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

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

Bloomie's president Spring ready to play up home fashion.(home page)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- In his new role as Bloomingdale's president, Tony Spring is looking forward to stoking the retailer's fashionable edge in home furnishings. Spring, who was announced as Bloomingdale's president late...

Off-price turns on: the discount retailers gain home clout as the economy comtinues to worsen.(in focus)(Cover story)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- Off-price chains have been the second banana of home retailing, but their billing is moving up these days. Retailers such as T.J. Maxx, Ross Stores and Tuesday Morning are gaining clout with home vendors as shoppers court...

Spate of bankruptcy filings hit the retail sector.(news)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- It's no secret that the recent spate of retail bankruptcy filings underscore Darwin's survival-of-the-fittest theory: Only the strong merchants will survive in a weak economy. But there is another...

Black and white: read all about it.(trends)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] From the fashion runways to the booths and showrooms of the home business, black and white is the hottest look since... well, since black and white was around last time. Never far from the fashion spotlight, the...

The price is wrong ... still.(HOME ALONE 2)
March 10, 2008... C'mon down! It's been the rallying call of the home furnishings industry for as long as anybody can remember. Get a new product and see how cheaply you can sell it. Dumb it down, de-spec it within an inch of its life and damn the...

Latin flavor: Lifetime Brands brings South-of-the-border cookware to the North with its Vasconia line debuting at the Houseware Show.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- A year after announcing that it had bought into a Mexican cookware company to expand its reach into the Hispanic market, Lifetime Brands will launch the new Vasconia collection at the International Home &...

De'Longhi focuses on boosting U.S. unit; new brand message first step.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... SADDLE BROOK, N.J. -- The new management team at De'Longhi USA has declared itself ready to tackle the challenges of growing the U.S. arm of the Italy-based housewares manufacturer. In December, the company said Alvise Ricoveri, who had...

Breaking down some new ideas.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- For all the consumers that see a plastic bag tumbling down the street and wonder how long it will be before it degrades, a number of biodegradable products are making their way to market, offering an alternative to products that...

DKB to highlight Cole & Mason, Zyliss at show.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... IRVINE, Calif. -- After changing its name Jan. 1 from Zyliss USA Corp., DKB Household USA Corp., a division of Swiss-based Diethelm Keller Brands, will highlight its new name as well as push its two key brands--Zyliss and Cole & Mason--at the...

Diversity is the spice of life for IMUSA: new cooking products are geared toward all Hispanic groups.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... DORAL, Fla. -- With high recognition rates among Hispanic customers, and expertise among all types of Hispanic groups, IMUSA will continue to expand its cookware and kitchenware lines at the International Home & Housewares Show. ...

1 Kitchen Resource.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... 1 Kitchen Resource Kitchen Resource now offers the Cloer line of kitchen electrics from Germany, including this coffeemaker. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] kitchenresource.com

2 Adagio.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... 2 Adagio Adagio will debut a number of glass items for tea lovers, including this glass mug with infuser. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] adagioXL.com

3 Conair.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... 3 Conair Conair plans to launch the latest generation of its Infiniti Hair Designer, featuring tourmaline ceramic technology. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] conair.com

4 Todco.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... 4 Todco Todco will feature its Roasted Garlic Express line of garlic roasters, including its stainless-steel models. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] roastedgarlicexpress.comt

5 American Innovative.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... 5 American Innovative The lightweight Klip! Kitchen Timer from American Innovative can be stored in a matching countertop stand or as a fridge magnet. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] americaninnovative.com

6 Trudeau.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... 6 Trudeau The colorful Garlic Duo is a press on one side and a slicer on the other, and has a zinc die-cast body with a comfortable handle. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] trudeaucorp.com

7 Fissler.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... 7 Fissler Fissler's Blue Point Pressure Pan set comes with two lids and a wire basket and is for more than just pressure cooking. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] fisslerusa.com

8 More Than Group.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... 8 More Than Group British bakeware company More Than Group has released British chef Brian Turner's collection to the U.S. market, including this lasagne pan. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] morethangroup.com

9 Messermeister.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... 9 Messermeister East meets West in Messermeister's Mu knives, which have a traditional Japanese blade shape, but are made from European molybdenum/vanadium steel. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] messermeister.com

10 FFI Corporate--Croydex USA.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... 10 FFI Corporate--Croydex USA Twist N Lock, a highly decorative suction cup system, has expanded beyond the bath to include products for the kitchen, such as this spice rack. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] croydexusa.com

Students get creative for IHA Competition.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... CHICAGO -- A fruit bowl, an electronic recipe viewer and a laundry hammock were among the top designs created by students--and possible future housewares executives--in the International Housewares Association's 15th Annual Student Design...

Outset's meal ticket: two new licenses.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Barware, barbecue tool and cookware manufacturer Outset Inc. has expanded its lines with a personality from the kitchen and a brand name from the grill in two new licenses: chef...

Oneida cuts a deal with Robinson Home.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Oneida is hoping for a slice of the growing cutlery market through its licensing agreement with Robinson Home Products. The two companies, longtime licensing partners, will launch an assortment of...

Haute to Trot: French cookware company crosses the ocean.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. -- Sold worldwide, Cristel cookware will be introduced to the American market this month as Haute Cuisine Imports brings the French company to the United States with its two removable handle collections, Agate and Zenith. ...

Brushing up on new technologies powers the oral-care category to sales growth.(housewares)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- Innovation is the fuel to growth in a variety of personal-care categories, and nowhere is this more true than in the oral-care category. The three dominant products in electric oral care are the Oral-B from Procter & Gamble,...

Nothing is limited at TTU: the former Tabletops Unlimited has changed its name, but its focus on maintaining its growth remains at a high level.(tabletop)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CARSON, Calif. -- When Dar Molayem named his new business using the word "Unlimited," he probably had absolutely no idea how accurate his choice would turn out to be. Twenty-five years...

Latest from Eva Zeisel Bows at Bloomie's.(tabletop)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- Not one to stand on her laurels, even at 100 years of age, designer Eva Zeisel has created a new dinnerware collection called One-O-One. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It is Zeisel's first new dinnerware collection in more than 20...

Sherril's Oneida ties still running deep.(tabletop)
March 10, 2008... ONEIDA, N.Y. -- Sherrill Manufacturing is a new company that is really quite old. Once the heart of Oneida's manufacturing operations, the factory, now under the ownership and direction of former Oneida executives, is positioning itself to...

Chef Deen ready to serve up more products.(tabletop)
March 10, 2008... CHICAGO -- Paula Deen, the latest celebrity chef to make her mark on the table, is expanding her recently launched dinnerware collection here at the International Home & Housewares Show later this month, along with coordinating table linens and...

Susquehanna builds up business with acquisition.(tabletop)
March 10, 2008... COLUMBIA, Pa. -- Susquehanna Glass' recent acquisition of Townsend Glass consolidates the personalized glassware business and should make doing business easier for specialty retailers. Last month, after being approached by Long Island City,...

What goes down, must come up: manufacturers look to lift the flagging natural-fill category.(textiles)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Basic-bedding manufacturers used last month's home textiles market to present ideas for injecting new life into natural-fill products. This segment needs a charge, said industry executives at the...

Designer's line boosts presence of Li & Fung unit.(textiles)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- The launch of the Rebecca Moses line of home fashions has extended the reach of Li & Fung's Homestead unit throughout all of the rooms of the home. The line, which was introduced during the recent home textiles market, includes...

Pulling the wool over shoppers' eyes: as synthetic prices rise, companies are closely examining going with the natural option.(floor covering)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Importers and manufacturers are capitalizing on the possibilities of the wool market, noting a clear connection between the rising synthetic prices and an increased interest in wool products. The...

Karastan plays a supporting role at Sundance.(floor covering)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PARK CITY, Utah -- Karastan enjoyed the status of being on the guest list at this year's Sundance Film Festival. The company was chosen to participate in Lexus Hybrid Living's Project GreenHouse, an eco-design...

1 Tisca Tiara.(floor covering)
March 10, 2008... 1 Tisca Tiara Harlequin is a new striped check pattern bearing the Wools of New Zealand Brand label at Tisca Tiara. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] tisca.com

2 Stanton.(floor covering)
March 10, 2008... 2 Stanton Stanton goes retro with its Mondrian pattern, part of the Earnest Collection. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] stantoncarpet.com

3 Karastan.(floor covering)
March 10, 2008... 3 Karastan Karastan looks to the Orient for inspiration for its Mandarin design, which features traditional Asian motifs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] karastan.com

4 Home Comfort.(floor covering)
March 10, 2008... 4 Home Comfort Home Comfort welcomes spring with a bright design for its indoor/ outdoor Jellybean Collection. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] homecomfortrugs.com

5 Eclipse Wool Carpet.(floor covering)
March 10, 2008... 5 Eclipse Wool Carpet Linear striation gives depth to Eclipse Wool Carpet's Dimensions design. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ewcarpet.com

Wearstler latest designer to team with Rug Company.(floor covering)
March 10, 2008... LOS ANGELES -- The Rug Company is set to launch an exclusive collection of area rugs created by designer Kelly Wearstler. The line marks Wearstler's first collaboration with The Rug Company and also the first time the company has turned to an...

Vendors ready to move ahead: RTA manufacturers have created new items to target various growth segments.(REPORT)
March 10, 2008... NEW YORK -- If it's anything like last year, 2008 could be a tough year for the ready-to-assemble furniture business, but vendors expect growth from new products presented at the recent Las Vegas Market. About midyear 2007, sales of RTA...

Furniture brands rejects Sun Capital acquisition bid.(finance)
March 10, 2008... ST. LOUIS -- Furniture Brands International rejected an unsolicited bid from Sun Capital Securities Group LLC to purchase all outstanding shares of Furniture Brands' common stock, stating that Sun Capital did not include an offer price, and...

Target's results short of expectations.(finance)
March 10, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target fell short of performance expectations in 2007, with home textiles among the weakest categories of the year, said Gregg Steinhafel, president of Target Stores, during a conference call to review full-year and...

Trade show calendar.(Calendar)
March 10, 2008... march 12-16 Thailand International Furniture Fair IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi Thailand thatitradefair.com 15-17 Travel Goods Show San Diego Convention Center ...

Twisting the show away.(HFend)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Who said trade shows are all fun and no play? Certainly not Trendease, the home furnishings fashion and marketing consulting firm, which set up a game of Twister--a party favorite for those of a certain age--at the...

Penney ups the Ante.(HFend)
March 10, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] J.C. Penney kicked off the launch of American Living, its biggest product launch in the company's history, with a major bash here at...

Dreimann returns with new George Foreman product line.(home page)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- Leon Dreimann is back. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ending months of speculation, the former chief executive officer of Salton has emerged as the head of the personal-care and cleaning-solutions division of a newly formed company,...

Orlick leaves Fortunoff; Chinni may take helm.(home page)
March 17, 2008... NEW YORK -- Fortunoff Chief Executive Officer Arnie Orlick has stepped down. Fortunoff spokeswoman Arlene Putterman confirmed that Orlick is leaving Fortunoffbut could not supply any further details. A source said "it's very possible" that...

Macy's: Martha line a home run: the Stewart collection at the retailer has helped turn around business in the home division.(in focus)
March 17, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- When Macy's revealed plans in 2006 to launch an exclusive home line from Martha Stewart, the industry lauded the department store's coup. But with praise came sobering expectations: Macy's had better...

Belk realigns staff; Zant returns to fold.(news)
March 17, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Belk has shuffled its senior ranks, which feature the return of David Zant to the company. Belk named Zant executive vice president and...

Wal-Mart rolls out new Canopy home brand.(news)
March 17, 2008... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Marking the latest in a string of new home lines, Wal-Mart is rolling out the Canopy home brand in select stores. The collection, designed to appeal to the "budget-wise" shopper, is launching with sheets and towels but...

Hearst, Sears team to launch 'ReImagine You'.(news)
March 17, 2008... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears and Hearst Magazines have launched ReImagine You, an integrated program that combines print, digital, media, video and promotion "to engage readers with the unique ways Sears can inspire fresh new looks" for...

Frette shop expands at ABC.(news)
March 17, 2008... NEW YORK -- Frette has redesigned and expanded its shop at ABC Carpet & Home to double its previous size. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new space for Frette, which joined ABC Carpet in 1999, has grown to 1,200 square feet. The...

Sears appliance merchant retires.(news)
March 17, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Tina Settecase, vice president and general merchandise manager of home appliances for Sears, has retired after 35 years with the retailer. Steve Light will succeed Settecase. Light most...

Licensed to thrill.(trends)
March 17, 2008... Licensed collections with celebrity chefs are always a natural at the Housewares Show. This year they are joined by lines from brand names from both inside and outside the industry. And, of course, there are always the playful cartoon...

Lee Scott The Second.(HOME ALONE 2)
March 17, 2008... I don't know exactly when it happened or exactly how, but there's a new Lee Scott these days. And I like him. Scott is, of course, the CEO of Wal-Mart--the biggest thing on the planet--and for much of the earlier part of his career running...

Buying time in Chicago: merchants at the International Home & Housewares Show are searching for the hottest new products.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CHICAGO -- Merchants here at the International Home & Housewares Show are on the hunt for everything, from gadgets with a fresh and functional twist to small electrics with that special something to spice up a...

Meyer launches IQ Innovations, Paula Deen line at housewares.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- One is sleek and silver, the other is Southern and savvy, and both will debut with Meyer Corp. at the International Home & Housewares Show. The sleek and silver one is Fine T, a patented gourmet electric tea maker that marks the...

Getting a handle on the situation.(opinions)
March 17, 2008... I've always loved products for the home, but this Housewares Show--my second one as a journalist covering the housewares industry--will mean even more to me as I am in the process of buying my first apartment, which translates, of course, to...

Small electrics' growth spurt.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- The lure for consumers of preparing good food quickly and conveniently is behind many of the new products from manufacturers of small kitchen electrics at this week's show. Blenders, food processors and hand mixers that promise...

A cookware tour through the show.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- This year's introductions in the cookware and bakeware would make any chef drool. From removable handles to easy storage to copper cores, these products will help chefs bring form and function into the kitchen. Adagio ...

A little of everything.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- Gadgets has always been somewhat of a catch-all category and this year's introductions at the Housewares Show are no exception. Show-goers will see all sorts of zesters, slicers, can openers and gizmos of all shapes and sizes. Here's...

Storage introductions aim for a clutter-free home.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- Eco-friendly choices and ending the battle for clutter control were on the minds of designers when creating products to launch at this year's International Home & Housewares Show. Products have morphed from merely containing...

Styling for growth.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- Innovative technology continues to drive new product development in the personal-care category, as can be seen from the product launches planned for the International Home & Housewares Show this week. Manufacturers are targeting...

Products definitely worth the weight.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- The obesity crisis might be bad news for America, but there's a bright side for at least one sector--the scale and body-fat monitor industry. New technologies, futuristic designs and even fashion-forward colors are the innovations in...

Major appliances' major introductions.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- While most of the appliances found at this week's show are of the small electrics variety, there are some notable major appliance items to be unveiled as well. Here are a few highlights. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] De'Longhi ...

Vac makers push new products forward.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- In a difficult consumer economic environment, manufacturers of vacuum cleaners are holding fast to the dictum that new products and innovative technologies will boost sales growth. The introductions at this week's International Home...

Some sharp ideas, with a Japanese influence.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- The Japanese influence on cutlery is stronger than ever, evident by the number of introductions of Japanese-styled knives or those made from Japanese steel at the International Home & Housewares Show this week. Block sets and...

Cleaning companies provide new options for age-old chores.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- Tools for cleaning have become high-powered, all-natural and even technologically advanced in some cases as manufactures work to make household chores as simple as possible. Look for a big influence from products that not only clean,...

Emerson goes into the kitchen.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CHICAGO -- Officials at Emerson Radio think they have a great future in the kitchen. The Parsippany, N.J.-based company is set to introduce more than 50 items here at the International Home & Housewares Show this...

Men are cooking more, but not buying the pans.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... NEW YORK -- Men may be cooking at home more these days, but four out of five tend not to do much food shopping, let alone kitchenware buying. They are far more likely, however, to get involved in shopping and buying when it comes to major...

Furniture, lighting get high-tech touches.(housewares)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- New furniture, lighting and home decor products aimed at driving retail sales will be presented at the International Home & Housewares Show here this week. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] They range from new seating options and...

Alco on the rise.(tabletop)(Company overview)
March 17, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CHICAGO -- Alco Consumer Products Co. Inc. is using this year's International Home & Housewares Show as a platform to introduce itself as a reconfigured company, showcase its abilities as a branding resource and...

Lifetime's Simon says industry could use more change.(tabletop)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- Boredom drove Lifetime Brands' Glenn Simon back to the tabletop industry. Although the former Sakura president was happy (and making money) building high-end homes in the Hamptons, Simon never stopped visiting factories in Asia...

Flatware forges ahead with a range of styles.(tabletop)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- Flatware is the low-profile tabletop category of the International Home & Housewares Show this year, as many comprehensive tabletop companies are opting to showcase other categories of business. But new flatware offerings at this...

Plastic taps trends, grows in sophistication.(tabletop)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- Acrylic and melamine introductions at the International Home & Housewares Show this year offer great variety in both practical and functional items, as well as more fashion-oriented merchandise. Grainware Grainware by...

Homer Laughlin ready to celebrate.(tabletop)
March 17, 2008... CHICAGO -- Sometimes the most anticipated birthdays are the best kind, which is why Homer Laughlin is employing a staggered approach to its own 75th anniversary. Beginning here at the International Home & Housewares Show, the company is...

What's cooking in the kitchen: fashion meets function in the latest range of textiles products for the room.(textiles)
March 17, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Could the humble apron be making a comeback? Like those who are championing a return to "slow food," some people see potential in aprons once...

Iconix brands become icons at retail level.(textiles)
March 17, 2008... NEW YORK -- The Iconix strategy of acquiring and marketing iconic brands in a variety of consumer-goods categories has borne fruit, especially in the home textiles arena. Recently, the company announced two huge license agreements with...

Design, versatility take the floor: kitchen rugs, following the latest styles, are also being merchandised more for their indoor/outdoor capabilities.(floor covering)
March 17, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Vendors are noting growth in additional motifs for kitchen rugs, and consumers are also taking advantage of the ease-of-care qualities of indoor/outdoor products for the heavily...

Milliken opens eco-friendly NY showroom.(floor covering)
March 17, 2008... NEW YORK -- Milliken has opened the doors to its new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified showroom here, another step in the environmentally friendly business plan that has long been the company's mantra. The space...

1 Shaw Living.(hfnew)
March 17, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 Shaw Living Shaw Living's shag offerings continue to grow as the company has noted demand for the style in multiple price points. shawliving.com

2 Jaunty.(hfnew)
March 17, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 Jaunty Jaunty continues to expand its offering of round designs due to growing demand among its customers. jauntyinc.com

3 Kaleen.(hfnew)
March 17, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 3 Kaleen The traditionalist in Paula Deen shines through in several of her new designs with Kaleen. kaleen.com