HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from February 2002

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from February 2002

LINENS N' THINNING: 17 STORES TO CLOSE.(Linens 'n Things)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... CLIFTON, N.J.-Linens 'n Things, in a surprising move, will shutter 17 underperforming units in an effort to stave off further erosion of its profits, the company revealed in a conference call last week. The retailer reported that net...

THE $1.5 BILLION QUESTION: WHO WINS AS DOORS CLOSE?(K-mart Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK-With the dust settling from the Kmart bankruptcy, a clearer view is emerging about which retailers stand to gain the most from store closings by the Troy, Mich.-based discounter. Kmart does about $6 billion in home goods sales each...

IT COOLS! IT HEATS! IT'S AMAZING!
February 4, 2002... IT'S a refrigerator...it's a stove: Stop, you're both right. It's Polara, a new electric range from Whirlpool with an oven cavity that's also a refrigerator. The company will unveil the new hybrid at the Builders' Show this week. See page 4....

THE BEST OF EUROPE; THE VERDICT IS IN FROM THE HOME SHOWS ABROAD, AND NOBODY IS PLAYING IT SAFE.
February 4, 2002... From Frankfurt to Paris and other points east, it was all about innovation at the January home furnishings shows. The big surprise in these uncertain times was that designers didn't go in for a strictly safe -- that is, dull -- palette of...

A WHOLE NEW RANGE OF OPTIONS: COOKING AND COOLING IN ONE UNIT.(Whirlpool's Polara electric range's oven also functions as a refrigerator)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... ATLANTA-How many wishes have we heard through the years for a single appliance to perform the entire meal-making process? It's here. Well, not entirely: It won't dice your veggies or wash your dishes. But Whirlpool will unveil Polara,...

REVMAN ADDS NICOLE MILLER, NEW ASHLEY PRODUCTS.(Laura Ashley)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK-Revman is expanding its list of designer brands with the recent addition of Nicole Miller, and is introducing product extensions such as flowers, wall art and mirrors to grow its Laura Ashley business. The textiles company has also...

WILLIAMS NAMED PRESIDENT OF WAVERLY LIFESTYLE GROUP.(Dale Williams)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK-Dale Williams, most recently senior vice president of global sourcing and international marketing at Springs Industries, has been named president and general manager of Waverly Lifestyle Group. Williams succeeds Christiane...

NEW KMART AD CAMPAIGN TO TOUT BRANDS.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Kmart is cooking up a new advertising campaign to play up its exclusive brands, including the Martha Stewart Everyday home collection, that will debut this quarter. The brand positioning campaign, which includes television, print and...

SUR LA TABLE GETS $14 MILLION IN FINANCING TO FUND NEW-STORE GROWTH.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... SEATTLE-Upscale kitchenware retailer Sur La Table has gained $14 million in equity financing and announced plans to open 15 to 17 stores over the next two years. President Renee Behnke said five new Sur La Table stores are set to open in...

NEWS BRIEFS.(acquisitions, executive appointments briefs)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... May Acquires Third Bridal Specialty Chain Fortifying its foothold in the bridal market, May Department Stores Co. acquired certain assets of Priscilla of Boston, an upscale bridal gown retailer, in a cash transaction. Priscilla of...

SPRINGS ACQUIRES BEAULIEU RUG DIVISION.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... FORT MILL, S.C.-Springs Industries, in its first big deal since going private, is adding room-size rugs to its business with the purchase of the rug division of Beaulieu Group LLC for an undisclosed amount. The two privately owned textiles...

MARSHALL FIELD'S SHOWS ITS STARS AND STRIPES.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Marshall Field's is gearing up for A Summer Celebration of Americana. The department store chain will kick off "a nostalgic tribute to red, white and blue," with merchandise that reflects the nation's patriotic mood. The retailer's ads, left,...

WHO IS ADAMSON AND CAN HE TURN THINGS AROUND AT KMART?(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... TROY, Mich.-He saved Denny's restaurants from a public relations debacle and boosted Burger King's bottom line, but can he revive Kmart? That's what the home furnishings sector is wondering about James Adamson, who was named chairman of...

HIPPER THAN THOU.(Housewares show Chicago)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... I'm one hip, happenin' dude. Madonna checks with me before each image makeover, I adore shopping at the new Prada store in New York and HFN's resident trendspotter, Michael D. Devine, once complimented me on my tie. I present you with...

HOME ALONE.(Kmart bankruptcy)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Toy Story Retailers, it turns out, are a lot like (insert opposite gender here): You can't live with 'em and you can't live without 'em. Not that anybody needed to be reminded of this basic tenet of supply-and-demand management, but...

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS; RETAILERS WILL GET A PREVIEW OF HOLIDAY 2002 ITEMS AT THE NEW YORK WINTER MARKET.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK-Ho, ho, ho! It's the New York home textiles winter market Feb. 3 to 6, and retailers will view products that are expected to drive their holiday 2002 season. Homespun patchwork looks are taking center stage in table linens, with...

COSUMER TALK.(Royal Velvet towels)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Lynn Henry Floral Park, N.Y. "I had guests visiting for the holidays and stopped in Linens 'n Things. I saw the display with the Royal Velvet towels on sale -- regularly for $16.99 and on sale for $5.99. I thought that was a great...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... february 7-10 Ceramex The Fil Convention Center Lisbon, Portugal (212) 354-4610 8-11 MACEF Fiera Milano Milan, Italy (212) 459-0044 or (888) 343-7264 (USA) 011-39-2-485-501 (Italy) 8-11 The...

NEW ROYAL VELVET TOWELS HAVE YET TO RULE THE ROOST.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK-The new Royal Velvet classic bath towels started appearing on retail store shelves last month, and so far they are experiencing transitional difficulties. The old towels that are being phased out seem to be more popular with...

NEWS BRIEFS.(B. Smith Group Licensing)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... B. Smith Forms Licensing Group Model, restaurateur and television host B. Smith has formed B. Smith Group Licensing, a design and marketing group that will serve as a corporate vehicle to support her expansion plans into home decor and...

STEPPING OUT IN STYLE; OFFBEAT, MIXED-MEDIA LOOKS TURN HEADS AT ATLANTA AND DOMOTEX.(Rugs)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK-Area rugs with tiny lights that changed color; glass and leather insets; and giant loop constructions were just some of the more offbeat offerings at the January markets for bolder rug buyers. Designteppiche, a German company,...

DESPITE EARNINGS DROP, NEWELL ENCOURAGED BY INITIATIVES.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... FREEPORT, Ill.-After posting net income that fell for the fourth quarter and year, management at Newell Rubbermaid told Wall Street last week it could cushion the blow from Kmart's Chapter 11 filing on its business. The company said it...

[0] NEWS BRIEFS.
February 4, 2002... Analyst Ups Price Target on Sears Lehman Bros. retail analyst Jeffrey Feiner raised his price target on Sears' stock to $60 from $50 based on the retailer's moves to increase operational efficiency and expand key product areas. Feiner...

REPORT: WAREHOUSE SEGMENT EXPECTED TO GROW.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK-Warehouse clubs, once thought to be near a saturation level in the market, are now considered a growth segment, according to retail analyst Deborah Weinswig of Bear Stearns & Co. In a recent report, Weinswig said the warehouse club...

ALL THAT JAZZ.(Baker Tribeca launched its new Manhattan store)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Complete with a jazz serenade, Baker Tribeca launched its new Manhattan store with a swinging party. The two levels of the store were packed with party-goers. Even its star designer, Bill Sofield, was on hand to show off the space to guests.

J.C. PENNY RESTRUCTURES AS HOLDING COMPANY.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... PLANO, Texas-J. C. Penney said last week that it changed its corporate structure to a holding company format. Allen Questrom, chairman and chief executive officer, said the "structure, which is used by many companies with multiple...

A BETTER PARTY.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Meredith Corp. may be based in Iowa, but it knows how to do up the big city right proper. Proof? The company's magazine group recently hosted a fete for Better Homes and Gardens' new editor in chief, Karol DeWulf Nickell, at the glamorous Four...

STAR OF THE SCREEN.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Sleek and sexy are not words most people usually use to describe their computer monitors, but they might now. The new iMac, updating the revolutionary version introduced four years ago, is designed around its 15-inch, LCD flat screen that can...

LLADRO'S THOUGHTS ON EXPANSION: IT'S 'GENETIC'.(Juan Vincente Lladro Roig)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK-Recognizing and capitalizing on a company's "genetic code" is essential to a brand and the key to developing it into a luxury powerhouse, according to Juan Vincente Lladro Roig, who spoke at the recent National Retail Federation...

PLENTY OF FACE TIME; ELECTRIC SHAVERS ARE IN FOR MULTIMEDIA EXPOSURE, FROM TV ADS TO MOVIE ROLES.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK-Vendors in the shaver market are keen on keeping their products in the consumer's eye and are gearing up promotional plans for the new year to help drive consumers into the stores. Norelco's televised campaigns have proven...

LEIFHEIT LOOKS TO EXPAND ITS REACH TO THE UNITED STATES.(German housewares powerhouse)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... MELVILLE, N.Y.-Leifheit, a housewares powerhouse in Germany, has turned its attention to the U.S. market with new product assortments and plans to build its brand here. The company, which has distribution in almost every retail channel in...

VACS OF EVERY STRIPE GET AN AIRING AT THE HOUSEWARES SHOW.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... CHICAGO-The "other guys" at the International Housewares Show had a few novelties of their own to promote in floor care. As noted, the market leaders tended to feature recent introductions here. But several vendors got out messages about...

NEW HOMETECH SHOW JOINS THE RANKS OF EUROPEAN TRADE EVENTS.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... BERLIN-A new trade show enters the European market later this month with a strong focus on small and large domestic appliances. Called HomeTech, the show was initiated by members of the European Committee of Manufacturers of Domestic Equipment,...

FAMILIAR PATTERNS; TRIED-AND-TRUE STERLING DESIGNS REMAIN THE TOP SELLERS DUE TO A LACK OF DEMAND FOR NEW LOOKS.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NEW YORK-Unlike dinnerware patterns, the top 10 sterling-silver flatware patterns have remained relatively the same throughout the years, with one or two exceptions. In 2001, the top 10 patterns as reported by NPD Hometrak were manufactured by...

SIMPSON PREPARES FOR NEXT STEP IN CAREER WITH PFALTZGRAFF.(Bill Simpson; Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff Co)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... YORK, Pa.-Leaving the helm of The Pfaltzgraff Co. to head its parent company, Bill Simpson, the newly named president and chief executive officer of Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff Co., looks to his predecessor, Louis Appell Jr., for guidance. "So...

VENDORS LOOK TO FILL THE GAP LEFT BY SERVICE MERCHANDISE.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... BRENTWOOD, Tenn.-There was a time when Service Merchandise mattered. In its heyday, and that was not that long ago, the catalog-showroom merchant was one of the most significant tabletop retailers in business. In 1997, it was at the head...

INTO THE WOODS.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Hedge Wood, designed exclusively by Suzanne Nicholl for Andrea by Sadek, is one of the company's newest designs, highlighted during recent gift shows across the country. Shown here is a set of four porcelain dinner plates, each with its own...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Hurtado Names National Sales Manager Spanish case goods producer Hurtado has named Daniel Falken national sales manager for Hurtado USA Inc. He will report to Ana Hurtado, executive vice president of Hurtado USA. Falken succeeds Jim...

A CORN-BASED FIBER? NATUREWORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... MINNETONKA, Minn.-It's not a field of dreams. If the people at Cargill Dow are correct, in the future, home furnishings products will start with a field of corn. The company, a partnership between one of the world's largest grain merchants...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Decorating Den Featured on HGTV Decorating Den Interiors has taped four more segments for "This Small Space," a Home and Garden Television network show. The program provides decorating tips and ideas for small areas and rooms in the...

GIULIANI TO SPEAK AT CARPET ONE WINTER CONVENTION.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... MANCHESTER, N.H.-Rudy Giuliani, the former two-term mayor of New York City, will be the featured speaker at Carpet One's Winter International Convention in Baltimore on March 2. Event organizers said the mayor's leadership following Sept....

KUDOS FOR CARPETS.(Magnificent Carpets Awards)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... ATLANTA-Saturday night's Magnificent Carpets Awards took on an Eastern theme with traditional Indian music, dancers and cuisine. This year's winners were: Handmade category by retail price range Handmade Category by Retail Price Range ...

ATLANTA MARKET MIXES BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE.(Sphinx debuts Oasis collection, Nourison's Calvin Klein collection introduced)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Kicking Back With Calvin Klein ATLANTA-With the buzz surrounding Nourison's new Calvin Klein collection, nothing less than a live band, a notable guest list, and tables overflowing with food and drinks would do. Nourison, its top...

HIGH LIGHTS FROM DALLAS; GLOBAL THEMES AND METAL FINISHES WERE AMONG THE TRENDS FEATURED AT THE ANNUAL MARKET.(Dallas International Lighting and Accessories Market)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... DALLAS-Tropical breezes blew through Dallas in the form of rattan, wicker and bamboo ceiling fans, lamp bases, shades, fixtures, mirror frames and a number of accessories. But it wasn't just the West Indies, tropical or "Tommy Bahama" look that...

SPACE AVAILABLE: STORE CLOSINGS SPELL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INDUSTRY.(furniture retail industry)(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
February 4, 2002... HIGH POINT, N.C.-Healthy furniture retailers are snapping up hundreds of stores left vacant by bankrupt competitors, turning a miserable string of retail failures into growth potential. The recent run of failures, including Heilig-Meyers,...

TRUE SEATING, LANE IN LICENSING DEAL.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... IRVINE, Calif.-True Seating, an importer of high-end office seating, has signed a licensing deal with furniture vendor Lane Co. to market a line of office seating under the Lane name. The chairs, made in China in fabric and leather, will be...

AD SPACE FOR LEADING BRANDS FALLS 25% IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y.-Advertising column inches for 21 leading housewares brands in the fourth quarter of 2001 dropped 25 percent over the same period a year ago, an ongoing survey revealed. Although the ad space grew 49 percent over the...

SWISSMAR, BORNER TO CUT PATH ACROSS NORTH AMERICA.(announce partnership agreement)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y.-Swissmar Imports Inc. has entered into a partnership with Borner of Germany. Under the deal, Swissmar will be distributing Borner products through all channels in North America. Borner is the inventor and manufacturer...

NEWS BRIEFS.
February 4, 2002... GLM Taps Managers For New York Gift Fair George Little Management has appointed Beth Bronzino divisional manager of the Tabletop & Homewares and At Home divisions of the New York International Gift Fair. Kippy Boyle has been named...

AMBIENTE'S NEW SETTING.
February 11, 2002... Show-goers heading to Messe Frankfurt this week for Ambiente will find a reconfigured setup as the trade fair moves to group high-end and volume merchandise separately. Coverage begins on page 28.

TYCO CAPITAL'S CREDIT WOES FACTORING INTO HOME GOODS.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK-Tyco Capital Corp.'s ongoing financial woes have not yet triggered tighter credit in the home goods industry, but tension is being felt as jittery clients send out feelers to competitive factors. Tyco, the home industry's single...

LIFESTYLE FADES WAY WITH LEXINGTON BUYOUT.(Lifestyle Furnishings International Ltd. sells Robert Allen Group to Corber Corp., sees Lexington Home Brands go to management-led buyout)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... HIGH POINT, N.C.-Barely a year ago, LifeStyle Furnishings International boasted the most impressive group of companies in the furniture business: Henredon, Lexington, Drexel Heritage, Universal, Berkline, BenchCraft and Maitland-Smith, along...

BURDINES ADAPTING TO VERNON'S CUSTOM.(Dave Vernon, retailer's new senior vice president)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... MIAMI-Burdines, the upper-moderate division of Federated Department Stores, is known for customizing its merchandise mix to suit the needs of a diverse customer base: Latin American shoppers, tourists, retirees and seasonal residents. As...

KMART HONES STORE OPERATIONS, NAMES 5 DIVISION PRESIDENTS.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... TROY, Mich.-Kmart's announcement last week to restructure into five operations division, while not related to its Chapter 11 filing, is intended to make the company more efficient internally. The retailer, which filed for Chapter 11...

CORRECTIONS.(Correction Notice)
February 11, 2002... In a story about WinsLoew Furniture in the Feb. 4 issue, Bobby Tesney's name was incorrectly spelled. Bruce Albertson is succeeding Tesney as president and chief executive officer. Tesney continues to serve as vice chairman. In a story on...

WAL-MART BUYS BIGGEST PUERTO RICO FOOD CHAIN.(Supermercados Amigo Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... BENTONVILLE, Ark.-Wal-Mart Puerto Rico has acquired Supermercados Amigo, which the discounter bills as the commonwealth's number-one supermarket chain. Supermercados Amigos, which operates 35 stores, will retain its Amigo brand name, and...

THE ULTIMATE DINNER PARTY.
February 11, 2002... There were 58 tables, one more beautiful than the next, designed by some of the world's most talented designers at Elle Decor's Dining by Design, all to support the Design Industry's Foundation Fighting AIDS. The 50 participating designers...

CLOSING THE BOOK ON 2001.(overview of women's periodical market)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK-If 2000 was a year to remember, 2001 was a year that most magazine publishers would rather forget. But with all the figures tolled, the final annual results for home books (magazines that give significant coverage to home,...

A TOUGH YEAR FOR MANY, BUT NOT FOR ALL.(magazine industry sees some titles succeed, others shut down)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Change and upheaval were the bywords of the magazine industry in 2001. Following numerous launches and relaunches in 2000, new and newly reinvented titles, along with some established titles, tried to establish themselves and gain market share...

MR. CLEAN PRODUCTS TO BOW AT AMBIENTE.(Butler Home Products will launch brand in Germany)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... HOLLISTON, Mass.-Butler Home Products will launch its Mr. Clean line of smallwares and stick goods at Ambiente in Frankfurt, Germany, this month. This marks the first time the company will sell its products to the European market, said...

TECH SOLUTIONS FIRM TARGETS HOME.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... HIGHLAND PARK, Ill.-After successfully launching a private-auction business-to-business Web site for S.C. Johnson that eliminates overstock on goods such as Windex, the Gustnado Group is positioning its technology solutions for other categories...

DAL-TILE POSTS RECORD SALES IN FOURTH QUARTER, FISCAL YEAR.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... DALLAS-Dal-Tile International Inc., the ceramic tile manufacturer Mohawk Industries has offered to acquire, reached a record $1 billion in sales for fiscal year 2001. For the fourth quarter, sales for the largest manufacturer, distributor...

NEWS BRIEF.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... Whirlpool Claims Growth in 2001 Whirlpool Corp. reported its North American business grew 11 percent in sales, 55 percent in core operating profits and an unspecified amount in market share in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31. Worldwide...

NEWELL RUBBERMAID CHANGES CLOSET BRAND.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... WOOSTER, Ohio-Newell Rubbermaid is making its mark on closets. The home products behemoth is rebranding its closet division -- previously under the Lee Rowan name -- as Rubbermaid Closet and Organization Products. All products that were branded...

DISCOUNTERS' GAINS IN COMP SALES DIVE HFN INDEX A BOOST IN JANUARY.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK-Shoppers lured by aggressive promotions brought in better-than-expected January comparable-store sales for many home goods retailers. But not all retailers fared as well as the discount and value retail segments. These types of...

DINING FOR DOLLARS.
February 11, 2002... Who wasn't there? Elle Decor's annual Dining by Design, held at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, was packed with just about anybody who's anybody in the design world. The crowd turned out to help support the Design Industry Foundation Fighting...

WHEROWHERE, 225 FIFTH PARTNER IN ONLINE PROMOTION.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK-Whereowhere, a Web-based technology and marketing provider, and permanent showroom building 225 Fifth Ave. have formed a partnership to cross-market and promote their services to the gift, home and lighting industries. The home...

FETCO TO FORGO NATIONAL STATIONERY SHOW.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... RANDOLPH, Mass.-Fetco Home Decor, a photo frame and home decor supplier, is exiting the National Stationery Show this spring in favor of its permanent showroom at 225 Fifth Ave. in New York, where it plans to highlight the further expansion of...

VIETRI NAMES VAUGHN PRESIDENT.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... HILLSBOROUGH, N.C.-Vietri, an importer of Italian ceramics, has named Douglas Vaughn president and a member of its board of directors. Susan Gravely, Vietri founding president, remains chairman and chief executive officer of the company. ...

HEARTS OF GLASS.(crystal glass bowls)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK-Less caloric than chocolate -- and a lot longer lasting -- tabletop Valentines run the gamut from heart-themed crystal bowls and flutes to roses blooming on glass serving pieces. Here is just a taste of what the tabletop industry is...

CONSUMER TALK.
February 11, 2002... Anthony Taggert New York "Probably no. I'm very happy with what I have right now. The only thing is three area rugs, and my maid does them. I might change because a friend is moving in and he has three cats." Doreen Niestemsky ...

IHA RAISES AMBIENTE PROFILE WITH NEW TWO-STORY BOOTH.(International Housewares Association)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... ROSEMONT, Ill.-The International Housewares Association is looking for attention at the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany, this week. IHA has added a new two-story-tall booth to the American Lifestyles Housewares Pavilion in Hall...

INDUSTRY EXPECTS LOWER-PRICE TREND TO CONTINUE FOR VACS.(upright vacuum cleaners)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... CLEVELAND-Forty-eight bucks buys you an upright vacuum cleaner. Ninety-eight equals bagless. Seventeen gets a hand vac. Cleaning up was never easier -- at least for the consumer. This is a price war years in the making. Safe to say,...

RISING TO THE OCCASIONS; BAKEWARE GETS A LIFT AS MORE PEOPLE COOK FOR HOLIDAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... PORTLAND, Maine-For bakeware makers, the holiday season doesn't just mean Christmas anymore. Seeking ways to market bakeware beyond the fourth quarter, manufacturers are marking their calendars for Valentine's Day, Easter and even Halloween as...

KMART'S STATUS EXPECTED TO HAVE A LESSER IMPACT ON LARGER COMPANIES.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK-While the housewares industry holds its breath over Kmart's shaky finances, insiders agree that smaller companies will be affected more than their larger counterparts. "For most of these larger companies, someone like Newell, you're...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Chantal Corp. thanks employees, Whirlpool recalls dehumidifiers)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Chantal Bowls Over Staff Chantal Corp., which has been making ceramics at a Chinese factory for the past five years, is celebrating the Chinese New Year by giving special commemorative rice bowls to some 800 factory workers. The...

NEW GENERATION OF ELECTRICS STRESS CONVENIENCE, HEALTH.(new home cooking appliances)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK-Three factors at the forefront of home cooking today are convenience, time-savings and health value. A new wave of electrics products are addressing these topics and, in some cases, eliminating the need for multiple cooking appliances....

THE NEW MAIN STREETS: AN ENTERTAINING DETOUR.(neighborhood retail stores attract customers)(Brief Article)(Column)
February 11, 2002... Shopping as entertainment is a post-peak trend, according to some. I would beg to differ. It's not the activity that's passe, it's the venues. I, for one, am still shopping. But I am particular about how I shop. That's why I find the...

HOME ALONE.(retail industry coping with fiscal outcomes)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... SHAKE YOUR BOOTY So how did you do? Did you get really reamed or did you make out OK? Maybe you're still tallying up the damage and it's too early to tell. By now, you've probably figured out exactly down to the penny how you fared in...

OUTSIDE INFLUENCES; BACKYARD ACCESSORIES OFFER A MORE AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE TO BIG-TICKET PATIO SETS.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK-Even as the snow is still falling in parts of the country, retailers are setting up seasonal patio departments this month. A key element this season will be the accessories they use to draw consumers in. While the backyard...

NOVEMBER FURNITURE ORDERS INDICATE DECLINE IS SLOWING.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... HIGH POINT, N.C.-New orders in November declined by 3 percent from the previous year, but that drop was the lowest since May 2001, according to BDO Seidman's survey of residential furniture manufacturers. Orders to manufacturers in...

NEWS BRIEFS.(multiple briefs)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Althorp Estate in Licensing Deal Althorp, the 500-year-old British estate that was Lady Diana Spencer's childhood home, is the newest licensor for a collection of home products. New York-based Concept Marketing Group Inc. has been selected...

DOWNSTAIRS DINNER PROVES DYNAMIC WINNERS FOR SECOND HALF OF 2001.(dinnerware sales)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK-The ranking for the best-selling tabletop patterns for the second half of 2001 are in, and downstairs is where the changes seem to be happening, according to a report from NPD Hometrak. New to the housewares dinnerware list from...

AMBIENTE'S NEW DIRECTION; THE GERMAN TRADE SHOW RECONFIGURED TO SEPARATE THE VOLUME AND HIGH END SIDES.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... FRANKFURT, Germany-Visitors to one of the world's largest and most influential tabletop shows may spend some time here adjusting to Messe Frankfurt's new approach to the market, but both retailers and vendors say the most important issue at...