HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network back issues from November 2007:
Weathering heights.(top story)
Nov 05, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Take $100 barrels of oil, Chinese currency politics and a weak dollar. Put them all together and they mean only one thing: price increases for home furnishings products sold in the United States. And it's only going to get worse. ...
Crate's Segal unpacking newest CB2 in New York.(news)
Nov 05, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Gordon Segal says his second act is finally ready for the big time. This week, the iconic founder and chief executive officer of Crate & Barrel brings CB2, its younger, hipper spin-off format, here to the Big Apple. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Like ...
Linens 'n Things finds a fresh financing deal.(news)
Nov 05, 2007; ... CLIFTON, N.J. -- A new loan could be a good thing for Linens 'n Things. The big-box home retailer, which has recorded five consecutive quarterly losses since being acquired by Apollo Management LP, now has a more favorable credit line to lean on as it enters the crucial holiday ...
A letter to our readers.(home page)(Editorial)
Nov 05, 2007; ... Dear Readers, HFN always reports the news, but this time HFN is making the news. We are changing to meet the changing needs of our home furnishings industry readers. Over the past few months, we surveyed readers (and non-readers, too), advertisers and key ...
The HFN Stock Index.(home page)
Nov 05, 2007 ... Manufacturers saw the steepest overall decline for the Oct. 24 to Nov. 1 period, failing 2.48 percent. Furniture Brands weighed down the group with a 12.29 percent decline to close at $10.78 per share following news last week that it swung to a third-quarter loss. Retailers fell 1.67 ...
Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair makes mark on global scene.(news)
Nov 05, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW DELHI, India -- The Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair held here last month provided a clear picture not only of Indian quality and craftsmanship, but its eagerness to be a major world producer. The fair takes place twice a year and attracts ...
Corrections.(news)(Correction notice)
Nov 05, 2007 ... In the Oct. 15 issue of HFN, Hoover was named as a unit of Electrolux. Hoover's parent company is Techtronic Industries Co. ...
Trade show calendar.(Calendar)
Nov 05, 2007 ... november 6-8 The General Merchandise Show 230 Fifth Avenue New York (212) 297-2127 december 2-5 Showtime Fabric Market High Point, N.C. (336) 885-6842 itma-showtime.com ...
Moroccan moods.(trends)
Nov 05, 2007; ... Dinnerware had a global look at the New York fall tabletop market last week, as many introductions took inspiration from other regions and cultures. Morocco was one of the more prominent themes throughout, as patterns were reminiscent of the tile, ironwork and textiles of the country, in ...
Safety last.(opinions: home alone 2)
Nov 05, 2007; ... The Consumer Product Safety Commission has become unsafe. No matter what end of the political spectrum you are on, you don't want lead paint in your kid's toys, you don't want to sleep on a mattress that easily catches on fire and you don't want the products that you use every ...
Thinking outside the box: product packaging moves beyond the standard and goes toward more practical options.(the markets: textiles)
Nov 05, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Textiles companies are rethinking how they present their products, with many stepping away from the standard vinyl bag and more closely examining consumer needs. Welspun USA has come up with three new packaging design innovations, ...
Survey: holidays could be happy for the industry.(the markets: textiles)
Nov 05, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- It may seem early for Christmas tree skirts and other holiday textiles, but according to the National Retail Federation's 2007 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch US, 40.3 percent of shoppers began their holiday shopping before Halloween ...
Six slated to receive IFDA's Circle of Excellence awards.(the markets: textiles)
Nov 05, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- The New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association will hold its Circle of Excellence awards on Nov. 7 at the Union Square Ballroom in Manhattan. This year, the awards honor the talent and accomplishments of ...
Change is on the floor: the industry adapts to customers' desire to go beyond the norm, with softer contemporary and traditional designs standing out.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 05, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SECAUCUS, N.J. -- If there is one certainty when it comes to today's consumer, it is that she keeps changing and opening up to new ideas, creating an interesting game for retailers and suppliers. James Garvey, national sales manager for Bashian, ...
Stewart piece lands guest spot on 'Today'.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 05, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- A Martha Stewart rug played a co-starring role on "Today" recently when Sarah Humphreys, Blueprint magazine's editor in chief, used the home guru's Faux Bois rug as the foundation for a "gender-neutral" bedroom. The rug is from Stewart's collection at Safavieh. The ...
Minasian ready to come to rug owners rescue.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 05, 2007 ... CHICAGO -- Minasian Rug Co. has introduced Rugs 911, a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week rug care hotline. The goal of the hotline is to provide convenient, expert advise regarding how to treat a spill on your rug immediately to avoid staining. The company said it decided to add a rug ...
Tai Ping designing an empire with new line.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 05, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Tai Ping Carpets turned to ancient empires and their customs when bringing its new Empire Collection to fruition. Designed for Tai Ping by New York-based designer Carla Weisberg, Empire brings the ornate and colorful patterning of ...
Ohio couple wins Capel Harley.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 05, 2007 ... HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Richard and Diana Apgar, of Middletown, Ohio, have been named the winners of Capel Rug's Harley Davidson giveaway. The bike in question, a 100th anniversary edition black-and-chrome Harley Davidson Sportster XL 1200c, was on display at the Capel showroom ...
Worldly influences.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 05, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TUCKER, Ga. -- To keep its braid offerings fresh, Homespice Decor has introduced palettes reflective of global locales. The Budapest colorway, left, features shades of red, mustard and sage, and takes its cue from the variety of spices found in the market ...
Dimming prospects: the lighting and decorative home market braces for a difficult holiday season and beyond.(the markets: furniture & lighting)
Nov 05, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- No, Virginia, there really isn't a Santa Claus--at least not this year. That's what some in the lighting and home decor industry fear, as the sales outlook for this holiday season and beyond is rather bleak. By all ...
Comparison shopping nets disparity in mattresses.(the markets: furniture & lighting)
Nov 05, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- When it comes to selling mattresses, the saying, "to each his own," certainly applies, as recent visits to retailers in northern New Jersey revealed. HFN visited two full-line furniture stores--a Macy's Home Store and a Raymour & Flanigan--and two mattress showrooms, ...
Turning the tables: last week's New York show featured vendors defying the recent trends impacting the industry.(the markets: tabletop)
Nov 05, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Troubles in tabletop? You'd never know it by last week's tabletop show here. Despite fourth-quarter worries and a challenging business environment overall, tabletop vendors came to market with an array of trend-right patterns, solid ...
Cost of doing business rises.(the markets: tabletop)
Nov 05, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Tabletop prices are going up next year, and vendors and retailers last week hammered out ways to make them a little more palatable to consumers. The rising costs of energy, labor and raw materials, compounded by the weak dollar overseas and the repeal of tax rebates ...
Mark the calendar: dates for show changing in '08.(the markets: tabletop)
Nov 05, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- In response to the majority of survey respondents who favor trade shows on weekdays, permanent showroom buildings 41 Madison and 7 W New York have changed the dates of the 2008 shows to run in a Wednesday through Sunday format. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The ...
Exec shuffle takes place throughout the industry.(the markets: tabletop)
Nov 05, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- In addition to all of the product news and parties, the tabletop show has been packed with personnel changes. Lou Scala has been named president of Wedgwood, adding to his role as president of Rosenthal and chief marketing officer for all Waterford Wedgwood brands ....
Spanning the globe: ethnic cookware gets mainstream to fill consumers' hunger for foreign flavor at home.(the markets: housewares)
Nov 05, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Latino, Asian, Mediterranean: Not only are these popular cuisines people want when they're eating out, but more and more when they're eating in as well. And as they look for cookware that helps them prepare these foods at home, manufacturers ...
New espresso machine from Saeco makes a colorful statement.(the markets: housewares)
Nov 05, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GLENWILLOW, Ohio -- Saeco USA has declared its commitment to color with the launch of its new Odea Giro Orange espresso machine. Available in orange, the new machine represents the first endeavor into color for Saeco. As with the company's other ...
Jarden's Q3 results spur talk of records.(the markets: housewares)
Nov 05, 2007; ... RYE, N.Y. -- Jarden Corp. set yet another quarterly record in sales in the third quarter--and its chairman and chief executive officer, Martin Franklin, says the company is on course to break more records next year. The company posted sales of $1.3 billion in the quarter, an ...
Checkmate at CHESS.(the markets: housewares)
Nov 05, 2007 ... CHICAGO -- The International Housewares Association's annual Chief Housewares Executive SuperSession (CHESS) last month brought together executives from a number of the association's member companies, including vendors and retailers. The session included seminars on strategic development, ...
Newell Rubbermaid's profits rise.(the markets: housewares)
Nov 05, 2007; ... ATLANTA -- Newell Rubbermaid's planned turnaround went into high gear in the third quarter, as the company's net income rose by a whopping 56.9 percent to $170.2 million. Third-quarter sales totaled nearly $1.7 billion, up 6.4 percent over the third quarter of 2006. The gain ...
Retailers: Calif. fires have had minimal impact.(the markets: business & finance)
Nov 05, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- The wildfires that ravaged Southern California recently were not nearly as devastating to the region's home goods retailers. While destroying more than 2,000 homes in an area spanning from Ventura County to just south of the United ...
Premium outlet sales help boost Simon property's bottom line.(the markets: business & finance)
Nov 05, 2007; ... INDIANAPOLIS -- Retail real estate company Simon Property Group nearly doubled its sales for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, due in part to sales gains at its premium outlet centers. Simon recorded net income of $164.9 million for the quarter, a 74.3 percent increase from ...
Fall flings.(hfend)
Nov 05, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- The tabletop industry celebrated after hours during the fall tabletop show here last week. Crowds gathered in showrooms on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, while 7 W New York held its party at the Bryant Park Grill and 41 Madison Ave. held its soiree in the ...
Can private ownership help restore restoration?(the markets: business & finance)
Nov 12, 2007; ... SAN FRANCISCO -- A private-equity buyer's deep pockets may be just what Restoration Hardware needs to fix its costly supply chain and ultimately position itself for profitability, analysts said. Restoration Hardware late last week entered a definitive merger agreement with an ...
Meijer getting back to basics.(news)
Nov 12, 2007; ... GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Meijer is returning to home retailing 101: from stocking the right towel to bringing back the white sale, Robert Atteberry, Meijer's vice president of home and electronics, told HFN. The retailer that pioneered the supercenter format is also beefing up ...
A look ahead.(home page)
Nov 12, 2007 ... The Consumer Price Index for October, a key measure of inflation, will be released by the U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics on Nov. 15. E-commerce sales for the third quarter of 2007 will be ...
A look back.(home page)
Nov 12, 2007 ... Thirty-two years ago this week, Caldor stood out as a striking exception to the rash of closures afflicting discount stores. "In 1975 the company will again reach record volume and profits," said an HFD story on Nov. 11,1975 ....
Mediums.(home page)
Nov 12, 2007 ... "So Chic" By Margaret Russell $40, 240 pages Filipacchi Publishing [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Who better than Elle Decor Editor in Chief Margaret Russell, ...
The HFN Stock Index.(home page)
Nov 12, 2007 ... Manufacturers weighed down the HFN Index for the Nov. 1 to 8 period with a 3.62 percent decline. Lifetime Brands led the fall with a 20.64 percent decline to $12.69 per share. Its shares slid last week following news that it reduced its 2007 earnings outlook. Retailers sunk 2.05 percent, ...
Deichman leaving post at Ralph Lauren home.(news)
Nov 12, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- Barbara Deichman will leave her position as president of Ralph Lauren Home, effective Dec. 14, retiring from the home furnishings business. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Polo Ralph Lauren released no information about a possible successor. Deichman is a longtime ...
CB2'S big apple debut.(news)
Nov 12, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Crate & Barrel took the wraps off its first CB2 unit in New York last week. The store, in Manhattan's trendy SoHo neighborhood, featured a breadth of home goods with a younger, ...
The Fashion 50: in style and on target: HFN's Fashion 50 are home's most influential trendsetters.(top story)
Nov 12, 2007 ... When Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly character in "The Devil Wears Prada" tells her new and fashion-naive assistant that the sweater she is wearing is the result of a complex series of events orchestrated by a cast of characters too numerous to mention over a several-year period, it is the ...
It's Martha's world (we're just living in it).(trends)
Nov 12, 2007; ... Martha Stewart has got the home business covered. The domestic diva's products blanket the discount and department store channels at Kmart and Macy's, and she just spread her wings to Costco with a new food line. Stewart's influence over the home goods that consumers buy is fortified by ...
Homeless.(opinions: home alone 2)
Nov 12, 2007; ... Farewell, House & Garden. We'll miss you. The business of magazine publishing, just as with almost any other business segment out there, is going through enormous upheaval. People are getting their information in radically different ways, often to the exclusion of the printed ...
Covering the spread: as rising costs and dollar devaluation make an impact in home, the bedding industry is expected to hold steady.(Forecast: BEDDING)
Nov 12, 2007; ... ALTHOUGH A NUMBER OF HARSH economic factors, from the devaluation of the U.S. dollar to rising gas prices, are affecting both prices and overall sales, industry experts maintain the bedding industry will weather the storm. "It's an interesting time," said Beth Mack, senior vice ...
Charities aid California fire victims.(the markets: textiles)
Nov 12, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- Two charities, Kids in Distressed Situations and Fashion Delivers, are collecting blankets, pillows, fabric and other new home textiles products to distribute to the victims of the Southern California wildfires. The affiliated organizations, which also collect ...
It's Showtime for Merrimac, Wearbest rollouts.(the markets: textiles)
Nov 12, 2007 ... NEW YORK -- Merrimac Textiles and Wearbest Sil-Tex Mills are set to unveil new products at the Showtime fabric fair in High Point, N.C. Merrimac, the piece goods division of Barrow Industries, has introduced the Premier Collection by Merrimac, a line of high-end jacquards, ...
The HFPA prepares for busy times ahead.(opinions)
Nov 12, 2007; ... As the premier association of the home fashion products industry, the Home Fashion Products Association has been fulfilling its mission to advance the growth of the global home fashion products industry by setting standards for excellence through technical product compliance, advocacy and ...
1 D. Porthault.(the markets: textiles)
Nov 12, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 D. Porthault D. Porthault's Dentelle de Tulipe bed linens come in white cotton voile printed with ...
2 Frieling.(the markets: textiles)
Nov 12, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 Frieling Frieling's new Zilotex dish towels are infused with naturally anti-bacterial sliver ...
3 Plain Mary.(the markets: textiles)
Nov 12, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 3 Plain Mary Baby apparel and accessories online retailer Plain Mary has created its first bedding collection, Kensington ...
4 Yves Delorme.(the markets: textiles)
Nov 12, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 4 Yves Delorme Yves Delorme's Heritage ...
5 Highland Court.(the markets: textiles)
Nov 12, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 5 Highland Court The Philip Gorrivan Collection for Highland Court is a new five-book set of woven fabrics that debuted on Nov. 8 ....
Shades of things to come in bedding.(FORECAST: BEDDING)
Nov 12, 2007; ... THE BEDDING FORECAST IS SUNNY WITH A LOT of color, according to industry design experts. "Color is becoming more cheerful," said Aaron Stewart, creative director of Sferra. "We're using bright and bold colors more and more." Ankasa relied a lot on chocolates, beiges ...
Easy as A + C: renowned artist pair designs its first rug collection for Nyingzemo with the line reflecting influences in sculpture and photography.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 12, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Artists Anthony Aziz and Sammy Cucher have turned their creative minds to the task of rug design. The duo has been working as a collaborative art team since 1991, but this marks their first rug collection. A + Cstudio, as the ...
Eco-friendly Shaw hardwood gets featured in show home.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 12, 2007 ... ATLANTA -- Shaw's eco-friendly Epic hardwood is featured in one of three show homes built here by Traditional Home magazine. Now open for tours, the trio of townhomes was created to bring the ideas and inspiration of the magazine's pages to life. Each of the three homes was ...
1 Lizz Greer.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 12, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 Lizz Greer Ready for the season, ...
2 Liora Manne.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 12, 2007 ... 2 Liora Manne Designer Liora Manne puts the warmth in the sunrise with ...
3 Sharda.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 12, 2007 ... 3 Sharda Shading and multiple levels of texture make Sharda's rich red ...
4 Bashian.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 12, 2007 ... 4 Bashian New designs for Bashian's Serenity Collection aim to bring a ...
5 Donald Trump.(the markets: floor covering)
Nov 12, 2007 ... 5 Donald Trump Miresco Decorative Rugs adds elegant bordered designs to ...
Karastan plays tag with decorating tips.(floor covering)
Nov 12, 2007 ... DALTON, Ga. -- Karastan has created coordinate rug tags as a merchandising tool to benefit both retailers and consumers. The goal of the tags is to ease the complexity of cross-promoting for the dealer and take the guesswork out of coordinated decorating for the shopper. Anne ...
Armstrong promotes accident resistance.(floor covering)
Nov 12, 2007 ... LANCASTER, Pa. -- Armstrong's new consumer print advertising campaign is looking to attract homeowners based on the quality assurances wood must go through to become an Armstrong floor. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The national ads use humor and a combination of real-life ...
Crystallizing plans: Swarovski U.S. Holdings aims for dominance in the premium market with its purchase of Schonbek Worldwide Lighting.(the markets: furniture & lighting)(Company overview)
Nov 12, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- Swarovski U.S. Holding's purchase late last month of Schonbek Worldwide Lighting creates a powerful combination of brands and products in the premium crystal market. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The move gives ...
Hinkley Lighting buys assets of high-end firm Fredrick Ramond.(the markets: furniture & lighting)
Nov 12, 2007; ... CLEVELAND -- Hinkley Lighting has purchased the inventory, designs and rights to the name Fredrick Ramond from the estate of Fred R. Glassman. The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, was expected to close on Friday, Nov. 9, Rick Wiedemer, president and principal of Hinkley ...