HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network back issues from February 2009:
Bracing for a bumpy ride: CEOs at the annual NRF conference said they are still feeling the impact of the rough economy.(in home)(National Retail Federation)(Conference notes)
Feb 02, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MERCHANTS AT THE RECENT NATIONAL RETAIL Federation's annual show in New York said they are ruthlessly cutting the fat from their home assortments, pruning inventory levels since consumers are simply not buying. While merchants have enjoyed a ...
MoMA design store springs ahead.(in home)
Feb 02, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MOMA DESIGN STORE HAS ROLLED OUT A NEW SPRING/SUMMER collection that takes a cue from nature, strikes a nostalgic chord and speaks to the need to economize in these recessionary times, according to Bonnie Mackay, director of merchandising, creative and ...
Heimtex maneuvers.(in home)
Feb 02, 2009; ... THE CLIMATE--BOTH ECONOMICALLY AND weather-wise--was chilly for this year's Heimtextil trade fair, which wrapped up here last month. Even Messe Frankfurt officials, representing the fair organizers, predicted a "negative prognosis" for 2009 as the textiles industry grapples ...
ICA Home Decor: a new masterpiece.(in home)(Company overview)
Feb 02, 2009; ... THE JOINING TOGETHER OF ICA HOME Decor and Art In Motion, which became effective at the start of the year, creates the industry's biggest producer of art with a broad range of products for specific channels of distribution. "It has been the perfect partnership of design, ...
Correction.(in home)(Correction notice)
Feb 02, 2009 ... The Spode and Royal Worcester tabletop brands were incorrectly portrayed in a Jan. 19 story called "Who Will Be Left at the Table?" Spode and Royal Worcester, sister brands headquartered in the United Kingdom, fell into administration last ...
Kreiss to open new showroom in Las Vegas.(in home)
Feb 02, 2009 ... KREISS WILL FORMALLY UNVEIL ITS NEW SHOWROOM IN ROOM 184 OF BUILDING C IN the World Market Center during the upcoming Las Vegas Market. The furniture manufacturer is consolidating its previous show spaces, located in Room 100 of Building B and at 8751W. Charleston Blvd. in Las ...
Housewares show getting more Canadian, U.S. attendees.(in home)
Feb 02, 2009 ... REGISTRATION FOR THE International Home & Housewares Show by U.S. and Canadian retail buyers, to date, has risen significantly, according to the International Housewares Association, the sponsor of the show. Registration by U.S. attendees is up 10 percent, and registration by ...
It's a celebration in Atlanta.(in home)
Feb 02, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Last month, AmericasMart welcomed a number of special guests to the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings and Atlanta International Area Rug markets. Among them were Rocco DiSpirito, ...
Trammell Crow, DMC founder, dead at 94.(in home)(Obituary)
Feb 02, 2009 ... TRAMMELL CROW, THE REAL-ESTATE ENTREpreneur who founded the Dallas Market Center, died last month. He was 94. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Crow, who formed his own real-estate development firm, Trammell Crow Co., in 1948, began the Dallas Market Center with the founding of ...
Very terry.(trends)(Heimtextil trade fair)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009; ... Home textiles of all shapes and sizes were on display at last month's Heimtextil trade fair in Frankfurt, but towels seemed to be the fashion stars of the fair. New sculpturing techniques, jacquard dobby treatments and clever embellishments all brought a fresh take to terry. 1| ...
The Meteor named 2009.(HOME ALONE 2)
Feb 02, 2009; ... The experts who know such things tell us that a giant meteor hitting Earth is responsible for the sudden and utterly complete extinction of the dinosaurs some 65 million years ago. This very violent moment in time allowed for evolution to take an entirely different track, ...
Lighting up in Las Vegas: both traditional and contemporary styles are expected to shine in the category.(viva las vegas)
Feb 02, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MANUFACTURERS HEADED TO LAS VEGAS ARE HOPING for a busy market, as the start of the new year necessitates fresh merchandise for retailers. Though he expects traffic at the show to be down, Mac Cooper, president and chief executive officer of ...
Bringing in the new: as more consumers choose to refurbish their homes, the decorative accessories category strengthens its niche.(viva las vegas)
Feb 02, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHILE CONSUMERS HAVE BACKED OFF OF BUYING NEW homes for now, they will refresh their current homes and decorative accessories are the easy way to do so, manufacturers say. Multifunctional pieces and wall decor are two ...
Waking up to new ideas: mattress vendors look to win big in Vegas with innovation.(viva las vegas)
Feb 02, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] INNOVATION, ENTRY-LEVEL AND VALUE PRICE POINTS, AND ORGANIC MODELS ARE the focal points of the mattress introductions that will be seen at the Las Vegas Market. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new products on display in the showroom of ...
Odds in their favor: rug vendors at the Las Vegas Market relish face-to-face opportunities with customers.(viva las vegas)
Feb 02, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE LAS VEGAS MARKET IS FAIRLY NEW, BUT VENDORS HAVE NONETHELESS deemed it a prime opportunity to nab that all-important face-to-face time with customers--particularly new ones. "This market is extremely ...
Natural selection: manufacturers foresee organic-cotton products becoming increasingly important.(textiles)
Feb 02, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DESPITE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS THAT COULD hurt demand, home textiles manufacturers are working to push organic-cotton products into the mainstream. Organic cotton has gained traction as consumers' interest in all ...
Resist a pest: Protect-A-Bed is fighting off the state of the economy--and bed bugs--to find success.(textiles)
Feb 02, 2009; ... AS LONG AS THERE ARE BED BUGS, there won't be any recession for Protect-A-Bed, according to the Northbrook, Ill.-based manufacturer. Protect-A-Bed manufactures mattress protectors that create a sleep zone free of bed bugs, moisture and allergens. The products use the company's ...
Food for thought: cookware makers realize multifunctional pieces are key to success.(housewares/tabletop: forecast)
Feb 02, 2009; ... THOUGH THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT MORE CONSUMERS SEEM to be cooking at home, the bad news is the continuing economy. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While manufacturers know this will be another tough year at retail, they look to stick to their niches and differentiate themselves ...
Setting the stage: for the tabletop industry, balancing price with quality is essential for the months ahead.(housewares/tabletop: forecast)
Feb 02, 2009; ... VALUE PRICING IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF EVERYONE'S MIND IN THE tabletop business this year. At the International Home & Housewares Show in March, discussions will center on how to deliver the best possible goods at the best possible price, without sacrificing design. [ILLUSTRATION ...
Big things in store? It won't be an easy year in the small-electrics industry--but it might have some surprises.(housewares/tabletop: forecast)
Feb 02, 2009; ... SMALL-ELECTRICS MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEGUN THE YEAR WITH AN outlook that can be described not so much as "optimistic" as "un-pessimistic." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Despite the bad economic news, many said there are reasons to look upon 2009 with at least a sliver of ...
Home is where the oven is: with consumers staying in rather than heading out, the bakeware category benefits.(housewares/tabletop: forecast)
Feb 02, 2009; ... THE COMFORTS OF HOME, ESPECIALLY DURING THESE times, are proving where consumers want to indulge, as they cut back spending and entertain more at home. That results in more baking, and bakeware manufacturers find their products a bright spot in this economy. [ILLUSTRATION ...
Up close with personal care: the category will benefit from consumers concerned about their looks this year.(housewares/tabletop: forecast)
Feb 02, 2009; ... RECESSION OR NOT, CONSUMERS' DESIRE TO LOOK THEIR BEST WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE sales of personal-care products in 2009. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Comments from manufacturers indicated that the industry is coming off a comparatively robust year in 2008. "Even ...
Safe betting: rug vendors at the Las Vegas Market focus on transitional to soothe economic jitters.(floor covering)
Feb 02, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RUG BUYERS HEADED TO THE LAS VEGAS MARKET CAN EXPECT TO SEE SOOTHING COLOR PALETTES and casual, subdued transitional designs as rug vendors seek to fill the demand for product that fits the collective mood and tastes of ...
Atlanta's winner circle.(floor covering)(Awards list)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE WINNERS OF THE 2009 AMERICA'S MAGNIFICENT CARPETS AWARDS WERE ANNOUNCED DURING THE ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AREA Rug Market. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Architectural Digest, was staged at the Marriott Marquis Atrium Ballroom, and attracted more ...
CMI displays a new way of doing things.(floor covering)
Feb 02, 2009; ... CMI, A MANUFACTURER OF BRAIDED-TEXTURE AREA RUGS and accessories, has introduced its "Mini Rug Sample Center," designed to maximize retail sales opportunities in a minimal amount of space with a small investment. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CMI's new sample center uses ...
Accentuating the positives: patterns, price are among the factors lifting a rug category.(floor covering)
Feb 02, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RAINBOW-BRIGHT COLOR, BUDGET-FRIENDLY PRICES, and fun patterns and design motifs are driving sales of accent rugs, which continue to fill an important niche in the overall rug market. Small, inexpensive, easy to clean and easy to change out, ...
Cutting rooms.(floor covering)
Feb 02, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SEVERAL COMPANIES CELEBRATED NEW OR EXPANDED SHOWroom space and new collections at AmericasMart at the winter market with ribbon-cutting ceremonies to mark the occasion. Among the companies who debuted new or expanded showrooms were Amer, ...
Feizy.(floor covering: PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
Feb 02, 2009 ... FEIZY RUGS CITES trends toward modern and transitional home furnishings as the inspiration for its Tracy Porter-licensed Amzad Collection. It's stylized in traditional damask, floral and panel designs, and woven in an updated palette of warm spice tones and cool blues ...
Surya.(floor covering: PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
Feb 02, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HGTV CELEBRITY DESIGNER Candice Olson has teamed up with Surya to create a collection of hand-tufted rugs. Each of the 18 designs reflects Olson's signature style and is meant to impart a sense of ...
Sphinx by Oriental Weavers.(floor covering: PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
Feb 02, 2009 ... SPHINX BY ORIENTAL WEAVERS recently introduced several line extensions, including this one to its Nadira collection. Nadira, which retails for $699, is a Wools of New Zealand collection and will now include a ...
Jaipur.(floor covering: PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
Feb 02, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE DHALIA COLLECTION adds a new twist to Jaipur Rugs' hand-tufted segment. Instead of using hand-twisted yarn, the yarn is either micro-twisted or not twisted at all, creating ...
Use your words.(floor covering)(rugs and carpets)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009; ... RUGS MAY BE UTIUTARian in nature these days, but at their best, they are also creative, artistic expressions meant to speak to those who gaze or walk upon them. They may convey a mood, a feeling or even a sensation, but that message is communicated in a visual language--the ...
Bread winners: toaster makers view technology and design as the keys to boosting sales.(housewares)
Feb 02, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MANUFACTURERS OF TOASTERS, ONE OF THE SIGNATURE commodity categories in kitchen electrics, are injecting some excitement into their products. Last year, the category behaved like a commodity in the business sense, with sales in both dollars and ...
The Watergeeks Laboratories.(housewares: PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
Feb 02, 2009 ... THE WATERGEEKS LABORATORIES has debuted its new BPA-free, kid-friendly stainless-steel water bottle. It's designed for both infants and children, as the sippy adaptor converts into a sippy cup. Priced at $12.95, it can be packed for a family outing or for going to school. Available in ...
Ronco.(housewares: PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
Feb 02, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FOR THOSE CONSUMERS looking to watch what they eat, Ronco's Showtime Grillwave allows them to grill in the microwave, keeping flavor in and the fat out. The Grillwave turns the microwave into an indoor barbecue, and reduces both cooking times and energy ...
Andis.(housewares: PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
Feb 02, 2009 ... CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES combine with a sleek, silver exterior in the Nano-Silver Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer. It offers state-of-the-art features found on hair dryers used by professional stylists. The technologies help preserve the hair's moisture and natural oils and eliminate frizz, ...
Love for the arts.(HFend)(Murray Feiss has been recognised)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Now in its 20th year, the annual ARTS awards were announced at a gala event held during the recent Dallas Total Home & Gift Market. The evening included a special tribute to Murray Feiss, the chairman of Generation Brands and ...
Bridging the gap.(HFend Item)(partnership with Gap)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... Color authority Pantone has teamed with Gap to create an explosion of color. The fashion retailer's rotating T-shirt shop adjacent to its New York flagship is packed with a full palette of tees in ...
Big moves at Macy's: Kantor to lead home.(in home)
Feb 16, 2009; ... IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS FOR ALL THE PIECES to fall into place, but when it's completed there will be a new cast of characters atop Macy's Home and the retailer's private label product development arm. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Following the announcement earlier this ...
The return of Linens 'n Things.(in home)
Feb 16, 2009; ... LINENS 'N THINGS IS WARMING UP FOR ITS SECond act. Now in the hands of Hilco Consumer Capital and Gordon Brothers Brands, the defunct retail brand is poised to live on as an in-store home shop, wholesale brand and e-commerce site, Paul Cohen, vice president of Hilco Consumer ...
Forty One Madison: showcases lobby displays.(in home)
Feb 16, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PERMANENT SHOWROOM BUILDING 41 MADISON OPENED ITS DOORS during the recent Gift Show, with several tabletop showrooms open for business and a lobby product display that reflected the diversity of products in the building. "We have had a record ...
Oneida to license its flatware, dinnerware.(in home)
Feb 16, 2009 ... ONEIDA WILL LICENSE ITS U.S. CONSUMER FLATWARE AND DINNERWARE business to Robinson Home Products Inc., a housewares company best known for its tools, gadgets and other home-related goods. The agreement ensures that Oneida's products will continue to be widely available to ...
Correction.(in home)(Correction notice)
Feb 16, 2009 ... CORRECTION: An article in the Feb. 2 issue of HFN described the new ...
Gift Fair Bloggers: pick products and trends for 2009.(in home)
Feb 16, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BLOGGERS FROM DESIGN AND TREND-watching Web sites chose innovative products and emerging trends at the Accent on Design division of the recently completed New York International Gift Fair. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The first-ever ...
B. Smith honored by BET.(in home)(BET television network )(Brief article)
Feb 16, 2009 ... Entrepreneur/designer B. Smith, right, was recognized by the BET television network during the presidential inauguration weekend as part of the second annual BET Honors. The event paid tribute to "extraordinary individuals in our community," said Debra L. Lee, chairman and chief ...
Trade show calendar.(Calendar)
Feb 16, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] February 13-17 Ambiente 2009 Frankfurt, Germany Messe Frankfurt Fairgrounds 011-4-9697-5750 messefrankfurt.com 15-18 Alberta Gift Show Northlands Agricom, Sportex & Rexall ...
Mi casa es su casa: retailers woo Hispanic shoppers with Latin celeb home lines and marketing programs.(in focus)(J.C. Penney Corporation Inc.)
Feb 16, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE DECADE'S FASTEST GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP IS CATCHING THE ATTENTION of the nation's biggest retailers. Retailers such as Macy's, Kohl's and J.C. Penney are churning out home collections from Latin ...
Targeting the growing market.
Feb 16, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BRUSH UP ON THE HIGH SCHOOL SPANISH: HISPANIC CULTURE HAS BECOME A FORMIdable group in the home furnishings marketplace. On target to reach 16 percent of the U.S. population by 2010, and nearly a quarter by 2050, this group brings with it a ...
Latin home.(trends)(Kitchenware)(Brief article)
Feb 16, 2009 ... Home goods with a Latin twist are becoming de rigueur in retailers' assortments these days. From kitchenware that whips up Cuban sandwiches to home textiles patterns that reflect a Latin design aesthetic, Hispanic culture is gaining mainstream appeal. 1 | Living La Vida ...
Winter gift show results: spark business model change.(in home)
Feb 16, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE RECENT ROUND OF WINTER GIFT SHOWS, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN MAJOR CITIES across the country, confirmed what most everyone in the gift industry already knew: It's not the same world out there. Retailers have changed the way they do business, and vendors are ...
Chicken little was right: the sky is falling.(opinions)
Feb 16, 2009; ... The debate throughout the retail world (if not the world at large) as to whether the current recession is merely an episodic dip or something much more serious has begun to rage. The argument is, in my view: who does and doesn't "get it." In the early 1970s while working as a ...
It's a long, long way from January to December.(HOME ALONE 2)
Feb 16, 2009; ... So, with the first round of 2009 trade shows--the gift and home shows in Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, among other places--pretty much done, what have we learned so far? Obviously, you don't need to be a retail rocket scientist to know that ...
Snooze control: quality of sleep is playing an increasing role in the merchandising of bed pillows and mattress pads.(textiles)
Feb 16, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] VENDORS OF BASIC-BEDDING PRODUCTS ARE RESPONDING TO the fact that Americans can't get a good night's sleep these days. Consumer interest in quality of sleep has grown over the past few years. Results from medical studies have established links ...
Optimism, realism mix for 2009: while the current economic climate is difficult, there is some belief things will turn around.(forecast: floor covering)
Feb 16, 2009; ... AS COMPANIES PREPARE FOR A TOUGH START TO 2009, rug manufacturers still remain optimistic about how this category could perform later this year, with some thinking business could pick up eventually. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] But they are also realistic, and say the ...
Casual lives lead to relaxed designs: new shapes and sizes are reflecting the trend of more-relaxed entertaining and dining.(forecast: floor covering)
Feb 16, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE INFORMAL ENTERTAINING AND LIVING TRENDS OF THE HOME HAVE RESULTED IN MORE options for the floor. Designs--even if they are traditional--are cleaned up, and shapes mirror what's happening in furniture. "The trend toward more casual dining ...
Ebisons Harounian imports.(forecast: new products: floor covering)
Feb 16, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EBISONS HAROUNIAN Imports has recently re-colored its Antique Tabriz pattern, which it introduced three years ago. The two new colors--aubergine and rust (pictured)--were all well received at the recent Atlanta Rug Market, said Michael Harounian, ...
Safavieh.(forecast: new products: floor covering)
Feb 16, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SAFAVIEH HEADS TO the outdoors for its new Courtyard collection, which debuted at the recent Las Vegas Market. Taking outdoor decorating to the next level, Courtyard offers seven new designs, each in four fashion-forward colorways that work together in ...
Kas Rugs.(forecast: new products: floor covering)
Feb 16, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A HAND-TUFTED COLLECTION of transitional designs, Ankara is woven in China of muititextured wool. Initially introduced in July with five petterns, the collection will add another six to the group. The style shown here is a new one called Serenity and ...
Keeping it simple in Dallas.(furniture & lighting)
Feb 16, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHETHER TRADITIONAL, TRANSITIONAL OR MODERN, CLEANER looks prevailed at the recent Dallas International Lighting Show, as consumers favor designs that are less ornate and more simple. Other themes, such as the younger consumer and ...
Casual furniture companies lend retailers a hand.(furniture & lighting)
Feb 16, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CASUAL FURNITURE VENDORS SAY A combination of value-oriented offerings, great pricing and their ability to ship product quickly will be key to helping dealers succeed in 2009. Although there are certainly many ...
At Ambiente fashion, function meld.(tabletop)
Feb 16, 2009 ... THE WORLD GATHERS IN FRANKFURT FOR THE Ambiente fair, scheduled for Feb. 13-17, to get a glimpse of the year to come in home furnishings. Billed by show organizer Messe Frankfurt as a "multi-sensory experience," new products are expected to meet both high design standards and practical ...
Drug chains mix it up on hair-care appliances.(HEAD TO HEAD TO HEAD)
Feb 16, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RECENT VISITS BY HFN TO SEVERAL LOCATIONS OF THE major drug-store chains revealed both similarities and differences in their displays of hair-care appliances. The similarities between CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens involve the amount of space they ...
A sure thing.(GIFT FOR LIFE)
Feb 16, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Gift for Life organization, the industry charity that supports AIDS prevention, took a different tack this time for its annual party during the New York ...
Silent is golden.(ELLE DECOR AND BLOOMINGDALES'S)
Feb 16, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Elle Decor and Bloomingdale's, both purveyors of fashion for the home, partnered on a silent auction for nine, one-of-a-kind Bernhardt chairs on the retailer's ...
Brides' big day.(BRIDES MAGAZINE)
Feb 16, 2009; ... Brides magazine celebrated its diamond anniversary in grand style at Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center last month. Hosted by Editor in Chief Millie Martini Bratten and Publisher Alison Adler Matz, the party attracted many notable guests, ...