HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from July 2006

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from July 2006

THE EMERGERS.(new class of trade)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... A new class of trade has arrived on the scene: Midsized retailers, primarily regional department stores, trying to find their place between smaller players and the industry giants.

PIER 1 REVEALS ITS LOFTY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.(Loft 21)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Pier 1 Imports moved into its new Loft 21 last week. The new modern home collection is designed to bring back a much-needed "buzz" to the business and help restore sales and earnings, Marvin Girouard,...

THE LEGACY OF LENNY.(death of Lenny Florence)(Obituary)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko, Barbara Thau, Carla Webb O'Connor and Rosamaria Mancini contributed to this report Boston-What is the imprint of a life? The two sides of Lenny Florence's life-personal and professional-merged so seamlessly...

HOME PAGE.
July 3, 2006... A Look Ahead Same-store sales for June will be released by various retailers on July 6. Target will release second quarter-earnings on Aug. 10. J.C. Penney will release second-quarter earnings on Aug. 10. A Look Back ...

BED BATH & BEYOND OUTLINES EXPANSION, COST-SAVING MEASURES AT ANNUAL MEETING.(Bed Bath & Beyond expansion plans)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick MORRISTOWN, N.J.-Bed Bath & Beyond discussed store expansion plans, while touching on cost saving measures at its annual shareholders meeting here last week. In its usual cryptic manner, the retailer revealed...

SUR LA TABLE MAKES CHANGES IN EXEC LINEUP.(appointment of Jack Schwefel )(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... SEATTLE-Sur La Table has named Jack Schwefel vice president of retail stores. He succeeds Gigi Keller, who left Sur La Table to pursue other opportunities. Schwefel, who was most recently executive vice president of the North American arm...

CORRECTIONS.
July 3, 2006... CLARIFICATION In the Power 100 story in the June 26 issue of HFN, it was stated that Barbara Barry has created branded merchandise for Baker Furniture, which is correct. Barry's latest furniture line, however, is in partnership with...

SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
July 3, 2006... July 14-18 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market AmericasMart Atlanta Atlanta (800) ATL-MART americasmart.com 16-19 Atlanta International Area Rug Market AmericasMart Atlanta Atlanta ...

NOW ARRIVING ON THE SCENE.(Saks Inc merges with Bon-Ton departmental stores)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-They've bulked up and pushed into a new category of midsized players. Call them the Emergers: Bon-Ton, Belk and Boscov's have grown to better compete with the mega-chains, such as Federated/May and...

WILD ABOUT HARRY'S.(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine For a great night out downtown, Harry's Steak & Cafe, the recently renovated and renamed institution at Hanover Square, is the place to be. The founder's son, Peter Poulakakos, along with Danny McDonald, has...

LENNY.(Lenny Florence)(Obituary)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg That's all you had to say and everyone knew who you were talking about: Lenny. How rare is it in business where one person can go by one name and he is instantly recognizable by a pretty significant portion of...

THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS.(Obituary)(Obituary)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor BOSTON-Leonard Florence, industry founder of the tabletop and housewares company Syratech Corp., died last week after a long illness. He was 74. Florence's beginnings in Chelsea, Mass., were humble. One of...

AN EDITOR REMEMBERS.(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Sharyn Bernard ATLANTA-Lenny Florence's generosity and philanthropy to great causes were renowned, but what I will forever remember him for was a personal act of kindness he showed this editor more than a decade ago. I was...

BEACH BLANKET BINGO.(towels)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Large beach towels that have room for two or more bodies have become a dominant and permanent part of the beach business, suppliers said. The beach towels, also known as "jumbo towels" or "beach...

GLM READIES AUGUST SHOW WITH A RANGE OF PROGRAM OFFERINGS.(George Little Management, New York Home Textiles Show, New York International Gift Fair )
July 3, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Programs that address design, consumer trends and product innovation will be part of the program offerings at George Little Management's upcoming New York Home Textiles Show in August. The show, which...

THE APPEAL OF ODEGARD.(Stephanie Odegard Co., International Contemporary Furniture Fair)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-Odegard is making waves around the world, racking up design awards and keeping ancient weaving traditions alive overseas with the introduction of a collection of hand-woven silk textiles. Following a...

WITH SUMMER HERE, OUTDOOR MARKET HEATS UP.(rugs)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-With summer officially under way, the outdoor rug category is in full swing. The products have become regulars in weekend circulars and vendors said the business shows no signs of slowing down. "It's got...

MORE AMERICASMART CLASSES IN SESSION.(AmericasMart.com Inc. launched AmericasMart University )
July 3, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail ATLANTA-In response to attendee demand, AmericasMart Atlanta has expanded its AmericasMart University program for the July International Area Rug Market. Jeffrey Portman, president of AmericasMart Atlanta parent...

MASLAND BRINGS STAINMASTER NYLON TO THE FLOOR.(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... MOBILE, Ala.-Masland Carpets has introduced carpet designs that are being made using Stainmaster Tactesse nylon. With the new designs, each falling under the Masland Classics category, the company said it set out to create a look reminiscent of...

DESIGNER WEARSTLER LAUNCHES NEW COLLECTION.(floor covering collection )(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... NEW YORK-More than a dozen historically inspired designs make up the House of Kwid floor covering collection debuting from designer Kelly Wearstler. The rug collection was created in collaboration with F. Schumacher's Patterson, Flynn & Martin...

DALLAS LIGHT ON NEW, HEAVY ON THE NEWS.(Dallas International Lighting & Accessories Market)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer DALLAS-In typical summer fashion, the Dallas International Lighting & Accessories Market was light on new products and buyers. But the market was abuzz with news of merged companies, exclusive licensing deals,...

DALLAS DOINGS.(lighting industry)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Elk Lighting, based in Summit Hill, Pa., will unveil the Mary-Kate and Ashley line of lighting in January, targeting the tween market, a new venue for the growing decorative lighting firm. Elk expects to release three families of five to six...

DMC CONSTRUCTION AHEAD OF PLAN.(Dallas Market Center's expansion)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer DALLAS-The roof is on, the four concrete floors laid down, hallways and staircases in place, and plumbing and wiring almost all installed. Work on the Dallas Market Center's Trade Mart expansion continued during the...

HUBBARDTON ENTERS ROTATION WITH NEW FANS.(Hubbardton Forge, Fanimation Inc.)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... DALLAS-Fanimation Inc. has partnered with Hubbardton Forge to bring Hubbardton's signature lighting designs and finishes to the ceiling fan market. The eight-SKU line, which made its debut at the Dallas International Lighting & Accessories...

FACTORY-DIRECT GLASS LINE DEBUTS FROM PROSPETTO.(Prospetto Light)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer DALLAS-Prospetto Light made its Dallas Lighting Market debut with a line of colorful, hand-blown glass fixtures from its factory in Poland. The company, a division of Spero Electric Corp., has supplied top European...

SUMMER VOCATION; MANUFACTURERS ARE BUSIER THAN EVER WITH THIS SEASON'S TRADE SHOWS AS THEY TRY TO EXPAND THEIR PRESENCE.
July 3, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor, with contributions by Allison Zisko NEW YORK-As the summer gift show season gets under way, manufacturers are looking to cover all their bases with increased presence at some markets and an inaugural presence...

DINNERWARE SHOPPERS GO FOR FAMILIAR PATTERNS.
July 3, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-Tabletop consumers went for the tried and true when shopping during the first part of this year: Well-established bone china dinnerware, equally long-standing glassware patterns and solid-colored housewares...

EBAY LAUNCHES COLLECTOR SITES.(ebay.com/mycollectibles)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... LAS VEGAS-EBay has launched two new destinations-MyCollectibles and Collector's Corner-to make it easier for collectors to showcase, discover and connect with others who share similar collecting interests. MyCollectibles, at...

WINDS OF CHANGE; FAN MAKERS ARE CREATING MORE PRODUCTS FOR THE PATIO AS PART OF THE OUTDOOR LIVING TREND.
July 3, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Fan sales have been a breeze leading into the summer season, as home comfort makers continue to capitalize on the growing outdoor living trend with new patio fans. A handful of fan makers that have...

GERMAN GADGET MAKER LURCH FINDS NICHE.(markets)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-A good example of the difference between U.S. and European housewares companies-and a good reason to find a U.S. distributor-is illustrated in the tale of a new ice cream scoop from a German kitchen gadget...

SUPPLIERS EXPAND OUTDOOR COOKING OPTIONS.(living trend)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-For consumers embracing the outdoor living trend, high-end grills are the centerpiece of the premium outdoor kitchen. The typical barbecuer cooks out about once a week during July and August, according...

MACY'S CULINARY COUNCIL MAKES NATIONWIDE DEBUT.(Macy's Culinary Council)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... NEW YORK-Macy's has formed the Macy's Culinary Council, made up of leading culinary professionals, to serve as the face of Macy's Culinary and Housewares divisions. The council consists of chefs Govind Armstrong, Rick Bayless, Elizabeth...

KITCHENAID MAKES NUMBER OF MOVES THROUGHOUT APPLIANCE LINES.
July 3, 2006... BENTON HARBOR Mich.-KitchenAid continues to build on the popularity of professional-quality appliances with its new blenders, is offering new toasters and is getting into a new product category with slow cookers. The new products were...

APPLIANCE WORLD READY FOR BIG PUSH.(Don Galloway, The Home Depot Inc.)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick Denver-Don Galloway, who helped push The Home Depot into major appliances, is looking to steal Denver-area market share from his former employer-as well as Lowe's and Sears-with a new appliance and electronics...

SAMSUNG'S FIFTH ANNUAL CHARITY GALA RINGS UP NEARLY $1 MILLION.(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope Fifth Annual Charity Gala was a hot ticket here last week, drawing a sellout crowd at Tavern on the Green to raise nearly $1 million. The newest charity sponsor was former...

REPORT: FURNITURE, APPLIANCE SALES SLUMP ON HORIZON; ARCHSTONE CONSULTING PREDICTS THAT THE EFFECT OF RISING INTEREST RATES ON CREDIT CARDS AND THE HIGHER GAS PRICES WILL PROMPT A NEED TO FOCUS ON THE NECESSITIES.
July 3, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick STAMFORD, Conn.-Furniture and appliance retailers may be facing a slow second half of 2006 due to the triple threat of waning personal consumer savings, rising interest rates and a weakening housing market. ...

LIQUIDITY LEVELS DROP AT TOP HOME RETAILERS.(Bed, Bath and Beyond Inc.)(Best Buy Company Inc.)(Office Depot Inc.)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Home furnishings retailers have seen some dry times of late, as liquidity levels for a number of top players decreased for the most recent quarter. The total average quick ratio for the top 10 publicly...

THE INSIDE STORY.
July 3, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine The Helmsley Palace was the place to be for a fete for the new design book du jour, "Designing the Hamptons: Portraits of Interiors." Hosted by Mayer Rus of House & Garden, who penned the introduction to the book...

BELLYING UP TO BARWARE.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Drinkware and bar accessory sales may be a bit shaken, but things are still stirring in the category.

HFNDEX: CONFIDENCE IS CLIMBING.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Nathan Weber NEW YORK-Retail executives' confidence in the economy rose during the second quarter, after having declined notably in the first quarter. Confidence is now at its highest level since the first quarter of 2005. ...

THE HIGH COST OF HIGH COSTS.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... NEW YORK-It's the perfect storm of raw materials: The price of virtually everything used to make home furnishings-from aluminum to zinc-continues to rise with no end in sight. After perhaps two decades of relatively stable raw material...

HOME PAGE.(home furnishings industry )
July 10, 2006... A Look Ahead The Consumer Confidence Index for July will be released by The Conference Board on July 25. The TJX Cos. will report second-quarter earnings on Aug. 15. Maison & Objet will be held at Paris-Nord Villepinte in Paris...

HOME GOODS SALES OFF TO A SLUGGISH START FOR THE SUMMER.
July 10, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Summer is off to a slow start for home goods retailers as June same-store sales were nearly cut in half from the prior month. Home retailers for June had a total average 2.7 percent comparable-store...

SAFEGUARD ISSUE LINGERING OVER VIETNAM TRADE LEGISLATION.
July 10, 2006... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON-Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said the issue of a possible textiles safeguard amendment looms over legislation that would give Vietnam permanent normal trade relations status. ...

WELSPUN ACQUIRES CHRISTY PARENT.(CHT Holdings Ltd)(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... MUMBAI, India-In a deal that has been valued at about $28 million, Welspun India has acquired an 85 percent interest in CHT Holdings Ltd., the parent company of Christy ghmb, Christy USA and Christy UK. The existing Christy management team...

JARDEN CORP. NAMES ENG SENIOR VP OF OPERATIONS.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... RYE, N.Y.-Fred Eng has joined Jarden Corp. as senior vice president of operations. In this new position, Eng is responsible for leading initiatives designed to strengthen Jarden's effectiveness on a global basis. He will be based at the...

WTO'S LAMY SET TO DEAL WITH DOHA TRADE CRISIS.(World Trade Organization)(Pascal Lamy)
July 10, 2006... Byline: John Zarocostas GENEVA-Pascal Lamy, director general of the World Trade Organization, kicked off a month of "shuttle" diplomacy, meeting Japan's prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, in Tokyo last week to try to get the Doha trade...

LETTERS.(Letter to the editor)
July 10, 2006... HISTORY LESSON To the editor, Obviously, being in the rug industry I enjoy your floor covering section, and your cover stories, industry stories, etc. I also enjoy reading your own opinions section. But besides the obvious places, my...

LNT LOSES THREE HOME GMMS.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... CLIFTON, N.J.-Linens 'n Things has lost a trio of general merchandising managers. Loretta Groller, senior vice president and GMM of textiles; Paula Paquette, division vice president and GMM of furniture and wall art; and Pat Dove, division...

FORMER LENOX EXECUTIVES JOIN WEDGWOOD.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... NEW YORK-Lou Scala, former chief merchandising officer of Lenox Brands, and Michael Craig, former vice president and brand manager of Lenox tabletop, have joined competitor Wedgwood, according to sources within the company. Their exact titles...

DAN RIVER NAMES GEHM SENIOR VP OF SALES, MARKETING.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... ATLANTA-Dan River Inc. has hired Bob Gehm, a former senior executive at WestPoint Stevens, as senior vice president of sales and marketing, retail and institutional. Gehm, who was most recently president of Sheridan, will report to Dan...

MICHAEL'S TO BE SOLD FOR $6 BILLION TO BAIN, BLACKSTONE GROUP.(Bain Capital)(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... IRVING, Texas-Michael's, the nation's largest arts and crafts retailer, will be sold to two equity firms, Bain Capital and the Blackstone Group. In a statement announcing the sale, Michael's said that shareholders will receive $44 for each...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
July 10, 2006... Organizers of the Las Vegas Gourmet Housewares Show worked hard to present newness to retailers attending this week's show. July 14-18 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market AmericasMart Atlanta Atlanta ...

MATERIAL PRICES HIT HOME.(raw material price hits home furnishing industry)
July 10, 2006... Byline: HFN Staff Report NEW YORK-The sky-high cost of raw materials is making life extremely difficult for many home manufacturers. As the price of petrochemicals and metals continues to rise, manufacturers are choosing alternative...

THE GRAND TOUR.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine The Registry Resort & Club has just undergone a massive renovation designed by Robert Barry. With its brand-new name and look, The Naples Grand Resort & Club is the place to be for the ber-fashionable in sunny...

ROTISSERIE RETAILING.(Bed Bath and Beyond issues quarterly report)(Company overview)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg When Bed Bath & Beyond issued its typically stellar quarterly numbers a few days back, there was an absolutely fascinating aside buried in its conference call. Talking about the competitive nature of the retail...

A DRINKING PROBLEM? RISING COSTS AND A FOCUS ON EMPHASIZING PARTICULAR ITEMS RATHER THAN COLLECTIONS LED TO A SLOWDOWN IN SALES IN THE BARWARE CATEGORY.(Market overview)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Nathan Weber, Allison Zisko After a year of robust growth, especially for barware tools such as corkscrews, the barware industry slowed in 2005, a victim of rising costs, retailer consolidation resulting in the loss of stores and,...

RAISING RETAIL SPIRITS.
July 10, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau Wine-related items are helping to boost store sales in the segment Barware is making a splash at retail, fueled in part by an uptick in drinking and the ever-burgeoning interest in wine. "People are drinking...

SETTING A HIGH BAR; SOME SPRING INTRODUCTIONS CAN BE CATEGORIZED AS IMPULSE BUYS WHILE OTHERS ARE PACKAGED AND MARKETED AS GIFTS.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Barware introductions made during the spring trade shows, as well as the ones that will roll out during the upcoming gift show season, run the gamut from high-tech accessories to wine-specific stemware to novelty accoutrements. Although some of...

GLASS APPEAL: NPD TRACKS THE PATTERNS; WHETHER IT'S A BASIC ITEM OR A HIGH-END BRIDAL SELECTION, CONSUMERS KNOW WHAT THEY WANT.(Brief article)(Market overview)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko Tabletop vendors have noted a polarizing movement in consumer wine glass preferences, and that observation has been born out by a study of wine glass patterns purchased between January and March of this year at...

POURING IT ON; A STUDY FINDS THAT AMERICANS ARE DRINKING MORE WINE THAN EVER.
July 10, 2006... Byline: David Weiner Call it the little grape that could. A new study by the Wine Market Council, Americans are now drinking more wine than ever before. Despite taking a dip in the 1990s, the arrival of the new millennium heralded an...

A VINE TIME AT FORTUNOFF.(Howard Miller)(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Howard Miller partnered with Fortunoff earlier this year on a wine tasting to celebrate the manufacturer's new collection of Wine & Spirits furnishings. Howard Miller launched the collection of cabinets, bars, consoles and barstools last...

A RESIN FOR EVERYTHING; HIGHER COSTS HAVEN'T STOPPED BATH ACCESSORY SUPPLIERS FROM USING THE MATERIAL IN THEIR COLLECTIONS.
July 10, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-The higher cost of resin hasn't stopped bath accessory suppliers from turning to the material for their collections. "No other medium in bath accessories offers us so many creative design options,"...

PACIFIC COAST TO RELEASE NEW SALES PROGRAM.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... SEATTLE-To help its vendors maximize their sales, Pacific Coast Feather Co. will launch a new selling system at the Las Vegas Market later this month. The Selections Selling System combines assortment creation, in-store displays and an...

PRESENCE IN MIND; SUPPLIERS AT THE ATLANTA GIFT MARKET EXPECT MORE FOCUSED BUYERS WHO HAVE DETERMINED THIS EVENT BEST SUITS THEIR NEEDS.
July 10, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-Rug vendors participating in the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market are expecting a smaller, more focused crowd, noting their buyers, much like the area rug buyers, are having to make...

INDUSTRY GETS MIXED MESSAGES DOING BUSINESS WITH IRAN.
July 10, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-The desire for Iran's current regime to become a player in the nuclear game is being met with mixed reactions not simply from the citizens of the country, but by importers in the rug business who look to do...

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.(rugs collections on geographical basis)(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-The catch phrase of the real estate business is gaining new meaning as rug vendors are not just looking to foreign lands for inspiration, but giving credit where credit is due. New collections are...

CURTIS PUBLISHING TO UNVEIL VINTAGE WALL DECOR LINE.
July 10, 2006... LAS VEGAS-Nostalgia is a powerful feeling, one that seems to sell a lot of artwork. Recognizing that images from bygone eras evoke strong reactions, and hoping to cash in on this, Curtis Publishing is offering retailers a full line of...

THE FIXTURE PRICE INCREASES ARE IN; THE SKYROCKETING COSTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND FUEL SURCHARGES HAVE LED TO THE HIKES IN THE SEGMENT.(Industry overview)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer NEW YORK-Caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place, lighting vendors have been raising wholesale prices on virtually all light fixtures. The increases amount to between 3 percent and 5 percent on certain...

ALA FIGHTS FOR INDUSTRY.(American Lighting Association fights against Energy Act of 2005)
July 10, 2006... DALLAS-In an unusually busy year, the American Lighting Association is fighting legislative and legal battles on both coasts. At press time, the ALA was awaiting a ruling from the U.S. Department of Energy on limiting torchiere wattage to...

ATLANTA OFFERS SOME SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY; THE RANGE OF PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY ILLUSTRATES HOW THE INTERNATIONAL GIFT & HOME FURNISHINGS MARKET HAS RISEN IN IMPORTANCE.
July 10, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor ATLANTA-The products on hand at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market here this week illustrate why this show has become second in importance for the tabletop industry to the New York tabletop...

ENESCO NAMES CHAIRMAN, KEEPS JIM SHORE DESIGNS.(Jim Shore Designs Inc)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor ITASCA, III.-During a town meeting for investors late last month, Basil Elliott, Enesco's newly appointed president and chief executive officer, named Leonard Campanaro chairman of the board. He succeeds...

INDUSTRY SEES REVOLVING DOOR AS EXECUTIVES CHANGE COMPANIES.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor NEW YORK-There's been a few changes in the tabletop world lately, with some industry veterans popping up in new companies and a few others heading out the door. Roxy Gerber, Oneida's national tabletop...

ATLANTA TO HOST A VARIETY OF HOT EVENTS FOR JULY GIFT SHOW.
July 10, 2006... ATLANTA-They don't call it "Hot-lanta" for nothing: July's International Gift & Home Furnishings Market is featuring more than 50 special market events and promotions for attendees to make their time more educational, informative and fun. Here...

PICTURE THESE: FRAMES COME ON STRONG.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor ATLANTA-Whether on display in the showrooms of the companies that specialize in the product, or a small part of a manufacturer's assortment, pictures frames will be abundant at this week's Atlanta International...

UMBRA CEO: PLASTICS IN A DRASTIC STATE.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-The plastics picture is grim, said Les Mandelbaum, co-founder and president of Umbra. Most manufacturers are unable to pass on price increases and innovation is suffering, he said. "It has to do...

HOME DCOR PRODUCTS LAUNCHES WEB SITE CHEFSCORNER.COM.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... EDISON, N.J.-Home Dcor Products Inc. launched ChefsCorner.com, a retail Web site offering high-end items for the kitchen. Home Dcor is an online retailer of home improvement products and the new Web site is its seventh home e-tail space,...

A PASSAGE TO INDIA ; EXECUTIVES TRAVEL TO THE COUNTRY TO EXPLORE THE SCENE AND MEET THE CONSUMERS THERE.(Market overview)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-Western-style retailing is poised to take off in India as a new generation employed in the booming technology industry flexes its economic power, a situation that offers opportunities for U.S. housewares...

BUTTER-RELATED ITEMS ARE SPREADING FORTH.
July 10, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor LAS VEGAS-Who would have thought that butter required so many products? The entrepreneurs who tackled cold spreads that rip breads and messy corn-on-the-cob application, that's who. Two products-the...

AHAM: HOME COMFORT SHIPMENTS HEAT UP; RISING TEMPERATURES HELPED BOOST THE NUMBERS FOR MAY.(Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Home comfort shipments rose with the thermometer, as shipments leading into the summer season saw double-digit gains, helping to lift the overall major appliance category. Manufacturers' domestic...

ROYAL SOVEREIGN STEPS INTO DISHWASHERS WITH NEW PREMIUM COUNTERTOP MODEL.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick ROCKLEIGH, N.J.-Royal Sovereign is making its foray into the dishwasher category with the launch of a countertop unit. The home appliance maker plans to launch its countertop dishwasher at retail in the fourth...

SAMSUNG FEELING THE CRUNCH FROM OUTSIDE FACTORS.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-While the rising price of steel is one of the more visible issues among major appliance makers, it is not the only one, as Jeff Armstrong, Samsung's senior manager of its home appliance division, said the...

RETAIL FORWARD: RISING GAS COSTS BENEFIT SOME RETAILERS.
July 10, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick COLUMBUS, Ohio-While the price at the pump has hampered retail spending across various channels, mass supercenters and online sales have been something of an anomaly, actually benefiting from the impact of gas costs...

PAULSON GETS SENATE APPROVAL AS TREASURY SECRETARY; THE WALL STREET VETERAN WILL BECOME THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S CHIEF ECONOMIC SALESMAN DURING A PERIOD OF INFLATION CONCERNS.(Henry Paulson Jr)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON-The Senate recently approved the nomination of Henry Paulson Jr., who was chairman and chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs Group for seven years, to be the nation's next treasury secretary. With...