Home Textiles Today articles from April 2008

Home Textiles Today archives from April 2008

Donna Debuts in Bed Bath & Beyond.
April 7, 2008... By Staff New York - Donna Karan Home has expanded its distribution to Bed Bath & Beyond with a DKNY assortment that currently includes a solid color quilted coverlet set, a towel and rug duo, and three duvet styles with coordinating sheet...

Exhibitors Voice Resolve.
April 7, 2008... By Carole Sloan High Point, N.C. - While the macro environment appears to grow cloudier, home textiles exhibitors at the High Point Market here this week have moderate expectations - both about attendance and order writing. While the...

Performance Products: A Rising Tide.
April 7, 2008... By Jennifer Marks New York - What began a few years ago as a trickle of performance products borrowing finishing and fiber technologies from sportswear, has escalated into a deluge of goods boasting a variety of solutions: anti-microbial,...

Rug Makers Value High Point.
April 7, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral High Point, N.C. - Despite the domino effect of the growing crop of markets around the country competing for vendor and retailer attention, many area rug suppliers say they have come to regard the biannual High Point...

Springs Global Soldiers On.
April 7, 2008... By Brent Felgner 2008 Another Year of Transition São Paulo, Brazil - Springs Global Participaçoes will mostly stay the course despite a disquieting year in transition and decline in the U.S. economy that accelerated...

Retail Briefs.
April 7, 2008... By Staff Dollar General to Upgrade Home Lines Staff Even after its home category saw 4Q sales fall 11.7%, discounter Dollar General sees an opportunity. Rick Dreiling, who joined DG in January as ceo, said an "upgraded" home...

Covington Now a Kahan Family Affair.
April 7, 2008... By Carole Sloan New York - The assets of decorative fabric supplier Covington Holdings LLC, including the Covington name, have been purchased by the Kahan family. The Kahans have long been active in the fabric business, operating...

DreamFit 'Thread Counts' Seminar Set.
April 7, 2008... By Staff High Point, N.C.- Bedding supplier and designer team DreamFit/Sidney K will host a High Point Market seminar, "The Truth About Thread Counts," sponsored by the Interior Design Society, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8 in the new IDS...

A. L. Ellis Expands at 230 Fifth.(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... By Staff Fall River, Mass. - Diversified manufacturer A.L. Ellis Inc./Patriot Curtain on May 1 will unveil an expanded showroom at 230 Fifth Ave., Suite 1612, as it continues to add to its product offering. The company produces a full...

Family Dollar Looks to Second Half.(Family Dollar Stores Inc.)(Financial report)(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... By Staff Matthews, N.C. - Family Dollar posted lower profits for the second quarter and lowered its guidance for the year, although executives said they expect the second half of the fiscal year to be slightly better. "Over the last...

Li & Fung Surpasses Three-year Plan.(Financial report)(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... By Staff Hong Kong - Diversified consumer products supplier and distributor Li & Fung has "successfully exceeded our original 2005-2007 three-year plan," which targeted $10 billion in revenues, by achieving total annual revenues of $11.8...

Pillows are Bright Spot in Utility Bedding.
April 7, 2008... By Jill Rowen Suppliers Add Features to Upgrade Value New York - The litany of economic problems - fuel and material costs, a weak dollar, a housing crisis - continue to plague home textiles suppliers overall, but interestingly they...

The Pulse of Performance Products.
April 7, 2008... By Staff Spurred by developments in home textiles laboratories - many located in the United States - suppliers have created an array of products that perform various functions to enhance sleep (see story, page 1). A sampling from around...

Briggs Departs Dan River.
April 7, 2008... By Staff New York - Dan River Home has bid farewell to president Herb Briggs, who is leaving to join an investment firm, while interim management of Dan River will be under the continued guidance of Kevin Jareck, svp sales and marketing,...

JCP Elects Hicks to Board.
April 7, 2008... By Staff Plano, Texas - JCPenney has named president and chief merchandising officer Ken Hicks to the board of directors; he has held his current titles since 2005. Hicks joined JCP in 2002 as president and coo of stores and...

LNT Grants Raises to Execs.
April 7, 2008... By Staff Clifton, N.J. - Struggling specialty chain Linens 'n Things is using the carrot as much as the stick in its efforts to galvanize management - including raises for three senior executives. In a Form 8-K SEC filing, LNT said its...

Maddalene Rejoins WestPoint.
April 7, 2008... By Staff New York - WestPoint Home has named Scott Maddalene the new senior vp for Ralph Lauren/marketing. He will report to WestPoint ceo Joe Pennacchio. Maddalene was most recently senior vp sales for the U.S. home division of...

Martha Stewart Living Adds to Board of Directors.
April 7, 2008... By Staff New York - Home lifestyle brand company Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has named Charlotte Beers and Todd Slotkin to its board of directors, replacing directors Jill Greenthal and Bradley Singer, respectively. Beers'...

NexCen Appoints Two Officers.(NexCen Brands Inc. hired Joseph DiMuro and Kenneth Hall)(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... By Staff New York - Brand management company NexCen Brands has appointed Joseph DiMuro evp and chief marketing officer; and named Kenneth Hall, evp, cfo and treasurer. DiMuro most recently was evp and gm at Sony BMG Entertainment,...

Valdese Promotes Five.(Valdese Weavers Inc.)(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... By Staff Valdese, N.C. - Valdese Weavers has promoted five executives to new management positions as a result of the company's dramatic recent growth. Snyder Garrison, formerly svp administration, has been promoted to cfo and cao. He...

March Comps Falter.(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... By Staff New York - Merchandisers that had picked up steam in mid-March seemed to run out of gas in the fourth week, with comparable-store sales up just 1.0% in the week ending March 29, for a month-to-date comp gain of 1.1% the Johnson...

Dillard's Disarms Barington Challenge.
April 7, 2008... By James Mammarella Little Rock, Ark. - Regional department store operator Dillard's, Inc. reached an agreement with insurgent investors to avoid a proxy battle over the makeup of the board of directors. Dillard's management negotiated...

JCPenney Shares Languish on Lower Guidance.
April 7, 2008... By Staff Plano, Texas - Department store retailer JCPenney lowered its first-quarter sales and earnings guidance, projecting profit of about $0.50 per share - starkly below the previous projection of $0.75 to $0.80 EPS. The 1,073-unit...

Williams-Sonoma Braces for Tough '08.
April 7, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral San Francisco - Williams-Sonoma Inc. is bracing for what it predicts as "one of the most difficult," if not "the worst" economic periods ever, by arming itself with new and enhanced product categories and shopping-level...

Crown Crafts Opens in China.
April 7, 2008... By Staff Gonzales, La. - Infant and juvenile textiles supplier Crown Crafts Inc. has opened a foreign representative office in Shanghai, China, and has recruited Christine Chen as manager. Chen has more than 17 years of experience in...

GHCL to Spin Off Home Textiles, Retailing.
April 7, 2008... By Staff Mumbai, India - The board of directors of industrial conglomerate GHCL Ltd. gave in-principle approval to a plan to restructure the company's business - which would spin off the home textiles sourcing and manufacturing division to...

Heritage House Buys Belle Fabrics.
April 7, 2008... By Staff Concord, N.C. - Heritage House/ITC has purchased Belle Fabrics International, an importer of high-end upholstery fabrics. Belle Fabrics, owned by Jeff Haber, imports fabrics from Italy, Belgium, India and China for...

A Moving Target.
April 7, 2008... By Jennifer Marks In uncertain economic times, it's hard not to go into a defensive crouch. The consumer pulls back. So the retailer pulls back. So the supplier pulls back. So the supplier's vendor pulls back. It's important to...

Consider the Interior Designer.
April 7, 2008... By Carole Sloan With the start of the semi-annual pilgrimage - aka the High Point Market - that begins today, we are hearing more and more home textiles suppliers discussing new ways of selling their products. Of course, for those home...

Dan River Liquidating.
April 21, 2008... By Jennifer Marks GHCL Shuts Unit After Two Years Danville, Va. - The landmark sign "Home of Dan River Fabrics" was pulled down six months ago. Last week, what is left of the once formidable U.S. mill began dismantling as well. ...

Suppliers Satisfied with Less at High Point.
April 21, 2008... By Carole Sloan High Point, N.C. - Despite pre-market concerns about attendance and business prospects, many home textiles suppliers were pleasantly surprised with their results at the High Point Market here earlier this month. The...

JCPenney Focuses on Product.
April 21, 2008... By Carole Sloan New York - The internet will be the merchandise hub going forward for JCPenney, enabling the $19.9 billion retailer to leverage and expand its merchandise and marketing efforts across all three of its channels - retail,...

Clock is Ticking for LNT.
April 21, 2008... By Brent Felgner Linens 'n Things Seeks Relief from Debt Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. - When the UPS truck pulls up to the Linens 'n Things store at Legacy Place these days, it is much more likely to be delivering or picking up an...

Retail Briefs.
April 21, 2008... By Staff Lord & Taylor Hires Marketer Adams Staff Independent department store chain Lord and Taylor named Roger Adams to the newly created position of svp and chief marketing officer, reporting to president and ceo Jane...

For the Record.
April 21, 2008... By Staff The rate of exchange calculation for Brazilian-to-U.S. currency was incorrectly applied to some figures in an article on Springs Global (HTT , April 7, page 1). Figures showing U.S. dollar translations for 2007 figures were...

Mohawk Adjusts as Profits Squeezed.(Financial report)
April 21, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Calhoun, Ga. - Soft and hard flooring, more so the latter, negatively affected the Mohawk segment of Mohawk Industries, pressing total company first quarter net earnings to $65 million, down 28% from the year ago...

Diesel Arrives in the Bedroom.
April 21, 2008... By Carole Sloan Rho, Italy - Successful Living from Diesel, a line of three distinct bed and bath moods reflecting the signature sense and attitude of the avant-garde apparel company, were introduced here last week at the Salone...

Homestead to Launch Burlington House Collection.(Burlington Industries Inc. Burlington House Div.)(Brief article)
April 21, 2008... By Carole Sloan New York - Homestead, the home fashions division of Li & Fung USA, has entered into an agreement with Burlington House, the decorative fabric and interior textiles unit of International Textile Group, to launch a re-branded...

Macy's Ups Ante with Earth Week Events.
April 21, 2008... By Staff New York - Department store operator Macy's is providing marketing and exclusive financial support to the National Park Foundation in celebration of Earth Week and National Park Week. The Macy's Turn Over A New Leaf campaign...

Organic Value a Virtue at Under the Canopy.
April 21, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Boca Raton, Fla. - On a mission to dispel the myth that organic products are more expensive than their synthetic-blend stepsisters, Under the Canopy, is expanding is offerings of bedding and bath goods - all of which...

Wal-Mart in 'Earth Month' Campaign.
April 21, 2008... By Staff Bentonville, Ark. - "Everything Earth-Friendly. Simple Choices. Big Difference." is the clarion call by leviathan retailer Wal-Mart in its Earth Month merchandising and marketing campaign. Earth Month ad activity includes a series...

Lauren Line Augmented.
April 21, 2008... By Staff New York - Six new beds, companion towels and a new scented candle program highlight the Lauren Ralph Lauren Home collection for fall 2008. The beds reflect classic Lauren themes embracing the designer's apparel looks in...

Karen Neuburger Delivers Hotel Tranquility.
April 21, 2008... By Staff San Rafael, Calif. - KN Karen Neuburger was recently commissioned by Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants to create a sleep sanctuary at the Hotel Monaco Chicago. The KN Tranquility Suite is a dedicated room (living room, bedroom...

New Importer Opening U.S. to Plauener Lace.(Brief article)
April 21, 2008... By Staff Atlanta - Messe Frankfurt veteran Elke Abate has launched a new business as the sole importer to the United States of Modespitze Plauen fine German lace. "The Plauener Lace is very well known in Europe and Japan, but not in...

People Briefs.(Iconix Brand Group)(Company C)(appointments)(Brief article)
April 21, 2008... By Staff Tuesday Morning Promotes Bowman Staff Closeout retailer Tuesday Morning has named Stephanie Bowman evp and cfo. Bowman has been vp finance for Tuesday Morning for the past two years. Formerly she was vp finance for Summit...

Dollar General Shuffles Execs.
April 21, 2008... By Staff Goodlettsville, Tenn. - As part of ongoing strategic initiatives, neighborhood discounter Dollar General has shifted the responsibilities of president David Bere, and has announced the resignation of two executives. Bere,...

Roy Evans Joins Colonial Mills.
April 21, 2008... By Staff Pawtucket, R.I. - Braided texture rug manufacturer cmi (Colonial Mills, Inc.) has appointed 30-year floor covering industry veteran Roy Evans its vp, sales and marketing. He heads all of the company's sales and marketing...

Target Names Tesija to Merchandising Post.
April 21, 2008... By Staff Minneapolis - Upscale discounter Target has promoted Kathee Tesija to evp of merchandising, effective May 1. Tesija, 45, began her career at Target Corporation in 1986 as a merchandise analyst and held a variety of positions...

Topping Joins 828 International.
April 21, 2008... By Staff Greenville, S.C. - After more than 30 years of owning and operating a variety of furniture stores, Bill Topping is moving back to the manufacturer side of the floor covering industry with 828 International Trading Co. ...

New Wal-Mart Exec Eyes Eastern Europe.
April 21, 2008... By Staff Bentonville, Ark. - Global retailer Wal-Mart Stores has announced the appointment of Stephan Fanderl as president of Wal-Mart Emerging Markets - East, a role in which he will lead exploration of retail opportunities in Russia and...

Williams-Sonoma Online Sales Surpass $1 Billion.
April 21, 2008... By Staff San Francisco - Multiformat home furnishings retailer Williams-Sonoma posted web sales of $1.1 billion in 2007, an increase of 18.6% from web sales of $927.6 million in 2006 - breaking into the top echelon of online merchants,...

Brentwood, Union Settle Labor Issue.(Brentwood Originals Inc.)(United Steelworkers of America)(Brief article)
April 21, 2008... By Staff Carson, Calif. - Brentwood Originals, the leading decorative pillow supplier in the country, and the United Steelworkers Union have reached an agreement, bringing to a halt the month-long workers' strike at one of the company's...

Commerce Dept. to Host Hotel Pavilion in Dubai.
April 21, 2008... By Staff Washington - The U.S. Department of Commerce is sponsoring a USA Pavilion at The Hotel Show 2008 to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 8-10. The Otexa division of Commerce will sponsor both a pavilion and a...

Services Set for Fabrics Figure Inoff.
April 21, 2008... By Staff Greensboro, N.C. - Services will be held on April 27 for industry veteran Gary Inoff, who died on April 12. Inoff, 65, passed away after a battle with cancer, diagnosed a year ago. He was a long-time member of the furniture...

Sales, Profits Slide at Tuesday Morning.
April 21, 2008... By Staff Dallas - Home furnishings closeout retailer Tuesday Morning saw third quarter (ended March 31) net sales drop 5.7% to $178.4 million compared to $189.2 million a year ago, and said it expects to record diluted earnings per share...

March Leaves Most Retailers in Retreat.
April 21, 2008... By James Mammarella Double-digit Comp Declines Hit Mid-tier Merchants New York - Why not start with some good news? Ross Stores had such a good first quarter, the 918-unit off-price retailer raised its first-quarter earnings guidance....

Cupron Licenses London Luxury.
April 21, 2008... By Staff New York - Bed and bath supplier London Luxury has obtained the exclusive home textiles license with Cupron Inc. and will launch a full range of the copper-infused products in the second half of 2008 at a major national retailer,...

Bed Bath & Beyond Barely Bullish.
April 21, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Union, N.J. - Coming off a reasonably good fiscal 2007, Bed Bath & Beyond is bracing itself for "continued pressure" on its gross margin in 2008 due to increased prices in raw materials and sourced goods, as well as...

Pakistan Pavilion Set for Global Home Textiles.
April 21, 2008... By Staff White Plains, N.Y. - The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan has organized a group of 30 suppliers that will exhibit in the first-ever Pakistan Pavilion during the Global Home Textiles show, May 6-8. "As we launch our...

Positive Traction at Turnaround-bent Pier 1.
April 21, 2008... By Staff Retailer Reports First Profitable Quarter in Three Years Forth Worth, Texas - This month, Pier 1 Imports reported its first profitable quarter in three years as well as its first positive comp performance since 2003. For...

Texlynx Taps Kim Designs to Augment Product Mix.
April 21, 2008... By Staff Lahore, Pakistan - Textile sourcing company Texlynx Home has retained Kim Designs for North American and European design and development. Kim Designs is an online web gallery of more than 15,000 patterns selected to appeal to...

Revman Bows Antiques Roadshow Quilts.(Brief article)
April 21, 2008... By Staff New York - Revman International will produce a collection of Antiques Roadshow branded quilts under license by public television station WGBH Boston, the program's producer. Speeding things along, Revman will start showing the...

Double Trouble for the Industry.
April 21, 2008... By Jennifer Marks The twin implosions of Linens 'n Things and Dan River are likely to make what was already a tough year even more difficult. At this writing, Linens 'n Things was still working feverishly to remain a going concern in a...

Private Stars and Absent Brands.
April 21, 2008... By Carole Sloan With the High Point Market now behind us, the major markets involving home textiles are close to the end of their first half, and there are some things that have emerged that could influence what will happen in the balance...