Home Textiles Today articles from April 2004

Home Textiles Today archives from April 2004

Kate Spade reveals new bedding collection.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Simple motifs and a crisp color palette of chocolate, sky, gray and yellow highlight the new bedding collection at Kate Spade Home. The company also is introducing its first bath collection which consists of towels, shower...

Dan River runs dry.
April 5, 2004... NEWNAN, GA. -- The latest in a long line of textiles industry casualties, hammered by falling sales and low-cost offshore imports, and slow to meet the challenge of importing goods itself, Dan River Inc. has sought shelter from its creditors,...

BBB [Bed, Bath & Beyond] boosts its forecast.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... UNION, N.J. -- Closing the books on another strong year of sales and earnings growth, Bed Bath & Beyond late last week raised its earnings guidance for fiscal year 2004 to a range of $1.53 to $1.56 per share. The previous consensus figure...

Ralph Lauren lays out new beds.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Five new beds--four in the "best" category, one in the "good/better" bracket--have been introduced at Lauren by Ralph Lauren. The division of Ralph Lauren Home also launched Basic, a solid-color and tone-on-tone paisley...

Cost Plus doubles DC [distribution center].(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... Cost Plus, Inc. is planning to expand its 500,000-square-foot Virginia distribution center to 1,000,000 square feet, with the added capacity scheduled to come on line in fiscal 2005. The estimated cost to expand the facility is $24 million,...

Federated Department Stores to feed customers.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... Federated Department Stores, Inc. and Cosi, Inc. have formed a food service partnership for Macy's customers. In the initial phase of the agreement, Cosi plans to open 10 restaurants this summer and fall at some of the largest Macy's stores,...

Saks to close S.C. Proffitt's.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... Saks Incorporated plans to close its 120,000-square-foot Proffitt's store located in the Greenville Mall in Greenville, S.C., by the end of May. The store employs approximately 60 associates. All associates affected by the closure either...

Dollar Tree gives Coble expanded role.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... Dollar Tree Stores Inc. is moving Frederick Coble, chief financial officer and corporate secretary, to the newly expanded position of corporate secretary later this year. The company is launching a nationwide search for a new chief...

For the record.(Correction Notice)
April 5, 2004... In the story on the former Pillowtex brands appearing in the market edition, the first name of Dave Vernon, senior vice president of Macy's Home Store, was incorrectly given.

American Dawn Inc. acquires Classic Linen.
April 5, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- As part of its strategy to dramatically expand its residential product strength, American Dawn Inc. has acquired Classic Linen. Simultaneously, ADI launched the first collection of towels under its Raymond Waites Designs...

Anna's Linens goes shopping in the south.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... COSTA MESA, CALIF. -- In preparation for its push into Florida, Anna's Linens has acquired six former Plej's units in Miami, the first of which will open later this month. Anna's has also acquired five former Factory 2-U units--four in...

Springs Industries debuts new Crabtree & Evelyn line; retro-inspired collection includes quilts, duvets and comforter sets.
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Springs industries recently unveiled its new Crabtree & Evelyn by Wamsutta collection, which is positioned for classification merchandising. Components include quilts, duvets, comforter sets, coordinating sheets, rugs and a...

Victoria Classics on the rise.
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- As the third generation in a family long involved in the textile world, Toby and Joe Cohen, owners of Victoria Classics, are making a mark on the American home textiles world. The Syrian emigres, who started the company in the...

Donna Karan brings Play to bath.
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Following its mid-season introduction of Play in bedding, Donna Karan Home is introducing Play Bath, a collection of five color families--purple, green, yellow, blue and pink. The collection is offered in three striped towels,...

Calvin Klein touts Collection's quality.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Moving into a solid-color sheet program, Calvin Klein Home is focusing on high quality constructions. Double Band Percale, the new solid, is designed as a stand-alone item or as a working partner with the Calvin Klein Collection...

Tommy Hilfiger falls into color.
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- More color and embellishment, both reflective of the influence from the designer's apparel lines, are key elements in the Tommy Hilfiger Home Collection for fall. At the same time, several of the designs, especially in the...

More than market.(Fabric show.)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- It wasn't just the New York Home Textiles Market here last week. By some quirk of the calendar, many of the country's leading decorative fabric jobbers were in town at the same time. New showrooms were celebrated by Associated...

WestPoint Stevens cites strength to woo business.
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- WestPoint Stevens recently rolled forward with a message-oriented strategy it adopted in 2003, one that emphasizes its capabilities more heavily than new product introductions. "The theme is 'build.' Build a brand. Build a...

The glass is half full.(The home textiles market.)(Column)
April 5, 2004... It was so good, it was actually scary. There seemed to be nothing but positive vibrations flowing from last week's New York Home Textiles Market. Some said it was the best market in three years. Others pointed out that, compared to the...

Towels and sheets in flux.(Column)
April 5, 2004... It looks like the blip in business in this recent quarter changed the mindset of many in the home textiles world. The mood of market was remarkably upbeat--and the number of retailers in town for market was up in the view of many long-time...

Mohawk Industries Inc. shows Raymond Waites in style.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- After two soft launches that concentrated on area and accent rugs, Mohawk Home has officially debuted its collection with designer Raymond Waites. At last week's New York Home Textiles Market, Mohawk Home set up a large...

Croscill Inc. unveils Jonathan Adler line.
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Croscill rolled out its new co-branded Jonathan Adler license in bath at last week's New York Home Textiles Market, showing several contemporary looks that include bath accessories, towels, shower curtains and rugs. The company...

Veratex expands bedding line.
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Veratex continues to diversify, its bedding offerings with microsuede, faux leather, and distressed-cotton patterns that give the company a more casual relaxed look in addition to its traditional master bedroom jacquard designs. ...

Sleep Innovations promotes Fuchs to evp; company promotes from within to replace Blazar.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. -- Sleep Innovations Inc. has made some organizational changes and promoted David Fuchs to executive vice president of sales and marketing. Fuchs was formerly senior vice president of sales. He will be replacing Joe...

Ryman joins J.R. United.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... MIAMI -- After spending most of his career working in the retail sector, 27-year industry veteran Steve Ryman has joined the supplier side with his appointment to the newly created post of senior vice president, director of product and new...

Kohl's in search of evp-product development.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS. -- Kohl's Department Stores is realigning its merchandise executive team. The company will move from two to three executive vice presidents-general merchandise managers. In addition, it has engaged in a search for an...

Consumer confidence a mixed bag, stays flat.
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Held in check by nagging concerns about the jobs outlook, consumer confidence was virtually flat in March, The Conference Board reported, giving up just two-tenths of a percent, to a reading of 88.3 percent from 88.5 in February....

Bed Bath & Beyond profits jump 37 percent.
April 5, 2004... UNION, N.J. -- Raising the bar still higher with every successive quarter and undaunted by a tricky environment for most full-price American retailers, Bed Bath & Beyond parlayed remarkably strong same-store sales, wider margins and lower costs...

Department stores drive retail sales.
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Tearing ahead at an impressive pace for a fourth straight week, same-store retail sales surged by 6.9 percent during the fourth week of March, helped by an exceptionally strong gain at the nation's full-price department stores, The...

Hollander Home Fashions debuts modern duvet collection.
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Hollander Home Fashions delved into duvet covers in a big way at last week's New York Home Textiles Market, with an entire area of its showroom devoted to eight new patterns in the collection. The company also played up several...

Shaw moves toward mass market.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- Further deepening its floor coverings with the launch of its first line of floor mats, as well as expanded bath rug collections, Shaw Living continues to expand its offerings that service mass merchant and home center retailers. ...

Award winners announced.
April 5, 2004... NEW YORK -- The New York Home Textiles Show recently named the Best New Product Award winners and finalists in six categories at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. The winners and finalists are: Best of Show: Curt Bauer GmbH (Germany)...

Wall Street watch for the week ended April 1, 2004.
April 5, 2004... WALL STREET WATCH FOR THE WEEK ENDED APRIL 1, 2004 MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS CLOSE % CHG % CHG. COMPANY 04/01/04 THIS WEEK YEAR-TO-DATE Cone Mills (N)...

Bowlby moves up at Gottschalks.(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... FRESNO, CALIF. -- Gottschalks Inc. has promoted Patricia Bowlby--currently advertising director at Gottschalks--to vice president, marketing. In her new position, Bowlby will oversee all aspects of Gottschalks' advertising and marketing....

Bloomingdale's strives for upscale customers.
April 12, 2004... NEW YORK -- The home store will be a major beneficiary of the evolving Bloomingdale's brand strategy, now well underway at the flagship here and across all branches. The overall strategy, Mike Gould, chairman and CEO, explained, "is to...

A market to remember.(Buyers' Choice)
April 12, 2004... NEW YORK -- Yes, it was only two weeks ago. Buyers in all channels who reflected on the New York Home Textiles Market said there was a lot to like. ABC CARPET & HOME Alex Kimia, senior executive vice president "For the past few years,...

Croscill invests for the long term.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... OXFORD, R.C. -- Croscill's new distribution center opened for business last week, an $8 million project that the company expects will improve its operational efficiencies. The 126,000-square-foot DC consists of three levels of high-bay (35...

Family Dollar opens new stores.(Retail briefs)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... Family Dollar Stores, Inc., a North Carolina-based discount store chain, opened 34 stores during the five-week period ended April 3. The company now operates 5,207 stores. The 34 newest store locations are in the following states: six in...

Gottschalks launches gift registry system.(Retail briefs)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... Gottschalks Inc. has launched its Bridal & Gift Registry system, which may be used to register and purchase gifts for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and other events. The system provides hand-held scanners to...

Lowe's names Niblock CEO-elect.(Retail briefs)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... Lowe's Companies, Inc. has devised a succession plan under which company president Robert Niblock has been named chairman and CEO-elect, until the planned retirement of Robert Tillman scheduled for Jan. 28, 2005. Niblock was also named to...

Spiegel puts Eddie Bauer up for sale.(Retail briefs)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... As part of its ongoing restructuring, The Spiegel Group has directed Miller Buckfire Lewis Ying & Co. to solicit parties interested in acquiring its Eddie Bauer business. Bill Kosturos, interim CEO and chief restructuring officer of The...

For the record.(Correction Notice)
April 12, 2004... * In the April 5 issue of HTT, P. Kaufmann Co. was identified as a creditor in the Dan River bankruptcy filing. The company states that it has been paid in full, and that Dan River had mistakenly included it among its creditors in its Chapter...

Down Lite eyes gift/novelty market.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... MASON, OHIO -- Down Lite International unveiled a contemporary bedding program, called MoDo (Modern Domestics), aimed at the gift and novelty market. MoDo caters to an urban singles lifestyle, with $99.99 duvet sets that include a duvet,...

Dakotah goes contemporary.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... NEW YORK -- Domestic decorative pillow and bedding manufacturer Dakotah entered into a new category this past New York Home Textiles Market with bedspreads, and continues to focus on numerous contemporary looks throughout its showroom. ...

Home & Harmony grows bedding.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... ATLANTA -- Home & Harmony hit a few flrsts this past New York Home Textiles Market with its new Mirabello bedding line, a full line of sheeting, and matelasse shower curtains, bedspreads, coverlets and box spring covers. "Our approach...

Penney adds doors.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... PLANO, TEXAS -- JCPenney will open about 15 new stores this year, the first net gain in units in the past three years. About half of these will be free-standing, off-the-mall units that Penney began testing last year. "The three test units...

Tuesday Morning taps Reeves.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... DALLAS -- Jack Reeves has joined Tuesday Morning as senior vice president. Reeves, who will be in change of all merchandising, reports to Kathleen Mason, Tuesday Morning president and CEO. A long time retail executive, he most recently...

Divatex mixes looks, shows coordinated jacquards; company's sheeting for fall features rich colors, different hem treatments.
April 12, 2004... NEW YORK -- Aside from its new Shag license for bedding, bath and beach towels, Divatex placed strong emphasis on jacquard bedding ensembles at the recent New York Home Textiles Market with rive display beds and a wall of up to 16 additional...

Balta U.S. reveals new wool collection; Sedona collection offered in nine patterns.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... DALTON, GA. -- Employing an efficient wool-spinning technique done in Turkey, Balta U.S., the fledgling American branch of the Belgium company Balta, brought to the recently held New York Home Textiles Market a new wool collection priced as...

Fashion Industries refocuses floor.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... GRIFFIN, GA. -- In its rug division's first New York Home Textiles Market under new leadership, Fashion Industries refocused its floor covering business on bath, indoor/outdoor and chroma-jet rug styles. Debbie Stair, who joined the...

Mohawk adds new construction to floor mats.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... SUGAR VALLEY, GA. -- Enhancing its floor mat division with a new construction at the recently held New York Home Textiles Market, Mohawk Home added heattransfer kitchen mats, runners and slices to its assortment as an alternative to its cotton...

Retailer of the Year Awards.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Three generations of Greenbergs: George Greenberg Jr., left, with Camille Murphy and honoree George Greenberg St., all of Pioneer Linens. Carl Goldstein, S. Lichtenberg; and Greg Frank, JCPenney. ...

Matouk's 75th year.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Boo Powell, left, Neiman Marcus, with George Greenberg Sr., Pioneer Linens, and George Matouk Jr., at the Matouk 75th anniversary party. Priscilla Matouk, left, and George Matouk Sr., both of Matouk,...

Mohawk fetes Raymond.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Raymond Waites, left, of Raymond Waites Designs, and Bill Kilbride, of Mohawk Home. Gary Nickolie, left, Kohl's; Beth Murphy, Mohawk Home; and Jim Quist, Mohawk Home.

Woolrich serves breakfast.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Woolrich licensees shared breakfast at the Fallani & Cohn showroom. From Left, Betty Lydon, York Wallcoverings; Ray Zrike Jr., The Zrike Co; Dennis Marex, Woolrich; Dana Werbel, Fallani & Cohn; and Larry...

Peter Gallagher retirement party.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Chris Woodside, left, and husband Alan right, of Hotel Blankets.Com, chatted with Pat Johnson, center, wife Peter Johnson of Pendleton Woolen Mills A party for Peter Gallagher, center, who left...

Ellery's new showroom.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Sharon Tyra, JCPenney; and Andrew Canner, Ellery. Julie Sanderson, Martha Stewart Living; and Bruce Garfinkel, Ellery.

John Minihan retirement party.(As Seen At Market)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: A handful of the industry's elite, including WestPoint Stevens CEO "Chip" Fontenot, left, turned out during market week to salute John Minihan, right, who stepped down as CEO of Louisville Bedding, while...

Northwest & Mickey.(As Seen At Market)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Stan Mieszkowski, left, Northwest Co.; Shay Auerbach, Northwest Co.; Dale Cropper, ShopKo; and Ross Auerbach, Northwest Co., toast Northwest's Disney license.

Sleep innovations 'n friends.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Michael Fux, president of Sleep Innovations, with the new Novaform memory foam mattress. Ann Hinrichs, Boscov's Department Stores; and Fred Rosen, Sleep Innovations. Birdie Rand, left, Sleep...

230 5th Ave.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Lauren Persson, left, Fino Lino; with Susan Dollenmaier, Anichini; and Bill Persson, Fino Lino.

Designers Guild.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Thomas Cushing, left, of Torcello, with Tricia Guild, Designers Guild, and Bonnie Mackay and Ruth Shapiro, both of MoMA, at the Designers Guild launch. Lo Li Selling, left, and Dale Sellin, Scandia Down;...

Barth & Dreyfuss.
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Maureen Granger, left, Tom Barringer, Karen Allen, Susan Bennie and Kim Stern all of Barth & Dreyfuss.

Executive Women in Textiles breakfast.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: (L to R) Top -- Jill Hoogenakker and Mary Cool, both of Seventh Avenue. (L to R) Bottom -Kathy I-rank and Janis Shive, both of Sure Fit; Angela Passarelli and Debbie Collins, both of Consoltex. The...

Orian's new digs.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Don Newton, left, Patrick Noone, Jan Pourquoi and Dennis Kreson, all of Orian Rugs, at the company's new 5th Avenue showroom.

JWS meet and greet.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Donna Hintson, left, JWS-Associates; Colleen Hoffman, Domestications; and James Saleh, JWS-Associates.

Homestead.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Host David Greenstein, Homestead, with designer Nancy Koltes. Consultant Joel Kaplan, with designer Isabelle de Borchgrave at Homestead. Twenty 2's designers, Robertson Hartnett and his wife, Kyra...

FIT at the Waldorf.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: The retail trio honored at the FIT breakfast, from left, Fric Salus, Macy's Home Store; Gilbert Cavaliero, Bloomingdale's; and Charles Chinni, JCPenney. Christine Pratt, FIT, left, greets honorees Frank...

Downlite party.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Mario Roman, left, LL Bean; and Bob Altbaier, Down Lite. Chad Altbaier, left, Down Lite; and Lauren Altbaier, Kris Deaton and Erik Sanchez, all Macy's West. Lisa Haidt, left, Carolina Linen; Shannon...

Dohler's debut.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Udo Dohler, left, Aldo Schneider and Eric Vergucht, all of Dohler, launch the company's new showroom on 5th Avenue.

HTT Market kick-off party.(As Seen At Market)
April 12, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: From left, Hungarian soccer player Gabor; Steven Ramsby, O.W. America; Kerry Davis, JWS; Kim Danner, Fred Meyer; and Gerrit Swearingen, O.W. America. From left, Dexter Clark and Donna Hintson, JWS; and...

Tommy keeps Horowitz as exec chairman of board.(People Today)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... HONG KONG -- Joel Horowitz will continue to serve as executive chairman of the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation Board of Directors through March 31, 2005. He served as president and CEO of the company through August 2003, and has held the...

Heck honored by IHFRA.(People Today)(International Home Furnishings Representatives Association)(Clyde Heck )(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... WEST VIRGINIA -- Clyde Heck, of the West Virginia Home Furnishings Sales Association chapter, was awarded the "Rudy Steltemeier Award of Excellence" at the 70th annual IHFRA Awards Banquet. IHFRA, the International Home Furnishings...

Christofle Group appoints Baufume.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... PARIS -- Luxury Brand Development, parent company of the Christofle Group, has appointed Francois Baufume as the executive chairman of the Christofle Group. Baufume was formerly the chairman of Kenzo, Christian Dior Couture and Ratti. He...

Architect Graves teams with Glen Eden; partnership will work on collection of rugs.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... CALHOUN, GA. -- Architect Michael Graves recently partnered with floor covering company Glen Eden to produce a collection of rugs with the Wools of New Zealand brand. The Michael Graves collection includes 18 patterns, all of which are...

Know thy customer.(Column)
April 12, 2004... The U.S. market needs to understand our culture better." I've heard it said time and again by manufacturers from all corners of the textiles producing world. And the refrain from U.S. suppliers: "Overseas companies need to understand our...

Out with the old ...(Home textiles.)
April 12, 2004... Talk about a buzzword. Think newness! Then think differentiation. They're the two words most often heard by retailers of many persuasions during the market in New York last month. The problem is execution. If ever there was a word that...

Quota extension lobby gains allies.(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... WASHINGTON -- An association representing textiles and apparel groups from 11 European countries has joined a coalition of trade groups from 26 countries calling for an emergency meeting of the World Trade Organization to delay the phase-out of...

Sales up but profits down at Pier 1.(Business Today)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... FORT WORTH, TEXAS -- With margins thinning and costs rising, fourth-quarter profits fell by more than 10 percent at Pier 1 Imports, even though sales at the home furnishings specialist climbed almost 7 percent. After moving on a fast track...

Weather weakens housing.(Business Today)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Unusually cool, wet weather in the South and West drove housing starts down 4 percent during February. But helped by continued low mortgage rates, sales of both new and existing homes posted gains, recouping some of January's deep...

Same stores sales up 7 percent.(Business Today)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... NEW YORK -- Helped once again by a big gain at full-price department stores, where sales of spring fashions were holding strong, same-store retail sales climbed 7.2 percent during the fifth and final week of March, the Johnson Redbook Retail...

Retailers enjoying the warmer weather.
April 12, 2004... NEW YORK -- Helped by warmer weather and strong sales of spring clothing, sales for the nation's major retailers surged ahead in March at their strongest pace in recent memory. The news was especially good for the nation's full-price...

Wall Street watch for the week ended April 8, 2004.(Business Today)(Illustration)
April 12, 2004... MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS % CHG CLOSE THIS % CHG. COMPANY 04/08/04 WEEK YEAR-TO-DATE Cone Mills (N) (L) ...

Li & Fung gauging demand for RV towel.
April 19, 2004... NEW YORK -- Royal Velvet bath and kitchen licensee Li & Fung of Hong Kong expects to firm up both its sourcing and retailer destinations for the debut of its RV towel by the end of May, the president of the sourcing company's U.S. arm said last...