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

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

IT'S VIVA LAS VEGAS; CONSUMER ELECTRONICS ONCE AGAIN GETS TO PROVE WHY IT'S THE DRIVING FORCE IN THE HOME PRODUCTS MARKETPLACE AT CES THIS WEEK.
January 5, 2004... LAS VEGAS-When the consumer electronics industry gathers here this week for its annual new-product parade, it will do so with the next generation of its future firmly in place. Digital products are squarely taking the lead in both sales and...

NEWS BRIEFS: BILL GATES TOPS CES SPEAKER LIST...FUTURE HOUSEWARES SHOW DATES SET...MARC JACOBS DELVES INTO HOME.
January 5, 2004... BILL GATES TOPS CES SPEAKER LIST The Consumer Electronics Association tapped industry heavyweights to speak at the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week. Kicking off a series of keynote addresses is Bill...

NEWELL'S LATEST MOVE SHUTTERS RUBBERMAID FLAGSHIP FACILITY.(in Wooster, Ohio)
January 5, 2004... WOOSTER, Ohio-Newell Rubbermaid Co.'s decision to close the Home Organization Products plant here is the parent company's latest step in reorganizing the division's product lines to focus on product strengths, streamline executive operations...

HFNDEX: RETAILER CONFIDENCE INCHES UP IN Q4.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK-Retailer confidence in the economy moved up slightly in the fourth quarter of 2003, according to the HFNdex. The index moved from a revised 63.6 in the third quarter to 65.2. Any measure above 50 reflects more optimistic than...

FURNITURE ORDERS, SHIPMENTS SHOW AN INCREASE IN OCTOBER.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... HIGH POINT, N.C.-Incoming orders to residential furniture manufacturers rose 9 percent in October, the fifth consecutive year-over-year monthly increase, according to BDO/Seidman's Monthly Forecaster. The increase comes on the heels of a 6...

HOME FURNISHINGS SPENDING ADDS TO SURGE IN ECONOMY.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK-Personal expenditures on home furnishings and other products, along with a decrease in imports during the third quarter, contributed to the rapid growth of the economy, the U.S. Department of Commerce said. The 8.2 percent growth...

SHAW LIVING TO PRODUCE MARY-KATE/ASHLEY RUGS.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... DALTON, Ga.-Shaw Living has signed a licensing agreement with Dualstar Consumer Products to design and produce area rugs for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, the twin 17-year-old media moguls. The rugs will be introduced at the Atlanta International...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
January 5, 2004... january 8-11 International CES Consumer Electronics Association Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas (866) 233-7968 (USA) (301) 631-3983 (International) cesweb.org 8-12 Salon du Meuble Paris Expo...

NEW YEAR, NEW GEAR.
January 5, 2004... Happy New Year! It's time to get happy once again. Designers are creating products that are sure to put a smile on even the most dour faces. With fun colors, comical motifs and whimsical designs, these products are sure to liven up any...

THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION; FROM CAMERA PHONES TO FLAT-PANEL TVS, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY HAS TRANSFORMED THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.
January 5, 2004... LAS VEGAS-In case you haven't noticed, the growth of digital electronics has saved the consumer electronics industry. Just four years ago, sales of digital products were meager (and in some cases, non-existent) compared to today's market,...

I'M IN THE MARKET FOR SOME HAPPINESS.(new products featured at trade shows)
January 5, 2004... We're getting close to that time of year I refer to as the trade show marathon season, otherwise known as January and February. So with pen in hand I have begun to note what I'm going to be looking for and what I hope to find at the shows and,...

HOT TUNA.(consumer electronics industry)
January 5, 2004... A funny thing happened on the way to Christmas: Retailers rediscovered the consumer electronics industry. Not that it had ever been lost to many stores, mind you. The big boxers -- Best Buy and Circuit City -- have become the de facto...

BREAKING HUES; FABRIC MAKERS AT SHOWTIME ARE USING COLOR AND FEATURES TO COUNTER LEATHER AND SUEDE'S POPULARITY.
January 5, 2004... HIGH POINT, N.C.-Fabric makers, trying to counter the growing popularity of leather and microdenier suede upholstery covers, will emphasize color, performance and technology at the semiannual Showtime market here Jan. 5 to 8. "Overall, our...

INCREASED COSTS PROMPT MILLS, SUPPLIERS TO SEEK PRICE HIKES.
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK-Price increase? What's that? There hasn't been a price increase in sheets, towels or other home textiles goods in the last 10 to 12 years, but that may soon change, with domestic mills and importers separately seeking relief from...

FOREIGN CHANNELS; ACCENT RUGS ARE TURNING UP IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF STORES AS SUPPLIERS BRANCH OUT.
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK-Consumers shopping for milk, potted plants or roofing supplies could hit the local grocery, garden center or hardware store and pick up an accent rug, too. Accent rugs are increasingly turning up at locations not often thought of...

SOLUTIA, CITING INHERITED DEBT, FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... ST. LOUIS-Solutia, a film, chemical and nylon manufacturer, filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York. Solutia is seeking...

WEISSMAN LINE OF RUGS HAS NATURE IN MIND.(designer Joan Weissman introducing series of rugs inspired by nature)(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.-Designer Joan Weissman is rolling out a new series of nature-inspired rugs called Organic and Botanic. The four rugs in the line are hand-knotted in a Tibetan weave with wool, and wool and silk. Sarasa, a...

MOHAWK HOME TO INTRODUCE WAITES RUG LINE IN ATLANTA.(will launch the Raymond Waites Collection )(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... SUGAR VALLEY, Ga.-Mohawk Home will launch the Raymond Waites Collection at the January Atlanta Market with 30 styles in woven and print qualities. The collection will include rug styles that can coordinate with his licensed furniture and...

SPHINX RENOVATES SHOWROOM TO ACCOMMODATE OWA, WARHOL.(Oriental Weavers of America, Andy Warhol Home Collection)(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... ATLANTA-Just in time for the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, Sphinx by Oriental Weavers is expanding its space, suite 3A2, to reflect the recent merger with Oriental Weavers of America and to accommodate the new Andy Warhol Home...

HONEYWELL SEES BASF DEAL AS BENEFIT.(Honeywell Nylon)
January 5, 2004... MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J.-Honeywell Nylon said it has weathered tough economic conditions in the past two quarters thanks to its acquisition of the BASF nylon fiber division. Michael Leary, Honeywell Nylon's director of sales worldwide,...

STAINMASTER EXTENDS BRAND TO OTHER AREAS.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... ATLANTA-Soon it will be hard to call Stainmaster strictly a carpet fiber brand. The brand is continuing its move into other products with a planned launch of vinyl flooring and carpet cushion at Surfaces this month. Invista, formerly...

NEW WEAVES FOR COMPANY C.(introducing new rugs)(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... Exhibiting at the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market this week, rugmaker Company C is showing jute rugs in weaves seemingly inspired by menswear. Herringbone-weave rugs in jute and wool are available in red and blue and...

CRI RELEASES SUSTAINABILITY REPORT ONLINE.(Carpet and Rug Institute)(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... DALTON, Ga.-The Carpet and Rug Institute has posted the carpet industry's 2002 Sustainability Report on its Web site. The 23-page document highlights the carpet industry's efforts as corporate citizens to be environmentally, socially and...

NEWS BRIEFS.
January 5, 2004... MAJESTIC RUG CO. will be the new kid on the block at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market Jan. 15 to 18. The opening of the accent rug importer's permanent AmericasMart showroom marks its expansion into area rugs. This market, Majestic...

EMMA GARDNER TO SHOWCASE RUGS IN HANOI LUXURY HOMES.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK-Contemporary rug company Emma Gardner Design has signed a deal with Binh Minh Import-Export Production and Trade Co. (Bitexco) division Bitexco Land to provide rugs for The Manor, a new high-end housing complex in Hanoi, Vietnam. ...

ROLLING THE DICE AGAIN; TWO RTA GIANTS ARE RETURNING TO THIS YEAR'S CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW IN LAS VEGAS.(ready-to-assemble furniture manufacturers Bush Furniture, O'Sullivan Furniture)
January 5, 2004... LAS VEGAS-Those fancy, high-tech electronics for sale at the International Consumer Electronics Show here will eventually need to be placed somewhere in the home other than the dining room table. Several ready-to-assemble furniture...

MATTRESS CONSTRUCTION APPEARS TO BE A ONE-SIDED ISSUE.
January 5, 2004... HIGH POINT, N.C.-The jury is no longer out on the no-flip mattress. In just three years in the mainstream bedding market, the no-flip seems well on its way to becoming standard mattress construction. The slings and arrows endured by Simmons...

NEWS BRIEFS.
January 5, 2004... LAS VEGAS-BASED KALCO LIGHTING has renewed a business relationship with its founder and original owner, Harry Kallick, who sold the company to Simkar Corp. in January 2000, and had since retired. At the Dallas International Lighting Market,...

LITE SOURCE TO BUY INMON.(Inmon Enterprises)(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... CHINO, Calif.-Lite Source Inc. has signed a letter of intent to purchase juvenile lamp and accessory manufacturer Inmon Enterprises, based in Nixa, Mo., from Rick Inmon, owner and president. Inmon Enterprises, founded in 1979, had served...

LOVE IS IN THE AIR; RETAILERS LISTEN TO THEIR HEARTS AND GET READY TO MERCHANDISE VALENTINE'S DAY ITEMS.
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK-The winter holiday season is officially behind us, but that doesn't mean retailing opportunities have ceased. As Valentine's Day approaches, it offers the next chance to merchandise holiday-specific products, and Leonardo is just one...

A STRONG FOURTH QUARTER HAS VENDORS OPTIMISTIC FOR ATLANTA.(Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market)
January 5, 2004... ATLANTA-Vendors are optimistically expecting a big bounce-back in business this year as the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market begins this week. "Based on the way our customers placed orders during fourth quarter, we are...

SALOME BRINGS LATIN DESIGNS, BRANDS TO ATLANTA.(Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market)
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK-Former retailer Michael Del Viscio is in the business of creating points of view. And to hear him tell it, distinct points of view have been sorely lacking in the home furnishings category lately. "Wherever I've been, I've...

MORE VENDORS HAVE GIFT OFFERINGS FOR VALENTINE SEASON.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK-Leonardo is not the only company that has focused on the merchandise opportunities Valentine's Day offers. Tabletop has always been a natural for this romantic day, but this year there seem to be more Valentine's gift ideas from more...

ANDREA BY SADEK CREATES HISTORIC MUSEUM COLLECTION.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK-Andrea By Sadek has gathered together porcelain patterns from some of America's museums and historic homes to create the Historic Museum Collection. The reproductions include Winterthur Museum's Famille Rose plate, a favorite of...

OGGI ROLLING OUT ACCESSORIES, PFALTZGRAFF CARAFES IN ATLANTA.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... ATLANTA-OGGI Corp. will unveil its new black porcelain and stainless-steel tabletop accessories and three new Pfaltzgraff thermal carafes at the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market here this week. The porcelain and...

NEWS BRIEFS.
January 5, 2004... TABLETOP MANUFACTURER VILLEROY & BOCH has signed a multiyear lease with AmericasMart Atlanta that began in December for showroom space as it returns to the Mart in time for the Gift & Home Furnishings Market taking place this month. Villeroy...

PRESEASON FAVORITE; LODGE'S NEW LINE OF CAST-IRON COOKWARE EASES THE PREPARATION PROCESS.(Lodge Manufacturing Co.)
January 5, 2004... SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn.-The rolling banks of the Tennessee River might seem an unusual place to find a cookware factory in this age of imported goods. Still, Lodge Manufacturing Co. continues to turn out cast-iron cookware here, as it has for...

NO JANUARY HOUSEWARES SHOW PRESENTS MIXED OPPORTUNITIES FOR VENDORS.
January 5, 2004... CHICAGO-For as long as players in this industry can remember, this first week of January has meant more than New Year's resolutions and holiday returns. It meant the Housewares Show -- first the national one, then the international one. ...

2003: A YEAR OF PRICE DECLINES, EXECUTIVE SHUFFLES AND MERGERS.(home furnishings industry)(Industry Overview)
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK-The past year was notable for a belated economic recovery and more price deflation. There was a plethora of executive changes and a few acquisitions and bankruptcies. But one way to define 2003 might be with Ws: war, weather and...

VEGAS LINES; BUYERS AT THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW WILL HAVE A LOT OF ITEMS TO GAMBLE ON.(Las Vegas, Nevada)
January 5, 2004... LAS VEGAS-Retailers heading to the International Consumer Electronics Show here are in for a surprise. Even the most jaded and hard-to-please electronics buyers should be enthralled with this year's offerings. Products to get excited about...

CES-BOUND RETAILERS SHOPPING FOR TRENDS AS WELL AS PRODUCTS.(International Consumer Electronics Show)
January 5, 2004... LAS VEGAS-Retailers heading to the International Consumer Electronics Show here said they are not only on the prowl for new products, but new ideas, too. Some key trends they will be looking for: products that fit into the "connected...

PROMOTIONS ARE THE DRIVING FORCE FOR SUPPLIERS OF SATELLITE ANTENNAS.
January 5, 2004... LAS VEGAS-As consumer preferences change, satellite antenna suppliers are shifting strategies to meet their demands, which include offering integrated products as well as filling a need for consumers who have multiple receivers in their homes....

EMERSON RADIO TUNES IN TO WHAT'S HOT AND RESPONDS.
January 5, 2004... DALLAS-Emerson Radio remains poised to take full advantage of the forces shaping consumer electronics heading into 2004, thanks to a savvy strategy that builds on proven trends and delivers consistently high value. The company, which was...

ARTISON HOME THEATER SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR LATEST FLAT PANELS.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... LAS VEGAS-Artison is unveiling at the Consumer Electronics Show here what it calls a "towering advance in sound" with the Artison Portrait Home Theater Systems, which are "designed to complement the new generation of flat-screen televisions."...

MINTEK BROADENS DVD OFFERINGS AT CES.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... LAS VEGAS-Mintek Digital, in its third year at the Consumer Electronics Show here, is entering a new segment with a mini DVD home theater system. The company is also unveiling four portable DVD players, which augments the company's existing...

SHORT WAVES.(briefs)(Calendar)
January 5, 2004... THE BIGGEST EVENT ON THE COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAME CIRCUIT, the ATI/AMD/Windows XP Cyber X Games, will be held Jan. 8 to 11 during the Consumer Electronics Show. Event management firm Cyber X Gaming Inc. finds corporate partnerships and venues to...

DESIGN AESTHETICS ARE GAINING IMPORTANCE IN HOME THEATER.
January 5, 2004... LAS VEGAS-As home theater systems continue to mature, the segment is seeing product launches that are more refined. Often the improvements involve design changes that are aimed at the more discerning consumer. In turn, retailers will see...

BEST BUY VS. CIRCUIT CITY.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... ON THE COVER Best Buy: Samsung DVD/VCR combination player, $129.99 Circuit City: Hitachi 46-inch projection TV, $1,699.99 ACCESSORIES Best Buy: Body Glove DVD player and accessories case, $29.99 Circuit City: Panasonic...

COBY EXPANDS PRODUCT LINEUP WHILE TRADING UP VALUE IMAGE.
January 5, 2004... LAS VEGAS-Coby Electronics is on the move. The electronics supplier, based in Maspeth, N.Y., is a value brand that is migrating to new ground via product launches that appeal to the company's core demographic of urban-minded youth. ...

MAJOR APPLIANCE BIZ REFLECTS (NOT ALWAYS HAPPILY) ON RECORD YEAR.(year in review)
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK-So if 2003 was such a good year for major appliances -- and consumer electronics, too -- why are so many people complaining? Why? Because several fresh competitors are making inroads against established companies; because powerful...

DCD EXECUTIVE EXPECTS REBOUND FOR HOME GOODS LATER THIS YEAR.(DCD Capital)
January 5, 2004... NEW YORK-After a year of mixed results due to the negative impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak, ongoing retail consolidation and lackluster consumer spending, the home goods industry will rebound later in 2004. That's...

STUDY: SARS RECOVERY TIME VARIES AMONG ASIAN NATIONS; ALMOST 80% OF TAIWAN'S BUSINESSES AFFECTED EXPECTED RECOVERY BY THE END OF 2003.
January 5, 2004... CHICAGO-A recent study by Grant Thornton LLP, an accounting firm based here, shows that the recovery times for Asian business negatively impacted by the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome varies between countries. "Of the key...

SIMON IN JOINT VENTURE TO DEVELOP MALLS IN ITALY.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... INDIANAPOLIS-Simon Property Group, the mall operator, said that through a joint venture with Italy's Rinascente Group, it has created a new company called Gallerie Commerciali Italia S.p.A to develop, own and manage shopping malls in Italy. ...

DRAKE TAKES THE CAKE.(Jamie Drake wins award from Andrew Martin)(Brief Article)
January 5, 2004... A great year for superstar designer Jamie Drake reached its zenith when he was named Andrew Martin's International Designer of the Year. The award has been called the "Oscar" for the interior design world by The London Times. The jam-packed...

LI & FUNG TAKES OVER ROYAL VELVET LABEL.
January 12, 2004... HONG KONG-The future of the venerable Royal Velvet brand is now in the hands of global trading company Li & Fung Ltd. Li & Fung, which operates through a network of 40 countries, said in a statement that it will design, manufacture and...

DOES KMART HAVE WHEEL ON ROAD TO RECOVERY?
January 12, 2004... TROY, Mich.-Everyone is talking about Kmart, only this time not in a bad way. Industry analysts were heartened by the retailer's projection that it will turn a healthy profit for the critical months of November and December, sending the...

AT HOME IN THE CITY.
January 12, 2004... Just when you thought New York was overstored, up pops a bevy of new home furnishings stores, like Bagutta Life in Manhattan (above). This week, HFN takes an in-depth look at five new stores that are home to New York. See page 10.

LAWSUIT ALLEGES MOHAWK HIRES ILLEGAL WORKERS TO KEEP PAY LOW.
January 12, 2004... ROME, Ga.-Three former employees and one current worker at Mohawk Industries filed a lawsuit last week accusing the flooring manufacturer of intentionally hiring illegal immigrants in order to keep wages low. The workers filed a suit in...

LEVITZ NAMES CAROTHERS TO CHAIRMAN, CEO POSTS.(Levitz Home Furnishings Inc., Jay Carothers)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... WOODBURY, N.Y.-Levitz Home Furnishings Inc. has made acting Chief Executive Officer Jay Carothers chairman and CEO, and hired retail industry executive Mark Scott as president and chief operating officer to continue the growth work led by their...

NEWS BRIEFS: CHAPS BRAND IS HOMEWARD BOUND...AMERICASMART BUYS ADJACENT SITE...INNERSPRING MAKERS FILE PETITION.
January 12, 2004... CHAPS BRAND IS HOMEWARD BOUND Chaps, a Ralph Lauren brand, is heading into the home market. In an interview published in DNR, HFN's sister publication, Roger Farah, president and chief operating officer of Polo Ralph Lauren Corp., said the...

LATE HOLIDAY BUYING SURGE BOOSTS HFN COMPS INDEX.
January 12, 2004... NEW YORK-Although holiday buying came late in the year, it was apparently strong enough to boost revenues for many retailers, offering a welcome comparison to November's performance and to the seasonal period a year ago. The HFN Comp Sales...

TARGET AIMS HIGHER WITH 360-COUNT SHEET SETS.(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... NEW YORK-What is Target up to now? The discounter recently introduced luxury cotton sheet sets marked 360-thread-count in queen and king sizes for $59.99 per set. The sheets are so far the highest thread-count offering found in mass...

JANE SEYMOUR'S LIFESTYLE INSPIRES NEW LINE FOR SAKS.(Coral Canyon)
January 12, 2004... BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-Jane Seymour's Malibu, Calif., lifestyle is the inspiration for Coral Canyon, the second line from the celebrity's exclusive home collection for Saks Department Store Group. The bed, bath and home decor line will roll out...

EXCEL GROUP RESTRUCTURES, APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVES.(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... HICKSVILLE, N.Y.-The Excel Group has announced new appointments in its continuing effort to streamline its organization. Rich Cronin and Ben Lawson have been brought onboard to oversee the sales team for the housewares and tabletop...

DEBARTOLO IS NAMED EXECUTIVE VP OF FAIRCHILD B2B DIVISION.(Mike DeBartolo)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... NEW YORK-Mike DeBartolo has been appointed executive vice president of Fairchild Publications' Business-to-Business division. DeBartolo, 42, previously was vice president and group publisher of Fairchild's Business-to-Business division,...

POWER TRIPS.
January 12, 2004... With the trade show season upon us, most people will find themselves in the unglamorous situation of having to travel somewhere. With crowded flights, hotel rooms that aren't ready upon arrival and myriad other horrors of modern travel, what's...

THE BIG APPLE'S NEW CROP; HOME STORES ARE SUDDENLY POPPING UP ALL OVER THE CITY. HERE'S A LOOK AT FIVE OF THEM.
January 12, 2004... NEW YORK-A funny thing happened in New York City over the past few months. After a few years of semistagnancy on the retail scene, new home furnishings stores began appearing all over town. In addition to the opening of corporate-owned stores...

HAIRY EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY.(eyebrow trimming)
January 12, 2004... I get my hair cut at a barbershop -- not a salon. There's no scalp massage or deep conditioning involved. Instead of lovely flower arrangements, there's a collection of cacti. The stereo blares Frank Sinatra, not Enya. That's why I was...

04, 05, OH MY.(textile import quota removal in 2005)
January 12, 2004... It's January 2004. Do you know where your textiles are? As if the long-suffering, often-teetering home textiles industry didn't have enough on its tiny little mind, along comes 2004, the last year in which domestic manufacturers will be...

HIGH ON HEIMTEXTIL; BETTER ECONOMIC CONDITIONS HAVE AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS OPTIMISTIC HEADING TO THE GERMAN SHOW.
January 12, 2004... FRANKFURT, Germany-American manufacturers heading to this week's Heimtextil here are optimistic about their business prospects based on two key factors: an improving global economy and a continued weak dollar, which makes U.S. goods less...

FOR MILLS, PLANT CLOSURES, JOB CUTS TOLD THE STORY IN 2003.
January 12, 2004... NEW YORK-Sheet and towel manufacturers closed 25 plants and terminated 8,850 jobs last year. Bankrupt and liquidating Pillowtex Corp. accounted for the majority of the closings, shutting down 16 manufacturing facilities and laying off...

NEWS.(briefs)
January 12, 2004... NO-SHOWS AT THE HEIMTEXTIL THIS MONTH are Cecil Saydah, Waverly and Hollander Home Fashions. Cecil Saydah, which has attended the show for 10 years as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce-sponsored U.S. Pavilion, found it increasingly...

FLOOR MATES; SEVERAL RUG SUPPLIERS ARE SHOWING OFF THEIR NEW LICENSING PARTNERS AT THE ATLANTA MARKET.(Atlanta International Area Rug Market)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... ATLANTA-A group of rug suppliers are bringing dates to the prom, otherwise known as the Atlanta International Area Rug Market. Several manufacturers have paired up with new license or brand partners and are unveiling collections based on...

RISING COSTS PUTTING PRESSURE ON VENDORS TO RAISE PRICES.
January 12, 2004... ATLANTA-Rug suppliers are feeling the pinch from tighter margins, and several say they will have to raise prices slightly going into the Atlanta International Area Rug Market. A couple of factors are conspiring against rug makers: the...

FLORAL STYLES ARE IN FULL BLOOM AT ATLANTA RUG MARKET.(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... ATLANTA-Retailers have a bouquet of floral styles to choose from to fill out their transitional offerings at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market. Capel, Momeni, Milliken and Balta are among the suppliers offering transitional styles...

AS TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES, SO DO HANDMADE RUGS.(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... ATLANTA-More buyers will be fooled this market by the newest crop of machine-made rugs in traditional designs. As the technology used in making machine-made rugs continues to improve, several suppliers, such as Feizy, 828 International...

DOMOTEX 2004 GAINS SPACE AS NUMBER OF EXHIBITORS RISES.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
January 12, 2004... HANNOVER, Germany-There will be more exhibitors to see and more ground to cover at Domotex, the floor covering trade show opening here this week. Despite difficult global market conditions, Domotex has increased the number of exhibitors...

MILLIKEN, INVISTA TEAM UP FOR NEW RUG LINE.(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... LA GRANGE, Ga.-Milliken Rugs is partnering with Invista to create a new line of nylon tufted rugs that will make their debut at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market. The 23 new designs will be added to the Innovations Collection and...

SUPPLIERS ROLL OUT THE RED AT MARKET.(new rugs and carpets)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... ATLANTA-Being in the red never looked so good. A striking number of suppliers are offering exciting bold red designs among their new collections. Endless Knot is introducing the Lasari... Out of India line with 150 designs and colors at...

SOME SUPPLIERS SEE GREEN COUNTERING THE SEA OF RED.(rugs and carpets)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... ATLANTA-Rugs in shades of green offer a counterpoint to the red rugs many suppliers are offering at the Atlanta rug market. As opposites on the color wheel, red and green are complementary colors, and side by side the two make each other...

CONTEMPORARY SELECTIONS HIT ATLANTA MARKET FROM ALL SIDES.(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... ATLANTA-Buyers shopping for bold, contemporary rug styles at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market can choose from brand-new collections or suppliers who are building on the strength of their existing rug collections. Radici and...

STYLE PAYS FOR ESFAHANI IN NEW RUG COLLECTION.(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... ATLANTA-Esfahani, a Dallas-based rug manufacturer and importer, is launching the StylePays Collection by designer and actress Amanda Pays at the Atlanta rug market. The new collection of hand-woven rugs is the first rug collection by Pays,...

PATTERN, TEXTURE MAKE PALE RUGS STAND OUT.(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... ATLANTA-Two new rug collections feature subtle, pale shades, but their use of ghostlike patterns and texture make these rugs not so neutral. Hellenic Rug Imports will be showing the Milano Collection, which consists of New Zealand wool...

ANDY WARHOL TO POP UP IN ATLANTA.(New rug collection from Sphinx by Oriental Weavers enters into its first licensing agreement with Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... While famous for pop art images like his Campbell's Soup can and Marilyn Monroe silk screens, Andy Warhol had a broader artistic repertoire. Some of his more abstract designs from his lesser-known works can be seen in the new rug collection...