Home Textiles Today articles from December 2008

Home Textiles Today archives from December 2008

Cautious Consumers Crimp Big Lots.
December 8, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Columbus, Ohio - Big Lots' third quarter followed a pattern several retailers reported for the past 13 weeks: a steadily eroding comp sales trend followed by a Black Friday uptick that failed to compensate for earlier...

Shrinking Pie at Showtime.
December 8, 2008... By Carole Sloan High Point, N.C. - The contract market is the only bright spot in an otherwise gloomy environment for decorative fabrics, key suppliers report. With various segments involved in the decorative fabrics universe...

Springs Sees Late 2009 Daylight.
December 8, 2008... By Brent Felgner Sales Slide, Trims Q3 Loss São Paulo, Brazil - Ever the optimist, Josue Gomes da Silva makes the case that despite a snowballing economic crisis, broadly fluctuating currency exchanges and a home textiles...

'Cash is King' in Williams-Sonoma Moves.
December 8, 2008... By Jennifer Marks San Francisco - Williams-Sonoma is battening down the hatches in the face of recession it expects to squeeze retailers for months to come. In addition to tightening inventories, slashing capital expenditures tied to new...

BBB Lowers Q3 Outlook.
December 8, 2008... By Staff Union, N.J. - Specialty retailer Bed Bath & Beyond announced lower projected net earnings for its fiscal third quarter ended Nov. 29, of approximately 31-35 cents per diluted share, from previous guidance of 41-47 cents per share....

Belk Sales Fall, Losses Mount.(Financial report)
December 8, 2008... By Staff Charlotte, N.C. - Regional department store operator Belk Inc. reported a dramatically deeper net loss for the third quarter, as sales fell more steeply. The privately-held company reported a Q3 (ended Nov. 1) net loss of...

Retail Briefs.
December 8, 2008... By Staff 'Unprecedented' Time at Stein Mart Staff Stein Mart president and ceo Linda Farthing summed up the retail environment during the company's third quarter as, "in a word: unprecedented." The 279-unit off-price chain's Q3...

Leonard Takes the Helm at Croscill.(Barry Leonard)(Brief article)
December 8, 2008... By Jennifer Marks New York - Barry Leonard, president and ceo of Glenoit and Ex-Cell, will also lead Croscill now that it has been acquired by their common parent company, Patriarch Partners. Carl Legreca, who earlier this year was...

Sears Q3 Loss Wider than Expected.
December 8, 2008... By Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Sears Holdings posted a net loss of $146 million, or 16 cents per share, for the third quarter ended Nov. 1. In last year's third quarter, the company reported net income of $4 million, or 3 cents per...

Bon-Ton Points to Good Cash Flow.
December 8, 2008... By James Mammarella York, Pa. - Executives at Bon-Ton Stores spoke with a unified note of determined enthusiasm during the 281-unit retailer's third quarter earnings call in late November. Bud Bergren, president and ceo, said Bon-Ton...

Cost Plus Loss Deepens.(revenue report)(Financial report)
December 8, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Oakland, Calif. - Specialty retailer Cost Plus touted its positive customer conversion rate, lowered inventories and steady store traffic for the third quarter, "despite a further weakening economy," as it reported a...

Jo-Ann Cuts Outlook as Fabrics Slide.
December 8, 2008... By Staff Hudson, Ohio - Home decor fabric was one of the "negative categories" in the third quarter for craft and fabric retailer Jo-Ann Stores. The 768-store company last week reported third quarter net income of $10.2 million,...

Target Hangs Tough.
December 8, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Minneapolis - In light of the highly promotional and competitive retail holiday period, Target Corp. is fiercely competing on price and selection against Wal-Mart and Costco - which Target, along with itself, predicted...

Blankets Makers Turn Up the Marketing.
December 8, 2008... By Jill Rowen Consumers React to Energy-Saving Call Despite the overall anemic economy, blanket manufacturers have reason to feel somewhat warm and fuzzy. The blanket, throw and warming device categories are enjoying a fairly good ride...

Dillard's to Trim Mix, Workers.
December 8, 2008... By Staff Little Rock, Ark. - Looking to cut costs amid slumping gross margins and slowing sales, Dillard's said it will pare assortments, reducing product duplication among vendors and eliminating under-performing brands. "We continue...

Pier 1 Q3 Loss Up to $20M.(Financial report)
December 8, 2008... By Staff Fort Worth, Texas - Pier 1 Imports anticipates a comp sales drop of 16% to 18% for its third quarter, and stated, "EBITDA before special charges is currently forecasted to be negative $16 - $20 million." "Merchandise margins...

Ross Stores Thrives, But Cuts Outlook.(revenue report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
December 8, 2008... By Staff Pleasanton, Calif. - Off-pricer Ross Stores reported solid third-quarter growth - and record earnings year-to-date - but shaved its full year EPS projection to "the range of $2.26 to $2.32, for a projected increase of 19% to 22%...

Protect-A-Bed Bows QuiltGard.
December 8, 2008... By Staff Haverford, Pa. - Protect-A-Bed, maker of protective encasements for mattress, box spring and pillows, debuted the QuiltGuard mattress pad at the International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show in New York. QuiltGuard offers...

Revman to Make Steve Madden Home.(Revman International)(Brief article)
December 8, 2008... By Staff New York - Revman International will produce a collection of Steve Madden bedding and bath products under the teen-tween fashion brand Steve Madden. Bound for specialty and better department stores in spring 2009, the line will...

Busher Joins Luxury Linens.
December 8, 2008... By Staff Burlington, N.J. - Nancy Busher has joined the Luxury Linens division of Burlington Coat Factory as buyer of window coverings, decorative pillows and table linens. A longtime buyer of window coverings for JCPenney, Busher...

Duke to Succeed Scott at Wal-Mart; Castro-Wright is Vice Chairman.
December 8, 2008... By Staff Bentonville, Ark. - The Wal-Mart Stores board of directors has elected Mike Duke, 58, to succeed Lee Scott as president and ceo, effective Feb. 1, 2009, and has promoted Eduardo Castro-Wright, 53, to vice chairman. Scott will...

Hoffman Joins X-Static Parent.
December 8, 2008... By Staff Scranton, Pa. - Noble Biomaterials, producer of X-Static silver fiber technology used in apparel and home textiles, has hired Steve Hoffman as vp for home textiles. Hoffman will be responsible for expanding the use of X-Static...

WONZ's Ramsden is 'Skills Hero'.(A Wools of New Zealand)(Brief article)
December 8, 2008... By Staff Marble Hill, Ga. - A Wools of New Zealand (WONZ) creative manager has won the Skills Hero award from the Skillfast UK, the government-sponsored Sector Skills Council for fashion and textiles. Joanna Ramsden, creative manager...

Sears Names Execs.
December 8, 2008... By Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Sears Holdings made three executive appointments that interim ceo Bruce Johnson said will help make the company's business "more entrepreneurial, more effective and more profitable." Nick Coe will join...

Stein Mart Taps Former Belk Exec Stovall.
December 8, 2008... By Staff Jacksonville, Fla. - Following a brief search, off-price mid-tier department store chain Stein Mart Inc. has named a new president and ceo: David H. Stovall Jr. For the past 15 months, Linda McFarland Farthing has held the...

Everbright Acquires Gottschalks.(Everbright Development Overseas Ltd.)(Brief article)
December 8, 2008... By Staff Fresno, Calif. - West Coast regional department store chain Gottschalks has finalized its agreement turning over effective control to British Virgin Islands- and China-based sourcing firm Everbright Development Overseas Ltd. for...

Natco Buys Mat-Maker Multy.
December 8, 2008... By Staff West Warwick, R.I. - Natco Home Products has made its second acquisition in two months, this time buying indoor/outdoor floor mat and runner producer Multy Industries Inc. In September Natco acquired table linens, dec pillow...

Comp Crunch Continues in November.
December 8, 2008... By James Mammarella New York - Retailers continued to experience deteriorating comparable-store sales in November - with the notable exceptions of Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. Much was made of the shorter post-Thanksgiving sales period...

Over-Stored No More.
December 8, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Last Thursday, retailers reported their monthly sales results for November. It was a good day to be Wal-Mart and a bad day to be just about anybody else. What's become clear as the recession has deepened, is the...

Sale of the Century.
December 8, 2008... By Carole Sloan We all know about the BIG BLACK FRIDAY shopping extravaganza as a consumer frenzy. But while home textiles are but a mere drop in the bucket compared with electronics, washer/dryer specials and toys, they certainly were...

Contract Trade a Key at Heimtextil.(Brief article)
December 15, 2008... By Carole Sloan Frankfurt, Germany - The 2009 Heimtextil that will run Jan. 14-17 here will host 2,800 exhibitors with anticipated visitors numbering about 85,000. The exhibitor base is 57% from Europe, primarily from Germany, Italy,...

Holiday Goods to Watch.(Buyers guide)
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - Even in a retail season like this one, Home Textiles Today found some suppliers waxing bullish about key products they identified as potential winners for the holidays. Others offered more philosophical commentary. ...

Sleep Innovations to Emerge from Ch. 11.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Long Branch, N.J. - Memory foam sleep products producer Sleep Innovations has filed its reorganization plan and is on track to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the middle of the first quarter 2009, the company announced last...

Suppliers Deflect Showtime Rent Uptick.
December 15, 2008... By Carole Sloan Traffic Slow but Stable High Point, N.C. - It was a Showtime that played out pretty much as expected. Attendance was down, some appointments were cancelled last minute, and buyers focused as much or more on unique or...

Bloomie's Dubai Fete in New York.
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - Bloomingdale's held an "informational meeting" last week to discuss its planned store in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Held at the American Museum of Natural History here, it was co-hosted by Michael Gould, ceo of...

Retail Briefs.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Boscov's Family Closes Acquisition Staff The Boscov family has reclaimed its eponymous chain. Boscov's Department Store LLC has sold most of the 39-unit retailer's assets to a family group in a $300 million deal approved...

In Waning Days, LNT Shows a Profit.
December 15, 2008... By Brent Felgner Clifton, N.J - In the final throes of liquidation, Linens 'n Things has shown a net profit for the first time since 2005, the period before it was acquired by a private equity venture led by Apollo Management and took on...

Next HTT due January 12.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Note: Due to the scheduling of various trade shows and our printer, the next issue of Home Textiles Today will be published on Monday, Jan.12, and will be distributed starting Jan. 7 at the Atlanta International Gift & Home...

Bombay Name to Live on in Otto Deal.
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - Otto International has signed for the exclusive rights to the Bombay brand name. The sourcing and trading company is a division of Otto Group, which owns Crate & Barrel and 122 other companies. The licensor,...

Frette Basks in Mediterranean Themes.(Brief article)
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - Frette's summer 2009 collections draw their inspiration from the Mediterranean, with motifs ranging from the Amalfi Coast to the Turkish Riviera. The Topkapi bedding collection features a jacquard floral motif,...

Kohl's in Mudd Exclusive Deal with Iconix.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Menomonee Falls, Wis. - In its latest push into private brand initiatives, mid-tier retailer Kohl's has inked a deal as the exclusive U.S. retail licensee for the teen-driven Mudd fashion brand. Licensed in a multi-year...

Balta Designs New Rugs for Domotex.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Dalton, Ga. - The Balta Group, parent of area rug house Balta US based here, will unveil several new programs and collections during the next month's Domotex trade fair (Jan. 17-29) in Hanover, Germany. The focus for Balta's...

C&F Readies Vegas Showroom.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Newport News, Va. - Diversified home textiles and giftware supplier C&F Enterprises has leased a 10,540-square-foot showroom in Building C at World Market Center Las Vegas making it the company's first showroom in the western U.S....

LetterTo The Editor.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Patent Confusion During the past several weeks HTT has published articles related to Veken Group Holding Co. Ltd's claims of patent infringement by manufacturers in China of "Coral Fleece" products. We feel your articles have...

Macy's 'Find It' at 200,000 Hits a Day.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Cincinnati - Tying its stores and e-commerce efforts more tightly together is yielding positive results for Macy's Inc., as its "Find It In Store" service continues to build, the company said last week. "Macy's and...

Pantone Picks Color of 2009.(Brief article)
December 15, 2008... By Staff Carlstadt, N.J. - Warmth and optimism are poised to sweep the fashion world next year, as Pantone has announced the color of the year for 2009 will be Mimosa, aka Pantone 14-0848. "The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and...

Surya to Debut Smithsonian Collection.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Calhoun, Ga. - Surya Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution have partnered to create a high-end collection of area rugs. Dubbed the Smithsonian Collection, Surya will create 12 hand-tufted area rugs made in India of 100% New...

Texprocil Lauds India Economic Measures.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Mumbai, India - Texprocil said the Indian government's new stimulus package "incorporates most of the demands" made by the international cotton textiles promotion council. India's $4 billion in stimulus measures reduces...

Beaulieu Canada Exceeds CRI Green Label Plus.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Acton Vale, Quebec, Canada - Area rug and carpet manufacturer and supplier Beaulieu Canada has reached a "green" milestone. The company recently announced that all of its products meet or exceed Green Label Plus, the Carpet...

Green World Rugs to Augment Line in Atlanta.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Tucker, Ga. - Jute and braided rug and accessories manufacturer Green World Rugs, sister company to Home Spice Decor, has created four new color combinations and designs to its assortment, to be unveiled at the Atlanta...

O Ecotextiles Selected by Tavano.
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - The Seattle-based, environmentally friendly luxury fabric producer O Ecotextiles will get its first New York showcase as Michael Tavano has selected it as one of three textiles suppliers for its permanent showroom here....

Orian Rugs Wins Labor, Production Honors.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Anderson, S.C. - Domestic woven area and accent rug manufacturer Orian Rugs was recently presented with two awards related to its manufacturing practices at its headquarters here. The South Carolina Department of Labor,...

OW Pads Go Outdoors, Organic.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Dalton, Ga. - Oriental Weavers USA Inc. - parent of Oriental Weavers of America and Sphinx by Oriental Weavers - is expanding its area rug padding lines to include organic and outdoor options. The Green Pad features an organic...

Valley Forge Fabrics a Sage Finalist.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. - Valley Forge Fabrics, a 31-year-old family owned and operated textiles company, was one of three finalists in the inaugural Sage Award competition announced by The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA)...

AG Textiles Signs with Home Source.
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - Bedding and bath producer Home Source International is now the agent for AG, the luxury bedding company recently launched by Australian designer Anna Giannis. Home Source will represent AG's products in the volume...

Mayor Anoints "Home Textiles Market Weeks".
December 15, 2008... By Staff White Plains, N.Y. - Recognizing the New York Home Textiles Market Week exhibits and events held in conjunction with the New York International Gift Fair, mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a Mayoral Proclamation noting the economic...

Nautica Promotes in Resort Villa.
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - Lifestyle brand Nautica is teaming up with Travel + Leisure magazine to turn a Mexican resort villa into a Nautica product showcase. The villa, available to rent from Jan. 1 through April 30, is on Isla Navidad, a...

Textillery Expands Bamboo, Sunbrella Lines.(Textillery Weavers)(Brief article)
December 15, 2008... By Staff Bloomington, Ind. - Textillery Weavers is expanding its eco-minded throw collection titled Bamboo, which the company created using a new light-weight sustainable bamboo yarn, and is adding to it several new machine-washable,...

Designer Walker to Bow Cuddlebugs Crib Bedding.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Apex, N.C. - Edward Walker, designer on TLC's "Trading Spaces," along withlicensee Cuddlebugs-n-Cocoons, will unveil a line of crib bedding in January. He currently has an upscale line of tween/teen bedding with...

Fux Foundation, Celebs Fete Hospital Kids.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Miami - The Michael Fux Foundation hosted a holiday present giveaway on Sunday, Dec. 7, joined by entertainment and sports celebrities including Timbaland, Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning, Gloria Estefan, Tim Hardaway, Charlie...

Kingsbury Named Top Executive at BCF.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Burlington, N.J. - Off-price retailer Burlington Coat Factory (BCF) has named Thomas Kingsbury, 56, president and ceo. He was most recently senior evp at Kohl's, with oversight of marketing, business development, e-commerce...

Leonard Joins Swavelle/Mill Creek.(Mylie Leonard)(Brief article)
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - Mylie Leonard has joined Swavelle/Mill Creek as senior design director for Swavelle upholstery. Leonard most recently was a senior designer in the furniture division of Sunbury Textile Mills for the past eight...

Manual Woodworkers Bows Earth Echoes.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Hendersonville, N.C. - Among new collections for its winter 2009 seasonal shows, Manual Woodworkers & Weavers Inc. has created an eco-minded collection of coordinating decorative pillows, placemats and throws called Earth Echoes....

Nourison Hires Jeff Gonzalez.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Saddle Brook, N.J. - Family owned and operated area and accent rug company Nourison has appointed Jeff González as its director of furniture store sales, reporting to Alex Peykar, president. "Jeff has a proven track...

Peking Teams with Horner in Kitchen Textiles.
December 15, 2008... By Staff San Francisco - Peking Handicraft Inc. has inked a licensing partnership with artist Anna Maria Horner to produce a line of kitchen textiles. Divvied into two collections, Cookbook and Sketchbook, the line comprises a broad...

Textile Research Grants for Students.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Research Triangle Park, N.C. - U.S. college juniors are invited to apply for research grants through the AATCC Foundation Institute of Textile Technology (ITT) Undergraduate Research Program. Up to five awards will be funded...

Brumlow Home Trumpets Tufted Rugs.
December 15, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Calhoun, Ga. - After a five-year absence, Brumlow Home is returning to the tufted rug category - this time with a "vertical" vengeance. The father-and-son owned and operated company is bringing back tufted...

Cuddledown Debuts Organic Bedding.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Portland, Maine - Luxury down bedding and linens manufacturer Cuddledown will unveil organic bedding products in its booth, No. 7717, at the upcoming New York International Gift Fair, Jan. 25-29. The new organic line, all...

Printsource NY to Feature Trendcasting Future Cafe.
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - The Printsource New York show will feature a trend forecast zone during its Jan. 13-15 run at the Hotel Pennsylvania, 7th Ave. at 33rd St. The Future Cafe will showcase a spring 2010 color and concept forecast, the...

Shaw to Contract Out Calhoun Plant.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Dalton, Ga. - In an effort "to maximize efficiencies during a weakening retail market," Shaw Industries Group, Inc. said it is contracting out the cutting, sewing and packaging functions of its Plant 7G rug facility here. The...

Barington Again Presses Dillard's.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Little Rock, Ark. - Dillard's Inc. is once again been pressured by dissident shareholders to open the books of the closely held company to greater scrutiny, including such items non-cash compensation of directors, family and...

New e-TV Show: 'Trendease DesignVision'.(Brief article)
December 15, 2008... By Staff Paris - Design and fashion resource Trendease International has, through a subscriber contest, chose the name for its newly launched online-TV show: "Trendease DesignVision." That name was submitted by "Peter" from Sydney,...

Feizy Rugs Upgrades Website, Unveils Latest Catalog.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Dallas - Between now and next month, Feizy Rugs will launch both its new and improved website, www.feizy.com, and the latest version of its Winter Home Catalog. The revamped website is set to debut in January, and the catalog...

Gottschalks Sharpens Promotions as Losses Mount.
December 15, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Fresno, Calif. - To maximize onan otherwise lackluster holiday selling season, Gottschalks this month started courtingformer Mervyns shoppers in its markets with a special promotional effort, anted up its television...

Retailers Wait for Holiday Demand.
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - As skittish consumers play the waiting game in a promotional wonderland, retailers recorded below-plan same-store sales performance in the first week of December, the Johnson Redbook reported. "Retailers described...

Amici Opens Dubai Rug Showroom.
December 15, 2008... By Staff Lebanon, N.J. - Amici International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Amici Imports USA, is moving for the first time into Dubai, U.A.E., with a new showroom set for a grand opening to retail buyer customers at the end of this month....

FIT/HFPA to Honor Cole, Kahn Family.
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - The Home Fashion Products Association announced during its annual meeting the date and honorees for the 2009 Fashion Institute of Technology/HFPA scholarship breakfast. The breakfast will take place here March 10 at...

Goldberg, Hollingsworth Leave ABC.
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - Two executives have left ABC Carpet & Home: Steve Goldberg, vp merchandising, and Victor Hollingsworth, divisional merchandise manager for upholstered furniture and home textiles. Goldberg, a veteran home...

Factory Evaluator Panjiva Readies Home Rankings.
December 15, 2008... By Staff New York - Factory rating group Panjiva next year will expand beyond apparel to global manufacturers of home textiles, furniture, accents and a host of other product categories. The company also warned that the global supplier...

Brands Going Bland.
December 15, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Emailing back and forth last week on the subject of the auto bailout, I came across a piece of commentary by Scottish journalist Alex Massie: "The perception that GM and Ford and Chrysler build crappy cars is just...

Courtesy Counts.
December 15, 2008... By Carole Sloan For virtually all of us in business, what is happening here and around the world is nothing like anyone has experienced. And the confusion about how to deal with it at every level - from individual governments to...