Home Textiles Today back issues from October 2007:
Bloomingdale's Edits Home in New Store.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Carole Sloan Chevy Chase, Md. - In opening its 40th store last week, Bloomingdale's took a radically different approach to home, merging individual home departments into lifestyle statements and incorporating only the best of the best in merchandise. The new store ...
Textiles Help Pier 1 Toward Black Ink.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Cecile B. Corral Fort Worth, Texas - As home furnishings specialty retailer Pier 1 Imports pursues its turnaround effort, the new merchandise mix of decorative pillows, rugs, window panels and chair pads is seeing "some nice sales gains," with entry-level price points ...
Rugs Suppliers Step Up in Tough Market.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Cecile B. Corral High Point, N.C. - Well aware of the recent slowdown of furniture sales in the wake of a declining housing market, rug suppliers exhibiting here at the International Home Furnishings market this week say they are tackling the downward trend by arming ...
High End Vendors Upbeat on High Point.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Carole Sloan High Point, N.C. - Home textiles exhibitors at the High Point Market this week are cautious about its outcome in terms of attendance by retailers, the macro-economic conditions, and the general ennui that has been plaguing the home furnishings community from the ...
Retail Briefs.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff Target Cuts Comp Outlook Staff Back-to-school failed to galvanize consumers, and Target was among the retailers pulling back. The 1,537-unit upscale discounter cut its September comp sales estimate from the 4% to 6% range to a modest 1.5% to ...
Forecast: Home Soft for Holiday.
Oct 01, 2007; ... By Jennifer Marks Columbus, Ohio and Washington, D.C. - The first pair of holiday forecasts brought unpleasant news, and while the estimates differ, both represent the worst holiday performance since 2002. Retail consultancy and market research firm Retail Forward is ...
Retailers Take Green Steps.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff New York - While Wal-Mart may be taking the most aggressive steps to demonstrate its eco bona fides - most recently teaming up with the Carbon Disclosure Project on a pilot program to monitor the emissions impact of its vendors and supply chain - other retailers have ...
Bezz Celebrates Decosit Trend Award.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff Brussels, Belgium - Bezz of Turkey was awarded the "Most Trendy" citation at Decosit here last month. The company's wool fabric has a nostalgic flavor and a balanced use of color, according to the Decosit Brussels Trendteam. Innofa of the Netherlands was ...
Letter to the Editor.(Letter to the editor)
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff Unifying New York Show Dates IFDA (International Furnishing and Design Association) NY Chapter and EWHT (Executives Working in Home Textiles) wish to express our support for unifying the dates of the New York market dates, which now are one week apart. ...
Madden Toast 30 Years.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff New York - Chris Madden celebrated her 30th anniversary running her own business, from the early days as the head of her own public relations company to her now far-flung business activity ...
Sheen Rules Maison&Objet.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff Paris - Lots of shimmer and sheen, reflected particularly in the use of velvets as bedding and upholstery covers, an abundance of crystals as embellishments, and an emerging renewal of prints for the home highlighted the textile offerings at Maison&Objet here last ...
Tech Benefits Spur Mattress Pad Sales.
Oct 01, 2007; ... By Jill Rowen With the entire world looking for technical fixes, even for non-technical problems, mattress pad manufacturers are heeding the call and delivering high tech solutions and fabrications to restless and sleep-deprived consumers. This array of products with a ...
IHF Taps Hollowell for Marketing.(appointment of David Hollowell )(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff Black Mountain, N.C. - Blanket and bedding manufacturer IHF has named David Hollowell vp marketing. He will be responsible for the product manager team of Sandy Craig for blankets and Susan Melton for bedding. Most recently ...
GLM Promotes Sikalis.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff White Plains, N.Y. -Trade show producer George Little Management (GLM) has named Penny Sikalis vp, global business development, reporting to Alan Steel, evp. In addition to her current duties as vp-show manager for Global Home Textiles and Global Home Decor, ...
Capel Hires Stoutnar.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff Troy, N.C. - Family-owned and operated rug company Capel Inc. has hired Colleen Stoutnar as its new marketing coordinator, managing national efforts for the Capel brand. She brings more than 15 years of sales and marketing experience, most recently as the ...
TJX Names Two New Directors.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff Alvarez and Bennett Join Board Framingham, Mass. - Off-price retailer The TJX Companies has elected Jose Alvarez and Alan Bennett to its board of directors. Alvarez has been president and ceo of Stop & Shop/Giant-Landover, a supermarket chain ...
Welspun Taps Fein for Rug Initiative.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Cecile B. Corral New York- On the heels of the launch in August of its decorative top-of-bed category, Wel-spun USA is now in the process of creating a soft floor covering division that will debut in February. The company, which posted $277 million in 2006 U.S ....
Cost Plus Positive on Turnaround Bid.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff Oakland, Calif. - The back-to-basics turnaround campaign at specialty retailer Cost Plus World Market is on track, the company said at its analyst day presentation last month. "We have exited the collection business," said Barry Feld, president and ceo, ...
Green West Event Expands, Alters Dates.(Conference news)
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff Los Angeles - To accommodate an exhibitor list that is growing beyond expectations, Green West Expo & Conference has changed its spring schedule. The event is now scheduled for May 20 through 22 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. ...
Kohl's Pushes Cross-shopping.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff San Francisco - The biggest opportunity for Kohl's is to get shoppers out of the habit of buying from only one line of business per trip, according to Kohl's president Kevin Mansell. Addressing the Bank of America Investment Conference here two weeks ago, ...
Epoch Hometex Debuts Alternative Naturals Line.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff First Wave to Ship this Month Burlingame, Calif. - Epoch Hometex has launched a new division, Alternative Naturals, which consists of down-alternative utility bedding products that use natural fill as opposed to polyester-based fill. The idea is ...
HFPA Annual Meeting Set.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff New York - The Home Fashion Products Association has set Nov. 28 as the date for its annual membership meeting. The meeting will take place at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Exact location at the school will be announced closer to the event. ...
Kaleen to Expand Product Lines.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff Launch Scheduled for January Rug Market Dalton, Ga. - Kaleen Inc. is gearing up to expand its area rug assortment to include machine-made varieties, come 2008. Joe Barkley, evp, told HTT this upcoming line is still under product development, but ...
Fabric Designer Murray in New Venture.(Marion Murray & Co.)(Marion Murray )(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff New York - Veteran decorative fabrics designer Marion Murray has formed her own company, Marion Murray & Co., and will launch her own collection of decorative fabrics at Showtime in High Point, N.C. this December. In addition to decorative fabrics that will ...
Serta Bedding Headed to Hospitality.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff Matthews, N.C. - nVision Marketing, a home textiles sales and sourcing organization, and Products Unlimited, an Omaha, Neb.-based manufacturer of bedding products, have teamed up to manufacture and sell an assortment of Serta-branded basic bedding for the hospitality ...
Expansion Tops BBB's List.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Cecile B. Corral Union, N.J. - Real estate expansion is top-of-mind for Bed Bath & Beyond, as the home textiles specialty chain revs up to open its first store outside the United States - to be located in Canada - before the end of this fiscal year, and it "continues to ...
Licenses, Marketing, Online Keys for Martha.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Cecile B. Corral New York - Cultivating and expanding its licensing partnerships, driving its cross-platform advertising, and increasing its digital business are the three top priorities for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) over the next few years. The first ...
Luxe Customers Nip Neiman's.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff Dallas - Despite an unsteady economy, Neiman Marcus' core customer is expected to shop on, executives told analysts on the retailer's fiscal year-end call. "The luxury consumer will remain a luxury consumer. She will not vacate the idea of buying quality, ...
September Comps Crumble.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff New York - After a convincing Labor Day launch, the September comparable store sales surge is in retreat, the Johnson Redbook reported. The third week of this five-week retail month saw a 1.6% gain in the Redbook Index, a clear drop-off from the previous ...
Don't Worry, Be Happy.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Jennifer Marks Okay, the numbers don't exactly sing. The National Retail Federation kicked off last week's blues festival with a prediction that holiday 2007 sales will rise just 4.0%. That falls below the average annual 4.8% pace and would amount to the worst ...
Kindly Avert Your Eyes.
Oct 01, 2007; ... By Carole Sloan It's beginning to be a competition as to who goes to markets, exhibitions or whatever the local term is for events that showcase new products. Ostensibly, new product showcases are for seller and buyer to meet and communicate and eventually buy some of the ...
GLM Acquired by DMG.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff White Plains, N.Y. - New York International Gift Fair and New York Home Textiles Market operator George Little Management (GLM) has been acquired by publisher and trade show producer dmg world media, with a closing date set for Oct. 1. Mike Cooke, ceo of ...
Koncept Textiles Show Ready.
Oct 01, 2007 ... By Staff New York - Koncept, a new trade fair focusing on textile and surface design for the interiors product market, will debut Oct. 23-25 at the Metropolitan Pavilion here. Exhibitors consist of 40 selected international textile design studios from the United ...
Suppliers Set Table for Holiday.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Cecile B. Corral New York - If it's October, it must be Christmas retailing time. Now that the witches, ghosts and goblins have bedecked front lawns across the country at least since late September, retailers aren't wasting another minute to remind shoppers the ...
Slower Traffic at High Point.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Carole Sloan Gutsy Vendors Make Gains High Point, N.C. - A dearth of new customers walking the market contributed to the visible drop in attendance at the High Point Market here earlier this month. Home textiles exhibitors that came to market with lower ...
Weaver's Keeps it New After 150 Years.(Weaver's Department Store)
Oct 15, 2007; ... By Cecile B. Corral Lawrence, Kan. - In its 150-year existence, family-owned and operated Weaver's Department Store has survived the Civil War and both World Wars, two fires and the Great Depression. Perhaps one of its toughest obstacles has been stiff retail ...
Window Vendors Get Inventive.
Oct 15, 2007; ... By James Mammarella Despite Market Volatility, Suppliers Stepping Up New York - Challenged by the usual array of market pressures - from retail consolidation and consumer woes to price deflation and cost creep - suppliers of soft window treatments are responding in a ...
Retail Briefs.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Montgomery Ward in Holiday Push Staff The stores may be a distant memory, but the Montgomery Ward nameplate lives on, offering 50,000 products online at www.Wards.com and in its 180-page holiday catalog, mailing now. "Our holiday catalog debut ...
September Sales Show Cautious Consumer.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Washington - In contrast to the same-store sting many retailers reported on September sales, the overall retail sales growth for the month was up 2.2% over Sept. 2006, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) - but the merchants' organization acknowledges that ...
WestPoint Creditors Grapple with Icahn.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Brent Felgner New York - A state judge in Delaware has clarified an order that will permit WestPoint International "to conduct business the way it has been and specifically may sell what the company considers its ordinary assets," according to court documents and filings with ...
April Cornell Charity Website Launched.(Website overview)
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Burlington, Vt. - Designer April Cornell has launched a website for her Indian self-reliance supporting charity, the Giving World Foundation. The website, www.givingworldfoundation.org, currently features two flash videos and a photo gallery highlighting ...
Covington Firms Up Finances.(Covington Holdings)
Oct 15, 2007; ... By Carole Sloan New York - Decorative fabrics converter Covington Holdings has reached an agreement with its principal lender on a financial restructuring package for the business. "This brings to an end a very difficult period of uncertainty for all the constituents ...
Iran Rug Ban to Have Little Effect.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff High Point, N.C. - If proposed trade sanctions against Iran are accepted by the U.S. Senate, Iranian rugs again will be barred from legal entry into the United States. But the effect on the rug industry will be minimal, rug importers say. Iran is known as ...
Made In Italy Campaign Underway.(Brief article)
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Rome - This country's Made In Italy Group and Internet Marketing company have joined to launch an international multimedia marketing campaign aimed at promoting Made In Italy products to retail and wholesale buyers in the United States. Seeking to boost ...
Muzekari Joins Westlake.(Tom Muzekari appointed at Westlake USA )(Brief article)
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff High Point, N.C. - Longtime decorative fabric executive Tom Muzekari has joined Westlake USA as a senior sales and marketing executive. Muzekari had been vp, sales and marketing for the former Quaker Fabric. In his new position, Muzekari will focus on sales ...
Holiday Decorating Bigger in Bed and Bath.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Washington - Home decorating for the holidays now permeates the home, and that should spur the sales of holiday linens this year, according to one National Retail Federation executive. Dan Butler, vp of retailer operations and merchandising, told reporters ...
Williamsburg Business Gift Site Debuts.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Williamsburg, Va. - Colonial Williamsburg has launched a new online business gift shopping tool: www.WilliamsburgBusinessGifts.com. The collection of licensed goods offered online can be customized with engraving or embroidery, and custom packaged as well. ...
Brazil, Latin America in Cherokee Crosshairs.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Van Nuys, Calif. - By signing a major direct-to-retailer license in Brazil, and hiring a new executive to oversee Mexico and Central America, brand management company Cherokee Group has shown its level of interest in these territories is on the upswing. The ...
Home Helps Margins at Family Dollar.(Family Dollar Stores Inc.)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Oct 15, 2007; ... By Cecile B. Corral Matthews, N.C. - A major contributor to gross margin improvement during the fourth quarter for Family Dollar Stores was the home category, which the 6,430-unit discount chain said had the second strongest sales increase of the retailer's mix during the ...
Lenzing Opens Fiber Plant in Nanjing.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff China Seen as Key Market Nanjing, China - Lenzing held a grand opening ceremony earlier this month for its new viscose fiber production plant here following several months of trial operation. Lenzing (Nanjing) Fibers Co., Ltd. is a joint venture ...
Meijer Launching Cannon in Bed and Bath.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Grand Rapids, Mich. - Cannon Classic and Cannon Royal Family bedding and bath branded programs are coming to the home department at Midwest regional supercenter chain Meijer. This comes via a recently inked partnership with Li & Fung, which through its Homestead ...
Jaclyn Smith Home Formed.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Cecile B. Corral Los Angeles - Actress and entrepreneur Jaclyn Smith has organized all of her home furnishings collections under an integrated brand, Jaclyn Smith Home. With Kmart as anchor retailer for her apparel program, Smith also has Hickory Hill, Comfort ...
Radici Expands Atlanta Showroom.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Atlanta - Italian rug manufacturer Radici USA has expanded its showroom at the AmericasMart here to 1,800 square feet and at the same time the company has also extended its presence at the mart with a new long-term lease agreement. Located on the sixth floor ...
Ugly Couch Contest a Hit for Sure Fit.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff New York - The recent return of the Ugly Couch Contest from Sure Fit is an indication of more to come, said George De Sotle, svp sales and marketing at Sure Fit. Sure Fit, a marketer and distributor of branded and private label furniture covers, has used the ...
Kohl's Seeks Clarity in Home.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Carmel, Ind. - Kohl's brought analysts to this rapidly growing city north of Indianapolis in early October to show off its latest prototype - amidst a record-breaking day of 80 store openings - the bulk of 95 stores the company will open this quarter. The ...
American Textile to Open Dallas Facility.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Duquesne, Pa. - Basic bedding manufacturer American Textile Company (ATC) will open a new 105,000-square-foot production and shipping plant in Dallas in November. ATC chairman Reid Ruttenberg said the new plant "reinforces our commitment to growing our bed ...
People Briefs.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Iconix Brands Taps Marcum for Board Staff Brand management company Iconix Brand Group has appointed James Marcum to its board of directors. Marcum is a partner and operating director of Tri-Artisan Capital Partners, a merchant banking ...
Fabric Exec Cherenson Dies.(executive)(Alan Cherenson)(Obituary)(Brief article)
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff White Plains, N.Y. - Services were held here Sept. 30 at Temple Israel Center for Alan Cherenson, a retired decorative fabrics executive who was a leader in jacquard woven fabrics. Cherenson, 84, was owner and headed Uniweave and Chromatex until the sale of ...
Craftex Mills Promotes Team.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Blue Bell, Pa. - Jack Eger and Bob Proske have been promoted to svps at Craftex Mills. Eger continues his responsibilities for sales and marketing; Proske for finance. Each had been vp for those areas. Terri Blum has been promoted to vp of design, responsible ...
Retail Forward's Russo to Address HFPA.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff New York - The annual meeting of the Home Fashion Products Association will feature the presentation "Retail Trends through 2015" by speaker James Russo, vp of business development, TNS Retail Forward. The location for the Wednesday, Nov. 28 event is the ...
Thomasville President Resigns.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff St. Louis - Nancy Webster, president of the Thomasville Furniture Inds. division of Furniture Brands Intl. has resigned from the company effective immediately. Webster, a longtime home textiles executive, joined Thomasville two years ago. Prior to that she ...
Global Sources Adds Shows.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff Hong Kong - The online event promotion site Trade Show Center has added seven additional shows to its Global Sources roster. Two of the productions apply to the textiles industry: Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show, Oct. 24-26, by Taiwan Textile ...
Sharadha Dials up MicroCotton Marketing.(contracts of Sharadha Terry Products and Chillingworth/Radding)(Brief article)
Oct 15, 2007 ... By Staff New York - The spa at the posh Mandarin Oriental hotel here was transformed into the world of MicroCotton last week as Sharadha Terry Products kicked off a national consumer campaign to promote the luxury brand. Models wrapped in MicroCotton towels and robes ...
Value Chains Advance.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By James Mammarella New York - All you need to know about September retail performance is that the top gainers in comparative store sales - the top three - were all warehouse membership clubs: Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's. Even the corporate comp gain of 1.4% by ...
Retailers Retreat on 3Q Plans.
Oct 15, 2007 ... By James Mammarella Wal-Mart Raises 3Q Guidance, while Competitors Dim Forecasts New York - As September sales results were reported last week, Wall Street was pleased that Wal-Mart felt moved to raise its third-quarter guidance on earnings - even though projections ...