HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from February 2007

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from February 2007

Making the grade: Building B gets an A at January Las Vegas Market.(news)
February 5, 2007... HFN Staff Report LAS VEGAS -- Price tag for Building B: $345 million. Cost for huge opening night party: big bucks. Capturing the current imagination, and maybe the future heart, of the home furnishings business: priceless. The bigger...

Can new CEO handle Pier 1 pressure?(the markets: business & finance)
February 5, 2007... FORT WORTH, Texas -- Does Alex Smith, the British TJX merchant Pier 1 Imports named chief executive officer last week, have the turnaround skills to reverse the retailer's diminishing market share and profit losses? That's the question...

A look ahead.(home page)
February 5, 2007... The Consumer Price Index for January will be released by the U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics on Feb. 21. The International Home & Housewares Show will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago from March 11 to 13. Cost...

A look back.(home page)
February 5, 2007... Seventy years ago this week, home furnishings factories and retailers situated within the multistate Ohio River Valley were wondering if they could survive after suffering one of the most devastating floods to hit the region in decades,...

Mediums.(home page)
February 5, 2007... "Inspirations" By Preston Bailey Bulfinch, 192 pages, $45 A lush sourcebook of ideas for creating the perfect ambience for any major party or event, "Inspirations" is packed with "photographs ranging from modern to romantic....

The HFN stock index.(home page)
February 5, 2007... Manufacturers led H FN Index gains for the Jan. 25 to Feb. 1 period with a 3.26 percent increase. Mohawk Industries topped the group with a 7.83 percent gain to close at $85.79. Retailers were also in the black with a 1.37 percent gain led by...

Target brings back Global Bazaar with a more moderate feel.(news)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MINNEAPOLIS -- Target is going global again. The upscale discounter relaunched the third installment of Global Bazaar, its limited-edition, direct-import home program, revamped with lower price points and a more...

Penney, Lauren to launch brand.(news)
February 5, 2007... PIANO, Texas -- Polo Ralph Lauren's new Global Brand Concepts division is partnering with J.C. Penney to launch the exclusive American Living program, a lifestyle brand that includes home goods and apparel that will bow in spring 2008. The...

Rosenzweig family back at Euro-Pro.(news)
February 5, 2007... BOSTON -- Euro-Pro's founders and executive vice presidents, husband-and-wife team Max and Aviva Rosenzweig, along with their sons Mark Rosenzweig, co-chief executive officer, and Stan Rosenzweig, co-CEO and president, have returned to the...

More American manufacturers eye Ambiente as a source for exporting.(news)
February 5, 2007... FRANKFURT, Germany -- For American tabletop and housewares companies hoping to establish or expand their business overseas, Ambiente has become the premier export market. Scores of companies are here this week to pursue markets as...

Costco CEO: home store growth halted.(news)
February 5, 2007... BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Costco has no concrete plans to expand its Costco Home stand-alone stores, Jim Sinegal, president and chief executive officer of the warehouse club chain, told HFN following the company's annual meeting here last week. ...

New York Gift show proves rewarding.(news)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Last week's New York International Gift Fair gave many attendees a much-needed boost of confidence, as they reported relatively strong business and renewed product interest among retailers in the initial...

Pickard.(NY GIFT NOTES)
February 5, 2007... Andrew Morgan has been named chief executive officer of Pickard, succeeding his father, Eben Morgan, who has retired...

Rosanna.(NY GIFT NOTES)
February 5, 2007... Rosanna has entered the melamine dinnerware category with two collections featured at the show...

Architect and designer Patrick Jovin could be the next designer of the moment.(NY GIFT NOTES)
February 5, 2007... architect and designer Patrick Jovin could be the next designer of the moment, having created a dinnerware line for Glen and a pasta pot for Alessi.

Gien.(NY GIFT NOTES)
February 5, 2007... Gien is also reissuing its Tamarin pattern, offering a baby girls collection in Ors and introducing larger platter sizes.

iittala.(NY GIFT NOTES)
February 5, 2007... Helsinki, Finland-based iittala is looking to 90 public. The company had its best year yet in 2006, according to Sue Pregartner, president of iittala in the United States.

Gift industry gives big.(news)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Gift for Life, the organization of gift and home accessories companies dedicated to raising money for AIDS research, raised $295,000 during a gala held late last month in conjunction with the New York...

Both parties deny exploring Williams-Sonoma sale.(news)
February 5, 2007... SAN FRANCISCO -- Williams-Sonoma last week adamantly denied a Reuters report that it had retained Goldman Sachs to explore strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the company. "We generally do not comment on these types of...

Turning the page on 2006: shelter and women's service magazines look to revamped Web sites and other strategies in an effort to reinvigorate flat ad sales and readership trends.(top story)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Even the success of newcomer domino couldn't help the shelter magazine category last year, as growth in advertising pages...

Trade show calendar.(Calendar)
February 5, 2007... february 4-8 Spring Fair Birmingham NEC Birmingham Birmingham, England 011-4408450512610 springfair.com 7-9 Surfaces Sands Expo & Convention Center Las Vegas (972) 536-6323 surfaces.com ...

Paree Maison.(trends)
February 5, 2007... Maison et Objet, held last week in Paris, continues its march toward becoming the most complete design-oriented home show in Europe. The use of optic white on furniture, which looked so great when it debuted several seasons ago, continues to...

Falling into the Gap trap.(opinions: home alone 2)
February 5, 2007... There is no shortage of people out there ready to offer up testimony on what's wrong with the Gap and how future management should fix the apparel retailer's problem. The number of sidewalk retailers continues to grow even as the number of...

What's cooking in kitchen design for 2007: a blend of old and new is expected to create a stunning look for the "furnished room".(Forecast: HOUSEWARES AND TABLETOP)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HFN Staff Report THE KITCHEN OF TOMORROW SOUNDS incredibly futuristic and overly technical but many of the anticipated kitchen trends for the coming year actually take their cue from the past, enhanced by new...

Chinese takeaway: as labor wages climb in China and the value of the yuan rises, companies begin to explore other Asian nations as cost-effective sourcing options.(FORECAST: HOUSEWARES AND TABLETOP)
February 5, 2007... CHINA REMAINS THE HOT SPOT FOR low-cost sourcing and manufacturing for housewares and tabletop companies. But as Chinese wages gradually increase and the value of the yuan rises, manufacturing costs are following. As production costs climb,...

Designing minds.(FORECAST: HOUSEWARES AND TABLETOP)
February 5, 2007... Anyone that thinks there's never anything new under the sun hasn't taken a recent look at the housewares or tabletop categories. New materials, new colors, new functions--these items practically scream the word "new." [ILLUSTRATION...

That's entertainment: as consumers' tastes become more informal, designs are changing to fit the occasion.(FORECAST: HOUSEWARES AND TABLETOP)
February 5, 2007... THE FORMAL CHINA CONTINUES TO GET dusty. Casual entertaining is growing by tiered trays and tapas plates, as consumers prefer to have more informal gatherings, rather than the formality of yesteryear. All areas of entertaining are getting...

Counter toppers: consumers vote for convenience, innovation and design in electrics.(FORECAST: HOUSEWARES AND TABLETOP)
February 5, 2007... CONVENIENCE, INNOVATION, LOOKS and a new stress on entertaining at home will be the major forces in the kitchen electrics market in 2007. Because of these factors, the expectations for business in small kitchen electrics are positive. "With...

From the floor up: stick and hand vacs could boost sales for the year.(FORECAST: HOUSEWARES AND TABLETOP)
February 5, 2007... TWO COMMODITY FLOOR CARE categories that have not seen much change in recent years, hand and stick vacuums, are expected to help boost overall vacuum growth in 2007. While upright vacuums remain the dominant seller, sticks in the past year...

Shaving graces: makers of hair- and skin-care products predict it will be a man's world in personal care in 2007.(FORECAST: HOUSEWARES AND TABLETOP)
February 5, 2007... MANUFACTURERS OF SHAVERS AND hair- and skin-care products are looking forward to a strong year of sales growth, boosted in large measure by the male of the species. Not only are men more interested in expressing themselves in the way their...

Finding a comfort level: new entrants and digital proliferation will make an impact in the home.(FORECAST: HOUSEWARES AND TABLETOP)
February 5, 2007... THE HOME COMFORT SALES PICTURE COULD BE A ROSY one in the year ahead, spurred by everything from an influx of new entrants in the air purifier segment to new digital features for humidifiers to the positive impact of rising energy costs on...

A look of solidarity on display: in sheet assortments, Linens 'n Things and Bed Bath & Beyond boast one major similarity.(HEAD)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ATLANTA -- In a sea of white and cream sheets, there's still room for solid colors--even if the majority of the hues in both category killers run more toward neutrals and pastels. ...

Springs plans royal party for Versailles anniversary.(the markets: textiles)
February 5, 2007... NEW YORK -- Springs Global US Inc. is having a royal celebration during the New York Home Textiles Market, honoring the 25th anniversary of its Court of Versailles brand with a collection of home textiles spanning the entire home. Springs holds...

Albany International Awards PrimaLoft license to Down Lite.(the markets: textiles)
February 5, 2007... ALBANY, N.Y. -- Albany International Corp. awarded an exclusive license to Down Lite International for the use of its PrimaLoft down alternative in Down Lite's home textiles products. While PrimaLoft is currently available in other companies'...

New York Home Textiles Show honors innovative new products.(the markets: textiles)
February 5, 2007... NEW YORK -- V Rugs & Home's U-shaped Bedwrap rug was awarded Best of Show at the New York Home Textiles Show, at New York's Metropolitan Pavilion. Best New Product Award honors were presented in the bed, dining and home accessories...

Sferra mimics grand estates for Cotswalds collection.(the markets: textiles)
February 5, 2007... NEW YORK -- Sferra turned to the rambling estates of the landed gentry for The Cotswolds, one of the latest collections to come from the fine linen company. Designers for the collection were inspired by the large-scale homes, noting aspects...

Eileen West readies bedding, bath line for market homecoming.(the markets: textiles)
February 5, 2007... SAN FRANCISCO -- Designer Eileen West is poised to re-enter the home textiles market after a six-year hiatus. She will launch a full collection of bedding and bath products at this month's New York Winter Market. Once a mainstay in home...

Surfaces retention: the broadloom industry hits Las Vegas hoping to build on the momentum of a profitable '06.(the markets: floor covering)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LAS VEGAS -- Broadloom vendors headed to Surfaces this week are hoping the momentum of 2006 keeps building. Most manufacturers reported double-digit sales increases for the year and said they are excited to kick off...

Sharing suits showroom mates.(the markets: floor covering)
February 5, 2007... LAS VEGAS -- Foreign Accents headed into permanent space for the first time at this Las Vegas Market, sharing its new showroom with Linea, a contemporary furniture and decorative accessories company. Laura Munzlinger, in charge of marketing...

Sphinx sets up cozy Vegas home.(the markets: floor covering)
February 5, 2007... LAS VEGAS -- Trying to make customers feel at home was the top priority for Sphinx as the staff set out to design the company showroom in the World Market Center's newly opened Building B. Mike Reilly, executive vice president of sales and...

Functional furniture gets Vegas showcase.(the markets: furniture & lighting)
February 5, 2007... LAS VEGAS -- Furniture makers have found new ways to add functionality to their pieces, as demonstrated in several introductions at the Las Vegas Market. It's not enough that the dining room table serves as an eating area. Now it has wine...

New leader brings change to Catalina.(the markets: furniture & lighting)
February 5, 2007... MIAMI -- Catalina Lighting, under new leadership, is working to become more consumer-focused in its product design and marketing, as well as more profitable as a company. After only a short time at the helm, A. Corydon "Cory" Meyer,...

Henredon's high-end launch.(the markets: furniture & lighting)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Under a new high-end partnership, furniture maker Henredon has launched an upholstery collection featuring rich fabrications and trims by Scalamandre, including 25 upholstered and exposed wood pieces. A fall 2007...

Haier pushes higher in white goods.(the markets: major appliances)
February 5, 2007... NEW YORK -- Haler is gearing up to take the high ground as it makes its first push into the mid- to high-end major appliance arena. Since stepping onto American soil about seven years ago, the Chinese white goods manufacturer has been...

Broan-NuTone hopes Builders Show boosts outdoor offerings.(the markets: major appliances)
February 5, 2007... HARTFORD, Wis. -- As outdoor kitchens grow in size and popularity, so has Broan-NuTone's range hood lineup. The company is stepping up its outdoor assortment at this week's International Builders Show with the launch of its first...

Report: merchandising, customer focus could help Lowe's catch up to Home Depot.(the markets: business & finance)
February 5, 2007... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Number-two home improvement player Lowe's may narrow the market-share gap with category sales leader The Home Depot within the next three years, due in part to a mix of new merchandising initiatives, store format enhancements...

1 Infinity instruments.(the markets: hfnew)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Multiple patriotic balloons take to the air on this clock face, a new indoor clock introduction from Infinity Instruments. infinityinstruments.com

2 Encompass Lighting Group.(the markets: hfnew)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Encompass Lighting Group's Wilmette is making such period looks as restoration, schoolhouse house and pullman heads for low-voltage, hand-bendable Monorail and monopoint fixtures. 847-410-4400; wilmettelighting.com

3 BagelPod.(the markets: hfnew)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Slicing bagels, buns, muffins and rolls is easy and effortless with the BagelPod, a patented new product with two specially designed serrated blades. bagelpod.com

4 Mr. Coffee.(the markets: hfnew)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Mr. Coffee Classic Edition Coffeemaker has been introduced for consumers who want to enjoy a contemporary version of a brand known to them for 35 years. Available in poppy red or coffee bean brown, this...

5 Aimara Masterpieces.(the markets: hfnew)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Aimara Masterpieces' Dali Coffee Table has an exquisite iron table top with beautifully refined patina, along with solid incienso wood for rectangular legs. 212-532-5060; aimaramasterpieces.com

B-hive of activity.(hfend)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Anyone who was anyone showed up for the big opening-night party to officially launch the new Building B at the World Market Center in Las Vegas. In the best Vegas traditions, the home industry partied well into the...

Into the wood.(hfend)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Furniture becomes fashion and vice versa with this convertible skirt table designed by Husseln Chalayan now on display in the exhibit "Skin and Bones: Parallel Practices In Fashion and Architecture" at Los Angeles'...

Designer Tracy Porter was at Freizy Rugs.(hfend)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designer Tracy Porter was at Freizy Rugs to launch her new line for the company.

Tennis greats Andre Agassi, and Steffi Graf were on hand with Mike Kreiss at the Kreiss Furniture showroom.(hfend)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tennis greats Andre Agassi, center, and Steffi Graf were on hand with Mike Kreiss at the Kreiss Furniture showroom to unveil their debut offering in the home business.

Very entertaining indeed was the lineup of talent at the big party.(hfend)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Very entertaining indeed was the lineup of talent at the big party, including Blue Man Group and the Rat Pack impersonators, right.

TV star Candice Olson held court at the Cashman Center for a presentation.(hfend)
February 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TV star Candice Olson held court at the Cashman Center for a presentation. She's at market with collections for Hellenic and AF Lightning.

Wal-Mart to supplier: we're back to the basics.(news: quick takes)
February 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- We' re not Target, and we're not trying to be Target. That was a key part of Wal-Mart's message at the retailer's recent vendor summit as senior executives hammered home the theme that the world's largest discounter aims to be...

Applica-Salton deal cooks up a $1b player.(news: quick takes)
February 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- The long-awaited, much-anticipated merger of Salton and Applica is on, creating a kitchen electrics powerhouse with a slew of recognizable brand names and annual sales of about $1.2 billion. According to a Salton statement, the...

A look ahead.(home page)
February 12, 2007... New home sales for January will be released by the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau on Feb. 28. The High Point Market will be held in High Point, N.C., from March 26 to April 1. The Bombay Co. will report its fourth-quarter...

A look back.(home page)
February 12, 2007... Seventeen years ago this week, HFD recognized the 60th birthday of a famous tiny-voiced actress whose name appeared on sheets, towels, clocks, ceramics and gifts. Her career began the day she was born, in 1930, and stopped nine years later. It...

Mediums.(home pages)
February 12, 2007... Home Depot's latest catalog, The Home Enthusiast, combines upscale furniture, housewares and home decor styles from the defunct 10 Crescent Lane catalog and Web site, with home and garden products from other Home Depot Direct businesses. The...

The HFN stock index.(home page)
February 12, 2007... Retailers pushed the HFN Stock Index into the black for the Feb. 1 to 8 period, creeping upward 0.49 percent. Bon-Ton Stores helped buoy the sector with a 16.92 percent stock gain to $43.33 on news of a January same-store sales gain in the wake...

WestPoint Home, Rachael Ray partner on exclusive bedding, bath collection.(news: quick takes)
February 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- WestPoint Home has collaborated on an exclusive bedding and bath collection with Food Network personality and cookbook author Rachael Ray. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The collection will be produced by WestPoint Home under an...

Wal-Mart.(RETAIL)
February 12, 2007... WAL-MART'S home ranks have undergone a management shakeup. Paul Beahm, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of hard home for Wal-Mart, has been moved to the pharmacy division as senior vice president and GMM of pharmacy...

Stein Mart.(RETAIL)
February 12, 2007... STEIN MART has named Julie Thomas Dinklage general merchandise manager of home, succeeding Cassie Jones, who has left the company. Dinklage most recently worked at global home furnishings supplier Decorize. The appointment marks Dinklage's...

Mattress Firm.(RETAIL)
February 12, 2007... MATTRESS FIRM, the specialty mattress retailer, has signed a letter of intent to acquire Bedtime Mattress Co., a Nevada-based bedding retailer. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The purchase gives Mattress Firm the 15 locations owned by...

Tesco.(RETAIL)
February 12, 2007... TESCO, the British supermarket giant, will make its U.S. debut with a grocery chain called Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market. The retailer has secured 20 sites in the Phoenix area, and will open an undetermined number of stores later this year....

Culp Inc.(THE MARKETS)
February 12, 2007... CULP INC. has named Franklin N. Saxon chief executive officer. Saxon joined Culp in 1983 as corporate controller, and most recently was the company's president and chief operating officer. He is succeeding Robert G. Culp Ill, who started the...

Leggett & Platt.(THE MARKETS)
February 12, 2007... LEGGETT & PLATT is once again a member of the International Sleep Products Association, the trade group that the company left two years ago. At the time Leggett & Platt left ISPA, the company had expressed concerns about the direction of the...

Crown Crafts.(THE MARKETS)
February 12, 2007... CROWN CRAFTS said it will close unprofitable luxury throw supplier Churchill Weavers, which has struggled to compete with lower-priced imports. Crown Crafts had announced in January that it had reached a non-binding agreement to sell the...

Sauder Woodworking.(THE MARKETS)
February 12, 2007... SAUDER WOODWORKING will make kitchen cabinet components for certain IKEA stores in Eastern North America under a new three-year deal. The initial agreement calls for Sauder to start producing IKEA's Akurum kitchen frames and its Rationell...

Luceplan.(THE MARKETS)
February 12, 2007... LUCEPLAN, an Italian contemporary lighting manufacturer, has opened a new flagship store in New York's SoHo district, which company officials said will serve as its U.S. showroom as well as retail outlet. The modern gallery like space shows off...

Friends and family pay respects to prolific lighting designer Fredrick R. Glassman.(news)
February 12, 2007... LAGUNA, Calif. -- Family and industry friends gathered at a memorial service here last week to remember Fredrick R. Glassman, prolific lighting designer, and founder and owner of Fredrick Ramond. He was 75. Glassman is recognized for his...

Spanning the globe.(news)
February 12, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Go abroad, young man. That appears to be the mantra among U.S. retailers these days, who are either kicking off, accelerating or contemplating expansion overseas. Home Depot and Best Buy recently set...

Model Crawford, Malibu hope home line's a runway success.(news)
February 12, 2007... SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -- Model celebrity Cindy Crawford has signed a deal with Malibu Designs to develop and market a comprehensive line of home decor items, including accessories, tabletop and kitchen decor. Expected to ship in spring/...

Hachette launches shelter Web site.(news)(Website overview)
February 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- Hachette Filapacchi Media U.S. will launch a new Web site, pointclickhome.com, to unite content from its home magazines---Home, Metropolitan and Elle Decor--and special publications, including Kitchens & Baths, Remodeling &...

Trade show calendar.(news)(Calendar)
February 12, 2007... february 0-13 Ambiente Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt, Germany 011-7709848016 messefrankfurt.com 12-16 New York Home Fashions Market New York showrooms New York (212) 297-2122 17-20 San Francisco International Gift Fair...

House & Garden launches Designers' Best guide.(news)
February 12, 2007... NEW YORK -- House & Garden is looking to its new Designers' Best guide to be the Zagat's of home goods: the definitive, comprehensive primer. The shelter magazine surveyed 20,000 designers, architects, and kitchen and bath professionals to...

Take your pig.(trends)
February 12, 2007... Gung Hei Faat Choi! Or, "prosperous wishes" for the Chinese New Year, which starts on Feb. 18. According to custom, people born in the Year of the Pig (or Boar) are honest, sincere and patient. Why not encourage those traits around the home or...

Over here, over there, get over it.(opinions: home alone 2)
February 12, 2007... It is time for the home textiles industry to move on from its all-consuming preoccupation with the changeover in its manufacturing structure to a sourcing-based business model. Build a ship and get over it. This is not to belittle the...

A factor in growth: gains in home goods trade activity have helped boost U.S. firms, a trend that is expected to continue.(FACTORING REPORT)
February 12, 2007... U.S. FACTORING FIRMS CAN THANK an uptick in home goods trade activity in part for volume gains over the past year and are banking on the category for continued growth this year. Perpetual volume leader CIT Commercial Services attributed a...

More companies tap Vietnam's potential: as the nation grows into an important home sourcing spot, factoring firms are taking note.(FACTORING REPORT)
February 12, 2007... AS VIETNAM IS GRADUALLY GAINING ground as a home goods sourcing destination, factoring firms are beginning to key in on the country for business opportunities. While China remains the overseas sourcing and manufacturing center for a wide...

A bold statement.(the markets: textiles)
February 12, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Manufacturers are hoping to inspire retailers to take some risks with their introductions during the New York home textiles market, running from Feb. 12 to 16. "Things are a little dull out there,"...