HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network back issues from June 1998:
HOME DEPOT SOLIDIFIES CORE AS IT EXPANDS.
Jun 01, 1998; ... ATLANTA (FNS)-Arthur Blank, the president and CEO of The Home Depot, said the retailer plans to enter new markets and product categories even while distancing itself from competitors within its core home improvement business."We're looking at a number of categories for ...
HOME GOODS GET TOP SHELF IN FEDCO'S MAJOR REDESIGN.
Jun 01, 1998; ... SANTA FE SPRINGS, Cal.-Fedco Inc. is planning a major upgrade of its home furnishings business as it embarks on a $22 million makeover of its 10 membership stores in Southern California.The mass merchandise retailer will remodel and redesign each of its stores, beginning with the ...
WAL-MART, TARGET TO STOCK DVD.(digital video disc, Target Stores)
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Wal-Mart and Target are preparing to carry DVD players and software in their stores, sources said.Target reportedly will stock DVD products this month, and is expected to offer from three to five models and 4 to 8 feet of software.Wal-Mart will stock hardware and ...
May Department Stores Banking on Home Goods.
Jun 01, 1998 ... The home furnishings business is "very strong" and is contributing to what should be a good year for the May Department Stores Co., president and CEO Gene S. Kahn told HFN after the annual shareholders meeting.Kahn, who took the May Co. helm from David C. Farrell earlier this ...
Kohl's Accelerates Plans To Expand Store Count.
Jun 01, 1998 ... Kohl's Corp. is speeding up its expansion plans, aiming to have 300 stores by the end of 2000, with sales of $5 billion."We'll step up store openings from 32 last year and this year to between 40 and 45 in each of the next two years," William S. Kellogg, chairman and CEO, said at ...
Relax The Back Chain Acquires BackSaver.
Jun 01, 1998 ... Back-care specialty retailer Relax the Back has acquired supplier BackSaver Products Co., moving closer to its goal of a half billion in sales by the millennium.The acquisition of Holliston, Mass.-based BackSaver, a $20 million manufacturer and distributor of back care and ...
MAY APPOINTS CLARKE PRESIDENT OF LORD & TAYLOR.(Donald R. Clarke, May Department Stores)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 1998 ... The May Department Stores Co. named Don R. Clarke president of its Lord & Taylor unit. Clarke succeeds Ronald F ....
LIVEITALIAN COMES ALIVE IN NEW YORK.(home furnishings exhibition)
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-LiveItalian, a sneak peek of this fall's elite cross-category home furnishings fair Abitare Il Tempo in Verona, Italy, appeared for the first time in the U.S. from May 15 to 31 at Cristina Modern Millennium Home Furnishings in SoHo.With more than 1,200 attendees and 35 ...
GARDEN RIDGE BLOOMS BY KNOWING ITS CUSTOMER.
Jun 01, 1998; ... LEWISVILLE, Texas-Garden Ridge president and CEO Jack Lewis hit the nail on the head in describing the typical customer who shops this 125,000-square-foot store here.The home decor and crafts superstore, located in a power strip mall in this Dallas suburb, draws a loyal crowd. One ...
FOR KMART, SUCCESS MEANS DOING LITTLE THINGS WELL.
Jun 01, 1998; ... DETROIT-Retailers can talk all day about the desire to lower SG&A costs or the importance of maximizing GMROI, arcane terminology that speaks to bottom-line retailing.And yet, to the retail customer, it's the little things that define a retailer's worth.Even when that ...
HOME AND GARDEN PARTIES HIGHLIGHT HIGH DESIGN: B&B BRINGS A FLAIR FOR FURNISHINGS.(B and B Italia)
Jun 01, 1998; ... Manhattan's contemporary furniture elite turned out in force to celebrate with B&B Italia. The firm was highlighting several new designs it had previewed at the recent Milan Furniture Fair. Signs that function and ...
BLOOMIE'S NEW SITE TOUTS MORE FASHION, STORE PERKS.(World Wide Web)
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Bloomingdale's launched a new version of its Web site last month, giving its fashion items more exposure and enhancing its electronic presence with services that were previously available only in its stores.While the site, located at www.bloomingdales.com, continues to ...
REI MELDS VIRTUAL REALITY WITH THE REAL.
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Outdoor apparel retailer REI plans to complete a full rollout of in-store computer kiosks linked to the Internet next week. This will effectively bring its online "cyberstore" into the physical retail space.The Seattle-based company, with 50 stores and a mail order ...
COTTON TO SPEND $35 MILLION.(on advertising)
Jun 01, 1998 ... NEW TV CAMPAIGN TOUCHES LIVES BOTH YOUNG AND OLDNEW YORK-Home textiles make their debut in Cotton Inc.'s award-winning The Fabric of Our Lives television advertising campaign, which has been updated with four new commercials scheduled to begin airing in September. ...
CROWN CRAFTS SIGNS CALVIN KLEIN.(Crown Crafts Inc.)
Jun 01, 1998 ... NEW YORK-It's a done deal.Crown Crafts Inc., as HFN reported last week, has picked up the Calvin Klein Home license previously held by DHA Home, Inc.Last Tuesday, in separate releases, Crown Crafts and Calvin Klein reported that they have entered into a long-term ...
BABY GROWS UP: RETAILERS EVALUATE BOOMING BEDDING OPPORTUNITIES.
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-As the infant bedding market advances beyond its first baby steps, retailers are experiencing a few growing pains.It's all about location. With some retailers displaying bedding in the home textiles department, and others in the infants' apparel section, department store ...
CROWN TO EXPAND DISNEY LINES.(Crown Crafts)
Jun 01, 1998 ... ATLANTA-Crown Crafts Inc. plans to expand its line of licensed Walt Disney Co. products through an agreement with Disney Enterprises Inc.Crown Crafts said it will develop throws and other textile home decoration items using characters from Disney animated films and videos including ...
WAVERLY SHOWS THE INS AND OUTS OF SUNBRELLA.(indoor and outdoor fabric)
Jun 01, 1998 ... NEW YORK-Waverly has introduced an exclusive collection of Sunbrella indoor and outdoor fabrics.The line consists of a group of Waverly patterns that are printed on Sunbrella base cloths, which are woven of 100 percent acrylic. Sunbrella fabrics will not fade or wash out, even ...
HOME MARKET GOES AU NATURAL.(textile fabrics)
Jun 01, 1998; ... It's the best of times for natural fiber producers, as textile manufacturers bring a number of firsts to the market this year.Hemp's BackFor the first time in 50 years, hemp fabric is being woven in America.In April, American Hemp Mills, a division of Hemp ...
RETAILERS MARKET JERSEY SHEETS AS SOFT AND COMFY: SPRING ADS, CIRCULARS AND CATALOGS SING THE PRAISES OF KNITTED COTTONS.
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-The prices and origins of knitted sheets may differ, but one thing remains the same: Smart merchandisers talk about the comfort, softness and T-shirt-like appeal of jersey sheets.Knitted cotton sheets were a largely advertised item in spring catalogs and ad slicks, ...
TEXTILE IMPORTS MAKE DRAMATIC LEAP. (Commerce Dept.'s report)
Jun 01, 1998; ... WASHINGTON (FNS)-U.S. imports of textiles and apparel soared 25.2 percent in March, powered by a renewed surge in sourcing from the Far East and continued strength of makers in Mexico and Canada.Much higher shipments here of home furnishing textiles -- mainly from Asian and ...
GARDEN RIDGE: PILLOW DESTINATION.(marketing home furnishings)
Jun 01, 1998; ... HOUSTON-Garden Ridge, a mega home decor and crafts retailer based here, is building its home textiles reputation on seasonal colors and a strong decorative pillow program.Home textiles carried at the retailer's 22 stores include kitchen and table linens, throws, promotional ...
CROWN CRAFTS' FOURTH QUARTER PROFITS DOWN ON HIGHER SALES.
Jun 01, 1998 ... Crown Crafts, the Atlanta-based home fashions supplier, posted disappointing profits for the fourth quarter, ended March 29, 1998.Net income was $79,000, compared to $1.62 million for the same period in 1997.Sales for the fourth quarter increased to $77.2 million from ...
PENNEY LAUNCHES GRANDPARENT PROGRAM.(J.C. Penney)
Jun 01, 1998 ... J.C. Penney's Grandparents' Club, Penneys from Heaven, invites grandparents to register at any Penney's retail store in the country and receive a bar-coded ...
KARASTAN ENTERS BATH AT BLOOMIE'S.(bath rugs)
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-One of the floor covering industry's premier suppliers is the home textiles industry's best-kept secret. With little pomp and circumstance, Karastan, a supplier of broadloom, area and Oriental rugs, entered the home textiles department at Bloomingdale's with a line of bath rugs ...
INDIAN HAND-TUFTED RUGS TEMPTING IN LOOK AND PRICE.
Jun 01, 1998 ... NEW YORK-Improvements in the quality and design of hand-tufted rugs from India are giving new life to the category -- and giving handknotted rugs some serious competition for retail space and consumers' dollars.While the rug connoisseur still may gravitate to handknotted rugs, a ...
FIRST, GET THEIR ATTENTION.(selling floor coverings)
Jun 01, 1998 ... ANAHEIM, Cal.-It's not the mix or the price that's the big problem for floor covering specialty stores. It's getting customers into the stores. But there are ways to create traffic.That's what was determined by the third phase of market research sponsored by the World Floor ...
EINSTEIN-MOOMJY FURNITURE: THE RISK PAYS OFF, BIG-TIME-- A NEW FLAGSHIP PROMPTS SOME CREATIVE CHANGES.
Jun 01, 1998; ... PARAMUS, N.J.-When Einstein-Moomjy decided to add furniture to its traditional line of carpet and rugs about a year and a half ago, it set out to create a one-of-a-kind shopping experience that would complement and enhance its carpet and rug business.Partner Walter Moomjy is ...
Sears Expands Home Services with Carpet Cleaning.
Jun 01, 1998 ... Sears Roebuck & Co. has acquired its largest carpet-cleaning licensee, Continental Carpet Cleaning Inc., based in Columbus, Ohio; renamed the firm Sears Carpet & Upholstery Care; and made it part of Sears Home Services.Financial terms of the acquisition, completed May 15, were not ...
Chicchinelli Retail President at Maxim.(David Chicchinelli)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 1998 ... David Chicchinelli has been named president of The Maxim Group's retail group, which includes CarpetMax and GCO Outlets.Chicchinelli has been a director of Maxim since October 1997. He was ...
Stark Expands New York Showroom.(Stark Carpet)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 1998 ... Stark Carpet and Old World Weavers have expanded their showroom space in New York's D&D Building. Stark has added 12,000 square feet for a total of 40,000 square feet to showcase textiles from Old World Weavers ...
Peerless First-Quarter Sales Freeze.(Peerless Carpet)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 1998 ... Peerless Carpet's first-quarter sales were caught in the ice storm that devastated parts of Quebec and Ontario last winter.Sales for the quarter ended March 31 were $40 million, down 17 ...
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL...FURNITURE BUSINESS HAILS UNPRECEDENTED FIRST HALF, SEES MORE OF THE SAME.
Jun 01, 1998; ... HIGH POINT, N.C.-After a heady first six months, furniture executives are looking to the remainder of the year with optimism, while keeping a watchful eye on interest rates and turmoil in the Far East.Although the furniture industry has languished for a period of approximately five ...
FUTON EXPO EXHIBITORS PUSH SLEEP ENVELOPE: SUPPLIERS OFFER MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS FOR DIVERSE LIFESTYLES.
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW ORLEANS-In the home furnishings industry, futons are technically classified as mattresses.This, however, didn't seem to discourage manufacturers from broadening their horizons at the recent Futon Expo here.From Mission-style chairs with leather covers to hemp ...
AFMA SETS INVEST IN THE FUTURE EXTRAVAGANZA.(American Furniture Manufacturers Association)
Jun 01, 1998 ... The American Furniture Manufacturers Association (AFMA) will hold its 1998 annual meeting, "Invest in the Future," June 11 to 13 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.Programs to be presented in the educational sessions will focus on topics of interest to financial executives, said AFMA ...
FEDCO PICKS AMERICAN PLACEMENT FOR S. CAL.(to deliver furniture and major appliances)
Jun 01, 1998 ... Fedco Inc. has selected American Placement Co., of Norwalk, Cal., to deliver furniture and major appliances to its member customers in the greater Los Angeles and San Diego areas.The move, one of a series of improvements implemented by Fedco's new management, was necessitated by a ...
EAGLE, HARDEN SIGN LEASES IN THE BIG D.(Eagle Industries, Harden Manufacturer)
Jun 01, 1998 ... Eagle Industries of Bowling Green, Ky., and Harden Mfg. of Haleyville, Ala., have signed leases for showrooms in the Dallas World Trade Center.Eagle Industries, specializing in oak case goods, will open a 10,000-square-foot showroom in Room 676 of the World Trade Center. The ...
MAY BUYING INDEX JUMPS; SO SHOULD SUMMER SALES.(America's Research Group survey on furniture buying)
Jun 01, 1998 ... CHARLESTON, S.C.-The National Furniture Buying Index vaulted five points in May to 80, the highest mark recorded in the past several years, indicating a strong summer selling season is just about to start."Just in time for summer, furniture retailers should see solid sales ...
BUSH, SAUDER MOVE TO MART.(Bush Furniture, Sauder Woodworking)
Jun 01, 1998; ... CHICAGO-This year Bush Furniture and Sauder Woodworking will showcase products in permanent showrooms at the NeoCon/BPIA Furniture show here, June 8 through 10.Bush's showroom is about 5,000 square feet and Sauder's is 3,000 square feet.The showrooms are located in the ...
BREAKING THE SOUND BARRIER.(home theater)
Jun 01, 1998; ... PANAMA CITY, Fla.-Consumers' strong fondness for home theater is prompting some suppliers to offer products that provide an even more immersive experience than simply watching and listening to a movie.One, BSG Laboratories, plans to introduce sometime this summer the Intensor, a ...
HOME THEATER SEES SURGE IN SALES.(Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association)
Jun 01, 1998 ... ARLINGTON, Va.-The first quarter of 1998 was the best quarter ever for sales of video hardware for home theaters, according to the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association, which predicts 1.8 million households will buy a home theater system this year.Sales to dealers of home ...
SWEET-SCENTED FRENCH MERGER.(Lampe Berger acquires Point a la Ligne)
Jun 01, 1998 ... HIGHLAND PARK, N.J.-Lampe Berger, maker of room fragrance lamps, has purchased French designer candlemaker Point a la Ligne. The purchase strengthens Lampe Berger's position in the home fragrance, home decor and gift arenas.Both companies are privately held, based in France and do ...
MARTINI LAMP WITH OLIVE.(from LumiSource Inc.)
Jun 01, 1998 ... ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill.-So, do you take yours shaken or stirred?For those who look forward to relaxing with a martini at home, there's a new home decor item that fits the bill.The Martini Lamp, a soothing accent lamp in the form of an oversized martini, is the latest ...
GARDEN RIDGE: TREND-RIGHT HOME DECOR AT SHARP PRICES.
Jun 01, 1998; ... HOUSTON-The home decor business is alive and well at Garden Ridge, the growing specialty chain based here.Home accents, silk florals, pottery, crafts, candles and scents, baskets, pictures and frames, party supplies and holiday decorations are among the store's "category killer" ...
UNITED DESIGN, ARTIST UNVEIL 130 OLD WORLD LOOKS FOR THE GARDEN.
Jun 01, 1998 ... NOBLE, Okla.-United Design and renowned artist Hayes Parker have teamed up to bring designer garden accessories to the market.The company has unveiled 130 pieces done by the artist, including new designs and classic Hayes Parker designs. They include pots, wall sculpture, planters, ...
WEDGWOOD BRAND HITS LAMPS: FINE CHINA SUPPLIER UNVEILS CLASSICAL PATTERNS ADAPTED FROM 18TH CENTURY ORIGINALS.
Jun 01, 1998; ... WALL, N.J.- Wedgwood, a leading supplier of fine china, has entered the lamp business with 11 elegant styles of known Wedgwood patterns.The collection is being marketed by Waterford Wedgwood USA, which sells Waterford Crystal lamps to department and furniture stores, specialty ...
LPI REDESIGNS CLOCKS AND GIFTS.(License Products Inc.)
Jun 01, 1998 ... NEW BERLIN, Wis.-License Products, Inc. (LPI), a designer and maker of clocks, gifts and decorative accessories for the home and office, has unveiled several contemporary and traditional designs that will hit retail shelves beginning this month.Clocks in the casual and contemporary ...
SECRET SHOPPER HITS THE BABY REGISTRY.
Jun 01, 1998 ... NEW YORK-Retailers are targeting their gift registries to more than just the bride.Baby has taken center stage as retailers aim to cash in on a consumer who instinctively wants the best for her baby.With an estimated 40 percent births in the U.S. each year to first time ...
PUTTING ON A FRESH FACE: LENOX VOWS TO MAKE UPSTAIRS DINNERWARE MORE APPROACHABLE.
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Tabletop leader Lenox Brands aims to take the mystery out of upstairs tableware.Although the chief executive officer and president of its parent company Lenox Inc., Richard Stearns, will exit the firm later this month, Lenox Brands' new president, Lou Scala, is moving full ...
FETCO, UNDER NEW TEAM, COVETS MORE TERRITORY.
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Fetco aims to garner additional market share on the heels of its being acquired last month by New England Partners and Fetco's management team.The company, with an estimated $45 million to $50 million in sales, is the number-two supplier of better photo frames to ...
FEAR OF FLATWARE? YAMAZAKI GIVES BRIDES WAY OUT.
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Yamazaki doesn't expect all brides to take the words "until death do us part" seriously. At least not when it comes to flatware.The flatware supplier will launch a new bridal program this summer which gives the consumer permission to change her mind, and her flatware in ...
CORNING CONSUMER UNIT TAPS REILLY FOR SALES VP.(Terrence Reilly)
Jun 01, 1998 ... CORNING, N.Y.-Corning Consumer Products Co. has appointed Terrence Reilly to the position of vice president of sales for North America.Reilly is responsible for developing and leading North American sales strategy and for managing a nationwide sales force.He reports to ...
SUPPLIERS SHOW COMPLETE COORDINATES.(tableware)
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Coordination is key in offering the consumer a complete table.Whether they offer open stock or boxed set programs, housewares dinnerware suppliers have caught on -- and are aiming to cash in -- on the trend to provide coordinated better lines to all classes of retail ...
WATER WALL MAKES THE SALE: VENDORS LAUD TARGET'S CONSUMER EDUCATION ON FILTRATION.(Target Stores)
Jun 01, 1998; ... MENLO PARK, N.J.-Target Stores' Water Wall, where it merchandises its water filtration products, has helped it become a leader in consumer education, according to vendors. Point-of-sale materials focus consumers on the features and benefits of the products.However, the vendors ...
HOOVER TAKES BISSELL TO COURT: TWO SEPARATE LAWSUITS CLAIM PATENT INFRINGEMENT.
Jun 01, 1998; ... NORTH CANTON, Ohio-The Hoover Co., the leading supplier in the floor care industry, filed two lawsuits last month against Bissell Inc., alleging patent infringement on features of its extractor and upright vacuum models.Keith Minton, president of Hoover, said the company is ...
REWIRED FOR FLOOR CARE: CIRCUIT CITY SAID TO BE A GROWING FORCE IN THE CATEGORY.
Jun 01, 1998; ... RICHMOND, Va.-In a floor care retail world dominated by Sears, Montgomery Ward and mass merchants, Circuit City is carving its own niche.Vacuums, along with other major appliances such as stoves and microwaves, were added as part of the 49-year-old retailer's strategy to offset ...
KITCHENART'S NEW PRODUCT PROMO.
Jun 01, 1998; ... FLORENCE, Ala.-Vendors are gearing up for fourth-quarter sales with promotions to retailers and consumers.KitchenArt, a division of Robbins Industries, is promoting the introduction of its Select-a-Spice Auto-Measure Carousel with an unusual guarantee to retailers: If all the ...
HAIR DRYERS STRIP DOWN, HEAT UP.
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Winds of change are blowing in the hair dryer category, and they portend stronger sales, say retailers and manufacturers.With an emerging middle price point, more fashion elements and new technology, this year, the category may get the booster shot it needs to help move ...
BREAKING BREAD.(Bread Machine Industry Association markets its bread machines)
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-The Bread Machine Industry Association will host its second annual open house product preview and tasting for the media June 17, right before the group's annual meeting here June 18.The media event is designed to garner consumer press for the bread machine category, and ...
VACUUM SHIPMENTS ON A ROLL.
Jun 01, 1998; ... NORTH CANTON, Ohio-Vacuum cleaner unit shipments increased over last year's for the second straight month, according to the Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers Association (VCMA).March shipments of upright, canister and stick vacuum cleaners increased 6.8 percent to 1,285,593 units ...
RETAILERS MOPPING UP WITH CLEANING TOOLS.
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Sales of stick goods and small wares, otherwise known as cleaning tools, rose sharply in 1997 as new channels of distribution opened their doors.Retail sales increased 16.4 percent to $702.30 million, compared with $603.25 million in 1996.Last year's phenomenal ...
NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR CAPRESSO, OXO.
Jun 01, 1998 ... CLOSTER, N.J.-Capresso, a coffeemaker manufacturer, and the gadget maker OXO International have both moved to larger headquarters.Both companies cited the need to support expanding sales as reasons for the relocation.Capresso's new address, 81 Ruckman Road in Closter, ...
GRILL SALES SIZZLE UPSCALE: FORTUNOFF, WEBER CELEBRATE MARKET BOOM AT H&G BARBECUE.
Jun 01, 1998; ... NEW YORK-Backyard barbecues are becoming as hot as garden-inspired decorative accessories in the outdoor "rooms" of status-conscious consumers.In both cooking and decorating, the trend crosses all incomes and retail formats, catapulted by the consumer's preoccupation with a new ...
BACCARAT JOINS DECORATIVE, BATH HARDWARE.
Jun 01, 1998; ... SAN LEANDRO, Cal.-Baccarat, the high-end crystal supplier, has entered the decorative hardware and bath accessories business with a premium line made by a division of Kohler Co.The luxurious Baccarat Bambous faucets and accessories collection is manufactured by Kallista, a leading ...
MOTOROLA AIMS PORTABLE 2-WAY RADIO AT MASS RETAILERS: WAL-MART AND TARGET TESTING WALKIE-TALKIE-LIKE PRODUCTS.
Jun 01, 1998; ... DALLAS-Motorola has begun targeting mass retailers with its TalkAbout portable two-way radio, a product that up until recently had been available only through consumer electronics and sporting goods stores.Motorola, which displayed its line of TalkAbout products at the ...