HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from January 2005

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from January 2005

ELECTRICITY IN THE AIR.
January 3, 2005... RETAILERS WHO HEAD TO LAS VEGAS for this week's Consumer Electronics Show will be met with a barrage of products from flat-panel TVs to satellite radios. For what they're hoping to see, See Trends pages 8-9, and 30-32. Caption(s): 1. Gary...

THERE WAS NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR HOLIDAYS.(Hotel Collection)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Chocolate brown sheets from the Hotel Collection. Digital fare from the camera section. Microbead pillows made registers ring. These were a few of their favorite things, said retailers, who called...

IT'S A HAPPY NEW QUOTA-FREE YEAR: YEAH, RIGHT.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-It's the first business day of a quota-less world for textile products like towels, sheets and other bedding products. What now? The story is still unraveling, but one thing is clear: All eyes are...

IN BRIEF: COMMERCE REDUCES FURNITURE DUTIES... HOME DEPOT TO SELL MAJAPPS ONLINE... FISCHER LEAVES ALL-CLAD.(Department of Commerce)(The Home Depot Inc.)(Catherine Fischer leaves All-Clad Metalcrafters)
January 3, 2005... COMMERCE REDUCES FURNITURE DUTIES The U.S. Department of Commerce, citing clerical errors, has adjusted some duty rates imposed against imports of Chinese wood bedroom furniture, including the reduction of the key Schedule A rate to 6.65...

HFNDEX: RETAIL CONFIDENCE DIPS 5.9% IN FOURTH QUARTER.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Nathan Weber NEW YORK-Retail executives' confidence in the economy slipped during the fourth quarter, in the face of rising oil prices that cut into consumers' discretionary spending and warmer than usual weather, which may have...

URBAN EXPOSITIONS, GLM LOOK TO CREATE PERMANENT SHOWROOM SPACE IN ATLANTA.(George Little Management L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Carla Webb ATLANTA-Show organizers Urban Expositions and George Little Management are looking to open a permanent gift showroom building in downtown Atlanta. The companies announced last week they are negotiating with Atlanta...

PRICE IS RIGHT.
January 3, 2005... To the Editor, What an interesting article about consumers and bedding (HFN, Dec. 13). I was motivated to write you because of the responses you received about prices. I would be so interested to know what the respondent who was "shocked...

BETTER LATE...(Holiday sales projections)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Notice that none of these holiday shoppers are smiling? The reason: Last-minute shopping. Many consumers came late to the shopping party, but retailers did not complain. Procrastinators such as these made up for lackluster sales in...

TURKEY EXPANDS PAVILION, U.S. MARKETING CAMPAIGN.(International Home & Housewares Show)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Thyra Porter CHICAGO-In an effort to reach more U.S. housewares buyers, the government of Turkey has expanded both its Pavilion at the International Home & Housewares Show, as well as its marketing campaign in this country. ...

CPSC ISSUES NEW SAFETY STANDARD TO ADDRESS MATTRESS FLAMMABILITY.(Consumer Product Safety Commission)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... WASHINGTON-The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted Dec. 21 to issue a proposed safety standard to reduce deaths and injuries from fires involving mattresses. The standard, approved by a 2-0 vote, addresses fires ignited by an open...

TIGHTER CARGO SECURITY RULES FOR '05 WORRY IMPORTERS.(Customs Service)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Joanna Ramey WASHINGTON-Apparel importers, slated to face revised cargo security rules in 2005 from U.S. Customs & Border Protection , are concerned about the costs involved and whether the government's aims can realistically be...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
January 3, 2005... january 6-9 International CES Consumer Electronics Association Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas (866) 233-7968 (USA) (301) 631-3983 (International) cesweb.org 8-11 Philadelphia Gift Show Fort...

CHARGED ATMOSPHERE.(Consumer Electronic Show)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine It's January show time around the world and what better place to kick it off than at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas. Highlighted at the show will be all sorts of gadgets, gizmos and other items to make...

SEASONAL SHOPPING LEAPS ONLINE IN 2004.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Nathan Weber NEW YORK-The Web as a shopping medium expanded significantly during the holiday season, as consumers spent more than $13.5 billion online from Nov. 1 through mid-December, the last week for which figures were available...

DESPITE SLUGGISH START, STRONG FINISH MAY SAVE CHRISTMAS FOR RETAILERS.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Despite a slow start, holiday sales may be salvaged this season due to a strong shopping finish the week before Christmas and higher expectations for the post-holiday week on gift card redemptions. The...

A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.(home furnishing services)
January 3, 2005... Byline: J'Amy Owens It was late, well at least too late to be needing to shop for bedding for overnight guests. Clearly -- since I somehow succeeded -- what you are reading is the real story of an actual modern-day Christmas miracle....

HALFWAY THROUGH THE OH-OHS.(consumer electronics, textiles, home furnishing industry sales)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Warren Shoulberg Well, here we are, halfway through the first decade of the new century and we still don't have a catchy name for this era. This is going to be a big, big problem for historians and social commentators trying to...

VIEW FROM CHINA: IT'S NO BIG DEAL.(textile quotas )
January 3, 2005... Byline: Lisa Movius While many analysts forecast China as posing the greatest threat to Western textiles competitors, and receiving potentially the biggest windfall from the lifting of quotas, Chinese textile producers themselves view the...

FABRIC PRODUCERS LOOK FORWARD TO A BRIGHT 2005.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Sheila Long O'Mara HIGH POINT, N.C.- After wrapping up a challenging 2004, fabric producers showing their winter lineup here at Showtime (Jan. 9 to 13) are hopeful that the new year brings with it brighter days and better business....

VIEW FROM A U.S. MILL: SIT TIGHT.(Springs Industries Inc.)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens Of the three remaining domestic mills, two are bankrupt. WestPoint Stevens and Dan River have indicated that they will emerge from Chapter 11 in this first quarter. Privately owned Springs Industries is not...

HOME FABRICS MIMIC APPAREL TRENDS.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Sheila Long O'Mara HIGH POINT, N.C.-Taking a cue from Paris runways, fabric designers have plucked a few of their favorite apparel influences from the racks and put them to work in home fashion. Herringbones, paisley, elegant...

ITMA AND YHFP PARTNER ON INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.(International Textile Market Association and Young Home Furnishings Professionals )(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... HIGH POINT, N.C.- The International Textile Market Association has teamed up with the Young Home Furnishings Professionals to provide internships for college juniors and seniors. The internship program, which pairs students with industry...

CRYPTON MOVES TO CLARIFY PERFORMANCE FABRIC ISSUES.(Crypton Super Fabrics)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Sheila Long O'Mara HIGH POINT, N.C.-Crypton is setting up a laboratory of sorts in its Showtime booth here to help clean up the muddied waters around performance fabric quality. Randy Rubin, co-founder of Crypton, said so many...

GULISTAN, BACOVA NAME MEACHAM NEW DIRECTOR.(Gulistan Carpet & Bacova Guild Ltd named Kea Capel Meacham)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail PINEHURST, N.C.-Gulistan Carpet & Bacova Guild Ltd. have named Kea Capel Meacham business and brand director. While there has previously been a director's post, the role Meacham takes on is greatly expanded,...

TAKING THE FLOOR; NATURE'S LOOM LOOKS TO START 2005 WITH A NEWLY RENOVATED SHOWROOM AND THE DEBUT OF TWO NEW COLLECTIONS.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Nature's Loom is looking to kick off 2005 with a one-of-kind bang. The importer and wholesaler of hand-knotted oriental rugs recently celebrated the grand opening of its Landmark Townhouse Showroom in...

NATCO APPOINTS BOGAS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT.(NATCO Home Fashions appoints Bryan Bogas )(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... WEST WARWICK, R.I.-Bryan Bogas has joined NATCO Home as the executive vice president for the company's woven, handmade and printed rug division. In the newly created position, Bogas will be responsible for all aspects of the division,...

MOHAWK UNVEILS SMARTSTRAND FIBER.(Mohawk Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail DALTON, Ga.-Mohawk Industries is introducing an exclusive fiber called SmartStrand, which is made with DuPont's Sorona Polymer and is said to offer the durability of nylon along with permanent stain resistance and a...

RUGMARK'S CHILD LABOR FIGHT AIRS ON CNN.(Cable News Network)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini WASHINGTON-Rugmark, the nonprofit organization working to end illegal child labor in the carpet industry, has made its mark on television as part of a special report on CNN's "Newsnight with Aaron Brown". ...

ARMSTRONG FLOORS IT FOR `MONSTER HOUSE'.(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail LOS ANGELES-When the Discovery Channel's "Monster House" remodeling crew took on the challenge of turning an out-of-date and uninspiring faculty room into an inviting, relaxing and functional space, it turned to...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Dorel Industries Inc. named Gregory Carlson)(Lexington Home Brands Inc. and Tommy Bahama)(Lexington has named Doug Hartzog)
January 3, 2005... DOREL INDUSTRIES INC. has named Gregory Carlson president of Ameriwood Industries, Dorel's ready-to-assemble furniture division based in Wright City, Mo. He succeeds Robert Klassen, who has left the company. Carlson was previously president and...

SOFAS, CHAIRS BOLSTER SALES AND OPTIMISM.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Jo Fleischer HIGH POINT, N.C.-The surge of shoppers who are giving themselves new sofas and chairs for the holidays has helped many furniture retailers record solid gains for 2004 and is fueling optimism for the coming year. ...

THE CHOSEN VIEW; RETAILERS SCORE BIG WITH VERSATILE TV STANDS THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE EVER-EXPANDING SCREEN SIZES.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Karl Kunkel HIGH POINT-Keeping up with the Joneses when it comes to big televisions is a challenge for consumers. But having suitable ready-to-assemble furniture waiting in the wings for those same consumers has gotten even tougher...

MARYLAND GIVES YEAR TO MEET NEW FAN RULES.(American Lighting Association)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Nancy Meyer DALLAS-The American Lighting Association secured a one-year extension to a Maryland energy law that could have negatively impacted ceiling fan retailers and suppliers. Thanks to some quick lobbying efforts by a...

SYPHERS LAUNCH ACCESSORY IMPORT FIRM.(Rhett and Barbara Sypher)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Nancy Meyer ATLANTA-Accessory industry veterans Rhett and Barbara Sypher are launching a decorative lamp and accessory import firm at trade shows here and in Dallas this month. With Cypress Point Home, based in the Alpharetta...

QUOIZEL LAUNCHES KOOL KITCHENS COLLECTION.(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... GOOSE CREEK, S.C.-Quoizel will introduce a total decorative lighting solution for the kitchen, called the Kool Kitchens collection, at the Dallas Lighting Market that opens next week. The initial line has six families consisting of seven...

DENBY MANAGEMENT GETS FUNDING FROM BANK OF SCOTLAND FOR BUYOUT.(Denby Group PLC)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Carla Webb DERBYSHIRE, England-Denby Group's new management team, backed by the Bank of Scotland, recently bought out the company from the old management team, thereby providing some stability for a company that has seen its share...

CHARITY HITS HOME FOR FENTON ART GLASS.(ALS Association)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Carla Webb When the owners of Fenton Art Glass decided to take their charity efforts beyond local causes, the ALS Association was the natural choice for personal reasons. "Fenton has always had a foundation to support charities...

LET IT GLOW; BACCARAT AND UNICEF RELATIONSHIP CONTINUES TO LIGHT UP THE INDUSTRY.(Baccarat Crystal's donations)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Carla Webb NEW YORK-The lightings last month of the snowflake here and the chandelier display in Beverly Hills, Calif., were merely sparks in an ongoing relationship between Baccarat Crystal and UNICEF. According to Victor...

CRYSTAL CLEAR TO UNVEIL REMODELED SHOWROOM.(Crystal Clear Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... ATLANTA-Crystal Clear Industries will unveil a newly remodeled Atlanta showroom during the upcoming January Gift Market. A ribbon-cutting on Jan.13 will reopen the more than 5,000-square-foot showroom, which has been updated to showcase the...

LIBBEY SIGNS AGREEMENT TO SELL ITS CALIF. PROPERTY.(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... TOLEDO, Ohio-Libbey Inc. has signed an agreement to sell its City of Industry, Calif., property, which consists of approximately 27 acres of land, for $17 million. As previously announced on Aug. 16, Libbey plans to close its City of...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Fortessa Inc., Zak Designs Inc., CBK)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... FORTESSA INC. will be unveiling its expanded showroom space at the Atlanta Gift Mart in AmericasMart during the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market next week. The space features new displays of tableware products and will also...

ACCESSORIES TAKE SHAPE OF THINGS TO WEAR.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Carla Webb NEW YORK-Accessories for the home and for the person appear to be one in the same to some vendors, who are noticing the popularity of ready-to-wear patterned giftware. "Purses are huge," said Marc Tannenbaum,...

STYLE INCREASINGLY A SELLING POINT FOR HOME-OFFICE.(Smead Manufacturing Co.)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Sharyn Bernard MINNEAPOLIS-The burgeoning development of small and home offices is creating opportunities for companies to target consumers with stylish products intended to go with home-decor trends. Architect Chris Plantan...

COSTS AND EFFECTS; THE DOLLAR'S DECLINE IS HAVING AN IMPACT ON BUSINESS WORLDWIDE.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Gerry Beatty HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.- Franz Bosshard has a few special headaches as president and chief executive officer of BSH Home Appliances Corp. Among them these days is adapting to the high-flying euro. As recently as...

RUBBERMAID STEPS UP WITH FABRIC WRAP.(Rubbermaid Home Products Div.)
January 3, 2005... FAIRLAWN, Ohio-Rubbermaid Home Products has expanded its Wrap 'n Craft collection with an upscale line of fabric wrapping paper and wreath organizers. The line is part of the company's strategy to bring more innovative and fewer commodity...

HPI NAMES NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM.(Home Products International Inc. appointed Doug Ramsdale, Rich Hassert and Joseph Gantz)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... CHICAGO-Home Products International Inc. has named Doug Ramsdale chief executive officer, succeeding James Tennant, who resigned as planned upon completion of the sale of HPI to Storage Acquisition Co. Ramsdale previously was involved in the...

CHICAGO SHOW ADDS EUROPEAN DESIGN AREA.(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... ROSEMONT, Ill.-The 2005 International Home & Housewares Show will create a new area to host three new collections from European and global home and tabletop design leaders. The space will contain more than 20 companies new to the show under...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Newell Rubbermaid Inc. appoints new executive)
January 3, 2005... NEWELL RUBBERMAID expanded its board to 12 directors with the appointments of Michael Cowhig, president of Global Technical and Manufacturing at Gillette, and Mark D. Ketchum, former president of Global Baby & Family Care at Procter & Gamble....

VENDORS AT CES POISED FOR GROWTH, GREATER DISTRIBUTION.(Consumer Electronics Show )
January 3, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick LAS VEGAS-Whether they are showing off the sleekest flat panels, boasting high-memory MP3 players or seeking to learn about new technology, vendors at CES this year seem to have one thing in common: high...

RETAILERS LOOKING FOR DIGITAL ITEMS AT CES.(Consumer Electronics Show, Harvey Group Inc., ShopKo Stores Inc., Kmart Corp.)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick LAS VEGAS-Las Vegas bound retailers have digital products on the brain this year for CES. The most important two letters for audio/video specialty retailer Harvey Electronics at CES this year seems to be HD --...

FLAT PANELS, SATELLITE RADIO AND WIRELESS HOME THEATER, OH MY; BUYERS AT THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW IN LAS VEGAS WILL BE BOMBARDED WITH PRODUCTS FROM THIS TRIFECTA OF HOT CATEGORIES.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick LAS VEGAS-Window-shopping retailers heading here for the International Consumer Electronics Show will be barraged with new items from popular and emerging categories such as flat-panel televisions, wireless home...

THE YEAR IN REVIEW, FROM CES TO CHRISTMAS.(Consumer Electronics Show)(Industry Overview)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Gerry Beatty NEW YORK-The year that was in consumer electronics and major appliances featured a torrent of advanced products. It was also notable for soaring commodities prices and changes at leading retailers -- does it get any...

AUDIOVOX HITCHES RIDE ON PORTABLE DVD SHUTTLE AT CES.(International Consumer Electronics Show, Audiovox Electronics Corp.)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick LAS VEGAS-Audiovox is hoping to grab retailers' attention at the International Consumer Electronics Show this year with its new "tablet-style" portable DVD player. It seems as if every audio/video manufacturer...

ATLANTIC SLIPS BEYOND DISCS.
January 3, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick LAS VEGAS-Atlantic Inc., which has established itself as a manufacturer of CD and DVD storage products, is making the leap into camera cases, laptop bags and most surprisingly, home entertainment furniture at the...

BEST BUY VS. CIRCUIT CITY.(comparison of prices)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... ON THE COVER Best Buy: Nintendo DS, $149.99 Circuit City: Panasonic 32-inch stereo TV, $237.99 PORTABLE AUDIO Best Buy: Sony Portable CD Walkman with CD-R/RW playback, $34.99 Circuit City: iRiver 512MB MP3 player, $149.99...

SURVEY: '05 SALES RISE SEEN FOR CARPETS, BIG APPLIANCES.(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... NEW YORK-Shoppers plan to increase their purchases of most major appliances and carpeting, as well as housing, over the next six months, a reflection of a rebound in consumer confidence in December, according to a business research...

MASTERCARD, VISA HOLIDAY SALES JUMP BY DOUBLE DIGITS OVER 2003.(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Throughout the holiday season, consumers echoed this phrase at retailers: "Put it on my card," at least according to Visa U.S.A. and MasterCard International. The credit card giants each saw...

REPORT SAYS CHANGHONG SEVERS APEX DIGITAL TIES.(Sichuan Changhong Electric Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... SHANGHAI, China-According to a Reuters report, Chinese television manufacturer Sichuan Changhong Electric Appliance Co. Ltd. has ended its relationship with Apex Digital due to unpaid debts. Last week, Changhong said it is owed $467.5...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Department of Commerce reports, acquisition of Matsushita Leasing & Credit Co. by Sumitomo Bank Ltd., Allen Questrom's resignation from J.C. Penney Company Inc.)
January 3, 2005... THE ECONOMY GREW slightly faster during the third quarter than previously estimated, the U.S. Commerce Department said late last month, with the higher growth rate fueled largely by increased personal consumption expenditures and a deceleration...

CONSUMER PRODUCTS ARENA SHOWS RISE IN M&A ACTIVITY.(mergers and acquisitions)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick CHICAGO-Consolidation seem to be contagious as of late in the consumer products manufacturing arena. According to Robert W. Baird & Co.'s Consumer Products Monthly M&A Market Analysis report released in late...

MOVING PICTURES.(art exhibitions)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine The invitation promised a dazzling portrait exhibit and it was. The only thing more dazzling were the guests for the first annual "New Tastemakers" issue of House & Garden magazine. The event honored the 50 chosen...

ROAD SHOWS.
January 10, 2005... January kicks off the trade show season with events in Atlanta, Dallas, Paris and Germany. HFN offers previews and reviews throughout the sections. Caption(s): International Furniture Fair, Cologne / Salon du Meuble, Paris / Super Market,...

JUDGE HALTS U.S. REVIEW OF TEXTILES PETITIONS.(cases between Department of Commerce and United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel)
January 10, 2005... Byline: Kristi Ellis, Leticia Leizens contributed to this report. WASHINGTON-A federal district court judge in New York ordered the Bush administration to stop reviewing several safeguard petitions seeking to curb Chinese apparel and...

IN-PLAY 2005: WHO'S ON DECK?(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... Byline: HFN Staff Report NEW YORK-Last year will be remembered as the year of the big merger -- it doesn't get any bigger than Kmart teaming with Sears. Now, let's ponder the year ahead. In-Play 2005 is HFN's exclusive report on...

IN BRIEF: DAN RIVER STILL IN BANKRUPTCY... ENESCO NAMES MANLEY CFO... KELLER EXITING FURNITURE BUSINESS.
January 10, 2005... DAN RIVER STILL IN BANKRUPTCY A Georgia Bankruptcy Court notice said it will continue hearing the Dan River's plan to emerge from Chapter 11 and set Jan 18 as the date to confirm the textile mill's bankruptcy petition. The court was...

PENNEY'S HICKS TOP MERCHANT, O'DONNELL SUCCEEDS GRAZIOSI.(appointment of Ken Hicks as chief merchandising officer )
January 10, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau PLANO, Texas-J.C. Penney is shoring up its senior ranks. Ken Hicks has been named president and chief merchandising officer of J.C. Penney. The chief merchandising officer title is a new position at the chain. ...

CES OFFERS `LATE NIGHT' WITH BILL GATES.(Consumer Electronics Show )(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick LAS VEGAS-Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates returned for the second year to kick off the festivities at the Consumer Electronics Show as the preshow keynote speaker on Jan. 5. A fraction of the show's 120,000-plus...

INDUSTRY SEES MINIMAL IMPACT FROM TSUNAMI.
January 10, 2005... Byline: HFN Staff Report NEW YORK-While the tsunami in southeast Asia had an incalculable human toll on coastal areas throughout the region, early reports from home furnishings importers are that production has not suffered substantially....

EX-FEDERATED CEO ZIMMERMAN INDICTED ON PERJURY CHARGE.(James Zimmerman)
January 10, 2005... Byline: Vicki M. Young, David Moin, Meredith Derby contributed to this report. NEW YORK-James Zimmerman, former chairman and chief executive officer of Federated Department Stores, was indicted on the ground of perjury last week. The...

SERTA INTERNATIONAL WITHDRAWS FROM ISPA.(International Sleep Products Association)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... Byline: Karl Kunkel HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.-Serta International has withdrawn from the International Sleep Products Association. Bob Sherman, president of Serta, said that ISPA was not meeting Serta's needs at helping it grow its retailers'...

CORRECTIONS.(Correction Notice)
January 10, 2005... The photo in the Jan. 3 issue of HFN that accompanied an article on Rubbermaid's Home Products fabric wrap product featured the company's new closet system, not its new Wrap 'n Craft collection of fabric wrapping paper and wreath organizers....

OBITUARY: PIONEERING RETAILER A.J. RICHARD, 95.(Obituary)
January 10, 2005... Byline: Gerry Beatty BAY SHORE, N.Y.-Services were held here Tuesday, Jan. 4, for A.J. Richard, the son in P.C. Richard & Son who was instrumental in building the family business into a regional powerhouse in electronics and appliances. He...

OBITUARY: NORDIC WARE FOUNDER H. DAVID DALQUIST, 86.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
January 10, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS-H. David Dalquist, the founder of Nordic Ware, died Jan. 2 at the age of 86. A World War II veteran who served in the Pacific, Dalquist founded Nordic Ware with only a few hundred dollars in capital in 1946. In 1950, he...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
January 10, 2005... january 11-20 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market 11-20 (Permanent exhibitors) 14-18 (Temporary Exhibitors) AmericasMart Atlanta Atlanta (800) ATL-MART americasmart.com 12-15 Heimtextil ...

WALL'S TREATS.
January 10, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine The mainstream manufacturers may be crying the blues over sagging wallpaper sales in recent years, but in designer showrooms the story couldn't be more different. It seems that everyone from socialites to fine...

WHO WILL MAKE A BIG DEAL? HFN'S EXCLUSIVE IN-PLAY 2005 REPORT LOOKS AT THE POTENTIAL PLAYERS ON THE MERGERS-AND-ACQUISITIONS LANDSCAPE.
January 10, 2005... Buyers Federated Department Stores Cincinnati/public Operates more than 450 stores in 34 states, Guam and Puerto Rico Federated was the nation's largest traditional department store operator sales-wise -- until archrival May...

HOW 2004'S IN-PLAYS PLAYED OUT; A VARIETY OF FACTORS PLAYED INTO THE INDUSTRY'S DESIRE TO GET TOGETHER.
January 10, 2005... The home furnishings industry embarked on a wild ride of mergers and acquisitions in 2004. Retailers and vendors looking to gain market share, expand product assortment or simply avoid being swallowed by the competition had consolidation...

THE WARREN COMMISSION REPORT ON WAL-MART.
January 10, 2005... Byline: Warren Shoulberg Ladies and gentlemen and Wal-Mart shoppers everywhere: After exhaustive and painstaking research, investigation and analysis, the Warren Commission is prepared to issue its results on the most astonishing and...

SOURCING HEIMTEXTIL; THE GERMAN TRADE FAIR IS INCREASINGLY BECOMING A PLACE WHERE SUPPLIERS FROM THE UNITED STATES GO TO FIND PRODUCTS.
January 10, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens FRANKFURT, Germany-Heimtextil (Jan. 12 to 15) is beginning to look a lot like a sourcing show, said most U.S. suppliers heading here for the 2005 version. "It is totally a sourcing show," said Gretchen Dale,...

`NITE' OUT IN FRANKFURT.
January 10, 2005... FRANKFURT, Germany-USA Pavilion exhibitors and their international guests, are invited to Heimtextil Beer Blast Nite, an evening of fun and casual business, on Thursday, Jan. 13, at 6 p.m. The event, sponsored by Decorative Screen Printers,...

SPECIAL PAVILIONS SHOW PRODUCTS MADE IN THE USA.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... As U.S. companies continue to source overseas, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find products stamped "Made in the USA." But at Heimtextil, a few remaining companies that offer such products will exhibit at two U.S. pavilions...

WELSPUN USA APPOINTS GAENSLEN EXECUTIVE VP.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... NEW YORK-Welspun USA Inc. has named Charles Gaenslen to the newly created position of executive vice president and chief operating officer. He reports to Rajesh Mandawewala, chief executive officer of Welspun India Ltd. and Welspun USA. ...

HFPA INFORMS MEMBERS OF CPSC NOTICE ON BEDCLOTHES.(Home Fashions Products Association )
January 10, 2005... NEW YORK-The Home Fashions Products Association has informed its membership that the Consumer Product Safety Commission published its Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning "bedclothes" last week. The comment period will be 90...

FEWER GEESE BEING COOKED AFFECTING BEDDING PRICES.
January 10, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-There is another cost associated with staying warm this winter, and it has nothing to do with escalating oil prices or the avian flu; instead, industry executives believe it has everything to do with the...