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

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

MAY MAY BE LETTING COOKIE-CUTTER CRUMBLE.(May Department Stores Company.)
June 2, 2003... GREENSBORO, N.C.-Is May Department Stores Co. unloading the matrix? The St. Louis-based department store conglomerate -- long known for its cookie-cutter stores and assortments born out of its tightly structured matrix buying system -- is...

THE RISE AND FALL...AND RISE AND FALL OF STROUDS.
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-"Will consumers go to a specialist versus a more diverse store?" asked David Kahn, president of Croscill Home Fashions, when questioned how Strouds, the linen specialist, could compete with big-box specialty stores. "I think they...

IT'S A MOD, MOD, MOD, MOD WORLD.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Modern looks from around the globe, including this tableau from Alpha Workshops, converged on New York at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. See Trends on page 6. Coverage also in Floor Covering and Furniture.

CORRECTION.
June 2, 2003... In the May 5 HFN List, the attendance qualifications for the events held at the Atlanta Market Center were incorrectly identified. AmericasMart Atlanta's shows are only open to the trade.

NEWS BRIEFS.(Business News.)
June 2, 2003... WAL-MART'S SOFT HOME DMM RETIRES Dick Fish, divisional merchandise manager of soft home at Wal-Mart, is retiring. Fish reported to Lois Mikita, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of home. Fish began his career in...

TARGET HAS PROTOTYPE STORE, CATEGORY GROWTH IN ITS SIGHTS.
June 2, 2003... MINNEAPOLIS-Target Stores will unveil a new single-entrance prototype in two markets in October with new visual elements and an updated merchandise mix "for the next century," said Bob Ulrich, chairman and chief executive officer of Target...

JONES IS NAMED TOP RETAILER AT IMAGE AWARDS.(George Jones)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-George Jones, chairman and chief executive officer of Saks Department Store Group, the traditional department store division of Saks Inc., was named Retailer of the Year by the American Apparel and Footwear Association at the 25th...

THE MOD SQUAD.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Light-colored finishes and woods, bright colors that glowed and low-slung seating were some of the strong looks from the latest installment of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Held at New York's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center,...

IHFC HALF FULL.(Home furnishings industry show)
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-Show organizers are finding it difficult to predict market attendance for the second half of the year, admitting that there are many factors affecting business, with some hoping that upgraded amenities will entice buyers. "There...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.
June 2, 2003... JUNE 10-12 Licensing 2003 International Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York (218) 723-9130 or (800) 331-5706 licensingshow.com 16 Home Fashion Products Association Annual Golf and Tennis Outing Glen Head...

ON SECOND THOUGHT, KEEP THE EGG POCKETS.(Cash-strapped airlines cut out meal service on most domestic flights and consider charging customers for meals)
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-As cash-strapped airlines began cutting out meal service on most domestic flights as a way to save money, a few have toyed with the idea of charging passengers for meals. Midwest Airlines and America West Airlines, among others, are...

GO WEST, YOUNG MAGAZINE: A NEW SHELTER BOOK BOWS.(Western Interiors is a new magazine)
June 2, 2003... LOS ANGELES-Where wide-open landscapes and crystalline light collide with brilliant architecture and new design -- that is the territory of Western Interiors, a new magazine that debuted on newsstands last month. Western Interiors founder...

BJ'S RENAMES PRIVATE-LABEL FURNITURE LINE.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... NATICK, Mass.-BJ's Wholesale Club will introduce a new private-label brand name for its furniture collection. The Willow Lane moniker will replace the Berkley & Jensen label, which currently appears on everything from paper towels to baby...

ICONS IN THE MAKING.
June 2, 2003... I just saw the new Renee Zellweger movie, "Down With Love," a romantic comedy set in the 1960s. It's a cute story, but what really pops out is the great bright colors and the style of the '60s in both clothing as well as home furnishings. ...

TERRYMANDERING.(Federated's move to co-brand all of its stores with the Macy's name (save for Bloomie's) is discussed)
June 2, 2003... I love this plan. When Federated announced it was co-branding all of its stores with the Macy's name (save for Bloomie's, the store like no other), I nearly stood up and cheered. The Feds finally got one right. It wasn't exactly a huge...

HIGHER CALLING; THREAD COUNTS ARE ON THE RISE IN SHEETS AT THE BIG THREE DISCOUNT CHAINS.
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-Martha Stewart is changing her sheets, and she's not the only one. At Kmart this spring, the Martha Stewart Everyday collection will feature 250-thread-count, cotton-rich sheets on her 4-Star Mix and Match collection and...

PANTONE MAKES COLORFUL STATEMENT WITH SYSTEM CHANGE.(Pantone revamps Pantone Textile Color System )
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-It just got easier for designers to find that perfect color. Pantone has revamped its Pantone Textile Color System so that colors are truer and the system is better organized. The system, intended for the fashion, home furnishings...

PALETTES' NATURAL PROGRESSION.(Mellow and natural are buzzwords for Pantone's 2004 color trend forecast for home furnishings industry)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Mellow and natural are the buzzwords for Pantone's 2004 color trend forecast for the home furnishings industry. The trend of Americans simplifying their lives and seeking a more balanced, organic lifestyle has influenced the palettes that...

DAN RIVER ADDS NEW DIMENSION TO COMFORTER ENSEMBLE SELECTION.
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-Dan River has dropped its Marquis Estates comforter ensemble program to make way for its new comforter set under the Supreme Dimensions label. Louis Casali, vice president of sales for Dan River, said the company will continue to...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Duralee Fabrics appoints Southwest sales manager; notes other news)
June 2, 2003... DURALEE ADDS SALES MANAGER Duralee Fabrics has appointed Tom Paonessa to the newly created position of Southwest sales manager. In that post, Paonessa has supervision for sales in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico. He was previously...

NEWS BRIEF.(Hellenic Rug Imports has appointed Steve Roan vice president; Kas Oriental Rugs offers runner program)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... HELLENIC TAPS ROAN AS VICE PRESIDENT Hellenic Rug Imports has appointed Steve Roan vice president, a new position. Roan most recently held a senior management position at Central Oriental, and has also held positions at Shaw Rugs and...

BEGINNERS' PLUCK; NEW ICFF RUG EXHIBITORS SHOW SOME CREATIVE SPIRIT WITH LIVELY DESIGNS.
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-They may have been first-time rug exhibitors at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, but thrilling designs signaled that these newcomers were at home among the adventurous designers that make this show so cutting edge. ...

STUDY: COTTON LESS IMPORTANT IN BUYING ACCENT, BATH RUGS.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-When it comes to bath and accent rugs, suppliers say that a cotton fiber construction is not the main selling point. A recent study from Cotton Incorporated showed that 59 percent of consumers care if their bath and accent rugs are...

SHOWING A SOFTER SIDE; NATURAL AND TRADITIONAL STYLES ARE THIS YEAR'S SURPRISES AT THE CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE FAIR.
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-The vibrancy and vitality of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair always comes from the element of the unexpected, and the 2003 edition held last month at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center here did not disappoint. But...

THE LIGHTING REPORT.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... The lighting business grew to $4.8 billion at retail in 2002. Lamps posted the biggest gain, 6.3 percent. Fixture imports surged 18.4 percent. Seven of the top 10 retailers posted gains in lighting, six of them in the double digits.

LIGHTING STRIKES AGAIN.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Welcome to HFN's third annual Lighting Report, the only comprehensive volume of pertinent statistics on the lamp, fixture and bulb business. This year, lighting executives who claim their category to be recession-proof were proven right....

A SHINING STAR.
June 2, 2003... Lighting proved to be a bright area in the home sector in 2002. Although many home furnishings segments faltered last year in a troubled economy and a tough prewar environment, total retail sales of residential lighting grew by a healthy 5...

TURNING ON THE LAMPS.
June 2, 2003... Lamp industry executives have always claimed that their product category is "recession-proof." Last year, they were proven right. The retail market for portable lamps grew at a rate of 6.3 percent to nearly top the $2 billion mark in 2002,...

THE FIXTURES ARE IN.
June 2, 2003... The retail market for residential lighting fixtures grew by 4.3 percent in 2002 to $2.8 billion, up from $2.7 billion the year before, according to exclusive HFN research. Closely tied to the housing market, including new home construction...

NO LIGHTWEIGHTS HERE.
June 2, 2003... Luminaries, stars of the lighting business: These are the top retailers of this flourishing category. In HFN's third annual exclusive ranking, seven of the top 10 players posted gains in lighting sales, with six of the gains in double...

A POWER SOURCE FROM THE FAR EAST.
June 2, 2003... Imports of lighting fixtures and portable lamps increased significantly in 2002, according to revised figures provided by the U.S. Commerce Department. For the lighting fixture category, imports jumped by 18.4 percent in 2002 to $1.7...

A CATEGORY BURNING BRIGHTLY.
June 2, 2003... The retail market for light bulbs, estimated at $2.1 billion for the 12 months ended in February 2002, grew at a rate of 8 percent, according to syndicated data provided to HFN. February 2002 was the last time data was available for food, drug,...

CONSERVING STRENGTH.(Increasing number of residential lighting products qualify for the Energy Star program)
June 2, 2003... Awareness of energy savings has grown, and so has the number of residential light fixtures, lamps and bulbs on the market today. The biggest measure of this growth is the increasing number of products that qualify for the Energy Star...

A PRETTY PICTURE; BASIC FRAMES WERE LAYERED WITH FASHION AT THE STATIONERY SHOW.(National Stationery Show )
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-Retailers were seeking to strengthen their core frame assortments and add some fashion looks at last month's National Stationery Show here, according to manufacturers. "People are looking to layer in their core selection with...

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING TEAMS WITH TIENSHAN ON DINNERWARE.
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-What would a person who reads Good Housekeeping want in a dinnerware collection? "Women want performance and function [in a dinnerware line] and they want it to look great. They want to set a beautiful table at an affordable...

METAL MANUFACTURERS PONDER POSSIBILITIES OF LICENSING DEALS.(Wilton Armetale unveiled licensed Designer Series of serveware at spring tabletop market )(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-Now that Wilton Armetale has paved the road with its recent unveiling of its licensed Designer Series of serveware at the spring tabletop market here, is licensing a new avenue for other metal manufacturers to travel? Looking to...

TEA SET TIME.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Alberto Alessi, left; Max Protetch of the Max Protetch Gallery in New York; and Paola Antonelli of Museum of Modern Art were at the Alessi Tea & Coffee Towers Exhibition in the Max Protetch Gallery last month. Similar to a project that Alessi,...

CCA INTERNATIONAL VP ED KIEM DEAD AT 68.(Edward William Kiem Sr.)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... NEWARK, N.J.-Edward William Kiem Sr., vice president of sales for tabletop company CCA International, died May 15 of a heart attack. He was 68 years old. Kiem joined CCA in 1996 as vice president of sales. "With his contributions and...

NEW BLOCKS ON THE BLOCK; CUTLERY MAKERS ARE BRINGING A VARIETY OF NEW SHAPES TO THE TRADITIONAL CATEGORY.
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-Although it's hard to bring newness to an industry where the basics have been popular for the past 3,000 years or so, cutlery makers have found a release for their inner pizzazz by reinventing the knife block. Moving beyond the...

TAYLOR TESTS MARKET CLIMATE FOR FOOD, WEATHER THERMOMETERS.(Taylor Precision Products )(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... OAKBROOK, Ill.-After focusing on honing its scale strategy, Taylor Precision Products is turning to its food and weather thermometer business for additional growth. "Over the past several years, we have grown our scale business...

FLOOR-CARE MAKERS ARE FINDING GOOD CHEMISTRY WITH CLEANERS.
June 2, 2003... MONTVALE, N.J.-There's a definite benefit to selling chemicals that clean carpeting and floors. That's why such famous names as Scotchgard, Lysol and Old English are part of the business. As mundane as these liquids (and some powders) might...

RIVAL NOW RUNS HOT AND COLD WITH STAINLESS STEEL GOURMET EXPANSION.
June 2, 2003... MILFORD, Mass.-Rival has expanded its Stainless Steel Gourmet line of upscale products with the addition of a non-electric Ice Cream Maker, which can also whip up gelato or sorbet. The line is part of an ongoing effort to bolster the brand and...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Founder and president of Component Design Northwest, Richard Murtagh, dies; notes other news )
June 2, 2003... CDN FOUNDER RICHARD MURTAGH DIES Richard Murtagh, founder and president of Component Design Northwest, died of cancer May 19 at age 70. He leaves behind his wife and business partner, Jan Murtagh; four children; and two grandsons. Jan...

PANASONIC KIDS' PROGRAM CONTINUES TO MAKE HEADLINES.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-Like most teenagers, Panasonic Kid Witness News is enjoying a growth spurt. At the 13th annual New Vision Awards ceremony here, Don Iwatani, chairman and chief executive officer of Matsushita Electric Corp. of America, said KWN has...

COOKING SCHOOL STUDENTS GET A MEAL TICKET FROM CUISINART.(Johnson & Wales University's College of Culinary Arts )(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... STAMFORD, Conn.-Cuisinart presented four $5,000 scholarships last month to students at Johnson & Wales University's College of Culinary Arts in Providence, R.I. The presentation was part of a three-year program in which Cuisinart will award a...

FHP IS AIMING TO EXPAND U.S. STICK GOODS PRESENCE.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... NORTHLAKE, Ill.-FHP, which makes the Vileda and Roll-O-Matic sponge mops, is embarking on a five-year campaign to build its business and consumer awareness in the United States. The company is part of a $4 billion worldwide operation, and...

SOFT RETAIL SALES, WAR IMPACT VENDORS' FIRST QUARTER.(Home goods suppliers)
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-Sagging consumer confidence, soft retail sales and the war with Iraq weighed heavily on home goods suppliers as first-quarter results came in with modest sales declines. The average sales percentage change for the quarter of the...

REPORTS: HISPANICS HAVE A GROWING IMPACT ON A SOCIOECONOMIC LEVEL.
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK-A study by the Rand Corp. released last week revealed that Hispanic immigrants are moving up the economic and educational ladder as quickly as prior immigrants. For retailers and suppliers, this piece of market intelligence...

NEWS BRIEF.(Textile supplier Cone Mills amends agreements with lenders; notes other news)
June 2, 2003... CONE MILLS AMENDS FINANCE PACTS Textile supplier Cone Mills amended agreements with its lenders to extend its existing credit facility and senior debt note through March of next year. As a result, the outstanding balance and interest on the...

THE HFN LIST; TOP 10 FASTEST-GROWING HOME FURNISHINGS CATEGORIES.
June 2, 2003... Rank & Category % of Change Retail Sales 2002 ($ in millions) 1) Curling irons 20.8% $390.76 The category is booming, with vendors crediting the growth to two main factors: consumer willingness to trade up in price...

A CONTEMPORARY CROWD.(Party on opening night of New York's International Contemporary Furniture Fair)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... If there's one party to attend among the hundreds of soirees at New York's International Contemporary Furniture Fair, it's the ICFF opening-night event hosted by George Little Management and House & Garden magazine. The party, normally held at...

HOME REMEDIES FOR SARS.(impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome on home goods companies)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... There's no masking the impact that severe acute respiratory syndrome has had on home goods companies that source products from China. But savvy importers have found some clever ways to get around the problem and keep their businesses healthy....

IN COURT OF HOME OPINION, MARTHA'S CASE IS STILL SOUND.
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-Will Martha Stewart's criminal indictment crush her home furnishings empire? Not necessarily, said industry experts as well as a number of the domestic diva's home partners. The jury is still out on if -- and if so, how much --...

RETAILERS SHOW SIGNS OF LIFE IN MAY, DESPITE TOUGH FACTORS.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-A weak job market, lousy weather in key regions and a soft economy kept shoppers home in May as same-store sales for the month showed modest gains. Still, results were stronger than April. As a result, the HFN Comp-Sales Average...

LAMPERT KEY CHARACTER IN WESTPOINT CHAPTER.(Edward Lampert major player in restructuring WestPoint Stevens)
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-Edward Lampert, hedge fund investor and Kmart's largest investor and chairman, is emerging as a major player in a financial restructuring that hopes to steer the debt-laden WestPoint Stevens, which filed for Chapter 11 last week, out...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Waterford Wedgwood announced it is closing two of its British earthenware factories and moving production to Asia)
June 9, 2003... WATERFORD TO CLOSE TWO FACTORIES Waterford Wedgwood announced it is closing two of its British earthenware factories and moving production to Asia, cutting more than 1,000 jobs from its 9,000-strong work force. Moving a part of...

LA-Z-BOY'S CASEGOODS GROUP TO GET A MAJOR REORGANIZATION.
June 9, 2003... MONROE, Mich.-La-Z-Boy Inc., in a dramatic move to reinvent the way its furniture is made, announced a major reorganization of its Casegoods Group. The changes include a realignment of several key management responsibilities, the...

OPENING FOR IKEA.(opens store in Costa Mesa, California)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... Comedian Joan Rivers was on hand at the grand opening of IKEA's Costa Mesa, Calif., store. Rivers presided over a "Renew U" ceremony, in which 25 couples renewed their vows and also renewed their homes with free furniture. IKEA was celebrating...

FATHER'S DAY FIGURES TO BE BIG AT RETAIL.(Restoration Hardware)
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-Dad is finally getting his due. Although Mother's Day has been the undisputed leader of the parental holidays, retailers have stepped up their pursuit of the Father's Day business with bigger and bolder promotions. "We have...

SILVERSTEIN NAMED PRESIDENT, CEO OF SPENCER GIFTS.(Steven Silverstein)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... BOSTON-Steven Silverstein, former president of Linens 'n Things, has been named president and chief executive officer of Spencer Gifts. Silverstein's appointment is concurrent with Gordon Brothers Group LLC and Palladin Capital Group Inc....

DRAKE'S TAKE.(Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhood of Williamsburg)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... Hippy dippy chic is how designer Jamie Drake described the mix in the Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhood of Williamsburg. The current hot spot is an up-and-coming haunt of artists, editors and other creative types. Drake, who is known for his...

GETTING AROUND SARS.(home furnishings sourcing managers)
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-More than two months have passed since the World Health Organization reported the appearance of a strange new pneumonia in Hong Kong. Since then, the well-worn passports of most home furnishings sourcing managers have gathered dust....

THIRD GENERATION COMES TO THE PLATE AT MICHAEL C. FINA'S FIFTH AVE. STORE.
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-At Michael C. Fina, an upscale tabletop, jewelry and gift boutique on Fifth Avenue here, business is a family affair, as it has been since the store's inception 68 years ago. A third generation of Finas is currently in place....

AU CONTRAIRE.(Target touted for ads, discontinuing some brands)
June 9, 2003... Everybody knows the slogan for M&Ms: "They melt in your mouth, not in your hands." Anyone who's ever eaten a handful of the little multicolored chocolate morsels knows that, despite claims to the contrary, M&Ms do indeed leave rainbow-hued...

STROUDS.(discusses demise of retailer)
June 9, 2003... Writing the obituary for Strouds the store is almost as painful as writing the one for Bill Stroud the person, which appeared here a few weeks back. In no small way, that's because both were beloved, admired and respected, albeit for different...

YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY; INFANT BEDDING MAKERS ARE GOING BEYOND CARTOONS AND OFFERING LICENSED NAMES ON PRODUCTS.
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-Move over, Mickey and Pooh. For today's baby, it's lifestyle -- licensed, branded lifestyle, that is. "Licensing has always been a very important part of infant bedding, but we do see a trend toward more lifestyle licenses," said...

PORTICO GOES WHOLESALE TO EXPAND BRAND'S AWARENESS.(Portico Home features the same styling as the private-label products carried in the upscale Portico retail stores)
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-Portico is bringing its modern aesthetic to the midmarket with its new wholesale offering. Portico Home features the same styling as the private-label products carried in the upscale Portico retail stores, but at a fraction of the...

SOPHISTICATED BABIES.(Trends in licensed infant bedding reflect today's lifestyle looks that blend with the rest of the home)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... Trends in licensed infant bedding reflect today's lifestyle looks that blend with the rest of the home, and every conceivable coordinate -- from alarm clocks to quilt clips. Some of the highlights are as follows: Sophisticated colorways,...

FOR RETAILERS, RUG CLEANING CAN MEAN PROFIT OR A PAIN.
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-Rug retailers thinking about venturing into the cleaning business for a quick and easy profit boost may want to reconsider. For some retailers, cleaning is more lucrative than rug sales, while for others it's only a small...

FASHION STATEMENTS; MORE HOME AND APPAREL DESIGNERS ARE LENDING THEIR NAMES TO NEW RUG COLLECTIONS.
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-Better renew those fashion and shelter magazine subscriptions because rug companies are increasingly turning to the seriously stylish set for the newest group of rug licenses. The Rug Company, a retail store in New York, is...

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY MAY BE AMONG BIDDERS FOR BURLINGTON.
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-Behind closed doors, buyers remain keenly interested in Burlington Industries, and Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway may be one of them. Berkshire is likely to be one of the bidders again when Burlington goes up for sale,...

A CENTURY-OLD IRISH RUG MAKER TRIES ITS HAND AT A TUFTED LINE.(Donegal Carpets)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... KILLYBEGS, Ireland-While Ireland is not often thought of as a traditional rug exporting country, one small company there is reinventing itself after more than a century of rug making. Donegal Carpets -- except for a 12-year hiatus that...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Rodeo Carpet Mills' latest Wools of New Zealand brand introduction is named Miami Nights)
June 9, 2003... RODEO ROLLS OUT MIAMI NIGHTS BRAND Rodeo Carpet Mills' latest Wools of New Zealand brand introduction is named Miami Nights, after the allure of the popular city. A mix of double- and single-ply New Zealand wool yarns is used, while...

STAR POWER; FAMOUS NAMES ON PRODUCTS CONTINUE TO ATTRACT CONSUMERS TRYING TO EMULATE A CELEBRITY LIFESTYLE.
June 9, 2003... HIGH POINT, N.C.-It's doubtful any furniture manufacturer will be matching Nike's $96 million contract with basketball's newest star, LeBron James, but the trend among furniture companies to license celebrity names for their home furnishings...

CASUAL CALENDAR OVERBOOKED WITH OVERLAPPING PREMARKETS.
June 9, 2003... CHICAGO-The casual furniture selling season has barely begun in some regions of the country, and suppliers and dealers are wrangling over multiple premarkets for next year's goods. The annual Casual Furniture Market at the Chicago...

NEWS BRIEFS.(home furnishings industry news items)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... ADESSO APPOINTS ACCOUNTS MANAGER Joe Tartaglia has joined New York lighting and furniture maker Adesso Inc. as key accounts manager, a new position. He reports to Lee Schaak, chairman. Tartaglia served for the past 11 years at C.N....

ALA AWARDS HONOR ENERGY-SAVING DESIGNERS.(American Lighting Association)
June 9, 2003... DALLAS-Getting consumers to step up to more efficient lighting begins with offering them affordable, attractive designs that just so happen to save energy. But retailers and suppliers must equally buy into the concept and invest in this market...

KAUFMAN'S DESIGN GROUP CREATES LIGHTING SOLUTIONS.(Roger Zenn Kaufman forms Fulcrum Marketing Group)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... PORTLAND, Ore.-Roger Zenn Kaufman has designs on the home and office market. Fifteen months after selling his company, RZK Design, to Focus Products Group LLC, Kaufman has formed another design and marketing firm, Fulcrum Marketing Group,...

WORLD TOUR A TRIP AROUND THE TABLE FINDS PATTERNS FEATURING INTERNATIONAL LANDMARKS AND GLOBAL MOTIFS.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-World travel was a theme at some of the recent shows -- including the New York spring tabletop market, Gourmet Products Show in San Francisco and the Stationery Show in New York. Dinnerware, glassware and even frame manufacturers took...

ONEIDA UNVEILS REBOUND PLANS AFTER A TOUGH YEAR AND QUARTER.
June 9, 2003... ONEIDA, N.Y.-Peter Kallet, Oneida's chairman and chief executive officer, outlined the strategic actions the company will undertake to overcome "exceptionally difficult conditions in 2002 and the first half of 2003" during its recent annual...

NEWS BRIEFS.(includes multiple articles)
June 9, 2003... NTGA SCHEDULES SUMMER SEMINARS The National Tabletop and Giftware Association will hold two seminars this summer. "The Wedding Market: Bigger and Richer Than Ever," will be held at the Dallas Market Center on Saturday, June 21, at the...

NEWS BRIEFS.(meshed briefs)
June 9, 2003... MALDEN NAMES NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Photo frame and home decor manufacturer Malden International Designs has named Cheryl Lesser national sales manager, a newly created position. Lesser will lead Malden's independent gift, photo and...

LICENSING SHOW NOW A HOT SPOT FOR STRIKING.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-With licensing becoming such an important and growing aspect of the tabletop industry in recent years, such venues as the Licensing 2003 International Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center here this week provide an opportunity...

MURANO A MURANO: HOW AN SUV COMPARES WITH VENETIAN GLASS.(Nissan Murano)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... NEW YORK-When Nissan set out to design its latest sport utility vehicle, where did it turn for inspiration? The tabletop industry. The 2003 Nissan Murano was named after "the elegantly sculpted art glass from the islands near Venice,...