HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from July 2008

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from July 2008

MSLO's Lyne: Stewart likely to leave Kmart in '10.(home page)
July 7, 2008... NEW YORK -- Look for Martha Stewart to launch her brand at another major mass chain when her contract with Kmart ends in January 2010, Susan Lyne, president and chief executive officer of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, said during Bank of...

Mcllquham resigns from Sealy; Rogers takes over as interim CEO.(home page)
July 7, 2008... TRINITY, N.O. -- David McIlquham has resigned as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Sealy, the nation's number-one mattress manufacturer. Larry Rogers, president of Sealy North America, has assumed the post of interim CEO. ...

Chinni talks strategy as Fortunoff's new CEO.(news)
July 7, 2008... WESTBURY, N.Y. -- Charlie Chinni has a lot on his to-do list as the new chairman and chief executive officer of Fortunoff, the bankrupt home and jewelry retailer that was purchased this month by Lord & Taylor parent NRDC Equity Partners. ...

Spectrum, Remington parent, to explore sale of assets.(news)
July 7, 2008... ATLANTA -- Spectrum Brands, the parent company of the Remington brand of grooming products, has engaged financial advisers to help the company explore options, including the possible sale of some of its assets. In a filing with the U.S....

The China pricing syndrome: as the cost of production in the country escalates, vendors are forced to pass along increases to retailers.(in focus)(Cover story)
July 7, 2008... NEW YORK -- Remember the old comedy routine where the comedian would make an innocuous declaration like "Grandma's goiter was so big..." and the crowd would yell out, "How big was it?" Well, things are bad in China. "How bad are...

Las Vegas Market to feature Italian furniture exhibit in July.(news)
July 7, 2008... LAS VEGAS -- The World Market Center and Fiera Milano, a furniture exhibition center, will collaborate on an Italian furniture exhibit during the July Las Vegas Market. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Measuring 8,000 square feet, the exhibit...

41 Madison's Dixon to retire.(news)
July 7, 2008... NEW YORK -- Carole Dixon, the longtime senior vice president and director of showroom building 41 Madison, has announced her plans to retire. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "I decided it's time," she said. Dixon has no plans to go onto...

Retails of woe.(Opinion: HOME ALONE 2)
July 7, 2008... Item: Officials with the city of Paris, France, have turned down the apparel retailer H&M in its bid to build a new store on the famed Champs Elysees because it would "banalize" the street. You've got to love the French. Can you imagine any...

A home renaissance.(trends)
July 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Armani/Casa's most recent introductions, scheduled to hit furniture showrooms in the fall, are studies in contrast. Ivory white and black items explore the area between light and dark, while natural raw materials...

Georgia (and sales) on their minds: vendors at the Atlanta gift show will balance their assortments to maximize salability.(tabletop)
July 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ATLANTA -- If there was a magic pill that could help everyone shut out the negative news about the economy and everything else, those assembled for the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market here this...

Who's watching the kids?(opinions)
July 7, 2008... It is unusual for HFN to address family matters in the context of business reporting, but I recently happened upon a topic close to my own heart and, I'm guessing, close to some of yours as well. It's temporary child care, available at...

Bold and bright designs make their debut in Atlanta.(tabletop)
July 7, 2008... ATLANTA -- New products at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market here this week run the gamut from formal dinnerware collections to more whimsical designs and shapes. The popularity of tea-drinking continues, having inspired...

They'll drink to that: retailers and vendors remain enthusiastic about the category, despite only recording a slight sales gain.(BARWARE REPORT)
July 7, 2008... BARWARE SALES, MUCH LIKE THE REST of the tabletop categories, slowed down in 2007. Nonetheless, the business is a bright spot for many retailers. Overall barware sales, including glass and crystal drinkware, barware sets, decanters, ice...

Precidio presents ceramics.(tabletop)
July 7, 2008... ATLANTA -- Precidio, which recently began extending its offerings beyond melamine, is launching a ceramic dinnerware collection at the International Gift & Home Furnishings Market here this week. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Applying its...

Smart sourcing best practices.(opinions)
July 7, 2008... Direct international sourcing is a business imperative today for any progressive retailer or wholesaler in the home fashion business. Based on a few thousand meetings over the last 15 years, I have noticed a few common practices of companies...

Croscill's path: with Carl Legreca in charge of its products and a restructured front office, the company looks ahead.(textiles)
July 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- With a reconfigured Office of the President, Croscill is looking ahead to a challenging period in its history. The company has placed Carl Legreca, who now carries the title...

Revman pursues 'heirloom' consumer with line.(textiles)
July 7, 2008... NEW YORK -- With the recent launch of the licensed Antiques Roadshow quilt collection, Revman International is zeroing on consumers who say, "Old is beautiful." These are the consumers who are fans of "Antiques Roadshow," the...

Luxe life: Classic Rug Collection takes the upscale approach with its latest line, which features items made with pure silk.(floor covering)
July 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- With an eye to bring something to market that would set a standard even in the high-end segment, Classic Rug Collection has debuted a line of pure silk rugs appropriately titled The Luxe Collection. ...

Safavieh forms a new custom unit for mass.(floor covering)
July 7, 2008... PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. -- Safavieh has created a new Custom Mass Market Division to address demand from large rug retailers for private-label and customized programs. The division will be headquartered in offices at the company's warehouse...

Karastan takes charity to 'heart'.(floor covering)
July 7, 2008... NEW YORK -- Karastan stepped up to support its 2007 "Statement Maker" Mariska Hargitay and The Joyful Heart Foundation, the charity founded by Hargitay in 2004, for their first benefit gala. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Joyful Heart's...

Domotex middle east shows growth potential at May event.(floor covering)
July 7, 2008... DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Domotex Middle East witnessed a growth in exhibitors in this, its third year, topping the 280 mark, with participants coming from 36 nations for the recent spring show. In total, nearly 6,500 trade visitors...

Dallas mavericks: at the market, vendors and retailers discussed different ideas toward building up business amid a difficult economy.(furniture & lighting)
July 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DALLAS -- Buyers combing the Dallas Market for new products found just a handful of introductions, perhaps due to the anticipated lack of audience, but also because January releases are still just trickling in from...

New online marketplace looks to be a 'ray of light'.(furniture & lighting)
July 7, 2008... TEL AVIV, Israel -- A new online community and marketplace that enables independent retailers to meet and buy from fashion designers from around the world has launched and is eager to woo Americans. The service, called Erayo, or "ray of...

Strength in unity: after the merger, Applica presents a unified look as it launches new products for the holidays.(housewares)
July 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Salton and Applica, whose merger was finalized just before this past New Year's, are one fully integrated company that can focus solely on growth. That's the view advanced by Evanghela Hidalgo,...

Hampton forging ahead in cutlery.(housewares)
July 7, 2008... EATONTOWN, N.J.--Flatware manufacturer Hampton Forge has been ranked as one of the top five cutlery brands in terms of dollar sales last year, according to a recent survey by The NPD Group. The ranking places it alongside longtime cutlery...

Designed for growth: sales in small electrics rose in 2007.(housewares)
July 7, 2008... CHICAGO -- Small electrics bucked the downward trend in home furnishings by posting a dollar sales increase last year, according to new research by the NPD Group. For 2007 overall, dollar sales of small appliances rose 4.5 percent, despite...

Students make the grade in simplehuman contest.(housewares)
July 7, 2008... LOS ANGELES -- An-sink dish mat became the first-place winner in the second-annual "simple solutions student design competition" sponsored by simplehuman, the designer and manufacturer of cleaning, organization and recycling products....

MMPI names Mitchell IHFC CEO, announces other exec changes.(news)
July 7, 2008... HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Tom Mitchell has been named president and chief executive officer of the International Home Furnishings Center. Mitchell will assume responsibilities for all of the operations of IHFC, reporting to the company's board of...

Pier 1 withdraws offer to buy cost plus.(news)
July 7, 2008... FORT WORTH, Texas-Pier 1 Imports has withdrawn its proposal to buy rival Cost Plus for $88.4 million. Cost Plus had rebuffed the offer, saying it would go against the best interest of its shareholders. The combined retailer would have...

J.C. Penney reduces capital expenditures.(news)
July 7, 2008... PIANO, Texas -- J.C. Penney offered an update on what it calls its bridge plan--a strategy to weather the sluggish macroenvironment--which includes a further reduction in capital expenditures for 2009 to approximately $650 million, versus $1...

Metropolitan Home launches spinoff Fulcrum.(news)
July 7, 2008... NEW YORK -- Metropolitan Home has launched Fulcrum, a trade magazine for architects and designers with a twist. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The spinoff magazine, which launched last month, is designed to offer the latest information on the...

Waterford Wedgwood may sell Rosenthal.(news)
July 7, 2008... DUBLIN, Ireland -- Waterford Wedgwood is considering the possible sale of Rosenthal, the company said. It confirmed the news following European media reports speculating on the sale. Waterford Wedgwood has appointed JPMorgan Cazenove to...

Dallas lights up the night.(HFend)
July 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Dallas Lighting Market featured many festivities, from designer appearances and cocktail parties to a golf tournament and poolside party at the Anatole, sponsored by the Dallas Market...

Canasta, anyone?(HFend)
July 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Elle Decor and retailer Montage recently hosted a preview of B&B Italia's new Canasta outdoor collection at the contemporary furniture supplier's Boston showroom. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Analysts: Bed Bath could benefit from linens' closings.(home page)
July 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- Bed Bath & Beyond is expected to be the biggest beneficiary of the 120 Linens 'n Things store closings this summer as it gains shoppers and possibly profit margins in markets where the bankrupt chain is hanging "for sale" signs,...

Correction.(home page)(Correction notice)
July 14, 2008... Due to a printing error, the stories that appeared on pages 3 and 4 of the July 7, 2008, issue of HFN were incorrect. The correct stories appear on our Web site, hfnmag.corn.

Gift fair cut from a different cloth.(NYGIF PREVIEW)
July 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- For vendors of upper-end textiles products, this summer's New York International Gift Fair offers a chance to both pull in some business and increase their exposure. It will also be the first Gill Fair held since the...

Suppliers and little demand: HFN's annual Top 50 Vendors report shows less-than-stellar results for approximately half of the leading manufacturers.(in focus: top 50 manufacturers of home products)
July 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- It may not have been the worst of times, but it certainly was nowhere near the best. There's no other way to put it: 2007 was a cruel year for most home furnishings producers. HFN's exclusive annual look at the Top 50 Vendors...

Two for the money.(HOME ALONE 2)
July 14, 2008... As if to magically answer my lament in this space last time about the lack of creativity and freshness in retailing, two stores have recently opened in Manhattan that successfully address that point and prove that retailing ain't done yet. ...

Floor planning: at the Atlanta market, vendors will be looking to stave off the impact of the downturn in the economy.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ATLANTA -- It's a relatively safe bet the vast majority of business meetings this week at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market roll include lengthy chats about the economy overall and its potential for...

Rug Company joins forces with RugMark on its initiatives.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... WASHINGTON -- The Rug Company has placed heavy focus on making its business as socially conscious as possible with the addition of third-party ethical audits of its overall business practices, including its new status as a licensee of the...

New territory for Oriental Weavers.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ATLANTA -- Oriental Weavers ups its ante this market with the first product from its broadloom and underlay programs. The company said the launch of the product categories has generated excitement among its...

Companies get into the mix of things in New York.(NYIGF PREVIEW)
July 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- Rug companies setting up shop at the New York International Gift Fair next month are looking forward to the mix of product and buyers the show offers. Repeat customers said the attention to the accessories part of the home...

Feizy revamps its designer sample series.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... DALLAS -- Following the success of its initial Designer Series Sample Program, Feizy has moved ahead with a new version of the rack system that expands upon the benefits of the original. "It has enabled our clients with limited space to...

Red rocks on.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... ATLANTA -- It's a shade that never disappears from this category, but it does indeed go through changes. This season is showing a lot of richer, warmer cranberry shades than the brighter reds of seasons past. Surely, the cycle will keep...

Sweet celadon.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... ATLANTA -- Lighter and brighter than the icy greens and blues of recent seasons, the yellow-toned celadon green is popping up in a variety of places, from the traditional to the very casual. The hue manages to be cheerful, while still...

Marrakech express.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- The rich history of area rug design naturally leads to strong cultural influences from key locales around the globe. Among them is a growing Moroccan aesthetic, from designs that echo the bold tiles used throughout the region to...

Casual living.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- More consumers are creating a more livable home life with products and an overall decor that's light on formality and heavy on comfort. However, that doesn't mean sacrificing style and quality. As these and other companies are...

Zen palette.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- It's common knowledge that a person's surroundings have the power to positively or negatively affect their mood. It makes perfect sense then to offer consumers the opportunity to literally purchase a little bit of personal peace for...

New traditions.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- Much like the definition of contemporary expanded to include softer colors and lines, the definition of traditional has witnessed some alterations as well. Some companies have even taken to labeling programs using traditional motifs...

Welspun steps into rug business with new manufacturing facility in tow.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- Welspun is crossing categories and banking on a bigger future with the addition of floor coverings to its product roster and a brand-new manufacturing facility to feed the growth. The first products to come from the new...

1 Sharda.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... 1 Sharda Vibrant shades from the countryside help an overblown, more modern floral stay true to its name in the France pattern from Sharda. The company has created an array of bold florals, often adding a strong use of carving and high-low...

2 Champo Carpets.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... 2 Champo Carpets For its Modern collection of rugs, Champo Carpets uses rich hues and traditional weaving techniques to lend authenticity to more contemporary patterns. The hand-tufted line includes varied styles: from classic,...

3 Extraweave.(floor covering)
July 14, 2008... 3 Extraweave Extraweave focuses on flatwoven rugs in natural fibers like wool, jute, sisal and banana fiber, with some synthetics finding their way into the mix as well. The floral pattern shown here is part of the company's jute line of...

The gift fair that keeps on giving: housewares vendors find the New York show offers plenty of opportunity to do even more business.(NYIGF PREVIEW)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- With the majority of housewares shows and product introductions for the year behind them, the housewares manufacturers headed to next month's New York International Gift Fair still feel that this gift...

Is there another acquisition on tap for Jarden?(housewares)
July 14, 2008... BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Commenting on the state of the Consumer Solutions division in an interview with HFN, Jarden's Andrew Hill, president of the division, hinted that the company may bolster its housewares business with another acquisition--the...

1 Mastrad.(housewares)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 Mastrad This new steamer set from Orka allows the home chef to rinse, steam, serve, store and reheat all in one. Three pieces are included, such as a family-size bowl that can go straight from oven to table and...

2 BagelPod.(housewares)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 BagelPod Available in three color combinations--red and black, creme and black, and burgundy and black--the BagelPod allows for safe bagel slicing due to the locking of the side covers once the handle is moved...

3 Importika.(housewares)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 3 Importika For those consumers who have urgent espresso desires on the go, the Handpresso Wild allows them to make espresso in the palms of their hands. Retailing for $150, it uses Easy Serving Espresso pods,...

4 Lancaster Colony.(housewares)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 4 Lancaster Colony The Marinex bakeware line grows with several new items that allow for ease of food storage as well. Items such as oval, square and rectangular glass roasters are now available in a set with...

5 Hampton Forge.(housewares)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 5 Hampton Forge The new Kendo collection--Kendo means "way of the sword" in Japanese--from Hampton Forge has a clean, Asian feel and was inspired in part by the influence of Chinese and Japanese designers in the...

Will things pick up? Despite some sales growth, vendors are still concerned about future prospects.(FLOOR CARE REPORT)
July 14, 2008... MUCH LIKE MOST HOME FURNISHINGS categories, the floor-care products market is struggling for any sales growth it can achieve. In the workhorse upright segment, vendors have the trend toward higher prices to thank for achieving relatively...

Mass and club appeal: the two retail channels dominate as the places to go for products.(FLOOR CARE REPORT)
July 14, 2008... Mass merchants and warehouse clubs remain the dominant retail channel for floor-care products, according to HFN's research into this product category. For three out of the four product segments probed by HFN, the discount channel is far...

Presents on the mind: upscale items on display at the New York International Gift Fair.(NYIGF PREVIEW)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Retailers searching for high-end tabletop will have an easier time finding it during the New York International Gift Fair next month. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GLM has reorganized the tabletop...

Pandigital, Umbra go in on frame deal.(tabletop)
July 14, 2008... DUBLIN, Calif. -- Pandigital, one of the leading digital photo frame manufacturers, has partnered with Umbra on a select group of frames for specific retailers. The frames, which will be delivered in mid-August, will be co-branded with the...

Gift conference scheduled on Sanibel Island.(tabletop)
July 14, 2008... GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Gift and Home Trade Association will hold its sixth annual conference on Sanibel Island, Fla., from Nov. 20 to 22. Designed to provide educational and networking opportunities for all participants in the gift and...

Tuned in: RTA makers have keyed in on the latest trends in media and entertainment furniture with added features.(furniture & lighting)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Today's media and entertainment furniture solutions are designed to be adaptable for rapidly changing technology. Ready-to-assemble furniture manufacturers have found ways...

Vendors eager to take a bite of the Big Apple.(NYIGF PREVIEW)
July 14, 2008... NEW YORK -- For many furniture, lighting and decorative accessories vendors, the Big Apple is the place to be, especially in August. For this edition of the New York International Gift Fair and its At Home division at piers 92 and 94,...

Former Target CEO Ken Macke dies.(news)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NAPA VALLEY, Calif. -- Ken Macke, the former chairman and chief executive officer of the Dayton Hudson Corp., now Target Corp., died June 28 near his home in Napa, Calif., from Parkinson's disease. He was 69. ...

Cost Plus invokes shareholder rights agreement to Guard against takeovers.(news)
July 14, 2008... OAKLAND, Calif. -- After rebuffing Pier 1 Imports' acquisition offer, Cost Plus has approved the renewal of its preferred shares rights agreement, also known as "a poison pill," through June 30, 2013. Cost Plus' board of directors...

7 W to launch International Buyers Day.(news)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- As part of 7 W New York's Shop Early event at the start of New York Home Textiles Market Week and the New York Gift Week, 7 W New York will focus on international buyers on Friday, Aug. 15, to recognize...

Trade show calendar.(news)(Calendar)
July 14, 2008... july 15-21 LA Mart Gift & Home Furnishings Market LA Mart Los Angeles (213) 763-5811 mmart.com 17-20 Decoration + Design Melbourne Exhibition Center, Southbank Melbourne, Australia ...

A piece of the auction.(HFend)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Elle Decor and Lexus brought together designers, socialites and young collectors at the iconic auction house Christie's. The shelter book hosted a pre-auction cocktail party at Christie's Interiors to offer young...

Furniture frolic.(HFend)
July 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams garnered plenty of attention with the new "Our model. Exposed." ad campaign. The company put revealing outtakes, including this one, from the photo shoot on its Web site, mgandbw.com.

NRDC plans on bringing Fortunoff stores to the Bay.(home page)
July 28, 2008... NEW YORK -- NRDC Equity Partners' plan for its recently acquired Hudson's Bay includes rolling out Fortunoff-branded home stores and Lord & Taylor shops to the Bay, HBC's department store chain. NRDC, headed up by Chief Executive Officer...

HFNdex shows executive confidence inches up, but remains mostly bleak.(home page)
July 28, 2008... NEW YORK -- Executive confidence among retailers and manufacturers of home furnishings inched up in the second quarter, but remained well below an optimistic level. The HFNdex, a proprietary measure based on a poll of senior executives in...

Retailers tighten belts for a bumpy ride.(news)
July 28, 2008... NEW YORK -- The struggling economy has retailers in retrenchment mode. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Faced with a perfect storm of negatives--the recession, soaring gas prices and the housing market malaise--retailer chains ranging from Home...

Fireworks in Frankfurt: Fanfare welcomes Decorate Life show.(news)
July 28, 2008... FRANKFURT, Germany -- Fireworks and Fourth of July fare such as hot dogs and corn on the cob kicked off the first evening of Decorate Life, Messe Frankfurt's new trade show concept, as the show organizers recognized the American holiday earlier...

Trade show calendar.(news)(Calendar)
July 28, 2008... july 28-8/1 Las Vegas World Market World Market Center Las Vegas (888) 416-8600 lasvegasmarket.com august 12-14 DIRECTION: International Textile Design Show Penn Plaza Pavilion New York (973)...

What's in stores for the fall.(trends)
July 28, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Retailers are touting merchandise with sleek designs and an arty edge for fall. During holiday preview events, upscalers Bloomingdale's, Fortunoff, The Conran Shop, the MoMA De-sign Store and Bergdorf Goodman...

Shop Shift.(HOME ALONE 2)
July 28, 2008... I call it "Shop Shift," but you should call it one of the biggest fundamental changes in the way people shop since the emergence of the modern big-box category killer 20 years ago. Up until very recently, we knew where people shopped. From...

Viva Las Vegas.
July 28, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] July in Vegas gets even hotter with this week's summer market. Hot products, hot new exhibition spaces in Building C and "Hot Legs" singer Rod Stewart--Las Vegas Market will be smokin'. But don't worry about being...

Much to 'C' in Vegas: with the grand opening of the third showroom building, the Las Vegas Market becomes more viable.(VIVA LAS VEGAS)
July 28, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE SUMMER EDITION OF LAS VEGAS Market kicks off this week with the inauguration of Building C, the third showroom venue on this 5-million-square-foot World Market Center campus. WMC officials and exhibitors have...

No rest for executives: the leadership ranks among the mattress industry have undergone a number of changes.(VIVA LAS VEGAS)
July 28, 2008... UNEASY LIES THE HEAD THAT WEARS the crown... in the mattress industry as well as in Shakespeare. Over the past year, the top executives at several of the mattress industry's largest firms have moved aside and made way for new blood. Most...