Home Textiles Today back issues from February 2003:
Feuerstein raising cash to retain Malden Mills.(Aaron Feuerstein, chief executive officer, raises cash to retain control of Malden Mills Industries Inc.)
Feb 03, 2003; ... WORCESTER, MA -- Aaron Feuerstein, the charismatic, controversial ceo of Malden Mills, has apparently raised most of the cash he needs to take control of the company his family has owned for a century, and keep his job. The nation's largest producer of manmade fleece, Malden cut ...
Sneak peaks in market mix. (Winter Market).( spring product previews)
Feb 03, 2003 ... NEW YORK -- Spring has sprung--or so it might seem in many corners of the home textiles market. The winter mini-market--historically a venue for holiday table linens and decorative pillow launches, among others--appears to be getting another bump in spring product previews, ...
Faribault buys Beacon plant; to grow offerings.(Faribault Woolen Mill Co. acquires Beacon Blanket Co. blanket producing plant )
Feb 03, 2003 ... FARIBAULT, MN -- In a bid to build a platform as a full-service, multi-fiber bed blanket producer, Faribault Woolen Mills, a venerable 138-year-old supplier, has acquired the Westminster, SC, cotton and acrylic blanket producing plant once operated by the now defunct Beacon Blanket Co. ...
Springs adds luxe; nabs high end tag from P'tex. (Mills search out a license to thrill).(Springs Industries Inc., Court of Versailles license, Pillowtex Corp.)
Feb 03, 2003; ... FORT MILL, SC -- The luxurious Court of Versailles license, for the past 20 years part of Pillowtex's stable, has signed on with Springs Industries, and will soon be expanded into additional product categories beyond bedding. Springs plans to introduce its newest license as part ...
Dan River, Seventeen deal expands brand's reach. (Mills search out a license to thrill).(Dan River Inc. Home Fashions, Seventeen magazine licensing deal aimed at young women)
Feb 03, 2003 ... ATLANTA -- Dan River Home Fashions for Kids has corraled one of the most recognizable brands in the United States--if not worldwide--through a licensing deal with Seventeen magazine. It marks yet another foray for Dan River into a potentially lucrative market segment: young ...
Costco adds two to board. (Retail briefs).(Costco Companies Inc., Daniel Evans, William Gates Sr.)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... Costco announced that it has elected two members to join its board of directors. Daniel Evans, chairman of Daniel J. Evans Associates, a consulting firm, was previously a U.S. State Senator and a ...
Kmart now to close 317 stores. (Retail briefs).(Kmart Corp.)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... After negotiating rent reductions on several of its leases, Kmart has decreased the number of store closings from 326 units to 317, said Jack Ferry, spokesperson. The retailer also received bankruptcy court approval for the $2 billion in exit financing from GE ...
Garden Ridge names new president. (Retail briefs).(Garden Ridge Corp., Randall Onstead )(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... Randall Onstead has assumed the role of president at Garden Ridge, the home decor and crafts retailer, succeeding ...
Hanover Direct posts 14% sales loss in quarter. (Retail briefs).(Hanover Direct Inc.)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... After the sale of its improvements business and shutdown of some of its catalogs, including Domestications Kitchen and Home and its Turiya luxury book, Hanover Direct said sales for all of last year fell 14.1 percent, to $457.3 million from $532.2 million in 2001, a shortfall of $74.9 ...
Home Depot to consolidate two more divisions. (Retail briefs).( New England division with Eastern division )(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... The Home Depot announced today that it will consolidate its New England division with its Eastern division that is headquartered here. The expanded Eastern division will support more than 600 Home Depot stores. Expected to take 60 days to complete, the consolidation will result in the ...
U.S. Factory Outlets picks up two Kmart stores. (Retail briefs).(signs leases )(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... U.S. Factory Outlets said it has signed leases for two former Kmart stores, in Hanover, PA, and Hamilton, OH. The closeouter will reopen the 56,000-square-foot Hanover unit in ...
ShopKo taps two for vp. (Retail briefs).(ShopKo Stores Inc., vice presidents, Thomas Abbott, Kathy Friedland-Howard)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... ShopKo Stores has promoted Thomas Abbott to vp, product development and trend services, and Kathy Friedland-Howard to vp, advertising, for the company's ShopKo division. ...
Sears habla Espanol, ?y usted?(Sears, Roebuck and Co. shares insights; Marketing to U.S. Hispanics and Latin America 9th annual conference)
Feb 03, 2003; ... MIAMI BEACH, FL -- Sears, Roebuck & Co., widely considered one of the most successful marketers to the U.S. Hispanic population, shared some of its insights into communicating and catering to the Latino market at the 9th annual Marketing to U.S. Hispanics and Latin America conference, held ...
New Kmart ads redirect customers to open stores.(Kmart Corp., Savings Are Here to Stay campaign )(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... TROY, MI -- Kmart is launching a nationwide advertising campaign intended to roll over customers from its 326 closing stores to units that will remain open--easing the transition and, not incidentally, intended to stave off competitors' incursions. The "Savings Are Here to Stay" ...
Lowe's taps pres., execs.(Lowe's Companies Inc., Robert Niblock, president; Larry Stone, executive, operations)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... WILKESBORO, NC -- Lowe's Companies has announced the promotions of several executives, effective March 1, including the appointment of Robert Niblock to president, a position previously held by Robert Tillman, who remains chairman and ceo. Niblock was most recently executive vp ...
WPS gets new OTC symbol.(WestPoint Stevens Inc. common stock now trading on Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board; WSPT ticker symbol)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... WEST POINT, GA -- WestPoint Stevens Inc. said shares of its common stock have begun trading on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under a new ticker symbol, WSPT. ...
Analysts like the look of new LNT: comments see strong quarter; stock jumps.(securities analysis, Linens 'n Things Inc.)
Feb 03, 2003; ... CLIFTON, NJ -- With its fourth quarter results set to be released this Wednesday, Linens 'n Things already had several analysts piping up a positive buzz, as seen in last week's stock spike. Analysts point to several of LNT's initiatives for the good news, including improved ...
The girly good life finds a home. (`Swell' idea).(Target Corp. introduces Cynthia Rowley designs)
Feb 03, 2003; ... BROOKLYN, NY -- Target is striving to bring the good life to its shoppers in a girly, yet sophisticated, manner--with the addition of Cynthia Rowley to the growing ranks of its scenester private brands. The retailer is rolling the fashion designer/author's Swell collection of ...
Shapely rugs advanced with creative POS help.(point of sale marketing)
Feb 03, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- The area rug business is taking shape. Yet, because consumers--and retailers--sometimes need help deciphering the various styles and sizes of shaped area and scatter rugs, suppliers have been creating a variety of POS materials and supports, ranging from hang tags to ...
Raschel throws challenge high-piles. (update 03).(raschel knits)
Feb 03, 2003; ... NEW YORK--For decades, high-pile acrylic throws, mostly in traditional jacquard looks, have dominated the U.S. market in plush throws. But now they're getting stiff competition from more upscale, more colorful and softer raschel knits, which have gobbled up as much as 20 percent of the ...
A touch of gold. (Winter Market).(product introductions)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... 1 Divatex's Joseph Abboud collection includes woven 400-count Pima cotton jacquard sheets and coordinating jacquard window coverings. * 2. Terrisol Corp.'s new Firenze tablecloth is a 56/44 cotton/polyester yarn-dyed damask. * 3. Beacon Loom's Milano window panel features chenille leaves ...
Warm & cozy. (Winter Market).(product introductions)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... 1. Pendleton Woolen Mills brings back the classic buffalo plaid with a woolen Lumberman Blanket in red and black. * 2. This faux suede shearling throw is made of 100 percent polyester and is part of Divatex's Joseph Abboud Home collection. * 3. Newport Layton Home Fashions' new Taj Mahal ...
Trade winds. (Winter Market).(product introductions)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... 1. Hanalei Home is introducing a 100 percent cotton bark cloth 8"x 18" Christmas stocking featuring a tropical hibiscus design that is set to retail for $20. * 2. Ernest Hemingway will ...
Country corner. (Winter Market).(Destination Linens and Gifts L.L.C., Bardwil Linens)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... 1. Destination Linens is introducing this country French-style place mat and napkin coordinate. * 2. Bardwil Linens' new Canterbury ...
Promise of spring. (Winter Market).(product introductions)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... 1. Melange Home's Hydrangea features an all-cotton construction for the sheet set and coordinating duvet cover. * 2. Motouk's new Lily of the Valley cotton-polyester tablecloth is a sheer with embroidery and scalloped edges. * 3. Piedmont's Cottonwood comforter ensemble features a simple ...
Jingle bells. (Winter Market).(product introductions for winter)
Feb 03, 2003 ... 1. Windham Weavers' new "I believe in Santa" 19" x 27" rug is a tapestry with latex back set to retail for $9.99 to $12.99. * 2. Elrene Home Fashions has a new collection of table linens titled Winter Fun, which includes this blue jacquard tablecloth. * 3. Revere Mills' new bath towels for ...
Retail ad awards set for Chicago.(Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, Retail Advertising Conference Award )(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... WASHINGTON -- The Retail Advertising & Marketing Association (RAMA), a division of the National Retail Federation, will announce the winners of its Retail Advertising Conference (RAC) Award for outstanding achievement and creativity in retail advertising and marketing at its Gala Awards ...
Brylane DC goes union.(Brylane L.P., distribution center employees, right to join Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... INDIANAPOLIS -- After working to obtain union representation for 15 months, Brylane distribution center employees here last week obtained the right to join the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textiles Employees (UNITE). The 800 employees became union members through a card-check ...
Windharn Weavers adds to design team. (People Today).(promotes Travis Spencer to design director)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... NEW YORK -- Table linens, scatter rugs and decorative pillows supplier Windham Weavers has added three members to its in-house design team and promoted Travis Spencer to the new post of design director. Spencer, formerly decorative pillow designer, replaces Ilene ...
Handelman new buyer for Ballard Designs. (People Today).(Terry Handelman, Ballard Designs Inc.)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003; ... ATLANTA -- Terry Handelman has joined Ballard Designs, a catalog retailer for home furnishings and accents, as buyer, responsible for bedding and bath, upholstery furniture and fabric. She will report to the ...
WB bolsters biz develop team. (People Today).(Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Shari Black, vice president, retail business development)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... BURBANK, CA -- Shari Black has been named vp, retail business development at Warner Bros. Consumer Products. Previously at Disney Consumer Products, she will now manage the ...
Mannson new cfo at Eddie Bauer: Gaston out after 22 years. (People Today).(Eddie Bauer Inc., Ronald Gaston appointed senior vice president, chief financial officer, reports to Fabian Mansson; Al Chambard retiring)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003; ... REDMOND, WA -- Eddie Bauer has announced the appointment of Ronald Gaston as senior vp, cfo, reporting to Fabian Mansson, president and ceo. He succeeds cfo Al Chambard, who is retiring after 22 years of service at the company. Gaston will oversee financial planning and control, ...
Federated among top for women. (People Today).(Federated Department Stores Inc. chosen one of Top 30 Companies for Executive Women)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... CINCINNATI -- Federated Department Stores has been chosen as one of the "Top 30 Companies for Executive Women" by the National Association for Female Executives. Federated placed No. 11 of the hundreds of companies evaluated, up from No. 23 last year, besting all other retailers ...
WestPoint, Thermosoft exclusive.(WestPoint Stevens Inc. licensing agreement with Thermosoft International Corp.)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... WEST POINT, GA -- WestPoint Stevens last week announced a licensing agreement with Thermosoft International Corporation which gives the major mill the exclusive rights to use Thermosoft heating technology for bedding products in North America. WestPoint has integrated the ...
Time to talk turkey. (Opinion Today).(merchandising trends)
Feb 03, 2003; ... So everyone agrees that most of the "real work" that Winter Market was originally created to handle was finished weeks ago. That could be a good thing--because it means that in addition to editing some lines headed for the big market in March, retailers and their suppliers can take some ...
Fear factor. (Opinion Today).(global worries have negative impact on innovative, creative design)
Feb 03, 2003; ... Times are sure changing. We're in a period where safer is surer than innovation and creativity. Perhaps it's a worrisome economy. Maybe it's a fear of war. Or possibly it's simply a fear of innovation and creativity. We see it almost everywhere. To create ...
Calendar.(Calendar)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> FEBRUARY 14-18 Ambiente Frankfurt, Germany (770) 984-8016 www.ambiente.messerankfurt.com 15-19 San Francisco International Gift Fair Moscone Center & The Concourse Exhibition Center San Francisco (415) 346-6666 www.sfigf.com 18-20 London Fabric ...
Same-stores up slightly in third week. (Business Today).(Redbook Retail Sales Average)
Feb 03, 2003 ... NEW YORK -- Most big American retailers had been expecting relatively sluggish sales during the third week of January, and weren't far off the mark, with same-store sales moving up by 1.9 percent, a modest improvement over the prior week's gain of 1.5 percent, according to the Redbook ...
Short-term outlook extremely cautious. (Business Today).(consumer confidence declines )
Feb 03, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- With war drums making Americans jittery, compounding the effects of a soft jobs market and a sluggish economy, consumer confidence continued its long downward slide in January, slipping by 2.1 percent to a level of 79.0, down from 80.7 in December, The Conference Board ...
S&P may downgrade Cone Mills debt. (Business briefs).(Standard and Poor's Corp. may cut ratings on Cone Mills Corp.)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... Standard & Poor's Rating Services, one of the big three corporate credit agencies, said it may cut its ratings on Cone Mills Corp. and has put the textiles producer on "CreditWatch with negative implications." Cone Mills' long-term corporate credit and senior secured debt are ...
Yearend slowdown didn't hurt remodelers' year. (Business briefs).(National Association of Home Builders of the United States, Remodeling Market Index)
Feb 03, 2003 ... Americans remodeled their homes at a slower pace at the end of 2002, as anxious homeowners put off additions and improvements in response to mounting fears of war and weaker economic conditions, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said in its Remodeling Market Index (RMI). ...
Home sales continue to build. (Housing market).(National Association of Realtors forecast)(Industry Overview)
Feb 03, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- Undeterred by war fears, a persistently weak jobs outlook and increasingly credit-poor consumers, the broad U.S. housing market closed out the year on a remarkably resilient note, with all sectors climbing substantially higher during December. Sales of existing ...
Durable goods orders flying low. (Housing market).(U.S. Department of Commerce report)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... WASHINGTON -- With capital spending by big American companies still sluggish, orders for durable goods--products expected to last for more than three years, ranging from toasters to industrial turbines--rose a skimpy 0.2 percent during December, the Commerce Department reported. ...
Wall street watch. (Business Today).(Home Textiles Today Stock Index )
Feb 03, 2003 ... Summary for the week ended January 30, 2003 <Pre> WALL STREET WATCH Summary for the week ended January 30, 2003 RETAILERS CLOSE% CHG % CHG. 01/30/02THIS WEEKYEAR-TO-DATE ...
Buyers bear down at winter mini-market.(upcoming New York Home Textiles Market )
Feb 10, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- It wasn't the best of times, but it wasn't the worst of times, either, last week at the February winter market here. With most of the strictly holiday-related marketing already wrapped up two to three months ago, many suppliers turned their attention to previewing ...
Sure Fit pumps team; new senior executives.(Sure Fit Inc.)(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003; ... ALLENTOWN, PA -- Sure Fit Inc. has undergone a major reorganization of its senior management team, a move, the company said, toward making it an integrated marketing-driven organization. In the words of the company's president and ceo, Bert Shlensky, "We're focusing on becoming a ...
Openings, comps push 4Q higher. (LNT will stay the course).(Linens 'n Things Inc.)
Feb 10, 2003; ... CLIFTON, NJ -- Rolling out new units at a rapid clip, and at the same time building same-store sales, home furnishings big box Linens 'n Things pushed fourth-quarter earnings before one-time items up by 26.0 percent, to $40.2 million. Sales jumped up by 23.0 percent on the ...
Axelrod: `we'll nearly double biz'. (LNT will stay the course).(Norman Axelrod, chairman and chief executive officer, Linens 'n Things Inc.)(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003; ... CLIFTON, NJ -- Silverstein is out. And Linens 'n Things chairman and ceo Norman Axelrod's assertion last week that he'll stay the course of the retailer's strategic plan while nearly doubling revenues over the next three years presents a plethora of interesting questions for a company ...
Dan River boosts sales, margins.(Dan River Inc.)
Feb 10, 2003; ... DANVILLE, VA -- Boosting sales in its core home fashions and apparel fabrics units--and at the same time virtually doubling its margins, while hacking away at costs and slashing debt and interest expense--Dan River Inc. recorded a $4.2 million fourth-quarter profit, recovering from a ...
Kmart wraps lifestyle publication. (Retail briefs).(Kmart Corp. unveils Urban Direct, newspaper supplement )(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... Kmart has unveiled Urban Direct, an entertainment and lifestyle newspaper supplement containing interviews, articles and product offerings. It's the company's newest marketing effort, coming after the launch of La Vida, its Spanish-language newspaper. Both represent the merchant's newest ...
May Dept. Stores buys two units in Ohio. (Retail briefs).(May Department Stores Co. to acquire Marshall Field's department stores from Target Corp.)(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... May Department Stores has signed an agreement to acquire two Marshall Field's department store locations in Columbus, OH, from Target Corp. They will become Kaufman's department stores. The ...
Lowe's to build new distribution center. (Retail briefs).(Lowe's Home Centers Inc., Osceola County, Florida)(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... Lowe's last week announced it will break ground for a 1.3-million-square-foot, $73 million regional distribution center in Osceola County, FL, beginning this year and slated for opening in late 2004 or early ...
Dillard's to close four stores. (Retail briefs).(Dillard Department Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... Dillard's will close four underperforming stores and consolidate another, which is operating as a dual anchor, the company announced. The closing stores are in Randall Park Mall in North Randall, OH; Raleigh Springs Mall in Memphis, TN; Richland Fashion Mall in Columbia, and Greenville ...
HD, Levolor settle case.(Hunter Douglas Inc., Levolor Window Fashions patent litigation )(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ -- Hard window coverings manufacturers Hunter Douglas Inc. and Levolor Window Fashions announced last week that they have settled the patent litigation pending between them. The case had been field in the Federal District Court for the Northern ...
For the record.(Eddie Bauer Inc., Fabian Mannson leaving, replaced by Ronald Gaston)(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... In the Feb. 3 issue, a headline for Eddie Bauer on page 26 should have stated ...
Gottschalks closing stores; selling credit card business.(Gottschalks Inc. financial restructuring plan )(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... FRESNO, CA -- Gottschalks said it will close six stores and sell off its credit card business as part of a five-point financial restructuring plan intended to improve liquidity and cut debt. It also said it expects to take a one-time, non-cash fourth quarter charge of $3 million ...
Wellman to hike prices.(Wellman Inc., polyester staple fiber products)(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... CHARLOTTE, NC -- Wellman Inc. announced on Friday that it will increase the price of its polyester staple fiber products by 12 percent to 14 percent. It last ...
Spiegel in spiral.(Spiegel Inc.)(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... DOWNERS GROVE, IL -- Problems are increasing at direct-mailer The Spiegel Group--it's losing money, squabbling with creditors, in violation of debt covenants, the government is asking about late financial reports, it just lost its cfo, and now its own auditor is publicly questioning its ...
Signoria di Firenze opens at ABC.(Signoria di Firenze S.R.L. standalone boutique at ABC Carpet Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- Italian luxury bedding company Signoria di Firenze is the latest manufacturer to open a standalone boutique at ABC Carpet & Home, in the third-floor linen department. In the U.S. for three years, the company hopes to "find new ways of selling," said president ...
Chain sales unsettled at start of year.(department stores, home furnishings)
Feb 10, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- An unsettled economy and global outlook, coupled with January being a typically tough month for retailers, resulted in tepid sales for the month. With inventories tightened for months, retailers had less merchandise on hand, which may have impacted sales, too. ...
Mohawk surges ahead: 4Q profits, sales soar.(Mowhawk Industries Inc.)
Feb 10, 2003; ... CALHOUN, GA -- Building on the strength of last year's Dal-Tile acquisition, which put Mohawk Industries Inc. into the highly profitable hard flooring market, Mohawk drove its fourth-quarter profits up a heady 42.2 percent, to $84.2 million from $59.2 million. Once again driven ...
Bloomie's Home + Furniture store opens in downtown Chicago.(Bloomingdale's Inc. in refurbished Medinah Temple building)(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... CHICAGO -- Bloomingdale's new Home + Furniture store--its first freestanding downtown location--opened here last week. The store, in the refurbished Medinah Temple building, is devoted entirely to home accessories and furnishings. The structure's unique architecture provided the ...
Uh, oh--Springs invites Cat in the Hat in.(Springs Industries Inc. license for Cat in the Hat products)
Feb 10, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- The Cat in the Hat is bounding into retail via Springs Industries, which is introducing an array of products, from shaped rugs to sculpted bath accessories to bedding ensembles, Springs unveiled the first items under the license during last week's winter winter ...
Echo Designs a license for Creative Bath entry.(Echo Design Group Inc. licensing agreement with Creative Bath Products Inc.)
Feb 10, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- The Echo Design Group is expanding its reach across home textiles through a licensing agreement with Creative Bath Products. Shower curtains, towels, bathroom accessories and decorative pillows will all be supplied by Creative Bath and its Creative Home Furnishings ...
Nautica Home pushes themed intros.(Nautica Home collection, licensed program of American Pacific Home, introduces bedding )
Feb 10, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- Nautica Home jumped into the 2003 winter market with both feet, introducing four bedding collections, four duvets, a variety of coordinating soft window coverings and new bathroom accessory collections. The Nautica Home collection is a licensed program supplied by ...