Home Textiles Today back issues from March 2003:
Throws a new pitch for Croscill.
Mar 03, 2003 ... DURHAM, NC -- Croscill is looking to re-energize growth by working the formula that propeled top-line gains for the $309 million company through though late `90s and into the early `00s. During its semi-annual, pre-market style-out here, Croscill showed a panoply of looks ...
Home businesses shine to the Maxx.(TJX Companies HomeGoods )
Mar 03, 2003; ... FRAMINGHAM, MA -- TJX Companies HomeGoods chain has largely flower under the radar sincce its 1992 launch but that low profile is becoming harder to maintain as it consistently blasts past its targets. In the meantime, TJX's home fashions business--through HomeGoods, TJMaxx and ...
A foundering Spiegel races for life.
Mar 03, 2003 ... DOWNERS GROVE, IL -- TWO years after assuming the helm, Spiegel's president, chairman and ceo Martin Zaepfel retired suddenly last week, handing over the reins to William Kosturos, a managing director at Alvarez & Marshal Inc., a turnaround and management consulting firm, who was named ...
Owen finds Springs in its step.(Springs Industries Inc. will acquire Charles D. Owen Mfg.)
Mar 03, 2003; ... FORT MILL, SC -- In yet another sea change for an American blanket industry roiled by turmoil in recent years, increasingly acquisitive textiles titan Springs Industries Inc. has cut a deal to buy blanket producer Charles D. Owen Mfg., which last year logged about $101 million in sales. ...
Mark Grand joins PHI.( PHI, formerly Peking Handicraft)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Mark Grand will join PHI, formerly Peking Handicraft, in the newly created position of coo. In this capacity he will be responsible for running most aspects of the companies U.S. operations. He reports to Dicky Lo, owner and ceo, and joins the company on March ...
Kaltex deal will alter Revman biz.(Grupo Kaltex of Juarez, Mexico)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- Grupo Kaltex, the Juarez, Mexico-based textiles manufacturer that last month took a majority stake in Revman Industries, will leverage its new affiliation as an entry vehicle to U.S. markets. While the acquisition should financially benefit Revman, it will also undoubtedly ...
Federated to heat up Atlanta market.
Mar 03, 2003; ... CINCINNATI -- Federated's "reinvent" initiative, incorporating more customer-friendly shopping features, such as centralized checkouts, shopping carts and price checkers in stores, this year will focus on the Atlanta market, as 18 or 19 former Rich's locations are reconfigured. ...
Free-thinking, flexible Pier 1 on fast-track.(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- With a flexible footprint, a compatibility with its competitors, and an easier store-opening process than larger boxes, Pier 1 Imports sees a positive future ahead, with sustainable top-line growth of 13 percent to 15 percent over the next three to five years. Part ...
Lundgren ascends.(Terry Lundgren becomes CEO of Fedrated Department Stores )(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... CINCINNATI -- Terry Lundgren, president, coo and chief merchandising officer of Federated Department Stores, has succeeded James Zimmerman as ceo. The transition was long anticipated and planned. Zimmerman will remain chairman of the company. Under a new corporate ...
Home centers fighting turf wars: The Home Depot: home improvement warehouse.(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... ATLANTA -- With Home Depot's market penetration ranging from 3 percent to 20 percent in the 145 markets where it does business, company executives last week said that even in the most mature markets there are opportunities for growth. In the Northeastern corridor alone, Bob ...
Home centers fighting turf wars: Lowe's[R].(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... WILKESBORO, NC -- Focused on major market entries, Lowe's now has 22 percent of its stores in the nation's 25 largest markets, and more than half in the top 100 according to Robert executive vp and cfo. Moreover, Lowe's plans 15 to 16 percent growth in square footage this year, ...
Williams-Sonoma multi-brands.
Mar 03, 2003 ... NEW YORK -- Williams-Sonoma will push its multi-brand, multi-channel retail market strategy to the precipice, continuing to test new vehicles and concepts for its highly segmented--and increasingly diverse--customer base. Those efforts will continue at the core of the company's ...
LNT won't play down.(Linens `n Things )(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- Though its quality is "significantly higher," Linens `n Things will not be undersold on like items by mass merchants, Bill Giles, cfo, told investors at the Bear Stearns' retail conference last week. If the consumer wants a $1.99 towel, however, she will go to ...
Retailers goose opening prices. (2003 Market Basket Report).
Mar 03, 2003 ... NEW YORK -- The lower have gone higher. Results from Home Textiles Today's second annual Market Basket Survey suggest that retailers have made a relative retreat from last year's heavily promotional environment--at least where a comparison of opening price points is concerned. ...
Growing sales grace table linens as retail market share shifts. (The facts: table linens).
Mar 03, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- Sales of table linens last year grew 5.8 percent, to $603 million, driven largely by continued strength in licensing, design innovation and aggressive retail pricing, according to exclusive market research by Home Textiles Today. "The Facts: Table Linens" offers a ...
Multi-packs push towels; soak up kitchen textiles sales. (The facts: kitchen textiles).
Mar 03, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- It's all about price. Department stores tacitly surrendered market share in kitchen textiles last year while variety/closeout operators and off-price chains gained in the category, exclusive research by Home Textiles Today revealed. Despite the category's increasing ...
Sure Fit hires sales vp, marketing director.(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... * Merch product mgr. also promoted ALLENTOWN, PA -- Sure Fit Inc. announced the addition of two employees, Michael Lauri and David Spain, as the vp of sales and director of sales and marketing, respectively, and the promotion of a third employee, Sheetal Gosalia. ...
Kea Capel starts own company. (People Today).(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003; ... PINEHURST, NC--After 16 years at Capel Inc. working for her father and two uncles, Kea Capel has resigned to launch her own rug and textiles company, Kea Capel Inc., along with a silent partner. Capel said she owns "a significant portion" of Kea Capel Inc., with the remainder ...
FIT awards set for April. (People Today).(Fashion Institute of Technology)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... NEW YORK -- Mohawk Home president Bill Kilbride will receive the Industry Leader of the Year Award, and BJ's Wholesale Club executive vp Laura Sen will receive the Retailer of the Year Award from the Fashion Institute of Technology next month. The awards will be given during ...
New president picked at Peacock Alley. (People Today).(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... DALLAS -- Fine linen manufacturer and importer Peacock Alley has named Jason Needleman as president, reporting to Mary Ella Gabler, founder and ceo, who formerly also held the president title. He will be responsible for the overall business strategic development and leadership ...
Brunton names Sloane vp. (People Today).(Brunton International Inc., Harvey Sloane)(Business Brief)
Mar 03, 2003 ... DALLAS -- Industry veteran Harvey Sloane has been named vp of sales for Brunton International Inc., an importer and manufacturer of throws and pillows. Sloane's career encompasses executive positions with Vendome Exclusives, Crystal Creations, Lamont Wicker and a 17-year stint as senior vp ...
ShopKo exec promoted. (People Today).(James Kratowicz )(Business Brief)
Mar 03, 2003 ... GREEN BAY, WI -- James Kratowicz has been promoted to vp, pricing, consumer information resources and e-commerce for the ShopKo division of ShopKo Stores, the company announced last week. Kratowicz ...
Virtual hide 'n seek. (Opinion Today).(consumers try to use internet to find textiles for home)
Mar 03, 2003; ... A couple of months ago, the Internet management department at our publishing company did one of those clever things folks in such departments are always initiating without letting anybody else know about it. They raised HTT's profile on several key search engines--a well-intentioned move ...
Upping the ante. (Opinion Today).(Furniture Today magazine survey on buying trends in home textiles)
Mar 03, 2003; ... It's amazing. You never know where information concerning home textiles will pop up. Last week's extensive "Consumer Buying Trends" study in HTT's sister publication Furniture Today produced some really interesting information-in a few categories involving home textiles. ...
Down Lite in Biltmore estate license.(Biltmore Estate For Your Home licensing agreement with Down Lite International)
Mar 03, 2003; ... ASHEVILLE, NC -- The Biltmore Estate For Your Home line of branded products is expanding into down- and feather-based products through a licensing agreement with Down Lite International. The Mason, OH-based Down Lite will introduce four basic bedding ensembles during the home ...
Lowe's profit up 46.2% in 4Q. (Business Today).(Lowe's Companies Inc.)
Mar 03, 2003; ... WILKESBORO, NC -- Boosting sales and building margins, both at a rapid pace, home improvement retailer Lowe's Companies drove fourth-quarter profits up by 46.2 percent, far higher than expected, to $$319.4 million from $218.4 million last year. Breezing past Wall Street's ...
Winter weather freezes same-stores. (Business Today).(Feb 2003 winter storms in northeast US affect retail sales)(Industry Trend or Event)
Mar 03, 2003 ... NEW YORK -- Hammered by winter storms that swept across much of the nation, shutting in consumers and shutting down malls, same-store retail sales staggered down by 2.6 percent during the third week of February, with full-price department stores especially hard hit, according to the ...
Confidence levels slump to 10-year low. (Business Today).(Conference Board reports drop in consumer confidence)
Mar 03, 2003; ... NEW YORK -- With Americans spooked by war talk, concerned about their jobs, rattled by an unsettled stock market and now paying higher prices at the gas pump, consumer confidence went into a freefall in February, plunging to its lowest level in 10 years. The Conference Board ...
TJX Cos. brings sales up, but profit slips in 4Q. (Business Today).(TJX Companies Inc.)
Mar 03, 2003; ... FRAMINGHAM, MA -- With costs climbing higher and margins thinning out, fourth-quarter profits at The TJX Companies slipped by 0.7 percent despite a solid 9.2 percent increase in sales and a deep cut in interest expense. Profits came in at $154.3 million, down $1.0 million from ...
Dan River to up spending. (Business Today).(Dan River Inc. capital spending)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... DANVILLE, VA -- Reversing a long industrywide trend of slowed capital spending, Dan River Inc. said it plans to boost its capital outlays by as much as 85 percent this year. In a recent 10-K federal filing, the nation's fifth-largest home fashions supplier, with sales of ...
Federated ups income, guidance. (Business Today).(Federated Department Stores Inc.)
Mar 03, 2003; ... CINCINNATI -- Rebounding from a deep loss a year ago as it piled up charges tied to the sale of its troubled Fingerhut unit, Federated Department Stores Inc. recorded a fourth-quarter profit of $321 million vs. a year-ago deficit of $447 million. And pulling out all of the ...
Home Depot leaks sales, profit in 4Q. (Business Today).(Home Depot Inc. )
Mar 03, 2003 ... ATLANTA -- The Home Depot Inc. reported that sales and profits both declined during the fourth quarter, stunted by one less week of sales than last year, and wilting under the heat of stepped-up pressure from Lowe's, which is muscling into key Home Depot markets. Progressively ...
Wall Street watch: summary for the week ended February 27, 2003. (Business Today).
Mar 03, 2003 ... <Pre> HTT STOCK INDEX * Close: 2094.13 Change: -0.04% DOW JONES INDUSTRIALS Close: 7884.99 Change: -0.38% S&P 500 Close:837.28 Change:0.02% NASDAQ INDUSTRIAL Close: 1323.96 Change: -0.55% WINNERS...
Editor's notes.(new developments at the Toy Fair )
Mar 03, 2003; ... Attending Toy Fair in the middle of two feet of snow has to be one of the most interesting experiences in my time with Kids Today. Sloshing my way cross-town (there were no cabs to be had in New York), through piles of dirty snow was not the most glamorous part of my job, but luckily, the ...
Specialty store operations report: product mix. (By the Numbers).(Kids Today report)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Greensboro, N.C. -- Kids specialty stores have a wide variety of product meant to draw customers into their stores. Across the board, space allocation tracks revenue generation very closely according to information gathered by Kids Today. The just-completed survey of kids ...
Advertising and promotions. (By the Numbers).(kids specialty retailers )(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Kids specialty retailers allocate a median of 5% of sales to their advertising and promotions efforts. This is similar to the advertising allocations made by furniture stores; home accents stores devote slightly more (8 %). For half of these kids specialty retailers, ...
Behind the numbers. (By the Numbers).(Kids Today survey)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... In this exclusive survey of kids specialty retailers, Kids Today looks at the merchandise mix by major category, comparing space allocation to dollar sales, as well as more specific information on the percentage of retailer that carry each product. The survey also delves into ...
Riverside unveilinq major licensed line `Inch By Inch' Imaginations collection coming in April. (Licensing).(Riverside Furniture Corp., Imaginations Youth, furniture )
Mar 03, 2003; ... Fort Smith, Ark. -- Riverside Furniture is launching a major new licensed collection for kids at the High Point market. Called Imaginations Youth, the furniture is based on the popular "Inch By Inch" children's book series, which feature a number of one-line, illustrated ...
My Little Pony returning in force. (Licensing).(Hasbro Inc.)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Pawtucket, R.I. -- Hasbro is bringing My Little Pony back to the shelves, with an extensive launch of licensed products and a big marketing push this year. Springs Inds. is producing a line of bedding, including a comforter and sheet sets, as well as a two-piece coordinated ...
CoCaLo partners with Target for nursery bedding products. (Licensing).(CoCaLo Inc., Target Corp., Expectations by Martex )(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003; ... Costa Mesa, Calif. -- Textile manufacturer CoCaLo has launched a new brand of licensed bedding, dubbed Expectations by Martex, which is available exclusively at Target. The line was rolled out to Target stores at the end of January, and includes infant bedding and coordinating ...
Applause to produce Simpsons plush. (Licensing).(Applause L.L.C. agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising Corp.)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Woodland Hills, Calif. -- Toy and gift manufacturer Applause is producing a new line of The Simpsons plush dolls in agreement with Fox Licensing & Merchandising. Applause also has exclusive international distribution rights for the dolls. Currently available are Homer and Bart ...
Blue Jean Teddy expands product. (Licensing).(Art Impressions signs new licensees )(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Canoga Park, Calif. -- The popular Blue Jean Teddy will be appearing on a wide variety of infant and youth products, thanks to a number of new licensing agreements. Art Impressions, the intellectual property development manager for Blue Jean Teddy, has recently signed 13 new ...
Starlite Originals to release Disney sculptures. (Licensing).(Starlite Originals L.L.C., Walt Disney Art Classics)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Studio City, Calif. -- Collectibles maker Starlite Originals will produce a new line of Disney character sculptures in conjunction with Walt Disney Art Classics. The company will show the new collection at the Rosemount Collectibles Show in Chicago in June. The first four pieces ...
Revman adds bath to Laura Ashley juvenile. (Licensing).(Revman Industries Inc., bath accessories )(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... New York -- Revman Inds. has added bath accessories to two of its Laura Ashley juvenile collections, Outerspace and Fun Fairies. Shannon Sheridan, public relations representative for Revman, said the company expanded its line of juvenile products because the bedding designs have ...
CINAR named licensing agent for Arthur in Canada. (Licensing).(Cinar Corp.; children's book, television character )
Mar 03, 2003 ... Montreal -- CINAR Corp. has been named the licensing agent in Canada for all merchandise relating to the children's book and television character Arthur. CINAR also produces the television show in conjunction with WGBH/Boston. "It was a natural evolution to further get involved ...
Small Fry Design offering gift sets from author Mallet. (Licensing).(Kathy Mallet)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Santa Ana, Calif. -- Small Fry Design is producing a new line of gifts called Book N Blanket, Read to Me Series. The gift items will feature a Hugs N Cuddles security blanket packaged with a children's storybook from author Kathy Mallet. The first two Book N Blankets ...
`Tiny Planets' signs licensing agent. (Licensing).(L&G Licensing+)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Pacific Palisades, Calif. -- L & G Licensing+ was named the licensing agency for the United States for the preschool television series "Tiny Planets" in January. The television show is created by U.K.-based Pepper's Ghost Productions and produced in association with Sesame Workshop. ...
4Kids, AKC sign licensing deal. (Licensing).(4Kids Entertainment Inc., American Kennel Club)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... New York -- 4Kids Entertainment and the American Kennel Club have signed an agreement that makes 4Kids the exclusive licensing representative for children's toys. The top priority for the campaign will be the creation of a plush program including all AKC pedigreed breeds of dog ....
FAO files reorganization plan. (News Watch).(FAO Inc. )
Mar 03, 2003; ... King of Prussia, Pa. -- FAO, Inc. filed its bankruptcy reorganization plan in February, and some leading suppliers say they are optimistic that the company will survive. According to the plan, FAO has assets totaling $257.9 million and liabilities of $238 million. As ...
Kids Today conference on tLauderdale, Flaap in June. (News Watch).(Fort Lauderdale, Florida)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Greensboro, N.C. -- The 2002 Kids Today conference will be held June 4-6 at the Lago Mar Resort & Club in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. This year's theme, "Playing to Win," brings together speakers and panelists who will tackle important issues facing both manufacturers and retailers in ...
First Rooms to Dream store opens. (News Watch).(P.J. Kids licenses name of Rooms to Dream line)
Mar 03, 2003; ... Corpus Christi, Texas -- P.J. Kids has licensed the name of its Rooms to Dream line for the retail furniture business, and the first licensed Rooms to Dream store opened here on Feb. 8. Owned by Carter Green, who also owns an Ashley Furniture HomeStore here, the ...
JPMA, AISS in talks to combine shows. (News Watch).(Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, Association of Independent Specialty Stores, Juvenile Expo)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Mt. Laurel, N.J. -- The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assn. and the Assn. of Independent Specialty Stores have held talks to explore the option of JPMA acquiring the rights to the AISS Juvenile Expo. The result would be one combined show, beginning this year, at the May JPMA show in ...
Dorel acquires French producer Ampa. (News Watch).(Dorel Industries Inc., Ampa Group)
Mar 03, 2003; ... Montreal -- With its recent acquisition of the Ampa Group, a French producer of juvenile products, Dorel Inds. has claimed the bragging rights as the world's largest producer of juvenile products. According to Rick Leckner, a company spokesperson, Dorel has purchased ...
Kathy Ireland, Standard form brand-management company. (News Watch).(Kathy Ireland Worldwide, Standard Furniture Manufacturing Co., Home Brands Inc.)
Mar 03, 2003; ... Los Angeles -- Standard Furniture and Kathy Ireland Worldwide have formed a brand-management company called Home Brands Inc. A soft economy led to lower sales in 2002 for much of the home furnishings industry. However, for the companies who joined together to introduce the Kathy ...
Toys `R' Us eliminates management positions. (News Watch).(Toys "R" Us Inc.)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Paramus, N.J. -- Toys "R" Us announced in January that it eliminated 700 store management and supervisory positions in an effort to reallocate labor in 400 of its 686 Toys "R" Us stores in the United States. The company eliminated mostly middle management positions, such as ...
Comfort Research opens plant, expands line. (News Watch).(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Comfort Research, manufacturer of the Foof Chair, has opened a new 15,000-square-foot plant here. The company previously outsourced its manufacturing to an 8,000-square-foot facility in Mississippi, said Chip George, chief executive officer. ...
Learning Curve merges with Racing Champions Ertl. (News Watch).(Learning Curve International, Racing Champions Ertl Corp.)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Chicago -- Developmental toy company Learning Curve International has merged with collectibles manufacturer Racing Champions Ertl Corporation. The agreement is expected to close by March 15. John W. Lee, president of Learning Curve, said the merger with Racing Champions Ertl ...
New company, Jeeto! launches with prints. (News Watch).(Animal Kingdom Collection)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Los Angeles -- Design company Jeeto! launched in January with a collection of triple silk-screened art for children's rooms called The Animal Kingdom Collection. The current collection features animals drawn in bold colors and simple lines. "I was looking to find ...
Toy Industry Assn. names three to new posts. (People around the industry).(Toy Industry Association)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... New York -- Three executives have been named to newly created positions at the Toy Industry Assn. Joining the TIA are Robert S. O'Keefe, vice president of marketing, and Gary S. Klein, senior vice president of government, legal and regulatory affairs. Effective April 1, Terri ...
Warner Bros. names Torres new GM of Mexico office. (People around the industry).(Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Manuel Torres named general manager)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Burbank, Calif. -- Manuel Torres has been named general manager of the Warner Bros. Consumer Products offices in Mexico. Torres will manage the day-to-day operations of the office, while overseeing the development and implementation of strategies that will continue to expand the ...
Pedro Capo named president of NHFA. (People around the industry).(National Home Furnishings Association)(Brief Article)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Miami -- Pedro Capo, chief operations officer and corporate secretary of El Dorado Furniture, is the new 2003 President of the National Home Furnishings Association, the largest retail home furnishings association in the United States. "The task of the association for the years ...
Bombay Kids growing up quickly: first-year success leads to further expansion plans. (Up Close).(Bombay Company Inc.)
Mar 03, 2003; ... Fort Worth, Texas -- It's only been a year since the first Bombay Kids store opened in Dallas, but the company has already launched four more stores and says it will have a total of 35 units up and running by year's end. And if all goes according to plan, Bombay Kids says it ...
Youth bedroom--styles for any taste. (Up Close).(multiple companies)
Mar 03, 2003 ... While it's hard to pin down trends in the expansive youth bedroom arena, certain style directions seem to be coming on especially strong. Cottage looks have been leading the pack in the last year, but also noteworthy is the resurgence of natural finishes. Also popular are classic styles ...
Toy fair offers fun things for toddlers to tweens. (Show Biz).(multiple companies)
Mar 03, 2003 ... Folkmanis introduced its My First 123 Puppets, a soft book with three-dimensional characters designed to teach numbers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Flatsos series from North American Bear Co. includes the Flatopotamus, available in plush in two sizes, and as a rattle. ...
Retailers take smaller hit on market cap. (Departments).(market capitalization )
Mar 03, 2003; ... Greensboro, N.C. -- In last month's edition of the scorecard, Kids Today looked at market capitalization of the publicly-held vendors in the juvenile home furnishings industry. In this edition, Kids Today reviews the publicly-traded retailers in the industry. Retailer market ...