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

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

BOOMERS GATHER NO MOSS.(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... As years go by, the ubiquitous baby boomer generation continues to create satisfaction for marketers. An exclusive HFN Special Assignment starts on page 10. Caption(s): Mick Jagger

THE NEW WAL-MART WAY: FASTER BETTER...BETTER FASTER.(GE small appliances names)(Wal-Mart has licensed GE name )
June 5, 2006... Byline: Denise Power, Jennifer White RFID is proving to be the 62% solution to Out-of-Stocks CHICAGO-Wal-Mart has reduced out-of-stocks by as much as a whopping 62 percent by using radio frequency identification technology. So said...

HOME PAGE.(Financial report)
June 5, 2006... A Look Ahead Best Buy Co. will report first-quarter earnings on June 13. Advance retail sales for May will be released by the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau on June 13. The Chicago Gift & Home Market will be held at The...

CAN A BUYER FOR HOOVER REVITALIZE AILING SALES?(Hoover)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick BENTON HARBOR, Mich.-Whirlpool Corp. late last month finalized its decision to sell the newly acquired Hoover floor care business. Hoover, which for years has been considered a synonym for vacuum cleaner and was...

LUNDGREN: EXCLUSIVES TO DRIVE FEDERATED GROWTH.(Style and Co)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau CINCINNATI-Federated Department Stores' move to expand its exclusive Style & Co. apparel brand into home is the latest example of the retailer's mission to "make sure that more and more of the assets we carry are...

CORRECTION.
June 5, 2006... The Cond Nast Bridal Group was not identified by its full name in a news brief that ran in the May 22 issue of HFN.

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
June 5, 2006... June 4-7 Showtime Semi-Annual Fabric Market High Point, N.C. (336) 885-6842 itma-showtime.com 12-14 NeoCon The Merchandise Mart Chicago (800) 677-MART merchandisemart.com 20-26 Holiday & Home Expo...

QUICK TAKES.(Lillian Vernon Corp.)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc)(Costco Wholesale Corp.)
June 5, 2006... LILLIAN VERNON CORP., the personal accessories catalog and online retailer, was sold by parent Direct Holdings Worldwide to LV Catalog Holding Corp., an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, an investment firm. The terms of the acquisition were...

KEEPING UP TO DATE.(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine The International Contemporary Furniture Fair held recently at New York's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is the American version of Milan's Salone Internazionale del Mobile. This year's designers presented a...

BABY BOOMERS OR BUST; RETAILERS ARE SETTING THEIR SIGHTS ON THE DEEP POCKETS OF THE 42- TO 60-YEAR-OLD SET.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick, with contributions from Karl Kunkel, Jennifer White, Barbara Thau, Sharyn Bernard, Rosamaria Mancini and Allison Zisko NEW YORK-Home goods vendors and retailers are tapping into the overstuffed wallets of the baby...

TALKIN' ABOUT MY GENERATION: MARKETING TO BOOMERS.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-They turned on, tuned in, dropped out; made love, not war; became hippies, then consumers. The baby boomer generation that shunned bourgeoise values has become the most affluent buying group in history....

THE DISCOUNT CODE.(discount store class of trade )
June 5, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg It doesn't take a cryptologist to figure out that the discount store class of trade has got a few dirty little secrets of its own that it doesn't want to get out. It's been a pretty remarkable run for mass...

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL; DESPITE VARIOUS ECONOMIC PRESSURES KEEPING RETAIL SALES ROUGHLY STATIC FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, THE CATEGORY IS STILL HOT.(Financial report)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer The world of lighting was flat last year. But the outlook remains bright for this essential product segment. Overall retail sales of lamps and lighting fixtures declined by one-third of a percentage point in 2005,...

FIXTURES FLATTEN OUT; WHILE THERE WASN'T MUCH GROWTH IN THE CATEGORY, REMODELING AND PRICE DEFLATION CONTINUE TO MAKE AN IMPACT.(Financial report)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer After three years of healthy growth, the lighting fixture business flattened out in 2005, to $3.14 billion in annual sales, according to HFN's exclusive research. While the housing market, to which this category is...

LAMPS MAINTAINING A HEALTHY GLOW; THE CATEGORY MAINTAINS A HIGH PROFILE AT RETAIL AND IS PROFITING FROM INCREASED MEDIA ATTENTION.(Financial report)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer The lamp business, despite its many challenges, continues to thrive. Retail sales of lamps were $2.022 billion in 2005, a slight decrease of 1.3 percent over 2004, according to HFN. Yet the category maintains a...

THE STARS OF STORES; THE TOP 10 RETAILERS, ONCE AGAIN LED BY HOME DEPOT, CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE SUCCESS.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer Call them the biggest names in lights. The top retailers of lamps and lighting are a familiar bunch, with no newcomers added to the list in 2005. But there was some shuffling in the ranks, as the rate of growth varied...

AND THE BRANDS PLAYED ON; WESTINGHOUSE LEADS THE WAY AMONG THE MOST RECOGNIZED NAMES IN THE INDUSTRY.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer In the business of branding, consumer recognition rules. When it comes to lighting brands, Westinghouse is the top consumer-recognized brand in the business, according to HFN's biannual brand survey, conducted in 2005....

MATTERS OF GREAT IMPORT; MEXICO CONTINUES ITS GROWTH AS A SOURCE OF LAMPS AND LIGHTING FIXTURES TO THE UNITED STATES.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer Imports of lamps and lighting fixtures, taken as a whole, increased in 2005, but a closer look at the numbers reveals some challenges and opportunities. For lighting fixtures, imports have grown for the fourth...

BULB MARKET MANAGES TO KEEP ON SHINING; THE INFLUX OF HIGHER-END AND SPECIALTY ITEMS HELPS FUEL SALES.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer The consumer market for light bulbs continues its steady growth, reaching an estimated $3.29 billion in 2005, according to market research firms AC Nielsen and Activant. There are several factors driving this...

ENERGY SAVINGS IN THE SPOTLIGHT; EFFICIENCY, STYLE AND PRICE ARE MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE PRACTICE OF CONSERVATION.(Energy Star)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer Saving energy is in fashion. Not only because it's good for the environment, or because consumers can save lots of money on utility bills, but because the lamps and fixtures that house energy-saving bulbs have become...

ENERGY STAR LIGHTING MARKET TRENDS.(Energy Star)(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer Manufacturing partners are adopting the GU-24 line voltage socket in fixtures. GU-24 dimming is becoming available and can be used in standard wall dimmers and on existing fixtures that use GU-24 line voltage sockets....

BEST OF BATH WORLDS; WATERWORKS' EXPANSIVE DESIGN STUDIO IN ITS NEWEST NEW YORK LOCATION OFFERS CUSTOMERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MIX AND MATCH.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-An expansive design studio that allows customers to mix and match bath textiles with tiling, fittings and fixtures marks Waterworks newest retail store in New York's Flatiron district. The store,...

CALIFORNIA BANS SANIDOWN COMFORTER LINE.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NORTH HIGHLANDS, Calif.-Down comforters manufactured by Union, N.J.-based basic bedding supplier Sanidown were temporarily banned from retail shelves in California, following a random inspection in March by the...

TAKING THE HIGH-END ROAD; MANUFACTURERS ARE GOING FORWARD WITH EFFORTS TO MAKE UPSCALE PRODUCTS MORE AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS.(Jaunty Co)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-Rug vendors are increasingly offering options that make higher-end looks more accessible to consumers. The movement has seen hand-knotted looks interpreted as hand-tufted rugs and now is gaining in companies...

ICFF NEWCOMERS MAKE THEIR PRESENCE FELT AT NEW YORK SHOW.(International Contemporary Furniture Fair)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-First-timers were in abundance this year at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Rug designers and vendors making their debut on the ICFF stage said they came here because they knew it was the...

ADDING A TOUCH OF CLASS; STUDENT DESIGNERS CREATE FUNCTIONAL HOME DECOR ITEMS FOR ADESSO-SPONSORED COMPETITION AT FIT.(product development contest)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer NEW YORK-What do you get when you pit business students against each other in a product development contest? Highly marketable home decor products and a class of marketable young entrepreneurs. Such was the case...

ANIGMO UNVEILS NEW HANDS-FREE DIMMER SWITCH.(Anigmo)(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... NEW YORK-In what is considered the first invisible, hands-free dimmer switch to hit the American market, Anigmo's new control has raised some eyebrows at an upscale design studio here. With the Anigmo control, hidden behind any wall,...

LLADR HEADS TO THE BATHROOM; THE COMPANY HAS UNVEILED A NEW LINE OF ACCESSORIES AND FIXTURES.(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... NEW YORK-In its most recent product diversification move, Lladr has launched a bath collection that includes sink top accessories as well as porcelain fixtures. The company recently collaborated with Supergrif, a Spanish bathroom fixture...

CALP DEVELOPS TASTE FOR LICENSING.(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-Striving to regain a foothold in the wine-tasting glassware business, CALP/RCR, the Italian glassware brand that recently re-entered the U.S. market, has signed two licensing agreements with Italian wine...

FRAME MANUFACTURERS SERVE UP SOPHISTICATION AT STATIONERY SHOW.(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-Simple, pared-down looks and high-quality materials mixed with a fair dose of sentimentality in the newest photo frame offerings exhibited during the National Stationery Show here last month. Whether it...

THE PAMPERED LIFESTYLE; NEW PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS ARE HELPING CONSUMERS GIVE THEMSELVES THE SPA TREATMENT AT HOME.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-Summer is here (well, unofficially) and consumers' thoughts are likely turning to rest and relaxation. For those who can't get away on a long vacation, retailers and personal care suppliers offer a host of...

KRUPS RETURNS TO FOOD PREP.(Krups North America Inc.)(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-Start up the motors: Krups is getting back into food prep after an absence of about five years. The company recently unveiled its high-end machine at an event at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design...

KILTS TO STEP DOWN FROM GILLETTE POST.(Procter & Gamble Co.'s James M. Kilts)(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... CINCINNATI-Procter & Gamble said that James M. Kilts will step down as vice chairman and head of the Gillette business unit to devote his attention to the Gillette integration and business transition, until his planned retirement on Oct. 1. He...

NYSE NOTIFIES SALTON OF NON-COMPLIANCE.(New York Stock Exchange Inc.)(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... LAKE FOREST, Ill.-Salton Inc. said it has been notified by the New York Stock Exchange that it is not in compliance with the NYSE's continued listing standards. Salton is considered "below criteria" by the NYSE because over a consecutive 30-day...

BLUE CASHEW FINDS THE RIGHT MIX OF BRANDS, DISPLAY AND LOCATION.(Blue Cashew Kitchen Pharmacy)(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White HIGH FALLS, N.Y.-Thanks to high-wattage celebrities, appreciative locals and favorable zoning laws, a high-end kitchen store in New York's Ulster County with a nutty name has found the right home. Blue Cashew...

EXCLUSIVE: ELECTROLUX PLANS TO RAISE PRICES ON MAJOR APPLIANCES; A SOURCE REVEALS TO HFN THE COST HIKE WILL BEGIN TO TAKE EFFECT WITH JULY SHIPMENTS.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick STOCKHOLM, Sweden-AB Electrolux's retail partners will have to step up their spending to carry the manufacturer's major appliances, as the company will be increasing its wholesale prices for appliance products this...

VIKING GETTING ITS HANDS WET WITH PROPRIETARY DISHWASHERS.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick GREENWOOD, Miss.-Viking Range Corp. is gearing up for the launch of its first in-house-produced line of dishwashers. The premium major appliance maker, which has outsourced production of its dishwashers for more...

DESPITE MINOR SLIP, MAY SAME-STORE SALES MAINTAIN STRONG PACE; HOME RETAILERS LOGGED A 3.7 PERCENT TOTAL AVERAGE SAME-STORE SALES INCREASE IN THE MONTH.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-The same-store sales increase for May was the third highest in nearly one year. Home retailers for May logged a 3.7 percent total average same-store sales gain, slipping 0.2 percent from the prior...

RETAIL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS HOME IN ON INDIA, CHINA FOR MIXED-USE CENTERS; THE COUNTRIES' APPEAL GROWS WITH THE PER CAPITA INCOME OF THEIR WEALTHIEST CITIZENS.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Sharon Edelson LAS VEGAS-American retail real estate developers are eyeing China and India as the next mixed-use real estate gold mine. Along with the continued expansion of mixed-use centers in the United States, one of the...

DOLLAR GENERAL'S Q1 NET INCOME PLUNGES.(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn.-Dollar General posted a first-quarter net income decline, with home generating flat- to low-single-digit increases, executives said during a conference call with analysts. Net income slid...

HOT MOMA.(International Contemporary Furniture Fair)(fureniture design innovations)(Brief article)
June 5, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine The annual George Little Management party for the International Contemporary Furniture Fair continues to be the hot opening-night ticket. The event, held at the New York Museum of Modern Art, was packed with...

MOVIN'ON UP.
June 12, 2006... Don't stick a forklift in them yet, Sam's Club isn't done aggressively trading up its warehouse club merchandise mix.

NEW BOMBAY CHIEF: 'MORE ZIP, MORE PIZZAZZ'.(Bombay Company Inc. appoints David B. Stewart )
June 12, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer FORT WORTH, Texas-Bombay Co. has tapped David B. Stewart as chief executive officer-a turnaround specialist, appropriately enough-to accelerate its comeback. Stewart, 67, came out of a two-month retirement after six...

RETAIL INVENTORIES: LESS IS MORE.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
June 12, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick, with contributions by Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Several major retailers have lightened their inventory loads over the past year in efforts to cut costs and ultimately boost their bottom lines. Wal-Mart boasts one...

HOME PAGE.(Financial report)
June 12, 2006... A Look Ahead The Consumer Price Index for May, a key measure of inflation, will be released by the U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics on June 14. Family Dollar Stores Inc. will report its third-quarter earnings on June...

EURO-PRO LOOKS TO RESTRUCTURE DEBT TO AVOID CHAPTER 11 PROTECTION.(Euro-Pro Corp.)
June 12, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick BOSTON-Euro-Pro is seeking to restructure its debt in order to avoid being placed under involuntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This news comes in response to a filing last month by a handful of Euro-Pro...

T-FAL EXPECTED TO COOK UP A DEAL WITH EMERIL.(All-Clad Metalcrafters Inc.)(T-Fal Corp.)(Brief article)
June 12, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-T-Fal is expected to announce a licensing agreement in the next week or so with Emeril Lagasse-presumably for small electrics, HFN has learned. A line of Emeril small electrics was introduced by All-Clad...

BLOOMINGDALE'S NAMES WARNER TO NEW FASHION POST.(Bloomingdale's Inc. appoints Richard Warner)(Brief article)
June 12, 2006... NEW YORK-Richard Warner, formerly the buyer of decorative tabletop and housewares for Bloomingdale's, was recently named fashion director of housewares and tabletop, reporting to Joe Laneve, senior vice president and general merchandise manager...

QUICK TAKES.(J.C. Penney Corporation Inc. appoints Catherine West)(Bon-Ton Stores Inc. appoints Anthony Buccina and David Zant )
June 12, 2006... RETAIL J.C. PENNEY has named Catherine West executive vice president and chief operating officer of the midmarket chain, reporting directly to Myron Ullman, chairman and chief executive officer. West joins J.C. Penney from Capital One...

SAM'S CLUB SETS SIGHTS ON AFFORDABLE LUXE.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Sam's Club)
June 12, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau BENTONVILLE, Ark.-The mad rush for 1,200-thread-count sheets was the tip-off. During Black Friday last holiday season, Sam's Club advertised 1,200-thread-count sheets, and shoppers waited in long lines at the...

BRIDE AND JOY.(Brief article)
June 12, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine Overwhelmed by the annual deluge of wedding invitations? Don't fret, there are cures for the gift-stymied. Home furnishings are always a winner, from functional to decorative-the right gift will last a lifetime....

LOW CARBS, LOW BLOWS & NO SHOWS.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg This was going to be a column about how retailers keep jumping on the latest trend, whether it strategically made sense for them or not, which I cleverly call Low Carb Retailing. Ya know, like May Co. putting...

SHOW & SELL TIME; THE SECOND HALF OF THE TRADE EVENT SEASON IS UNDER WAY WITH DATE CHANGES AND CONCERNS OVER TOO MANY MARKETS ON THE AGENDA.
June 12, 2006... Byline: HFN Staff Report NEW YORK-As if keeping track of product and consumer trends weren't enough, home furnishings industry members must also stay abreast of changes in their trade shows. And these days there are plenty of...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
June 12, 2006... June 12-14 NeoCon The Merchandise Mart Chicago (800) 677-MART merchandisemart.com 20-26 Holiday & Home Expo (formerly SILK/Holiday Expo) Dallas Market Center Dallas (800) DAL-MKTS ...

RISING IN THE EAST: CHINA MAKES ITS PRESENCE FELT.(Calendar)
June 12, 2006... NEW YORK: All eyes, at least most, are turning to China. The so-called sleeping giant is too busy making furniture, small appliances and textiles to nap anymore. And with all of the manufacturing and potential to manufacture, along comes trade...

A CROWDED PLAYING FIELD; LOWE'S AND HOME DEPOT CONTINUE TO STEAL MARKET SHARE FROM SEARS.(Sears, Roebuck and Co.)
June 12, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick There's a battle ensuing for white goods dominance at retail, and the category leader Sears is clearly taking some lumps from Lowe's and Home Depot. Sears took in an estimated $6.97 billion in major appliance...

SOUTH KOREA'S STEP FORWARD; LG ELECTRONICS AND SAMSUNG HAVE LED THE NATION TO BECOME A FORCE IN EXPORTS OF WHITE GOODS TO THE U.S.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick South Korea, a relatively new kid on the white goods block, is making major strides in the United States in laundry and refrigeration. Led by the efforts of LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics, which both...

BABY, IT'S HOT OUTSIDE; MORE RETAILERS, PARTICULARLY AT THE DISCOUNT LEVEL, ARE DISCOVERING THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR PRODUCTS.(Kmart Holding Corp.)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Sam's Club)
June 12, 2006... Byline: Lee Buchanan Summertime, and the outdoor living is easy to find. Just about every retailer with the slightest connection to the home, it seems, is pushing outdoor furnishings. Big boxes, lifestyle retailers, home improvement stores...

IT'S IN THE BAG; BED-IN-A-BAG BUSINESS IS EXPANDING WITH THE ADDITION OF VALANCES AND DECORATIVE PILLOWS.(Revman International)(Bed, Bath and Beyond Inc.)(Macy's New York)
June 12, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-The bed-in-a-bag business has evolved. The expanded and heavy bedding packages not only include bedding staples, such as a comforter, bedskirt, shams and a sheet set, but now drape panels, tiebacks,...

YASUKO INTERNATIONAL LOOKS FOR LINE OF LUXE THROWS TO CATCH ON.(Yasuko International )(Brief article)
June 12, 2006... BALTIMORE-Yasuko International is one of the newest companies trying to make its mark in the luxury throw business here in the United States. Founded by Yasuko Moody, who immigrated to the United State from Japan 10 years ago, the company...

GARBO DESIGNS! A LINE OF RUGS DEBUT BASED ON FAVORITE STYLES OF THE SCREEN LEGEND.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-This year marks the centennial of screen legend Greta Garbo's birth, an event being celebrated worldwide with the traveling Garbo Centennial exhibition, and now, with a rug collection designed by Derek...

AMERICASMART, ORIA TEAM FOR CHARITY AUCTION.(AmericasMart.com Inc.)(Oriental Rug Importers Association)(Brief article)
June 12, 2006... ATLANTA-AmericasMart and the Oriental Rug Importers Association have joined forces to host a silent auction to support ORIA's Charitable Fund Benefiting Children. The auction will take place during the Atlanta International Area Rug Market next...

LOOPHOUSE EMBARKING ON A NEW PATH WITH ODYSSEY.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-It was a case of customer demand that led London-based Loophouse to develop its first stock program for the U.S. market. Scheduled to be available for September, The Odyssey Collection is also the company's...

GULISTAN BUILDS STAINMASTER OFFERINGS.(Gulistan Carpet )(Brief article)
June 12, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail PINEHURST, N.C.-Continuing with its mission to build its presence in the area rug category, Gulistan Carpet has expanded on Stainmaster rug collections styled by Kea Capel Meacham. As reported, Gulistan made the...

A BREAK FROM THE TRADITIONALS; STORES SUCH AS TARGET, SEARS AND WAL-MART ARE MAKING HEADWAY ON THE FURNITURE FRONT.(Kmart Holding Corp.)(Sears, Roebuck and Co.)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
June 12, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-General merchandise chains, from Sears and Costco to Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart, are going after the furniture sector with expanded, updated and higher-priced assortments, encroaching on the business of...

THE CASE IS CLEAROR NEUTRAL; BASIC LOOKS IN GLASS ARE MAKING A COMEBACK, WITH EARTH TONES, BLACK AND ADD-ONS MIXED IN.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor NEW YORK-Up until a few months ago, color was the buzzword in glassware. However, the tables seemed to have turned for some manufacturers at this year's markets, with a refocus on clear glass. "Clear is...

GLASS MAKER FROM GERMANY BREAKS INTO U.S.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor NEW YORK-Despite a shrinking retailer base and stiff competition, many overseas manufacturers still hope to get into the U.S. market. One such company, Germany-based glassware company Theresienthal, has done...

KATHY IRELAND PARTNERS WITH FRANZ COLLECTION FOR NEW PORCELAIN LINE.(Franz Collection Inc.)(Kathy Ireland Worldwide)(Brief article)
June 12, 2006... San Francisco-Kathy Ireland Worldwide has signed a licensing agreement with Franz Collection to design and manufacture a line of porcelain tabletop and decorative accessories. Kathy Ireland Home by Franz will have its soft launch this month...

SURVEY: COOKWARE, STEMWARE HELP SET THE PACE ON BRIDAL REGISTRIES.(Bed, Bath and Beyond Inc.)(Euromarket Design Inc.)(Macy's New York)(Brief article)
June 12, 2006... NEW YORK-More and more engaged couples are registering for home furnishings, according to a new survey by the Cond Nast Bridal Group. The group, which includes Brides, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride magazines, conducted its American Wedding...

MODERN BRIDE'S SPADE OF HONOR.(Brief article)
June 12, 2006... Daniel Lagani of the Cond Nast Bridal Group, left, designer Kate Spade and Lou Scala of Lenox enjoy the recent Modern Bride Trendsetters Awards ceremony, at which Spade was honored.

HASTENING AWAY TO MARGARITAVILLE; JARDEN SETS SAIL WITH JIMMY BUFFETT BRAND ON NEW PRODUCTS.(American Bankruptcy Institute)
June 12, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-Jarden is heading south to Margaritaville. The housewares manufacturer, home now to well-known brands like Sunbeam, Oster, Mr. Coffee, Holmes and Bionaire, is licensing the Jimmy Buffett brand with the...

CUTCO SPONSORS NEW CULINARY CENTER IN N.Y.(CUTCO Cutlery Corp.)(Brief article)
June 12, 2006... OLEAN, N.Y.-Cutlery manufacturer Cutco Cutlery will be a sponsor of the New York State Wine and Culinary Center, opening June 16 in Canandaigua, N.Y. The center will showcase New York food, wine and agriculture. As part of its sponsorship,...

MUNDIAL JOINING EFFORT TO COMBAT BREAST CANCER.(Mundial Inc.)(National Breast Cancer Foundation )(Brief article)
June 12, 2006... NEW YORK-Cutlery manufacturer Mundial is partnering with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to introduce pink to its best-selling 5100 series line of fully forged, full tang cutlery. The 10-piece block set pink set will feature its...

ANALYST: BANKRUPTCY BENEFITS MAY ELUDE SOME.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick ALEXANDRIA, Va.-Consumer bankruptcy filings have sunk significantly, which should spell out cost savings for credit card providers, yet these potential savings may not be passed on to cardholders, said Samuel...

WAL-MART PLACES FOCUS ON CHANGE AT ANNUAL MEETING.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
June 12, 2006... Byline: Georgia Lee FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.-Wal-Mart Stores, amid the usual hoopla of its annual shareholders meeting here earlier this month, sounded the theme of change, entailing everything from a new slogan to a more fashion-driven push....

ALPHA FETE.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine The recent Alpha Workshops awards ceremony was scheduled to be co-hosted by style icon Iris Apfel and designer Jamie Drake. When Apfel couldn't make the event, Drake donned a pair of Apfel-esque eyeglasses and boa...

FORTUNOFF: POINTING TO A NEW DIRECTION.
June 19, 2006... New ceo Arnie Orlick reveals plans to expand the luxury retailer's appeal to a broader consumer base. Caption(s): Arnie Orlick

SPRINGS TO STOP U.S. WEAVING BY 2007, BRINGING END TO AN ERA.(Springs textile industry to close its weaving operations at United States)
June 19, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg FORT MILL, S.C.-And then there was one. The news from Springs Global last week that it would close its last American weaving operations, relocating all production offshore, leaves the United States with but one...

FEDERATED 5% PLAN RILES VENDORS.(Federated Department Stores Inc)
June 19, 2006... Byline: Vicki M. Young NEW YORK-The issue of chargebacks and vendor allowances is likely to remain a hot button this year now that Federated Department Stores Inc. is integrating its May Department Stores Co. acquisition and charging...

HOME PAGE.(India the focus for western businesses)(baby boomer market for houseware industry)(Home Furnishing Networks declined stock index)(Market overview)
June 19, 2006... A Look Ahead Advance monthly retail sales for June will be released by the U.S. Commerce Department on July 14. Office Depot will report its second-quarter earnings on July 28. The New York Home Textiles Show will be held at the...

WAL-MART UNVEILS HOTEL LINE, STORE-OF-THE-COMMUNITY PLAN.(Springmaid Hotel )
June 19, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Wal-Mart, in the midst of remodeling 1,800 home departments, is adding another feather to its upscale cap with the exclusive launch of the Springmaid Hotel collection in August. The retailer is also taking...

SAM'S CLUB SHOWCASES UPSCALE FARE AT HOLIDAY PREVIEW.(Wal Mart clubs marketing)(Brief article)
June 19, 2006... Sam's Club reinforced its efforts to cultivate an image as a destination for affordable luxury at an event last week that offered a glimpse of its holiday merchandise. Wal-Mart's warehouse club spin-off chain is on a mission to build...

QUICK TAKES.
June 19, 2006... RETAIL & SHOWS MERVYNS named retail industry veteran John Serino executive vice president of operations. Serino, who brings nearly 36 years of retail experience to the department store chain, most recently was chief operating officer for...

FORTUNOFF'S NEW CEO MAPS OUT GROWTH PLAN.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-The broadening and editing of Fortunoff begins now with the arrival of new CEO Arnie Orlick. The specialty retailer, highly regarded but limited to select regions of New York and New Jersey, will evolve...