HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network back issues from May 1998:
BUYERS FINE-TUNE: RETAILERS TWEAK PROGRAMS AT SPRING TABLETOP SHOW.
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--Though most of the work is done for the last half of 1998, tabletop buyers are using this week's Spring Tabletop Show here to perhaps add a new product or two, but certainly to tweak programs already in place and get answers to looming questions.With this year's tabletop ...
FINA'S NEW STORE RAISES THE BAR.(Tableware Show)
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--More than fresh merchandise is the talk of the Tabletop Show this week.While vendors aim to put an updated face on traditional products, retailer Michael C. Fina has already undergone a metamorphosis.The family-owned upscale tabletop and jewelry retailer opened ...
WHAT'S COOKING TRENDS IN COOKWARE.
May 04, 1998; ... It's no great secret that most American consumers would like to save time, eat better, and get the best value for their money. Current cookware trends are tackling these concerns and others in their newest product lines, which, while they may not change what we eat, might just change the way ...
All 73 Venture Stores to Go Dark; Kmart Acquiring Most of Leases.
May 04, 1998; ... All 73 units in the Venture Stores Inc. chain will go dark by the end of the summer.The O'Fallon, Mo.-based discounter, in bankruptcy proceedings since January, disclosed last week that it will sell and assign the leases to most of its stores and other real estate to Kimco Realty ...
National Retail Sales Skyrocket In the First Three Weeks of April.
May 04, 1998 ... National retail sales for the first three weeks of April jumped 10 percent over a year ago, according to LJR Redbook Research.Sales are up 3.7 percent when compared with the first three weeks of March.LJR Redbook staff said on an unadjusted basis, sales in the week ended ...
Home Depot Gets Complete Ownership of Its Chain in Canada.
May 04, 1998 ... Home Depot Inc. last week agreed to buy the Molson Companies' 25 percent stake in their retail joint venture for $262 million, giving Home Depot complete ownership of the home improvement chain in Canada.Home Depot, based in Atlanta, and Molson, which owns half of Canada's largest ...
SPECIALTY RETAILER STROUDS BACK ON SOLID FOOTING.
May 04, 1998; ... CITY OF INDUSTRY, Cal.-Specialty retailer Strouds is back on terra firma, turning its first profit in two years -- under the leadership of CEO Charles Chinni.The retailer, which now operates 65 stores, is getting back to basics. Strouds' management is betting that by refocusing on ...
STROUDS AMONG FIRST TO SELL GUESS? HOME COLLECTION.
May 04, 1998; ... LOS ANGELES--For the first time Guess? Home Collection is branching out beyond its traditional department store base, and will begin selling its textiles line through specialty retailers.Strouds, along with Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens 'n Things, will start selling the products ...
RAYOVAC'S HUSSEY APPOINTED PRESIDENT.(Kent J. Hussey)
May 04, 1998 ... Kent J. Hussey has been named president and chief operating officer of the Madison, Wis.-based Rayovac Corp. Hussey, who ...
HFN PROJECTS 3% FURNITURE GROWTH.
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Retail sales of new furniture are likely to reach between $33.5 billion and $34.3 billion in 1998, an increase of 2 to 4 percent from the $32.9 billion sold in 1997, according to estimates developed by HFN.If inflation continues at its current pace of around 2 percent a ...
CALDOR REORGANIZATION MOVES FORWARD.
May 04, 1998; ... NORWALK, Conn.-Caldor Corp., looking to emerge from Chapter 11 this year, signed a commitment letter with BankBoston Corp.'s BankBoston Retail Finance Inc. unit for a fully underwritten and committed $450 million replacement debtor-in-possession credit facility and a separate $450 million ...
FAST FACTS ON BRIDES.(survey)
May 04, 1998 ... NEW YORK-Bride's magazine's Millennium Report polled brides on why they register, and for what they register. Here's a sampling of what's on the minds of '90s brides -- and grooms.40 percent of engaged women are registering because it's the traditional expectation.58 ...
MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIVE TO CHANGING CONSUMER TASTES AND HABITS.
May 04, 1998; ... At $1.82 million at retail in 1997, cookware is a substantial category and improving its contribution to the retail bottom line. Last year, unit sales were down, but dollar sales were up, meaning that fewer, but higher-priced units were sold. These items tend to contribute higher margins ....
TRUSERV ADS TOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE.
May 04, 1998; ... DALLAS--TruServ Corp.'s new advertising campaign, set to debut in late May, is designed to encourage the perception that it provides the best customer service among home improvement retailers.The True Stories campaign is based on -- what else? -- true stories. Stories about what ...
NO MORE WIRE HANGERS: THE ULTIMATE HANGER IS BUILT LIKE A SUSPENSION BRIDGE AND WORKS LIKE A CHARM.
May 04, 1998; ... CHICAGO-In an effort to gain recognition for his fledgling design firm, Beyond Design 2, Chicago designer Michael Prince entered a competition to design something out of recycled material.That was three years ago.Back then, Prince didn't have enough clients to support his ...
THE EVER POPULAR TOTE HOLDS IT ALL.
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--Walk into almost any American home and chances are you will find at least one plastic tote.Consumers use these plastic boxes, which range from about 18 to 50 gallons, to store everything from toys to summer clothing and sporting equipment. And although they've been ...
CASHING IN ON 'GROWING' CONSUMERS.
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--The miniature baby boom of the 1990s may lead to a boom for storage suppliers.Selfix was one of the first storage and organization suppliers to target juveniles, first introducing products for this group in 1993.Why? "We just looked at it from a [purely] ...
HARD TIMES FOR CORRUGATED STORAGE: RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS PREFER PLASTIC, BUT CARDBOARD HOLDS OUT.
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Whitney Design, a corrugated and vinyl storage manufacturer, had to make a decision about its future after acquiring laundry-care-product manufacturer Design Trend in 1996.Whitney, which was Whitney/Corr-Pak International before the acquisition, had moved its headquarters ...
TALKING, CIGAR IN MOUTH.
May 04, 1998 ... Polyconcept USA, a supplier of novelty electronics products, will ship to stores in May what will be arguably the first of its kind on the market: a combination telephone/humidor.The humidor is made of wood and chiseled aluminum, with a Spanish cedar lining. A hygrometer -- used to ...
ZELLERS TESTS COMPETING ANTI-THEFT TECHNOLOGIES.
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--Canadian discount store chain Zellers is beginning side-by-side testing of loss prevention systems from two vendors in the fiercely competitive arena of electronic article surveillance technology.Electronic article surveillance systems, which involve security devices ...
AIRSHOP 'CLONES' BEST SHOPPERS.
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--In a move to identify its most lucrative customers and then use that information to target mailings to a similar audience, Airshop, a catalog retailer based here, will employ data-mining technology to analyze lists of current and prospective customers."We're finding that ...
NOT TOO SHABBY CHIC.(Shabby Chic founder Rachel Ashwell)
May 04, 1998; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.--Last week, Rachel Ashwell got a little closer to realizing her dream of creating an entire Shabby Chic lifestyle.At her debut here at the International Home Furnishings Market, Ashwell introduced several new offerings, and presented plans for additional home lines ...
MILLIKEN'S VELVET GLOVE TREATMENT.
May 04, 1998; ... NEW UPHOLSTERY TAKES TEXTURED VELVET FROM A HANDS-OFF LUXURY TO A COMFORTABLE, LIVED-IN STYLEHIGH POINT, N.C.-Milliken Fabrics treated shoppers at last week's International Home Furnishings Market to all the accoutrements of a spa in celebration of its new line of soft, textured ...
BEDDING NO SLEEPER AT FURNITURE MARKET.
May 04, 1998; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.-Retailers and their customers are looking at the big picture -- and want to buy it. More and more, full bedding ensembles dressing beds at furniture stores are becoming part of the package sale."At the market, buyers want big-ticket sales -- the bed, bedding and ...
NOURISON TAPS INTO FURNITURE.
May 04, 1998; ... HIGH POINT N.C.- Nourison has joined the cross-merchandising revolution by adding a distinctive line of furniture to its extensive handmade rug offering.The handmade sofas, ottomans and chairs are an extension of Nourison's Court of Versailles licensing program and, at the ...
MOSTLY SMILES AT MARKET.(rug industry at trade shows)
May 04, 1998; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.-About 10 years ago, it was the rare rug supplier that participated in High Point markets.Then, as furniture stores began to expand into other home furnishings products including rugs, more and more rug manufacturers and importers made their way to this North ...
HAND-HOOKS HIT A HIGH POINT: NEW CONSTRUCTIONS PROPEL CATEGORY, MAKING IT A STAR AT MARKET.
May 04, 1998; ... HIGH POINT, N.C-With expanded constructions that have broadened its styling potential, hand-hooked rugs are a fast-growing category in the rug market.Import companies have extensive wool hooked lines featuring bright, colorful patterns, often with flowers, animals, and generally ...
POPCORN HAS FAITH IN FURNITURE.
May 04, 1998; ... FUTURIST WHO PREDICTED `COCOONING' AND THE COFFEE CRAZE PLANS LICENSING PROGRAMSNEW YORK--Look out boys: Faith Popcorn -- the futurist who predicted "cocooning" and the popularity of the utility vehicle -- is eyeing the furniture business.Popcorn is planning a major ...
NEW TWISTS IN THE BEDDING BUSINESS.
May 04, 1998; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.--Whether pocketed or contoured, encased or individual, one thing is certain: Marshall coils are all the rage among bedding manufacturers.At the recent International Home Furnishings Market here, companies such as Sealy, Kingsdown and Springwall were showing a ...
BACK TO BASICS: BEEMER TELLS RETAILERS HOW.(furniture industry)
May 04, 1998 ... HIGH POINT, N.C.-America's furniture retailers need to concentrate on the basics in order to attract consumers into their stores, according to Britt Beemer, the country's leading consumer research analyst in the furniture industry."Many retailers depend on clever new advertising ...
READY FOR THE EURO? BDO URGES FURNITURE COMPANIES TO ASSESS POTENTIAL IMPACT.
May 04, 1998; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.--Any U.S. furniture maker with a direct investment in a European subsidiary or joint venture, or more than 15 percent of its sales in Europe, should have a strategic plan in place to deal with the introduction of the euro.That was the message delivered by Anette ...
PHASEOUT OF FOURNIER NAME.
May 04, 1998 ... HIGH POINT, N.C.-Bush Industries -- which recently reported it had completed its acquisition of Fournier Furniture -- plans to gradually phase out the Fournier name."We will cycle it through," said Dave Messinger, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Bush, at the ...
UP, UP & AWAY FOR RTA.(ready-to-assemble furniture sales)
May 04, 1998; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.-RTA suppliers, basking in the phenomenal growth the category is experiencing, had much to be pleased about at the International Home Furnishings Market, here, last week."It's like somebody flipped a switch on Jan. 1, and everyone in the world wanted RTA," said Jeff ...
DIFFERENT STROKES: RTA MANUFACTURERS' ORIGINALLY STEALS THE SHOW.(ready-to-assemble furniture)
May 04, 1998; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.-While some furniture retailers shopping the International Home Furnishings Market, here, grumbled about the lack of originality in case goods, they could make no such claim regarding RTA."RTA has taken the lead in styling, ergonomics and pricing," said Jeff ...
RETAILERS LOOK FOR BRIGHT IDEAS TO HEAT SALES.
May 04, 1998; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.-During this market, new merchandise played second fiddle to new ideas. Retailers sought, more than ever, ways to drive their lighting and accessories business beyond the low-single-digit growth the industry has averaged over the past five years.Solutions ranged ...
BUILDING A BETTER BUSINESS: LINE EXTENSIONS ARE DESIGNED TO JUMP-START ESTABLISHED PATTERNS.(tableware industry)
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--Retailers looking to get more out of best-selling established patterns will have their hands full this season with new product introductions aimed at jump-starting sales of old favorites.The fresh additions are typically offered open stock, or gift boxed for the ...
TOWLE ADDS BONE CHINA DINNERWARE.(Towle Silversmiths)
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Towle Silversmiths is entering the bone china dinnerware market at the Spring Tabletop Show here with collections of sharply priced, yet classically designed, dinnerware."We're not trying to come in at a lower level and lower quality," explained Cheryl Balian, spokeswoman ...
GODINGER KEEPING PRICES LOW, MARGINS HIGH.(Godinger Silver Art Co.)
May 04, 1998 ... NEW YORK--Godinger Silver Art Co. is homing in on key giftware items, in both crystal and silver, for the critical fall selling season."Based on my meetings with major retailers, we believe the business this fall is going to be key-item driven, both the crystal and the silver ...
METAL MANIA AT NORITAKE.
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--Noritake is combining subtle details and textures in its new china offerings to tell a strong metal story.Silver Palace takes its direction from the platinum trend. The pattern retails at $142 a place setting. There's a coordinated accent salad plate, featuring a raised ...
TAKEOVERS HELP SOLIDIFY LIBBEY EARNINGS.
May 04, 1998; ... TOLEDO, Ohio--Libbey Inc., the largest producer of glass tableware in North America, reported a solid first quarter in sales and net income.For the quarter ended March 31, 1998, net income jumped 31.4 percent to $6.1 million, compared with $4.6 million during the same quarter in ...
WATERFORD UNLEASHES A FLOOD IN 3 COLLECTIONS.(Waterford Crystal, tableware)
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--Waterford Crystal has introduced a slew of new items in three of its collections: Waterford Classic, Marquis by Waterford and Crystal Jewels.Waterford Classic's successful Millennium series have been expanded to include the Prosperity pattern on toasting flutes, the ...
ONEIDA BRANCHES OUT BEYOND FLATWARE.
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--Oneida is no longer playing favorites.The company, which is the leading supplier of flatware, has placed as much emphasis on its crystal and dinnerware introductions as on its new flatware offerings.In all, six new stemware lines, one barware pattern, and more ...
HOT PRODUCTS HIT THE SHOW FLOOR.(tableware industry)
May 04, 1998; ... Integrated ObjectsDesigner Harry Gutfreund has introduced Integrated Table Objects, a collection of tabletop pieces with a micro-threaded satin finish in lustrous aluminum. The series consists of a large vase, candleholders, cream and sugar dispensers, salt and pepper shakers, ...
Precious Moments, Highgate Ink Pact.(Precious Moments' agreement with HighgateProducts to produce a line of scrapbooking kits)
May 04, 1998 ... Precious Moments has signed an agreement with Dallas-based Highgate Products to produce a line of scrapbooking kits, featuring artwork by artist Samuel J. Butcher.The new kit series will feature four-color printed theme pages, die-cut images ...
LENOX TELLS HOLIDAY STORY, SHOWS ITS MIXED METALS.(Lenox Brands)
May 04, 1998 ... NEW YORK--Lenox Brands is introducing a slew of holiday tableware and gift items at the Spring Tabletop Show here, in addition to expanding the company's core lines of china and crystal.In Lenox, the firm is expanding its Winter Greetings line, which was introduced last fall as a ...
STANHOME NOW ENESCO GROUP.
May 04, 1998 ... WESTFIELD, Mass.--Shareholders at Stanhome Inc. have approved a resolution authorizing the company to change its name to Enesco Group Inc.Enesco Group is a global designer and marketer of branded gifts and collectibles."Enesco is a world renowned and very highly regarded ...
CLEANING TOOLS THAT BREAK THE RULES.(Casabella by Kaminstein Imports)
May 04, 1998; ... BLAUVELT, N.Y.--Casabella by Kaminstein Imports has done the unusual -- the company has brought fashion to cleaning tools, and specialty retailers are moving them."The specialty store market can really sell a lot of volume," said Bruce Kaminstein, president, "We've grown with this ...
HOMEDICS WIDENS REACH.
May 04, 1998 ... MAJOR MASSAGER MAKER EYES RELAXATION ITEMS, THERAPEUTIC PRODUCTS FOR GROWTHKEEGO HARBOR, Mich.--Homedics is going through a bit of a growth spurt these days, from undertaking significant product and category expansions to strong promotional pushes.The company that is a ...
GOOD NEWS: RESIN PRICES FALL.(plastic storage market affected)
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--The good news is that resin prices are falling. The bad news is that one event could easily upset the fragile market for the commodity good, making the effects difficult to gauge for plastic storage vendors.These vendors have learned to go with the ups and downs of resins ...
ONSCREEN, ONLINE PUSH FOR HAIR REMOVAL.(products)
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--As the World Wide Web spins sales and television home shopping grows, new forms of selling hair removal products are taking root, say retailers and manufacturers.Advantages that electronic channels offer for the category range from more in-depth education about the ...
WILL BREADMAKER POTENTIAL PAN OUT?
May 04, 1998; ... PHOENIX--The world of small kitchen appliances is a tough one as vendors struggle to develop products that stand out in markets stalled at consumer saturation levels.The notable exception is in the bread machine category, where a new study has found that 30 million to 36 million ...
BLACK & DECKER SETTLES CPSC SUIT ON TOASTER RECALL.
May 04, 1998; ... BETHESDA, MD (FNS)--Black & Decker Inc. settled an administrative lawsuit filed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission charging that the Baltimore company failed to implement an effective recall of an under-the-counter toaster model that the government considered a fire hazard. ...
Regal Ware's Fraser Becomes CMA President.
May 04, 1998 ... Steve Fraser, executive VP at Regal Ware was named president of the Cookware Manufacturer's Association at the group's annual meeting, held at Amelia Island, Florida.Fraser, a 15-year veteran of the cookware industry, has been with Regal Ware since 1983 and has served in various ...
VITREX ALTERS TEAKETTLE IN SETTLEMENT.(Vitrex Gourmet Corp. to modify its Gourmet 2.5-quart teakettle, injunctive relief filed by Chantal Cookware Corp.)
May 04, 1998; ... HOUSTON--Vitrex Gourmet Corp. has agreed to modify its Gourmet 2.5-quart teakettle, after settling claims for injunctive relief filed against the company by Chantal Cookware Corp.Still, the settlement does not affect Chantal's remaining claims for monetary damages, and at press ...
TRUSERV FOCUSES ON WALL PAINT AS A COMPETITIVE STRATEGY.
May 04, 1998; ... DALLAS--With a mere 670 square feet of retail space, TruServ Corp. member retailers can feature updated TruServ Paint Centers in their stores.Gene O'Donnell, vice president of merchandising, advertising, manufacturing and inventory management of TruServ Corp., underscored that ...
AHAM FACES BIG CHANGES.
May 04, 1998; ... FORT MYERS, Fla.--The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers is undergoing a metamorphosis.AHAM's board voted here last week to move its offices to Washington within 18 months. Bob Holding, president these 16 years, will not relocate from Chicago, so a committee to seek a ...
MORE RETAILERS CARVING AN ID VIA SERVICES.
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK--Consumer-electronics retailers, in an effort to differentiate themselves from their competitors, are offering a wider range of services than ever before.It's the services, retailers say, that can help a chain stand out in a consumer's mind, and help turn a one-time ...
ROSY COLOR-TV NUMBERS MASK CONCERNS.
May 04, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Record low levels of inventory and eroding profits are ingrained problems that threaten to undermine the stability of the color-television business.That was the message delivered by Steve Nickerson, vice president of marketing for Toshiba, at a press conference here last ...
Holdout Paramount Embraces DVD Format.(digital video disc)
May 04, 1998 ... Paramount will offer titles on DVD. Information on titles, pricing and availability was not available.Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is now the ...
SBCA Launches Retail Certification Program.(Satellite Broadcasting & Communications Association's certification program for retailers)
May 04, 1998 ... The Satellite Broadcasting & Communications Association (SBCA) will launch a certification program for retailers at the group's July convention.The program will offer certification in five areas: installation and integration, ...
Third Wow! Store Due.(The Good Guys! and Tower Records to open WOW! Multimedia Superstore)
May 04, 1998 ... The Good Guys! and Tower Records will open their third WOW! Multimedia Superstore later this month.The Glendale, Cal., store will feature "Expo" rooms ...
MESSAGE AT AHAM: DARE TO BE DIFFERENT.
May 04, 1998 ... FORT MYERS, Fla.--For a successful industry enjoying record sales, major-appliance makers still indulge in substantial hand-wringing over image and consumer satisfaction and cost controls.Facets of these broad topics were prominent on the agenda at the Association of Home Appliance ...
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REBOUNDS.(in April 1998)
May 04, 1998; ... WASHINGTON (FNS)--Consumer confidence bounced back in April to near record levels as Americans reaffirmed their faith in the economy.According to the Conference Board, which released the monthly index last week, consumer confidence rose to 136.7 points in April from 133.8 in March ....
ROBERDS SEES HOPEFUL SIGNS AMID LOSSES.
May 04, 1998 ... Roberds Inc. reported that sales for the first quarter ended March 31, 1998, were $78.5 million, down 5.4 percent from last year's $83.2 million. The company's net loss widened to $1.972 million compared with a net loss of $145,000 in the comparable year period.First-quarter ...
BEST APRIL IN 4 YEARS: RETAIL SALES SOAR, CAPPING ROBUST QTR.
May 11, 1998; ... NEW YORK-An Easter calendar shift coupled with consumers' continued rosy outlook on the economy propelled same-store retail sales to their highest gains in four years.Sales at stores open at least one year rose 10.2 percent in April from the year-ago period, according to the ...