HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from April 2005

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from April 2005

THE HEAT TURNS UP ON FLAMMABILITY.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... When the smoke clears, the home industry is likely to have new regulations for all major soft fashion product categories. For a status update, see page 10.

BYE, BYE: WHO'S NEXT IN LINE TO BUY, BUY?(Retail trade report.)
April 4, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Here we go again. The second wave of acquisition mania talk has begun, with J.C. Penney, Saks Department Store Group and its tony sister Saks Fifth Avenue reportedly in play. This latest round of...

NEW SEARS TEAM STARTS TO TAKE SHAPE.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.-The senior management team at the new Sears Holdings is starting to fall into place. The retailer made its first batch of executive appointments -- resulting in a number of resignations -- at...

DE'LONGHI WHITE GOODS COMING TO U.S.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Gerry Beatty SADDLE BROOK, N.J.-Add De'Longhi SpA to the resources in North America for high-end major appliances. The Italian manufacturer, long established in this country with its kitchen electrics and comfort products, will...

IN BRIEF: TOSCHES JOINS MACY'S HOME... DRY ICE NAMES IVERSON ACTING CEO... WAL-MART CUES UP QUINCY JONES CE.
April 4, 2005... TOSCHES JOINS MACY'S HOME Cynthia Tosches has been named vice president of silver and glass for Macy's Home Stores, succeeding Nancy Migneault, who left the company earlier this year. Tosches most recently served as divisional merchandise...

HFNDEX: RETAILER CONFIDENCE SLIPS SLIGHTLY IN FIRST QUARTER.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Nathan Weber NEW YORK-Retail executives' confidence in the economy dipped in the first quarter, reinforcing a similar decline in consumer confidence reported by the Conference Board for March. Notwithstanding the drop from the...

CHRISLEY NAMED PRESIDENT OF UNIVERSAL.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HIGH POINT, N.C.-Universal Furniture International, a major importer, has named industry veteran Randy Chrisley president and chief executive officer. Chrisley, senior vice president of sales and marketing since 2001, succeeds Harvey...

SPOTS LANDING: PIER 1'S NEW ADS MAKE DEBUT.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Sheila Long O'Mara FORT WORTH, Texas-The eagerly anticipated and anxiously awaited new Pier 1 Imports advertising campaign has landed. As promised, the ads focus on Pier 1 product and shun the celebrity genre of the company's...

HP APPOINTS HURD AS CEO, PRESIDENT.
April 4, 2005... PALO ALTO, Calif.-Hewlett-Packard last week named Mark Hurd as its new president and chief executive officer. Hurd is succeeding former Chairman and CEO Carly Fiorina, who resigned her post nearly two months ago, as earlier reported by HFN....

CASTAGNA JOINS CERBERUS IN SENIOR SLOT.
April 4, 2005... Byline: David Moin NEW YORK-After being wooed by several top retailers, Vanessa Castagna has decided to join the New York-based private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management as a senior member of the operations team. "This is very...

CORRECTION.(Correction Notice)
April 4, 2005... The grand-opening celebration for the Mexico Pavilion at the Dallas Market Center is scheduled for Friday, June 24.

APRIL IN PARIS.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine There's no place like Paris in April, and this year is no exception. Could there be a more enjoyable way to spend a spring afternoon than wandering the Left Bank, browsing beautiful stores? Starting at the J....

HOT TOPIC; THE FLAMMABILITY SCORECARD: FLOOR COVERINGS ARE COVERED, MATTRESSES ARE UNDER CALIFORNIA STANDARDS AND MAY GO NATIONAL. UPHOLSTERY AND HOME TEXTILES COULD BE NEXT.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Reporting by Sheila Long O'Mara, Karl Kunkel, Leticia Leizens, Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-Talk about hot topics. Flammability is increasingly becoming a much-discussed issue for soft home categories. Below is a summary on how the...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
April 4, 2005... April 2-5 Boston Gift Show Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Boston 914-421-3244 bostongiftshow.com 7-9 International Window Coverings Expo Georgia International Convention Center Atlanta ...

SHOPPING THE NEW MALL OF SPIRIT.(Column)
April 4, 2005... Byline: J'Amy Owens Seventeen million copies of "The Purpose Driven Life" were sold in 2003. I wonder if I were to ask you, assuming we knew each other, "What is your purpose?" could you legitimately answer? Do you actually know what...

DARWIN-MART.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Warren Shoulberg Jack Welsh was wrong...or at least he's no longer right. The legendary head of General Electric, who was pretty much considered the high priest of business practices during his long tenure as CEO (before his...

N.Y. TEXTILES SHOW THRIVES ON DIVERSITY.
April 4, 2005... NEW YORK-Some 450 exhibitors, including 90 new companies from all over the world, will show their wares at the New York Home Textiles Show, to be held here at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, April 8 to 11. George Little Management,...

UPBEAT GOES ON; SOFT WINDOW SUPPLIERS ADD CHEERFUL COLORS AND CONTEMPORARY PATTERNS TO THEIR LIVELY NEW OFFERINGS.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Suppliers of soft window coverings have gone the cheerful and fun route. Some of the introductions this market fall into a livelier and cleaner color palette. "Our design team is coining it `a fresher...

DIVATEX TO LAUNCH PRODUCTS MADE FROM SEAWEED.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-Divatex is launching an assortment of sheets and towels at this textiles market that are constructed of fiber derived from seaweed, a marine product that believers say promotes good health, adds softness,...

LEAF PATTERNS ON BATH ACCESSORIES TURNING UP IN FALL COLLECTIONS.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Keep an eye out for the leaf motif. The bath accessories suppliers have turned to the popular fall design in their new collections for this textiles market. "Leaves and floral designs are so popular...

TURKISH EXHIBITORS LOOK TO ATTRACT U.S. VENDORS.
April 4, 2005... NEW YORK-Some 30 Turkish companies are vying for the attention of U.S. retailers, suppliers and distributors as they exhibit towels, bathrobes, bed linens, curtains and draperies, table linens and decorative fabrics, among others, at the April...

STYLES AND COLORS FIND GROOVE FOR TABLE LINEN, KITCHEN INTROS.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Carla Webb NEW YORK-Table linens and kitchen textiles introductions run the gamut this market in looks and seasons, ranging from clean urban styles to florals and exotic patterns to the whimsical. It's autumn in Bardwil's...

MARKET GETTING SOFT FOR TOWEL SUPPLIERS.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-Whether it's solid-color, jacquard-woven or reactive print, bath towels are getting softer. "We see the trend moving toward a loftier, fuller towel in a soft hand, and still maintaining all necessary...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Home decor.)
April 4, 2005... SURE FIT is offering Scotchgard protector treatment on its furniture slipcovers and dining room chair covers in select fabrics and constructions starting this spring. Sure Fit and 3M, makers of the patented treatment, said the introduction,...

TECHNOLOGY SETS THE TONE FOR LATEST SHEET OFFERINGS.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-When solid-color sheet suppliers are not introducing new technology, they are busy offering new programs or adding details that differentiate their products from those of their competitors. Last fall, a...

SUPPLIERS TRADE UP WHITE PRODUCTS.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Think luxury. That's what basic bedding suppliers did when they designed the new products, from down comforters to pillows to mattress toppers, for this textiles market. "The general movement...

SUPPLIERS OFFER PILLOWS FOR ALL TYPES OF SLEEPERS.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Suppliers of basic pillows are noticing that people sleep in different ways and are offering several products to address those differences. Hollander's Soft Touch Microfiber Quilted Down-Alternative...

MOMENI TO BRING NEW CONSTRUCTION, LOWER PRICES.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-Momeni will use the platform of the New York Textiles Market to introduce a new construction and price point to its roster of products. The company is debuting the Fusion line, a table-tufted, modified...

GOING STRONG; INDUSTRY EXPERTS SEE THE MOMENTUM FROM THE ATLANTA RUG MARKET LEADING TO STRONG SALES AT HIGH POINT.(Column)
April 4, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini HIGH POINT, N.C.-If the floor-covering suppliers and manufacturers are correct, then the strong momentum from the January Atlanta rug market will lead to strong sales at the High Point International Furnishings...

FARSH-CHI TO JOIN FEIZY IMPORTS.
April 4, 2005... DALLAS-Feizy Import & Export Co. has named Mohammad Farsh-chi to the newly created position of assistant to John Feizy, owner and chief executive officer of the company. In this new position, Farsh-chi will work with Feizy in buying,...

HELLENIC TO UNVEIL EXPANDED HOME ACCENT OFFERINGS.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-Hellenic Rug Imports is moving in the direction of expansion already for its 1-year-old Hellenic Home banner. The company said it would have its largest collection of home-accent products available to date...

MAJESTIC GOES TRIBAL AT SHOW.(Majestic Rug Company focuses on The Tribal Collection.)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Among its introductions at the New York Textiles Market, Majestic Rug Company will put a focus on The Tribal Collection, a line that was first seen by some at the January International Area Rug Market. The company said the overwhelming success...

KARASTAN, KILGORE CAMPAIGN CONTINUES TO `MAKE A STATEMENT'.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... ATLANTA-Marcia Kilgore, founder of Bliss Spa, is the next face in line to "Make A Statement" with Karastan. Following in the footsteps of actress Andie MacDowell, Kilgore is set to appear in the ads that will define the second year of...

ORIA ESTABLISHES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION FOR CHILD WELFARE.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... SECAUCUS, N.J.-The Oriental Rug Importers Association has announced the incorporation of the ORIA Child Welfare Fund Inc. as a charitable, fully tax-exempt organization. Initiated during the tenure of Mikel Banilevi, then-ORIA president,...

NOURISON NAMES TAYLOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... SADDLE BROOK, N.J.- Nourison has named Walt Taylor to the newly created position of account executive for Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. The appointment continues the intensification of national sales coverage...

RUGMARK RECEIVES AWARD FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... WASHINGTON-Rugmark USA won the 2005 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship. The organization will receive an award in the amount of $440,000. The Skoll funding, which covers a three-year period, is for expanding U.S. consumer awareness...

CALIFORNIA CLOSETS OPENS DOOR WITH TARGET TO LAUNCH RTA STORAGE LINE.
April 4, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS-Next month, Target will launch its partnership with California Closets, carrying a line of ready-to-assemble storage furniture for space-challenged consumers at Target's 1,330 stores in 47 states. The program, California...

BEDDING ON HIGH POINT; A FEW VENDORS MAY BE KEEPING AN EYE OUT WEST, OTHERS HAVEN'T THE VEGAS IDEA.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Karl Kunkel HIGH POINT, N.C.-Although Las Vegas is quietly stealing some of the bedding momentum that has been growing during the High Point market, other vendors are going full steam with their April introductions. Simmons...

ACCESSORIES LAUNCHES TO BRIGHTEN HIGH POINT MARKET.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Nancy Meyer HIGH POINT, N.C.-New home accessories to fit every lifestyle trend can be found at this edition of the home furnishings market that opens here next week. Among the major launches are Cypress Point Home, an...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Home decor.)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... WILLOW GREEN, maker of lamps, accessories and wall decor, will unveil Second Street Editions, limited-edition art at the High Point market that opens next week. Each piece of exclusive artwork (only 450 pieces will be made) will be hand-signed,...

ORIENTAL ACCENT SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH DE LA RENTA.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... NEW YORK-Oscar de la Renta Ltd. has selected Dallas-based Oriental Accent Inc. as a licensee to develop a line of accessories for the Oscar de la Renta Home collection. Slated to debut at the October home furnishings market in High Point, N.C.,...

ALESSI ENVISIONS FRESH APPROACH TO U.S. MARKET WITH SALES UNIT.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Byline: Carla Webb NEW YORK-Alessi has created a brand new sales force for the U.S. market. Jan Vingerhoets has been named executive vice president of the U.S. market for Alessi, and he'll be stationed at the company's Spring Street...

PORTMEIRION REPORTS JUMP IN '04 U.S. SALES, BUT A DECLINE OVERALL.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... STOKE-ON-TRENT, England-A challenging retail environment, the continued weakness of the U.S. dollar and increased pension costs caused Portmeirion Group Plc.'s sales in 2004 to drop almost 3 percent, to $53 million, according to a report issued...

SIA SEES ITS OPPORTUNITY; THE PARIS-BASED HOME DECOR COMPANY MAKES ITS U.S. PUSH WITH A MULTICHANNEL STRATEGY AND AN EAGER PARTNER.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Allison Zisko BRONXVILLE, N.Y.-In an effort to become the same household name in the United States that it is in Europe, SIA has signed on with OneCoast to represent it while it grows its own retail business here. SIA is a...

REACTIVE GLAZES GIVE HOUSEWARES A RETRO LOOK.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Byline: Carla Webb CHICAGO-From bell-bottoms to VW Bugs to ponchos, everything is coming up '70s. Even in the world of tabletop, where a renewed interest in reactive glazes reminiscent of the hand-thrown pottery popular three decades ago...

WATERFORD WEDGWOOD SOWS SEEDS OF MACY'S `GARDEN'.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... NEW YORK-When Macy's Herald Square transformed itself into a virtual garden last month, Waterford Wedgwood played a supporting role -- literally. Wedgwood designed the plinth, and Waterford the 2-foot vase that graced the Royal Garden...

DYSON MUM ABOUT DESIGN PLAN FOR NOVEL VACUUM.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Byline: Gerry Beatty MALMESBURY, England-The latest upright vac from Dyson Ltd. is The Ball, available in the United Kingdom and described on the company's Web site. It's a radical departure from standard uprights, with wheels that flip up...

PROVIDING RELIEF; TECHNOLOGY, STYLE CONTINUES TO EVOLVE IN MASSAGE CHAIRS.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Jennifer White CHICAGO-This news is better taken sitting down. Or rather, in a reclining position. That's because personal-care manufacturers like Sanyo, Panasonic and HoMedics have taken massage chairs and cushions to a new...

SUNBEAM PRODUCTS TRANSITIONS INTO JARDEN DIVISION.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Jennifer White Dos Filename %%h14a044a.arc%% CHICAGO-Smooth transitions are the name of the game these days for Sunbeam Products Inc., which is soon to be known as Jarden Consumer Solutions. The name change will be largely...

FRESH FEATURES SPRUCE UP CLEANING LINES.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Gerry Beatty and Sharyn Bernard CHICAGO-Cleaning products, with and without electric plugs, are benefitting from a sense of feature innovation. Many made their debuts two weeks ago at the International Home & Housewares Show. ...

COOKWARE MANUFACTURER'S ASSOCIATION ADDS BUYER EDUCATION PROGRAM.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Byline: Thyra Porter MOUNTAIN BROOK, Ala.-The Cookware Manufacturer's Association is providing buyers with more information about cookware in a series of papers now available on CMA's Web site. The plan is to "educate buyers in a...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Household retailers.)
April 4, 2005... KITCHENAID has raised more than $2.5 million in its Cook for the Cure campaign for breast cancer research. The company has added pink hand mixers to its fund-raising campaign... MARK OF FITNESS, a maker of home blood pressure and heart-rate...

COOKIN' WITH LAGASSE.(Photograph.)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Sam Michaels, founder; chef Emeril Lagasse and Marc Navarre, All-Clad's chief executive officer, gather at All-Clad's party held at MK Restaurant in Chicago during the International Home & Housewares show. On display were the newest additions...

NARDA PREDICTS LINK WITH CEA WILL AID INDUSTRY.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Gerry Beatty LOMBARD, Ill.-The North American Retail Dealers Association is stepping up its activities in conjunction with other leading trade groups in major appliances and consumer electronics. Its latest advancement is a...

THINKING INSIDE THE BOX; HOME-THEATER-IN-A-BOX SLIMS DOWN FROM ITS ONCE-BULKY DESIGN.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-The world is flat -- at least as consumer electronics is concerned -- and now home-theater-in-a-box is no exception. As flat-panel television becomes the centerpiece of the living room, audio...

SHORT WAVES.(Radioshack.)
April 4, 2005... RADIOSHACK will assume complete control of its brand name north of the border. A district court late last month ruled that RadioShack had the right to terminate its license, merchandising and advertising agreements with InterTan Inc., now a...

BEST BUY VS. CIRCUIT CITY.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... ON THE COVER Best Buy: RCA 52-Inch Widescreen HDTV Monitor, $999.99 Circuit City: Akai 42-Inch Widescreen High-Definition Projection TV, $749.99 HOME THEATER SYSTEMS Best Buy: Panasonic 5.1 Channel 600-Watt Surround-Sound...

FURNITURE RETAILERS AVOID PLAYING ON THE STREET.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Furniture retailers are skilled in the art of public avoidance. Despite an industry of countless regional, super regional and scattered national players, publicly traded retailers can be counted on one...

ANALYSTS: MIXED EXPECTATIONS FOR SEARS HOLDINGS STOCK.
April 4, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.-Investors are sizing up the new kid on the Street with the initials SHLD. The newly formed Sears Holdings Corp. began trading last week on the The NASDAQ Stock Market under the...

AUTO FOCUS.(Auto Show.)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... The New York Auto Show attracts car makers from the four corners of the globe to show off their wares. This year Mercedes-Benz hosted a preshow fete at Milk Studio to launch several new models and bring out some of their finest historical cars....

HEAD START UP.(Cottage Living.)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Named "Start-Up of the Year" by Adweek, Cottage Living hosted a celebration at the tony New York eatery Michael's to fete its success. Caption(s): Eleanor Griffin, editor in chief, Cottage Living

WHERE THE AUCTION IS.(The Rosenthal Showroom.)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine The Rosenthal showroom in 41 Madison was the setting for a benefit for Dance Brazil. A number of Rosenthal's limited-edition pieces were auctioned, with a portion of the proceeds going to the dance company. ...

SPRING FEVER.
April 11, 2005... THE TEMPERATURE'S RISING this week as the industry gets together for major events in New York and High Point, N.C. For complete opening-day coverage, see textiles, page 38; floor covering, page 53; and furniture, page 66. Caption(s): 1....

WAL-MART GETS READY TO TAKE NEW HOME STAND.
April 11, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau BENTONVILLE, Ark.-"We've had a whole lot of [home] stuff that doesn't make a cohesive statement," Lee Scott, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart, told HFN last week. "Part of our home business is...

VENDORS SAY IT'S CHARGEBACK PAYBACK TIME.
April 11, 2005... Byline: HFN Staff Report NEW YORK-Vendors rejoice: The government has taken notice of retailers' hated chargeback policies. The recent Securities and Exchange Commission move forcing Saks Inc. to pay back $21.5 million in improper...

IN BRIEF: HOUSEWARES SHOW TO REMAIN 3 DAYS... SEARS PLANS `MASS LAYOFF' AT HQ... RESTORATION HARDWARE PICKS CHAIR...
April 11, 2005... HOUSEWARES SHOW TO REMAIN 3 DAYS The International Housewares Association said the International Home & Housewares Show will remain a three-day show in 2006, and is scheduled for March 12 to 14 at Chicago's McCormick Place. IHA had...

BROYHILL APPOINTS DONDERO ITS NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO.
April 11, 2005... LENOIR, N.C.-Harvey Dondero has been named president and chief executive officer of Broyhill Furniture Industries, one of the industry's flagship brands. In late March, Dondero resigned as president and CEO of Universal Furniture, a large...

EXCELSIOR DESIGNS TO BOW NICOLE MILLER FURNITURE.
April 11, 2005... Byline: Mark McMenamin NEW YORK-Nicole Miller will be the next Seventh Avenue veteran taking a bow in High Point, N.C., with a licensed furniture line by Excelsior Designs slated to debut during furniture premarket this September in...

IMPORT QUOTA LIFT OPENS TEXTILES FLOODGATES.
April 11, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens, Nathan Weber contributed to this report. NEW YORK-As buyers and suppliers gather here this week for the semiannual textiles market, it's becoming increasingly clear that the business of sheets and towels has shifted...

SEARS GOES TO `EXTREME' WITH TV'S PENNINGTON.
April 11, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.-Sears is betting on Ty Pennington Style, an exclusive collection of textiles, tabletop, rugs and decorative accessories from the celebrity design guru, to jump-start its home business. The...

COUNTDOWN TO GOURMET: 451 EXHIBITORS SLATED TO SHOW.
April 11, 2005... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-With six weeks to go before the Las Vegas Gourmet Housewares Show kicks off in its new location, show organizers report 451 exhibitors are on board. That figure is less than the approximately 500...

CEO SCOTT ANSWERS THE CRITICS.(Lee Scott)(chief executive officer)(Brief Article)
April 11, 2005... Lee Scott, Wal-Mart's president and chief executive officer, defended the retailer's controversial business practices at the company's first-ever media conference at the Embassy Hotel in Bentonville, Ark. Scott outlined Wal-Mart's benefit...

HFNY; WHAT'S NEW IN NEW YORK HFNY, A RECURRING FEATURE IN HFN, HIGHLIGHTS STORES, RESTAURANTS AND OTHER GOINGS-ON ABOUT TOWN. HFNY APPEARS IN ISSUES THAT COINCIDE WITH MAJOR TRADE SHOWS IN NEW YORK CITY.
April 11, 2005... Six in the City 1. OSCAR'S WINNER Oscar de la Renta's new Madison Avenue store is worth a look. The tony store for the designer's wares is at 772 Madison Ave. 2. AH SPA! For one of the best cheap massages in Manhattan, pop into...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
April 11, 2005... april 7-9 New York Gift Cash & Carry Show Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York (800) 272-SHOW nygiftcashandcarry.com 8-11 EX-TRACTS Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York (800) 272-SHOW ...

LOCAL COLOR.(Furniture colors.)(Brief Article)
April 11, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine New York retailers have packed the stores this season with must-have products. Vibrant colors rule the roost at stores both large and small. The spectrum brings welcome relief after months of dull, gray weather...

REPORT: TRADE BARRIERS LESSEN, BUT STILL PROBLEMATIC.
April 11, 2005... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON-China and India took some steps to lower impediments to trade last year but many barriers remain, despite years of consultations and diplomatic pressure. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said...

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX SLIPS FOR SECOND MONTH IN A ROW.
April 11, 2005... Byline: Vicki M. Young NEW YORK-The Consumer Confidence Index fell more than expected in March, and while consumers are still bubblier than they were at the beginning of the new millennium, there are warning signs ahead. The index,...

AN OPEN LETTER TO LEE SCOTT, ROB WALTON AND DAVID GLASS.(Letter to the Editor)
April 11, 2005... Byline: Baltar Dear Mr. Scott, Mr. Walton and Mr. Glass: I have always been, and will continue to be, a great admirer of the House that Sam Built. Far from being a Wal-Mart basher, I believe that Wal-Mart has done more to advance the...

THE BUCKS STOP HERE.(Retail trade.)(Column)
April 11, 2005... Byline: Warren Shoulberg Retailing is a pretty miserable job. If you're an employee, you end up working lots of weekends and lots of nights. You're on your feet plenty of time and most of the day, you're dealing with people. All kinds of...

RETAILERS HUNT HIGH-END LOOKS, EXCLUSIVE GOODS AT N.Y. MARKET.
April 11, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Retailers in town this week for the home textiles market are on the hunt for exclusives and high-end looks even as they are acutely aware that the industry is rapidly evolving. "It's like our market has...

FALL PLAY; VENDORS LOOK TO APPAREL FASHION TO UPDATE THEIR OFFERINGS IN NEW YORK THIS WEEK.
April 11, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine NEW YORK-Blues, greens, reds and browns are taking the New York home textiles market by storm this week. It may be a market for fall, but vendors are playing it safe and covering spring as well with their...

EIGHT HONORED FOR ASPIRING TO BE AMONG THE BEST.
April 11, 2005... NEW YORK-In a crowd of stars, Pete Scotese and David Brogna stand tall for their contributions to the home textiles industry. Scotese, retired chief executive officer of Springs Industries, and Brogna, assistant professor, Home Products...

RETAILERS SEE THE BRIGHT SIDE AS FURNITURE MARKET NEARS.
April 11, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini HIGH POINT, N.C.-Just in time for the International Home Furnishings Show here, floor- covering retailers are beaming with an optimistic outlook. Retailers across the country said business has been slowly...

EVERY RUG TELLS A STORY; THE ANTIQUES ROADSHOW COLLECTION IS INSPIRED BY AUTHENTIC HEIRLOOMS, ANTIQUES AND PERIODS IN HISTORY.
April 11, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail HIGH POINT, N.C.-Momeni Inc. brings a big license to the High Point table with the introduction of its Antiques Roadshow collection of area rugs this week at the International Home Furnishings Market. The...