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

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

CASH-STRAPPED PILLOWTEX BUYS TIME WITH LENDERS.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... KANNAPOLIS, N.C.-Pillowtex Corp. said last week that it was in default of its quarterly loan payment, but its creditors have agreed not to seek immediate action through July 10. The mill said it was continuing to work with its lenders to...

HFNDEX: RETAILER CONFIDENCE UNCHANGED IN Q2.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-Despite talk of an impending economic recovery, senior executives in the nation's retail establishments have shown no increase in optimism during the second quarter. The HFNdex, a proprietary measure of executive perceptions of the...

MOHAWK ADDS DIVISION, SIGNS WAITES DEAL.(Mohawk Home acquires business from Brumlow Home, signs license with Raymond Waites)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... SUGAR VALLEY, Ga.-Mohawk Home went on a small shopping spree recently, buying the bath rug arm of Brumlow Home and signing a license with designer Raymond Waites. The tufted bath rug division, which does more than $25 million in sales in...

STAR WARS.(Letter to the Editor)
July 7, 2003... To the editor: We read Leslie Newby's "Star Power" article in HFN, June 9, here at J. Robert Scott with particular interest. For more than 30 years, Sally Sirkin Lewis, the founder of J. Robert Scott, has brought hundreds of furniture,...

SHAW FOLLOWS MOHAWK, BOWS OUT OF SURFACES.(Shaw Industries exits flooring show)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... DALTON, Ga.-Shaw Industries has also pulled out of Surfaces '04 in January. Shaw executives echoed Mohawk Industries' earlier decision to exit the flooring show held in Las Vegas. They said the large crowds at Surfaces were attractive, but...

CORRECTIONS.(Correction Notice)
July 7, 2003... In a report on retail inventories in the June 16 issue of HFN, the decimal point was misplaced in the inventory-to-sales percentage ratio for Havertys, Wal-Mart, J.C. Penney, Bed Bath & Beyond and Target. It did not affect the basis point...

ESTATE OF THE ARTISTS.(Hampton Designer Showhouse, Southampton, New York)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... The house, the rooms, the grounds -- it's all too beautiful at the Hampton Designer Showhouse. The house, sponsored by House & Garden magazine to benefit Southampton Hospital, features the work of more than 20 designers and artists. For...

SUMMER SHOPPING SHOWDOWNS.
July 7, 2003... Summer is finally here: Bring on trips to the beach, picnics, Fourth of July fireworks and Summer Shopping Showdowns. Blame it on the weather, or maybe it's the summer replacement employees, but every summer brings at least one memorable...

THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME.(home furnishings department of department stores)(Column)
July 7, 2003... "First you say you do and then you don't. Then you say you will and then you won't." You've got to love that Louis Prima. While it's quite certain that in the song lyrics above he was referring to an entirely different set of circumstances, the...

TOP 50: RACING WINNERS.(home furnishings manufacturers)(Industry Overview)
July 7, 2003... New York--After getting hammered by an economic downturn in 2001, HFN's Top 50 manufacturers bounced back last year and reversed their negative sales trends. Sales in 2002 for the Top 50 showed that despite leaner inventory levels and...

THE TOP 50 VENDORS OF HOME FURNISHINGS FOR 2002 (PART ONE).
July 7, 2003... Rank & Company 2001; 2002 % of change Products 1 Whirlpool Corp. $7,306.00; $6,600.00 10.7% Major and small appliances When Sears' market share as the dominant retailer in major appliances eroded last year,...

THE TOP 50 VENDORS OF HOME FURNISHINGS FOR 2002 (PART TWO).
July 7, 2003... 31 Berkline/Benchcraft $450.00; $490.00 Furniture The merging of two upholstery specialists into one company defined the year for Berkline/Benchcraft, earning the new entity a spot in the 2002 ranking. Synergies and access to new...

TRADE SHOW CALENDER.(home furnishings industry)(Calendar)
July 7, 2003... JULY 8-17 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market AmericasMart Atlanta Atlanta (800) ATL-MART americasmart.com 11-14 The Gift Fair in Atlanta Georgia World Congress Center Atlanta (914) 948-6194...

THE BARWARE REPORT.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... Barware is a billion-dollar business. The category has moved beyond basic glasses and corkscrews to include all kinds of novelties. Barware has sparked new categories of business and expanded others.

A SUCCESS, BAR NONE.(barware)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... Retail sales of barware -- a category encompassing a broad range of items typically found in bars and restaurants but purchased increasingly for home use -- reached more than $1.2 billion in 2002. What exactly is barware? While definitions...

MAKING MONEY MAKING MERRY.(tableware manufacturers providing barware)
July 7, 2003... Consumers rediscovering home entertaining are raising the category of barware to new heights, and tabletop and housewares makers are toasting that spirit with a host of new products at price points that appeal to everyone. The party's not...

WHAT'S ON TAP?(barware)
July 7, 2003... There is no doubt that barware is one of the most popular categories in home furnishings today, and with its popularity comes the opportunity for manufacturers to create new looks, whether it be with shapes or materials or colors. "Barware...

DRINKING COMPANIONS.(barware and wine accessories)
July 7, 2003... Pass the bottle and give me a glass. And don't forget the wine charm. And the cocktail spear and cocktail napkin. Oh, and the appetizer plates. Because today's bar is not your father's bar. The popular category has created the opportunity for...

A VINTAGE TIME FOR POPPING THE CORK.(wine accessories sales)
July 7, 2003... Americans are drinking more wine, and that's making the market for wine accessories one of the fastest-growing sectors of the barware business. It helps that consumers here are jumping into wine drinking in the same way that Americans...

BARTENDER, I'LL HAVE A....(10 most popular cocktails, includes recipes)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 7, 2003... The 10 most popular cocktails, according to Cocktailtimes.com, are as follows: 1. Martini Ingredients: 2 oz. gin 1 tsp. dry vermouth Garnish: cocktail olive Glassware: martini glass 2. Margarita ...

NEWS BRIEFS.(miscellaneous brief articles)
July 7, 2003... COVINGTON APPOINTS PARDO TO NEW VP POST Covington Industries Inc. named Maria Pardo vice president, a newly created position. In her new role, Pardo will oversee sales, product development and merchandising of fabrics for the specialized...

A SHORE BET? MORE APPAREL FIRMS SEE BEACH TOWELS AS A PLACE TO EXPAND THEIR BRANDS.
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-Apparel-driven designer brands are hoping their offerings will make waves this summer in the big sea of beach towels. Offerings from Izod and FUBU are among the designer-labeled beach towels that debuted this year. They join others...

BEACH TOWEL BINGO: WEATHER DOES A NUMBER ON SALES.(rainy weather decreases sales)
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-Too much rain has been a problem, according to suppliers of beach towels. "It's been raining in half of the United States, and people are just not in the mood to buy beach towels," said Reimund Manneck, vice president of Teka...

LYCRA BRAND CHECKS IN WITH 'HOTEL' CONCEPT.(Hotel Lycra, Sao Paulo, Brazil)
July 7, 2003... SAO PAULO, Brazil-DuPont Textiles & Interiors took an out-of-the-box approach to marketing one of its most valuable brands when it opened Hotel Lycra here, a showcase for Lycra textiles, fashions and brand awareness. Facing an impending...

NEWS BRIEFS.(miscellaneous brief articles)
July 7, 2003... FABRICA UNVEILS SAVOY BROADLOOM Fabrica International has introduced a broadloom carpet called Savoy. The carpet is manufactured with a five-ply yarn with a loop-pile construction. It has a sisallike appearance that works with contemporary...

HAND-KNOTTED HANGS TOUGH; HIGH-END RETAILERS ARE STICKING WITH THE CONSTRUCTION DESPITE THE SLOW ECONOMY.(rugs)
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-Times may be tough, but suppliers of high-end, hand-knotted rugs are sticking to their guns. Over the past two economically dismal years, numerous hand-knotted rug importers have jumped on the hand-tufted bandwagon, but those at...

FROM MACEDONIA, A SHAGGY-RUG STORY.(Yambolias)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-Rugs with a shaggy, retro look are being made in an unusual place -- the tiny, landlocked country of Macedonia. Retro is a relative term when one considers that these rugs have been made in this Balkan country of less than 2...

SPRING SHOWERS GIVE WAY TO NEW RUGS WITH FLOWERS.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-At least all the rain was good for the flowers. But for those without gardens, there are rugs strewn with roses that are anything but garden-variety. Fashion apparel designer Paul Smith created a rose rug for The Rug Company,...

NEW MAGAZINE HITS THE FLOOR.(Fabulous Floors)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... Fabulous Floors is a new consumer publication that focuses solely on -- you guessed it -- flooring. The semiannual magazine has been on the shelves for 90-day periods at selected Barnes & Noble, Borders, Home Depot and Lowe's stores in the...

NEWS BRIEF.(miscellaneous brief articles)
July 7, 2003... LEVITZ GETS FINANCING TO EXPAND Levitz Home Furnishings said it has obtained a new credit line that will fuel expansion of the 130-store chain, particularly in California. Levitz, which operates the Levitz and Seaman furniture chains,...

NEW AVENUE FOR LANE; THE FURNITURE COMPANY IS GOING VERTICAL WITH A ROLLOUT OF FREESTANDING STORES.
July 7, 2003... TUPELO, Miss.-Lane Home Furnishings has become the latest furniture vendor to go vertical, joining fellow Furniture Brands International companies Thomasville, Drexel Heritage and Henredon in a strategy to establish a network of dedicated,...

KATHY IRELAND'S LIGHTING PROVES TO BE A BRIGHT SPOT FOR STORES.
July 7, 2003... CHATSWORTH, Calif.-In this tough economic climate, retailers and suppliers alike are looking for any success story they can find. Although it's not even a year old, the Kathy Ireland Lighting collection appears to be just that. Buyers...

NEWS BRIEFS.(miscellaneous brief articles)
July 7, 2003... ROSENWALD TO EXPAND LICENSING PROGRAM Boston-based artist Jill Rosenwald is taking her signature bold palette and snappy designs to all segments of the home arena under a new agreement with J. Z. Cushman & Co., to serve as her official...

CATALINA UNVEILS NEW SHOWROOM, BRANDS.(Catalina Lighting)
July 7, 2003... DALLAS-Catalina Lighting opened its first-ever showroom in the Dallas Market Center, unveiled its new upscale Illuminada and Ring lighting lines and outlined its brand and channel strategy. First, to demonstrate its design capabilities, the...

A DIFFERENT PICTURE; ACRYLIC FRAMES ARE SHREDDING THEIR CHEAP IMAGE AS VENDORS ADD COLOR AND DURABILITY.
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-Acrylic photo frames, once considered worthy only of the refrigerator door, have stepped into the limelight as the fashionable frame of the moment. More malleable, durable and attractive than ever, acrylic frames are no longer the...

ATLANTA GIFT SHOWS OFFER VISITORS INSIGHTS, AMENITIES.
July 7, 2003... ATLANTA-With both the International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, sponsored by AmericasMart, and the Gift Fair in Atlanta, sponsored by Urban Expositions and George Little Management, taking place here this week, there is also a plethora of...

RESTAURANT DESIGNER CREATES FLATWARE PATTERN FOR CHRISTOFLE.(Adam D. Tihany)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.-Christofle's recent introduction of Urban, created by restaurant designer Adam D. Tihany, marked the first time it has introduced flatware in both Christofle silver and stainless steel simultaneously. It is also the first...

MONTAAGE'S MODERN STATEMENT.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... DALLAS-Fresh from the recent International Gift & Home Accessories Market in Dallas is a new line of contemporary giftware from Montaage, a home accents manufacturer whose products range from vases, lamps and small furniture items to florals....

TRACY LEAVES ROYAL DOULTON TO HEAD DIRECT MARKETING FIRM.(Mike Tracy, Media Solution Services)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... SOMERSET, N.J.-Mike Tracy has resigned as president of Royal Doulton USA to become chief executive officer of Media Solution Services, a leading direct marketer of consumer products with a focus on home goods, personal accessories and...

SIRONNEAU LEAVES LALIQUE POSITION.(Chantal Sironneau)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... Lalique North America has announced the resignation of Chantal Sironneau, director of sales and marketing for partner brands, effective July 4. Chris Cullen, vice president of sales and marketing for Lalique, will be assuming her...

WARING IT WELL; THE LONGTIME BRAND IS GETTING UPDATED WITH A NEW LOGO, PRODUCTS AND PACKAGING.
July 7, 2003... STAMFORD, Conn.-The Waring name may have been around for some time, but the brand itself has received a facelift of sorts, with new consumer-friendly packaging, a new logo and new products to tackle the retail world. According to Mary...

TUPPERWARE'S PARTY APPROACH IS DRAWING SOME COMPETITION.
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-Tupperware's decision last month to pull its products off Target's shelves has focused new light on the success the direct sales channel has had with food storage products. While Tupperware doesn't break out the amount of sales...

THE BIG CHILL: MOTHER NATURE DOUSES HOME COMFORT SALES.(cool, rainy summer weather decreases fan and air conditioner sales)
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-Amid this plethora of rain and dearth of heat, the prize for putting the best face on this poor season for selling comfort appliances goes to Brad Wire. "The fat lady has not sung yet," insisted Whirlpool's senior marketing...

DACOR FILLS NEW MARKETING POST, APPOINTS LAMKINS ASSISTANT VP.(Distinctive Appliance Corp., Larry Lamkins)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... DIAMOND BAR, Calif.-Distinctive Appliance Corp. has appointed Larry Lamkins assistant vice president of marketing, a new post. He reports to Tony Zavala, senior vice president of organizational development at the manufacturer of Dacor premium...

VAC SHIPMENTS DOWN IN MAY.(vacuum cleaners)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... CLEVELAND-Manufacturers' shipments of full-sized vacuum cleaners shrunk in May, the fourth consecutive month of declines. The comparison was with the biggest May on record. The latest month was second-best for a May and only the third time...

FRIGIDAIRE LEADS IN AD TALLY FOR DISHWASHERS IN APRIL.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y.-Frigidaire received more ads for dishwashers in newspapers and fliers from retailers during April than any other brand. An ongoing survey by Beyen Corp. revealed that 801 Frigidaire ads, placed in the papers by...

ALTERNATIVES FOR HAIR CARE, MAINTENANCE HIT THE SHELVES.
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-Just as home cooks continually try to mimic their favorite restaurant fare in their own kitchens, home stylists continually try to copy that just-back-from-the-salon look on a daily basis. Retail shelves are abundant with electric...

IT'S NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH; SHOPPERS DESERVE THE SCOOP.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-Seasonal products being, well, seasonal, making the most of their time in the retail spotlight is both crucial and somehow often overlooked. The idea that these products will sell themselves due to their timeliness is a shortsighted...

STERLING'S OFFICINA: ECONOMY IS CAUGHT IN A 'PERFECT STORM'.(Sterling Factors president Stanley Officina)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-Stanley Officina, president of Sterling Factors, told HFN last week that sales volume is "slightly up" for the year at the factoring firm despite challenging conditions at retail, which he expects to continue. "Business has been...

EXEC PAY BETTER IN RETAIL THAN SUPPLY SIDE: STUDY.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... NEW YORK-Based on annual compensation, it's better to be a retail executive than one on the supply side. In an analysis of executive pay trends over the past five years for retailers and vendors in the home goods industry, HFN discovered...

REPORTS SUGGEST SOURCING FROM CHINA HURTS U.S. BUSINESS.
July 7, 2003... WASHINGTON-Retailers and suppliers sourcing goods from China and the Pan-Pacific region are enjoying significantly higher margins on everything from small appliances to case goods. But several reports released over the past month from two...

THE HFN LIST; THE 15 HIGHEST-PAID HOME RETAIL EXECS IN 2002.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 7, 2003... Rank, Prior Rank, Executive Title Company Salary Bonus Other Annual Compensation Total Annual Compensation 1 (1) Robert Nardelli, chairman, CEO, president, Home Depot $1,865,384 $4,000,000 ...

A FULL HOUSE.(Hampton Designer Showhouse sponsored by House and Garden magazine)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... An opening-night gala kicked off the proceedings for the Hampton Designer Showhouse, sponsored by House & Garden magazine. With the doors thrown open and a tent pitched in the garden, the party attracted 750 supporters of Southampton Hospital,...

MARSHALL FIELD'S FIELD TEST: A MAKEOVER ON STATE STREET.(flagship store occupied by boutiques)
July 7, 2003... CHICAGO-In a bid to battle the sea of sameness that has plagued the department store sector, Marshall Field's is transforming its famous flagship store here into a gallery of exclusive boutiques designed to wow shoppers with the unexpected. ...

NEWS BRIEFS.
July 7, 2003... MAY PURCHASES MODERN TUXEDO Adding to its bridal empire, May Department Stores Co. purchased the inventory, leases and name of Modern Tuxedo, a 25-store tuxedo rental and sales chain based in Chicago. Modern Tuxedo has estimated annual...

POST-SARS, INDUSTRY BACK ON ROAD TO ASIA.(severe acute respiratory syndrome, home furnishings)
July 14, 2003... NEW YORK-Even before the World Health Organization cleared the way for travel to Asia -- lifting its last SARS-related travel warning last week -- a hardy bunch from the home furnishings world was already back in action in the region. ...

THE WORD ON THE STREET: RETAIL LIFTS HFN STOCK INDEX.
July 14, 2003... NEW YORK-The bulls are clearly back on Wall Street, although they seem to be grazing instead of stampeding. In HFN's midyear stock report, shares of publicly traded home goods retailers experienced strong gains while suppliers suffered...

HAMPTONS COME ALIVE.(Long Island, New York)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... Summertime means sun, fun and shopping, and what better place than New York's posh getaway to do all of the above? For a peek at what's in the stores, such as DeMa, and a look at the night life, see Trends, page 6, and HF/End, page 74.

TODD OLDHAM COLLECTION GROWS UP; HOME ROOM LINE HITS THE SHELVES.(at Target)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... NEW YORK-Target has rolled out the second incarnation of the renamed Todd Oldham Home Room program to its stores. The line, which had been known as Dorm Room, includes soft and hard goods, including bed and bath, wall decor, lighting and...

FORMER FAIRCHILD EDITOR DAVID ST. MARIE DIES AT 53.(Brief Article)(Obituary)(Biography)
July 14, 2003... NEW YORK-David St. Marie, a copy editor for Home Furnishings Daily before becoming copy chief at Women's Wear Daily, died July 3 of complications resulting from Guillain-Barre Syndrome. He was 53. St. Marie joined Fairchild Publications in...

CLARIFICATION.(Hunter Douglas sales decrease)(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
July 14, 2003... In the HFN Top 50 Vendors report, which appeared in the July 7 issue, comments regarding a decline of sales at Hunter Douglas did not include the fact that the decrease reflects a 5.4 percent negative currency impact.

NEWS BRIEFS.(miscellaneous brief articles)
July 14, 2003... MACY'S EAST NAMES HOME VP Mary Markman was appointed executive vice president and general merchandising manager for home at Macy's East. Markman assumes responsibilities that were formerly held by Eric Salus, who moved on to become...

PILLOWTEX GETS ANOTHER CHANCE FROM LENDERS ON SURVIVAL PLAN.
July 14, 2003... KANNAPOLIS, N.C.-Pillowtex's lenders granted the struggling mill another extension last week to submit a plan for paying its debt. The mill faced a deadline of last Friday, which was set by its creditors, but now has until this Monday to...

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TO EXPLORE HOME WITH LICENSED FURNISHINGS COLLECTION.(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... WASHINGTON-The National Geographic Society will brave new multilicensing frontiers with an extensive home furnishings collection. Furniture Brands International subsidiary Lane Home Furnishings will anchor the team of eight licensees set to...

SAMPLIN' THE HAMPTONS.(shopping on Long Island, New York)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... One of the many reasons to visit the Hamptons, besides fun in the sun and great parties, is the shopping. The stores found on eastern Long Island draw crowds from Sag Harbor to Southampton, particularly weekenders looking to smarten up their...

BLESSED BE THE MEEK? NOT IN RETAILING, BABY.(Column)
July 14, 2003... There are some hopeful signs, and still a few worrisome ones, regarding the economy and the climate for retail spending. And while it's possible their optimism may yet be premature, retailers' confidence appears to be on the rebound. ...

APOCALYPSE NOW.(consumer attitudes towards pop-up Internet ads and telemarketing)(Editorial)
July 14, 2003... Hey kids, let's start a company selling stuff. And to reach our target customer, let's choose two really terrific advertising vehicles: telemarketing and pop-up Internet ads. Can't miss with this plan. What are these people thinking?...

MAKING ADVANCES; UPHOLSTERY SUPPLIERS ARE ROLLING OUT PRODUCTS WITH A FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION.
July 14, 2003... HIGH POINT, N.C.-For residential upholstery, the future of textiles may lie in innovation and the promise of improved durability, stain-resistance, cleanability and the fight against pesky microbes. As the domestic textiles industry loses...

FABRIC MAKERS ARE HOPING FOR STRONG BUSINESS AT SHOWTIME.(Showtime fabric trade fair)
July 14, 2003... HIGH POINT, N.C.-Upholstery textile mills are pinning hopes on the fourth quarter of a so-far disappointing year as they unveil new products at this week's Showtime fabric trade fair here. A slow first half of the year for furniture...

NEW TECHNOLOGY CREATING NEXT GENERATION OF YARN.(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... Innovation in upholstery textiles often begins with the raw materials, and suppliers are doing their part to keep domestic mills competitive with yarn technologies that enhance the features and benefits of finished fabrics. At American...

NEWS.(miscellaneous brief articles)
July 14, 2003... WAVERLY REVISES CONFERENCE FORMAT The annual FSC Wallcoverings-sponsored Waverly Place Learning Conference will be presented in New York; Atlanta; Newark, Del.; and Chicago this month and in August. "We are traveling to our customers,"...

DESIGNERS GUILD STORE LANDS AT MARSHALL FIELD'S FLAGSHIP.
July 14, 2003... CHICAGO-Seeking to spice up its textiles department with more contemporary, unique merchandise, Marshall Field's unveiled a 1,200-square-foot Designers Guild shop at its tony State Street store here. The 62-unit chain, a division of Target...

REVMAN EMBRACES ITS GLOBAL IDENTITY.(Revman Industries to become Revman International)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... NEW YORK-Revman Industries said it was changing its name to Revman International to better describe the company that sources products throughout the world. "Today, Revman is truly an international company producing products in over 10...

NEWS BRIEFS.
July 14, 2003... SPRINGS' EASLEY TO RETIRE; WEBSTER LEAVES Springs Industries said Bill Easley, 60, will retire this fall as president of textile manufacturing. The company has not named a successor yet. Easley began his career with Springs as a...

RUG BUYERS WON'T GO HUNGRY SHOPPING THE MARKET.(meals offered at Atlanta International Area Rug Market, Atlanta, Georgia, for buyers)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... NEW YORK-Fire up the Palm Pilot. There's a host of meals and activities planned for the Atlanta International Area Rug Market. Buyers can refuel with breakfast, lunch and cocktails in the Area Rug Center and, speaking of fuel, have a chance...

BOLDER SHAPES, MUTED COLORS RULE IN CONTEMPORARY ENTRIES FOR RUGS.(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... NEW YORK-The newest crop of contemporary rugs has large bold shapes toned down by muted shades of mustard, steel blue, olive and plum. Contemporary is becoming an increasingly important category for Kas, which has new modern looks in its...

HELLO, YELLOW; SUPPLIERS HOPE THE SUNNY SHADE BRIGHTENS UP BUSINESS IN ATLANTA THIS WEEK.(Atlanta International Area Rug Market, Atlanta, Georgia)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... NEW YORK-The color yellow conjures up images of smiley faces, sunny days and lemonade, and suppliers are hoping it brings a ray of light to business, too, as they introduce rugs in shades of yellow at this week's Atlanta International Area Rug...

VENDORS ARE FEELING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO OFFER VALUE IN ATLANTA.(Atlanta, Georgia, rug market)
July 14, 2003... NEW YORK-Rug suppliers say July's rug market in Atlanta will be focused on value more than ever. But value is a word that gets tossed around the rug industry in this economy a great deal, and its definition is elastic. Suppliers such as...

OBEETEE OUT TO GROW ITS PRIVATE BUSINESS.(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... While a "huge portion" of Obeetee's revenue comes from rugs that don't carry the company's name on it, many retailers don't think of the supplier as a private-label partner, said Bill Ward, chief executive officer. Ward wants larger...

RUGS WITH AN APPEAL FRESH OFF THE VINE.(exposed vine patterns on rugs)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... NEW YORK-Exposed vines, reminiscent of lacy wrought-iron work, give traditional patterns a delicate and graceful appearance. Showing such styles at this week's Atlanta International Area Rug Market are Hellenic Rug Imports, Karastan,...

DESIGNERS SHOW OFF THE FRUITS OF THEIR LOOMS.(rug colors)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... NEW YORK-It looks like rug designers are pulling colors right out of a fruit salad this summer. Cherry, watermelon, blueberry and other bright colors can be found in the latest crop of rugs from Company C and Home Comfort. The aptly...

GENERAL INDUSTRIES PLAYS NEW STYLES OF HOPSCOTCH.(Hopscotch Collection of rugs)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... New juvenile rugs from General Industries turn learning to count into a game of hopscotch. Two new styles from the Hopscotch Collection, which will debut at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, are made of 100 percent nylon with a waffle...

SUPPLIERS EVOKE SPIRIT OF EGYPT IN NEW HAND-KNOTTED DESIGNS.(rugs)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... ATLANTA-Several area rug suppliers have turned to Egypt for the inspiration behind their new collections. Ebisons Harounian Imports, Iraj Fine Oriental Rugs and Harounian Rugs International are showing hand-knotted rugs with an Egyptian...

STAR QUALITY.(Jaipur Rugs' star-shaped rug, Star of Jaipur, in the Presidential Collection)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... Jaipur Rugs will unveil an unusual star-shaped rug with scalloped edges at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market. The new hand-knotted Star of Jaipur is based on an antique design found in an obscure book, said Bob Kirby, co-owner, who said...