HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network back issues from January 1998:
RETAILERS AT SHOW SET GOALS EXCLUSIVITY A KEY AIM IN HOUSEWARES FOR '98.
Jan 12, 1998 ... CHICAGO -- Retailers attending the International Housewares Show here say they are looking to product differentiation and exclusivity as top goals in '98.Whether its branded merchandise or private-label lines, retailers want to build their housewares business by expanding ...
SEARS' EXPANSION THE HOMEY SIDE OF SEARS NATIONAL CHAIN EXPANDS CORE HOUSEWARES CATEGORIES TO BETTER SERVE CONSUMERS.
Jan 12, 1998; ... OAK BROOK, Ill. -- Consumers asked for it, and they are getting it: retail giant Sears, Roebuck & Co. is revitalizing its housewares business with a new emphasis on core categories including cookware, small electrics, personal care and health-oriented items."Our customer expects to ...
HALLMARK HITTING HOME FORAY INTO PRODUCT LICENSING TARGETS UPSCALE STORES.
Jan 12, 1998; ... KANSAS CITY -- Four billion dollar giant Hallmark Cards will license products bearing its logo and crown for the first time starting in the fourth quarter.The home furnishings launch targets the dinnerware, home textiles, and juvenile markets and is slated for upstairs channels: ...
HOMEPLACE FILES CHAP. 11 PETITION.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... NEW YORK -- HomePlace Stores Inc., unable to overcome a heavy debt load from its rapid expansion, has filed a Chapter 11 petition.Robert Hurwitz, HomePlace's chairman, chief executive and co-founder, in a phone interview, said the chain has been doing well, but the company was ...
MITSUBISHI TO EXIT COLOR TV.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... NORCROSS, Ga. -- Mitsubishi Consumer Electronics America last week said it is exiting the direct-view color TV category to focus on future digital TV offerings.During the transition to a fully digital television industry, Mitsubishi said it will redeploy engineering resources from ...
PERSONAL COMPUTERS DIP BELOW $800.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... Hewlett-Packard Co. and Compaq Computer Corp. each unveiled new home PCs last week that sell for less than $800. HP said its exclusively Intel-based family of HP Pavilion PCs is expected to start at $799. Compaq introduced several new Presarios, including a $799 machine.Also last ...
MEYER RECALLING CIRCULON WHISKS.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Meyer Corp. is recalling about 60,300 Circulon whisks because of a plastic pin that can detach during use and fall into food, which presents an ingestion hazard.Meyer received one report of ...
EXECUTIVE CHANGES Shifts at Newell, Anchor Plastics.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... John J. McDonough has succeeded William P. Sovey as vice chairman and chief executive at Newell Cos.Sovey has become Newell's chairman, succeeding Daniel C. Ferguson, who will continue as a director. Thomas A. Ferguson Jr., who has been president and chief operating officer since ...
ZENITH TAPS TURNAROUND SPECIALIST; RATING DROPS.(Robert N. Dangremond)(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... NEW YORK -- Zenith Electronics Corp., the struggling U.S. manufacturer of color TVs, has hired turnaround specialist Robert N. Dangremond to advise the company as it seeks a return to profitability.Dangremond, who was named interim chief financial officer, is a principal of ...
CONSUMER EXPECTATIONS HIGH FOR NEXT SIX MONTHS.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... WASHINGTON -- Hope springs eternal, and a new year inspires confidence. Or so it would seem by the Conference Board's Expectations Index, which measures optimism for the first six months of 1998.According to the Conference Board, favorable labor market conditions continue to drive ...
HOLIDAY HOOPLA STORE WINDOWS DRAW EYES, AYES AND SIGHS.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... NEW YORK -- Glittering, twinkling decorations and whimsical motorized puppets greeted the throngs of holiday shoppers and eager tourists who annually flock to Manhattan's busy streets for Christmas and Hanukkah.Amid the smells of roasting chestnuts and the rustle of shopping bags, ...
NEW SOFTWARE AIDS EFFICIENCY CHAINWIDE.(Canadian Tire)(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... NEW YORK -- Canadian Tire, Canada's largest mass merchant, completed the rollout of supply chain management software last month, and the system has already improved the retailer's in-stock position and streamlined communication with suppliers.The next step in the process will be to ...
ELECTRONIC SIGNS ON BED LINENS.(Macy's East uses electronic signs in-store)
Jan 12, 1998; ... NEW YORK -- Macy's East here is experimenting with in-store technology that represents a dynamic new approach to store signage and, if fully exploited, could redefine how retailers communicate with, and serve, the customer.The technology, being tested in a New Jersey store's ...
MATTRESS GIANT SET TO GROW PLANS 10 TO 12 UNITS FOR MINNEAPOLIS AREA IN '98.
Jan 12, 1998; ... CARROLLTON, Texas -- Mattress Giant is moving northward. The 62-store chain, which has annual sales of $76 million, is poised to expand into the Minneapolis/St. Paul market this year.The chain, which has grown from eight stores in 1992 to its current size, has stores in the Dallas, ...
DESIGNER LICENSING FLOORING FASHION MISSONI, VERSACE DESIGNS GRACE ROUBINI AREA RUGS.
Jan 12, 1998; ... NEW YORK -- Think stripes, scallops and waves in knitwear, and Italian fashion house Missoni comes to mind. Imagine opulent outrageous designs and it's Versace on the runway.But what does fashion have to do with an industry that is centuries-old and as traditional as area rugs? ...
RTA'S CASUAL TURN KEY TREND AT THE HOUSEWARES SHOW.(ready-to-assemble furniture)(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... CHICAGO -- Ready-to-assemble furniture makers exhibiting at the Housewares Show here this week are expanding kitchen collections alongside groups for bedroom, family room, and home office.O'Sullivan and Sauder are building on the growth of the casual dining market to add sales of ...
A NEW NAME IN FURNITURE IT'S BOSTON WAREHOUSE.
Jan 12, 1998; ... A New NameNORWOOD, Mass. -- Boston Warehouse -- a gift/housewares company best known for its spreaders, cheese pins, swizzle sticks and paring knives featuring whimsical resin characters -- is unveiling a furniture line at the Housewares Show in Chicago this week.Called ...
PLACEWARES: PROBLEM-SOLVING STORE FOCUSES ON CONSUMERS.
Jan 12, 1998; ... NORWOOD, Mass. -- Maynard Hale Lyndon and Lu Wendel Lyndon, co-owners of Placewares, a retail chain based here, and LyndonDesign, a design firm specializing in furniture and housewares, focus on organizing and simplifying consumers' lives."Over the years we've been called ...
SOHO MARKET BELIEVERS.(Placewares)(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... Currently, the Lyndons' focus on changing lifestyles has led the pair to emphasize small office/home office furnishings.The evolution from a storage and container store to a chain where furniture accounts for 40 percent of total sales can be largely attributed to the booming small ...
NIGHT LIFE NOT JUST FOR KIDS ANYMORE, DECORATIVE NIGHT-LIGHTS ARE MAKING THEIR WAY INTO EVERY ROOM OF THE HOUSE.
Jan 12, 1998; ... NEW YORK -- Night-lights are outgrowing their former role as a functional necessity reserved for parents with kids who are afraid of the dark.Now, a wide spectrum of styles from traditional holiday and whimsical to feminine Victorian and masculine night-lights is available in the ...
CAPEL'S SCENT SENSIBILITY.(scented rugs)(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... TROY, N.C. -- Rug manufacturer Capel is addressing the booming interest in home fragrance and aromatherapy with the introduction of scented braided rugs.The rugs, which are expected to appear in department stores and furniture stores early this year, provide consumers with another ...
CHILD LABOR ISSUE: POLL PUTS LITTLE TO REST.(rug making)
Jan 12, 1998; ... HIGH POINT, N.C. -- An informal poll of consumer attitudes towards area rugs made using child labor indicates that the majority of consumers are aware of the issue to some extent but are divided on whether the issue is the determining factor in their decision to purchase a rug. ...
BUYERS GETTING FIRST LOOK AT '98 DESIGNS.(rugs)
Jan 12, 1998; ... ATLANTA -- Area rug buyers and suppliers this week will see more rugs displayed here at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market and National Oriental Rug Show, running from Jan. 15 through 18, than in any other domestic market.Competition among suppliers has created a wider range ...
BEAULIEU'S ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY AT SURFACES.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... DALTON, Ga. -- Beaulieu Rugs will award a free rack of forty 6-by-9 area rugs at Surfaces '98 as part of the company's 20th anniversary celebration.The prize rack giveaway will allow floor covering dealers who attend the show an opportunity to enter the rug retail business. ...
BRETLIN BANKING ON CUSTOM WORK.
Jan 12, 1998; ... CALHOUN, Ga. -- For Bretlin Inc., success is not only measured in annual sales but also in individual service."We recognize that every customer is different in their needs, so we cater our products, designs, merchandising and service requirements to each customer," commented Mike ...
CONTEMPORARY STYLE.(rugs)
Jan 12, 1998; ... NEW YORK -- A rich new palette of colors is defining contemporary styling for the area rug market.Many manufacturers are seeing a transition toward more colorful neutral tones, while others are continuing the trend of bright colors featured in geometrically designed patterns. ...
BRAND LICENSING MANUAL WOODWORKERS UNVEILS DESIGNS.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... ATLANTA -- In an effort to attack growth markets, Manual Woodworkers & Weavers is introducing several new licensed designs and juvenile products at this week's Atlanta Gift Market.The company has signed licensing agreements with Dr. Seuss, Disney Classic Characters, Dilbert and ...
FRETTE TAPS PRO FOR U.S. LUXE SUPPLIER PUTS CHRISTIANSEN AT HELM.(Chris Christiansen)(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... NEW YORK -- Well-known industry executive Chris Christiansen has been named to the new position of president and chief executive of Frette Inc., the United States arm of the Italian luxury linens supplier Frette SpA.Christiansen will oversee the company's expansion in the U.S. ...
BIBB EXITING APPAREL IN '98.
Jan 12, 1998; ... ATLANTA -- As part of an ongoing strategy to focus on its home furnishings lines, the Bibb Co. is leaving the apparel business, has sold its napery business to Mount Vernon Mills, and will close its manufacturing plant in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., by the end of February.Terms of the ...
FABRIC EXPORT OUTLOOK 1998 FABRIC CHALLENGE MANY SUPPLIERS SEE A TOUGH GO FOR EXPORT SALES.
Jan 12, 1998; ... NEW YORK -- American decorative fabric suppliers are searching for bright spots in a gloomy export market dimmed by Asian currency turbulence and the strength of the U.S. dollar.Most fabric executives heading to this week's mammoth Heimtextil trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany are ...
MONTGOMERY WARD WARD'S MAKEOVER HOUSEWARES REVAMP CROSSES ALL CATEGORIES.(Company Profile)
Jan 12, 1998; ... CHICAGO -- Montgomery Ward is undergoing a transformation.The 296-unit retailer, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 7, 1997, has revamped its housewares department.In the last 18 months Montgomery Ward has launched broad tabletop and cookware ...
CAN OPENER PRICE BATTLE.(Telebrands' Safety Can)
Jan 12, 1998; ... CHICAGO -- In promotions last month, at least one major retailer dropped the price on Telebrands' handheld Safety Can can opener to $14.99, a new low tag for the item.Will this signal the decline of a hot item?The importer said no. Buyers said maybe; they expect to see ...
EXTENDING ITS REACH LIBBEY UNWRAPS FIRST DINNERWARE, FLATWARE.
Jan 12, 1998; ... CHICAGO -- New year, new categories. This seems to be the credo of a number of tabletop players, the most recent being Libbey, the number-one glass beverageware supplier.At the International Housewares Show here, Libbey is displaying 36 stainless-steel flatware SKUs and close to ...
HAND-BLOWN ART GLASS COMES TO MAIN STREET.
Jan 12, 1998; ... NEW YORK -- Hand-blown glass, once strictly the province of upscale studios, is increasingly being offered by more mainstream suppliers -- at prices that make the products more affordable than ever.Previously, the art glass category was driven by West Coast studios like Annieglass, ...
SYRATECH UNITES HOUSEWARES UNITS.
Jan 12, 1998; ... CHICAGO -- Syratech has consolidated its four housewares companies under one umbrella company in an effort to improve delivery times and make brands more focused. The name for the division is still under consideration.The new division will encompass all of Syratech's housewares ...
TOWLE SERVES HOSTESSES NEW AFFORDABLE ELEGANCE.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... CHICAGO -- Towle's new products aim to offer consumers elegant serveware for an affordable price.The new lines, under the Lauffer brand name, are 18/10 stainless steel and retail for under $100.The products in the lines tap into the trend of products designed for home ...
NEW APROPOS DECOR TO BOW.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... CHICAGO -- A new dinnerware company, spearheaded by an industry veteran, is making its debut at the Housewares Show here with 40 new stoneware patterns.Larry Tannenbaum, one of the partners in the new company, called Apropos Decor, said the company's goal is to provide on-trend ...
LICENSING '98 EYES RECORD TURNOUT.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... NEW YORK -- The $110 billion business of licensing will flex its muscle on June 9 through 11 when Licensing '98 International opens at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center here.Exhibit space has already tripled in the last two years, said show director Diane Stone of Expocon, a ...
LICENSING KEY IN SAKURA LINE.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... CHICAGO -- Licensing plays a large role in Sakura's product introductions at the International Housewares Show here.Sakura has obtained a license to market dinnerware items under the Mickey Unlimited license, revealed Jeff Grinspan, Sakura's national sales manager. Although no ...
BOOM CYCLE FOR COLLECTIBLES.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... STEVENS, Pa. -- The influx of a new generation of baby boomer collectors into the market will result in rapid growth for the collectibles industry over the next 10 to 15 years, according to Baby Boomers & Collecting in the Year 2000, a new report from Unity Marketing, a marketing services ...
COUNTRY, PASTELS, SOLIDS TOP TRENDS.(tableware)
Jan 12, 1998; ... CHICAGO -- Solid colors, handpainted looks and licensed products are three trends which mark the introductions at the International Housewares Show here.The fact that consumers are embracing a more casual lifestyle is common knowledge. What's new, however, is how this trend is ...
INDIANA GLASS ACCENTS COLOR, TEXTURE ACROSS NEW LINES.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... CHICAGO -- New products from Indiana Glass reflect an emphasis on texture and color. The glassware company is also taking advantage of the surge in popularity of decorative lighting items."Pillar sales in general have really skyrocketed in the last eight to 10 months," commented ...
Lenox gives gift to First Dog.(bone-shaped ornament for Buddy, President Bill Clinton's dog)(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... Lenox sent President Clinton a Christmas gift for Buddy, the First Dog. The bone-shaped ornament is accented with Buddy's name and a red bow. Lenox has a longstanding relationship with ...
Frame Company Marks Centennial.(Fred M. Lawrence Co.)(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... The Fred M. Lawrence Co. is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a number of introductions. These include the revival of several designs the ...
HOME AS REFUGE CHALLENGES INDUSTRY. (housewares)
Jan 12, 1998; ... CHICAGO -- The American home has become a haven, an oasis amidst the stress, safety and health concerns of daily life. The home is also benefiting from consumers' growing desire to express their individuality. This is good news, of course, for the $53.7 billion housewares industry, but it ...
CAMILLUS CUTS TO THE MIDDLE.(new cutlery collection)
Jan 12, 1998; ... CAMILLUS, N.Y. -- Camillus Cutlery Co. is tapping into a mid-price point niche with the introduction of its Rosewood Collection of kitchen cutlery. Debuting at the International Housewares Show this week in Chicago, the line is aimed at fulfilling what the company sees as a specific need for ...
WEAREVER'S 'LESS MESS' LINE DEBUTS. (Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... MANITOWOC, Wis. -- WearEver's new line of cookware is debuting at the January 1998 International Housewares Show. It allows vessel covers to be removed, set down and refitted with less mess.WearEver Air's Concentric Ease features the company's new EZ Over stainless steel venting ...
CUISINART'S NEW COOKWARE, TEXTILES. (Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... STAMFORD, Conn. -- Cuisinart is covering all the bases with the introduction of its Hard Anodized Cookware at the International Housewares Show this weekend in Chicago. With the new line, the company adds to its stainless and stainless non-stick lines.Cuisinart's Hard Anodized ...
W.A.L. TAPS U.S. WITH FILTER PITCHER.(Water Applications Ltd.)(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... NEW YORK -- Water Applications Ltd. (W.A.L.) is introducing a National Sanitation Foundation-approved water filtration pitcher at the 1998 International Housewares Show. For the past two years, W.A.L., whose products are manufactured in Italy, has been selling its goods in Europe. Although ...
Folding Clothing Hanger Debuts.(KDS Designs)(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... Redondo Beach, Cal.-based KDS Designs has created the CloseHanger, a patented clothing hanger that folds for insertion into and removal from clothes. A spring-loaded mechanism assures consumers the hanger will not stretch collars, and the product features a lock to keep the hanger closed for ...
TINY PEDRINI MAGNETS FOR THE REFRIGERATOR.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... CHICAGO -- Pedrini, the Bayport, N.Y.-based gadget and utensil supplier, has reproduced its line of utensils as miniature refrigerator magnets.Each magnet is an exact replica of a best-selling Pedrini gadget, complete with movable parts. The magnet collection consists of six items ...
GEMCO WARE OFFERS SPICE GRINDERS.
Jan 12, 1998; ... CHICAGO -- Gemco Ware is highlighting the introduction of its spice mills during the Housewares Show here.The firm, which targets mass merchants and supermarkets with its line of condiment items, has entered a new category, said Chuck Rosner, chief executive of Gemco Ware. ...
FOX RUN'S DECORATIVE ACCENTS.(kitchenware)(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... IVYLAND, Pa. -- As the kitchen becomes more of a gathering place, Fox Run Craftsmen is accenting design as well as function in its newest line of kitchen tools, bakeware and gift sets to debut at the International Housewares Show."We've put a lot of effort into expanding into ...
MULTIUSE COOKWARE READY TO SIZZLE.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... NEW YORK -- From oven-to-table cookware and serveware to ovular shapes, introductions at the International Housewares Show prove that old can be new again when it's redefined.Today's time-pressed consumers demand that tonight's cooking pot should be tomorrow's food storage. The ...
EKCO'S FANCY BAKER'S SECRET LINE.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... CHICAGO -- Ekco Housewares is expanding its Baker's Secret line of bakeware in a move it hopes will bring additional sale potential at retail.The new line, Baker's Secret Fanci Bakes, brings bakery-style design to at-home baking. It consists of six items: two tart pans, a ...
LIBMAN UPGRADES STICK GOODS AT GROCER.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... NORTHLAKE, Ill. -- Dominick's Finer Foods here has completed a chainwide stick-goods revamp, upgrading the section in a bid for higher profits.During the last few weeks, three teams from the Libman Co. have been removing the racks of Dominick's former primary stick-goods supplier ...
LIQUID MOTION'S OIL SPRAYER BOWS.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... DANBURY, Conn. -- A new patented oil dispenser from Liquid Motion allows controlled oil-spraying on salads, meats and pastas without the cleanup associated with using brushes, bowls and basters.Used for grilling, sauteing, basting and low-fat cooking, the Misto oil sprayer ...
WHIMSEY HELPS PROPEL SUR LA TABLE.
Jan 12, 1998; ... SEATTLE -- For the last quarter of 1997, the accent was on whimsy as well as the classics for specialty kitchen retailer Sur La Table. Whimsical, colorful themes and designs translated into sales success across the housewares and tabletop categories, while traditional best sellers remained ...
TRUDEAU'S SHARP PEPPER MILLS.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... CHICAGO, Ill. -- Trudeau is introducing a new line of 20 pepper mills, including five with a ceramic grinding mechanism, at the 1998 International Housewares Show.The use of a ceramic mechanism offers three advantages, according to the manufacturer: the components never rust ...
ZAG ADDS ITS FIRST SHELVING.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... ROSH HA'AYN, Israel -- Zag Industries, a plastic household products manufacturer, is entering a new category with a line of freestanding shelving at the January 1998 International Housewares Show in Chicago, Ill., this week.Available in 13-inch or 17-inch vented or solid versions, ...
HOUSEWARES MAKERS RELY ON RIEDEL.(marketing consultant)(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... PHOENIX -- The Riedel Marketing Group's aim is to provide housewares manufacturers with the opportunity to identify and exploit marketing opportunities, as well as solve marketing problems.The firm, founded by A.J. Riedel, its senior partner, provides a full range of strategic ...
SPECTRUM BUILDS IN BATH, KITCHEN.
Jan 12, 1998; ... SOLON, Ohio -- Spectrum Diversified Designs is introducing a number of new lines for kitchen and bath at the International Housewares Show in Chicago this weekend.Among these items is a metal hook series made of heavy-gauge steel and a new Techno Bath collection consisting of a ...
SNOW RIVER HARDWOOD, STAINLESS PANTRYWARE.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998 ... BRATTLEBORO, Vt. -- Snow River Wood Products is presenting a new line of hardwood cutting and serving boards with imported stainless steel handles at the 1998 International Housewares Show.The line comprises seven products. They are: four trencher boards, which feature a routed ...
PACKERWARE 'FUN' KITCHENWARE.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... LAWRENCE, Kan. -- PackerWare has its eye on summertime fun with a new line of Fun Frosts plastic kitchenware, designed for parties, picnics and other outdoor and indoor functions.The collection, which debuts at the International Housewares Show in Chicago, will offer unusual shades ...
EDGECRAFT SHOWING EXTRA-WIDE CHEF'S KNIFE.(Brief Article)
Jan 12, 1998; ... AVONDALE, Pa. -- EdgeCraft is adding an extra-wide blade 10-inch chef's knife to its Chef'sChoice Trizor Professional 10X cutlery line at the 1998 International Housewares Show.The 10-inch chef's knife features a bolster, full tang and extra-wide blade, all fashioned from a single ...