HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from December 2004

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from December 2004

THE GREAT OUTDOORS COMES HOME.(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... 423 Sweet Things for Your Home Sweet Home Plastic Fantastic Invasion of the Pods All You Need Room by Room Caption(s): Leather-covered Coleman coolers, $525 and $275; Thermos, $175, treillageonline.com. Jonathan Adler large...

EDITOR'S NOTE.(Editorial)
December 6, 2004... Byline: Warren Shoulberg We used to call it conspicuous consumption. You know, the out-and-out pursuit of stuff without any regard to whether you really wanted it, much less really needed it. Maybe you saw the Dr. Phil segment on it: Why...

TRENDS; LIVEN UP YOUR LIVING AREA WITH THE LATEST DESIGNS FOR HOME.(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Byline: Michael D. Devine Spotlight: Dusting is a chore, but it has never been more chic than with Stefano Giovannoni's handheld vacuum for Alessi. $110, alessi.com 1. Hangers as art from Acronyme. Rack and three hangers, $34. Each...

THE OTHERS; THE GHOST OF THE VERY-MUCH-ALIVE PHILIPPE STARCK HAS INVADED HOME FURNISHINGS, CREATING A SPIRITUAL RANGE OF NEW PRODUCTS FROM NUMEROUS DESIGNERS, NONE OF WHOM ARE NAMED CASPER.(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... The popularity of the Philippe Starck Ghost chair, which is a molded plastic chair bearing eerie resemblance to Louis XV-era furnishings, sparked a wave of furnishings made with modern materials that hark back to ghostly relations of a far-off...

THE GREAT INDOORS; NOW YOU CAN BRING THE GREAT OUTDOORS INSIDE YOUR HOME WITH THESE WITTY TAKES ON CAMP CLASSICS.(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Flora and fauna have always been important motifs in home furnishings. Nature seems to have made its way indoors in familiar campground favorites. From Erik Magnussen's ship lantern, which doubles as a table lamp at many chic dinners, to the...

PLASTIC FREE-FORM; PAPER CUTOUTS AND AMORPHOUS PLASTIC BUBBLES SHAPE THE FUTURE OF LIGHTING.(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Since Tord Boontje's garland lights cast soft floral shadows on the design community, the shape of lighting had taken on an organic turn. Quite far from the '70s scarf-over-lampshade treatment that evokes hippie days, Boontje's follow-up came...

FOREVER EVA; ZEISEL'S WORKS STAND TEST OF TIME.(Eva Zeisel)(Brief Article)(Biography)
December 6, 2004... Byline: Michael D. Devine Collectors and design lovers remain as fascinated by her modernist trappings as they did when she first gained prominence 50 years ago. A true living legend, modernist designer Eva Zeisel, left, and her work...

STANDING ROOM ONLY; A DIFFERENT WAY OF SEATING THINGS.
December 6, 2004... John Angelo Benson and Maarten Baas are not only out of the box when it comes to designing furniture, the pair are over the top as well. One uses straw and spikes, the other uses fire. Both like to take furniture classics from some of...

ONE NATION UNDER POD; WELCOME TO THE EVOLUTION OF THE UBIQUITOUS ROUNDED FORM.
December 6, 2004... Byline: Jennifer White Pods are everywhere, enclosing our basic needs in neat capsules providing privacy and keeping clutter and disorganization at bay. Every so often, a word bubbles up from the collective unconscious to capture the...

JUST ONE OF THOSE STRINGS; SOME PRODUCTS THAT ARE WELL WORTH THE TASSEL.(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Byline: Michael D. Devine Tassels are popping up -- make that hanging around -- in the most unusual places to add glamour and fun. From the runways to the home, tassels are the embellishment du jour for designers of all stripes. The...

YOUTHFUL INSPIRATION.(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... Byline: Jennifer Quail Call it a fountain of youth or a remedy for a midlife crisis. However you categorize it, youth-inspired products have been infiltrating the adult market and we've only seen the beginning. Take, for example, the Honda...

GALLIVANTIN' GOURMET; NEW POTS, PANS AND THE LIKE BRING FANCY DINING OUTDOORS.
December 6, 2004... Byline: Thyra Porter Planning a weeklong fishing trip, river rafting in Montana or camel riding in the Moroccan desert? Explorers in the 21st century no longer have to eat those astronaut-style dehydrated food packs when they hit the...

SIPPING PRETTY; WHETHER IT IS KONA BLEND OR MATCHA NATURE, YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGE HAS ITS OWN ENTOURAGE OF MAKERS AND SHAKERS THAT MAKES US WONDER "WHO NEEDS INSTANT?".(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... High Tea The ancient art of drinking tea inspires modern concoctions and infusions, but is still much better poured from a traditional pot. Japanese round cast-iron pot, $39, Pearl River Mart, New York. Japanese handcrafted square...

6 GREAT STORES; EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED IN THESE ECLECTIC SHOPPING DESTINATIONS.
December 6, 2004... Byline: Michael Devine MoMA, 44 W. 53rd St., New York. 212-767-1050. The Museum of Modern Art Store just reopened after a two-year hiatus along with the new Museum of Modern Art, and both are bigger and better than ever. The Moma Store is...

LIVING ROOM.(Buyers Guide)
December 6, 2004... These days people live all over their homes, but most of us still have a dedicated place called the "living room." For some it's the main hang-out place, for others it's a room used only for special occasions or when company shows up. Pity,...

DINING ROOM.(Buyers Guide)
December 6, 2004... You'd be hard pressed to find a dining room in some new homes these days, that space having morphed into a whole other purpose. But come a big holiday dinner, special event or even every night about 6:30 for some households, a dining space...

KITCHEN.(buyers guide)(Buyers Guide)
December 6, 2004... The great American kitchen sure has changed over the years: from cramped, sometimes even detached, utilitarian workspace to glamorous, gleaming center of the household. In some homes, practically everything gets done in the kitchen except...

BEDROOM.(buyers guide)(Buyers Guide)
December 6, 2004... Another room in the American household that has outlived its name, the bedroom is the center of all sorts of activities, many of which have absolutely nothing to do with the bed itself. Whatever you're doing in your bedroom, have no fear, Home...

BATHROOM.(buyers guide)(Buyers Guide)
December 6, 2004... It used to be a place in the house people never even talked about, much less wanted others to know what went on in it. That sure has changed as the typical modern bathroom has expanded in both size and purpose. Sure, it's got all that...

UTILITY ROOM.(buyers guide)(Buyers Guide)
December 6, 2004... You won't find it on most any floor plan, but chances are every home in the country has something that for better or worse ends up being called the utility room. Maybe it's a closet, maybe it's a piece of the basement, could even be the...

BACKYARD.(buyers guide )(Buyers Guide)
December 6, 2004... As if Yogi himself said it to the Aflac duck, it's the one room in the house that's not in the house. The backyard, sometimes a little terrace on an apartment, sometimes an expanse as far as the eye can see, is the great American space. A...

HOROSCOPE.
December 6, 2004... Byline: Suzanne Gerber CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) Since you have more patience than any other sign, you won't mind spending a whole month (January) dreaming up how the next phase of your life is supposed to go -- or what...

WHERE TO BUY IT.(Buyers Guide)
December 6, 2004... 828 International 800-733-0828 828rugs.com Accoutrements 800-886-2221 accoutrements.com Aero Products International 800-237-6233 thinkaero.com Agio 800-416-3511 agio-usa.com Aladdin ...

THIS SUD'S FOR YOU; MODERN DESIGN MEETS OLD-FASHIONED DRUDGERY. WILL THE END RESULT TURN WASHDAY INTO FUNDAY?(Brief Article)
December 6, 2004... The Washman will put a stylish spin on a dreaded chore with an award-winning washer and dryer Doing laundry is a struggle physically, mentally -- and aesthetically. There's the carrying, the sorting and, of course, there's those ugly white...

CHRISTMAS TIME IN THE CITY.
December 13, 2004... What's more fun than walking the streets of New York during the holidays and gazing at the store windows? HFN takes you on a tour. See Trends, pages 8-9.

KMART GIVES NEW ITEMS A NEW STAGE.(new prototype store)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Barbara Thau WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.-Just weeks after its historical merger with Sears, Kmart has unveiled a prototype store to better display -- and reflect -- its recently upgraded merchandise mix. Lisa Schultz, senior vice...

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE ELECTRONICS.(consumer electronic products)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Michael Rudnick, Barbara Thau contributed to this report. NEW YORK-Consumers may be dreaming of a digital Christmas, but for retailers double digits are the stuff that dreams are made of, as consumer electronic products drive sales...

IN BRIEF: REPORT: CASTAGNA TO SEARS/KMART?... PLATT TO HEAD EX-PILLOWTEX BRANDS... COUGHLIN TO RETIRE FROM WAL-MART...(clothing and textiles industry)
December 13, 2004... REPORT: CASTAGNA TO SEARS/KMART? Vanessa Castagna is said to be in talks with Edward Lampert, Kmart chairman and the financier who negotiated the Sears/Kmart merger, to join the company, according to Women's Wear Daily, HFN's sister...

WESTPOINT STEVENS GETS SET TO SHOW OFF ITS CHARISMA.(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Leticia Leizens WEST POINT, Ga.-WestPoint Stevens said it has added the license for bed and bath of luxury brand Charisma. Similar to how bankrupt former owner Pillowtex marketed the brand, Charisma is bound for limited...

GLM EXCITED OVER PLANNED JAVITS EXPANSION.(George Little Management)(Jacob K. Javits Convention Center)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Carla Webb NEW YORK-George Little Management is "thrilled" with the proposed expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center here, said Jeff Little, president of GLM. The $1.4 billion expansion of the state-owned building...

ALEXANDER JULIAN ADDS TO HOME LICENSING STABLE.(American Silk Corp. and Springs Canada partners with an apparel designer)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Sheila Long O'Mara RIDGEFIELD, Conn.- Renowned apparel designer Alexander Julian is broadening his reach into the home furnishings arena by partnering with American Silk Corp. for an upper-end line of fabrics and Springs Canada for...

LONGTIME BLOOMINGDALE'S HOME OFFICIAL CARL LEVINE DIES.(Obituary)
December 13, 2004... EAST HAMPTON, N.Y.-Services were held two weeks ago for Carl Levine, the longtime Bloomingdale's home furnishings executive who continued in the field until just a few months ago. Levine died on Nov. 26 of lymphoma. He was 75. Levine, who...

IFDA SEES GRAMERCY PERKS.
December 13, 2004... NEW YORK-The International Furnishings and Design Association's Edith Wharton Holiday Celebration held Dec. 2 at the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York featured a gift boutique and a silent auction. Caption(s): Above, from left: Mervyn...

ANNE-MARGARET MANNION.(Obituary)
December 13, 2004... FORDS, N.J.-Services were held here last week for Anne-Margaret Mannion, administrative assistant for HFN, who died on Dec. 4 following a brief illness. Mannion, 25, had been with HFN for two years and with parent company Fairchild...

GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST.(festival shopping )
December 13, 2004... Byline: Warren Shoulberg I saw the ghosts of Christmas past out on the highway last week. One day I was driving around town and stopped at a traffic light. Across the intersection was a delivery truck for The Wiz, the late, lightly...

WINDOW TREATS.(festival shopping)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Michael D. Devine The holiday season kicked off with some beautiful store windows to put everyone in a festive shopping spirit. All over Manhattan, there are windows to delight young and old, naive and jaded alike. The best time to...

SHOWS & TELL (PART ONE); HFN'S TRAVELING COMPANION GIVES A PREVIEW OF THE EVENTS MAKING UP THE FIRST HALF OF THE BUSY BUSINESS CALENDAR.(consumer electronics industry)(Calendar)
December 13, 2004... CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW Jan. 6-9 Las Vegas Consumer electronics sales have grown, the number of categories has grown and available technology has grown, so it would make sense that "grow" is the theme of this year's International...

SHOWS & TELL (PART TWO).
December 13, 2004... ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AREA RUG MARKET Jan. 20-23 Atlanta Market-goers will find a number of area rug showrooms have expanded at the winter market in Atlanta this year, among them: Karistan, Kas Oriental Rugs, Loloi Rugs, Mobayen and...

WHAT TO EAT AND SEE WHILE IN TOWN FOR THE SHOW.(restaurant services)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Caperton Gillett, Beth Wilson, Rusty Williamson, Marcy Medina, Robert Murphy, Chiara Hughes ATLANTA'S SPICE TRADE Already famous for Hsu's Gourmet Chinese and Pacific Rim Bistro in downtown Atlanta, Anna and Raymond Hsu have...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(home furnishings industry, meetings and conventions)(Calendar)
December 13, 2004... january 2005 6 - 9 International CES Consumer Electronics Association Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas (866) 233-7968 (USA) (301) 631-3983 (International) cesweb.org 8-11 Philadelphia Gift Show ...

INDIAN COMPANIES ANXIOUS FOR SHARE OF U.S. MARKET.(apparel industry, home textiles market, garment export business)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Raj Menon MUMBAI, India-A number of new Indian players, from the apparel to the metals industry, are now betting on the U.S. home textiles market. "We have been in the garment export business for over 20 years now, and realize...

WARMING SIGNALS; POTENTIAL SAVINGS ON HOME HEATING BILLS IS ONE REASON WHY SALES OF ELECTRIC BLANKETS ARE EXPECTED TO CLIMB THIS WINTER.(Sunbeam, rugs and carpets)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Expect the sale of electric blankets to heat up this season. The falling temperatures, along with higher energy costs, provide the perfect selling environment for heated bedding products, experts said....

WESTPOINT RECEIVES EXTENSION ON PLAN TO REORGANIZE DEBT.
December 13, 2004... WEST POINT, Ga.-The U.S. Bankruptcy Court extended WestPoint Stevens' exclusive right to file its plan of reorganization through Jan. 20. "We are nearing the final stage of negotiations with our creditors regarding our exit from...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Jefferson Home Fashions, textile industry)
December 13, 2004... SPRINGS INDUSTRIES said it will close two South Carolina plants: the Lyman Fabrication Plant in Lyman, S.C., which employs about 400 people, and the Wamsutta Plant in Anderson, S.C., which employs about 140. Both facilities, which make bedding...

CHINA EXPORTERS GIRDING UP FOR QUOTA-FREE CHALLENGES.(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Betsy Lowther BEIJING-China's textile manufacturers are busy preparing for an expected major increase in production after the Jan. 1 end of the quota regime, but analysts say they face many challenges. "Many of the companies...

DILMAGHANI STAYING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH EXHIBITION.(home furnishings' exhibitions)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Jennifer Quail SCARSDALE, N.Y.-Following a successful run with the inaugural Metro Rug Market Week this fall, Dilmaghani is hosting a special "Pre/Post Market Exhibition" in December and January. The company is offering...

SPHINX NAMES TWO TO NEW POSITIONS.(Sphinx by Oriental Weavers)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... DALTON, Ga.-Sphinx by Oriental Weavers has added two new staff positions. Bill Belardi has been appointed to the newly created position of director of sourcing and Kim Reynolds has been named to the new position of public relations manager. ...

THE POLYPROPYLENE PARADOX; SYNTHETIC RUGS HELPED ALTER THE MARKETPLACE, BUT ECONOMIC FACTORS ARE KEEPING WOOL IN THE LOOP.(Dynamic Rugs, Robin Rug Inc.)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-There is no debating that the use of synthetics like polypropylene changed the area rug industry. Companies like Mohawk Home, Shaw Living and Sphinx by Oriental Weavers built booming businesses using the...

INDUSTRY VETERANS MAKE PRESENCE FELT AT SHAW.(Stainmaster line., Dennis Fein, John Mc Leod)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini DALTON, Ga.-It has only been a few months since Dennis Fein and John McLeod moved over to Shaw, but already the duo has made its mark at the floor covering giant. The Burlington Rug veterans, who joined Shaw...

JANUARY SHOWS ARE COMING FAST.
December 13, 2004... Don't forget to send in all press releases and images for both the Atlanta International Area Rug Market and Surfaces Expo happening in January. Deadline for materials for both shows is Friday, Dec. 31. Materials can be sent via standard...

NEW NAVAJO RUG COLLECTION BOWS.(Steve Getzwiller, Navajo Churro Collection)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Navajo weaving expert Steve Getzwiller is now offering The Navajo Churro Collection, a unique line that represents contemporary Navajo weaving. The weavings are all handmade on a traditional Navajo loom and made from sheep's wool, which may be...

ANALYST: SPENDING TO RISE IN 2005, ESPECIALLY AT THE DISCOUNTER LEVEL.(consumer spending analysis)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... CHARLOTTE, N.C.-Consumer spending on furniture will increase 6 percent to $81.2 billion in 2005, but discounters will see more of the increase than traditional furniture stores, predicts analyst Jerry Epperson, managing director of Mann,...

A COZY ARRANGEMENT; CELEBRITIES AND BIG-NAME DESIGNERS HAVE BEEN A KEY BEHIND BRISK BUSINESS FOR THE MATTRESS INDUSTRY.(Simmons Bedding Co., Jaclyn Smith Home)(King Koil)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Karl Kunkel HIGH POINT, N.C.-The mattress industry is finding that celebrities and big-name designers can help sell sleep. Arguably the leader right now in personality-based licensing is Simmons Bedding Co., which has programs...

NEWS BRIEFS.(furniture industry)
December 13, 2004... DAVID SOWINSKI was named president of Pennsylvania House, succeeding Michael Foster, who has left the La-Z-Boy-owned company. Sowinski, who was senior vice president of operations for La-Z-Boy's Casegoods Group, reports to Steve Kincaid,...

DESIGNERS FORM CONSORTIUM TO TARGET MASS.(Design and Sourcing International, consortia)(Designers Direct)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Nancy Meyer DALLAS-Four high-end designers have teamed up with Design and Sourcing International to develop and manufacture four distinct lines solely for mass retailers. This consortium, called Designers Direct, will make its...

MMPI SAYS PLANS ON TRACK FOR NEW SHOWROOM BUILDING.(Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. has pledged to have the upper floors of 7 W. 34th St. up and running in time for the spring tabletop show. "We're totally on schedule to be ready for the tabletop show in...

SURPRISES IN STORE; SHOPPERS CAN FIND SPECIALTY GIFTS AT SOME UNLIKELY RETAILERS.(clothing stores)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Carla Webb New York-The holiday season is upon us, and some retailers, with visions of impulse purchases dancing in their heads, are touting products they aren't traditionally known for. Billed as "the original natural fibers...

NEWS BRIEFS.(appointments)(lincensing agreements)
December 13, 2004... ONECOAST, a network of sales representatives for the giftware and home furnishings industries, has named Paul Thompson vice president of visual merchandising and trends, a newly formed position. Thompson will be responsible for creating and...

FROM CATALOG TO `MAGALOG,' FINA WRITES BOOK ON HIGH-END.(paper industry)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-Michael C. Fina has revamped its catalog, creating a "magalog" that is cleaner, glossier and more likely to attract the upscale clientele it believes are its customers. The magalog, perfect bound and...

KURT ADLER, CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT INNOVATOR, DIES.(Obituary)
December 13, 2004... NEW YORK-Kurt Adler, a man whose name is synonymous with Christmas ornaments and decorations, passed away on Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 25, at his home here. He was 83. Adler founded Kurt S. Adler Inc. in 1946 and remained chairman until...

THE FRAME & ALBUM REPORT.(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Frames sales are projected to be $2.38 billion for 2004. Sales in the category were strong, but there was not much growth. Album sales experienced a rise, boosted by the popularity of scrapbooking. Caption(s): On the Cover: From left:...

HOLDING ITS OWN; DESPITE FLAT SALES, VENDORS ARE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CATEGORY'S FUTURE.
December 13, 2004... Byline: Allison Zisko, Carla Webb contributed to this report. For an industry not known for its meteoric highs or lows, news of flat retail frame sales this year surprised no one. Sales were strong in 2004 -- $2.38 billion, according to...

MEMORABLE PERFORMERS; SCRAPBOOKS AND PHOTO ALBUMS CONTINUE TO BOOST OVERALL SALES.
December 13, 2004... Byline: Carla Webb, Allison Zisko contributed to this report. Scrapbooking appears to be the next wave of business in the photo album industry and might possibly be what contributed to the 2 percent increase in sales in the category, to...

PRETTY PICTURE HOLDERS; VIVID HUES AND NEW LOOKS ARE BRIGHTENING UP PHOTO FRAMES AND ALBUMS.
December 13, 2004... Byline: Carla Webb Bright colors, clean lines and fashion elements -- looks that have been popping up all over home furnishings -- have found their way to photo frames and albums. "Color is the essential ingredient in even the basic...

SILICONEZONE TO STEER CLEAR OF DISCOUNTERS.
December 13, 2004... Byline: Thyra Porter NEW YORK-SiliconeZone President Michael Karyo has told his upscale retail customers that the brand won't go to discounters. In a letter sent to independent gourmet stores and obtained by HFN, Karyo promised the...

DOLLAR SIGNS; RECENT TRENDS HAVE RETAILERS HAPPILY PREDICTING A SPIKE IN KITCHEN ELECTRICS SALES DURING CHRISTMAS WEEK.
December 13, 2004... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-Sales of kitchen electrics during Thanksgiving weekend indicate a strong end-of-year finish for specific categories, such as coffeemakers, sandwich presses and indoor grills. Some Internet and specialty...

NEWS BRIEFS.(appointments)(licensing agreements)
December 13, 2004... THE LAS VEGAS GOURMET HOUSEWARES SHOW is accepting applications for exhibit space in the juried InStyle Division until Feb. 1. Companies accepted so far include: Alessi, Boa Style, Boom Design, Byrd Cookie Co., Casabella, Gien, Magenta, Nuvo,...

LEIFHEIT TO SHUFFLE PRODUCTION SITES.
December 13, 2004... Byline: Sharyn Bernard NASSAU, Germany-Leifheit AG will close a factory in Germany and move manufacturing of several products to China and the Czech Republic. The plant closing in Murrhardt will result in the elimination of nearly 400...

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING ADDS THREE GOOD BUY AWARDS.(Good Housekeeping Good Buy Awards)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Gerry Beatty NEW YORK-The 10th annual Good Housekeeping Good Buy Awards included three firsts: nine products instead of the usual seven; the initial selection of a service; and the inauguration of a prize for the Woman Entrepreneur...

P&G'S SWIFFER VAC LATEST ON RECALL LIST.(Procter & Gamble Co, Vacuum cleaners, Lakewood)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Gerry Beatty WASHINGTON-The Sweep + Vac by Swiffer vacuum cleaner has run into early problems. Procter & Gamble is working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission on voluntarily recalling about 175,000 of the machines,...

ELECTRONICS SALES BEAT OUT BOOKS AT AMAZON.COM.
December 13, 2004... SEATTLE-For the first time in Amazon.com's nine-year history, book sales were overtaken by another category for the coveted top spot. The lucky winner: consumer electronics. During the all-important Black Friday weekend, consumer...

MOVING TARGETS; MOTION TRACKING CARVES A NICHE IN THE VIDEO-GAME MARKET.
December 13, 2004... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Consumers are beginning to get off of the couch and exercise more than their thumbs thanks to new motion tracking video games. While Sony has cornered this video-game market so far via the launch late...

HARVEY ELECTRONICS CHRISTENS NEW SHARP AQUOS GALLERY.
December 13, 2004... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Harvey Electronics has added an artful touch to its midtown Manhattan location with the launch of its first Sharp AQUOS Gallery. The high-end audio video retailer has devoted the second floor of its...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... BEST BUY'S revenues for the third quarter ended Nov. 27 jumped 10 percent to $6.65 billion. A 3.2 percent same-store sales gain led by performance of digital televisions, MP3 players, digital cameras, laptop computers, video games and...

CIRCUIT CITY'S HOLIDAY SALES START SLOW.
December 13, 2004... Byline: Michael Rudnick RICHMOND, Va.-Circuit City's holiday wishes seem to have been unanswered so far, as the big-box retailer reported below-expectation sales. While Circuit City's total sales for the third quarter ended Nov. 30...

WHIRLPOOL COLLECTS CONSUMER SAFETY AWARD.(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Gerry Beatty WASHINGTON-The Home Safety Council has given Whirlpool Corp. its Product Innovation for Consumer Safety Award, reportedly the first company to earn the prize. The council commissioned a study that concluded home...

BEST BUY VS. CIRCUIT CITY.(Buyers Guide)
December 13, 2004... ON THE COVER Best Buy: Canon MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5-inch LCD Viewscreen, $289.99 Circuit City: Canon MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5-inch LCD Viewscreen, $289.99 PORTABLE DVD PLAYER Best Buy: Polaroid 7-inch Widescreen LCD...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... VISA USA said spending by consumers and businesses on Visa-branded payment cards during the Nov. 29 to Dec. 5 period totaled more than $26.1 billion, a 19.3 percent increase over the same period in 2003, according to Visa's Holiday SpendTrak...

WAL-MART HITS ROUGH PATCH WITH DOWNGRADES.
December 13, 2004... Byline: Barbara Thau BENTONVILLE, Ark.-The retailer of all retailers has been taking some hits recently. Wal-Mart's shares were downgraded last week by Goldman Sachs equity analyst George Strachan to "in-line" from "market perform,"...

NOVEMBER COMPS FALL FLAT FOR HOME FURNISHINGS RETAILERS.
December 13, 2004... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Despite the onset of the holiday shopping season, same-store sales for home furnishings retailers were nearly flat for the month of November. Same-store sales at 26 home furnishings retailers tracked by...

FOR THE PRECIOUS VIEW.(Gramercy Park Armory)(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Byline: Michael D. Devine The Gramercy Park Armory was recently the setting for the prestigious Connoisseurs Antique Fair. The evening's special preview was open only to a select group of designers and art consultants, who got the chance...

PLAYING FOR KIPS.(Brief Article)
December 13, 2004... Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club's annual holiday wonders event was held at the Brunschwig & Fils Showroom in New York. The evening's auction featured an array of items for auction along with 15 chairs for charity designed by various personalities...

THE FUTURE IS NOW.
December 20, 2004... Towels Made of Bamboo? A fork that cuts like a knife? Advancing upon the home industry is a wide array of new products that are designed to make life a little easier for consumers everywhere. For the Best Tech of 2004, See Top Story, page 8,...

IN TEXTILES, CHINA PLANS A TAX FOR EXPORTS...
December 20, 2004... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-Two weeks before the lifting of quotas on textiles products, China said it will impose a new tax on textiles exports beginning Jan. 1. Meanwhile, last week, the U.S. government made good on its promise to...