sold the assets of its Sidney, Ohio, divi- sion, as well as the rights to the Magnalite, Magnalite ...
Dental Mfrs. reach beyond teeth.(oral care product manufacturers)
Jun 02, 1997; ... Oral care companies are filling out their assortments in areas where tooth- brushes can't reach with niche products such as oral irrigators and flossing units.The estimated number of oral irrigators sold in 1996 was 687,000 units, according to industry sources, or about 20 to 25 ...
For grill seekers, gas rules.(greater consumer demand for gas than charcoal for outdoor grills is reported by retailers)
Jun 02, 1997 ... Retailers report that gas is the fuel of choice for consumers in the market for outdoor grills, dominating charcoal and all but edging out electric. Fir- st-time grill buyers are attracted to added features such as lid windows and side burners, but repeat buyers are mostly interested in a ...
Eureka's best-selling compact gets facelift.(redesign of Might Mike compact canister)
Jun 02, 1997 ... Eureka has begun shipping the first of its redesigned Mighty Mite compact canister vacs, which will replace its existing Mighty Mites."This unit is more consumer friendly," said John Hoppe, vice president of marketing. "It has a larger bag, better tool storage an easier to operate ...
Intel inks pact with Samsung; convergence items seen as likely focus.(Samsung Electronics Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997; ... Intel Corp. has entered into a partnership with Samsung Electronics Co. to collaborate on future computer and consumer electronics projects.An Intel spokesman said the alliance will draw upon the chip maker's strength in computer technology and Samsung's prowess in consumer ...
Refining the image; digital technology to power Comdex.(Comdex Spring 1997, Atlanta, Georgia)
Jun 02, 1997; ... Scan it, film it, edit it, store it. Those are the buzzwords retailers will hear in Atlanta this week at Comdex Spring 1997, where they will be exposed to the latest in digital imaging technologies during an otherwise sleepy conven- tion.Photo equipment and computer suppliers will ...
Broderbund game push.(Broderbund Software Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997; ... In search of new revenue streams, Broderbund Software Inc. is looking to shed its family reputation. Somewhat.The edutainment and productivity software developer has launched a new divi- sion, Red Orb Entertainment, to produce the types of action games one would not expect from ...
PCs speed up; Pentium MMX joins suppliers' lineups.(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997; ... Several PC suppliers will introduce retail desktop systems today bearing Intel Corp.'s fastest MMX processor to date.IBM, NEC, Sony and Toshiba are among the PC vendors unveiling 233MHz machines; prices are expected to range from $2,000 to $2,500.The 233MHz MMX is the ...
Sega/Bandai merger a no-go.(Sega Enterprises Ltd.)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997; ... When the planned $1 billion merger between Sega Enterprises Ltd. and toy maker Bandai Co. was called off late last month, it was not much of a surprise to the industry.The merger, announced in January and slated for completion in October, would have created a combined entity with ...
Zenith maps turnaround.
Jun 02, 1997; ... Zenith Corp. is pinning its hopes on new products and aggressive advertising for a much needed return to profitability.Profit is Zenith's first priority, Peter Willmott, president and chief execu- tive, told stockholders during the company's annual meeting, "but it still may be ...
The Wiz in Northeast to launch Sprint PCS.(personal communications systems)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997 ... Sprint PCS has signed an agreement to sell Sprint PCS phones and accessories at 61 Nobody Beats the Wiz retail stores in all Sprint PCS service areas in the Northeast.The service and phones will be sold through stores in the Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York metro areas, and in ...
Mitsubishi plasma TV due.(Mitsubishi Consumer Electronics America Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997 ... Mitsubishi Consumer Electronics America Inc. will give Comdex/Spring '97 visitors a taste of its digital future -- a 40-inch flat-panel plasma display.Although Mitsubishi executives said the display can be used as a computer monitor, it is being marketed primarily as the ...
Yashica's digital camera begins shipping in July.(Yashica North America)(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997 ... Yashica North America has joined the growing ranks of companies marketing digital still cameras with a $599 model that will begin shipping to retailers in July.Yashica's KC 600 takes pictures in 640 by 480 resolution in three pic- ture-taking modes. Featuring a built-in 2Mb ...
Audio factory sales dip.(Brief Article)
Jun 02, 1997 ... Factory sales of audio equipment slipped almost 4 percent in March, to about $618.5 million, compared with the same period a year ago, according to the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association (CEMA).CEMA also reported unit factory sales in April showed double-digit growth in ...
GE co-brands with Culligan.(GE Appliances, Water Technologies Inc.)
Jun 02, 1997; ... GE Appliances has unveiled a Profile Performance series, including the premium brand's first stainless steel and a tie-in with Culligan Water Technologies for filtered water and ice through refrigerator doors.Chris Antonello, general manager for growth and business management, ...
Waiting for room air to heat up.(room air conditioners)
Jun 02, 1997 ... Say something good about room air conditioners.Well, there's been a bit of heat in the South and California which generated some volume and even got a few retailers to reorder.It's just the beginning of the season and there's plenty of time for a suc- cessful summer. ...
Carson's blueprint. (Carson Pirie Scott & Co.'s furniture business)
Jun 09, 1997; ... Carson Pirie Scott & Co. expects to concentrate its furniture business in freestanding furniture stores, while focusing on fashion and designer-label home furnishings in the department stores.Stanton J. Bluestone, chairman and chief executive, said at the chain's annual meeting at ...
Homing in on Hilfiger. (Tommy Hilfiger Corp. bed and bath collection)
Jun 09, 1997; ... The Tommy Hilfiger bed and bath collection will be taking its cue from the highly successful Ralph Lauren Home Collection by dedicating a separate marketing, sales and creative staff as well as a separate showroom to the designer.Rich Roman, president and chief executive of Revman ...
Firing up Kohl's. (Kohl's Department Stores Inc.)
Jun 09, 1997; ... Kohl's is considering a chainwide rollout of a new home textiles department prototype and shops for better cookware, based on strong entry into the early results from its entry into the Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia markets this spring."Last year was a terrific year from the ...
Campo in Ch. 11. (Campo Electronics, Appliances and Computers Inc. files for bankruptcy)(Brief Article)
Jun 09, 1997 ... Campo Electronics, Appliances and Computers Inc. reported it has filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in federal District Court here.The company, as part of the second phase of its turnaround plan, will also close nine stores and one distribution ...
Antioco takes Blockbuster helm. (John F. Antioco named CEO of Blockbuster Entertainment)(Brief Article)
Jun 09, 1997 ... Viacom Inc. has named John F. Antioco chairman and chief executive of Block- buster Entertainment. He succeeds Bill Fields, who resigned ...
Low temperatures cool sales in May. (home furnishings retail sales, May 1997)(Brief Article)
Jun 09, 1997; ... Unusually cool temperatures hampered sales for most home furnishings retailers during May.From the big box retailers to smaller chains, same-store sales were sluggish, with particular weakness in hardlines.Although Sears Roebuck & Co. said its full-line stores generated ...
Ibanez leaves CHF. (CHF Industries Inc. window division president Jim Ibanez resigns)(Brief Article)
Jun 09, 1997 ... Jim Ibanez, president of the window division of CHF, has left the company effective immediately, according to the company.Frank Foley, chief executive and president, expects to make announcements sometime this week regarding CHF staffing. ...
A caution flag for retailers. (consumer debt threatens home furnishings retailers)(Column)
Jun 09, 1997; ... Consumer debt is catching up with consumers. With consumer indebtness on the rise and expected to reach 20 percent of disposable income in 1997, retailers aren't the only ones filing for Chapter 7. Last year, 1.2 million consumers filed for bankruptcy, up 27.2 percent over 1995. This year, ...
Buying low on Web users' lists. (World Wide Web users buying tendencies)
Jun 09, 1997 ... It's the classic good news -- bad news story for anyone who markets products on the Internet: While significant numbers of Americans who access the World Wide Web do so to obtain product information, the vast majority do not yet use the Internet to place orders for those products. ...
Registry pros get up close and personal. (bridal director conference, 1997)
Jun 09, 1997; ... Two tabletop leaders -- Pfaltzgraff and Oneida --teamed up here to host a con- ference for bridal directors from across the country.Nina Lawrence, publisher of Modern Bride magazine, gave a presentation on Generation X, called The Twentysomething Consumer."This a very ...
All aboard: it's time the furniture industry took a wild ride in the land of ideas. (furniture industry members should focus on new ideas)(Column)
Jun 09, 1997; ... It's problems, it's answers, it's ideas, stupid!I could write volumes about what I think of Jerry Epperson, but in my book, Predatory Marketing, I quoted these words: "Little minds talk about people. Average minds talk about events. Great minds talk about ideas."The ...
Analysis paralysis: it's true: hands-on experience is undervalued at retail. (hands-on experience is more likely to lead to successful merchandising and buying than too much analysis)(Column)
Jun 09, 1997 ... You are so perfectly right! There is no substitute for hands-on experience, common sense and the hound-dog ability to sniff out and seize opportunities. Yet, we continue to seek the Harvard and Yale MBAs to provide us with textbook answers to simple questions.I worked for a Macy ...
Guerrilla tactics: laser-focused merchandising propels regional retailers. (large home center stores finding ways to differentiate themselves from similar big chain retailers)
Jun 09, 1997; ... The classic answer to the question "Where does a 900-pound gorilla sit?" is well known: "anywhere he wants to."In today's retail environment, however, the 900-pound gorillas are being forced to move on over -- by a different type of guerrilla.There is a mixture of very ...
Workspace Anyplace: it could be the next link in retail's evolutionary chain. (niche store in Charlotte, North Carolina, targets both home office and work office environments, offering mid-range priced furniture in a variety of configurations)
Jun 09, 1997; ... I have come to the conclusion that retailing is a lot like evolution. When the conditions are right, ready or not, a new retail species will come on the scene, somehow perfectly suited to not merely survive, but to thrive in the current environment.To support my theory, let me tell ...
A new bedding crusade: Better Sleep Council aims to educate. (consumer education promotion)
Jun 09, 1997; ... The Better Sleep Council, the bedding industry's public relations arm, wants to put to rest consumer concerns about buying a mattress.Based on findings from consumer research conducted last year, the BSC has developed a comprehensive public relations campaign to educate consumers ...
Office improvement: growing demand seen for work-related furniture.
Jun 09, 1997; ... Office furniture is big business. Industry watchers agree that the market for office furniture continues to be fueled by myriad factors, including the grow- ing demand for office hardware, changing work environments, a rapidly expand- ing pool of telecommuters -- people who work at both ...
Twists at Neocon: buyers to get fill of Euro shapes. (trends at the Neocon show, in Chicago, Illinois, June 1997)
Jun 09, 1997; ... Furniture buyers shopping this week's Neocon show here will get a glimpse of next-generation office furniture for the small office/home office and commer- cial workplaces.Buyers will see new products in a variety of designs, from traditional to con- temporary. All indications point ...
Judge halts sale of rug. (Williams-Sonoma Inc.'s Pottery Barn accused of directly copying one of David Show Nicholls' rug designs)(Brief Article)
Jun 09, 1997; ... Williams-Sonoma Inc.'s Pottery Barn has been ordered to stop selling a rug that David Shaw Nicholls alleges is directly copied from one of his designs.District Judge Robert P. Patterson Jr. issued a preliminary injunction against Williams-Sonoma/Pottery Barn at a hearing May 6 in ...
BPIA joins Neocon: for the first time, the office furniture industry gets it all together. (BPIA MarketPlace)
Jun 09, 1997; ... When the doors open on the BPIA MarketPlace at the 1997 Neocon World's TradeFair, it will mark the culmination of a partnership between BPIA and the Chicago Merchandise Mart that provides new marketing and education opportunities for dealers and manufacturers.For the first time, ...
One-stop shopping: what are the advantages of merging the Neocon and BPIA shows? (office furniture shows, different industry officials comment)
Jun 09, 1997 ... Having an event that is geared to the home office/telecommuting environments is a wonderful thing. I think this is the only thing BPIA could do to keep the furniture people attending and supporting the shows.Going to a show where they are also selling pens and paper is not ...
Tropitone recalls chaises.(Tropitone Furniture Co.)(Brief Article)
Jun 09, 1997 ... In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tropitone Furniture of Irvine, Cal., is voluntarily recalling about 53,200 chaise longues with nylon ratchets.According to the CPSC, the nylon ratchets which control the headrest height can break after repeated ...
AFMA panel moves ahead.(American Furniture Manufacturers Association)
Jun 09, 1997; ... Don't expect to see a milk mustache on the furniture industry. But if the findings of last week's blue-ribbon committee of furniture manufacturers are any indication, key leadership within the industry is willing to work together toward a less costly, but equally effective, means of reaching ...
Claire Murray store slated for Cape Cod.(ANB International; West Barnstable, Massachusetts)(Brief Article)
Jun 09, 1997 ... Claire Murray will open a new store in the historic Cape Cod town of West Barnstable, Mass., according to Claire Murray, president of the hooked rug specialty company.Murray's handcrafted rugs, decorative accessories and apparel will be mer- chandised in the Early American ...
New Cushionart mats said to stop the slip.(Griptex introduces new comfort mat)(Brief Article)
Jun 09, 1997 ... Griptex, a subsidiary of Dash Multi-Corp., has unveiled Cushionart, its new comfort mat targeted at mass merchants, home centers and floor coverings retailers.According to Griptex executives, "Cushionart is a unique flooring material that is specifically designed for runners, mats ...
Rug Market hits floor with higher-end line.(opens Shabati division)(Brief Article)
Jun 09, 1997 ... The Rug Market has expanded into the traditional floor-covering business with the introduction of Shabati, a new area rug division, according to Michael Shabtai, president.Existing Rug Market lines are aimed at the gift and accessories business, and the kitchen and bath market, ...
The right stuff? Pillow makers bet on alternative fills.
Jun 09, 1997; ... What will convince consumers to give up their traditional down- or polyester-filled pillows? Suppliers of alternatives are banking on the com- fort, durability and therapeutic benefits of fills such as buckwheat hulls and milkweed floss to persuade shoppers to switch.Earlier this ...