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

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

SHANGHAI SHOOT-OUT.(foreign operations of discount stores)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Carrefour and Wal-Mart seek their fortune in China the world's two largest retailers are staking their claims in the Asian nation. HFN goes on special assignment.

HIGH POINT FIRES RETURN SALVO AS FURNITURE SHOW WAR HEATS UP.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg HIGH POINT, N.C.-The war for furniture supremacy returned to its critical battlefield here last week as this stronghold of the business continued to fight back the challenge from the nascent Las Vegas World Market...

HOME PAGE.(Financial report)
May 1, 2006... A Look Ahead The Off-Price Home & Gift Show will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from May 8 to 10. Federated Department Stores will report first-quarter earnings on May 17. The Consumer Price Index for...

QUICK TAKES.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. promoted Paul Beahm to senior vice president and appointed Lucy Cindric)(Federated Department Stores Inc.'s marketing strategy)(Boscov's Department Stores Inc. appointed Tom Hayes )
May 1, 2006... RETAIL WAL-MART has restructured its senior home ranks by splitting up merchandising responsibilities between two executives. Paul Beahm, previously senior vice president and GMM of home, will focus on hard home as senior vice president...

HOME STRONG AT KOHL'S, THREE PROTOTYPES ON TAP.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Robert Sharoff MILWAUKEE-A revamped merchandising strategy and several new brands are fueling strong gains in home merchandise at Kohl's. The moderate chain has also developed three store prototypes-small, suburban and urban-to...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... APRIL 4/27-5/3 High Point International Home Furnishings Market High Point, N.C. (336) 889-1000 highpointmarket.org MAY 4-7 Copenhagen International Furniture Fair Bella Center A/S-Center Boulevard ...

ABROAD SPECTRUM.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine The winter and spring European home shows were packed with refreshing new product collections. Maison & Objet in Paris, Ambiente in Frankfurt and Milan's Salone del Mobile each offered a different point of view of...

SHANGHAI SHOOT-OUT.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Carrefour S.A. marketing in China)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg SHANGHAI, China-It was in the 1840s that the superpowers of the Western world-England, France and the United States-first invaded this ancient Chinese city on the Yangpu River. Now, 165 years later, the new...

MARTHA, THE TWO-HEADED MONSTER*.(Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc.)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg The truth is stranger than fiction...even science fiction. Less than a year after the public relations nightmare surrounding her conviction for lying about possibly illegal stock transactions and then her...

DIFFERENT STROKES; FEDERATED SIBLINGS MACY'S AND BLOOMINGDALE'S TAKE CONTRASTING APPROACH TO KITCHENWARE.(Macy's and bloomingdale, department stores takes a different approach in kitchenware)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko, Carla Webb O'Connor Even though parent company Federated is nailing up the Macy's nameplate and standardizing product assortments at its divisions, it appears to let Bloomingdale's be Bloomingdale's, with product...

THE CUTTING EDGE ; CUTLERY, A PERFORMANCE PRODUCT, MAKES ITS WAY ONTO THE FASHION SCENE.(cutlery sets in demand)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko Cutlery as a category overall got mixed performance reviews for last year, but most agree that it is a business that is primed for growth in the coming seasons. Although HFN estimates that the category declined...

COOKING UP SALES; MATERIALS, CELEB CHEFS CONTRIBUTE TO GROWTH IN COOKWARE, BAKEWARE.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor Trends driving cookware and bakeware growth last year, which gained 1.5 percent and 4.2 percent over 2004, respectively, were color, materials and the popularity of cooking shows. Some growth in bakeware...

GAGA FOR GADGETS.(kitchen gadgets)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White When one thinks of kitchen gadgets, it is typically unsexy things like $4.99 tomato corers and $2.99 pickle pickers. But the category is getting a makeover with new materials, colors, merchandising, licensing and...

HOLLANDER TAKES THE MODERN APPROACH; THE COMPANY GIVES ITS LAURA ASHLEY-LICENSED BEDDING A FASHION INFUSION TO FIT IN WITH THE TIMES.(Laura Ashley brand in the market)(Company overview)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-For more than 50 years, the Laura Ashley brand has been a staple in the marketplace. The brand has continued to rely on its signature floral prints, but in order to remain relevant in the current...

HOMESTEAD SHOWS ITS INTERIOR MOTIVES.(Homestead Fabrics Inc.)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-New licensing agreements with innovators from the interior design and event-planning businesses have helped Homestead, a division of The London Fog Group, build some positive buzz. "For us, it was...

DIVINE CALLING; A LINE OF AREA RUGS FROM HELLENIC LICENSED TO HGTV STAR CANDICE OLSON MAKES ITS DEBUT IN HIGH POINT.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail HIGH POINT, N.C.-The Candice Olson licensed collection of area rugs officially launched with Hellenic Rug Imports at the International Home Furnishings Market here. As reported, the interior designer and hostess...

SAFAVIEH PARTNERS WITH MARTHA STEWART ON LICENSED COLLECTION.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-In its second major licensing deal this year, Safavieh has added the Martha Stewart name to its growing family. The company launched its first line of commissioned designer rugs by Thomas O'Brien in January...

A CURRENT FAIR; MODERN DESIGNS AMID A WIDE ARRAY OF PRODUCTS HIT NEW YORK AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE FAIR.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer NEW YORK-From cutting-edge to simply chic, the latest in contemporary designs will be shown when the 18th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair opens here this month. The ICFF will run from May 20 to 23...

CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS INDUSTRY'S NEED FOR COOPERATION.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer LAS VEGAS-While the American Lighting Association's annual conference will be shortened by one day, the agenda packs a lot of punch, officials said. Slated for Sept. 10 to 12, in a new Sunday to Tuesday time frame...

FULCRUM TO LIGHT UP VEGAS WITH LED SOLUTIONS.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... PORTLAND, Ore.-Fulcrum Marketing Group will tap into a new market for solution-oriented products at the Las Vegas Gourmet Housewares Show/National Hardware Show next month. At the show, Fulcrum will launch the Readers Friend brand that...

BIG NAMES COME TO THE TABLE.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko, Carla Webb O'Connor and Barbara Thau contributed to this report. NEW YORK-Last week's tabletop market was awash in celebrities anxious to cut themselves a slice of the licensing pie. Barbara Barry unveiled her...

DENBY RELAUNCHES BRAND, REVAMPS MERCHANDISING.(Denby Tableware Ltd.)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor NEW YORK-Denby relaunched the brand at last week's tabletop market here with a new merchandising strategy and team, and, of course, new products. "It's our biggest launch in recent history and the best portfolio...

PARTIES ON THE PLATE.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... NEW YORK-New president, new licensees, new lines-all were being celebrated at last week's tabletop market here. The events and parties that surrounded the market once again showed that the tabletop industry is always up for a good time. ...

MANUFACTURERS AT MARKET SHOW THEY HAVE THE WHITE STUFF.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-What did Lenox, Villeroy & Boch, Waterford and about a dozen other manufacturers-from housewares to the very high end-have in common during last week's spring tabletop market here? They all featured...

PERFECTLY FRANK; FORMER CONAIR MARKETING VP FRANK LINDSEY REFLECTS ON THE PAST AND LOOKS TOWARD THE FUTURE WITH HIS OWN CONSULTING BUSINESS.(Interview)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-Although you wouldn't know it by looking at him, Frank Lindsey has seen quite a few changes in the housewares industry. After 33 years at Conair, the personal care and kitchen electrics company, a...

GOURMET SHOW OFFERS FIRST LOOK AT 200 EXHIBITORS.
May 1, 2006... NEW YORK-The Las Vegas Gourmet Housewares Show launches the Club Gourmet buyers' lounge, new resources and product lines at the upcoming show May 9 to 11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Nearly 200 companies that have not exhibited at...

WHIRLPOOL POSTS DOUBLE-DIGIT PROFIT GAIN ON RECORD SHIPMENTS.
May 1, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick BENTON HARBOR, Mich.-Whirlpool Corp. saw double-digit earnings in the most recent quarter on record unit shipments. The major appliances giant had net earnings of $118 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, for...

GMAC COMMERCIAL FINANCE CEO CRAIG OUT; COMPANY 'MOVING QUICKLY' TO FIND SUCCESSOR.(Jay Craig)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick SOUTHFIELD, Mich.-Jay Craig, president and chief executive officer of GMAC Commercial Finance, has resigned, effective immediately. Craig had been at the helm of GMAC CF, which houses the country's...

CIT EXPANDS PRESENCE OVERSEAS VIA ACQUISITION.(CIT Group Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-CIT Group Inc. is expanding its European presence via the acquisition of a German factoring unit. CIT has purchased the German operations of Enterprise Finance Europe, a wholly owned subsidiary of the...

THE DOMINO FETE.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine Domino magazine, designer Sara Bengur and Housing Services designed and furnished an entire 40-unit apartment building for families affected with AIDS. The project, located in the South Bronx, enlisted the...

THE 'STYLE' MAVEN.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The celebrated American decorator Dorothy Draper is having a renaissance. Her work is the subject of a highly anticipated show at the Museum of the City of New York entitled "The High Style of Dorothy Draper," which opens May 2 and will feature...

WHAT'S COOKIN' AT GOURMET.(Brief article)
May 8, 2006... A full menu of products, such as this set of cookware from iitala, is on tap for the Las Vegas show. HFN's Gourmet A-Go-Go looks at what buyers are betting on to be hits.

FORTUNOFF HUNT NETS ORLICK AS NEW CEO.(Arnold Orlick )
May 8, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko WESTBURY, N.Y.-Fortunoff's hiring of Arnold Orlick as its chief executive officer last week makes the New York-based specialty store's transition from a family-run business to one headed primarily by outsiders...

IS PIER 1 THE NEXT TO GO PRIVATE?(Pier 1 Imports Inc.)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau FORT WORTH, Texas-Pier 1 Imports is in play, and could be the latest retail chain to be scooped up by a private equity firm. Last week, the specialty retailer, battling ongoing sales declines and net losses, said...

HOME PAGE.
May 8, 2006... A Look Ahead New housing starts and permits for April will be released by the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau on May 16. Target Corp. will report first-quarter earnings on May 18. Lowe's Cos. will report first-quarter...

FEDERATED READIES MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR MAY CONVERSION.(Federated Department Stores Inc.)(May Department Stores Co.)(Brief article)
May 8, 2006... NEW YORK-In September, Federated Department Stores will launch a "major" brand campaign to mark the conversion of the 400 May Department Stores it acquired into Macy's. That's when the former May stores will officially change to the Macy's...

OFF-PRICE HOME & GIFT SHOW TAKES CENTER STAGE IN VEGAS.(Brief article)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Allison O'Rourke LAS VEGAS-The Off-Price Home & Gift Show will be held this week, May 8 to 10, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center here. The show, which started in 2004, is now produced in collaboration with the World Market...

VENDORS BALK AT MACY'S/MARTHA STEWART DEAL, BUT PREDICT THE HOME LINE WILL BE A SUCCESS.
May 8, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Federated Department Stores' move to launch an exclusive, upscale home collection from Martha Stewart at Macy's next year has ruffled some vendors' feathers. After all, the retailer, which kicked out...

WINNERS AND LOSERS.
May 8, 2006... The Martha Stewart collection steamrolls Federated's drive to blow out its private home brands, which could come at the expense of some vendors. Last month, the retailer rolled the home team of Macy's Merchandising Group, Federated's...

QUICK TAKES.(Lenox Group company earnings)(Robert Allen Group appointed Louise Tanis)(World Kitchen Inc. appointed Joseph T. Mallof )
May 8, 2006... Retail FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES will sell nine stores to mall operator Simon Property Group. The stores are among the 80 duplicate locations Federated previously slated for divestiture due to its acquisition of May Department Stores Co....

AMERICAN SPLENDOR.(International Home Furnishings Market)(Brief article)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine The International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C., was a wonderful opportunity to see some of the best in American furniture design. Well-styled collections with classic American restraint were...

(DOLLARS AND) CENTS OF PRIVACY.(home furnishing industry acquisitions)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Go-private activity in the home retail arena has exploded as available private-equity funds and debt capital climb to astronomical levels. Home furnishings sales by privately held retailers have jumped...

DELIVERY AGENT HELPS NETWORKS MARKET PRODUCTS IN PRIME-TIME.
May 8, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail LOS ANGELES-Delivery Agent has come to the rescue of television-watching consumers who covet Will's espresso machine on "Will & Grace," or Bree's kitchen full of shiny major appliances on "Desperate Housewives." ...

MANUFACTURERS' DESTINY.(trends in direct selling)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg They had to do it: It was their destiny. That's what was said about Americans of the 19th century, who thought it was their destiny to stretch their new country all the way to the Pacific Ocean, overcoming...

GOURMET A-GO-GO.
May 8, 2006... Your total guide to what's new for the Las Vegas gourmet housewares show.

WHAT'S COOKIN' IN VEGAS.(Las Vegas Gourmet Products Show)(Brief article)
May 8, 2006... Welcome to Gourmet A-Go-Go, HFN's sneak peek into what's taking place at this week's Las Vegas Gourmet Products Show, who's showing what and what retailers are looking for, as well as a guide to restaurants in the Las Vegas area. With a...

HAVING THE VEGAS IDEAS; EXHIBITORS STRIVE TO OFFER PRODUCTS NOT YET SEEN THIS YEAR.(Las Vegas Gourmet Housewares Show)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White Organizers of the Las Vegas Gourmet Housewares Show worked hard to present newness to retailers attending this week's show. At five months into the year, many retailers have already seen a lot of products at...

PLACING THEIR BETS; MERCHANTS ARE READY TO SHOP THE GOURMET SHOW FOR KITCHENWARE FINDS AND EMERGING TRENDS.(Las Vegas Gourmet Housewares Show)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau Buyers headed to the Las Vegas Gourmet Housewares Show are looking to capitalize on key kitchenware trends and product categories-from healthy cooking to single-serve coffeemakers-and sift out unique-item opportunities...

SHAKIN' AND BAKIN' IN SIN CITY; ALL THE LATEST TRENDS ARE ON DISPLAY IN COOKWARE AND BAKEWARE OFFERINGS.
May 8, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor The cookware and bakeware offerings at this week's Las Vegas Gourmet Housewares Show here show off the latest trends of global cuisine, color and oven-to-table convenience. Below is a brief sampling of what can...

SOME PRETTY SHARP IDEAS; CUTLERY MAKERS ARE MOVING BEYOND KNIVES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ACCESSORIES.
May 8, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko In addition to an array of new knives, cutlery manufacturers are also focusing on accessories at the Gourmet Housewares Show in Las Vegas this week. On exhibit will be several new sharpeners, cutting boards and racks...

BOSTON WAREHOUSE LOOKS TO SHOW ANIMAL MAGNETISM.(Boston Warehouse Trading Corp. introducing Animal House kitchen tools at the Gourmet Housewares Show)(Brief article)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Allison Zisko Boston Warehouse is betting the upcoming Gourmet Housewares Show will be for the birds. And the monkeys, the mice and the sharks. The company, known for its quirky lineup of conversation-starting gifts and...

IITTALA BETS THE HOUSE ON VEGAS GOURMET SHOW.(Gourmet Housewares Show)(Brief article)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor After a six-year absence, Finnish tabletop and housewares company iittala is back at the Gourmet Housewares Show. "It is the 125th anniversary of iittala, plus [there has been] more interest in the preparing...

CREATING A COMFORT ZONE; NEW GADGETS ARE COMING WITH THE INTENT OF MAKING LIFE A LITTLE EASIER.
May 8, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White New gadgets and kitchen tools debuting at the Las Vegas Gourmet Housewares Show are designed to grill better, open cans quicker, slice thinner and grate great. Look for an expanded offering of grillware that responds...

PLAYING THE TABLE; FUN PATTERNS AND NEW FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN THE LATEST TABLETOP OFFERINGS.
May 8, 2006... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor Tabletop offerings at the Las Vegas Gourmet Housewares Show run the gamut from whimsical to whiteware, from bamboo to barware, from stoneware to stainless-steel flatware. The following gives a glimpse of what...

ELECTRICS ATMOSPHERE; A WHOLE NEW WAVE OF KITCHEN APPLIANCES ARE COMING CATERED TO ALL TYPES OF CONSUMERS.
May 8, 2006... Byline: Jennifer White Prepare to plug in new kitchen appliances! As usual, it's a face-off between the appliances for the health set and appliances for those who know how to indulge. In one corner, there's a countertop garden appliance,...

SIGNATURE STATEMENT; MARLO LORENZ BRINGS THE GLAMOROUS NAMES OF MOVIE STARS; FROM THE PAST TO HER LATEST COLLECTION.(Marlo Lorenz Signature Collection)(Thro Inc.)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Through with "bastardizing" her design vision to meet lower price points that go along with the mass merchant business, Marlo Lorenz, principal designer and president of Thro Inc., has created a new...

KRAVET TO PLACE BENJAMIN MOORE COLOR CARDS IN FABRIC BOOKS.(Benjamin Moore and Co. and Kravet Fabrics Inc. teamed up)(Brief article)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Hoping to assist designers with matching fabric with paint, Kravet and Benjamin Moore have formed a relationship that places Benjamin Moore color cards in Kravet's fabric color books. The relationship...

DUST RUFFLES TO DUST.(demolition at the Cannon Mills Co.)(Brief article)
May 8, 2006... Demolition continues on what was once the largest textiles mill in the country, the former Pillowtex-nee Fieldcrest Cannon, aka Cannon Mills-complex in Kannapolis, N.C. Following the company's demise, the facility, known internally as Plant 1,...

HIGH POINTS TO PONDER; THE THREAT OF CHINA, HIGHER GAS PRICES AND THE OUTDOOR MARKET WERE AMONG THE ITEMS MAKING NEWS AT THE INTERNATIONAL HOME FURNISHINGS MARKET.
May 8, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail HIGH POINT, N.C.-Reports in High Point were of a strong first quarter followed by a little softening as the second quarter set in. Executives repeatedly said such results are nothing unusual, noting the second...

BUYERS ACCENTUATE THE CONSERVATIVE; LIGHTING AND ACCESSORIES RETAILERS AT THE INTERNATIONAL HOME FURNISHINGS MARKET STUCK WITH TRADITION.
May 8, 2006... Byline: Nancy Meyer HIGH POINT, N.C.-Lighting and accessories retailers took a conservative approach in their buying, both in quantities and in chosen product styles at the International Home Furnishings Market that wrapped up here last...

RTA MAKERS FIND CREATIVE NICHES AT HIGH POINT MARKET.(ready-to-assemble furniture)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Karl Kunkel HIGH POINT, N.C.-Ready-to-assemble furniture manufacturers enhanced their products' styling, broadened price points and increased the range of items available at High Point's furniture market. But not everyone took...

EXPERIENCING THE HIGH LIFE IN HIGH POINT.(trends in home furnishings)(Brief article)
May 8, 2006... HIGH POINT, N.C.-Spring market was full of product-line extensions and designer collection launches, each celebrated with food and refreshments, which contributed to an overall festive ambience. Caption(s): 1 At the Baker party, celebrating...

MAGNETIC WAVES HEAT UP IN THE KITCHEN; ELECTROLUX AND BSH ARE GIVING THE INDUCTION COOKING CATEGORY A BOOST.(Electrolux AB and BSH Home Appliances Corp. introduced magnetic cooktops)(Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Induction, the 20-plus-year-old cooking technology, may be finally taking off with two more big-name major appliance makers stepping into this magnetic cooking category. Magnetic waves circulated...

HAIER SET FOR COOKING APPLIANCE INTRODUCTIONS.(Haier America Refrigerators Company Ltd. introducing electric and gas ranges)(Brief article)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Haier America is making its first foray into the large cooking appliance category as it plans the launch of a series of electric and gas ranges. The major appliance maker will introduce six electric...

EASTER, WARM WEATHER HELP SALES SEE HIGHEST GAIN IN PAST 10 MONTHS; HOME RETAILERS HAD A 3.6 PERCENT TOTAL AVERAGE SAME-STORE SALES INCREASE.(Industry overview)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Same-store sales for April hit a 10-month high, driven in part by the forward Easter shift and warm weather in some regions of the country. Home retailers logged a 3.6 percent total average same-store...

WAL-MART REDUCES INVENTORY TO IMPROVE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY.(says Tom Schoewe at the Ninth Annual Lehman Brothers Retail Seminar )
May 8, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-The retailer known for operational efficiency is further tightening its ship by reducing inventory in its U.S. stores to help improve return on invested capital, said Tom Schoewe, chief financial officer of...

HOUSE PARTY.(Kips Bay Decorator Show House)(Brief article)
May 8, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine The annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House opening night on New York's Upper East Side is always an important event in the world of design. This year, after touring the rooms, the guests could walk a few blocks to...

LIVING IN THE FUTURE.(Brief article)
May 15, 2006... Modern styles, as exemplified by this living room featuring the Sharp Aquos TV, have entered the mainstream in a big way. Caption(s): Modern styles, as exemplified by this living room featuring the Sharp Aquos TV, have entered the...

GOURMET SHOW HITS THE JACKPOT IN VEGAS, NOW IT'S ON TO FLORIDA.(Gourmet Housewares Show)
May 15, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg, additional reporting from Jennifer White and Carla Webb O'Connor LAS VEGAS-Las Vegas has proved to be a winner for the Gourmet Housewares Show, which wrapped up its run here last Thursday with a full plate of...

HOME PAGE.
May 15, 2006... A Look Ahead Big Lots Inc. will report first-quarter earnings on May 24. The Consumer Confidence Index for May will be issued by The Conference Board on May 30. The International Licensing Show will be held at the Jacob K. Javits...

MERVYNS TO RESUME EXPANSION WITH FOUR UNITS, STORE UPGRADES.
May 15, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau HAYWARD, Calif.-Marking its first store openings in more than three years, this fall Mervyns will open four new units, sporting upgrades such as high-capacity fixtures in the home department. The stores reflect the...

WHIRLPOOL: MAYTAG LINE TO STAY INTACT DESPITE CLOSINGS.
May 15, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick BENTON HARBOR, Mich.-Whirlpool said Maytag's major appliances line will stay intact, despite plans announced last week to close a number of Maytag facilities and lay off 4,500 employees. Regarding the future of...

CORRECTION.
May 15, 2006... Two photos in the Coffee and Tea Report in the April 24 issue were misidentified. The Curl Electric Water Kettle from Bodum was featured on page 26 and the Thermos Tea Tumble was shown on page 28.

TOP OF THE FOODIE CHAIN.(largest rooftop restaurant opens)(Brief article)
May 15, 2006... Byline: Michael D. Devine The largest rooftop restaurant in New York is now open. 230 FIFTH is on top of the New York MarketCenter showroom building, a well-known buyers' destination. The concept was developed by Steven Greenberg, the...

QUICK TAKES.
May 15, 2006... RETAIL JANET TAAKE, vice president and general merchandise manager of home fashions for Sears, has left the company "to pursue other opportunities," confirmed a Sears spokeswoman. Taake took over the home area at Sears in spring 2005 after...

SOMETHING BOLD, SOMETHING NEW; MODERN STYLES ARE BREAKING THROUGH TRADITIONAL OFFERINGS ON THE RETAIL FRONT.(marketing strategy)
May 15, 2006... Byline: Barbara Thau, With contributions by Rosamaria Mancini, Michael Rudnick and Jennifer White NEW YORK-Contemporary home collections are turning up in some unlikely places. Midmarket brethren J.C. Penney and Sears, longtime...

ICFF GEARS UP TO SHOWCASE BEST IN MODERN DESIGN.(International Contemporary Furniture Fair)(Brief article)
May 15, 2006... Byline: Allison O'Rourke The International Contemporary Furniture Fair descends once again upon New York City from May 20 to 23, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to showcase the world's best in modern furnishings and design. During...

FLATTENING THE LIVING ROOM; TVS SLIM DOWN, ENTERTAINMENT FURNITURE FOLLOWS.
May 15, 2006... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-The days of bulky home entertainment furniture are numbered as the flat-screen TV phenomenon is driving slimmer furniture design, and in some cases, the disappearance of entertainment consoles. With the...

COURTING CONTEMPORARY ; MERCHANTS ACROSS RETAIL CHANNELS ARE FLEXING THEIR CONTEMPORARY MUSCLES THESE DAYS. HERE'S A SNAPSHOT OF THE MODERN LOOKS IN A HANDFUL OF STORES.(Linens 'n Things Inc., Z Gallerie and West Elm Inc.)(Brief article)
May 15, 2006... West Elm Contemporary brings back souvenirs from the Casbah, or perhaps India and Middle East. That's the sense one gets when walking through West Elm's New York store, where contemporary offerings commingle with ethnic looks. ...

FUNGIBLE (FUN-JE -B EL).(home furnishings product)
May 15, 2006... Byline: Warren Shoulberg I've discovered a great new word that I can't wait to share with you: fungible. My dictionary says it is "used to describe a commodity that can be interchanged." The dictionary does not actually show a...

REMAINING ALOFT; THE IMPACT OF AVIAN FLU REMAINS MINIMAL TO BASIC BEDDING SUPPLIERS.
May 15, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-There is a lot of fear and uncertainty surrounding avian flu, which has been confirmed in 45 countries and three continents, but basic bedding suppliers have not been negatively affected and down and...

DESIGN AND ART COMBINE AT SURTEX.(art and design trade show of textiles)(Brief article)
May 15, 2006... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-A record 370 exhibitors will make their way to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center here for this year's version of Surtex, the art and design trade show that will be held from May 21 to 23. The...

LETTER PERFECT; KARASTAN MAKES A STATEMENT WITH A DEDICATED DISPLAY OF ITS AMERICAN TREASURES LINE AT THE ABC CARPET & HOME STORE.(ABC Carpet Company Inc. and Fieldcrest Cannon Inc. Karastan Rug Mills Div. )
May 15, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-ABC Carpet & Home and Karastan teamed to celebrate the vendor's new dedicated space in ABC's carpet and rug building here. While the space was unveiled for the party that launched the American Treasures...

A MODERN AFFAIR.(Angela Adams of Emma Gardner Design)(International Contemporary Furniture Fair)
May 15, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-The International Contemporary Furniture Fair signals a busy time of year for high-end rug designers. Already the market that sets the year's pace for them, this year's exhibitors are looking to draw more...