HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from June 2007

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from June 2007

Et tu, Bed Bath? Home slide hits even the biggest boxer.(news)
June 11, 2007... UNION, N.J. -- Even the mighty Bed Bath & Beyond has fallen victim to slowing home sales as the retailer revised its quarterly sales downward for the first time in its history. Bed Bath & Beyond last week said it expects same-store sales...

The great factory certification debate.(news)
June 11, 2007... NEW YORK -- As retailers grow their private-label assortments, merchants are increasingly taking into their own hands the process of approving vendors' factories. Suppliers are scrambling to meet merchants' stringent--and at times...

A look ahead.(home page)
June 11, 2007... The Consumer Price Index for May will be released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on June 15. The International Gift & Home Accessories Market and the Dallas Furniture Market will both be held at the Dallas Market Center from June...

A look back.(home page)
June 11, 2007... Sixty-six years ago this week, HFN's predecessor Retailing reported that thousands of men, women and children in Madison, Wis., and Richmond, Va., collected their aluminum pots, pans, utensils and any other household items containing aluminum,...

Mediums.(home page)
June 11, 2007... "The Way We Live in the City" By Stafford Cliff and Gilles De Chabaneix Rizzoli New York, $39.95 Examining lifestyle and design solutions, "The Way We Live in the City" shows how to get the best out of life in the city. Sections...

The HFN stock index.(home page)
June 11, 2007... Manufacturers weighed down the HFN Index for the May 31 to June 6 period, declining 1.58 percent. Natuzzi SpA led losers with a 7.95 percent decline to $7.18. Retailers sunk 1.28 percent for the period. The Bombay Co., which led retail gainers...

Umbra opens hometown home in Toronto.(news)
June 11, 2007... TORONTO, Canada -- There's no place like home for Umbra. The company, long known for its broad and eclectic product line of contemporary furnishings and accessories, opened its first store ever, doing it here in its hometown, providing a...

Pacific Rim assets purchased; seven split Atlanta showroom.(news)
June 11, 2007... BOGART, Ga. -- Burton + Burton, a supplier of balloons and coordinating gifts, has acquired at auction Pacific Rim's customer list, trademark and the domain name for the Web site pacificrimcorp.com. "We have similar product lines, and their...

May retail sales experience rebound after April decline.(news)
June 11, 2007... NEW YORK -- Home furnishings retailers recorded modest May same-store sales gains in the wake of an April decline--the first such in just over four years. Retailers tracked by HFN had a 1.8 percent total average May same-store sales...

Trade show calendar.(Calendar)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] june 11-13 Off-Price Specialist Show Las Vegas Hilton Las Vegas (262) 782-1600 offpriceshow.com 11-13 NeoCon The Merchandise Mart Chicago (800) 677-MART ...

Boontje jumping.(trends)
June 11, 2007... NEW YORK -- You may not recognize the name--you may not even be able to pronounce it--but if you've spent any time on the cutting edge of home furnishings design recently, you will most certainly recognize the look. Dutch-born Tord Boontje...

Home Depot, Lowe's is making you sorrier.(opinions)
June 11, 2007... Just as Nero was caught fiddling while Rome was burning, The Home Depot had better stop fiddling around with its apologies to shareholders for its business meltdown and last year's nightmare of an annual meeting. All of these problems have been...

As the Wal turns.(home alone 2)
June 11, 2007... Return with us once again folks to the restful respite of Retailand, U.S.A., where all manner of stores are doing all manner of activities in the pursuit of the all-mighty consumer and her even all-mightier dollar. The continuing...

Show and tell: HFN maps out the second half of this year's trade show season.(top story/second-half trade show preview)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HFN Staff Report Reflecting the home furnishings and retail industries they serve, trade shows are constantly evolving. Apparently, the evolution process is moving more swiftly than usual as HFN's...

Ankasa takes a bite of the Big Apple: the company, known for its intricate, hand-embroidered textiles, has chosen New York for its first retail boutique.(the markets: textiles)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- In the 10 years since husband and wife Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia started their home textiles company Ankasa, the brand has become well-known for...

Seminar outlines the change in China.(the markets: textiles)
June 11, 2007... ORLANDO, Fla. -- China's home textiles market is changing rapidly, according to a seminar titled "Global Home Textiles: Focus on China," which was held at the recent Global Home Textiles show. Chen Zhirong, a senior analyst for the...

Eileen Fisher embraces color.(the markets: textiles)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Eileen Fisher Home by Garnet Hill is offering up a muted, mix-and-match collection of spicy solid colors for fall. It's a noticeable departure from the palette of its last collection, where neutrals...

Rizzy Rugs in expansion mode: the company has moved to a new facility that more than doubles its prior location.(the markets: floor covering)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CALHOUN, Ga. -- Less than one mile from its original warehouse and distribution center, Rizzy Rugs has moved into a new facility that more than doubles the size of its former location and...

Mohawk creates system to simplify decision-making.(the markets: floor covering)
June 11, 2007... DALTON, Ga. -- Mohawk has created a new merchandising system--Mohawk EasyChoice--designed specifically to avert one of the biggest obstacles in carpet buying: confusion. The company's research showed that 30 to 40 percent of women who walk...

Shaw gets upfront with green message.(the markets: floor covering)
June 11, 2007... DALTON, Ga. -- New point-of-sale materials from Shaw have been developed to convey to consumers the environmental benefits of many of the company's new products. In-store kiosks and hanging signs are among the materials created to illustrate...

Carpet One rolls out latest effort in the fight against breast cancer, hits the small screen.(the markets: floor covering)
June 11, 2007... MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Carpet One Floor & Home has kicked off its fourth year of raising funds for the fight against breast cancer with new designs for its series of pink-ribbon welcome mats. The spring 2007 Carpet One Welcomes Your Support...

Homefires' pet project.(the markets: floor covering)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Artist Sara England Is the latest to join the ranks at Homefires with her first designs appearing In summertime styles for the Carefree Collection. Surf Puppy and Kool Kurvy Kitty are the first designs to debut. The...

Haute lights: Elk Lighting's new Trump Home collection is making its debut at Dallas Market.(the markets: furniture & lighting)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DALLAS -- Elk Lighting will unveil the Trump Home lighting collection at the International Lighting and Accessories Market, which opens here next week. With two distinct families of fixtures, the collection aims...

Tempur-Pedic's 'Welcome to Bed' campaign links sleep, wellness.(the markets: furniture & lighting)
June 11, 2007... NEW YORK -- Tempur-Pedic is going all out in a new marketing campaign focused on the benefits of a good night's sleep and how the company's mattresses provide just that. Revolving around the tagline "Welcome to Bed," the campaign is an...

Lighting One convention now slated for November.(the markets: furniture & lighting)
June 11, 2007... ST. LOUIS -- Lighting One will hold its annual convention at the Glendale Renaissance Hotel in Glendale, Ariz., from Nov. 1 to 4. It's the first time the convention doesn't overlap with the January Dallas Lighting Market. "With the size of...

Savoy House Lighting.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 11, 2007... SAVOY HOUSE LIGHTING has appointed Sam Guye to the new post of vice president and general manager, responsible for the day-to-day operations at the company. He will assume some duties from Troy Lee, founder and president of Savoy House, who...

Satco.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 11, 2007... SATCO has named Kirsten Murray to the newly created position of energy efficiency programs manager, responsible for working with Energy Star, public utilities and retailers on education and program development. She reports to Alan Karen,...

Pacific Coast Lighting.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 11, 2007... PACIFIC COAST LIGHTING named Josh Hong as project director, a new position involving home accessories and lighting design. He will also do design work for the Kathy Ireland Home, Cabana Joe's and Dick Idol brands, as well as custom retail...

Adesso.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 11, 2007... ADESSO has partnered with Straight From the Crate, a Manhattan-based specialty retail chain, to launch a Web site, Adessosfc.com, dedicated to promoting Adesso's lighting, furniture and accessories sold through Straight From the Crate stores....

Casablanca Fan Co.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CASABLANCA FAN CO. has appointed Suzanne Villegas as product manager. She has 13 years experience in developing product lines for Vans Inc. and Universal Music. Villegas succeeds Hadi Srass, who left Casablanca, and...

W.A.C. Lighting.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 11, 2007... W.A.C. LIGHTING has appointed Chris Johnston to Western regional sales manager, responsible for overseeing sales in all states west of the Mississippi River, as well as Mexico and Central America. Johnston, who works from W.A.C.'s distribution...

The dangerous dating game.(opinions)
June 11, 2007... The lighting industry is flirting with danger in a dating game that could go seriously awry. The competitive pressures of today's economy coupled with the housing slowdown have compelled companies to resort to desperate measures to drive...

Designing women: media maven Cristina Saralegui.(the markets: tabletop)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Cristina Saralegui, a force in Hispanic media whose influence is spilling into mainstream outlets, is expanding into tabletop her exclusive Casa Cristina collection for Kohl's. Considering it a...

Designing women: celebrity caterer Serena Bass.(the markets: tabletop)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- For all the famous elbows she has rubbed, caterer and award-winning cookbook author Serena Bass is as down-to-earth as they come. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Celebrities, after all, are...

New marketing plan in store for aroma naturals line.(the markets: tabletop)
June 11, 2007... NEW YORK -- The green movement has reached the candle industry, a fact that places Yankee Candle in good stead thanks to its Aroma Naturals line. In 2005, Yankee acquired Aroma Naturals, an Irvine, Calif.-based company that specializes in...

Glassware makers: packaging needs punch.(the markets: tabletop)
June 11, 2007... NEW YORK -- Inside, it may be crystal-clear, but outside, the packaging for stemware and drinkware must be catchy to help make the sale at retail. More than a box to prevent breakage, packaging has to convey the company's message, appeal...

Mesa International sold to equity firm.(the markets: tabletop)
June 11, 2007... WARNER, N.H. -- Mesa International, a tabletop and home decor company, has been sold to a private-equity group based in Boylston, Mass. The equity group is an informal group of individuals that invests in small, private companies,...

Goring named new chairman at Villeroy.(the markets: tabletop)
June 11, 2007... METTLACH, Germany -- Wendelin von Boch, chairman of the board of Villeroy & Boch, has retired after 40 years with the company. Von Boch was succeeded by Frank Goring on June 1. Von Boch has become a supervisory board member. Goring...

Pueblo Indian pottery inspires BIA collection.(the markets: tabletop)
June 11, 2007... SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.-B]A Cordon Bleu and the Museum of New Mexico recently partnered to create a collection of mix-and-match dinnerware inspired by Pueblo Indian pottery. Designed by Mimi Robinson, who is known for her flair for...

HSN's recipe for cookware: the TV network's deal with star chef Emeril Lagasse further signifies a commitment to the cooking products category.(the markets: housewares)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- HSN's new deal with Emeril Lagasse signals an enhanced commitment to the cooking products category by the shopping TV network. This is the celebrity chefs first association with HSN. Under...

Cooking.com, Gourmet Catalog join forces in e-commerce effort.(the markets: housewares)
June 11, 2007... SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Kitchenware e-tailer Cooking.com has teamed up with buying group Gourmet Catalog to offer customers the option of buying products online or in-store. Participating Gourmet Catalog member retailers can now direct...

Former owner buys back Typhoon.(the markets: housewares)
June 11, 2007... CHESSINGTON, England -- A month after entering "administration," the equivalent of Chapter 11 in the United Kingdom, kitchenware manufacturer Typhoon International Group (also known as Typhoon Europe) has a new owner and a new name. On May...

Axis debuts shaver to help U.S. troops in Iraq.(the markets: housewares)
June 11, 2007... CHICAGO-In the wake of its inaugural line of electric shavers unveiled at the International Home & Housewares Show, Axis has extended the line with a new shaver intended to support the U.S. troops stationed in Iraq. Called the Axis Flx...

Maynard moves from KitchenAid to Whirlpool.(the markets: housewares)
June 11, 2007... BENTON HARBOR, Mich, -- When he takes on his new job as Whirlpool's global director of corporate social responsibility, Brian Maynard, director of brand marketing for the company's KitchenAid brand, will move away from a brand he has worked...

Running hot and cold: refrigeration sales heat up as appliances for cooking cool down.(MAJOR APPLIANCES REPORT)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE RISING TIDE OF KITCHEN REMODELING HAS NOT LIFTED ALL BOATS: Refrigerator volume soared in 2006 while cooking appliance sales slowed. Slumping housing sales have cast a dark cloud over the major appliance...

Sears holding off the competition--for now: the retailer is seeing The Home Depot and Lowe's take some of its share in the white-goods arena.(MAJOR APPLIANCES REPORT)
June 11, 2007... SEARS HOLDINGS MAY STILL SIT ATOP the white-goods retail throne, but it continues to lose market share to The Home Depot and Lowe's. As such, it is seeking ways to stop the bleeding. Sears Holdings racked up an estimated $7.52 billion in...

A changing cycle: buying before replacement is necessary helps spur sales of laundry appliances.(MAJOR APPLIANCES REPORT)
June 11, 2007... Laundry appliances are continuing to clean up despite the slowdown in new home sales, which tend to help spur the purchase of these appliances. Washer and dryer sales have historically been driven by the replacement of broken appliances,...

1 LG electronics.(Major Intros)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The LG SteamDryer's "SteamFresh" cycle reduces wrinkles and removes odors from clothing. The matching SteamWasher, in addition to offering a steam refresh cycle, incorporates steam into the wash cycle, which removes...

2 Whirlpool.(Major Intros)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For clothes that may not be dirty but need a quick freshening, the Whirlpool Duet Steam Dryer's Quick Refresh cycle relaxes wrinkles and removes odors in about 15 minutes. whirlpool.corn

3 Panasonic.(Major Intros)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Panasonic's Steam Convection Microwave Oven will offer consumers a steam-cooking option, a grill heater, convection and a traditional microwave function. panasonic.com

4 LG electronics.(Major Intros)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The LG steam dishwasher will deliver enhanced cleaning performance as the steam is used to clean difficult, stuck-on dirt. us.lge.com

5 Ariston.(Major Intros)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Ariston 24-inch Steam Oven's 1-liter reservoir steams up in 25 minutes. aristonappliances.us

6 Viking.(Major Intros)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Viking's new Steam Oven will offer heathy cooking with a high-end design. vikingrange.com

Technology cooking up in today's kitchen.(OPINIONS)
June 11, 2007... Today's kitchen is morphing into the nerve center of the house, with most families doing much more there than just cooking and eating. Other popular kitchen activities include entertaining friends, watching TV, doing homework, paying...

Direct focus manages costs at restoration.(business & finance)
June 11, 2007... CORTE MADERA, Calif.-Restoration Hardware has been hitting the books lately as the retailer continues to shift its focus toward the catalog business and away from store expansion. Some analysts said that the retailer's emphasis on its...

Umbra's rockin' rollout.(hfend)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Umbra opened its first store last month, in its hometown of Toronto, with a standing-room-only party featuring "Umbratinis" and members of the company's management team doing some serious rock 'n' roll amid the...

Alpha best.(hfend)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designer Jamie Drake was honored by The Alpha Workshops last month at the organization's Seventh Annual Alpha Awards. The event was held in the ballroom at the Prince George Hotel in New...

Super-sized expectations for market.(home page)
June 11, 2007... DALLAS -- Despite some softness in retail sales, vendors expect a robust June Super Market, opening here next week. The Super Market, which encompasses the gift, lighting, decorative accessories, floral, gourmet foods and related...

Dallas Market Center: five decades young: Dallas Market Center evolves with its customers.(dallas top story)
June 11, 2007... DALLAS -- Being in the middle of things is exactly the spot the Dallas Market Center wants to be in these days. By being in the middle of the country, it trumps its central location as a geographic advantage versus other market centers. ...

Home boutiques that put the ... accent on style.(dallas retail)
June 11, 2007... DALLAS -- From Shabby Chic and Victorian to modern, luxury looks, Dallas' home stores cater to a wide range of styles and income levels. Here's a sampler of the home boutiques in the city. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] VINTAGE LIVING ...

Something for everyone.(dallas trends)
June 11, 2007... With its numerous categories represented, the Dallas Market is a fine indicator of what's happening in home furnishings. Here's a quick peek at current offerings--and what will be coming soon to a retailer near you. Setting the Tone ...

The ABC's of big D.(dallas opinions: home alone 2)
June 11, 2007... I think it happened around the same time that the experts predicted we would all be going paperless because of the advent of the computer. Maybe it was when the pundits said the movies would replace television, or was it when they said...

Activities, opportunities light the way at the summer market: showroom expansions and seminars put on by the DMC are among the highlights that lighting exhibitors can expect to encounter at this edition of the Dallas market.(the markets: dallas lighting)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DALLAS -- Following Dallas Market Center's lighting expansion of the Trade Mart in January, which opened to much fanfare and unprecedented promotions and crowds, many are wondering how it...

Accentuating the positives: home decor exhibitors tout the benefit of being on the scene in Dallas for market.(the markets: dallas furniture & decorative accents)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DALLAS -- The Dallas Market Center's diverse home decor exhibitors are gearing up for the June edition of Super Market with enthusiasm and optimism. While lighting may get a lot of the attention, Dallas remains a...

Independents' day: tabletop vendors maintain focus toward the regional nature of the Dallas market.(the markets: dallas tabletop gifts)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DALLAS -- Longtime Dallas market attendees in the tabletop category remain committed to the biannual International Gift & Home Accessories Market, even as it has transformed from a national venue to a more regional...

Sowing seeds in the South.(the markets: dallas tabletop gifts)
June 11, 2007... Scanning a map of the United States, Mustard-seed & Moonshine was trying to decide where it needed to be. The Great Neck, N.Y.-based company known for its delicate, intricately detailed flower-shaped dinnerware felt it was underrepresented...

Natural is the new artificial: permanent florals grow more appealing to the eye--and in the aisles.(the markets: dallas floral)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DALLAS -- Permanent florals have come a long way, baby. Regardless of what you thought about artificial flowers of yore, today's crop is decidedly more botanically correct, incorporating...

A fiesta of color slated for dallas market center.(the markets: dallas floral)
June 11, 2007... Dedicated to permanent floral, seasonal decor and related decorative accessories, the upcoming Holiday & Home Expo looks to be a colorful one, as this year's theme is "Celebrate Color!" and the show party and a number of seminars will focus on...

Textiles ready to shine.(the markets: dallas textiles & rugs)
June 11, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DALLAS -- In the textiles showrooms at the Dallas Market Center, optimism is running high about potential traffic and sales at the upcoming June market. "The June market is a...

Rug companies take the showroom floor.(the markets: dallas textiles & rugs)
June 11, 2007... DALLAS -- Most rug companies in the Dallas Market Center arrive by way of a rack or two managed by their Dallas-area reps, but they occupy this space because they believe representation at DMC is an important part of their business. For...

Happy 50th DMC!(dallas hfend)
June 11, 2007... As the Dallas Market Center hits the big 5-0, it looks back on five decades of parties, politics and home fashion. Former presidents and notable political hopefuls have graced the DMC's halls alongside influential home industry players. In...

Barnes & Noble booking on home.(top story)
June 18, 2007... NEW YORK -- Barnes & Noble, facing heightened competition in the book retailing sector, is making a big push in home furnishings. Barnes & Noble is making a push in the home business with an exclusive partnership with designer Jonathan...

Department stores crowded with inventory.(the markets: business & finance)
June 18, 2007... NEW YORK -- Department store aisles were crowded during the recently completed first quarter. Unfortunately, for some of these retailers, aisles were crowded with inventory rather than shoppers. The total average inventory-to-sales ratio...

A look ahead.(home page)
June 18, 2007... Consumer confidence for June will be released by The Conference Board on June 26. Sales of newly built homes in May will be released by the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau on June 26. Family Dollar will release its quarterly...

A look back.(home page)
June 18, 2007... Twenty-six years ago this week, readers learned why small retailers specializing in home products were stealing customers from traditional department stores: The latter have "allowed it to happen," exclaimed the youthful president of Frederick...

Mediums.(home page)
June 18, 2007... Big Comfy Chair Paul McCartney's new album, "Memory Almost Full," features this cushiony, upholstered chair on the cover. There's absolutely no truth to the rumor that it includes a song titled "I Saw Her Sitting There," but if he did,...

The HFN stock index.(home page)
June 18, 2007... Retailers, with an 0.94 percent increase, drove the HFN Index gain for the period of June 6 to 13. Pier I Imports topped the group with a 15.51 percent increase, to close at $8.64 following a stock upgrade by Goldman Sachs. Manufacturers slid...

Bon-Ton plans growth for exclusive KN line.(news)
June 18, 2007... YORK, Pa. -- Bon-Ton has big plans for its exclusive KN Luxury Home collection from designer Karen Neuburger. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The retailer is fleshing out the line, which launched with soft home goods in January, and will expand...

Betty Crocker and Pillsbury Shops open on Cooking.com.(news)
June 18, 2007... SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- General Mills has partnered with Cooking.com to open BettyCrockerStore.com and PillsburyStore.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cooking.com has built both sites and will manage them as well. The sites will be promoted...

Arc to put Mikasa, Salviati on block.(news)
June 18, 2007... NEW YORK -- Arc International has officially put its Mikasa and Salviati brands up for sale. It is also closing 86 Mikasa factory outlet stores in the United States. The company announced late last week that it has retained Morgan,...

Wal-Mart taps Hefner to fill Home Executive VP, GM posts.(news)
June 18, 2007... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart has named Linda Hefner executive vice president and general manager of the home business unit for Wal-Mart Stores U.S., effective immediately. She will report directly to John Fleming, chief merchandising officer....

Right on point.(letter)
June 18, 2007... To the Editor: I read your column "Home Alone 2, Going Out of Business" in HFN magazine. Your remarks about change and moving forward were right on the money. As America's largest furniture real estate specialists, we are in total...

Correction.(news)(Correction notice)
June 18, 2007... In the June 11 issue of HFN, an article about Eileen Fisher incorrectly identified the maker of Eileen Fisher's clothing line. The apparel collection is designed and manufactured by Eileen Fisher. The Eileen Fisher Home by Garnet Hill's fall...

Broyhill Furniture Industries.(THE MARKETS)
June 18, 2007... BROYHILL FURNITURE INDUSTRIES has appointed Randy Lavercombe vice president of sales. Lavercombe, a 30-year furniture veteran, spent the past two years at Ashley Furniture Industries managing accounts and providing sales and marketing counsel...