HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from October 2004

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from October 2004

ON THE ROAD AGAIN.(trade shows of textiles industry)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Buyers and suppliers are on the move once more heading to major October trade events in New York and High Point, N.C. Preview coverage is in textiles, page 18; floor covering, page 28; furniture, page 37; and housewares, page 54.

IT'S OFFICIAL: 225 TENANTS FIND MIRACLE ON 34TH ST.(showroom buildings)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-At long last, the tenants of showroom building 225 Fifth Ave. have found a new home. Last week the group signed an agreement with Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. to lease space at 7 W. 34th St. in...

MATTRESSES LATEST ON BOAT FROM CHINA.(import of home furnishings)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Karl Kunkel HIGH POINT, N.C.-When dealers come to market here next week, furniture won't be the only Chinese-made goods they'll be shopping for. At least three mattress companies, including two showing here, are testing...

TEXTILES INDUSTRY SEEKS LIMITS ON 17 PERCENT OF CHINA IMPORTS.(United States textile industry)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Kristi Ellis WASHINGTON-The U.S. textiles industry plans to file safeguard petitions as early as this week against $2 billion worth of textiles import categories -- including cotton sheets. The anticipated action to limit...

CORRECTION.(Correction Notice)
October 4, 2004... In the Top 150 Home Retailers report in the Aug. 23 issue of HFN, Boscov's was omitted due to research and editing errors. The Reading, Pa.-based department store should have been ranked at number 87 with $350 million in home furnishings...

BROWN JORDAN APPOINTS NEW CEO... SEARS' NEW LOGO AIMS FOR MODERN... DOREL, CALIFORNIA CLOSETS TEAM UP...(briefs)
October 4, 2004... BROWN JORDAN APPOINTS NEW CEO Brown Jordan International named James Malone vice chairman, president and CEO last week. He succeeds Bruce Albertson, who had been president and CEO of the outdoor furniture manufacturer for three years....

MAY MAKES MOVES ATOP FIELD'S: WHAT ELSE WILL THEY CHANGE?(Robinsons May - appointments)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Barbara Thau ST LOUIS-The "May-ification" of Marshall Field's has begun. The May Department Stores Co., which bought the tony chain in July, named Frank Guzzetta, the current president and chief executive officer of its...

FROM FLOOR TO COUTURE.(vintage vacuums trendy store display accessory)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Vacuums have become the ultimate fashion accessory. Now the epicenter of chic, New York's Bergdorf Goodman has vintage vacuums in its 57th Street windows as part of the store's display of some of this autumn's hottest looks.

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(home furnishings industry)(Calendar)
October 4, 2004... october 6-7 Neocon East The Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore (800) 677-MART merchandisemart.com 8-11 House to Home Market Week Featuring: Ex-Tracts, Surtex Gallery, New York Home Textiles Show, New York Gourmet...

THE MODULAR SQUAD.(modular homes)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Michael D. Devine Sears may have been the first retailer to sell prefabricated homes, but maybe it's time for another major retailer to jump on the modular home bandwagon. The ease and convenience takes much of the headache out of...

BACK TO THE FUTURE.(construction of retail stores)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Joel Kaplan Traditional and country are starting to take a back seat to modern. There are many reasons I think modern has become a significant trend and will probably remain popular for a long time. Perhaps its popularity...

CONTAINER NATION.(shipping containers)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Warren Shoulberg How many shipping containers does it take to supply the American home furnishings industry? All sorts of products for all sorts of homes have been coming from all over China for a long time. Pick up virtually...

EX-CELL READIES EXPANSION INTO NEW CATEGORIES.(window fashions, kitchen towels and area rugs)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-Ex-Cell Home Fashions is banking on its international sourcing capability to back its expansion into new product categories and grow its business by 50 percent over the next three years. "This is an...

LIST OF EXHIBITORS GROWS FOR TEXTILES SHOW AT JAVITS.(home textiles show)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK-Fifty-five new American and foreign companies will add to the list of exhibitors that will launch their home textiles products starting this Friday, Oct. 8, here at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, in time for the New York Home...

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE; BRIGHT SHADES AND WORLDLY THEMES DOMINATE IN TABLE LINEN AND KITCHEN TEXTILES INTRODUCTIONS AT MARKET.
October 4, 2004... Byline: Carla Webb NEW YORK-The textiles market sets a colorful table next week as bright hues and whimsical or ethnic looks dominate the table linen and kitchen textiles introductions. "I always love the summer [products] market,"...

EX-NFL QB GETS COMFORTABLE WITH SLEEP INNOVATIONS.(foam beddings)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Warren Shoulberg NEW YORK-If a former star NFL quarterback doesn't know about getting comfortable after all of those aches and pains during the day, who does? That's what Sleep Innovations, the memory foam bedding company, is...

BEDDING COMPANIES GEAR UP FOR NEW WAVE OF DOWN BLANKETS.(Pacific Coast Feather Co.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Basic bedding suppliers are introducing variations of warmth products next week in time for the textiles market. Pacific Coast Feather Co. will unveil a new line of down blankets that is part of the...

PILLOW SUPPLIERS WON'T REST UNTIL DIRT AND DUST ARE GONE.(American Textile Co.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Anti-dust and dirt is the common theme that has joined the suppliers of bed pillows at this upcoming home textiles market. The suppliers, such as American Textile Co., will introduce products that are...

WHIMSY WASHES THROUGH BATH ACCESSORIES.(Creative Bath)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Light and whimsical, with a touch of fun. That's the theme of a number of the coordinated bath accessories that will be introduced at the upcoming New York home textiles market. "The collections are a...

NEWS BRIEFS.(home furnishings industry - news update)
October 4, 2004... WESTPOINT STEVENS said that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court has granted it an extension to file its reorganization plan through Dec. 1."We have completed our revised business plan and are in final negotiations with our creditors regarding our exit...

WINDOW SUPPLIERS PUT EMPHASIS ON COLORS, USE OF NEW MATERIALS.(home furnishings)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Well-established soft window treatment suppliers, such as Waverly, Park B. Smith and S. Lichtenberg, will have company next week as Ex-Cell Home Fashions, best known for its bath accessories and table...

LENOX, BARDWIL LINENS TEAM UP FOR LAUNCH OF BATH COLLECTION.(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK-Lenox has partnered with Bardwil Linens to create the Lenox Bath Collection, which will be launched at next week's home textiles market here. For the bath collection, Bardwil is introducing two lines of fancy and solid towels --...

ALLEN, AUGUST CREATE A NEW LINE OF FABRICS.(Lillian August Designs Inc.)(Robert Allen Fabrics Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK-Textiles supplier Robert Allen and noted designer Lillian August have teamed up again to create another line of fabrics. The collection, dubbed Lillian August's Oxford Gardens, features more than 80 SKUs and a distinct English...

IMPORTERS, BUYERS AGREE: INITIAL METRO MARKET WEEK IS A ROUSING SUCCESS.(rugs and carpets market)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-Its first installment come to a close, Metro Market Week was a welcome success if you ask the importers and buyers who participated. The new market week, devised and organized rather quickly by the also...

METRO PACKS THE HOUSE AT GALA EVENT.(Hammerstein Ballroom)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... As promised, more than 400 people packed the Hammerstein Ballroom on Sept. 21 for a gala dinner celebrating the inaugural Metro Market Week. "I have never seen so many happy importers under one roof," said David Samad, president of Samad...

IT'S NO RIDDLE: SPHINX HEEDS DEMAND TO GROW WARHOL SET; THE RUG COLLECTION CONTINUES TO GROW WITH NEW DESIGNS AND SIZES.(Sphinx by Oriental Weavers)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Jennifer Quail DALTON, Ga.-Overwhelming demand is how Sphinx by Oriental Weavers explained the need for the expansion of The Andy Warhol Home rug collection so soon after its launch. New designs will continue to be added, and the...

GREEN FESTIVAL GROWS ON RUGMARK.(rug companies)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Jennifer Quail WASHINGTON-Rugmark and its member companies were among the businesses to participate at the Green Festival late last month at the Washington, D.C., Convention Center. Rug companies Odegard Inc., Nordic Textiles &...

F. SCHUMACHER DIVISION APPOINTS COREY VP OF SALES.
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK-Patterson, Flynn & Martin/Rosecore, a division of F. Schumacher & Co., has named Kyle Corey vice president of sales. In the new position, Corey will be responsible for managing the corporate design center showrooms outside of New...

NEW NY SPACE WILL NEARLY DOUBLE CAPEL'S SHOWROOM.(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK-Capel Inc. is set to open its new New York showroom for the New York home textiles market. The company acquired a larger showroom space, located in space 506 at 295 Fifth Ave. The new showroom is nearly twice the size of the...

ASSOCIATION RELEASES REFERENCE GUIDE TO ALL THINGS PLYWOOD.(Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... RESTON, Va.-The Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association has developed a new handbook with the intention of aiding sales representatives, specifiers, distributors, purchasers and end users of hardwood plywood. The completely revised Hardwood...

DESPITE POWER OUTAGES AND DAMAGE, DIXIE GROUP SAFE FROM IVAN.(mobile area facilities)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.-After a temporary closing while Alabama awaited Hurricane Ivan, The Dixie Group's Mobile-area facilities have reopened, escaping the storm's path with no significant damage. The company had temporarily suspended...

A HOT INTRODUCTION.(Maple Rugs company introduces Flame Stitch)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Arnold Stevens, Maple Rugs' vice president, said the company's latest introduction -- Flame Stitch -- has been modified and perfected over the past three years. "This time we made it even better than it was in the past," he said. The...

DUPONT'S HYTREL HELPS CARPET SPILLS DISAPPEAR.(cleaning agents of carpets)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... WILMINGTON, Del.-A new Stainmaster carpet cushion has been developed that promises easier, more effective cleanup of carpet spills and fewer problems with entrapped moisture. The secret is the cushion's DuPont Hytrel breathable moisture...

BOLD PATTERNS AND COLORS STAMP NEW RUG OFFERINGS.(collection of rugs )(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... LOS ANGELES-The Rug Market has expanded its offerings with the introduction of collections under the Graphic Contrast Bold Colors banner. New collections within the collection include Posh, patterns and textures using shades of black, pink...

NATURE'S LOOM DISPLAYS WARES AT MANHATTAN TOWNHOUSE SPACE.(oriental rugs)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-If a newly restored and renovated space is indicative of a fresh, one-of-a-kind style, then Nature's Loom is right on target. The importer and wholesaler of oriental rugs celebrated the grand opening...

NOURISON SPICES THINGS UP.(home textiles market)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Nourison is expanding its washable, tufted line at the upcoming New York home textiles market. The manufacturer's introductions include Chili Pepper, which is made of olefin and acrylic, and comes in rectangular sizes, as well as a round and a...

DECORATING SEVERAL FLOORS MADE SIMPLER BY DILMAGHANI.(Home furnishings industry)(Dilmaghani and Company Inc)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Jennifer Quail SCARSDALE, N.Y.-Dilmaghani has taken a step toward aiding the many consumers who enjoy the idea of a coordinated home with new pairs of area rugs. The company calls the rug pairs, coordinated by pattern design...

LEXINGTON, Z-LINE PUT TOGETHER A PARTNERSHIP FOR RTA FURNITURE.(ready-to-assemble furniture)(Lexington Home Brands Inc.)(Z-Line Designs Inc.)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Karl Kunkel LEXINGTON, N.C.-In a step up for ready-to-assemble furniture, Lexington Home Brands and Z-Line Designs have entered into a licensing agreement in which Z-Line will produce a line of RTA furniture under the Lexington...

BOLD BEDDING STRATEGIES; THE MAJOR COMPANIES GAMBLE ON CHANGE WITH PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS AT THE HIGH POINT FURNITURE MARKET.(Home furnishings industry)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Karl Kunkel HIGH POINT, N.C.-The October market here may offer hints of a symbolic changing of the guard in bedding. It will certainly be an evolutionary step. Serta Inc., on the heels of last month's corporate management...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Furniture industry)
October 4, 2004... SHERMAG, a Canadian furniture producer, will permanently close a factory in Quebec that had been the subject of a strike since April, according to published reports. The factory employs 245 people. Strikes at two other Shermag factories were...

YOUTH WILL BE SERVED AT HIGH POINT MARKET.(Home furnishings industry)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Nancy Meyer HIGH POINT, N.C.-Kids of all ages will be the target for mass suppliers at the International Home Furnishings Market that kicks off here next week. Volume retailers will be shopping for back-to-school products, from...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Home furnishings industry)
October 4, 2004... THE INTERNATIONAL HOME FURNISHINGS MARKET that kicks off next week in High Point, N.C., will serve as the launching pad for many licensed collections in lamps and decorative accessories. Among them, Stylecraft Lamps presents the World Vineyard...

HFN SURVEY: CONSUMERS READY TO BUY STORAGE.(Home Furnishings News)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Nathan Weber Welcome to the first installment of HFN's exclusive consumer survey on ready-to-assemble furniture. Next week: Where they shop, and consumer perceptions about RTA versus preassembled furniture. NEW YORK-For most...

THE WALL DECOR REPORT.(Housewares industry)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Retail sales of wall decor reached $2.27 billion in 2003. The alternative wall decor segment posted the greatest gain, 7.5 percent. Home decor superstores gained the most market share. Caption(s): From left: Crystal Art Gallery, Walker...

OFF-THE-WALL GROWTH; THE CATEGORY FARED WELL DESPITE PRICE DEFLATION ACROSS HOME GOODS.(Housewares industry)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Nancy Meyer The overall wall decor category proved to be a strong and growing business for retailers, having posted a solid 4 percent increase in 2003 to $2.271 billion in retail dollars. Put into context with other home decor...

CAPTURING MARKET SHARE; A ROBUST HOME DECORATING MARKET DROVE A BOOST IN FRAMED ART SALES.(Home decor accessories)
October 4, 2004... If every picture tells a story, the framed art business tells a tale of retail sales growth. In 2003, framed art retail sales increased 3 percent to $1.08 billion. Driving this growth, sources said, is the robust home decorating...

STRONG REFLECTORS; BROADER DISTRIBUTION AND AGGRESSIVE PRODUCTION LED TO INCREASED SALES FOR FRAMED MIRRORS.(Home decor accessories)
October 4, 2004... Another bright spot in the wall decor picture is the framed mirror segment, which posted a 3.5 percent increase in retail sales in 2003 to $778.3 million. The credit for this increase goes to broader distribution, aggressive promotion and...

THE ROAD NOW TAKEN; THE EMERGING ALTERNATIVE SEGMENT HAS GROWN INTO A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE WALL DECOR BUSINESS.(Housewares industry)
October 4, 2004... The alternative segment has added a new dimension to the wall decor category, having posted the strongest gain: 7.5 percent, to $415.69 million in retail sales for 2003. HFN, as part of its exclusive State of the Industry Report, began...

WHAT IS THE TOP CHOICE OF THEM ALL? CONSUMERS VOICE THEIR PREFERENCES IN AN HFN EXCLUSIVE ONLINE SURVEY.(Home decor accessories)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Nathan Weber Good prices and a wide selection of merchandise are the two most prominent reasons American consumers select a store in which to shop for and purchase items of wall decor, whether it's framed or unframed art, clocks,...

HEREND ENTERS DEAL WITH MOSER.(Herend Porcelain Manufactory)(Moser Corp.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... STERLING, Va.-Martin's Herend Imports Inc. announced it is the exclusive importer and distributor of Moser crystal in the United States and Puerto Rico. Moser will be stocked and distributed from a warehouse here. The product line will be...

VILLEROY & BOCH GIVES A TASTE OF WHAT'S COMING IN DINNERWARE.(Villeroy und Boch AG)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK-Villeroy & Boch partnered with Gourmet magazine last month to host a cooking demonstration with chef Sara Moulton featuring new-wave dinnerware. More than 100 Gourmet magazine readers filled the Villeroy & Boch store here to watch...

TABLETOP LICENSES FOLLOW PATTERN.(Textile industry)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Carla Webb NEW YORK-Many of next week's licensed introductions at the textiles market here will complement the upcoming tabletop market, as several manufacturers will introduce products based on existing tabletop and lifestyle...

SETTING HIGH STANDARDS; THE LINK BETWEEN TABLETOP AND JEWELRY CAN BE TRACED TO THE LUXURY FACTOR, AS WELL AS THE HEIRLOOM QUALITY OF BOTH.(Consumer goods industry)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Carla Webb NEW YORK-It's akin to the eternal chicken-or-the-egg quandary: Which came first, jewelry or tabletop? There seems to be an intrinsic connection between the two categories, with jewelry stores such as Tiffany's and...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Consumer goods industry)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... TARGET will add a sonic toothbrush to its Swell Expressions line by Cynthia Rowley and Ilene Rosenberg. The rechargable toothbrush with distinctive stripes comes from Amden Corp. and will be available this month... EMJOI will show several...

EQUITY GROUP TOPS COMPETITOR'S OFFER TO ACQUIRE HPI.(Equity Group Investments Inc.)(Home Products International Inc)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... CHICAGO-A group of financiers led by turnaround expert Samuel Zell has submitted an offer to buy plastic storage supplier Home Products International Inc. for $1.75 per share in cash, or about $12.7 million, for outstanding shares. Zell...

FIRST NEW YORK GOURMET SHOW SEEKS TO STIR UP REGIONAL BUZZ.(Gourmet America Inc.)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Thyra Porter NEW YORK-As the New York Gourmet Housewares Show premieres this week, industry watchers say that despite gaining fewer exhibitors than expected, the event has the potential to fill a regional niche. And with the...

BED BATH'S STEP BEYOND ; THE RETAILER TESTS ITS HARMON STORE-WITHIN-A-STORE CONCEPT IN 10 UNITS.(Bed, Bath and Beyond Inc)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-The addition of Harmon beauty departments to a select group of Bed Bath & Beyond stores may give the retailer a leg up on the competition when it comes to merchandising its hair appliances. After Bed...

CUISINART ON BOARD AS JACQUES PEPIN TV SHOW SPONSOR.(Cuisinarts Inc.)(Cooking television programs)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... STAMFORD, Conn.-Cuisinart will be the primary underwriter of "Jacques Pepin: Fast Food My Way," the new national public television cooking show hosted by the chef, teacher and author. The show will make its debut this month. "The new...

HELEN OF TROY OFFERS JADE PERSPECTIVE.(Helen of Troy Texas Corp.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... EL PASO, Texas-Helen of Troy is turning up the heat in the highly competitive personal care products business by adding a semi-precious stone surface to its hair straightening irons. The Revlon straighteners with jade-covered heating...

NECO ALLIANCE CASHES IN AT FAIR.(NECO Enterprises Inc)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Gerry Beatty LEDYARD, Conn.-Neither rain nor flood nor gloom of traffic stayed these retailers from their appointed rounds -- not when there were 50-plus vendors to see for show specials. Last month, about 400 members of the...

SAMSUNG: NOTHING MUST GO; VISITORS TO THE TIME WARNER SHOWROOM CAN SEE, TOUCH AND TRY THE LATEST GADGETS; BUT THEY CAN'T BUY A THING.(Samsung/North America)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Michael Rudnick, Gerry Beatty contributed to this report. NEW YORK-Samsung opened its new high-tech New York City showroom last month and initiated an expensive game of show-and-no-sell at what the company called its new "unstore."...

BEST BUY VS. CIRCUIT CITY.(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... ON THE COVER Best Buy: LG 37-inch flat-panel LCD HDTV, $4749.99 Circuit City: Compaq Intel Celeron D Processor 325 Desktop Package with printer, $369.99 MOBILE SOUND Best Buy: Delphi XM Satellite Tuner (home or car), $79.99...

HOME SALES RISE IS GOOD NEWS FOR FURNISHINGS RETAILERS.(U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Michael Rudnick WASHINGTON-The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced last week that new home sales for August were up 9.4 percent from last month to 1.184 million homes, representing...

FINANCO TO SPONSOR SUMMIT FOR MERCHANDISING INVESTORS.(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Vicki M. Young NEW YORK-Hoping to fill a need by private equity firms for in-depth information about trends in the merchandising sector, investment banking firm Financo Inc. is sponsoring its first Merchandising Equity Investors...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Bassett Furniture Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES INC.'S sales for the third quarter ended Aug. 28 dipped 1 percent from the same period last year, to $78.6 million. The decrease was attributed to attrition with J.C. Penney and other independent furniture...

HOT TO TOTE.(auction)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Byline: Michael D. Devine It was a swell time for all at Sotheby's. House & Garden magazine and Perrier Jouet hosted the second annual Champagne Perrier Jouet Fleurtation Haute Totes and a private viewing at the Arcade Furniture and...

OCTOBERFEST KICKS OFF.
October 11, 2004... THE PEOPLE, PRODUCTS AND PLACES of this month's trade events in textiles, floor covering, furniture and gourmet housewares include some of the usual suspects, and a few surprises as well. See opening day coverage throughout the issue. ...

7 W. 34TH WILL BE SET FOR TABLETOP NEXT SPRING.
October 11, 2004... Byline: Carla Webb NEW YORK-Showrooms at 7 W. 34th St., the future Gift Mart building, will be ready for those who need them in time for next spring's tabletop market here, Chris Kennedy, president of Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., told...

FROM NEW YORK TO HIGH POINT, IT'S SHOWTIME.(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... NEW YORK-Let the shows begin. With events for the textiles, floor covering and housewares industries here and the furniture business in High Point, N.C., all taking place this week, the home industry moves into a critical time period. ...

IN BRIEF.
October 11, 2004... TARGET TO ROLL OUT MIZRAHI HOME LINE Designer Isaac Mizrahi, whose apparel collection has been a hit at Target, will roll out an exclusive home line at the upscale discounter in March 2005. The Isaac Mizrahi for Target home collection...

RETAILERS SEE BRIGHT FUTURE AS HFNDEX LEAPS IN Q3.
October 11, 2004... Byline: Nathan Weber NEW YORK-Leading retailers of home furnishings expressed significantly renewed confidence in the economy and their industry this quarter, as the HFNdex leapt more than seven points to 69.0, the highest level since the...

AMMERMAN AIMS TO SHARPEN LIFETIME HOAN KNIFE PROGRAM.(Howard Ammerman)
October 11, 2004... Byline: Thyra Porter WESTBURY, N.Y.-After 13 years as vice president of sales with J.A. Henckels, Howard Ammerman now wears another cap as Lifetime Hoan Corp.'s senior vice president and chief marketing officer for cutlery and cutting...

WAL-MART TO ADD MORE THAN 500 UNITS IN 2005.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... Byline: Barbara Thau BENTONVILLE, Ark.-Wal-Mart laid out its expansion plans for 2005 and it was no great surprise supercenters will remain the key growth engine. The world's largest retailer will open between 240 and 250...

CORRECTION.
October 11, 2004... In the "Setting High Standards" article in the Oct. 4 issue, it was reported that two jewelry lines from Christofle will be introduced at this month's New York Tabletop Market. According to Safa Hummel, president of Christofle North America,...

RETAILERS SCARE UP NOVELTY, HARVEST THEMES FOR HALLOWEEN.
October 11, 2004... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Halloween has become the unofficial kickoff to the holiday selling season and a big merchandising opportunity in its own right. And this year, retailers are peppering their home assortments with kitschy...

NEW EATERIES DISPLAY BEDSIDE MANNERS.(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... Byline: Michael D. Devine What's the latest trend in New York dining? How about dining in bed? Forget the food part, it's all about the decor. The concept of beds in restaurants and clubs started in Miami and has been transplanted to...

SIX IN THE CITY.(new home furnishings)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... 1. HOME FASHION 101 For $25, you can get the latest home fashion trend update from Trendease International at FIT on Sunday, Oct. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. as presented by Jennifer Castoldi. Seventh Avenue at 27th Street. 2. IN COLONIAL...

SALIENT GREEN.(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... Byline: Michael D. Devine There is yet another reincarnation of New York's Felissimo Design House, the Japan-based retailer, which is located at 10 E. 56th St. It has just launched a new concept for home furnishings: feliciti. The...

NEW TEXAS STORE CATERS TO UPSCALE BABY BOOMERS.(Of Americana- a home furnishing store opened)
October 11, 2004... Byline: Rusty Williamson COLLEYVILLE, Texas-Of Americana, a new luxury home furnishings store here, is waving the flag for upscale shoppers ages 35 to 55 and beyond, a demographic sweet-spot marked by discerning taste levels and high...

WAL-MART'S WEB SITE IS BIGGEST HIT WITH ONLINE CONSUMERS IN AUGUST.
October 11, 2004... Byline: Nathan Weber NEW YORK-Walmart.com was again the leading Web site among home furnishings retailers in August, when measured by the number of unique visitors it received. According to a monthly survey, nearly 13.3 million people...

LILLIAN VERNON CATALOG ENTERS A NEW CHAPTER.(Lillian Vernon Corp.)
October 11, 2004... Byline: Allison Zisko RYE, N.Y.-Flip through the latest Lillian Vernon catalog and you'll find yourself turning the pages a little more slowly and studying the products a little more carefully. This is not your mother's Lillian Vernon...

FASHION FORWARD.(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... Byline: Michael D. Devine The runways of New York launched numerous new trends for spring 2005, and this season's home shows are right in step. Maybe it's the instant access that everyone has or the ability for manufacturers to interpret...

THE MAG RUSH; PUBLICATIONS RELY ON THEIR BRAND NAMES AS THEY PLUNGE INTO HOME.(Magazines)(Home furnishings industry)
October 11, 2004... NEW YORK-Maxim and National Geographic magazines probably don't have much in common, with one big exception -- they're considered experts in their fields. And like most successful, well-established magazines, their readers exhibit strong...

SHOWTOBER.
October 11, 2004... Byline: Warren Shoulberg A couple of million market weeks ago, I made a certain prediction about how that market was about to undergo a big change in direction, format and perhaps location. As it turns out -- and as one particular show...