Home Textiles Today articles from February 2005

Home Textiles Today archives from February 2005

LNT's Moore seeks momentum.(News)(new merchandising plans by Jack Moore of Linens 'n Things Inc.)
February 7, 2005... CLIFTON, N.J. -- Six months into his role as Linens 'n Things president and chief operating officer, Jack Moore took the opportunity during the company's year-end conference call last week to lay out his plan for recapturing momentum on the...

Sears turns on the sun.(News)(Sears, Roebuck and Co. new marketing programs)
February 7, 2005... HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. -- Sears is inviting its customers to have an early start with fun in the sun with the launch of its home fashions program--Dot Fun in the Summertime--scheduled to hit store floors later this month. The collection of...

Only 'Mini' to some.(Mini-Market for home textiles )
February 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- In recent years, the significance of the winter Mini-Market has been debated by retailers and suppliers alike. Many suppliers don't feel the event draws enough retailers, and in response they staff showrooms more thinly than they...

Pillowtex LLC looks to clear brand confusion.(News)(licensing agreements)
February 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- With Royal Velvet now re-emerging at retail and Fieldcrest ready to launch within weeks at Target, Official Pillowtex LLC is looking to clear up confusion about who handles what and ramp up the reintroduction of its other brands....

25 Kmarts on the fast track.(Retail Briefs)(format changes to Sears, Roebuck and Co. stores)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... Half of the 50 Kmart stores Sears acquired last summer are on a program of "fast-track conversion" and will open as midsize format Sears stores as early as March 15, according to a Sears filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The...

Target revises 2004 downward.(Retail Briefs)(finance)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... Target Corporation stated that two accounting changes will reduce its earnings for the fourth quarter and full year of 2004. Financials for both periods are expected to be made public on Feb. 17. Target will adjust its accounting for leases...

Survey: retailers cautious.(Retail Briefs)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... After a strong holiday season, retail executives are viewing the new year with more caution, according the January NRF Retail Executive Opinion Survey. The Retail Sector Performance Index (RSPI) for January posted a normal reading of 50.3,...

Hanover Direct faces delisting.(Retail Briefs)(from American Stock Exchange )(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... Hanover Direct, Inc. has received a letter from the American Stock Exchange stating that the Amex will apply with the Securities and Exchange Commission to remove the company's common stock from the exchange. The action is based on Hanover's...

Garden Ridge agrees on reorg plan.(Retail Briefs)(Official Unsecured Creditors Committee and Allied Capital Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... Garden Ridge has reached an agreement with the Official Unsecured Creditors Committee and Allied Capital Corporation on the terms of a reorganization plan that will enable it to emerge from Chapter 11. The agreement provides for a $25...

Consolidation: the next wave.(News)(textile industry future discussed at American Apparel & Footwear Association conference)
February 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- Remember the boundless opportunity that the elimination of quota was supposed to bring to overseas textiles manufacturers as Western markets opened to thousands that never before had access? That's not the shape of things to...

Burlington calls it quits.(News)(Burlington Rug Corp. to close operations for 60 days)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... MONTICELLO, ARK. -- Unable to reach sustainable sales goals, Burlington Rug Corp., an importer and manufacturer of bath, accent and area rugs, will shut down its operations over the next 60 days. "We were unable to achieve the increase in...

Bloomies, Williams-Sonoma to be honored.(News)(Bloomingdale's Inc., Aspire Awards: Excellence, Leadership and Innovation in Home Fashion from Home Fashion Products Association and New York Home Textiles Show)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Winners of the new "Aspire Awards: Excellence, Leadership and Innovation in Home Fashion" have been announced by the Home Fashion Products Association and the New York Home Textiles Show/ George Little Management. The...

Mascioni focusing on quality: company looking into boutique hotels.(News)(Mascioni Italy)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- Mascioni s.p.a, is out to bring back classic standards of quality to the world of home fashions. Alberto Mascioni, president of the Italian-based company, explained that with the industry--especially in the sheet business--so...

CHF debuts Kim Parker Kids.(News)(CHF Industries print bedding line)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- At the upcoming Mini Market, CHF Industries will debut Kim Parker Kids, an extension of its upscale print bedding line featuring a new interpretation of the artist's designs for young girls ages five to 15. The new juvenile...

McNeil, Ostro join Beacon Looms.(News)(Sandy McNeil and Lynn Ostro appointed)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... TEANECK, N.J. -- Beacon Looms has hired Sandy McNeil as vice president of merchandising and added Lynn Ostro to the product design group. McNeil spent nine years at Hollander Home Fashions, resigning in January 2004 as president of the...

The many colors of Mini-Market.(Mini-Market Product Gallery)
February 7, 2005... As some debate the value of Mini-Market, others are jumping in with both feet. The following pages show new product and design introductions that will be featured in showrooms throughout New York this week. 1. TRENDEX HOME's Joy placemat is...

In a festive mood.(Atlanta Rug Show)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
February 7, 2005... Parties at the Atlanta Rug Show 1. May Co. rug buyers regrouped at the Nourison party after their first day walking the market. Left to right: Brian Doherty, Hecht's; with Shawn McCormack and Ryan Phillips, both of Filene's Basement. * 2....

Anso Nylon identifies 2005 Color Trends; broad palette will be available in spring.(News)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... LAS VEGAS -- Chameleon neutral tones like icy grays and greens, schemes of traditional colors coupled with white undertones and Latin and Asian influenced palettes are among the newest trends in home interior colors for 2005, according to the...

230 Fifth Ave. welcomes new tenants.(News)(Betty Lee and Associates and The Gloria Shavel Co.)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- 230 Fifth Ave. has added two new tenants to its roster: Betty Lee and Associates and The Gloria Shavel Company. Both firms relocated from the 225 building. Betty Lee and Associates, which is owned by Betty Lee Epstein, is...

Marriott takes bedding to the next level.(News)(Marriott International Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Marriott International, Inc. is upgrading its bedding on 628,000 beds at approximately 2,400 hotels across eight brands. Full-service JW Marriott, Marriott and Renaissance hotels and resorts will replace the traditional...

Cupid to ring registers.(News)(2005 Valentine's Day consumer spending survey)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The NRF 2005 Valentine's Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIG-research for NRF, found that the average consumer will spend $97.27 on Valentine's Day, down slightly from $99.24 last year. However, 61.8...

NRF presents reconstituted board; Kathwari named first vice chairman.(People Today)(National Retail Federation appointed Arnold Zetcher, M. Farooq Kathwari and Paul Charron)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... WASHINGTON D.C. -- The National Retail Federation (NRF) has elected new members to its board of directors. Arnold Zetcher, chairman, president and CEO, The Talbots, Inc., will continue as chairman of the board and chairman of the executive...

Trendex makes sales and ops moves.(People Today)(Sheila Lynch and Neil Greenspon appointed at Trendex Home Designs Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... MONTREAL -- Trendex Home Designs has appointed two hires to newly created posts in its sales and operations teams and added responsibilities to an existing sales force member. Sheila Lynch has been assigned to fill the new position of sales...

LIMA show revamped.(People Today)(Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association's Licensing 2005 International show)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- The Licensing 2005 International show will feature an enhanced Art and Design Licensing Gallery with a redesigned section that includes additional exhibition space, an art lounge and a cafe as well as a newly formed Art and Design...

Pratt falls from FIT, retiring.(People Today)(Christine Pratt of Fashion Institute of Technology's Home Products Development)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- Christine Pratt, chair of the Fashion Institute of Technology's Home Products Development program, is retiring from the post at the end of the spring semester. She has been at FIT 31 years and chaired Home Products Development...

Van Horn new CIO at Jo-Ann.(People Today)(Gertrude Van Horn appointed at Jo-Ann Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... HUDSON, OHIO -- Jo-Ann Stores has appointed Gertrude Van Horn to senior vice president, chief information officer. Van Horn has more than 25 years of experience in the field of information technology management. Prior to joining...

ATC promotes Ruttenberg, Guidry; former sales director to take on national accounts.(People Today)(Blake Ruttenberg and Michael Guidry at American Textile Co.)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... DUQUESNE, PA. -- The American Textile Company has promoted Blake Ruttenberg to the position of vice president of national accounts reporting to Paul Stark, vice president of sales. Ruttenberg joined the company in 1994 as assistant national...

LNT beats the Street.(Business Today)(financial reports of Linens 'n Things Inc.)
February 7, 2005... CLIFTON, N.J. -- Breezing past Wall Street expectations, Linens 'n Things reported a fourth-quarter profit, before a one-time accounting charge, of $47 million, modestly ahead of a year-before profit of $46 million. Pinched by the $2...

January sales miss target.(Same-store sales)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- Cooled by winter storms, same-store retail sales grew 2.4 percent during the fourth and final week of January, behind the 2.8 percent growth put up the prior week, and growth of more than 3 percent during the first weeks of the...

Manufacturing slows.(Business Today)(price indexes)
February 7, 2005... TEMPE, ARIZ -- Cooling down modestly from its pace of the past several months, the U.S. manufacturing sector continued to grow, but at a somewhat slower pace than during December, and missing a Wall Street target. In a widely watched...

Discounters deliver on same-store sales.(Business)
February 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- With winter storms shutting stores in some regions of the country, and with post-holiday clearance markdowns chipping away at the top line, January same-store sales were a mixed bag for key retailers, with off-pricers and...

Wall Street watch: for the week ended February 3, 2005.(Business)(Illustration)
February 7, 2005... WALL STREET WATCH FOR THE WEEK ENDED FEBRUARY 3, 2005 MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS CLOSE % CHG % CHG VOLUME COMPANY 2/3/05 THIS WEEK YEAR-TO-DATE (100S) ...

All together now.(Opinion Today)(home textile industry forecasts)(Column)
February 7, 2005... TAKE FOURPIECES of paper and a fat, black felt marker. On each piece of paper write one of the following words: Innovation. Consolidation. Freshness. GMROI. Now, tack them up on the bulletin board. These words are going to dominate 2005....

Standing out.(Opinion Today)(home furnishings market)(Brief Article)(Column)
February 7, 2005... THE BUZZWORD in retailing sectors today is "differentiation." But when one looks around, the key question is what do these folks see as their perceived differences from one another. One of the current poster products seems to be an...

Home Depot advertising gets creative.(News)
February 7, 2005... ATLANTA -- The Home Depot and Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) have entered into a strategic alliance to develop programming that highlights The Home Depot's products and services in Burnett-produced television programming. The agreement is a...

Executive Women to talk quota.(News)(Executive Women in Home Textiles conferences)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- Executive Women in Home Textiles' next breakfast, to be held on April 10, will feature a panel discussion on the issues accompanying the elimination of quota. Panelists for the session, entitled "100 days after Quota...

HFPA wants industry opinion.(News)(Home Fashions Product Association)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... NEW YORK -- The Home Fashions Product Association is soliciting opinions from members of the industry concerning market week timing and frequency. To help determine the course of action concerning market weeks, HFPA has developed a survey...

Lowe's starts share repurchase program.(News)(Lowe's Companies Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 7, 2005... MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- The board of directors of Lowe's Companies, Inc. has approved a share repurchase program of up to $1 billion. The program is intended to be implemented through purchases made from time to time in either the open market...

Springs to shutter two plants: closings to result in loss of 580 jobs.(Springs Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... FORT MILL, S.C. -- Bowing to global import pressures, Springs Industries Inc. said it will shutter two towel plants it acquired in 1995 when it bought out Dundee Mfg., with a loss of about 580 jobs. The company said it will close a towel...

London Fog/Homestead ready to do it all.
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- A little more than three months after home textiles supplier Homestead merged into London Fog Industries, the combined company is presenting itself as a platform for the development of product--almost any soft lines product. ...

Bedclothes flammability a burning issue: time dwindling for industry input.(textile flameproofing standards)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Home textiles suppliers and retailers have until March 14 to file comments that can help shape upcoming federal standards for open flame ignition of bedclothes. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued an Advance Notice of...

Filling the Pillowtex void.(blanket suppliers flourish)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- When textiles giant Pillowtex Corp. rolled over and finally expired, the effects were felt throughout the industry, perhaps most keenly in smaller, more sensitive product categories such as blankets. In that business, the Pillowtex...

Sears launching Sears Essentials.(Sears, Roebuck and Co.'s newest off-mall format)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Sears, Roebuck and Co. is launching its newest off-mall format--Sears Essentials, which will offer products such as appliances, lawn and garden, tools, electronics, apparel, and home fashions. This new mid-sized store format is a result of...

Garden Ridge files reorg plan.(bankruptcy reorganization)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Garden Ridge has filed a plan of reorganization with the Untied States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware that calls for a $25 million equity infusion to be made on the plan's effective date. The equity would come from...

nicole by Nicole Miller comes to JCP.(J.C. Penney Company Inc. adds new apparel line)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... In another retailer-exclusive alliance, JC Penney has added a new Nicole Miller apparel line--nicole by Nicole Miller. The retailer has yet to release details on the all-apparel line. Nicole Miller Home is currently exclusive to Bed Bath &...

HFPA wants your opinion.(News)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- The Home Fashions Product Association is soliciting opinions from members of the industry concerning timing and frequency of the semiannual New York Home Textiles Market. To help determine the course of action concerning market...

Shakley steps down at Glenoit: no successor named as Leonard takes over reports.(Mark Shakley, Glenoit Consumer Products)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Industry veteran Mark Shakley has stepped down as president of Glenoit Consumer Products less than a year after joining the company. His exit follows the consolidation of most of the company's functions, including its sales team and...

Sigrid Olsen and W-C team up for textiles line.(W.C. Designs)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- What began more than 20 years ago as a hand-painted potholder, today has evolved into a full, upscale line of textural and creamy colored home textiles for the bedroom, bathroom and dining room by artist and designer Sigrid Olsen....

Royal Velvet lines revealed.(new bedding line)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Royal Velvet's owner and licensees pulled back the curtain last week on the brand's inaugural bedding line and step-up bath program. Consumer research shows that Royal Velvet still has high name-recognition, according to Rick...

Dan River to debut Aviva Stanoff: Asian-inspired minimalist looks set for April market.
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Dan River is launching a new designer brand, Aviva Stanoff, that will debut Asian-inspired minimalist looks at the April New York Home Textiles Market. The new program is about simplicity with an eye on texture and muted color...

Nautica and Crown Crafts unveil juvenile line.(new juvenile bedding collection)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Nautica unveiled its new juvenile bedding collection with Crown Crafts at MiniMarket featuring six bright patterns geared toward four to eight year olds' first bedroom sets. Three girl and three boy beds were featured in...

Home Source rolls out more solutions sheets.(Home Source International)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Home Source International has launched five more solutions-based sheets designed to address consumer problems. The Solutions II line will debut at the April New York Home Textiles Market, but the company offered retailers a glimpse...

Mini-Market roundup: annual event shows off holiday, back-to-school offerings.(home furnishings' exhibition)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- It was holiday time in New York last week, as suppliers showcased their harvest and holiday wares at Mini-Market. Here are some highlights of the week's news. ANCHOR HOME is expanding its solid color kitchen textiles program...

Traywick starting design firm: former Chateau exec to focus on higher-end retailers.(Saundra Lee Traywick opens design company Open Door Designs)(Chateau Home Furnishings)
February 14, 2005... MIDWEST CITY, OKLA. -- Saundra Lee Traywick, formerly vice president and head of the design department at Chateau Home Furnishings, officially started her own design company on Feb. 6. Traywick, whose last day at Chateau was Jan. 7, said...

Executive shake-up at Ross: Peters resigns from company, board of directors.(Ross Stores Inc. appoints vice presidents)(James Peters)
February 14, 2005... PLEASANTON, CALIF. -- In the midst of a structural realignment that includes seven promotions at Ross Stores, Inc., James Peters, who had served as president and chief operating officer since 2000, has resigned from the company and board of...

Nourison picks McCole for new role.(Terri McCole gets appointed as account executive)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... SADDLE BROOK, N.J. -- Nourison has appointed Terri McCole to the newly created position of account executive for South and Central New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Prior to her association with Nourison, McCole served as...

Thro, Pem expand in 230.(Thro Ltd. and Pem Americam, 230 Fifth Ave)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Thro, Ltd. and Pem America have both expanded their existing spaces in 230 Fifth Ave. Thro has tripled its space on the 16th floor (space 1612), while Pem America has taken an additional 2500 square feet on the second floor....

Crown Crafts cutting costs.
February 14, 2005... GONZALES, LA. -- Helped by continued aggressive cost-cutting, which offset modestly thinning margins, third fiscal quarter earnings at Crown Crafts Inc. climbed 24.4 percent, to $918,000 from $738,000 during the same period a year ago. ...

Same-store sales on target.(Johnson Redbook Index)(retail trade)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- Still working off winter goods on the markdown tables, American retailers reported same-store sales improved 2.3 percent during the first week of February, on track with plan, the Johnson Redbook Index reported. Same-store...

Coming Kmart/Sears entity gets junked.(forecast of the merger of Kmart Holding Corp. and Sears, Roebuck and Co.)
February 14, 2005... NEW YORK -- The impending marriage of Kmart and Sears has met with some skepticism from the Big Three corporate credit rating agencies, each of which has assigned junk-bond status to the combined company once the deal goes through, possibly by...

Profits plummet at May Stores.(Business Today)
February 14, 2005... ST. Louis -- Hurt by a punishing trifecta of weakening same-store sales, eroding margins and higher costs, and further nicked by store closing costs, fourth quarter profits at May Department Stores Co. tumbled 16.8 percent, falling to $626...

Housing numbers inconsistent.(housing prices and sales)
February 14, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Home sales remained choppy and inconsistent for a third straight month during December, with the three key components of the broad U.S. housing market heading in different directions. The biggest slice of the housing pie,...

Interest in housing to stay.(mortgages)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Gradually rising interest rates are expected to have a moderate cooling effect on home sales going forward, but not enough to trigger a bursting housing bubble or depress housing prices, the mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)...

Wall Street watch: for the week ended February 10, 2005.(stock price indexes)(Illustration)
February 14, 2005... WALL STREET WATCH FOR THE WEEK ENDED FEBRUARY 10, 2005 MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS CLOSE % CHG COMPANY 2/10/05 THIS WEEK Cone...

Get out the vote: "In the absence of strong response from the suppliers community, one can assume the committee's recommendations will be brought forward.".(New York Home Textiles Show)
February 14, 2005... A COUPLE OF European shows did it last year. Showtime is doing it later this year. And now the home textiles industry is being offered an opportunity to do it too. After cons of grumbling that the dates for the New York Home Textiles...

Time to wake up.(Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates textile flameproofing)
February 14, 2005... WELL, IT WAS A GOOD FEELING not to be almost alone at the update workshop on what's happening vis-a-vis flammability regs last week. Looking back a year it was yours truly, another journalist and perhaps half a dozen...

Interior Lifestyle USA Vegas bound.(News)
February 14, 2005... LAS VEGAS -- Messe Frankfurt, Inc., the American arm of Frankfurt, Germany-based Messe Frankfurt, will produce a new trade event--Interior Lifestyle USA--as part of a strategic alliance with World Market Center here. The event, to be held...

Editor's notes.
February 14, 2005... With Toy Fair here this month, the pages of Kids Today always have a bit more color. Our Show Biz section features a look at the newest introductions in the world of infant toys, and this year, as in years past, the pages have a cheerful feel...

Dorel takes over top spot in gear revenues: top three manufacturers stay ahead of the pack.(Dorel Juvenile Group)(Industry Overview)
February 14, 2005... While numerous producers compete within the infant gear market, only three--Dorel, Graco and Evenflo--own the lion's share. The top three together sold an estimated $700 million to $850 million worth of carseats, strollers, high chairs,...

Aurora World to manufacture licensed Pink Panther products.(for MGM Studios Inc.'s movie The Pink Panther)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Sico Rivera, Calif. -- Toy and gift manufacturer Aurora World has signed a deal with MGM Studios to produce a line of licensed products based on the upcoming feature film "The Pink Panther." The line is composed of poseable plush Pink...

Lexington, O'Sullivan produce NASCAR line.(Lexington Home Brands Inc. partners with O'Sullivan Industries Inc.)(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
February 14, 2005... Lexington, N.C. -- Lexington Home Brands and O'Sullivan have teamed up to create a NASCAR youth RTA group. Three youth pieces currently are being tested with consumers at some Wal-Mart locations, said Jim Myers, Lexington vice president of...

Globe joins WB group.(Brad Globe, Warner Bros. Consumer Products)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Burbank, Calif. -- Warner Bros. Consumer Products has named Brad Globe executive vice president and general manager. Globe will report to Warner Bros. Consumer Products President Dan Romanelli and will be responsible for the day-to-day...

Goebel to make line of licensed Crayola decor.(Goebel of North America contracts with Binney and Smith Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Pennington, N.J. -- Goebel of North America has signed a deal to create a line of products based on Binney & Smith's Crayola brand. The collection will consist of a colorful mix of gifts, collectibles and functional children's home decor...

It's Happy Bunny baby line launches at Hot Topic.(children's clothing)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... New York -- The popular Jim Benton property It's Happy Bunny now has some very young fans. Baby It's Happy Bunny launched exclusively at teen specialty store Hot Topic during the holiday season, according to global licensing agency CopCorp...

Karen Neuburger to expand sleepwear offerings.(partners with Apparel Depot)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... San Rafael, Calif. -- Lifestyle brand Karen Neuburger has partnered with Apparel Depot to expand its line of infant and children's sleepwear. Karen Neuburger's collection with Apparel Depot, a manufacturer of children's sleepwear, will...

Joester Loria to handle licensing for Genius brands.(Joester Loria Group)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... San Diego, Calif. -- Genius Products has retained the Joester Loria Group as the licensing agency for its Baby Genius and Kid Genius brands, and the agency will work with Genius Products to develop strategic marketing and merchandising...

Genius Products to release 'Jay Jay the Jet Plane' CDs.(signs licensing deal with PorchLight Entertainment)(compact disc)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... San Diego -- Genius Products has signed a licensing agreement with PorchLight Entertainment to develop music CDs based on the television show "Jay Jay the Jet Plane." The line of CDs will feature songs from the PBS Kids animated television...

Wayans create Thugaboo property.(Children's video)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Los Angeles -- Actors and comedians Shawn, Marlon and Keenen Ivory Wayans have announced plans to launch their first children's property, Thugaboo. Thugaboo is a character-based property that takes a humorous look at the lives of children...

ShoPro, VIZ to form new company.(ShoPro Entertainment)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... San Francisco -- Two North American-based companies specializing in Japanese content, ShoPro Entertainment and VIZ, plan to merge this spring to create a new, still unnamed entertainment company based here. The two companies have...

The First Years launches Sesame Beginnings products.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Avon, Mass. -- Juvenile products manufacturer The First Years has launched a new line of licensed feeding and soothing products under the Sesame Beginnings brand, a division of Sesame Workshop. The new products feature baby versions of...

Tupelo Kids area to debut at spring furniture show: market follows recent trend of placing multiple juvenile exhibitors in one location.
February 14, 2005... Tupelo, Miss. -- It seems hat everywhere you turn, youth furniture is being taken more and more seriously, and Tupelo is no exception. This month's spring Tupelo Furniture Market marks the beginning of Tupelo Kids--a grouping of 11 youth...

Corsican partners with Pine Cone Hill.(to create a line of paint colors)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2005... Atlanta -- High-end crib and bed manufacturer Corsican has joined with textile manufacturer Pine Cone Hill to create a line of paint colors for its iron beds that coordinate with Pine Cone Hill's linens for both adult and youth, The collection,...

Delta buys Simmons furniture collection, plans new division: manufacturer: brand will bring 'innovation and versatility' to market.(Delta Enterprises Corp., Simmons Juvenile Products Company Inc.)
February 14, 2005... New York -- Juvenile products manufacturer Delta Enterprise has acquired the major furniture line assets of Simmons Juvenile Co. for an undisclosed amount. Delta plans to incorporate the Simmons name into its line as a new division, and...

Gund speaks new language.(for hispanic market)
February 14, 2005... Edison, N.J. -- In an effort to appeal to the growing Hispanic market, plush manufacturer Gund is introducing social expression and babyGund plush with messages in Spanish. The new collection , called Gund En Espanol, will be available for...