Home Textiles Today articles from December 2007

Home Textiles Today archives from December 2007

Blanket Makers Get Warm and Cozy.
December 3, 2007... By Jill Rowen Blankets are feeling the heat, literally. An unpredictable climate and a particularly warm fall have made it a tough retail season for blanket makers. But more are optimistic as winter approaches. While the rising price...

Rug Forecast: Cloudy, Silver Lining.(Company overview)
December 3, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral New York - Early retail sales this holiday season, at stores and online, are encouraging rug suppliers amidst an oil-price-battered economy and slouching housing market. Manufacturers in the area and accent rug...

Sears 3Q Profit: a Penny a Share.(Sears Holdings Corp.)(Financial report)
December 3, 2007... By James Mammarella Sales, Margins Fall Across Categories Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Noting that management was "very disappointed," Sears Holdings last week reported third-quarter earnings of $2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share - down...

Decorative Fabric Makers Rally at Showtime.
December 3, 2007... By Carole Sloan High Point, N.C. - Decorative fabric suppliers, whether mills or converters, are approaching Showtime this week on a more positive note than seen in recent seasons. For many, whether domestic producers or those sourcing...

Abboud Naturals to Debut from United Feather & Down.
December 3, 2007... By Staff Des Plaines, Ill. - United Feather & Down (UF&D) will introduce the Joseph Abboud Naturals collection of bedding products, a step-up program beyond the now five-year-old collection it already produces of Abboud pillows, pads and...

Retail Briefs.
December 3, 2007... By Staff 'Qualified Parties' Interested in Fred's Staff Saying it "has received multiple inquiries from qualified parties," neighborhood discounter Fred's has retained Merrill Lynch to review strategic alternatives, the 708-store...

Bed Bath & Beyond Welcomes Clodagh.
December 3, 2007... By Staff New York - Bed Bath & Beyond this week launches Clodagh for Homestead fashion bedding in 75 stores and on the internet. The collection of four beds in her Conscious Living theme marks the celebrated Irish-born designer's entry...

BB&B Opens Fourth Manhattan Store.
December 3, 2007... By Staff New York - Bed Bath & Beyond has opened its fourth store in Manhattan, this latest one in the trendy Tribeca area at 270 Greenwich Street. Sited in a new condominium building, the new store joins the other Bed Bath units here...

Jo-Ann Grabs Share in Fabric Retailing.
December 3, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral Hudson, Ohio - Comps, margins and earnings were up in the third quarter for craft and fabric retailer Jo-Ann Stores - but management trimmed back the full-year earnings outlook, reflecting uncertain economic conditions,...

NexCen Hosts Waverly Marketing Session.(NexCen Brands Inc.)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... By Staff New York - With its new ownership, NexCen Brands, Waverly is poised to become the premier source for home decorating products across all categories and distribution channels. The brand will celebrate its 85th anniversary in...

Stein Mart Hindered by Home.(sales report)(Financial report)
December 3, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral Jacksonville, Fla. - Promotional softlines retailer Stein Mart turned in one if its "worst" third quarters ever - and cited its perpetually downtrodden home area as one of the main hindrances. Said Linda Farthing,...

HFPA to Co-sponsor FIT Student Awards.
December 3, 2007... By Staff Barry Leonard of Ex-Cell Home Fashions Succeeds Morris as President of HFPA New York - Barry Leonard, ceo of Ex-Cell Home Fashions, has been elected president of the Home Fashions Product Association. He succeeds Dianne...

Sears Pursues Restoration Hardware.
December 3, 2007... By Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill. - By proposing an all-cash bid of $6.75 per share in its acquisition move on home furnishings specialty retailer Restoration Hardware (RH), merchandising conglomerate Sears Holdings surpassed the...

Down & Feather Group Firm on Classifications.
December 3, 2007... By Staff New York - The American Down and Feather Council (ADFC) continues to wage its battle against the term "synthetic down." The council, a section of the Home Fashion Products Association, released a statement asserting: "Man-made...

Living InStyle Expands Throw Line.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... By Staff New York - Living InStyle is preparing more than 50 new decorative throw styles for the upcoming New York Home Fashions Market. Jenny Gruber, vp design, said the new looks are already generating "positive feedback." Among...

American Textile Raises Pink Pillow Funds.
December 3, 2007... By Staff Pittsburgh - Bed pillow, mattress cover and pillow cover manufacturer American Textile Company (ATC) has generated $120,000 through its annual Pink Pillow Initiative for breast cancer research and awareness. "We are proud to...

At $733 Million, Cyber Monday Biggest Yet.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... By Staff Reston, Va. - Consumers spent $733 million online on Nov. 26, up 21% from last year and the highest amount ever for the Monday after Thanksgiving, according to e-commerce research firm comScore. In a similar pattern to...

PDK Regency in Major Expansion Mode.
December 3, 2007... By Brent Felgner Hefei, China - It's the mill-town idea transplanted 100 years later and roughly 7,500 miles away. More than two years into the planning, home fashions company PDK Regency has opened a 17-acre manufacturing complex in this...

Lower-Ticket Burst Launches Holiday Shopping.(Survey)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... By Staff Washington - More shoppers than ever hit the stores on Black Friday, although the average spent per consumer was down, the National Retail Federation (NRF) reported. The NRF said 147 shoppers were out in the aisles, a host of...

April Cornell to Join MW&W in Atlanta.(Manual Woodworkers and Weavers)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... By Staff Hendersonville, N.C. - After a little over two years of business together, Manual Woodworkers & Weavers and designer April Cornell continue to extend their relationship. Cornell will be on hand an artist signing at the Atlanta...

Momeni Creates New 'Wools' Rugs.
December 3, 2007... By Staff New York - Upscale rug company Momeni is prepping several new offerings carrying the Wools of New Zealand brand, for debut in January at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market and the Las Vegas Market. New to the Capri...

Schrantz to Succeed Zamberlan at Bon-Ton.(resignation of James Zamberlan and appointment of Barbara Schrantz at The Bon-Ton Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... By Staff Change Effective February 2008 York, Pa. - Department store operator The Bon-Ton Stores said evp stores James Zamberlan will retire at the end of fiscal 2007, and will be succeeded as evp stores and visual by Barbara Schrantz,...

Capel Makes it Official for Hric.
December 3, 2007... By Staff Troy, N.C. - Four-generation family owned and operated rug supplier Capel Inc. has officially appointed Bruce Hric as its president and ceo -- conjoined posts he has held on an interim basis for the past 14 months. "The...

Ludwig Departs Fabric Maker Culp.
December 3, 2007... By Staff High Point, N.C. - Mattress fabric and upholstery fabric maker Culp said svp of human resources Kenneth Ludwig will leave the company at the end of calendar year 2007. Ludwig, who is also corporate secretary, will assist with...

Hollander Home Fashions Promotes Mack, Webster.
December 3, 2007... By Staff Boca Raton, Fla. - Basic bedding and pillow manufacturer Hollander Home Fashions has promoted two executives: Beth Mack from svp of the basic bedding division to chief merchandising officer (cmo); and Amy Webster from vp of the...

In Downturn, Bon-Ton Banks on Furniture.
December 3, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral York, Pa. - The Bon-Ton Stores is banking on its furniture business, which has been a bright spot for the regional department store operator since last year through its third quarter, the company said during its...

Fabric Maker Culp Shows Gains.
December 3, 2007... By Staff Sales up 7% From Previous Year High Point, N.C. - Culp, manufacturer of fabric for mattresses and upholstery, reported earnings growth in its second-quarter results, with net income of $1.6 million - double the $0.8 million in...

Invista Expands Stainmaster Use.
December 3, 2007... By Staff Atlanta - Stainmaster, the longtime stain-resistant product from Invista that has been used in the carpet market, will launch in February in basic bedding: pillows, mattress pads and mattress covers. The home textiles launch...

November Comps Steam Ahead.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... By Staff New York - Retailers continued to rally, sending comparable stores sales up 2.7% in the third week of November, and pushing the month-to-date measure up 2.4%, just ahead of the 2.3% goal, the Johnson Redbook reported. Both...

India Suppliers Adapt to Change.
December 3, 2007... By Jennifer Marks Five days into a whirlwind trip around India's home textiles hubs, three topics have come up early in conversation. Executives are collectively concerned about the valuation of the rupee against the dollar, the state of...

Dec Fabric Market Goes Green.
December 3, 2007... By Carole Sloan It may be a reflection of upcoming holiday cheer, but many of the fabric folks I've talked with prior to this week's Showtime appear to be more upbeat than they have been throughout the year. While admitting that the...

Blue Iris Pantone Color of 2008.(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff Carlstadt, N.J. - Fashion and printing color authority Pantone has selected its 'color of the year' for 2008: Blue Iris, aka Pantone 18-3943. The company said the blue-purple blend combines 'the stable and calming aspects of...

Angela Adams Sunbrella Design Wins ID Award.(Interior Design )(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff New York- The Architex Sunbrella branded product line by designer Angela Adams has been honored as the best outdoor textiles design in the second annual Best of Year Awards by Interior Design (a HTT sister publication). The...

Outlast Offers Comfort Ratings.(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff Boulder, Colo. - Outlast Technologies, developer of temperature-regulating fibers, fabrics and coatings, has introduced a three-tier comfort rating system for products using its trademarked Outlast technology, which is used in such...

Cost Plus Loses More but Beats Plan.(Financial report)(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral Oakland, Calif. - Specialty retailer Cost Plus World Market pleased analysts by coming in ahead of guidance for the third quarter - even though gross margins fell 220 basis points to 28.1% of sales and its quarterly...

Online Retailers Less than Excellent.
December 17, 2007... Staff New York- Retailers are failing to satisfy too many online shoppers, a report by Future Now reveals - although mass merchants as a group are outperforming many of the specialty chains. 'The top-rated site in this study scored...

Iconix Adds D'Angelo, Three Other Execs.
December 17, 2007... Staff New York- Brand management and marketing firm Iconix Brand Group has named four new executives to its senior management team, including former WestPoint Home svp Carolyn D'Angelo. D'Angelo joins Iconix as vp brand management for...

QVC Taps Wal-Mart Exec Watts.
December 17, 2007... Staff West Chester, Pa.- Interactive retailer QVC has hired Wal-Mart evp merchandising Claire Watts, naming her president of U.S. commerce, effective May 1, 2008; she will join QVC on Jan. 8. Watts will report to QVC president and ceo...

Karastan Toasts Billion-Dollar Bill.
December 17, 2007... Staff Dalton, Ga. - Karastan, the upscale soft flooring division of Mohawk Industries, recently celebrated the 'unsurpassed excellence' of its sales team at its national sales meeting, where the company bestowed top honors to those of its...

Trendease in Heimtextil Deal.(Trendease.com )(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff Frankfurt-Heimtextil organizer Messe Frankfurt has made Trendease International the event's exclusive online media partner for reviewing fashion trends presented at the show. Trendease.com is a design and style website that...

Flynn Joins S. Lichtenberg.
December 17, 2007... Staff New York- Bob Flynn has joined S. Lichtenberg & Co. as director of bedding, a new position for the company. Flynn, an industry veteran, most recently was president of Thomasville Home Furnishings. Earlier he was with Kensington...

Perfect Fit Names Torres to Product Post.
December 17, 2007... Staff Charlotte, N.C.- Bedding and accessories manufacturer Perfect Fit Industries has named Hector Torres vp marketing and product development, reporting to svp sales and marketing Jeff Chilton. With responsibility for the marketing,...

Under the Canopy Names CEO.
December 17, 2007... Staff New York- Under the Canopy, a manufacturer of organic and sustainable women's fashion and home furnishings, has named Barbara Cavanagh ceo, reporting to chairman Mark Retzloff. Most recently svp, consulting at fashion buying...

Mayor Issues Market Proclamation.
December 17, 2007... Staff White Plains, N.Y.- New York mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a proclamation recognizing the two 2008 'Home Textiles Market Weeks' of Jan. 31-Feb. 7 and Aug. 14-21, which are the time frames when, in conjunction with the New York Int'l...

Pacific Coast Feather Co-chairman Hanauer Dies.(Jerry Hanauer)(Obituary)(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff Seattle- Jerry Hanauer, co-chairman of Pacific Coast Feather Company (PCF), passed away Dec. 2 after an extended illness. Hanauer joined PCF in 1965 at the request of his father who claimed the business needed 'young blood.' He...

Abouchar Laid to Rest in N.J.(Richard Abouchar)(Obituary)(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff Summit, N.J.- Services were held Dec. 3 for Richard Abouchar, retired president of J. Abouchar & Sons embellished towels, who passed away Nov. 29 at age 76. Abouchar was a beloved figure in the industry, and was one of the last...

Services Held for Springs Exec Rick Canter.(Obituary)(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff Fort Mill, S.C.- Funeral services were held Dec. 7 in Lancaster, S.C., for industry veteran Rick Canter, who passed away Dec. 4 at age 57. A memorial service is to be held at the Summerall Chapel of the Citadel at a later date. ...

Company C Donates Rugs.
December 17, 2007... Staff Concord, N.H. - Hand-crafted area rug, bedding and home furnishing designer and manufacturer Company C enjoyed the limelight when two of its rugs were featured recently on the ABC-TV show 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.' ...

November Sales Flare, Then Fade.(Survey)
December 17, 2007... By James Mammarella New York- Promotions, cold weather and the earliest-possible Thanksgiving sparked a fairly good November for retailers, although few had positive things to say about home textiles and many had expected better...

Soft Home Strong at Big Lots.
December 17, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral Columbus, Ohio - While home was one of the higher-ticket areas that proved 'tougher' in sales performance during the third quarter, closeout retailer Big Lots said the textiles segment has fared much better. 'The...

Martha Stewart Drives to Bridge $45 Million Gap.
December 17, 2007... Staff New York- Kmart's Martha Stewart Everyday program churned $800 million in sales in 2006, said Susan Lyne, president and ceo of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) at the UBS 35th annual Global Media Conference here. MSLO's...

Wynnefield Wants Crown Crafts Board Shakeup.(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff Gonzales, La.- If last summer's boardroom brawl at Crown Crafts seemed to fade from memory with the autumn's audacious acquisition of the Springs infant and toddler business, the first chill presaging winter seems to signal a return...

December Comps Start Slow but Solid.(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff New York - Retailers reported a same-store sales gain of 1.6% in the first week of December, slowing from the 2.2% gain a week earlier - but the trend was ahead of the revised target of a 1.2% rise, the Johnson Redbook reported. ...

Sears Moves on Restoration Hardware.
December 17, 2007... By James Mammarella Earnings Falling, Specialty Retailer Gets Offer Hoffman Estates, Ill.- By proposing an all-cash bid of $6.75 per share in its acquisition move on home furnishings specialty retailer Restoration Hardware,...

Heimtextil Offers 'More' than Ever.
December 17, 2007... By Carole Sloan Frankfurt, Germany- Heimtextil 2008 will put new focus on premium fabric and home textiles products under the umbrella term 'More.' Under the banner 'More Clarity,' bed, bath and table linens with a classic flavor will...

Showtime Solid, Not Sensational.
December 17, 2007... By Carole Sloan High Point, N.C.- Despite a stagnant business environment, exhibitors at Showtime here earlier this month were generally pleased with the response to their introductions. Many observed that attendance was down, a...

Holiday Spending in the Final Stretch.
December 17, 2007... Staff Washington- While holiday spending in November and early December remained solid, the National Retail Federation's researcher last week noted that its confidence numbers for December were the worst the organization had seen in five...

Decosit HKG Show Canceled.(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff Brussels, Belgium - The Decosit HKG fabric show in Hong Kong will not be held in March 2008. Show organizers said they did not expect to reach the minimum exhibitor target number of 60, which visitors and exhibitors at previous...

Does Talking Back Pay Off?(www.hometextilestoday.com)
December 17, 2007... Jennifer Marks, Editor-in-Chief Psssst-They're talking about you. When HTT relaunched its website five months ago, we added a feature called TalkBack, which allows readers to append comments beneath individual stories. Those comments...

Do Not Recycle This Checklist.
December 17, 2007... Carole Sloan, Founding Editor-in-Chief As the year comes to a close, the home textiles world seems to be looking for what it wants to be when it grows up. Here is a checklist of considerations for the industry. * We've had a year where...

Retail Briefs.
December 17, 2007... Staff Neiman Marcus 1Q Profits Boom Staff With a year-over-year sales boost of about $95 million and no repeat of last year's $24 million loss from discontinued operations (i.e. Kate Spade), department store operator Neiman Marcus...

Mervyns Seeks New Exec.
December 17, 2007... Staff Hayward, Calif.- Less than a year after taking on the top executive duties at Mervyns, Rick Leto has resigned from the 189-unit promotional department store chain, effective Friday, Dec. 14. Named interim president and ceo during...

Changing of the Designer Guard at Venus.
December 17, 2007... Staff Foothill Ranch, Calif. - Cynthia Lerner will join Venus Group on Jan. 1 as corporate design director. Lerner, a veteran home textiles designer, was with WestPoint Stevens (WestPoint Home) for 12 years, most recently as vp of...

JLA Rugs Widens Holiday Line.
December 17, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral New York- JLA Rugs, which last month marked its first year, has created its second generation of Santas, reindeers, penguins and Christmas trees for two new holiday accent rug constructions. The first line - with 25...

Sew-Rite Opens U.S. Division.(Brief article)
December 17, 2007... Staff Woodbridge, Ontario- Sew-Rite Manufacturing Co., a 41-year-old Canadian manufacturer and importer of fashion bedding, has established a U.S. division. This new business will be supported by the company showroom in New York at 11 East...

Bed Bath & Beyond Debuts in Canada.
December 17, 2007... Staff Richmond Hill, Ontario - With the Dec. 7 grand opening of a 34,000-square-foot store in the Bayview Glen Shopping Centre here, home furnishings specialty giant Bed Bath & Beyond has crossed into international retailing for the first...

AmericasMart Adds, Expands Showrooms.
December 17, 2007... Staff Atlanta- In time for the next International Area Rug Market here in mid January, the AmericasMart has inked new showroom leases with five rug suppliers and is expanding lease agreements with seven others. The five newcomers to...

The Rug Market Closes Atlanta Showroom.
December 17, 2007... Staff Atlanta - After exhibiting for more than 15 years in Atlanta's AmericasMart, fashion area and accent rug importer The Rug Market is closing its permanent showroom, space 5-A-8 in Building 1 here. It is, however, still showcasing...

CH Designs Opens Retail Showroom.
December 17, 2007... Staff Cumming, Ga. - Upscale rug company CH Designs, which launched in January, has opened its own retail showroom here. President and ceo Charles Hobgood has staged the space much like an art gallery to showcase brilliant color and...

Gottschalks Losses Widen, Analyzing Real Estate.
December 17, 2007... Staff Fresno, Calif. - Western regional department store chain Gottschalks reported a net loss of $13.6 million for the three quarters year-to-date through Nov. 3, more than twice the $6.2 million loss in the year-ago period. ...

Falling Margins Spawn Red Ink at Belk.(Financial report)
December 17, 2007... Staff Charlotte, N.C. - Southern regional department store chain Belk saw last year's third-quarter profit of $23.1 million swing to a net loss of $6.9 million this year, a result it allayed to a crunch in gross margins. The complete...