HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from October 2005

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from October 2005

A TOUCH OF PINK.(National Breast Cancer Awareness)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... The home furnishings industry is throwing its weight behind National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with special products and promotions designed to raise both visibility and funds. See pages 6-7.

ANALYSTS: PRIVACY BEST LNT COURSE.(Linens 'n Things)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-A little privacy could be the answer for the struggling Linens 'n Things. A Linens 'n Things acquisition by a private investor group could help remedy its bottom-line problems, some analysts said...

LIFETIME SETS BLOCK-BUSTER TABLETOP PLAN.(Lifetime Brands acquires Salton inc )
October 3, 2005... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-Having obtained critical mass in tabletop with its recent acquisition of Block China and other brands, Lifetime Brands is now carving out a two-tiered strategy for presenting its portfolio at retail. The...

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE FOR SEPTEMBER DROPS IN WAKE OF KATRINA, GAS PRICES.(gasoline prices)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK-Consumer confidence in the economy plummeted in September to its lowest level since October 2003, dropping almost 19 points. Consumers' views of both the current situation and their expectations for the near future both dropped...

ROYAL VELVET LINE OF TOWELS REVISITED.(Royal Velvet towel)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-The Royal Velvet signature solid-color bath towel is getting its second makeover in two years as the consortium that owns it, along with licensee partner Li & Fung, is relaunching the line, accompanied by a...

IN BRIEF: MMPI BUYS BOSTON DESIGN CENTER... SHOPKO SUITOR INCREASES BID, AGAIN... REPORT: WAL-MART EYES HILFIGER CORP....(Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. and Douglas Furniture Corp. appointed John Hale)
October 3, 2005... MMPI BUYS BOSTON DESIGN CENTER Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. has acquired home furnishings showroom property Boston Design Center. Vornado Realty Trust, Merchandise Mart's parent company, last week entered into an agreement to...

YOUNGLOVE-WEBB NAMED HEAD OF SEARS ESSENTIALS, SEARS GRAND.(appointments)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Sears Holdings Corp. plucked talent from within to lead Sears Essentials, the midsized, off-mall chain that is the company's key growth vehicle combining Sears and Kmart brands with Kmart's real estate. ...

WILLIAMS-SONOMA HOME STORE TO BOW IN L.A.(Beverly Boulevard )(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK-Williams-Sonoma Inc. was scheduled to open the first Williams-Sonoma Home store last week on Beverly Boulevard in West Hollywood. Williams-Sonoma Home was introduced via catalog last fall and is the first brand in the...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
October 3, 2005... october 10-13 Heimtextil India International Trade Fair for Home Textiles & Accessories Mumbai, India 011-49-69-7575 6738/6084 messefrankfurt.com 13-17 Indian Handicrafts and Gift Fair Pragati Maidan New Delhi,...

A COLORFUL STATEMENT; ACROSS THE HOME INDUSTRY, MANY COMPANIES HAVE TAKEN UP THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER, EVIDENCE OF WHICH CAN BE SEEN IN PINK PRODUCTS DURING THE MONTH OF AWARENESS.(Breast Cancer Awareness programs )
October 3, 2005... Byline: Faye Musselman ATLANTA-October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the home furnishings industry is doing more than its share to support the cause. Numerous companies are introducing pink products along with holding...

HOLIDAY READINGS.(Albert Hadley: The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer, Building New York and Jed Johnson: Opulent Restraint)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine This season, Rizzoli is releasing a jaw-dropping selection of design books in time for holiday gift-giving. From great interior designers to authorities on architecture, there is something for every taste and...

PROGNOSTICATION NATION.(Consumer Confidence)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Arnold J. Karr Expectations for last week's Consumer Confidence report were anything but upbeat to start with, and the actual numbers released by the Conference Board were even worse than feared. An 18.9 point drop, the largest...

HALLOWEEN COMES EARLIER, AND BIGGER, TO STORES IN '05.
October 3, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-With an eye on an even bigger selling season, retailers got an early start on Halloween this year. The holiday has turned into quite a treat for retailers in recent years and 2005 is shaping up to be even...

WAL-MART DE MEXICO'S NEW TAKE ON HOME.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Wal-Mart de Mexico is expanding its new home concept called el Mundo (the world) to all of its supercenters. The department merchandises goods according to the rooms and areas of a home, including kitchen, bath and closet.

HIGH POINT CONSIDERS SHIFT IN MARKET TIMING.(show time fixes)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... HIGH POINT, N.C.-High Point's Market Authority is asking furniture exhibitors and retailers whether its semiannual event should be held in September and March rather than the traditional October and April dates. A survey sent out two weeks...

FEDERATED PLAYS UP `EVERYDAY VALUE' IN HOME.
October 3, 2005... Federated continues to wean itself off the promotional needle by expanding its "Everyday Value" everyday-low-price program and reducing couponing. The retailer sees an opportunity to play the everyday-low-price card in the home area, Karen...

NEW HOME SALES DROP 9.9%.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK-Concern among real estate agents that the decade-long housing boom is losing steam was reinforced last week, as the U.S. Commerce Department reported a 9.9 percent drop in August sales of newly built homes, after it announced a 6.5...

ROYAL SIGHTINGS; DORMA, A POPULAR U.K. BRAND THAT CATERS TO THE QUEEN MOTHER, IS TRYING TO GET A FOLLOWING IN THE UNITED STATES.
October 3, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-If retailers agree to carry it on their shelves, American consumers may soon get a feel of sleeping in bed linens used by British royalty. That would be linens from Dorma, a United Kingdom brand that...

FOAM BUSINESS FEELING SQUEEZE OF HIGHER PRICES.
October 3, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Manufacturers and suppliers of basic bedding foam products are the latest group in the home furnishings industry to be feeling the effects of raw material cost increases. Joe Blazar, the director of...

SPRINGS DIVIDING HOME FURNISHINGS, WINDOW FASHIONS.(Springs Industries management)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK-Springs Industries said it will operate its textiles home furnishings and window fashions as separate companies. The separation is expected to be completed toward the end of the year. "Operating textile home furnishings and Springs...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Bay Linens licensed his brand of products)(Home textiles in show)(Revman International introducing two new bedding)
October 3, 2005... BAY LINENS has licensed its brand name to Scent-Sation, a company specializing in sheet fabrications, including Whispersilk and Alternatives. Dianne Morris, president of Bay Linens, said Scent-Sation will be the manufacturer of record for Bay...

J.C. PENNEY SHOWS SOFTER SIDE WITH COLIN COWIE BEDDING LINE.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-J.C. Penney is rolling out its Colin Cowie for the J.C. Penney Home Collection bedding line in its stores and is supporting it with consumer advertising in shelter magazines. "We are hoping to attract...

W-C DESIGNS LOOKS TO IRELAND FOR INSPIRATION.(bedding in market)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK-W-C Designs' newly organized division looked to Ireland for inspiration in developing its product launch for this October market. The bedding introductions were given such names as Dublin Manor, which represents old world...

KEEPING NEW COMPANY; COMPANY C HAS OPENED A BOUTIQUE WITHIN A PAPER STORE IN NEW YORK IN AN EFFORT TO BOOST ITS PRESENCE IN THE CITY.(new facility opened)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Creating its first store-within-a-store, Company C has joined forces with Kate's Paperie, a paper emporium, and officially opened a new home furnishings boutique here. The 1,100-square-foot shop,...

FEIZY APPOINTS FERACO SALES MANAGER FOR HOME CENTER.(Feizy Rugs placed Stacy Feraco )(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK-Feizy Rugs has named Stacy Feraco to the position of regional sales manager for Feizy's Home Center business. In her new position, Feraco will be responsible for the sales and servicing of Feizy's home center and big-box...

NASH'S ROAD TO WHITE HOUSE BUILT IN FLOORING.(Nash Floor Co service )(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK-Saying it was an exciting opportunity, Nash Floor Co. Carpet One spent two weeks this summer in the White House, installing hardwood flooring in the Oval Office. After the president left for Crawford, Texas, in August, employees...

BATH RUG SUPPLIERS GET FEEL FOR TEXTURE AS MARKET NEARS.(texture in the market )
October 3, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-The suppliers of bath rugs are focusing on texture for this upcoming New York textiles market. Arnold Stevens, vice president of Maples Rugs, said his company spent countless hours working on the...

PENNEY CUTS A MEAN RUG VERSUS SEARS.(J.C. Penney )
October 3, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-While very close geographically to each other -- a J.C. Penney at the sprawling Queens Center Mall and a Sears just one subway stop away at a smaller strip-type mall that includes a Marshalls, Bed Bath &...

WILLIAMSBURG SETS SAIL; LICENSED PRODUCTS UNDER THE BRAND, FROM STICKLEY AND VIRGINIA METALCRAFTERS, AMONG OTHERS, BOWED IN NEW YORK.(2006 Home Collection)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Nancy Meyer NEW YORK-Williamsburg, the home furnishings product arm of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, launched its 2006 Home Collection at the Central Park Boat House in New York at the end of September under the theme "Age...

CATALINA LIGHTING SHIFTS PRODUCTION CAPACITY ABROAD.
October 3, 2005... Byline: Nancy Meyer NEW YORK-Catalina Lighting is moving its overseas production in an effort to improve its plating and sourcing capabilities, Robert Varakian, president and chief executive officer, told HFN. Catalina is selling its...

BETTER SLEEP COUNCIL LAUNCHING CONSUMER EDUCATION PROGRAM.(Sleep Products )
October 3, 2005... Byline: Karl Kunkel LAS VEGAS-The Better Sleep Council has chosen a narrow approach rather than a wide-angle tactic for a five-year consumer education plan that it will formally launch in January. Its target demographic is women ages 40 to...

THE WALL DECOR REPORT.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Wall decor sales are up nearly 3 percent, to $2.33 billion. The framed art segment had the largest volume in the category. Specialty stores picked up the greatest market share gains in alternative wall decor, and dominate distribution in that...

PICTURING GROWTH ; DESPITE CHALLENGES, THE INDUSTRY HAS SEEN GAINS WITH DISTRIBUTION FAIRLY EVEN.(alternative wall decor)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Nancy Meyer NEW YORK-If a picture's worth a thousand words, the framed art and wall decor category is worth billions -- $2.33 billion to be precise. Wall decor, an essential home decor classification that's found strong...

ART BUSINESS REMAINS VIBRANT; PRICING, PRODUCTION CHANGES HAVE HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE SEGMENT.(J.C. Penney)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Nancy Meyer NEW YORK-Retail sales of framed art grew 3.2 percent to $1.11 billion in 2004, despite several industry challenges. The business on the wholesale end has experienced contraction, as marginal and struggling players...

LOOKS ARE EVERYTHING ... ALMOST; AN HFN SURVEY FINDS THAT CONSUMERS ARE PUTTING THEIR PRIORITIES ON DECORATION RATHER THAN FUNCTION ALONE.(wall decor )
October 3, 2005... Byline: Nathan Weber NEW YORK-Some wall decor items, like mirrors and shelves, are primarily functional. Others, like original artwork and prints, are basically decorative. But art and function are hardly mutually exclusive: Retailers and...

THE DIFFERENCE MAKERS; ALTERNATIVE ITEMS COMPRISE THE FASTEST-GROWING CLASSIFICATION IN WALL DECOR.(alternative wall decor)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Nancy Meyer NEW YORK-The brightest growth segment in the wall decor business last year was that of "alternative wall decor," or items that can't be classified as framed pictures or mirrors. The classification spans a wide range...

TIME FOR REFLECTION; DOMESTIC MIRROR SUPPLIERS ARE FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO COMPETE AGAINST FRAMED-ART PRODUCERS.(Framed Mirrors )
October 3, 2005... Byline: Nancy Meyer NEW YORK-Amid much industry consolidation, retail sales of framed mirrors grew by 2 percent, to $793.8 million in 2004, according to HFN research. Sources attribute the growth to the sheer strength of the...

A `SCENT-IMENTAL' GLOW; TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY SCENTS WILL DOMINATE CANDLE OFFERINGS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, BUT TURN MORE EXOTIC IN THE NEW YEAR.(scented candles)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas for those buying scented candles in the fourth quarter. Traditional scents like cinnamon, pine and peppermint are among the most oft-mentioned fragrances...

ARCHITECT GEHRY TAPPED TO CREATE TIFFANY ITEMS.(jewelry and tabletop)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK-Award-winning architect Frank Gehry has agreed to create an exclusive jewelry and tabletop line for Tiffany & Co. Michael Kowalski, chairman and chief executive officer of Tiffany, was quoted in a recent Women's Wear Daily, "We...

STAR WARS PRESENTS NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR KURT ADLER.(Star Wars)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-The Force will be in Star Wars Christmas ornaments this year, according to Kurt Adler Inc., one of the category's leading suppliers. With a new license for Star Wars and its cross-promotion with M&M,...

STEUBEN TO INTRODUCE LINE FROM DESIGNER OKA DONER.(Michele Oka Doner)(glass and metals)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-Continuing its tradition of fostering artists and transforming forms of nature into art, Steuben will unveil a new tabletop collection from noted artist Michele Oka Doner in its flagship store here this...

41 MADISON SHOWROOM ROSTER FOR FALL MARKET GROWS BY THREE.(41 Madison Avenue)(Meissen)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK-Three new showrooms -- and a raft of expanded and redecorated ones -- will open at 41 Madison Ave. in time for the New York fall tabletop market later this month. Pfaltzgraff, which stirred talk when it declined to open permanent...

A HEALTHY ATTITUDE; RETAILERS AND SUPPLIERS ARE RESPONDING TO CONSUMERS' GROWING INTEREST IN WELLNESS PRODUCTS.
October 3, 2005... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-As wellness awareness grows among consumers, personal care retailers and manufacturers are building their assortments of diagnostic and therapeutic products. The trend during the past year has been...

VAC SHIPMENTS CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD.(domestic unit shipments )(Home Appliance)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK-For the fifth consecutive month, manufacturers' domestic unit shipments of full-sized vacuum cleaners were up strongly, gaining 7.2 percent in July. The combination of upright, canister and stick vacs was ahead 10.1 percent for the...

EMILE HENRY GOES NATIONAL WITH NEW PRINT AD CAMPAIGN.(Emile Henry )(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Thyra Porter PORTLAND, Maine-French cookware and bakeware maker Emile Henry has planned its first national print ad campaign in support of its ceramic Flame-Top cookware. The stovetop-safe cookware line, made of Burgundian...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEWELL RUBBERMAID has named Nancy de Jonge Davis vice president of investor relations and corporate communications. She will be responsible for global communications, reporting to Joseph Galli, chief executive officer. Davis joined Newell last...

MASSAGERS IN TOUCH WITH THE FEMININE SIDE.
October 3, 2005... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-Condom manufacturers are nudging their way into the market for massagers, posing a challenge to the long-standing "don't ask, don't tell" attitude that has surrounded the use of massager products. ...

NECO'S DIGITAL ADVANCES; THE POPULARITY OF CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, ESPECIALLY FLAT-PANEL TELEVISIONS, HAS GARNERED THE INTEREST OF APPLIANCE DEALERS.
October 3, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick MASHANTUCKET, Conn.-NECO Alliance, a Northeastern buying group of independent dealers that has historically concentrated on major appliances, is pushing further in electronics, spurred by rising flat-panel...

INDEPENDENT DEALERS TAKE THE HIGH ROAD IN APPLIANCES.(NECO Alliance's Fall Expo )
October 3, 2005... Byline: Gerry Beatty MASHANTUCKET, Conn.-To find out what's happening with premium major kitchen appliances, talk to those who specialize in selling them. At NECO Alliance's Fall Expo IX buying fair here, the answers included more...

BEST BUY VS. CIRCUIT CITY.(digital cameras and miscellaneous)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... ON THE COVER Best Buy: LG 26-cubic-foot Side-by-Side refrigerator, $1,599.99 Circuit City: Philips 42-inch HDTV plasma TV, $2,499.99 HDTVS Best Buy: Toshiba 27-inch widescreen LCD HDTV with built-in DVD player, $1,799.99 ...

WAL-MART CFO SCHOEWE TALKS UP UPSCALE PUSH.(marketing message)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Wal-Mart Stores' executives just can't say it enough these days: "We're not abandoning the opening price point, but we're working on the higher-ticket [merchandise]," Tom Schoewe, chief financial officer of...

NEWS BRIEFS.(appointments)
October 3, 2005... STEVE TURKISH has joined his former boss Stan Officina as executive vice president at factoring firm Ultimate Financial Solutions, a new position. Turkish, a former credit manager at Sterling Factors, of which Officina was president, is again...

NEWELL EXPECTS EARNINGS RECOVERY.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Sharyn Bernard ATLANTA-Newell Rubbermaid expects consecutive earnings increases over the next three years as it restructures and refocuses its business. Newell predicts diluted earnings per share for 2005 will be in the range...

FAMILY DOLLAR'S Q4 NET DOWN, EXPENSES UP.(Family Dollar Stores Inc.)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Family Dollar's income for the most recent quarter declined, despite a sales gain. The discounter had net income for the fourth quarter ended Aug. 27 of $29.2 million, or 18 cents per share, compared...

THE HFN STOCK INDEX.(Lifetime Brands)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Manufacturers rose 2.16 percent for the Sept. 22 to 29 period, which helped boost the HFN Index. Investors seemed to react positively to Lifetime Brands' recent purchase of Salton's tabletop assets, as the stock gained 12.69 percent to close at...

DOMINO PRINCIPALS.(teamed up with Design Within Reach)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Domino magazine teamed up with Design Within Reach to host an evening of inspired ideas from top designers Vicente Wolf, Sandy Chilewich, Gustavo Martinez and Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz. They were all on hand to discuss their work in small urban...

MOVING PICTURES.(Harry Benson's America)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine Harry Benson came to America to photograph the Beatles on their first visit and stayed. His newest oeuvre of photos is "Harry Benson's America." Esquire magazine invited le tout New York for the unveiling. ...

CATCHING THE SPIRIT.
October 10, 2005... As the holiday season approaches, retailers have modest expectations but aggressive promotional plans to make them happen. See pages 14-15.

SUPPLIERS IN A LATHER OVER FOAM.(shortage of cushioning foam)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Karl Kunkel HIGH POINT, N.C.-Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have long moved on, but well-known home manufacturers that use cushioning foam are still reeling from the storms' devastating effects. Several home furnishings...

KMART BOOSTS SCOPE, PROFILE OF ESSENTIAL HOME.
October 10, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Kmart's exclusive Essential Home collection will sprout 2,500 new SKUs come spring 2006, with botanicals, bold colors, paisley prints and poolside looks among the season's key design motifs. A year after...

IN BRIEF: KMART SHORES UP MANAGEMENT TEAM... KAMBAK NAMED HOME BRANDS VP... SEARS CANADA TO CUT 1,200 JOBS.
October 10, 2005... KMART SHORES UP MANAGEMENT TEAM Kmart named Donald Germano senior vice president and general manager, and Dene Rogers executive vice president of restructuring and business improvement, a new position. Germano will oversee the...

CROSCILL'S KAHN REMEMBERED FOR IMPACT ON PEOPLE, INDUSTRY.(Croscill Home Fashions)(Obituary)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens, Barbara Thau contributed to this report. NEW YORK-Many in the textiles industry say they will remember David Kahn, 47, president and chief executive officer of Croscill Home Fashions, for his incredible drive,...

TARGET VICE CHAIRMAN STORCH RESIGNS.
October 10, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Gerald Storch, vice chairman of Target Corp., has left the company, effective immediately. "We would like to thank Jerry for his contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavors," Robert Ulrich,...

ANALYSTS APPLAUD WAL-MART'S MANAGEMENT RESTRUCTURING.(realignment of its senior ranks)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Analysts were upbeat on Wal-Mart's realignment of its senior ranks, particularly at the top level, as the heads of the U.S. and international divisions traded hats. Mike Duke, president and chief executive...

CORRECTION.(Correction Notice)
October 10, 2005... The New York Home Textiles & Housewares Week at 7 W New York will be held Oct. 16 to 19, and the New York Tabletop Week at 7 W New York will be held Oct. 29 to Nov. 2. These markets, held at 7 W. 34th St. in New York, were omitted from the...

CLARIFICATION.(Correction Notice)
October 10, 2005... In the Oct. 3 issue of HFN, a portion of the quote from Jack Toolan, executive vice president of Li & Fung USA's Home Brands Group, speaking of the company's initial launch of Royal Velvet, should have read: "There was nothing wrong with the...

SURVEY: MANY FAVOR SHIFT IN HIGH POINT'S MARKET DATES.
October 10, 2005... HIGH POINT, N.C.-An "overwhelming majority" of furniture exhibitors and retailers favor changing the dates of High Point's semiannual International Home Furnishings Market, according to an announcement. However, officials at the High Point...

WINDS OF CHANGE.(Marshall Field's)(Dayton Hudson Department Store)(May Co. stores)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Joel Kaplan When I was a little boy, I often asked my mother where I came from. Her answer was always the same -- Marshall Field's bargain basement. While moderating a bridal fashion show for Dayton's, my fiancee told the...

BABY GRAND.(Villeroy & Boch's)(Ducduc)(MoMA)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine Oh, the joy of the sound of little feet padding around the house. Of course, with the little bundle comes a new shopping experience -- and shopping for baby has never been better. Design options have moved far...

HOMIN' HOLIDAY; RETAILERS ARE PUTTING A LOT OF ENERGY INTO GETTING CONSUMERS OUT TO THE STORES FOR THE GIFT-GIVING SEASON.(Home trends selling season )
October 10, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-The countdown to the make-or-break holiday selling season has begun. Retailers are planning modest home furnishings gains for the fourth quarter, with soaring gas prices and the specter of steep heating...

LOSS'S NEW LANDSCAPE.(Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005)(Editorial)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Arnold J. Karr There's a great moment in the movie "The Producers" when Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, as Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, sense that they've finally produced the Broadway bust they've been seeking, allowing them to...

INDUSTRY SETS PLACE FOR EXCITEMENT; BOLD COLORS AND STRIPES ON THE TABLE AT MARKET.(table in design)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Faye Musselman ATLANTA-At the New York home textiles market, suppliers are bringing new sophistication to the table in design, technique and color. "We're hearing from buyers that they want more exciting pieces -- more...

SHOW EXHIBITORS GO GLOBAL WITH UNIQUE OFFERINGS.(Penn & Fletcher Inc)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-Deep-pile terry towels made from cotton wool, silk-screened decorative pillows, Peruvian throws and herb-dyed bedding are among the products that will be shown at the New York Home Textiles Show at the...

NEW BATH TOWELS READY TO SOAK UP ATTENTION AT MARKET.(Lenox Bath Collection)(marketing and development)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-Solid-color and fashion-driven bath towels offer some of the more interesting stories for next week's textiles market. Bardwil Linens, which launched its Lenox Bath Collection last year, is adding...

CURTAIN OFFERINGS DRAW ON SOME RICH TRADITIONS.(window coverings trends)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-A slew of rich and elegant traditional looks, as well as contemporary designs, are available for viewing next week at the showrooms of soft window coverings suppliers. Anna Plumley, a design team and...

SUPPLIERS KEEPING COUNT IN HUNT FOR SOMETHING NEW.
October 10, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-Sheet suppliers are sticking to some familiar thread-count numbers while keeping an eye out for what could be the next big thing to hit retail shelves. "You can't fall in love with a product," said Shay...

FILL COMBINATIONS IN PLAY IN PILLOWS.(developing the product )
October 10, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Bedding suppliers have mixed different fills for the pillows they will unveil at the upcoming New York home textiles market. Hollander Home Fashions mixed white goose feather and white goose down to...

PACIFIC COAST FEATHER TO ROLL OUT STEARNS & FOSTER LUXE BEDDING ITEMS.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Pacific Coast Feather Co. will introduce a collection of luxury bedding products under the Stearns & Foster brand. The collection of 11 products featuring a soft hand and high thread count, include...

SUPPLIERS TAKING BATH ACCESSORIES IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.
October 10, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Fun and fashionable and soft and whimsical are among the design directions bath accessories suppliers are going for at next week's home textiles market. As usual, suppliers want to be distinct in...

DESIGNER SJOLIN, FRANCO MANUFACTURING PARTNER ON BEDDING LINE.(Pia Sjolin)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-Franco Manufacturing is unveiling a bedding line next week in time for the textiles market here that features the designs of Pia Sjolin. The time is ripe for Sjolin, said Robin Sayetta, co-president of...

TAKING IT OUTSIDE; A NEW LINE OF WEATHERPROOF RUGS IS ON THE WAY AS A RESULT OF AN AMS-COLONIAL MILLS COLLABORATION.( )
October 10, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-AMS Imports and Colonial Mills Inc. are teaming for a line of indoor/outdoor rugs that incorporate weatherproof fabrics into the designs, setting them apart from the more typical polypropylene models...

NOONOO CITES CHANGE IN ITS MOVE TO CLOSE.(Noonoo Rug Co. closing the facility)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-After 75 years in business, Noonoo Rug Co. is closing its doors. The New Jersey-based importer of rugs from countries such as Pakistan, India and Nepal, said business had slowed down significantly...

DESIGN SENSE GOES FULL CIRCLE.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-A simple form with endless functions. There is no argument that fashion consistently repeats itself, but although the basic circle has never necessarily been "out," it certainly appears to be having a...

SUCCESSFUL METRO RUG MARKET BUOYS HOPES FOR A BIGGER AND BETTER WEEK IN 2006.(exhibitions in peak)
October 10, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail and Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Closing out the Metro Rug Market's second year, vendors reported satisfaction with a young show they believe has earned a permanent place on the annual event calendar. As reported,...