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

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

EUROPE'S SHOW THINGS.(Trade shows)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... THE BEST OF EUROPE: From Frankfurt to Cologne to Paris, the January trade shows were awash in pattern and color. For an exclusive look at the shows' top trends, see pages 8 through 11.

FROM SEARS, AN OFF-THE-MALL PROTOTYPE.(Sears will unveil a new off-the-mall store format later this year in West Jordan, Utah)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.-Sears will unveil a new off-the-mall store format later this year in West Jordan, Utah, that will likely include product categories atypical of a traditional unit, such as food and toys. The prototype will be 200,000...

KMART'S REORGANIZATION PLAN: A PATTERN OF MASS DESTRUCTION.(pattern of misdeeds, deception and financial recklessness)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-The 500 pages of court documents that make up the reorganization plan Kmart filed last week show a pattern of misdeeds, deception and financial recklessness. For example, the retailer revealed -- with some shocking detail -- the...

WHERE'S THE BEEF? PLAN LACKS NEW RETAIL STRATEGY.(Kmart)
February 3, 2003... TROY, Mich.-Kmart's much-anticipated reorganization plan delivered a comprehensive outline of its financial status along with hair-raising allegations of misconduct by former management (see story, page 1). But the plan was short on new answers...

NEWS BRIEFS.(George Little Management)
February 3, 2003... GLM TO OFFER HOUSEWARES AT SHOWS Beginning in January 2004, George Little Management will launch "Tabletop and Housewares" divisions at three existing GLM-managed shows: the California Gift Show in Los Angeles, the Gift Fair in Atlanta and...

STROUDS IS STRAPPED AGAIN; STOPS PAYMENT TO VENDORS.
February 3, 2003... CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.-Strouds stopped paying its vendors several weeks ago and is now asking them to accept partial payments on longer terms or face the possibility of getting paid very little if it were to file for bankruptcy. "Due to...

EXCEL REORGANIZES, FORMS TWO SEPARATE ENTITIES.(Excel Group)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... HICKSVILLE, N.Y.-The Excel Group has announced a new corporate structure, creating two separate branded businesses -- Sabatier French Home and Farberware/Retroneu Design Studio -- to operate under the corporate umbrella of The Excel Group. ...

CLUSTERS OF STORES MAKE SOHO A HOMEY AREA.
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-The more, the merrier. That's the common wisdom in home retail, and the credo is playing out to perfection in SoHo, the neighborhood of Manhattan south of Houston Street and west of Broadway. Large, loftlike retail spaces and rents...

SIX IN THE CITY.
February 3, 2003... 1 SEX SELLS Looking for a special gift or souvenir for that certain someone? Sneak into the Museum of Sex and have a peek at the nifty novelties, books and T-shirts in the gift shop. Museum of Sex, 233 Fifth Ave. at 27th Street, (212)...

FLOWER-POWERED CLASSIC MARIMEKKO HAS A NEW OUTPOST.(flower-powered textiles company from Finland,)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Marimekko, that flower-powered textiles company from Finland, has a new, higher profile in Manhattan. Josie Chekouras has moved her dedicated Marimekko shop from a second-floor location on Madison Avenue to a ground-level, eye-popping spot on...

PATTERN BOLDNESS.(Maison & Objet show in Paris)(think pattern!)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Banish the beige, bury the solids, burn the textures -- think pattern! Not for the faint of heart, the revival of pattern continued to pick up momentum throughout the recent Maison & Objet show in Paris. The best-dressed stands were decked out...

EUROPEAN UNION; FOUR BIG TRENDS FROM FRANKFURT TO PARIS THAT BROUGHT HOME AND APPAREL FASHION CLOSER TOGETHER.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-Europe in January may not be a vacation paradise, but for home furnishings lovers, there is no other place like it. With shows in Frankfurt and Paris and all points in between, the number of new products on view is mind-boggling. The...

FOR ABC, DUMBO'S THE SMART MOVE.(Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass)(ABC Carpet & Home)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-ABC Carpet & Home has opened its sixth store in a sparsely populated area of Brooklyn called DUMBO (an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). Although the area has only a minimal retail presence, Evan Cole,...

FEDERATED: RICH'S-MACY'S A STRONG COMBO.(Macy's famous housewares Cellar will make its debut at the soon-to-be-reflagged Rich's-Macy's stores)
February 3, 2003... CINCINNATI-Macy's famous housewares Cellar will make its debut at the soon-to-be-reflagged Rich's-Macy's stores. That's just one of the ways that parent company Federated Department Stores plans to leverage "the strengths of Macy's and the...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.
February 3, 2003... FEBRUARY 3-7 February New York Home Textiles Market New York Showrooms 9-12 Ceramex The Fil Convention Center Lisbon, Portugal (212) 354-4610 aip.pt 14-18 Ambiente Frankfurt Fair & Exhibition Center ...

COLOR IS NOT A FOUR-LETTER WORD.
February 3, 2003... What would our world be without color? It is the single most important element of design and decoration. It has the potential to affect our moods and transform our surroundings. Where would our businesses be without color? For several seasons,...

ANAL RETENTION.
February 3, 2003... Dear Boss, Give me a $100 bonus or I'm leaving. Sincerely, Your loyal employee, Warren I must have missed the memo or something, but exactly when did it become standard business practice to reward people for basically...

HOLIDAY CUSTOMS; TRADITIONAL LOOKS DOMINATE THE LATEST WINTER INTRODUCTIONS.
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-The holidays are all about tradition, and winter-themed textiles introductions say as much. For the Feb. 3 to 7 winter market, expect to see the regulars -- snowmen, moose, poinsettias, red and green hollies, grapes and Christmas...

DOCKERS, IZOD SHOWCASE NEW BEDDING AND BATH LINES.
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-Izod bedding and bath products are now being sold in J.C. Penney's big book and on its Web site, while Dockers bedding ensembles will soon be sold at more than 870 Kohl's, Mervyn's and Fred Meyer stores. The list of retailers for...

FARIBAULT EXPANDS PRODUCTION OPERATIONS WITH PURCHASE OF BEACON BLANKETS PLANT.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... FARIBAULT, Minn.-Faribault Mills, the last fully integrated woolen mill in the United States, purchased the shuttered Beacon Blankets mill in Westminster, S.C., last week for an undisclosed sum. "This gives us the capacity and the ability...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Dan River's Home Fashion)(Primedia)
February 3, 2003... DAN RIVER CREATES SEVENTEEN BEDDING LINE Dan River's Home Fashion for Kids division has signed a licensing agreement with Primedia for the development of a new line of bedding and accessories using the Seventeen brand name. The initial...

NEWS BRIEFS.(multiple records )
February 3, 2003... PILLOWTEX RESTRUCTURES ITS SALES TEAM Pillowtex Corp. has reorganized its sales team by customer group rather than geographic region. Three of the company's executives, with vice president and regional sales manager job titles,are now...

FAUX STATEMENTS; SYNTHETIC LEATHER RUGS ARE COMING TO THE FLOOR, INSPIRED BY HOT TRENDS IN APPAREL.
February 3, 2003... ATLANTA-No one is sneering at the fashion sense of those who are wearing the new synthetic shearling coats this winter. Instead, this season's coats -- attractive, supple and inexpensive -- are earning cheers from designers at Sphinx by...

GEORGIA MAY APPLY PERMANENT SALES TAX TO CARPET SAMPLES.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... DALTON, Ga.- The state of Georgia may soon apply a permanent sales tax to carpet samples that are used in a manufacturer's own showroom. The Georgia Legislature's House of Representatives will likely take up debate this month on proposed...

NEWS BRIEFS.(multiple records)
February 3, 2003... ORIENTAL WEAVERS INTRODUCES AREA RUG DISPLAY FIXTURE Oriental Weavers introduced an area rug display fixture for the first time at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market. But don't expect to see the Oriental Weavers name on it....

KARASTAN PUTS FRESH SPIN ON CLASSIC DESIGNS.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... ATLANTA-Karastan is offering an Oriental rug style that also bows to today's casual home decor trends. The company took its classic designs, removed the medallions, opened up the fields, enlarged the motifs and added black to the palette...

MOHAWK LOOKS TO EXPAND CARPET CUSHION PROGRAM.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... DALTON, Ga.-Mohawk Industries is planning to add another carpet cushion manufacturing facility to supply what it sees as a growing business. The facilities currently in operation already cover demand in most of Mohawk's sales regions...

STANTON NAMES DESIGNERS BEASANT AND POULTON TO NEW POSTS ON ITS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TEAM.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... SYOSSET, N.Y.-Stanton Carpet Corp., an importer of wool and synthetic broadloom and area rugs, has added Jacquie Beasant and Michael Poulton to new positions on the company's design team. In her post as colorist and carpet designer, Beasant...

STANDARDS OFFER FINANCIAL GUIDANCE FOR PICKING RIGHT CARPETING.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... MANCHESTER, N.H.-Retailers hoping to orient a bewildered consumer shopping for broadloom may want to refer to the 2003 Standards for Budgeting Carpet from the International Design Guild. The standards suggest the dollars per foot that...

A DIMMING OUTLOOK; PRICE DEFLATION AND LOW PROFIT MARGINS ARE HURTING THE LAMP BUSINESS.
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-A joke going around the lamp industry is that the lowest price for a resin lamp is from whoever got off the plane last. While some may chuckle, the situation is bound to take a serious toll on a business that is already challenged...

DIAL-A-MATTRESS OUT TO EXPAND, FRANCHISE ITS RETAIL NETWORK.
February 3, 2003... LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.-If Dial-a-Mattress, a.k.a. 1-800-MATTRESS, succeeds with two plans -- increasing its retail network fourfold and offering a franchise option to existing stores -- its names might truly become household words. ...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Universal Furniture)
February 3, 2003... UNIVERSAL NAMES ADMINISTRATION VP Universal Furniture has named David Yelverton Jr. vice president of sales administration, a new position. He is responsible for customer service and other sales management duties. He reports to Randy...

MARKETS SHED NEW LIGHT ON ALL THE LATEST TRENDS.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-Lighting and home decor designers hit all the fashion hot buttons during the winter gift and home markets last month. Home products are mirroring the American way of life more than ever: They're multitasking as much as we are; they're...

THE WHOLE STORY; MORE MANUFACTURERS ARE ROLLING OUT ACCESSORIES AT THE SAME TIME AS PATTERN INTRODUCTIONS.(Denby's latest pattern, Fire, at the last tabletop show could invest in not only the dinnerware, but also the coordinating serving accessories)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-Retailers that liked Denby's latest pattern, Fire, at the last tabletop show could invest in not only the dinnerware, but also the coordinating serving accessories, table linens, beverageware, woodenware and even Chilli, an accent...

HOLIDAY PRODUCTS VENDORS SAY BUYERS STICK WITH TRADITIONAL.
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-Retailers shopping for holiday 2003 at January's gift shows were focusing on traditional looks, according to some exhibitors. "There's been so much talk about nostalgia and tradition, and it continues to be very strong for us,"...

STEUBEN'S FROG PRINCE MAKES A LEAP BACK.(Valentine's Day)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... On the 30th anniversary of its original introduction in 1973, Frog Prince, a crystal and 18-karat gold sculpture, will be reintroduced by Steuben in conjunction with Valentine's Day. Created by artist Lloyd Atkins, a Steuben designer from 1948...

NEW BRIEFS.(Daniel Barth has been named president and chief executive officer of Lalique North America)
February 3, 2003... LALIQUE NORTH AMERICA TAPS PRESIDENT Daniel Barth has been named president and chief executive officer of Lalique North America. He succeeds Sharon Buntain, who left the company in September 2002. In his new position, Barth's...

MANUFACTURERS GET THE GIFT OF GOOD VIBES AFTER SHOWS.
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-After the round of gift shows -- the Atlanta Gift & Home Furnishings Market and The Gift Fair in Atlanta, the Dallas Gift & Home Accessories Market, the California Gift Show and the Gift & Home Furnishings Market in Los Angeles, and...

SPACE TECHNOLOGY; NEW GADGETS WITH BUILT-IN STORAGE FEATURES PROVIDE MORE ROOM IN THE KITCHEN.
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-Now that they've organized their garages, closets and laundry rooms, are consumers ready to tackle their gadget drawers? Housewares manufacturers are encouraging just that with new products that serve a double purpose, functioning both...

AHAM'S NEW FLOOR CARE DIVISION DRAWS CRITICISM FROM VCMA.(Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers)
February 3, 2003... CLEVELAND-Manufacturers like to talk about consumers basing purchases on the value equation. They may be doing the same in choosing between trade organizations. The revelation that the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers created a...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Helen of Troy Ltd.)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... HELEN OF TROY BUYS NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER Helen of Troy Ltd. announced it has completed the purchase of a 619,000-square-foot warehousing facility in Southaven, Miss., as its new Eastern U.S. distribution center. The company made the...

HAIR CARE VENDORS ROLL OUT WAVE OF ADVANCES IN CHICAGO.(International Housewares Show)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-The area of hair care saw quite a few updates at the International Housewares Show in Chicago. Vendors took the opportunity to show off their latest advances, which covered everything from ceramic coatings to ethnic care to a new name...

SCALE SUPPLIERS ARE EMPLOYING STYLE, TECHNOLOGY TO STAND OUT.
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-Scale vendors continue to search for new technology and high-end styling in bathroom scales and body-fat monitors, especially as the category becomes more competitive and more players target the market. At the International...

DISCLOSURES ARE ADDING EQUITY TO ANALYSTS' FINANCIAL REPORTS.(Equity analysts are in powerful positions)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK-Equity analysts are in powerful positions and their published views on public entities can often change the destiny of a company. Remember Wayne Hood's cold outlook on Kmart last year? Some in the industry said Hood's report,...

IMRA SUPPORTS BUSH'S STANCE ON ECONOMIC AND SECURITY ISSUES.(International Mass Retail Association)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... ARLINGTON, Va.-The International Mass Retail Association commended President Bush last week following his State of the Union address "for continuing to advocate passage of his economic stimulus plan." IMRA's leaders said the organization...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Robert Taubman surrenders voting power to block bid for Taubman Centers by Simon Property Group Inc)
February 3, 2003... COURT OKS KMART CLOSURE PLANS Kmart won bankruptcy court approval last week to close 316 stores. The judge also said Kmart could proceed with a $2 billion bankruptcy exit finance package. The store closures are expected to cost the...

THE HFN LIST; 10 FASTEST-GROWING HOME GOODS RETAILERS.(consumer electronics and appliance retailers)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Rank & Company Earnings Per Share Growth Rate (Past Five Years) 1) Best Buy 42.98% The consumer electronics and appliance retailer has expanded its market share, but not at the expense of the bottom line. 2) Kohl's ...

OLD MONEY.(antique show)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... "What recession?" observed more than one party-goer at the recent gala opening-night party for 49th annual Winter Antiques Show at the Seventh Regiment Armory in New York. For the packed crowd of antiques shoppers, the night seemed like a trip...

BLOOMIES'S ENSHRINES THE HOME.(Bloomingdale's new home store in Medinah Temple)
February 10, 2003... CHICAGO-Bloomingdale's took its retail-as-theater credo quite literally to a new level with the opening of its new home store last week in the historic Medinah Temple here, featuring a mix that will serve as a benchmark for the entire chain....

AXELROD STEPS UP ROLE AT LINENS AS SILVERSTEIN LEAVES.(Norman Axelrod)
February 10, 2003... CLIFTON, N.J.-Norman Axelrod will become a much more hands-on presence at Linens 'n Things following the resignation of former President Steven Silverstein last week. Axelrod, chairman and chief executive officer of the 391-unit big-box...

EXCEL'S CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING CREATES NUMEROUS STAFF CHANGES.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... HICKSVILLE, N.Y.-When the Excel Group created two separate branded businesses -- Sabatier French Home and Farberware/Retroneu Design Studio -- the move triggered numerous executive changes at the company. In addition to the executive moves...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Kmart's deal with Salton, relocation of Newell Rubbermaid, Crate & Barrel's Gordon Segal discussed)
February 10, 2003... KMART BID TO KO SALTON DEAL OK'D The bankruptcy court in Chicago approved Kmart's request to terminate its small-appliance licensing deal that it had with Salton. The termination of the agreement was mutual, according to recently filed...

WORLD KITCHEN LOOKS AHEAD AFTER CHAPTER 11 EMERGENCE.(Company Profile)
February 10, 2003... RESTON, Va.-Eight months after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, World Kitchen has emerged, business plan in place, with a new board of directors and about half of the debt it had last May. That lightened debt burden gives the...

SIGNORIA DI FIRENZI PLANS U.S. SHOPS.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK-Signoria di Firenzi, a high-end Italian luxury linen company known for featuring the pop art and original designs of celebrated artist Verner Panton, plans to open 30 to 50 shops in the United States in the next three to five years,...

STROUDS TELLS VENDORS TIME IS RUNNING OUT.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.-Strouds is having a difficult time persuading the majority of its vendors to go along with two repayment options that are key to the retailer's survival. The company extended its original deadline for them to give their...

HER DUTY'S TO UN-DOWDY THE PENNEY HOME BRAND.(J.C. Penney Home Collection revamped by Deborah Evans)
February 10, 2003... PLANO, Texas-This is not your mother's J.C. Penney Home Collection. That's the response the retailer hopes to elicit from consumers upon the makeover of the $1 billion-plus brand. The brand overhaul is being spearheaded by Deborah...

LINENS 'N THINGS' SALES, PROFITS UP SHARPLY IN 4TH QUARTER, YEAR.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... CLIFTON, N.J.-Specialty home goods retailer Linens 'n Things posted robust sales and earnings for the fourth quarter and year-end period. Management also told Wall Street last week that it plans to open between 55 and 60 stores this year. ...

KMART GEARS URBAN DIRECT SUPPLEMENT TOWARD THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MARKET.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... TROY, Mich.-In keeping with its plan to reach out to minority shoppers, Kmart has unveiled Urban Direct, a new entertainment and lifestyle supplement that features interviews, articles and products designed to resonate with African-American and...

THE PORTE SIDE OF PARIS.(discussion of Porte de Clignancourt, the Paris flea market )(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... Porte de Clignancourt, the legendary Paris flea market named after the Metro stop that delivers one to the entrance, is a mecca for collectors and designers from all corners of the globe. Home to an assortment of merchants selling everything...

TEN WAYS TO GROW; ANCILLARY CATEGORIES THAT RETAILERS CAN EMBRACE TO BOOST THEIR TOP AND BOTTOM LINES.(Industry Overview)
February 10, 2003... Retail trends being what they are, retailers are looking to pick up extra sales wherever they can. Here are 10 product categories that HFN has identified as prime targets to help add to the bottom line. 1 SOUVENIRS ADD LOCAL COLOR From...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(events in home furnishings industry)(Calendar)
February 10, 2003... FEBRUARY 14-18 Ambiente Frankfurt Fair & Exhibition Center Frankfurt, Germany (770) 984-8016 messefrankfurt.com 15-19 San Francisco International Gift Fair The Moscone Center and The Concourse Exhibition Hall San...

THE LONG-LOST HOT WATER BOTTLE.
February 10, 2003... Whatever happened to hot water bottles? I'm talking about those red, flat, rubber doohickeys that folks took to bed with them back in the day. I can remember seeing one in my grandmother's linen closet. It gave me a slightly creepy...

MY BIG FAT GREEK PRODUCT.(different home furnishings and appliances which took the market by surprise)(Column)
February 10, 2003... That the home furnishings industry has pretty much forgotten one of the cardinal rules of the business -- good products overcome bad business -- is fairly apparent when you stop and look how most business is being conducted these days. ...

OBJET OF AFFECTION; THE MAISON SHOW IN PARIS PRESENTED A VIVID VISUAL EXPERIENCE.(Maison and Objet )(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... PARIS-The January edition of the French show Maison & Objet proved to be a treasure trove of fashionable home textiles. Overscaled patterns stole the show, while combinations of purples, pinks and greens were seen in many of the designer...

VENDORS SHOW THEIR STUFF AT THE WINTER MARKET.(winter home textiles market)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK-To cater to the growing number of buyer attendees who were here for last week's winter home textiles market, the showrooms presented more goods -- from festive table linens to white basic goods to decorative bedding and bath products....

VIVA LAS VEGAS; VISITORS TO THE SURFACES SHOW SAW LOTS OF NEW PRODUCTS AND STRONG BRANDED COLLECTIONS.
February 10, 2003... LAS VEGAS-Ho-hum booths were in short supply at the Surfaces show here last month. Suppliers met the crowds of attendees with new flooring products, branded collections and advertising campaigns. And to further entice buyers, one carpet...

SUPPLIERS GIVING HOLIDAY RUGS MORE OF AN ACCENT THIS YEAR.(Mohawk Home and Nourison show seasonal accent rugs)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK-This year's Santa rug is going to be hipper than last year's. Mohawk Home and Nourison recently showed expanded selections of seasonal accent rugs with new designs, colors and shapes. Executives at both companies said they see...

A TASTE OF VIENNA.(Salzburg Creation rugs)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... Designer Ida Tjeknavorian grew up in Vienna, Austria, and rugs by her company, Salzburg Creation, reflect the Art Deco and Art Nouveau influences of her birthplace. Her hand-tufted wool rugs, which are made in China and India, are sold in...

OUTDOOR COMPETITION; LOWER PRICES ON PATIO FURNITURE IMPORTS HAVE RAISED THE STAKES FOR RETAILERS AND SUPPLIERS.
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK-While temperatures haven't yet heated up to signal the launch of the patio furniture season, competition sure has, with price points in the segment expected to fall due to an influx of low-cost goods from China. For mass...

THIS PRESIDENTS DAY WILL BE LOW-KEY FOR SOME RETAILERS.
February 10, 2003... HIGH POINT, N.C.-With the economy shaky, war looming and the shuttle Columbia tragedy still on everyone's minds, Presidents Day sales may be more muted than in days past, according to some furniture retailers. Others are turning up the...

NEWS.(multiple industry briefs)
February 10, 2003... ADL TO HONOR FURNITURE EXECS The Anti-Defamation League will honor Bill Child, chairman of Salt Lake City retailer R.C. Willey, and Kurt Darrow, president of the residential division of La-Z-Boy, during its annual banquet this summer in...

BROWN JORDAN PREVIEWS STRATEGIC PLAN TO DEALERS.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... Brown Jordan International (BJI) outlined several strategic moves at its first dealer incentive cruise to the Bahamas last month. Bruce Albertson, chief executive officer, told the 545 attendees, representing more than 150 independent...

SURVEY SHOWS NEW ORDERS, SHIPMENTS ROSE IN NOVEMBER.(furniture industry)
February 10, 2003... HIGH POINT, N.C.-New orders rose 2 percent in November 2002 over November 2001 and were about even with October 2002, according to BDO Seidman's survey of residential furniture manufacturers. Year to date, new orders were up 4 percent over...

THE AMBIENCE OF AMBIENTE.(Ambiente trade show preview)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... FRANKFURT, Germany-Once again, many members of the tabletop industry are preparing to celebrate another Valentine's Day together as they head here to Ambiente to either show their wares or to get a feel of the latest and greatest looks that are...

SERIES OF WINTER TRADE SHOWS ENDS ON HIGH NOTE IN NEW YORK.(New York International Gift Fair)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK-The New York International Gift Fair, which was held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers last week, ended a series of gift markets that had taken place throughout the country since the new year...

ENESCO RINGS IN.(executives ring closing bell at New York Stock Exchange)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... Enesco Group rang the closing bell last month at the New York Stock Exchange. Dan DalleMolle, president and chief executive officer, second from right, with help from other Enesco executives, helped mark the 25th anniversary of the company's...

SPLASHY COLORS, RETRO DESIGNS DOMINATE OFFERINGS AT MACEF.(glassware and kitchenware designs )
February 10, 2003... MILAN, Italy-The spring edition of Macef opened at the Milan fairground with an explosion of color and innovative designs. Robex, a division of Gruppo Biesse, located in the northern Italian town of Brescia, presented a colorful collection...

MAISON & OBJET GOES AU NATUREL WITH COLOR CHOICES.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... PARIS-What's purple and green and brown all over? The tabletop selection from January's Maison & Objet show, that's what. The newest collection focused on the harmony of colors that are inspired by nature. The colors ranged from deep...

LLADRO SEES RESULTS IN EFFORTS TO REACH YOUNGER CONSUMER.
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK-Working to overcome the stigma attached to collectibles as something to be found in your grandmother's curio cabinet, porcelain sculpture manufacturer Lladro began a series of marketing initiatives last year to bring the products to...

PRESENT TENSE HIRES FIVE REP FIRMS TO EXPAND DISTRIBUTION IN THE U.S.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... STERLING, Va.-Present Tense Home Artistry said it plans to expand distribution in the United States with the help of five recently hired specialized sales representative firms. The firms hired are: Alice Kerr and Associates for Alaska, Idaho,...

NIKKO NAMES SENIOR VP AS IT REPOSITIONS.(Dennis Martin named senior vice president of sales and marketing at Nikko Ceramics)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... FAIRVIEW, N.J.-Nikko Ceramics has named Dennis Martin senior vice president of sales and marketing, a newly created position, as part of an initiative to reposition itself as a lifestyle brand. As part of the repositioning, the company will...

RUBBERMAID USES ELDON LINE TO ORGANIZE THE HOME OFFICE.
February 10, 2003... WOOSTER, Ohio-Rubbermaid is tackling one of the fastest-growing segments in home organization with its new lineup of Eldon office products. The Eldon division recently was brought under the management of the Rubbermaid group. "One of the...

ONLY IN AMERICA; MIELE, THE HIGH-END GERMAN MANUFACTURER, OFFERS ITS FIRST EXCLUSIVE APPLIANCES FOR THE U.S. MARKET.
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK-As promised last year, Miele dealers are beginning to offer the company's first premium appliances designed exclusively for North American consumers. The German manufacturer is introducing its MasterChef collection of highly...

STRONG EURO GIVES HOPE FOR AMBIENTE AMID WAR CONCERNS.
February 10, 2003... FRANKFURT, Germany-The strength of the euro will be on the minds of U.S. manufacturers attending the Ambiente trade fair here this week as they hope the sagging dollar will help them make inroads into the European marketplace. "The...