Home Textiles Today articles from February 2004

Home Textiles Today archives from February 2004

Mini-market struggles to stay relevant.(Winter Market)(evolving from seasonal goods market)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- The New York City February Mini-market is perpetually reinventing itself, just like the industry around it. This year's event is proving to be no different. After several years of consolidation in both the retailer and supplier...

Dan River stock hits the rapids.
February 2, 2004... DANVILLE, VA. -- Taking a three-day roller-coaster ride, shares of Dan River Inc. see-sawed in sharp swings last week, rushing up by almost 40 percent on Tuesday, Jan. 27, before giving up some of its gains the next day, and then returning near...

Countdown to quota elimination.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Hanging like a cloud over 2005--and raising the hackles of big textiles producers--is the scheduled Jan. 1 elimination of quotas between the United States and low-cost exporting nations, with China looming as the 1,000-pound...

Sears has full plate in 2004.(Sears, Roebuck and Co.)(Grand format planned)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. -- Focusing on what is working in stores, while attempting to fix what is not, Sears has several objectives for this year, such as continuing to learn from its latest format, Sears Grand. It will open three more Grand...

HSN promotes Marty Nealon.(Retail briefs)(Home Shopping Network Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... ST. PETERSBURG -- Marty Nealon has been promoted to president, U.S., of the television and Internet retailer HSN Home Shopping Network) from her position of executive vice president of merchandising, which she held since fall 2002. ...

TJX hires Naylor, promotes Campbell.(Retail briefs)(TJX Companies Inc.)(Jeffrey Naylor)(Donald Campbell)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... FRAMINGHAM, MASS. -- The TJX Companies, Inc. has named Jeffrey Naylor executive vice president, chief financial officer, effective Feb. 2. Donald Campbell, 52, current chief financial officer, assumes the newly created position of executive...

Sears makes Detter SVP, GMM.(Retail briefs)(senior vice president Roger Detter)(general merchandising manager)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. -- Roger Detter has been appointed senior vice president and general merchandising manager at Sears, responsible for home fashions, hardware and paint, lawn and garden, recreation and automotive. He reports to Mark...

Saks appoints Frasch.(Retail briefs)
February 2, 2004... BIRMINGHAM, ALA. -- Saks Inc. announced that Ron Frasch has joined the company, where he will concentrate on international opportunities and private brand development. He reports to R. Brad Martin, chairman and CEO. With 30 years of retail...

Pine Cone Hill launches new line.(bedding and accessories)(artist Kaffe Fassett designs)
February 2, 2004... PITTSFIELD, MASS. -- High-end bedding and accessories supplier, Pine Cone Hill, has launched a new line of products for the home with artist Kaffe Fassett. The vibrant new collection of quilts, sheets, rugs, micro-hooked pillows, tabletop...

Coalition vows to be kingmaker in 2004.(textile trade group supports maintaining import quotas)
February 2, 2004... SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- A consortium of textile trade groups has vowed to get every worker in the industry--almost 1 million--to vote for the candidate they feel most strongly supports maintaining import quotas from China and preventing the loss...

WPS names vp of bed merchandising.(WestPoint Stevens Inc.)(vice president Scott Maddalene)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Scott Maddalene has been named vice president, bed merchandising at WestPoint Stevens, effective Feb. 2. Most recently, Maddalene was managing director for WestPoint Stevens Europe in London. In his new New York-based role, he...

Blair looks to trade up with larger, upscale catalog.
February 2, 2004... WARREN, PENN. -- Looking to attract a new baby boomer customer, along with its traditionally older ones, Blair has mailed an expanded 180-page catalog in which half of the merchandise is more upscale or trendy. The merchandise...

Thomasville expanding its showroom.(Thomasville Home Furnishings )(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Thomasville Home Furnishings will be expanding its space in suite 1619 of 295 Fifth Ave. by taking over two adjacent showrooms in time for the spring market. The expansion will take Thomasville's showroom space from about 2,000...

Polymer announces appointments.
February 2, 2004... NORTH CHARLESTON, N.C. -- Polymer Group, Inc. announced the following organizational changes: Bruce Rockenfield has been named vice president of human resources. Rockenfield was previously vice president of human resources at Harnischfeger...

CEO delivers straight talk on China.
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Speaking bluntly on the scheduled removal of quotas, Paul Charron, the chairman and CEO of Liz Claiborne Inc., said, "We don't have the vaguest idea what's going to go on. It's going to be absolute chaos after 2005." But...

Doomsday scenario unlikely, says CEO.
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Even if quotas disappear on schedule in 2005--and he's not certain they will--Mackey McDonald, chairman and CEO of VF Corp., parent of Wrangler jeans, said he's not expecting a flood of textiles imports into the United States. ...

Developing a China strategy is key.
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- China has rapidly become "the world's factory," seizing the smoke-stack operations of more highly developed countries, notably the United States, and sending back low-cost imports, said Ira Kalish, global director, Deloitte...

Capps: vigilance will be needed.
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- When it comes to sourcing in a quota-free world, said W. Lee Capps III, president of operating services, Kellwood Co., "Remember that import limits will be removed in January--kind of." The reality is that "a sourcing strategy...

Fung predicts a time of instability, uncertainty.(William T. Fung)(textiles quotas)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- Though textiles quotas are set to lapse in 2005, those plans are likely to be shelved amid a hotly contested presidential election, said William T. Fung, managing director Li & Fung Ltd., the $4.8 billion Hong Kong-based company...

The gloves are coming off.(Opinion Today)(political support by textile industry)
February 2, 2004... As the 2004 race for the White House heats up, and the upcoming round of primaries promises to narrow the Democratic field, executives from the textiles and fiber industries gathered last week in South Carolina to outline their terms for...

Welcome to the world of monopsony!(Opinion Today)(one company gains power)(suppliers' prices pushed down)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... You don't know what it is--and neither did I till I read The Wall Street Journal last week and found out that many of the things we've been writing about in recent years actually had a name that sounds like a disease. It seems that with...

Afghani rugs arrive in U.S., blankets head out.(International Marketing Gallery home)(money raised for clothing and blankets for Afghani people)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- International Marketing Gallery home (IMG home), a direct importer and manufacturer of home furnishings, announced the arrival of its first shipment of Afghani rugs. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the new...

Invista promotes four top executives pending sale.(People Today)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... WILMINGTON, DEL. -- Four Invista executives--William Ghitis, David Trerotola, Kenneth Wall and Alan Wolk--have accepted new positions at Invista, pending successful completion of the Invista sale to subsidiaries of Koch Industries. Each of...

Conran dies at 71.(People Today)(Hunter Douglas sales manager William Conran)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
February 2, 2004... UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J. -- William Conran, regional sales manager for Hunter Douglas, passed away Jan. 12 at his home in Clifton, N.J. He was 71. Having spent 27 years at Hunter Douglas, Conran was a key player in the growth and...

IFDA names its 2004 international board: Technology Venture's Blair tapped as president.(People Today)(International Furnishings and Design Association )(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J. -- The International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) has announced its new international board of directors for 2004. Constance Blair, president and CEO of Technology Ventures, Inc., based in Warren,...

IMRA morphs into RILA.(People Today)(International Retail Association)(Retail Industry Leaders Association)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... ARLINGTON, VA. -- In an effort to more effectively mirror its membership and mission, the International Retail Association's board of directors has voted to change its name to Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). "Retail Industry...

Mixed signals from housing market.(Business Today)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- The broad housing market, a driver of the U.S. economy over the past two years, continued to send out mixed signals as 2003 drew to a close. Sales of existing homes and housing starts both climbed higher in December, while sales of...

Trade group bullish on housing.(Business Today)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Coming off one of the strongest housing markets in years during 2003, the nation's home builders say they're poised for another strong showing, as historically low mortgage rates continue to drive business. "Based on our...

Mill's woes 'fundamental'.(Business Today)(Dan River Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ongoing problems at Dan River Inc. "appear to be fundamental," and possibly of long-term duration, said high-yield textiles analyst Jeffrey S. Stewart, of Charlotte-based Wachovia Securities. Stewart, a long-time...

Confidence is high but job concerns linger.(Business Today)(consumer confidence)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- With Americans feeling good about the overall health of the nation's economy, and optimistic about what lies ahead over the next six months, consumer confidence hit its highest level in 18 months in January, The Conference Board...

Selling units, Sears triples profits.(Business Today)(department store Sears, Roebuck and Co.)
February 2, 2004... HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. -- Banking $4.1 billion from the sale of its credit-card and financial-services business, Sears, Roebuck and Co. more than tripled fourth-quarter profits, which soared by 224.2 percent, to $2.7 billion from $848 million...

Bad weather slows strong sales.(Business Today)
February 2, 2004... NEW YORK -- With retailers clearing apparel off their shelves to make way for spring and warm-weather merchandise, same-store retail sales perked up during the third week of January. Sales rose by 3.9 percent over year-ago levels, besting the...

Wall Street watch for the week ended January 29, 2004.(Business Today)
February 2, 2004... HTT Stock Dow Jones Index* Industrials 2545.02 10510.3 +1.35% -1.06% NASDAQ S&P Industrial 500 2068.23 1134.11 -2.4% -0.86% Greatest gains during the week ...

Calendar.(Calendar)
February 2, 2004... FEBRUARY 1-5 Home Textiles Winter Market New York showrooms. 2-5 New York International Gift Fair Javits Center New York (800) 272-SHOW www.glmshows.com 7-11 San Francisco International Gift...

Federated Department Stores moves to centralize home.
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- In a sweeping move that introduces central buying and merchandising to Federated Department Stores, the retailer last week announced the formation of the Macy's Home Store for all divisions except New York-based Bloomingdale's. ...

Mohawk's profits rise on strong sales.
February 9, 2004... CALHOUN, GA. -- Helped by a double-digit gain in sales and deep cuts in interest costs, fourth-quarter profits at Mohawk Industries Inc. shot up by 21.3 percent, to $102.1 million from $84.2 million last year. Sales at the diversified...

Nicole Miller signs with Bed Bath, won't go beyond.
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- When it comes to home, Nicole Miller has decided she's a one-store kind of gal. Miller's line of bedding and bath, which began arriving at retail a little under one year ago, is now exclusive to Bed Bath & Beyond. "We like the...

Linens 'n Things rocks 'n rolls: company sees profits up almost 15 percent.
February 9, 2004... CLIFTON, N.J. -- Helped by its strongest same-store sales gain in the past two years, as well as lower costs and interest expense, Linens 'n Things pushed fourth-quarter profits up by 14.5 percent, to $46.1 million from $40.2 million last year....

Retailer remains bullish on textiles, sees opportunities.(Linens 'n Things.)
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Textiles remains a priority for Linens 'n Things, and though the retailer has made considerable progress on some initiatives, the company sees a lot of opportunity, executives said during a fourth quarter conference call last week....

Depot and Lowe's win ENERGY awards.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has bestowed two home improvement retailers with ENERGY STAR awards, which are held annually to recognize companies and organizations for contributions to environmental protection and energy efficiency...

Filene's unit in Massachusetts to add more home.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... May Department Stores has announced plans to expand its Filene's store at Emerald Square, North Attleboro, Mass. into the space currently occupied by Lord & Taylor. This will allow that Filene's unit to increase its offering of home...

Survey reveals holiday shopping trends.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- There was a twist to consumers' shopping patterns over the 2003 holiday season, according to a recent survey by WSL Marketing. Although mass merchants and department stores attracted the most shoppers again during the recent...

Avian flu ruffles feather & down supplies.
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- U.S. suppliers of feather and down said it is still too early to assess the impact of avian flu on the main duck and goose populations of Southeast Asia. Price increases will continue and product shortfalls could result from a...

Lacey Mills gets into the season.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... CARTERSVILLE, GA. -- Lacey Mills Inc. launched its first line of seasonal kitchen mats, consisting of domestically-made and imported product in a variety of patterns, prints, and constructions. The line comprises a mix of natural and...

Peking Handicraft International hits some new tones.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- PHI (Peking Handicraft International) has added five new fall tones to its core Silkallure program, bringing the palette up to 11 colors. It also added two new bedding patterns: Bella Donna, a comforter featuring a rushed tucking...

C & F Enterprises feels the holiday cheer.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- C&F Enterprises showed a bounty of holiday styles with about 20 percent more product in the showroom overall. Some of the new looks included its Holiday Elegance faux silk line, Enchantment collection, 50 quilted throws, a dozen...

Lawrence Home Fashions plans something for everyone.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Look for Lawrence Home Fashions to introduce a new embossed microsuede bed with flowers and gold trim, as well as a pieced corduroy and jacquard pattern with leather fastens. In sheets, Lawrence will be launching 300 to 350...

Arlee Home Fashions, New York, has added tapestry throws in 12 designs.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... * Arlee Home Fashions, New York, has added tapestry throws in 12 designs, all coordinating with decorative pillows.

Monticello, Ark.-based Burlington Rugs has introduced seasonal comfort mats as 2-by-3 sub-dyed cushion mats.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... * Monticello, Ark.-based Burlington Rugs has introduced seasonal comfort mats as 2-by-3 sub-dyed cushion mats. The initial line consists of 24 holiday designs.

Ex-Cell Home Fashions, New York, has added the throw category to its product mix.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... * Ex-Cell Home Fashions, New York, has added the throw category to its product mix. It's showing two collections that coordinate with its dec pillows: Marrakesh, with a $29.99 retail, and Embossed Velvet, with a $24.99 retail. Both are 50-by-60...

Accent-, bath- and area-rug importer JWS Associates, Atlanta, is soft launching a housewares division, including storage items.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... * Accent-, bath- and area-rug importer JWS Associates, Atlanta, is soft launching a housewares division, including storage items. The company also just moved into a 3,000-square-foot eighth-floor showroom at 295 Fifth Ave. It also opened a new...

Niles, Ill.-based Revere Mills has upgraded its three-piece bath ensembles from Pakistan.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... * Niles, Ill.-based Revere Mills has upgraded its three-piece bath ensembles from Pakistan, moving them to a heavier weight--9.5 pounds from 5.5 pounds--and repackaging them, folded with red bows.

Sure Fit unveils new lineup.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Sure Fit's new showroom will feature an entertaining theme with an emphasis on the dining room and holidays this coming market. New products include decorative table runners and tree skirts. One of Sure Fit's new patterns is...

The colors of Maison & Objet.
February 9, 2004... PARIS -- It was a contradiction in color at Maison & Objet here last month. On one hand lots of color, especially in the red to orange family in fabrics and bed and bath. On the other hand, a serene abundance of neutrals and naturals,...

Something strange is in the air.(Column)
February 9, 2004... At the Mini-market in New York last week, the aroma of uncertainty hung in the air. No, it wasn't the usual "what happened to all the retailers?" fuss that kicks up around markets. The fact that there were few retailers around--and that...

Where are we headed?(Home textiles.)(Column)
February 9, 2004... Is the home textiles world really coming to a massive rupture? We've all seen the Asian invasion, and there are those that are still in denial on that subject, while others are attempting to bring the positives and negatives to a meeting...

Spiegel sales dive amid reorganization.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... DOWNERS GROVE, ILL. -- The Spiegel Group reported net sales of $98.6 million for the four weeks ended Jan. 31, a 27 percent decrease compared to net sales of $135.6 million for the four weeks ended Jan. 25, 2003. The company also reported...

Klein returns to Macy's East as chairman/CEO: former vice chairman replaces Hal Kahn.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... CINCINNATI -- Federated Department Stores, Inc. announced that Ronald Klein, 55, will be returning to Macy's East as chairman and CEO of the New York-based division, effective Feb. 15. Klein, who previously served as vice chairman of Macy's...

Kohl's net sales up, comps anemic.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS. -- Kohl's Corporation came out of the post-holiday season with a strong sales performance for January--up 14.5 percent--but comps were wheezing with a 0.3 percent gain. Comp performance for the quarter fared...

Fred's reports record sales numbers.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... MEMPHIS, TENN. -- Fred's reported record sales for the fourth quarter and the full fiscal year ended Jan. 31, and the company said it expects more of the same in the new fiscal year. For the quarter, sales jumped 17 percent and comps rose...

Ashford Court taps Garofalo as new vp.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... RICHMOND, VA. -- Ashford Court has appointed John Garofalo to the newly created position of vice president, sales and marketing. He is based at headquarters in Richmond. Garofalo was most recently at Cranston Print Works for eight years,...

Capelli New York launches home fashion department.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Capelli New York, a manufacturer of fashion accessories, sleepwear, footwear, toy/novelty and home products, recently created a home fashion division to be led by industry veteran Loretta Gallion. Gallion, who has served as...

Former Cotton Inc. svp Abes dies at 73.(Obituary)
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Richard Abes, former Cotton Incorporated senior vice president of administration and assistant to the president, died in Bellmore, N.Y. last week after a long illness. He was 73. Abes was one of the first employees hired by...

Bridgeford promoted to top strategic post.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Lowe's Companies has promoted Gregory M. Bridgeford to executive vice president of Business Development. Bridgeford, a 22-year Lowe's veteran, oversees all aspects of Lowe's development of new business opportunities,...

Hunter Douglas wins award.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J. -- Window manufacturer Hunter Douglas has won an award for a video it developed to introduce Alouette Light Louvers, a window covering introduced in September. "Imagination" garnered a bronze in the 14th Annual...

Retail sales come close to targets.
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- Same-store retail sales held steady during the final week of January, advancing by 3.9 percent as retailers sold their stockpiles of winter apparel at markdown prices in advance of the spring season, the Redbook Average reported....

Index signals slow but steady growth.
February 9, 2004... TEMPE, ARIZ. -- The nation's manufacturing sector gained strength, if only slightly, for an eighth straight month in January. The steady climb points to a continued rebound in one of the drivers of the nation's economy, according to a...

Retailers enjoy strong comps in the new year.
February 9, 2004... NEW YORK -- After months of a trying sales environment, retailers had a happy new year, as many saw positive comps for January. Some pointed to the extreme weather and clearance sales as driving people into the stores, while others thought...

Wall Street watch for the week ended February 5, 2004.
February 9, 2004... HTT Stock Index * Dow Jones Industrials 2633.34 10495.5 3.47% -0.14% NASDAQ Industrial S&P 500 2019.56 1128.59 -2.35% -0.49% ...

Gloria Vanderbilt finds a home at Kohl's.
February 16, 2004... MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS. -- Kohl's Department Stores is extending the Gloria Vanderbilt brand to its home department across the chain and at Kohls.com. "Gloria Vanderbilt is already a successful brand throughout Kohl's stores, and its...

May Co.'s profits climb on strong sales numbers.
February 16, 2004... ST LOUIS -- Helped by rising same-store sales, lower costs and stronger margins, fourth-quarter profits at May Department Stores Company climbed by 9.8 percent, to $425 million from $387 million a year ago. Sales in the Christmas quarter...

Penney execs: what's in a name?(JCPenney Company Inc.)
February 16, 2004... NEW YORK -- While the soon-to-be launched Chris Madden program for the JCPenney Home Collection is in the spotlight, the $1.5 billion Home Collection is quietly growing with new products and a strong program for new customer acquisition. ...

JCPenney brings Madden home.(Chris Madden)
February 16, 2004... NEW YORK -- "Turning Home into Haven," the Chris Madden total home furnishings collection fur JCPenney, has the potential of adding 20 percent to the already huge JCPenney Home Collection that does $1.5 billion in business. "We see this as...

Penney catalog yielding dollars.(JCPenney Company Inc.)
February 16, 2004... PLANO, TEXAS -- Reversing a trend that extends back into the '90s, JCPenney's catalog operation is showing sales increases and producing profits for the first time in years. Also during the recent fiscal year, Penney's Interact business...

Pamida stores get a facelift.(Retail briefs)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... Pamida, Inc., a regional retailer and division of ShopKo Stores, Inc., named the first group of stores to be remodeled in 2004, including 18 stores in nine states. The company completed the remodeling of 11 stores last year. "Customer...

Dollar General to open DC in South Carolina.(Retail briefs)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... Dollar General plans to build a 1.1 million-square-foot distribution center on a 177-acre site in Union County, S.C. The $70 million facility will become the retailer's eighth DC. Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter, and the...

Study: shoppers are "pushing back".(Retail briefs)
February 16, 2004... The good news is the shoppers have returned to stores at levels not seen since the heady days of 2000. The bad news is that they are no longer buying at the same pace. Instead, they are browsing to make better use of their money and shopping...

WPS builds out sourcing team.
February 16, 2004... WEST POINT, GA. -- In an ongoing effort to enhance its sourcing operations in preparation for emergence from Chapter 11 early in the second quarter, WestPoint Stevens has added two directors to its team. Caroline Diamond Warthen has been...

Ralph Lauren launches fall line.
February 16, 2004... NEW YORK -- Ralph Lauren Home is introducing three disparate, but familiarly themed, collections for fall. One, using the theme "modern thoroughbred, centers on classic menswear looks but adds splashes of color--reds, plums, and...

Classic Mickey comes home.(Disney Consumer Products)
February 16, 2004... NEW YORK -- In the wake of Mickey Mouse's 75th anniversary, Disney Consumer Products is working to boost the profile of its iconographic character--whose star has been long eclipsed by more contemporary animated stars such as the Princesses,...

Go West old industry.(West Coast Report)
February 16, 2004... NEW YORK The offshore migration of manufacturing, along with the related troubles of Eastern mills, is helping to move the center of the U.S. home textiles' universe, bringing new prominence to many West Coast suppliers. The change is...

Calendar.(Calendar)
February 16, 2004... FEBRUARY 20-24 Ambiente Frankfurt, Germany (770) 984-8016 www.ambiente.messefrankfurt.com 24-26 London Fabric Commonwealth Institute London 44 0 20 7724 0851 www.londonfabric.com/ MARCH...

Mohawk expands collections.
February 16, 2004... SUGAR VALLEY, GA. -- Mohawk Home is expanding its offering in printed constructions and accent rugs. The company introduced a two-piece bath set in 24 seasonal designs set to retail for $19.99. Mohawk also expanded its kitchen rugs...

Melange Home uses menswear as muse.
February 16, 2004... NEW YORK -- At Mini-market, Melange Home said it will be offering a menswear-inspired collection of bedding this spring with two to three new patterns incorporating yarn dyes, faux leather, microsuede and acrylic wools. The company showed...