HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network back issues from June 2007:
Et tu, Bed Bath? Home slide hits even the biggest boxer.(news)
Jun 11, 2007; ... UNION, N.J. -- Even the mighty Bed Bath & Beyond has fallen victim to slowing home sales as the retailer revised its quarterly sales downward for the first time in its history. Bed Bath & Beyond last week said it expects same-store sales for the first quarter, which ended June ...
The great factory certification debate.(news)
Jun 11, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- As retailers grow their private-label assortments, merchants are increasingly taking into their own hands the process of approving vendors' factories. Suppliers are scrambling to meet merchants' stringent--and at times inconsistent-certification standards, vendors said. ...
A look ahead.(home page)
Jun 11, 2007 ... The Consumer Price Index for May will be released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on June 15. The International Gift & Home Accessories Market and the Dallas ...
A look back.(home page)
Jun 11, 2007 ... Sixty-six years ago this week, HFN's predecessor Retailing reported that thousands of men, women and children in Madison, Wis., and Richmond, Va., collected their aluminum pots, pans, utensils and any other household items containing aluminum, and dumped them onto empty corner lots. The ...
Mediums.(home page)
Jun 11, 2007 ... "The Way We Live in the City" By Stafford Cliff and Gilles De Chabaneix Rizzoli New York, $39.95 Examining lifestyle and design solutions, "The Way We Live in the City" shows how to ...
The HFN stock index.(home page)
Jun 11, 2007 ... Manufacturers weighed down the HFN Index for the May 31 to June 6 period, declining 1.58 percent. Natuzzi SpA led losers with a 7.95 percent decline to $7.18. Retailers sunk 1.28 percent for the period. The Bombay Co., which led retail gainers during the ...
Umbra opens hometown home in Toronto.(news)
Jun 11, 2007; ... TORONTO, Canada -- There's no place like home for Umbra. The company, long known for its broad and eclectic product line of contemporary furnishings and accessories, opened its first store ever, doing it here in its hometown, providing a 7,000-square-foot showcase for its home ...
Pacific Rim assets purchased; seven split Atlanta showroom.(news)
Jun 11, 2007; ... BOGART, Ga. -- Burton + Burton, a supplier of balloons and coordinating gifts, has acquired at auction Pacific Rim's customer list, trademark and the domain name for the Web site pacificrimcorp.com. "We have similar product lines, and their customers are similar to ours, so we ...
May retail sales experience rebound after April decline.(news)
Jun 11, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Home furnishings retailers recorded modest May same-store sales gains in the wake of an April decline--the first such in just over four years. Retailers tracked by HFN had a 1.8 percent total average May same-store sales increase. Among the 20 retailers, five ...
Trade show calendar.(Calendar)
Jun 11, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] june 11-13 Off-Price Specialist Show Las Vegas Hilton Las Vegas (262) 782-1600 offpriceshow.com 11-13 NeoCon The Merchandise Mart Chicago (800) ...
Boontje jumping.(trends)
Jun 11, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- You may not recognize the name--you may not even be able to pronounce it--but if you've spent any time on the cutting edge of home furnishings design recently, you will most certainly recognize the look. Dutch-born Tord Boontje is poised to become a major influence ...
Home Depot, Lowe's is making you sorrier.(opinions)
Jun 11, 2007; ... Just as Nero was caught fiddling while Rome was burning, The Home Depot had better stop fiddling around with its apologies to shareholders for its business meltdown and last year's nightmare of an annual meeting. All of these problems have been attributed to ex-CEO Robert Nardelli and were ...
As the Wal turns.(home alone 2)
Jun 11, 2007; ... Return with us once again folks to the restful respite of Retailand, U.S.A., where all manner of stores are doing all manner of activities in the pursuit of the all-mighty consumer and her even all-mightier dollar. The continuing storylines in this soap opera are compelling, ...
Show and tell: HFN maps out the second half of this year's trade show season.(top story/second-half trade show preview)
Jun 11, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HFN Staff Report Reflecting the home furnishings and retail industries they serve, trade shows are constantly evolving. Apparently, the evolution process is moving more swiftly than usual as HFN's Second-Half Trade Show Preview is ...
Ankasa takes a bite of the Big Apple: the company, known for its intricate, hand-embroidered textiles, has chosen New York for its first retail boutique.(the markets: textiles)
Jun 11, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- In the 10 years since husband and wife Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia started their home textiles company Ankasa, the brand has become well-known for producing intricately ...
Seminar outlines the change in China.(the markets: textiles)
Jun 11, 2007; ... ORLANDO, Fla. -- China's home textiles market is changing rapidly, according to a seminar titled "Global Home Textiles: Focus on China," which was held at the recent Global Home Textiles show. Chen Zhirong, a senior analyst for the Beijing-based China Chamber of Commerce for ...
Eileen Fisher embraces color.(the markets: textiles)
Jun 11, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Eileen Fisher Home by Garnet Hill is offering up a muted, mix-and-match collection of spicy solid colors for fall. It's a noticeable departure from the palette of its last collection, where neutrals and soft, pastellike shades ruled ....
Rizzy Rugs in expansion mode: the company has moved to a new facility that more than doubles its prior location.(the markets: floor covering)
Jun 11, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CALHOUN, Ga. -- Less than one mile from its original warehouse and distribution center, Rizzy Rugs has moved into a new facility that more than doubles the size of its former location and leaves room for further ...
Mohawk creates system to simplify decision-making.(the markets: floor covering)
Jun 11, 2007 ... DALTON, Ga. -- Mohawk has created a new merchandising system--Mohawk EasyChoice--designed specifically to avert one of the biggest obstacles in carpet buying: confusion. The company's research showed that 30 to 40 percent of women who walk into a floor covering store poised to ...
Shaw gets upfront with green message.(the markets: floor covering)
Jun 11, 2007; ... DALTON, Ga. -- New point-of-sale materials from Shaw have been developed to convey to consumers the environmental benefits of many of the company's new products. In-store kiosks and hanging signs are among the materials created to illustrate how Shaw's Anso nylon and other Nylon 6 carpets ...
Carpet One rolls out latest effort in the fight against breast cancer, hits the small screen.(the markets: floor covering)
Jun 11, 2007; ... MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Carpet One Floor & Home has kicked off its fourth year of raising funds for the fight against breast cancer with new designs for its series of pink-ribbon welcome mats. The spring 2007 Carpet One Welcomes Your Support Campaign Hill continue through the end of this ...
Homefires' pet project.(the markets: floor covering)
Jun 11, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Artist Sara England Is the latest to join the ranks at Homefires with her first designs appearing In summertime styles for the Carefree Collection. Surf Puppy and Kool ...
Haute lights: Elk Lighting's new Trump Home collection is making its debut at Dallas Market.(the markets: furniture & lighting)
Jun 11, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DALLAS -- Elk Lighting will unveil the Trump Home lighting collection at the International Lighting and Accessories Market, which opens here next week. With two distinct families of fixtures, the collection aims to enable consumers to recreate ...
Tempur-Pedic's 'Welcome to Bed' campaign links sleep, wellness.(the markets: furniture & lighting)
Jun 11, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Tempur-Pedic is going all out in a new marketing campaign focused on the benefits of a good night's sleep and how the company's mattresses provide just that. Revolving around the tagline "Welcome to Bed," the campaign is an integrated effort featuring advertising on ...
Lighting One convention now slated for November.(the markets: furniture & lighting)
Jun 11, 2007 ... ST. LOUIS -- Lighting One will hold its annual convention at the Glendale Renaissance Hotel in Glendale, Ariz., from Nov. 1 to 4. It's the first time the convention doesn't overlap with the January Dallas Lighting Market. "With the size of our company, we felt we've grown and ...
Savoy House Lighting.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
Jun 11, 2007 ... SAVOY HOUSE LIGHTING has appointed Sam Guye to the new post of vice president and general manager, responsible for the day-to-day operations at the company. He will assume some duties from ...
Satco.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
Jun 11, 2007 ... SATCO has named Kirsten Murray to the newly created position of energy efficiency programs manager, responsible for working with Energy Star, public utilities and retailers on education and program ...
Pacific Coast Lighting.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
Jun 11, 2007 ... PACIFIC COAST LIGHTING named Josh Hong as project director, a new position involving home accessories and lighting design. He will also do design work for the Kathy Ireland Home, Cabana Joe's and Dick Idol brands, as well as custom retail projects. Hong spent seven years as creative ...
Adesso.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
Jun 11, 2007 ... ADESSO has partnered with Straight From the Crate, a Manhattan-based specialty retail chain, to launch a Web site, Adessosfc.com, dedicated to promoting Adesso's lighting, furniture and accessories sold through Straight From the Crate ...
Casablanca Fan Co.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
Jun 11, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CASABLANCA FAN CO. has appointed Suzanne Villegas as product manager. She has 13 years experience in developing ...
W.A.C. Lighting.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
Jun 11, 2007 ... W.A.C. LIGHTING has appointed Chris Johnston to Western regional sales manager, responsible for overseeing sales in all states west of the Mississippi River, as well as Mexico and Central America. Johnston, who works from W.A.C.'s distribution ...
The dangerous dating game.(opinions)
Jun 11, 2007; ... The lighting industry is flirting with danger in a dating game that could go seriously awry. The competitive pressures of today's economy coupled with the housing slowdown have compelled companies to resort to desperate measures to drive business. Lighting fixture ...
Designing women: media maven Cristina Saralegui.(the markets: tabletop)
Jun 11, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Cristina Saralegui, a force in Hispanic media whose influence is spilling into mainstream outlets, is expanding into tabletop her exclusive Casa Cristina collection for Kohl's. Considering it a natural progression from her textiles ...
Designing women: celebrity caterer Serena Bass.(the markets: tabletop)
Jun 11, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- For all the famous elbows she has rubbed, caterer and award-winning cookbook author Serena Bass is as down-to-earth as they come. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Celebrities, after all, are "just everyday people who ...
New marketing plan in store for aroma naturals line.(the markets: tabletop)
Jun 11, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- The green movement has reached the candle industry, a fact that places Yankee Candle in good stead thanks to its Aroma Naturals line. In 2005, Yankee acquired Aroma Naturals, an Irvine, Calif.-based company that specializes in aromatherapy products, after noting the ...
Glassware makers: packaging needs punch.(the markets: tabletop)
Jun 11, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Inside, it may be crystal-clear, but outside, the packaging for stemware and drinkware must be catchy to help make the sale at retail. More than a box to prevent breakage, packaging has to convey the company's message, appeal to the target customer and be attractive ...
Mesa International sold to equity firm.(the markets: tabletop)
Jun 11, 2007 ... WARNER, N.H. -- Mesa International, a tabletop and home decor company, has been sold to a private-equity group based in Boylston, Mass. The equity group is an informal group of individuals that invests in small, private companies, according to Craig Stevens, who often takes the ...
Goring named new chairman at Villeroy.(the markets: tabletop)
Jun 11, 2007 ... METTLACH, Germany -- Wendelin von Boch, chairman of the board of Villeroy & Boch, has retired after 40 years with the company. Von Boch was succeeded by Frank Goring on June 1. Von Boch has become a supervisory board member. Goring joined Villeroy in 1997 as marketing ...
Pueblo Indian pottery inspires BIA collection.(the markets: tabletop)
Jun 11, 2007 ... SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.-B]A Cordon Bleu and the Museum of New Mexico recently partnered to create a collection of mix-and-match dinnerware inspired by Pueblo Indian pottery. Designed by Mimi Robinson, who is known for her flair for melding culturally based designs with ...
HSN's recipe for cookware: the TV network's deal with star chef Emeril Lagasse further signifies a commitment to the cooking products category.(the markets: housewares)
Jun 11, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- HSN's new deal with Emeril Lagasse signals an enhanced commitment to the cooking products category by the shopping TV network. This is the celebrity chefs first association with HSN. Under the terms of the deal, Lagasse ...
Cooking.com, Gourmet Catalog join forces in e-commerce effort.(the markets: housewares)
Jun 11, 2007; ... SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Kitchenware e-tailer Cooking.com has teamed up with buying group Gourmet Catalog to offer customers the option of buying products online or in-store. Participating Gourmet Catalog member retailers can now direct consumers to Cooking.com for products they ...
Former owner buys back Typhoon.(the markets: housewares)
Jun 11, 2007; ... CHESSINGTON, England -- A month after entering "administration," the equivalent of Chapter 11 in the United Kingdom, kitchenware manufacturer Typhoon International Group (also known as Typhoon Europe) has a new owner and a new name. On May 29, one month shy of retiring, former ...
Axis debuts shaver to help U.S. troops in Iraq.(the markets: housewares)
Jun 11, 2007; ... CHICAGO-In the wake of its inaugural line of electric shavers unveiled at the International Home & Housewares Show, Axis has extended the line with a new shaver intended to support the U.S. troops stationed in Iraq. Called the Axis Flx Force, the new shaver comes in ...
Maynard moves from KitchenAid to Whirlpool.(the markets: housewares)
Jun 11, 2007 ... BENTON HARBOR, Mich, -- When he takes on his new job as Whirlpool's global director of corporate social responsibility, Brian Maynard, director of brand marketing for the company's KitchenAid brand, will move away from a brand he has worked with for a dozen years. Maynard, who ...
Running hot and cold: refrigeration sales heat up as appliances for cooking cool down.(MAJOR APPLIANCES REPORT)
Jun 11, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE RISING TIDE OF KITCHEN REMODELING HAS NOT LIFTED ALL BOATS: Refrigerator volume soared in 2006 while cooking appliance sales slowed. Slumping housing sales have cast a dark cloud over the major appliance industry, but kitchen remodeling has ...
Sears holding off the competition--for now: the retailer is seeing The Home Depot and Lowe's take some of its share in the white-goods arena.(MAJOR APPLIANCES REPORT)
Jun 11, 2007; ... SEARS HOLDINGS MAY STILL SIT ATOP the white-goods retail throne, but it continues to lose market share to The Home Depot and Lowe's. As such, it is seeking ways to stop the bleeding. Sears Holdings racked up an estimated $7.52 billion in major appliance sales last year, ...
A changing cycle: buying before replacement is necessary helps spur sales of laundry appliances.(MAJOR APPLIANCES REPORT)
Jun 11, 2007; ... Laundry appliances are continuing to clean up despite the slowdown in new home sales, which tend to help spur the purchase of these appliances. Washer and dryer sales have historically been driven by the replacement of broken appliances, but this is changing as consumers opt to ...
1 LG electronics.(Major Intros)
Jun 11, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The LG SteamDryer's "SteamFresh" cycle reduces wrinkles and removes odors from clothing. The matching SteamWasher, in addition to ...
2 Whirlpool.(Major Intros)
Jun 11, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For clothes that may not be dirty but need a quick freshening, the Whirlpool Duet ...
3 Panasonic.(Major Intros)
Jun 11, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Panasonic's Steam Convection Microwave Oven will offer consumers a ...
4 LG electronics.(Major Intros)
Jun 11, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The LG steam dishwasher will deliver enhanced cleaning ...
5 Ariston.(Major Intros)
Jun 11, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Ariston 24-inch Steam Oven's ...
6 Viking.(Major Intros)
Jun 11, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Viking's new Steam Oven will ...
Technology cooking up in today's kitchen.(OPINIONS)
Jun 11, 2007; ... Today's kitchen is morphing into the nerve center of the house, with most families doing much more there than just cooking and eating. Other popular kitchen activities include entertaining friends, watching TV, doing homework, paying bills, planning schedules and events, ...
Direct focus manages costs at restoration.(business & finance)
Jun 11, 2007; ... CORTE MADERA, Calif.-Restoration Hardware has been hitting the books lately as the retailer continues to shift its focus toward the catalog business and away from store expansion. Some analysts said that the retailer's emphasis on its direct business enables it to grow sales at ...
Umbra's rockin' rollout.(hfend)
Jun 11, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Umbra opened its first store last month, in its hometown of Toronto, with a standing-room-only party featuring "Umbratinis" and members of the company's management ...
Alpha best.(hfend)
Jun 11, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designer Jamie Drake was honored by The Alpha Workshops last month at the organization's Seventh Annual Alpha Awards. The event was held in the ballroom at the Prince ...
Super-sized expectations for market.(home page)
Jun 11, 2007; ... DALLAS -- Despite some softness in retail sales, vendors expect a robust June Super Market, opening here next week. The Super Market, which encompasses the gift, lighting, decorative accessories, floral, gourmet foods and related businesses, runs from June 20 to 26 at the Dallas ...
Dallas Market Center: five decades young: Dallas Market Center evolves with its customers.(dallas top story)
Jun 11, 2007; ... DALLAS -- Being in the middle of things is exactly the spot the Dallas Market Center wants to be in these days. By being in the middle of the country, it trumps its central location as a geographic advantage versus other market centers. By being in the middle of the ...
Home boutiques that put the ... accent on style.(dallas retail)
Jun 11, 2007; ... DALLAS -- From Shabby Chic and Victorian to modern, luxury looks, Dallas' home stores cater to a wide range of styles and income levels. Here's a sampler of the home boutiques in the city. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] VINTAGE LIVING 6701 Snider Plaza, Dallas ...
Something for everyone.(dallas trends)
Jun 11, 2007 ... With its numerous categories represented, the Dallas Market is a fine indicator of what's happening in home furnishings. Here's a quick peek at current offerings--and what will be coming soon to a retailer near you. Setting the Tone [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...
The ABC's of big D.(dallas opinions: home alone 2)
Jun 11, 2007; ... I think it happened around the same time that the experts predicted we would all be going paperless because of the advent of the computer. Maybe it was when the pundits said the movies would replace television, or was it when they said television would replace radio? ...
Activities, opportunities light the way at the summer market: showroom expansions and seminars put on by the DMC are among the highlights that lighting exhibitors can expect to encounter at this edition of the Dallas market.(the markets: dallas lighting)
Jun 11, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DALLAS -- Following Dallas Market Center's lighting expansion of the Trade Mart in January, which opened to much fanfare and unprecedented promotions and crowds, many are wondering how it can live up to that one-of-a-kind ...
Accentuating the positives: home decor exhibitors tout the benefit of being on the scene in Dallas for market.(the markets: dallas furniture & decorative accents)
Jun 11, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DALLAS -- The Dallas Market Center's diverse home decor exhibitors are gearing up for the June edition of Super Market with enthusiasm and optimism. While lighting may get a lot of the attention, Dallas remains a strong venue for decorative ...
Independents' day: tabletop vendors maintain focus toward the regional nature of the Dallas market.(the markets: dallas tabletop gifts)
Jun 11, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DALLAS -- Longtime Dallas market attendees in the tabletop category remain committed to the biannual International Gift & Home Accessories Market, even as it has transformed from a national venue to a more regional one. That regionality--the ...