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

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

TOTALLY HOME.
March 6, 2006... The top 25 total home stores, including the five-biggest mapped here, emerged in 2005 as the places to be in retailing. HFN's exclusive report

J.C. PENNEY MAKES 'INSIDE' MOVES WITH AD CAMPAIGN.(J.C. Penney Corporation Inc., advertising contract with DDB Worldwide)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-J.C. Penney has launched its biggest brand marketing campaign ever with a multimedia blitz that touts exclusive collections and introduces the revised tag line, "You've Got it All Inside." The four-week...

APPLICA IN PLAY: WHO'S READY TO ANTE UP?(business sale plans)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick MIRAMAR, Fla.-Applica Inc. said last week that it was exploring strategic alternatives, "which could include a sale or merger for the company." But who would buy the struggling maker of Black & Decker appliances?...

HOMEPAGE.(home furnishings industry sales and forecast)
March 6, 2006... A Look Ahead Advance Retail Sales for February will be released by the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau on March 14. Dollar General will report its fourth-quarter earnings and sales on March 21. Family Dollar will report...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.
March 6, 2006... MARCH 6-10 Export Furniture Exhibition Malaysia Asia Pacific Auction Center-APAC Subang, Malaysia 011-60-6952-4545 efe.net.my 7-9 Travel Goods Show Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas (609)...

QUICK TAKES.(Design Within Reach appoints Michelle Carrara and promotes Tara Poseley)(Robert Allen Group appoints Linda Kinkler)(F. Schumacher and Co. appoints Carolyn D'Angelo)
March 6, 2006... RETAIL DESIGN WITHIN REACH has named Michelle Carrara as vice president of merchandising. The position was previously held by Tara Poseley, who was named chief executive officer in October. Carrara was formerly divisional merchandise...

HEAVY METALS.(copper and bronze metal housewares)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine Gold is over; stainless steel is two years ago-but copper and bronze are so now. Some of the newest products recently launched on both sides of the Atlantic rely on these rich tones to add a fresh look to the...

OOPS, EDDIE DID IT AGAIN.(Fast Eddie Lampert's investment plans)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg That sound you hear coming out of Sears Holdings' headquarters in Hoffman Mistakes is the screech of tires as the giant retailing vehicle makes another 90-degree turn and veers off into yet one more direction. ...

HITTING A HOME RUN.(home center stores and home furnishings industry comparative analysis)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-The total home sector outpaced the overall retail sector in 2005, HFN's second annual Top 25 Total Home Store Report has revealed. A hefty 40 percent of home specialists on the list-ranging from big-box...

HITTING A HOME RUN (PART 2).(Fortunoff's plans expansion)(ABC Carpet Company Inc. closes stores)(Z Gallerie plans to open more stores)
March 6, 2006... 15; 14: The Bombay Co., Fort Worth, Texas; $512.9; $505.5; 1.5%; 497 Furniture, tabletop, textiles, floor coverings A series of changes at the executive level dotted The Bombay Co.'s year. The retailer finished out 2005 with a new vice...

FURNITURE STORES: NOT JUST FOR FURNITURE ANYMORE.(furniture retailers offering home furnishings)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg NEW YORK-Independent furniture stores-land of big tickets and small traffic counts-are starting to come to a rather amazing conclusion: Non-furniture classifications like textiles, tabletop and major appliances can...

TEDDY, SET, GO.(Springs Global U.S. Inc., marketing)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Springs Global U.S. Inc. has gone with a more luxurious look for three new infant bedding groupings in its Blue Jean Teddy collection. The most recent introductions maintain the character of Blue Jean...

RIVERSIDE ACQUIRES THIBAUT WALLPAPER & FABRICS.(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-The Riverside Co., a large private-equity firm with offices across the country, has acquired Thibaut Wallpaper & Fabrics in Newark, N.J. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Bob Senior, a...

CARPET ONE'S CONVENTION WISDOM.(modernizing logo, expands collections)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-Carpet One presented members with an updated logo and expanded exclusive collections at its biannual convention held in late February in Anaheim, Calif. The company said it made the move to modernize its...

A CROWDED FLOOR AT SURFACES.(Surfaces 2006 trade show )(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK-Surfaces 2006 in Las Vegas managed to break multiple records this year, registering its largest number of attendees to date, as well as top attendance to programs throughout the three-day show. The February show saw a crowd of...

SEEING THE LIGHTING.(home furnishing companies selling lighting products)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Faye Musselman ATLANTA-In today's brand-driven marketplace, venerable home furnishings companies are finding that the lighting category is a natural extension for expanding their own viability, broadening distribution and...

RUG COMPANIES ARE STEPPING UP PRESENCE IN FURNITURE STORES.(fug and carpet companies offering furnitures)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-Rug companies are making a name for themselves in the furniture industry, and no longer merely as an accessory. Recent months have found established rug vendors expanding their product offering and...

SCANDINAVIAN DESIGNS.(Sagaform to show products at International Home & Housewares Show)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-Bringing its Scandinavian sensibility for smart, streamlined, functional products to the U.S. market is Sagaform, which is making its debut at the International Home & Housewares Show in Chicago next week...

LALIQUE LIGHTS UP BERGDORF GOODMAN.(partnership)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-Lalique has teamed with New York specialty store Bergdorf Goodman to create a hall of crystal that stretches from restaurant BG into the store's home decor department on the seventh floor. It is the largest...

INTERNET SITE DESIGNED FOR ENTERTAINING DEBUTS.(launch of entertaininglifestyles.com)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-Joining the fray of Internet resources anxious to help people entertain at home is a new e-commerce Web site called Entertaininglifestyles.com. Created by Yamile Linderman, a stay-at-home mom with a...

CRATE & BARREL WRITES THE BOOK ON ADVICE FOR ENGAGED COUPLES.(Gift Registry Guide )(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK-Crate & Barrel is offering a new book of advice for engaged couples. While it steers clear of marital shoulds and should-nots, it does offer "essential advice, our best know-how and a fabulous look at what makes a Crate & Barrel gift...

BUILT TO PRODUCE.(Entrepreneur Michael Bissonnette invents electric indoor garden)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan BOULDER, Colo.-A new appliance might be prompting home cooks to make room on their kitchen counters. Entrepreneur Michael Bissonnette believes that his latest invention, the AeroGarden, will create an...

QUICKIE REVAMPS PRODUCTS, PACKAGING TO RETOOL CORE BRANDS.(Quickie Manufacturing Corp., marketing)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Sharyn Bernard CINNAMINSON, N.J.-Quickie Mfg. Corp. is embarking on an ambitious brand revitalization strategy that will include diversifying into new categories and segments, refocusing and redesigning the company's three core...

VIPAC GETS SMART WITH DUMMIES LINE.(Closet Complete partners with For Dummies books to launch storage products)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Sharyn Bernard EDISON, N.J.-Closet Complete by Vipac is teaming up with the popular "For Dummies" brand of how-to books to create a line of storage and organization products under the brand. Storage & Organization for Dummies...

ADAGIO LOOKS TO MAKE TEA TIME A CONSTANT EVENT.(Adagio Teas launches tea making appliances)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan CLIFTON, N.J.-Consumers have discovered gourmet chocolates, gourmet breads and gourmet olive oils. Now it's tea's turn to shine, say the executives at Adagio Teas. They're hoping that by providing the tools...

STEWART LISTS HER '20 ESSENTIAL KITCHEN TOOLS' ON TV SHOW, WEB SITE.(Martha Stewart)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan NEW YORK-Homemaking doyenne and talk show host Martha Stewart spent the entire month of February choosing what she considers the 20 most essential kitchen tools. Each day she featured a new tool on her...

HAPPENINGS AT THE CHICAGO SHOW.(International Home and Housewares Show)(Calendar)
March 6, 2006... Chicago-Take your pick: seminars, panel discussions, receptions. It's all happening at the International Home & Housewares Show. There's lots to see at the Housewares Show next week in Chicago. Start planning now for seminars on everything...

ORNAMENT EXPRESS.(Lladr signs contract with Culdesac)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine Lladr, a name that is synonymous with evocative figurines, is changing its look with the new Re-Cyclos collection. Created with the help of the design group Culdesac, the collection features modernist sculptures...

ENTREE NOUS.(Neiman Marcus Co.'s Entree magazine celebrates a party)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... The new restaurant BG at Bergdorf Goodman in New York was the setting for a meet-the-editor party for Neiman Marcus's Entree magazine. Karen Carroll, editor in chief of Southern Accents, also runs Entree. Both are Southern Progress...

DESPERATELY HOUSEWARES.(Flavia Beverage Systems to introduce coffee maker at housewares show)
March 13, 2006... Something's brewing in chicago. Flavia's new Fusion coffeemaker is one of thousands of product introductions at this week's Housewares Show. Caption(s): Flavia's new Fusion coffeemaker is one of thousands of product introductions at...

BUYERS BRING WINDY CITY WISH LISTS.
March 13, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau, with conributions by Sharyn Bernard and Allison Zisko CHICAGO-Retailers here at the International Home & Housewares Show are looking to validate trend directions, build their private-label businesses and stumble on a...

LIFETIME'S LATEST BRAND: SYRATECH.(Lifetime Cutlery Corp. acquires and launches cookware)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor, Warren Shoulberg CHICAGO-With its acquisition of Syratech Corp. last Wednesday, the Lifetime Brands that opens its booth up for business Sunday morning here at the Housewares Show is a radically different...

HFN HOME PAGE.(new housing starts and permits to be relaesed soon)(Bed Bath & Beyond to report its fourth-quarter earnings)(web entrepreneur Nissanoff writes new book)(HFN stock indexes)
March 13, 2006... A LOOK AHEAD New housing starts and permits for February will be released by the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau on March 16. Premarket at High Point, N.C., will be held the week of March 27. Bed Bath & Beyond will report...

CELEB CHEFS RAY AND ROCCO REV UP HOUSEWARES WITH LICENSED LINES.(Rachael Ray and Rocco DiSpirito come with their design cookware)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor CHICAGO-Celebrity chefs and cookware products are a match made in heaven for many manufacturers. And at this week's International Home & Housewares Show here, two more chefs-Rachael Ray and Rocco DiSpirito-are...

BON-TON CEO OUTLINES SAKS INTEGRATION PLAN.(Bon-Ton Stores Inc.)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau YORK, Pa.-With the Northern Department Store Group of Saks Inc. now firmly in its grip, The Bon-Ton Stores is focused on trading up its mix to the NDSG's more upmarket fare, including home. Bon-Ton also plans to...

HOME PUSH BY COSTCO, BJ'S BOOSTS SALES, STORE TRAFFIC.(Costco Wholesale Corp. and B J's Wholesale Club Inc. post profits)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Home helped drive sales at warehouse club brethren Costco and BJ's during the most recent quarter. While both retailers are pushing an expanded mix of big-ticket goods, including higher-priced furniture,...

DESIGN WITHIN REACH'S KIDS PLAY.(children's furniture catalog discontinued)(Brief article)
March 13, 2006... Design Within Reach dropped its latest second children's catalog, DWRjax. The catalog, "inspired by kids, created by designers," brings the tony modernist aesthetic to the junior set.

PENNEY'S 'EXPERIENCE' BOWS WITH BRANDING BASH IN THE BIG APPLE.(J.C. Penney Corporation Inc.'s branding campaign of its new store)(Brief article)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-J.C. Penney kicked off its biggest branding campaign ever here with a big bash at its new "Experience" pop-up store in Times Square. The party drew celebrities such as LeAnn Rimes, the new spokeswoman for...

HOUSEWARES CHARITY TO HELP FUND BREAST CANCER RESEARCH.
March 13, 2006... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan CHICAGO-The Housewares Charity Foundation has a lofty goal-one that could result in a new laboratory and other facilities at the University of Chicago Integrated Breast Cancer Research Laboratory. Now...

RESTORATION HARDWARE PUBLISHES FIRST OUTDOOR LIVING CATALOG.(Brief article)
March 13, 2006... CORTE MADERA, Calif.-Restoration Hardware last week released its first catalog devoted entirely to outdoor living. The 87-page full-color catalog, featuring eight collections, focuses largely on seats and tables, but includes daybeds,...

CORRECTION.(Correction notice)
March 13, 2006... In last week's HFN, in a story regarding Ray Zrike Sr., Ray Zrike Jr.'s photowas used by mistake. Ray Zrike Jr. has served as an executive vice president of the Zrike Co. for the past 23 years and is no longer actively involved with the...

QUICK TAKES.(Federated Department Stores Inc. appoints Tricia Foley)(Restoration Hardware Inc. appoints Chris Newman)(Anna's Linens appoints Peggie Galvin )
March 13, 2006... RETAIL TRICIA FOLEY, who was named vice president of trend development for Macy's Home Store, has resigned that post and is now working as a consultant for the centralized home buying division of Federated Department Stores, a spokeswoman...

KEY CONGRESSIONAL ALLY FOR BUSH SET TO LEAVE HOUSE.(Bill Thomas to retire from House. Committee on Ways and Means)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON-Rep. Bill Thomas, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, who has played a pivotal role in shaping trade and tax policy for President Bush, said last week that he will retire at the end of the year....

PIER 1'S LATEST ADS PLAY UP 'FUN,' NEW CATALOGS BOW.(Pier 1 Imports Inc.)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau ORLANDO, Fla.-Pier 1 Imports will unveil its latest catalog this week, as well as new television advertisements "that will have a bit more energy, a lot more fun," Cary Turner, chief financial officer of the home...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
March 13, 2006... March 12-14 International Home & Housewares Show McCormick Place Chicago (847) 292-4200 housewares.org 15-18 Taipei International Furniture Fair Taipei World Trade Center Hall Taiwan ...

BOSCOV'S NEW HEAD OF HOME WANTS TO MAKE GOOD THING BETTER.(John Young of Boscov's Department Stores Inc. )
March 13, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau READING, Pa.-The home business at Boscov's has been turning sales gains for nearly two decades, driven by the success of individual product categories. The idea now is to foster a department where the whole is...

GOURMET HOUSEWARES SHOW GETS HANDS-ON TEST KITCHEN.(Brief article)
March 13, 2006... WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.-The newly redeveloped culinary center at the Gourmet Housewares Show, set for May 9 to 11 in Las Vegas, will feature live chef demonstrations, cookbook signings and product demonstrations. And this year, attendees will also...

JOB CONCERNS CAUSE FEBRUARY SLIP IN CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX.
March 13, 2006... Byline: Vicki M. Young NEW YORK-Consumers lost their confidence in February as short-term concerns over the job market and a growing pessimism in the longer-term outlook weighed them down. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence...

EX-ATLANTA MAYOR LAUDS WAL-MART.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Andrew Young)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Rosemary Feitelberg NEW YORK-Andrew Young, the former Atlanta mayor and U.N. ambassador who is the public face of a group backed by Wal-Mart, went on the offensive recently, saying the company had revitalized the South's economy...

PROFFITT'S, MCRAE'S NOW BECOME BELK.(Belk Stores Services Inc. acquires)(Brief article)
March 13, 2006... CHARLOTTE, N.C.-Last week, 39 Proffitt's and McRae's department stores officially became Belk-taking on the retailer's name and retail identity. The former Southern divisions of the Department Store Group of Saks Inc. were sold to Belk in...

NPD PRESENTS HOUSEWARES TRENDS TO KEEP AN EYE ON.
March 13, 2006... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan CHICAGO-As housewares manufacturers and retailers converge at the International Home & Housewares Show here, some of the trends that dominated retail shelves last year will certainly be top of mind as...

THE NEW REALITY OF PENSIONS.(pension plan trends)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Sharon Edelson NEW YORK-Corporate pension plans aren't what they used to be. In recent years, much of corporate America has moved away from defined benefit plans-an emblem of job security from a previous era in which pensions...

HANOVER EYED IN POTENTIAL TAKEOVER BY MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER.(Hanover Direct Inc. to be acquired by Chelsey Direct L.L.C.)(Brief article)
March 13, 2006... WEEHAWKEN, N.J.-Hanover Direct, a catalog and Web-based retailer of home products and apparel, may go private if a proposal from its largest shareholder, Chelsey Direct LLC, to acquire all remaining shares is approved by the firm's board of...

WEATHERING HEIGHTS.(housewares industry trends)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg The unusually mild, snowless winter most of the country has been enjoying this year has not bypassed Chicago either. The City of Big Shoulders (whatever that means) has been strangely pleasant for long periods of...

A BINDING CONTRAST.(International Home & Housewares Show)(kitchen products)(Brief article)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine The International Home & Housewares Show in Chicago is a veritable mecca for lovers of kitchen products. This season, be on the lookout for a wave of white and black products, both functional and decorative. The...

DE'LONGHI TARGETS UPPER TIER WITH SUBBRAND.(DeLonghi America Inc.)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan CHICAGO-De'Longhi, which is already known as a high-end kitchen appliance company, is aiming even higher. At the International Home & Housewares Show here, retailers will get the first peek at Esclusivo by...

VENDORS TACKLE RISING COSTS ON WAY TO CHICAGO.
March 13, 2006... Byline: HFN Staff CHICAGO-As vendors head to the International Home & Housewares Show here, the rising cost of manufacturing and shipping is still a topic that weighs heavily on most industry players. The question on everyone's minds is:...

CRATE & BARREL FOUNDERS HONORED FOR LEGACY OF GIVING.(Housewares Charity Foundation honors Gordon Segal and Carole Segal)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau, with contributions from Jessica Goldbogen Harlan CHICAGO-Crate & Barrel founders Gordon and Carole Segal have not only made a bold imprint on housewares retailing, but a seminal mark on the business of giving back....

RICHARD SIMMONS, FAMOUS FACE IN FITNESS, TURNS TO FOOD PREP.
March 13, 2006... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan CHICAGO-Ten years ago, Richard Simmons sketched an idea for a food-steaming device onto a napkin. Little did he know that a decade later, he'd be traveling to Chicago to introduce the product at the...

CHOWING DOWN IN CHI-TOWN.(Chicago restaurants)(Directory)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan CHICAGO-There's more to Chicago cuisine than steak and deep-dish pizza. Here are some suggestions for the perfect restaurant to fit your needs, whether you are looking for a quick bite or elaborate meal....

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE SHOW EXPERIENCE.(International Home & Housewares Show)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Allison O'Rourke CHICAGO-Here's how to maximize your time at the 2006 International Home & Housewares Show with tips on transportation, amenities and special services for show attendees. Online Show/Product Locator Prior...

INSPECTING GADGETS.(kitchenware introduced at International Home & Housewares Show)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko CHICAGO-Fashion and function, convenience and innovation take center stage with the introduction of a host of kitchen prep items, pantryware and gadgets at the International Home & Housewares Show here. Silicone and...

ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE.(electric kettles introduced at International Home & Housewares Show.)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan CHICAGO-Beverages-from coffee and tea to smoothies and soy milk-are in the spotlight among this year's crop of introductions for the International Home & Housewares Show. The single-serve beverage category...

COOKING UP NEW IDEAS, CHICAGO STYLE.(at International Home & Housewares Show )
March 13, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor CHICAGO-Ceramic, glass, stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron and silicone: The bakeware and cookware offerings on display at this week's International Home & Housewares Show come in all kinds of materials. And...

GOING A CUT ABOVE WITH INTRODUCTIONS.(knives and cutleries introduced)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko CHICAGO-Fashion meets function in this year's assortment of new cutlery options, where color plays a strong role. Ease of use and comfort are also key to these introductions, many of which are ergonomically designed...

GROOMED TO SUCCEED; EXHIBITORS IN CHICAGO ARE SHOWCASING A RANGE OF PRODUCTS AIMED AT MEETING CONSUMERS' GROOMING NEEDS.(International Home & Housewares Show sees personal care products)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan CHICAGO-New personal care products at the International Home & Housewares Show can help consumers look and feel their best, with new hair-removal products, grooming tools with ramped-up features and mirrors...

SOME COMFORTING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES.(International Home and Housewares Show)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick CHICAGO-The world of digital technology continues to pervade the home comfort category, as humidifier and air purification manufacturers add digital displays to allow for easier operation and air quality monitoring,...

FOOD STORAGE FOR THOUGHT.(food jars from ASDAK International Inc., Lipper International Inc. and PMI Food Equipment Group)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Sharyn Bernard CHICAGO-The food storage market is showing signs of significant innovation and design, from vacuum seal products to premium stainless-steel canister sets. While the disposable food storage market continues to gain...

DESIGN CLEANS UP AT CHICAGO SHOW.(vacuum cleaners and floor cleaning appliances)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick CHICAGO-As vacuum shopping at mass retail becomes more of a self-service consumer experience, floor care makers must dazzle with eye-catching colors and design to move product off the shelves. The show floor this...

COZY DESIGNER NEUBURGER ADDS MAJOR APPLIANCES, COOKWARE AND MORE.(Karen Neuburger)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan CHICAGO-Karen Neuburger, a designer famous for her cozy flannel sleepwear, is taking aim at the kitchen and laundry room with new products debuting at the International Home & Housewares Show here. The...

COMMERCE DEPARTMENT LOOKS TO EXPAND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE.
March 13, 2006... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan CHICAGO-While many Americans tend to think that the United States is the most important market in the world, it's important to remember that 95 percent of the world's consumers actually live outside of it....

GODINGER MOVES INTO KITCHEN WITH GIFT MENTALITY.(Godinger Silver and Art Company Ltd.)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko CHICAGO-At the International Home & Housewares Show here this week, Godinger will continue to push past its tabletop roots and parlay its industry knowledge into a new line of kitchen prep and cutlery items. ...

MEYER INTRODUCES SILVERSTONE2 AT CHICAGO SHOW.(Silverstone Partners, International Home & Housewares Show )
March 13, 2006... CHICAGO-SilverStone is introducing a subbrand that features fashion-forward and colorful collections of kitchen products targeting younger audiences and new channels of distribution at this week's International Home & Housewares Show here. The...

SIMPLEHUMAN THINKS OUTSIDE THE CAN.
March 13, 2006... Byline: Sharyn Bernard CHICAGO-Simplehuman has taken its design philosophy and made it bigger, smaller and electric. The company, known for its premium trash cans, is branching out into several new categories, including a pod coffeemaker,...

AUSTRALIAN CLEANING PRODUCTS TRY TO DENT U.S. MARKET.(Sabco USA)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Sharyn Bernard CHICAGO-Sabco USA, a division of HWI Metro, is making its debut in this country with its line of cleaning products. Sabco, which stands for South Australia Brush Co., is a 115-year-old company, but it has never sold...

SNAP-SAVER'S LINE SOLVES LID DILEMMA.(traditional retail channels targeted)(Brief article)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Sharyn Bernard CHICAGO-After making its mark via Internet and television ad campaigns, Snap-Saver is focusing on entering traditional retail channels to grow its food storage business. "In the initial concept, we branded it...

CUTLERY INTRODUCTIONS SHOW INDUSTRY'S FASHIONABLE SIDE.(International Home & Housewares Show)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko CHICAGO-Innovation, a touch of fashion and continual exposure from celebrity chefs have given the cutlery business a boost lately, and that energy is evident by the introductions being made here this week at the...

DESIGNER RASHID LENDS EXPERTISE FOR NEW DIRT DEVIL HAND VAC.(Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. introduces hand held vacuum cleaners)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick CHICAGO-Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. hopes to funnel Housewares Show traffic to its booth with its first Karim Rashid creation, the Dirt Devil Kone, a hand vacuum in the guise of a minimalist cone sculpture....

VAC MAKERS CONTINUE TO MIGRATE TO MULTISURFACE PRODUCTS.(International Home & Housewares Show)(flooring industry trends)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick CHICAGO-As homeowners continue to replace wall-to-wall carpeting with a variety of surfaces, vacuum makers follow, designing units to suit flexible cleaning needs. This trend is evident at the International Home...

CONTAINER ENTHUSIASM.(food storage containers at the International Home & Housewares Show)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Sharyn Bernard CHICAGO-Food storage vendors, facing pressure from improved quality of disposable products, are introducing more niche and premium products to gain traction in the market. Suppliers exhibiting at this week's...

A REALLY ENTERTAINING SHOW.(International Home and Housewares Show analysis)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko, with contributions by Carla Webb O'Connor CHICAGO-Buoyed by a strong selling season so far, tabletop vendors have arrived here enthusiastic and optimistic about the potential presented by this International Home &...

LIFETIME BRANDS POSTS SIGNIFICANT Q4 INCREASES.(Lifetime Cutlery Corp.)
March 13, 2006... NEW YORK-Growth in cutlery and kitchenware, plus the completed integration of the Pfaltzgraff and Salton businesses, significantly boosted Lifetime Brands' bottom line last year. The company reported a 35 percent increase in net income, to...

FORTESSA FORGES CLOSE LINK BETWEEN RETAIL, FOOD-SERVICE BUSINESS.(International Home and Housewares Show)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko CHICAGO-Dipping into its knowledge of the trends and demands of the food-service business, Fortessa arrives at the International Home & Housewares Show here this week with its first-ever, cross-category...

CLAY ART MATURES INTO SOPHISTICATED LOOKS.(marketing products at International Home & Housewares Show)
March 13, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor CHICAGO-After what Jenny McClain-Doores, design director and co-owner of Clay Art, calls "a banner year," the company is coming to this week's International Home & Housewares Show with its widest assortment yet....