HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from August 2003

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from August 2003

PILLOWTEX: ALL THAT'S LEFT ARE THE BRANDS.
August 4, 2003... KANNAPOLIS, N.C.-After several attempts to revive its business, Pillowtex has finally sounded its death knell. Now all eyes turn to the fate of Pillowtex's jewel brands -- Cannon, Fieldcrest, Royal Velvet and Charisma. The third-largest...

SCHOOL'S IN.
August 4, 2003... It's that time of year again, and for retailers, back-to-school means a lot more than pencils, books and teachers' dirty looks. Our report card includes Trends, page 6; textiles, page 12; and furniture, page 23.

J.C. PENNEY WILL BECOME CHRIS MADDEN'S NEW HOME.
August 4, 2003... PLANO, Texas-J.C. Penney is teaming up with home design dynamo Chris Madden to take its $1 billion J.C. Penney Home Collection to new heights. The retailer is also considering the launch of a Chris Madden line that would be a sub-brand of...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Wilbur Ross won auction for bankrupt Burlington Industries last week; notes other news )
August 4, 2003... Burlington's Winner Sells Lees to Mohawk Financier Wilbur Ross won the auction for bankrupt Burlington Industries last week with a bid of $620.08 million, about $12 million more than his opening bid. The deal required the sale of its Lees...

DEATH OF A MILL; PILLOWTEX FALL LEAVES VOID OTHER MILLS ARE EAGER TO FILL.
August 4, 2003... KANNAPOLIS, N.C.-With Pillowtex's impending liquidation, perhaps as much as $900 million worth of bedding, bath, and pillow and pad businesses is up for grabs. The nearly $1 billion question is, "Who will get it?" The three remaining...

HOME SCHOOLING.(Drm-bound have wealth of cool and useful products from which to choose)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... It's time to load up the wagon and pack the kids off to school once again. This year's dorm-bound have a wealth of cool and useful products from which to choose. From designer bed-in-a-bag ensembles to hip microwaves, they'll never not have all...

AHEAD OF THE CURVE; WOMEN'S MAGAZINES AND SHELTER BOOKS OUTPACED THE INDUSTRY IN A TOUGH FIRST HALF.(Magazine ad pages data is given)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK-In the shelter and women's service categories of magazines, knocking on wood and crossing fingers seems to be a current favorite pastime. After two dismal years, these categories of magazines picked up some traction in the first...

SINGING COWS AND PARKING-LOT CHICKENS.(Stew Leonard's)
August 4, 2003... Did I really hear what I think I heard? One of the 4-year-old triplets who lives next door was wailing like a trapped banshee and her dad, my neighbor, was desperate to stop the bloodcurdling noise. "If you don't behave, we're not...

REST IN PIECES.(Pillowtex)
August 4, 2003... It's all over now...except for the tears. Tears of sorrow, for all the ruined lives. Tears of rage, for what might have happened and all the things that didn't. Tears of anxiety for businesses that have to scramble to fill both orders and...

A STITCH IN TIME; CONTEMPORARY QUILTS ARE MAKING THEIR WAY TO THE MAINSTREAM, AS AN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION SHOWS.(Quilt National )(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... ATHENS, Ohio-It doesn't always have to be in a traditional style. Quilts that add color to the walls and beds can feature geometric and even unfamiliar patterns. This is what Quilt National '03, a biennial international juried exhibition...

NEW PACIFIC COAST PRESIDENT LOOKS TO STAY THE COURSE.
August 4, 2003... SEATTLE-The players may have changed, but the game is still the same at Pacific Coast Feather Co., where Eric Moen was recently named president after the death of Roy Clothier in May. Moen, formerly executive vice president and chief...

LINENS, BED BATH TAKE THE DORM BY STORM.
August 4, 2003... PARAMUS, N.J.-Trying to get into Psych 101, saying goodbye to that summer love... college students have it tough enough. But specialty stores Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens 'n Things are hoping to make setting up the dorm a little bit easier for...

QUAKER FABRIC REPORTS SALES AND PROFITS TAKE PLUNGE IN SECOND QUARTER OVER 2002.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... FALL RIVER, Mass.-Quaker Fabric Corp. reported net sales in the second quarter ended July 5 declined 27.5 percent to $73.9 million from $101.9 million in the same quarter last year. Net income plunged from $4.4 million to $165,000. Gross profit...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Stretch & Cover Expandable Slipcovers)
August 4, 2003... New Slipcover Resource Bows Stretch & Cover Expandable Slipcovers is set to introduce its collection of slipcovers at select department stores and catalog merchants this fall. "The launch collection for autumn/holiday 2003 brims with...

A BLUE STREAK; THE POPULAR COLOR WAS ALL OVER INTRODUCTIONS AT THE ATLANTA MARKET.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... ATLANTA-Rug suppliers are in a blue period, if this year's market introductions are any indication. Several vendors used the popular color in rugs debuting at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market in January. And at the July rug...

FORMER COVERINGS MANAGER PLANS TO STAGE A COMPETING SHOW.(Calendar)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK-The former management of Coverings is organizing a competing tile and stone trade show in Miami Beach that is scheduled within days of the annual Orlando event. After its contract to manage Coverings was terminated last month by...

NEWS BRIEFS.
August 4, 2003... Nourison Names Regional Sales Executive Nourison has appointed Rick Mueser account executive for western Pennsylvania, western New York and Ohio. Prior to joining Nourison, Mueser was a sales representative for Mulia Inc., a tile...

MAJESTIC TO OPEN NEW FACILITY, PERMANENT N.Y. SHOWROOM.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... CLOSTER, N.J.-Majestic Rug Co. has purchased a new 13,500-square-foot site for offices, a warehouse and a retail outlet to accomodate the company's growth. The new location will be at 1 Ruckman Road in Closter, just down the road from the...

HOMEFIRES, SISTER COMPANY APPOINT NEW PRESIDENTS FOR DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... ATLANTA-Renee Ringstad has been appointed president of Homefires, an area and accent rug company, and Bud Edie has been named president of sister company, Home Comfort. Ringstad will report to founder Edward Chu, who was previously...

THE AREA RUG REPORT.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... The total area rug market for 2002, excluding bath and accent rugs, was $2.6 Billion. Although new single homes are getting bigger, most suppliers expect the average rug size to remain in the 5-by-8 and 6-by-9 range.

IMPORTERS ADAPT TO SOURCING SHIFTS.(rugs and carpets)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... The seesawing of the euro and preferences for less expensive constructions have caused a dramatic shift on the imported rug scene. After a favorable euro exchange rate in early 2002, the dollar fell, declining 20.7 percent against that...

MORE SPACE, LESS FILLING? AMERICAN HOMES ARE GROWING LARGER, BUT THE AVERAGE RUG SIZES REMAIN THE SAME -- EITHER A 5-BY-8 OR 6-BY-9.
August 4, 2003... The U.S. Department of Commerce reported a 2.8 percent growth from 2000 to 2002 in the median area of new single homes, and a 7 percent leap from 1995 to 2000. According to the National Association of Home Builders and the U.S. Census...

SQUEEZING INTO A CROWDED AREA.
August 4, 2003... Despite fierce competition in the already crowded area rug business, some accent rug suppliers are moving into the category. Majestic Rug Co., Homefires and Springs Industries, established suppliers in the accent and bath rug business, are...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
August 4, 2003... August 7-9 New York International Gift Fair 225 Preview Days 225 Fifth Ave. 225-fifth.com 8-11 Toronto International Gift Fair Metro Toronto Convention Center, South Building Toronto (888) 823-7469 ...

CHANNEL SURFING.
August 4, 2003... RETAILERS WHO HAVE NEVER SOLD RUGS BEFORE ARE GETTING INTO the business often by using a focused approach, like using rug galleries stocked with small-scale samples or importing directly from weavers. Specialty flooring stores are getting...

TIMBERLAKE IS IN SYNCH WITH EMMA GARDNER.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... Ever wonder how the other half lives? "Cribs," a television program on MTV, lets viewers see how the rich and famous feather their million-dollar nests. In an August episode, "Cribs" will visit singer Justin Timberlake's home, which is...

RUG-CLEANING TIPS FOR THE UNCOMMON STAIN.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... Rugs witness life's good times and not-so-good times. In addition to everyday wear and tear and common stains, occasionally rugs have to face mishaps with a high "yuck" factor. Help rugs get through the messy parts of life with these cleaning...

BUSINESS CASUAL; THE SUMMER PREMARKETS SAW SUPPLIERS GO ALL OUT WITH PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS.(Calendar)
August 4, 2003... CHICAGO-As the casual furniture industry continues to undergo major shifts in sourcing, market share and leadership, retailers came out in full force to several premarkets last month. At the Merchandise Mart here and elsewhere, all the...

BIG BOXES ENGAGING IN ONLINE BATTLE FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL BUCKS.
August 4, 2003... HIGH POINT, N.C.-Mass merchants and office superstores are taking their back-to-school act on the Internet road, trying to beat each other to the student punch on furniture for fall. Wal-Mart's online focus is on high-schoolers and college...

NEWS BRIEFS.
August 4, 2003... BDO Report: Orders Fall 11% in May New orders to residential furniture manufacturers fell 11 percent in May compared with May 2002, the sixth straight drop in year-over-year monthly orders, according to a report from BDO Seidman. Orders...

RETAIL CHANNELS CHANGE FOR LIGHTING, HOME DECOR.
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK-Lighting and decorative accessories are finding a variety of new homes. As traditional retail channels for lamps and home decor items become increasingly competitive, new opportunities for growth are opening up elsewhere. ...

A WRAP FOR GIFTS; BUYERS AND EXHIBITORS FLOCK TO NEW YORK FOR THE FINALE OF THE SHOW SEASON.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK-The New York International Gift Fair, to be held here next week, winds up the summer gift show season, but by no means spells an end to the enthusiastic introduction of products across all tabletop categories. Several new...

LINENS FOLLOWS BED BATH'S LEAD IN DINNERWARE -- TO A DEGREE.
August 4, 2003... PARAMUS, N.J.-A year after Bed Bath & Beyond brought upscale tabletop brands to some of its stores in an effort to build its share in the bridal market, has competitor Linens 'n Things added more higher-end brands to its dinnerware department?...

NEW YORK GIFT SHOWS TO INCLUDE HOST OF ACTIVITIES AND SEMINARS.(Calendar)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK-In addition to an abundance of gift and tabletop product introductions, the New York International Gift Fair and the New York Gift Show, which take place here next week, will provide a plethora of events and seminars for attendees. ...

CHARLES SADEK, MARKETING FIRM TEAM ON TWO LICENSED GROUPS.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK-Charles Sadek Import Co. has teamed with Acorn Marketing to produce two new licensed collections. Artist Siddhia Hutchinson brings a touch of the exotic to her Wild Ginger collection of hand-painted and decaled tableware and...

SUPERHEROES MAKE POWERFUL IMPACT ON ORNAMENT BUSINESS FOR KURT ADLER.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK-Expect to see Spider-Man hanging from a lot of trees this year. Christmas trees, that is. Spider-Man ornaments, as well as its newly licensed Hulk and X-Men ornaments, are among the assortments that Kurt Adler Designs, one of the...

LIBBEY FALLS SHORT ON EARNINGS; BLAMES GAS PRICES, ECONOMY.
August 4, 2003... TOLEDO, Ohio-Management at tabletop supplier Libbey Inc. blamed higher natural gas costs as well as sluggish economic conditions as reasons the company missed prior earnings guidance for the second quarter. Still, the company's total...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Calendar)
August 4, 2003... Chicago Gift Show Receives More Room The Chicago Gift & Home Market is adding 40 new showrooms in an additional 60,000 square feet of space as part of the Merchandise Mart's 13th-floor showroom expansion. Gift and home decor manufacturers...

ENESCO'S EARNINGS RISE AS SALES DECLINE IN Q2.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... ITASCA, Ill.-Giftware manufacturer Enesco reported a drop in sales but an increase in profit for the second quarter ended June 30. Enesco reported total revenues of $60.9 million for the second quarter, an 8 percent decrease from sales of...

COOKING WITH CLASS; GOURMET PRODUCTS ARE HEATING UP THE SOCIAL GATHERING SCENE.
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK-As consumers look to entertain friends at home, products that help them party are looking up for gourmet retailers. Independent retailers said gourmet products that provide a sense of communal fun are key to their assortments this...

LANCE ARMSTRONG'S USPS TEAM POSTS A VICTORY FOR SPONSOR BISSELL.
August 4, 2003... PARIS-When Lance Armstrong posted his record-tying fifth straight Tour de France victory last week, the cheers echoed throughout the world, including the U.S. floor-care industry. For Bissell Home Care, which signed on just two months ago...

LEE GUTTMAN DEAD AT 65; WAS BUYING GROUP ICON.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
August 4, 2003... WHITE OAK, Pa.-Services were held here for Lee Guttman, founder and president of Nationwide Television & Radio Associates, the largest buying group in major appliances and consumer electronics. He died July 18 of a heart attack. He was 65. ...

DISTRIBUTOR I. LEHRHOFF & CO. TEES IT UP AGAIN FOR CHILDREN.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... WEST ORANGE, N.J.-I. Lehrhoff & Co. hosted its 11th annual golf outing and charity benefit late last month to raise money and awareness for the Starlight Children's Foundation for the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut region. This year's...

THE INTERNET IS A FOUNT OF INFORMATION ABOUT WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS.
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK-Consumers seeking knowledge about water filtration can find all manner of information on leading manufacturers' Web sites. The approaches are as varied as the companies themselves. Some are industrial suppliers with a small segment...

RESTAURANT SUPPLIER OFFERS LINES FOR CONSUMERS.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... SHEBOYGAN, Wis.-Vollrath, a manufacturer of commercial restaurant equipment, is now targeting the consumer market with its lines of cookware, kitchen tools and buffetware. The company exhibited at the Gourmet Products Show earlier this...

CONTAINER STORE REALIGNS STAFF AS IT PLANS GROWTH PUSH.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... DALLAS-The Container Store has announced the appointments of four executives as well as the development of a new Stores & Marketing department. The changes are intended to prepare the 28-store retailer for further growth, said Kip Tindell,...

NEWS BRIEFS.
August 4, 2003... Vac Shipments Bounce Back in June Manufacturers' domestic shipments of full-sized vacuum cleaners rebounded in June after four months of declines averaging 9.9 percent. Last month, 1,664,253 uprights, canisters and stick vacs moved, up...

KMART, SEARS, BEST BUY LEAD IN 2ND-QUARTER HOUSEWARES ADS.
August 4, 2003... NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y.-Kmart, Sears and Best Buy provided more housewares advertisements in the second quarter than any other leading retailer, according to a quarterly review by an ad monitoring firm here. The Beyen Corp., which reviews more...

BON-TON STORES UPS ANTE IN BID FOR ELDER-BEERMAN.
August 4, 2003... YORK, Pa.-The Bon-Ton Stores said last week it submitted an acquisition proposal to the board of directors of Elder-Beerman Stores to take over the company for $79.8 million. The deal would give all Elder-Beerman shareholders $7 per share in...

S&P RATINGS UNIT DOWNGRADES HOME PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK-Standard & Poor's Ratings Services unit lowered its corporate credit rating on household goods manufacturer Home Products International last week to "B" from "B plus," while also lowering the senior secured rating to "B plus" from "BB...

NEWS BRIEFS.
August 4, 2003... MORTGAGE LOAN INDEX DECLINES The Mortgage Bankers Association of America's Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey released last week showed the Market Composite Index of mortgage loan applications -- a measure of mortgage loan applications...

THE HFN LIST; THE 10 MOST ACTIVELY TRADED HOME RETAIL STOCKS.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... COMPANY TRADING VOLUME 1) Home Depot 41,197,600 Wall Street has been keeping a close eye on this retailer's market position as it retains its king-of-the-hill status in the home...

TOASTER THE TOWN.(Rosenthal and Rowenta team up)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... To celebrate the art of toasting, Rosenthal and Rowenta teamed up for a fete at Rosenthal's New York showroom. The evening included a remarkable goody bag (something rarely seen these days) that included, among many things, the choice of a...

BLOOM'S DAY.(Tricia Foley signs book)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... Tricia Foley, author of "Sailing Style," took a seat to sign copies of her book at the ultra-chic Sag Harbor, N.Y., shop Bloom. The book-signing in the garden was a fitting way to ease into another crazy Hamptons night of parties and dinners.

PUTTING THE SPARKS BACK IN MARKS.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Vittorio Radice, the man who turned around Britain's once-stodgy Selfridges, now says he has a plan to do the same for the Marks & Spencer Home business. See Top Story, page 9.

PAULETTE COLE RETURNS TO ABC AS INTERIM CEO.
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK-Paulette Cole has returned to ABC Home Furnishings Inc. as active co-president and interim chief executive officer, HFN has learned. Evan Cole, who has been president and CEO for more than a decade, will continue on as...

FORMER PILLOWTEX EXECUTIVES: IT WAS DEBT ... AND LOTS MORE.
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK-What really killed Pillowtex? While it was debt that finally choked it to death last month, there were several other crucial factors, both within and beyond its control, that brought down the huge home textiles mill. Four...

CAN POP DIVA THALIA WOW 'EM AT KMART.(Thalia Sodi's Thalia Home Collection)
August 11, 2003... TROY, Mich.-Kmart is bringing a Latin flavor to its home mix. The $25 billion discounter is rolling out an exclusive collection of licensed apparel and home products from Mexican pop star Thalia Sodi to 335 of its 1,512 stores. The...

CORRECTIONS.(Correction Notice)
August 11, 2003... The Bedding Report in HFN's July 14 issue should have listed Slumberland Furniture's total bedding sales for 2002 at about $65 million instead of $275 million, which represented the company's total store sales. The dates for the...

NEWS BRIEFS: GROUP SEEKS PILLOWTEX ASSET BUYERS...TYSON WALLOPS HOME RETAILERS...AMERICAN FURNITURE WAREHOUSE GROWS.
August 11, 2003... GROUP SEEKS PILLOWTEX ASSET BUYERS A joint venture of Gibbs International, SB Capital Group, Gordon Bros. Retail Partners LLP and Tiger Capital Group said it has begun seeking parties interested in buying particular assets of bankrupt...

MACY'S RETURNS TO ELECTRONICS WITH HOME THEATER BOUTIQUE.(Macy's East and The Experience At LLC)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK-Macy's East teamed up with The Experience At LLC to offer customers a suite of home theater solutions at its flagship Herald Square store here. The launch signifies a return to the consumer electronics segment for the department store...

SUN HELPS BRIGHTEN SAME-STORE SALES FOR JULY.(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK-Improved weather conditions across the country in July sent shoppers scurrying for bargains as retailers cleared shelves to get ready for the back-to-school season. As a result, retailers reported more robust monthly same-store sales....

FRENCH BRED.(french kitchenware and home furnishings)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... C'est bon! There's nothing quite like the French style. Coming soon to theaters is Merchant-Ivory's latest effort, "Le Divorce," which is sure to spark a new interest in all things French. The French have historically held a fascination and...

LETTERS.(Letter to the Editor)
August 11, 2003... THIS `BANNED' GETS FEEDBACK Editor's note: The following letters all address the Home Alone column, "Banned in Boston...and Elsewhere," which appeared in the July 21 issue of HFN. To the editor: Recently I borrowed a copy of your...

SMITH CAPEL JR. IS DEAD AT 39.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
August 11, 2003... TROY, N.C.-J. Smith Capel Jr., director of imports and overseas business at Capel Inc., died while away on a business trip to India Aug. 4. He was 39. Capel was one of four siblings from the family-owned rug business' third generation. He...

SEARS FORMS NEW TEAM TO MANAGE LANDS' END.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.- Sears has formed a three-member office of the president to manage the Lands' End business. The move was prompted by the recent departure of Dave Dyer, president and chief executive officer of the cataloger Sears...

RADICE'S NEW CHALLENGE: M&S.(Vittorio Radice)
August 11, 2003... LONDON-Vittorio Radice, the retail visionary who transformed what was once a dusty Selfridges into a luxury 21st-century bazaar, is turning his keen vision to Marks & Spencer Home. As the first-ever executive director of the M&S home business,...

CATHERINE MEMMI BRINGS STARK SIMPLICITY TO SOHO.
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK-The adage "less is more" defines the world of Catherine Memmi. The French furniture designer's creations push the concept of clean, simple lines to its most extreme incarnation, banishing even a whisper of anything that could be termed...

SIX IN THE CITY.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 11, 2003... 1 World Class You can travel around the world in search of exotic dishes and accessories, or you can just stop by Global Table, a store devoted to tabletop and more from the four corners of the globe. 107 Sullivan St. 2 How Swede It Is The...

BEWARE OF THE BLOG.
August 11, 2003... If you're near your computer right now, do a Google search for "Wal-Mart blog" (sans the quote marks). Go ahead. We'll wait. Done? OK, so the first thing you should notice is there are about 46,000 hits for the search. If you care to, do...

INDIANS... LITTLE AND OTHERWISE.(home textiles mill business)(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... And then there were two. OK, technically make that two-and-a-half, but however you do the math, that's what's left of the American home textiles mill business. Sure, there are plenty of companies you can buy sheets and towels and such...

AN UPSIDE FOR DOWN? BEDDING SUPPLIERS ARE HOPING FOR COLDER DAYS AND TURNING TO VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS TO HELP SALES.(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK-Pray for cold weather. That seems to be the consensus among down and feather bedding suppliers as they look ahead to the coming selling season. Last year's warm and changeable weather put a damper on sales, but this year they're...

THE TEXTILES REPORT.(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... The industry grew by 2.8 percent last year. Consumers sought out mass merchants and warehouse clubs for good bargains. Wal-Mart is the undisputed top home textiles retailer.

NOT A GREAT YEAR, BUT NOT BAD.(home textiles )(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... Although business last year in the home textiles category wasn't much to celebrate in comparison with the flush 1990s, take heart: It was better than the previous year. Sales increased by twice as much in 2002 as they did in 2001. HFN's...

WAL-MART'S RULE CONTINUES---WITH A LITTLE HELP.(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... KMART'S LOSS IS WAL-MART'S GAIN. THE world's biggest retail chain continued to ramp up textiles sales, totaling $3.35 billion last year, leaving its closest competitor, J.C. Penney, behind by a wide margin. J.C. Penney's $2.61 billion in...

MOHAWK HOME UNVEILS LOGOS FOR DIFFERENT RETAIL CHANNELS.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Mohawk Home is trading in its signature wavy lines for two updated logos. The logos are designed to distinguish between different retail channels. In the corporate/mass merchant logo, the word "Mohawk" sits above "Home" and is underlined....

LOST AT SEA; CUSTOMS AGENTS ARE SEIZING CONTAINERS SHIPPED BY U.S.-BANNED COMPANIES, HURTING RUG IMPORTERS.
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK-Rug importers are unwittingly being ensnared in the government's war on terrorism. Shipping containers belonging to 828 International, a rug supplier, and J.M. Sorkin, a Philadelphia rug and antiques retailer, have been detained...

HELLENIC SAYS BYE TO BROOKLYN, PREPARES TO RELOCATE TO GEORGIA.(Hellenic Rug Imports )(Company Profile)
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK-Georgia rug and carpet companies will soon have a new neighbor. Brooklyn-based Hellenic Rug Imports is moving operations to Calhoun, Ga., to offset the costs of operating out of New York City. Hellenic recently purchased a...

LOOK WHAT MARTHA'S SERVING NOW.(Lane's Flooring and Interior window display)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Pedestrians walking by Lane's Flooring and Interior in Manhattan are either chuckling or grumbling about a new window display featuring a Martha Stewart-like mannequin wearing a striped prison suit in a jail cell that is spacious and...

MOHAWK SEES LEES PURCHASE RAISING COMMERCIAL STANDING.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... CALHOUN, Ga.-Mohawk is looking to use the acquisition of Lees Carpet to improve its position in the commercial industry and make it a leader in size and product offerings. Mohawk's portion of the purchase price for the Lees Carpet division...

DOING THEIR FOAM WORK; BEDDING RETAILERS AND VENDORS ARE JUMPING ON THE VISCOELASTIC BANDWAGON.
August 11, 2003... HIGH POINT, N.C.-"Memory foam" and "visco," a.k.a. viscoelastic foam, have quickly entered the lexicon of important buzzwords in the bedding industry. Viscoelastic foam has also gotten the cash registers of bedding retailers ringing more...

BURLINGTON'S NEW OWNER AIMS TO RESUSCITATE THE BUSINESS.(Wilbur L. Ross )
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK-"We are not liquidators. Our symbol is not the vulture but the phoenix, the mythical bird that arises anew out of its own ashes." Those were the philosophical words of Wilbur L. Ross as he met with a group of 100 top managers at...

NEWS BRIEFS.(brief items)
August 11, 2003... VAUGHAN FURNITURE TO MARKET NEW NASCAR HOME SERIES Vaughan Furniture Co. of Galax, Va., has reached a licensing agreement with NASCAR to market a line of home furnishings under the NASCAR name. At the October furniture market in High...

ART PANELISTS CITE CHALLENGES AFFECTING ACCESSORY BUSINESS.
August 11, 2003... PARK CITY, Utah-Independent decorative home retailers are facing the same business challenges as their big-box competitors, and are looking for ways to level the playing field. To combat intense competition, lagging consumer confidence and...