Home Textiles Today back issues from April 2002:
Restoration ready to roll.(Restoration Hardware offering an expanded assortment of home textiles)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- Restoration Hardware is taking aim on a home textiles business that is designed to boost the category from 4 percent of the company's total sales in 2000 to at least 20 percent this year. With a dramatically expanded assortment in windows, bedding, bath, ...
Home Depot improves focus with urban stores.(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... BROOKLYN, NY -- Home Depot is looking to expand by getting smaller. Recognizing that American cities represent a large and untapped consumer base, the retailer premiered its first urban store format here last week in a box roughly half the size of a typical Home Depot. "This ...
Pillowtex dresses up Royal Velvet.(retools its bedding line)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- The revamped Pillowtex Corporation unveiled its new April market introductions last week with a focus on refreshing the image of its Royal Velvet bedding, and stressed its great strides in tightening its turnaround time. The Kannapolis, NC-based major mill said its ...
Veratex to add towels by Avanti.(signs licensing deal with Avanti Linens)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA -- Augmenting the presence it has built up through steady expansions beyond bedding and into soft window, bathroom accessories and framed art, Veratex announced that it has signed a licensing deal with Avanti Linens for a line of embellished towels. ...
Hip Hop Home: Haywin, FUBU ink deal.(Haywin Textile Products, FUBU enter into licensing agreement)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- In a unique example of next-generation licensing, Haywin Textile Products and hip-hop influenced sportswear/lifestyle brand FUBU have come together through a licensing agreement to create a line of bedding and bath products targeting the department store channel. ...
Kmart launches diverse campaign.(expands focus on multicultural customers)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Apr 01, 2002 ... TROY, MI -- Kmart expanded its focus on multicultural customers last week, launching the first stage of a new marketing campaign that features original music performed by Grammy winners Chaka Khan, Jose Feliciano and Christian music vocalist BeBe Winans. Targeting ...
Dan River introduces value-added lineup.(new bedding products)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
Apr 01, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- Dan River's Home Fashions division unveiled the full scope of its spring introductions last week, unveiling assortments with embellishments, details and value-added looks -- but not with heavy price tags. Also this spring, the major mill quietly marks its 10-year ...
Consumer confidence boost good for home.(consumer buying plans for carpets good news for home furnishings suppliers)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Apr 01, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- Supplying another strong dose of good news for the home fashions industry, consumer confidence jumped up substantially in March, The Conference Board reported, climbing to its highest level since last September, just before terrorist attacks rocked the U.S. economy. ...
Sears revamps merch.(restructures senior merchandise responsibilities)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... * Senior responsibilities reassigned HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL -- As part of Sears' home fashions department expansion that now includes mattresses and housewares as well as bed, bath, window coverings, area rugs and luggage, senior merchandise responsibilities have been restructured ....
Kmart executives leave; Adamson reworks team. (Retail briefs).(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... TROY, MI -- Two executives brought in to Kmart during the reign of former president and ceo Chuck Conaway have resigned, the company confirmed, as did three other executives. The Conaway hires, David Rots, executive vp and chief administrative officer, and Tony D'Onofrio, executive vp and ...
Federated explores options.(for the sale of Fingerhut)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... CINCINNATI -- With negotiations between Federated Department Stores and Business Development Group Acquisitions for the sale of Fingerhut at a stand-still after more than a month, Federated will begin to explore other potential transactions with third parties regarding its catalog ...
For the record.(Anna's Linens' merchandise manager)(Correction Notice)
Apr 01, 2002 ... In the March 25 issue, Home Textiles Today misspelled ...
ADI teams with Raymond Waites.(American Down Inc.)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... LOS ANGELES --Luxury home furnishings designer Raymond Waites has again paired up with a home textiles supplier, American Down Inc., this time to produce an upscale line of decorative pillows. American Down, the bath towel, printed kitchen towel and decorative pillow importer, ...
Home fashions retailer enters a new Domain.(Domain Home Fashions purchased by Aga Foodservice Group)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... NORWOOD, MA -- It may seem like the premise to a movie, but Domain Home Fashions' Judy George said her company's recent purchase by Aga Foodservice Group was the end result of 16 years of searching for a soul mate. "It was love at first sight," said George, chair and ceo. "I'm ...
Color trends hinge on quality. (Special report: solid color).(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- A sheet's thread count and price point are apparently the primary factors in effectively determining its color palette. The lower a sheet's thread count, the livelier and more fashion forward the chosen color. But on the opposite side of the thread count war, if a ...
Sargent pulls back the drape on new fabrics. (Fabrics Today).(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- Susan Sargent reacted to her first decorative fabrics collection for Robert Allen @ Home by asking "aren't they fun?" The whole collection, she said, "kind of evolved from where we started out -- sketches for other products that we put into digital format as ...
Loomcraft forms international div. (Fabrics Today).(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... GREENSBORO, NC -- Loomcraft Textiles International, a converter of woven home furnishings fabrics, has been formed as a separate business division of Loomcraft Textiles. Franco Nannucci, a long-time Italian textile executive, is serving as president of the new business in ...
Concord, Cyrus Clark merge to form new co. (Fabrics Today).(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- Clark Holdings LLC has been formed from the merger of the home furnishings division of Concord Home and Cyrus Clark Co. The owners of the holding company are Bill Zales, most recently a sales executive with Concord Home, who will serve as the ceo; Rus Clark III, the ...
Haywin builds on legacy of 55 years.(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... NEW YORK -- Haywin Textiles Products recently commemorated its 55th anniversary. The original incorporation of Haywin Textiles was run out of a small storefront at 53 Segal Street in Brooklyn, NY. Initially owned and operated by Jack Haft and his brother-in-law Seymour Weinstein, the small ...
Haywin shifts focus to branded program.(Haywin Textile Products )(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- Fifty-five years after being incorporated as a textiles jobber, Haywin Textile Products has grown into an international sourcer/producer with a slew of private label programs to its credit. But on the eve of its anniversary, the company is poised now to shift its mission to ...
International participation climbs for upcoming home textiles show. (America's premier bed, bath & linen show: the New York Home Textiles Show[R]).(New York Home Textiles Show)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... NEW YORK -- International exhibitors will comprise nearly 40 percent of the 500 exhibitors at the upcoming New York Home Textiles Show taking place April 12 to 15 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. The show will feature independently participating companies from more than 20 ...
Turkish show slated for May. (Drawing a crowd).(Istanbul Home Textile and Accessories Exhibition)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... ISTANBUL, TURKEY -- With participation from some 325 textiles producers, EVTEKS, the 8th annual Istanbul Home Textile and Accessories Exhibition, is scheduled to take place May 22 to 26. Some of the product categories to be represented include bedroom and bathroom products, ...
Pitti Casa dates shifted.(rescheduled for September 13-15, 2002)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... FLORENCE, ITALY -- The dates for the 26th edition of Pitti Immagine Casa have been shifted to September 13-15, 2002. The location has also changed to the Stazione Leopolda here. It had been announced a month ago that the show was to be held Sept. 1 to 3. The decision to shift ...
Refining retail. (Opinion Today).(Kmart Corp., Home Depot Inc., FUBU, Haywin Textile Products Inc.)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... Urban marketing for many years has been more of an urban legend than anything else. But last week offered up signs suggesting that might be changing for the better. Kmart tacked directly into classic urban territory with the kick-off of new radio campaigns aimed at ...
Furnishing some new ideas. (Opinion Today).(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... There's a fair amount of change afoot in retailing -- especially home furnishings retailing -- and every now and then these changes involve the home textiles world. But it probably isn't on everyone's radar screen, since it basically doesn't involve most of the top 10 in home ...
Lands' End promotes four executives.(Karen Centner, Karl Dahlen, Tom Gloudeman, Randy Peterson)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... DODGEVILLE, WI -- Lands' End has promoted four executives to newly created vice president positions. Karen Centner has been named vp, gmm, for e-commerce and international. Spending the past 15 years with Lands' End, Centner has helped grow the company's Internet sales to ...
Lombardo to head Vernon.(Tom Lombardo, Vernon Plastics)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... CLEVELAND -- Imperial Home Decor Group has appointed Tom Lombardo to president of Vernon Plastics. He will replace Keith McAslan, who had served in this capacity for the last seven years. Imperial Home Decor is a supplier of flexible poly vinyl film used in the ...
Value City gives Rossler ceo title.(John Rossler)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... Columbus, OH -- Value City Department Stores has named John Rossler ceo in addition to his title as president. He succeeds George Kolber, who has left the company to pursue other ...
Flooring expo adds rugs.
Apr 01, 2002 ... ORLANDO, FL -- For the first time in its 15-year history, the International Flooring Exposition (IFE), which will take place here from May 6 to 9 under the mantle "Coverings," is adding area rugs to its existing roster of hard flooring exhibitors. And helping to christen the ...
Sears taps Canada coo.(Brent Hollister promoted)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... TORONTO -- Sears Canada has announced the promotion of Brent Hollister to president and coo. He will continue to report to Mark Cohen, the company's chairman and ceo. Appointed president, sales, service and ...
Ross Stores rebounds with 4Q gains. (Business Today).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Apr 01, 2002; ... NEWARK, CA -- Bounding back from earlier weakness, Ross Stores Inc., an apparel and home fashions off-price retailer, boosted fourth-quarter profits by 10.4 percent, to $50.0 million from $45.2 million last year. Boosted by rapid expansion and solid improvement in same-store ...
Redbook avg. cools off in March. (Business Today).(retail sales average)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Apr 01, 2002 ... * Strong sales of home, related goods continued their rally NEW YORK -- With cooler weather putting pressure on sales of seasonal merchandise for spring, same-store retail sales softened during the third week of March, giving up some of the strong gains made the prior week. ...
Housing surges, but resales falter. (Business Today).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Apr 01, 2002 ... NEW YORK -- Helped by good weather and strong consumer confidence, the U.S. housing market remained strong in February, though the gains in new home sales and housing starts were offset by softness in the big market for existing home sales. Resales, by far the biggest segment of ...
Cotton prices projected to fall again. (Business Today).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Apr 01, 2002 ... WASHINGTON -- With cotton production significantly outpacing consumption, cotton prices are projected to fall this year to their lowest level in 29 years, to an average of just $0.44 a pound, according to the latest updated pricing forecast from the International Cotton Advisory Council ...
Burlington Coat profit increases 3.3% in 3Q. (Business Today).(Statistical Data Included)(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002; ... BURLINGTON, NJ -- Boosted by stronger sales and wider margins, third-quarter profits at Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse, parent of Luxury Linens, edged up by 3.3 percent, to $37.3 million from $36.1 million last year. Lifted by new store openings, sales in the holiday period ...
Mohawk raises $700 million in note sale. (Business briefs).(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... Mohawk Industries, the Calhoun, GA-based carpet and home fashions producer, has sold $700 million in notes in a two-tranche private placement. Mohawk originally planned to raise about $600 million in the deal, but increased the size of the offering by ...
Sears to take $208M charge for acquisitions. (Business briefs).(Brief Article)
Apr 01, 2002 ... Sears, Roebuck and Co. said it will take a $208 million non-cash charge against first-quarter profits to cover a change in accounting for its earlier acquisitions of Orchard Supply Hardware stores and National Tire & Battery. The retailer also said it continues to expect earnings per share ...
Wall street watch. (Business Today).(retailers)(Statistical Data Included)
Apr 01, 2002 ... <Pre> WALL STREET WATCH Summary for the week ended March 28, 2002 RETAILERSCLOSE% CHG % CHG. 3/28/02 THIS WEEK YEAR-TO-DATE Bed Bath & Beyond * (O) 33.75 4.46 ...
Springs debuts Craftique, new quilts.(Springs Industries Inc.)(bed ensemble collection)
Apr 08, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- Springs Industries always likes to save a few surprises for market, and this time it will have three of them: a new handcrafted bed ensemble collection called Craftique; lower pricing on its upscale Ce Soir collection; and the introduction of the new Family Heirloom line of ...
The day has come 1,000 threads, 99 dollars.(Melange Home to produce new cotton sheets)(licensing agreement with bedding line Bullzye,)(Brief Article)
Apr 08, 2002 ... CHARLOTTE, NC -- Anyone who's wondering what will ultimately result from the pursuit of ever-escalating thread counts at ever-lower prices can stop guessing. The answer has arrived. A year after Sferra Bros. sent jaws dropping with the debut of a 1,020-count sheet (retail $500), ...
Bed Bath breezes by competition.(retailer Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.)(Brief Article)
Apr 08, 2002; ... Union, NJ -- Breezing easily past Wall Street expectations -- and saying it plans to do so once again during the current first quarter -- rocket-hot retailer Bed Bath & Beyond drove fourth-quarter profits sharply higher, by 28.5 percent, to $82.7 million from $64.3 million last year. ...
Pillowtex cuts losses with leaner operation.(Pillowtex Corp.)(household linens)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
Apr 08, 2002; ... KANNAPOLIS, NC -- Improving key operations as it steers toward a turnaround and prepares to emerge from bankruptcy, likely within the next 90 days, Pillowtex Corp. slashed its fourth-quarter losses by almost 80 percent to $54.5 million from $233.2 million a year ago. And ...
Pine Cone to launch historic line. (A blast from the past).(Pine Cone Hill )(Colonial Williamsburg)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
Apr 08, 2002; ... PITTSFIELD, MA -- Sharing a dedication for historic preservation, bedding manufacturer Pine Cone Hill and Colonial Williamsburg, in Williamsburg, VA, will formally introduce the Colonial Williamsburg collection this market. "Colonial Williamsburg's vast archives provide endless ...
New accent rugs For Mercy's Sake.(For Mercy's Sake Inc. )(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
Apr 08, 2002; ... AUSTIN, TX -- The custom-painted juvenile furniture online store known as For Mercy's Sake Inc. has partnered with its first licensee to produce a line of accent rugs. After completing a test run of cross-merchandising their products together, For Mercy's Sake and Dallas-based ...
Neiman Marcus adds Sewell to board. (Retail briefs).(department store appoints Carl Sewell)(Brief Article)
Apr 08, 2002 ... The Neiman Marcus Group has expanded its board of directors to 11 members with the appointment of Carl Sewell, chairman of Sewell Automotive Companies. In addition to Neiman ...
Kohl's to enter Boston area. (Retail briefs).(Kohl's Department Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
Apr 08, 2002 ... Taking the next step in its expansion strategy, Kohl's is poised to open 13 new stores in the Boston area. The new retail locations set to open on April 12 will include ...
Target begins designer rollout. (Retail briefs).(merchandiser Target Corp.)(marketing designer clothing, home products)(Brief Article)
Apr 08, 2002 ... Target is kicking off a series of exclusive designer programs with the launch next month of the Philippe Starck program of some 50 products, including ...
American Blankets adds Cheri Blum designs.(Brief Article)
Apr 08, 2002 ... DALTON, GA -- American Blanket Corp., a fledgling supplier of imported high-pile jacquard throws and blankets, has signed its first-ever designer license, with home fashions designer Cheri Blum. The move marks a major milestone for a company founded only two years and nurtured ...
Sears' veteran Domingue to join Jo-Ann as vp, gmm.(Charles Domingue joins Jo-Ann Stores Inc)(Brief Article)
Apr 08, 2002 ... HUDSON, OHIO -- Charles Domingue will join Jo-Ann Stores here as vp, general merchandise manager for home decor, effective April 15. He will be responsible for soft home decor, framing and home accents. Domingue, a long-time home textiles retail executive, most ...
Hanover Direct keys on core brands. (Rebuilding phase).(Tom Shull discusses marketing strategy)(Brief Article)(Interview)
Apr 08, 2002; ... EDGEWATER, NJ -- Having just completed a year of restructuring, catalog retailer Hanover Direct has set its sights on rebuilding in 2002 with an eye on further growth in 2003. These initiatives as well as the status of its core brands were discussed in a recent conference call. ...
Robert Allen, Sunbury bought Lifestyle Furnishings completes slimdown.(Decor Holdings acquires LifeStyle Furnishings International Inc.'s Sunbury fabric division and Robert Allen Group)(Brief Article)
Apr 08, 2002 ... NEW YORK -- LifeStyle Furnishings International has completed the sale of its Sunbury fabric division and its Robert Allen Group business, part of the company's divestiture strategy announced earlier this year. Decor Holdings, an affiliate of Corber Corp., has purchased the ...
Trevira relaunches brand to U.S.(Trevira CS brand for flame-resistant home furnishings fabrics)(Brief Article)
Apr 08, 2002 ... CHARLOTTE, NC -- Trevira is relaunching its Trevira CS brand for the American market for flame-resistant home furnishings fabrics. The Frankfurt, Germany-based fiber producer will offer a wide range of polyester staple fibers and filament yarns targeted to the upper segment of ...
Springs goes to source with Ultima purchase.(Springs Industries Inc. acquires Ultima Enterprises)(Brief Article)
Apr 08, 2002 ... FORT MILL, SC -- Springs Industries announced last week that it had acquired a major aspect of Ultima Enterprises, a business that sources quilts and other related home textiles from Asia. The deal effectively bolsters Springs' sourcing capabilities in an area of the world that ...
X marks the spot for WestPoint's new bedding.(Brief Article)(Company Profile)(Product Announcement)
Apr 08, 2002 ... WEST POINT, GA -- WestPoint Stevens pushed the home textiles envelope a little further last week, unveiling its new Martex X-Static sheet. The company has signed a licensing agreement with the manufacturers of X-Static for a complete line of sheets, towels, blankets and other ...
Cargill Dow kicks off new fiber.(Brief Article)(Company Profile)(Illustration)
Apr 08, 2002 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Pat Gruber, (right) vp and chief technology officer of Cargill Dow, helped kick off the celebration held by the company last week at the first world-scale PLA manufacturing ...
Blue Ridge to exhibit wares in larger space.(Blue Ridge Home Fashions )(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
Apr 08, 2002; ... EAST WILLISTON, NY -- Just in time for April market, Blue Ridge Home Fashions has announced the opening of its new showroom space at 295 5th Ave. Formerly occupying a 400-square-foot space at 303 5th Ave., Blue Ridge is now located in Suite 1501 of the Textiles Building. With ...
Glenoit makes leap into accent rugs.(Glenoit Floor Fashions)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)(Product Announcement)
Apr 08, 2002 ... NEW YORK -- Glenoit Floor Fashions is breaking out of the kitchen with three new collections of washable accent rugs set to bow later this month at April market. Glenoit tested the waters last fall with a few area rug skus but decided that if it wanted to truly expand beyond its ...
Christy USA returns to market with towel mix.(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
Apr 08, 2002; ... GORDONSVILLE, VA -- After an absence of seven years, Christy USA is coming back to market, bringing its line of luxury bath towels, beach towels and robes to the Flatotel, on 52nd Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues in New York. "We felt that this opportunity was ...
Rug veteran Phillips gets new start with Delos.(Delos International Inc.)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
Apr 08, 2002; ... ATLANTA -- It's been about three months since area rug industry veteran Ivan Phillips was presented an opportunity to open up his own business as an area rug supplier. And without flinching, he and his wife and business partner, Celeste, have taken on the challenge head on. The ...
American Blanket doles out buyer award.(Jacque Lemay Weidman)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
Apr 08, 2002 ... DALTON, GA -- Turning the tables on an old convention, American Blanket Corp. is honoring a retail buyer with its first-ever Best Buyer and Partner Award. American Blanket, a two-year-old supplier of high-pile jacquard acrylic blankets and throws is saluting Jacque Lemay ...
Royale Linens hits market.(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
Apr 08, 2002 ... KEARNY, NJ -- Royale Linens, a supplier of promotional sheet sets, will be coming to market for the first time and also is expanding the variety of sheet constructions in its assortment. Originally a provider of 180- and 200-count sheets, Royale earlier moved into solid color ...
New Park B. Smith comes together as one. (Unified approach).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
Apr 08, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- After 18 months as a combined company, Park B. Smith and Smith & Johnson are moving toward a unified theme across all product categories. The company, under the Park B. Smith banner, has been trying to identify which pieces of each unit's business will lead the ...
Calendar.(trade shows and conventions)(Brief Article)(Directory)
Apr 08, 2002 ... <Pre> APRIL 10-13 Hearth & Home Expo Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, CA (703) 522-0086. 12-15 New York Home Textiles Show Javits Center New York (800) 272-SHOW. 12-15 Ex*Tracts Javits Center New York (800) 272-SHOW. 13 Market Kick-off Party ...
Baltic readies for full-scale rollout.(Brief Article)
Apr 08, 2002; ... NEW YORK -- For April market the typically low-key Baltic Linen Co., which in December celebrated its 65th anniversary, is planning to raise its profile with the debut of its biggest collection ever of bath towels, terry robes and bedding goods. Recently outfitted with a ...
Comforter Blanket touts polyester fleece construction: founder seeks partner to expand product uses.(Sleepmakers)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
Apr 08, 2002 ... MAR VISTA, CA -- Sleepmakers and its president, Chris Thompson, have patented a top-of-bed item called the Comforter Blanket and are currently seeking a manufacturing partner to expand the potential uses of the product. The Comforter Blanket is constructed from 100 percent ...