Home Textiles Today articles from February 2007

Home Textiles Today archives from February 2007

Buyers Flock to Las Vegas Market.
February 5, 2007... By Carole Sloan Las Vegas - Home textiles suppliers have voted a strong "yes" for their results at the Las Vegas furniture and home furnishings market at the World Market Center here last week. Retailers from a wide range of...

Diverse Buyers Attend New York Show, Fair.
February 5, 2007... By Staff New York - For some, it was their second or third trade show in a month. For others, teams were split between the East Coast and Las Vegas. But for all, the New York Home Textiles Show and the New York International Gift Fair...

Acquisitions Fuel GHCL Profit Gains.
February 5, 2007... By Don Hogsett New Delhi, India - Boosted by its rapidly growing international textile franchise - a mill-to-consumer operation that includes manufacturing in India, Dan River and Baker Linen in the United States, and the Rosebys retail...

New Challenges in Branding.(Industry overview)
February 5, 2007... By Brent Felgner New York - Brand building, acquisition, and tiering is hotter than ever in retail and consumer products - so much so they may be contributing to shorter life spans for some brands and perhaps diluting the value of all....

Christiansen Joins Lawrence Home Fashions.(Chris Christiansen appointed)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Montreal - Veteran home textiles executive Chris Christiansen has joined Lawrence Home Fashions here as executive vp of sales and marketing. Christiansen reports to president Gary Walfish, who commented, "We are very...

Kravet Debuts Floorcoverings Line.(Kravet new division)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Bethpage, N.Y. - Kravet has expanded its reach as a supplier of high end home furnishings to the designer market with the formation of its newest division, Kravet Floorcoverings. The company has named Nicholas Lomangino as...

Retail Briefs.
February 5, 2007... By Staff American Living: Polo for JCPenney Staff JCPenney plans the spring 2008 launch of American Living, a new brand exclusive from Polo Ralph Lauren, to be "the largest in JCPenney's history," the retailer said....

Revere Mills Marks Nine Decades.(Revere Mills Inc.)(Company overview)
February 5, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral Des Plaines, Ill. - Revere Mills International Group has "come a long way" since its early days selling general merchandise and laundry replacements to installment dealers. As Lori Kite Gideon retells the story...

Harmon Rebrands, Tweaks Mix.
February 5, 2007... By Brent Felgner Clifton, N.J. - Bed Bath & Beyond has opened Face Values, its first freestanding Harmon beauty aids store in more than a year, rebranding it in an apparent effort to deliver greater name recognition to consumers through...

Pillowtex Licenses Charisma to Soft-Tex.(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff New York - In its 230 Fifth Avenue showroom, Soft-Tex will be showing a range of Charisma-branded products, licensed by Official Pillowtex, during February Market Week here, with availability for fall shipments. Soft-Tex...

Pine Cone Hill Expands Home Base.
February 5, 2007... By Staff Pittsfield, Mass. - Pine Cone Hill is moving into a new 250,000-square-foot facility in its Massachusetts hometown. The campus includes three new warehouses. In addition, the company is in the process of renovating a defunct...

Hunter Douglas Wins Good Design Award.(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Upper Saddle River, N.J. - Custom window fashions manufacturer Hunter Douglas has earned the prestigious Good Design Award for its Designer Screen Shades collection. Hosted by the Chicago Athenaeum and founded in 1950 by...

Nano-Tex Growing Home Textiles Lines.(Nano-Tex L.L.C.)(Company overview)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Emeryville, Calif. - Nano-Tex is moving aggressively into the home textiles world, targeting both suppliers and retail product development teams. Nano-Tex designs and engineers molecules to assemble on a fabric surface and...

Sunbrella in Tommy Bahama Fabric Line.(Company overview)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Glen Raven, N.C. - The Tommy Bahama lifestyle brand is now being translated in a collection of fabrics that includes Sunbrella brand performance fabrics. Distributed through Silver State, a decorative distributor based in...

TJX President Meyrowitz Adds CEO Title.(TJX Companies Inc. appoints Carol Meyrowitz )(chief executive officer)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Framingham, Mass. - Off-price leader The TJX Companies has named Carol Meyrowitz ceo, effective Jan. 28. Meyrowitz will continue as president, a post she has held since October 2005, and as a member of the board of directors....

TXJ Vet is New Pier 1 Chief.(TJX Companies Inc.)(Alex Smith appointed at Pier 1 Imports Inc.)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Fort Worth, Texas - Embattled Pier 1 Imports announced last week that Alex Smith will join the company as chairman and ceo, effective Feb. 19. He will succeed Marvin Girouard, who had previously announced he would retire once a...

Columbia Home in Revman Debut.(Revman International)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff New York - At the upcoming New York Home Fashions Market, Revman International will introduce the Columbia Home bed and bath collection, based on a lifestyle license with Portland, Ore.-based rugged outdoors brand Columbia...

EPA Lauds Kohl's for Green Power Buying.(Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Menomonee Falls, Wis. - Kohl's has made it onto the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) list of Top 10 Retail Partners in the Green Power Partnership. Debuting on the list in the fifth position, Kohl's is being...

Hall of Fame to Salute Target Execs.
February 5, 2007... By Staff Washington - The Retail Advertising and Marketing Association has selected two Target executives to be inducted into the Retail Advertising Hall of Fame: Minda Gralnek, and Eric Erickson. They each hold the title of vp and...

Invista Softens Bath Rug Fibers.(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Atlanta - Invista has introduced Comforel Two Point 99 fiber to their line of bath rugs that marries softness with vivid color. Ana Torrence, vp, home and hospitality, said, "Our research shows that consumers consistently...

Nano-Tex Growing Home Textiles Lines.(Caldeira USA )(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Expanded Staff Readies Design Offerings for U.S. Retailers New York - The recently appointed team of industry veterans at Caldeira USA is preparing for buyers' visits to the division's new showroom here during February Home...

Big Changes at Sander Sales.(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Edison, N.J. - Sander Sales is in expansion mode, adding people, showroom space, a new product category, and an off-shore office in China. The 27-year-old company recently expanded its New York showroom at 230 Fifth Avenue,...

Textiles Show's Best Product Winners.(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff New York - Home fashion industry editors selected the winners of the Winter 2007 Best New Product Awards at the New York Home Textiles Show, from products that were displayed by exhibitors at the Metropolitan Pavilion here. ...

Kassatex Expands Eco-Friendly Line.(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral New York - After proving successful at the soft launch last August, bath towel, rug and robe manufacturer Kassatex is moving forward with its first organic and eco-friendly collection, Organika by Kassatex. ...

Shaw Living Bows Kathy Ireland Youth Rugs.(Company overview)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Las Vegas - The Kathy Ireland Home brand has added youth rugs to its mix with the introduction of The Young Attitude collection from Shaw Living, which features five designs that coordinate completely with five top-of-bed...

Westgate Interiors to Aid Katrina Families.(Company overview)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Grand Prairie, Texas - Westgate Interiors will donate 5% of all sales from its new French Quarter collection to relief efforts in the City of New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf Coast area, the company said. Westgate...

American Century in New NYC Showroom.(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Salisbury, N.C. - American Century Home Fabrics will launch its first showroom in New York, showcasing its decorative bedding and decorative fabric collections. The showroom at 7 West 34 Street will open for the New York Home...

Anna's Linens Hires Smith.(Sheri Smith appointed)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Costa Mesa, Calif. - Anna's Linens has appointed Sheri Smith to senior buyer of decorative accessories, tabletop, kitchen, area rugs and slipcovers, effective Feb. 1. Smith comes to Anna's Linens with an extensive home...

Dorma London Taps Walker.(Robert Walker appointed)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff London - Robert Walker has been named managing director of bedding supplier Dorma London. Walker, who has been general manager, Dorma Brands, succeeds Myron Mann, who will continue as a consultant to the company and return...

Faribault Taps Kambak.(Jeffrey Kambak appointed at Faribault Mills )(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff New Sales Energy for U.S. Supplier Faribault, Minn. - Jeffrey Kambak has joined Faribault Mills as vp/national sales manager, a new position. He is based at his office in Dallas, and reports to Michael Harris, chairman,...

People Briefs.(appointments)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Geise Joins Veratex Staff Liz Geise has joined Veratex as sales representative and will cover the Northeast retailers for the company's bed, bath, window and rug divisions. A 23-year industry veteran, she...

Priva Spins Off Bargoose Home Textiles.(Priva Inc., acquired with Bargoose Home Textiles Inc. )(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Lynbrook, N.Y. - Priva USA, formerly a division of Montreal-based Priva Inc., has been taken private and will now be doing business as Bargoose Home Textiles Inc. As Bargoose, the company will continue to supply protective...

Wulfing Promotes Kolker.
February 5, 2007... By Staff Borken, Germany - Josef Kolker has been promoted to co-managing director of Wilh. Wulfing here. Kolker, who was sales and marketing director, is responsible for those areas while Johannes Dovoe now is co-managing director...

Players Scorecard.
February 5, 2007... By Staff Appointments and personnel changes since August Market (through January 31, 2007) Date following entry indicates the issue of HTT or HTT Extrain which the entry appeared. Adams, Roger Promoted to svp and chief...

China Event to Promote Luxury Goods.
February 5, 2007... By Staff Ningbo, China - High quality consumer goods for the Chinese market, such as home textiles, electronics, office, sports and leisure goods, food and beverages, decorations and gifts will be on display at the sixth China...

Financo Goes West.(Financo Inc. opens new office and appoints Steven Reiner as managing director)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Brent Felgner New York - Private investment bank Financo, which specializes in the retail and consumer sectors, has opened an office in Beverly Hills, Calif., and named former CIBC World Markets executive Steven Reiner managing...

Senior Execs Rise at TJX.(Ernie Herrman, Paul Sweetenham, Jerome Rossi, Richard Sherr, Nan Stutz, Celia Clancy, Ann McCauley promoted at TJX Companies Inc.)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... By Staff Framingham, Mass. - Off-price retailer The TJX Companies has made a series of promotions across its senior management team, in the immediate aftermath of the elevation of president Carol Meyrowitz to president and ceo (see...

Consumers Show Muted Optimism.(Country overview)
February 5, 2007... By Don Hogsett New York - Helped by an improving job market, consumer confidence rose, if only slightly, for a second straight month in January, ticking up by 0.3% to a reading of 110.3 from 110.0 in December, The Conference Board...

January Comps Nearly on Target.(Brief article)(Statistical data)
February 5, 2007... By Staff New York - Same-store retail sales held relatively steady during the fourth week of January, rising by 2.7%, off slightly from the 2.8% pace the prior week as customer interest started moving away from clearance sales to...

Don't Get A Big Head.(Event overview)
February 5, 2007... By Carole Sloan Well, it looks like there yet is another venue for the home textiles business - the World Market Center in Las Vegas. The event, having just completed its fourth edition, now is home to an increasing number of home...

Fresh Optimism On Tap.
February 5, 2007... By Jennifer Marks Is the worm beginning to turn? I hosted a panel discussion last week at the New York Home Textiles Show. The topic was globalization - but it led to a conversation on the future of the industry. I was pleasantly...

Building the Global Platform.
February 10, 2007... By Brent Felgner Suppliers Adapt to Changing Marketplace New York -- Home textiles companies, both domestic and international, are adopting a broad range of strategies and business models in a continuing effort to "get it right" --...

Mancini Debuts for Westgate.
February 10, 2007... By Carole Sloan New York -- The debut bedding collection by Wesley Mancini for Westgate Home brings to the market an expanded range of fabrics, as well as trims and embellishments. Mancini, who has had a notable career creating...

Veratex Teams with Jennifer Gucci.
February 10, 2007... By Carole Sloan Panorama City, Calif. -- Jennifer Gucci, a former member of the Gucci family renowned for their leather goods and accessories, has signed a licensing agreement with Veratex to produce a home furnishings collection. ...

Trade Link to Launch Salon de Textile.(Brief article)
February 10, 2007... By Carole Sloan Brussels, Belgium -- The Trade Link Co. will launch Salon de Textile in Brussels from Sept. 7 to 10 at Tour and Taxis. "The show will have a strict entry policy for its exhibitors in both the ready-made home textiles...

Court of Versailles Fetes 25 Years.(Brief article)
February 10, 2007... By Staff New York -- The Court of Versailles luxury brand this year celebrates its 25th anniversary with the introduction of a limited edition duvet, Aviary, during New York Home Fashions Week. "The Court of Versailles collection has...

Intellatex Licensing Underway.
February 10, 2007... By Staff Greensboro, N.C. -- Industry veteran Larry Queen has obtained the worldwide licensing rights for a process that infuses fabrics with a negative ion charge, thus thwarting a host of microscopic irritants and allergens. The...

Sleep Studio Debuts Zoned Mattress Pad.(Brief article)
February 10, 2007... By Staff New York -- Airflow is the key to the latest mattress pad innovation from Sleep Studio. Company co-founder and vp Chris Ann Ernst said the line comprises the "very first memory foam mattress pads to offer three different zones...

Crown Crafts to Liquidate Churchill Weavers.(Brief article)
February 10, 2007... By Staff Gonzales, La. -- Unable to cut a deal to sell its money-losing Churchill Weavers hand-woven throw business, Crown Crafts Inc. said it will close the century-old artisanal operation that has steadily lost ground in recent years...

Foamex Gains Reorg. Approval.(Foamex International Inc.)(Brief article)
February 10, 2007... By Staff Linwood, Pa. -- The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has confirmed the Second Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization for cushioning supplier Foamex International, which is poised to emerge from...

Market Intros.
February 10, 2007... By Staff Bedding ARLEY CORPORATION New York (212) 686-0908 New this market, Arley will be offering a line of quilts consisting of prints in traditional florals as well as geometrics. Also in the collection are solids in...

What to Watch For.
February 10, 2007... By Jennifer Marks Here we go with another first. People have asked in recent weeks what we're hearing from the industry about holding a New York market week in February. Answer: aside from some worries about the weather, not much....

Watch for that Blank Stare.
February 10, 2007... By Carole Sloan On the eve of yet another in a close-together series of markets involving home textiles, it could well be the time to stop and reflect on what is happening in the world outside of the "big guns" -- the top 10 or 20...

Croscill Enriches Branded Presence.
February 13, 2007... By Staff 'It's in the Details' At the New York Market -- For Croscill, it's in the displays. The company is quietly testing a new in-store LCD fixture which runs a loop promoting an individual retailer's Croscill assortment. The...

Eileen West Returns Home.(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff At the New York Market -- Eileen West is returning to home textiles. The San Francisco-based designer of intimate apparel, dresses, and sportswear launched her first line of home textiles in the 1980s, first through...

JLA Introduces Broad New Programs.(JLA Home Fabrics line)(Candice Olson)
February 13, 2007... By Carole Sloan Launches Candice Olson Bedding At the New York Market -- JLA Home has come to market with new businesses, expanded programs in existing businesses, proprietary products, and a major launch of designer Candice Olson's...

Tommy Takes it Outdoors.(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Jennifer Marks Mountain, Forest, Ocean Inspire New Hilfiger Looks At the New York Market -- With the Tommy Hilfiger Group under new ownership intent on re-energizing the brand, Tommy Hilfiger Home this market has overhauled the...

Natori Celebrates 30 Years with Stylish Collections.
February 13, 2007... By Carole Sloan At the New York Market -- New opening price points for bedding, expanded offerings in quilts, decorative pillows and throws, and a new product launch - the steamer blanket - are key elements in the new Natori collection...

Revman: Retailers Trading Up.(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff At the New York Market -- Revman International is putting more buck into the bag. The company is showing four luxury beds this market in its Manor Hill bed ensembles collection. The sets are shown with either a 230 sateen...

Alexa Hampton Designs for Cannon.
February 13, 2007... By Carole Sloan New York -- Noted interior and home furnishings designer Alexa Hampton has created a bedding collection for the Cannon brand, which is produced under license by the recently acquired Li & Fung division Homestead. ...

Carpenter Debuts Visco Foam Overlays.(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff Richmond Va. -- Sleep product supplier Carpenter Co. is introducing three new Visco Foam overlays that provide what the company calls "the highest degree of comfort and airflow in the industry." Carpenter Labs has designed...

Dorma Coming to Market.(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff Manchester, England -- Dorma of London will again be showing at the New York Home Fashions Market here this week. The company will feature its Dorma collection as well as Dorma Boutique and Bed by Conran collections. The...

Janelle Goes Simply Elegant.(Janelle Jarous Lampp)(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff Smyrna, Ga. -- With a well established foothold already in the area and accent rug categories, designer Janelle Jarous Lampp is looking to expand her home textiles offerings with the addition of decorative pillow covers and...

JLA Home Buys Pet Bed Powerhouse.(acquisition of Flexi-Mat Corp.)(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff Acquisition of Flex-Mat Adds Midwestern Distribution Capability Plainfield, Ill. -- JLA Home, a division of E & E Co., has acquired Flexi-Mat Corporation, a design and manufacturer of pet bedding products sold through all...

Kohl's Adds Another License.(Kohl's Corporation )(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl's Corporation and Lagardere Active Media Licensing, a division of the company that publishes Elle magazine, announced a multi-year licensing agreement to develop an Elle-branded line of women's...

Alpha in Market Debut.(Alpha Home Fashions)(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff West Trenton, N.J. -- Alpha Home Fashions has taken temporary showroom #1606 at 230 Fifth Avenue for the February New York Home Fashions Market. Alpha is a new company started seven months ago by Elaine Pankowicz, the...

Mohawk Broadens Utility Rugs.(Mohawk Home)(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral Sugar Valley, Ga. -- Seeing new opportunities for utility rugs driven by a consumer demand for more fashion in this otherwise solid-colored category, Mohawk Home is more than doubling its new sku offerings this...

Morocco Exporters Eye U.S. Market.
February 13, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral Casablanca, Morocco -- Now that many companies here have established themselves as viable home textiles exporters to Europe and the Middle East, some upholstery fabric manufacturers based in the northwest African...

Homespice Updates Out-Durables.(Homespice Decor)(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff Tucker, Ga. -- Responding to the popularity of outdoor entertaining, Homespice Decor introduced its trademarked Out-Durable braided rugs in 2005. In response to continuing consumer requests, the firm now offers Out-Durable...

Springs Intros Court of Versailles Collections.(Springs Global US)
February 13, 2007... By Staff Bath Towels, Dec Pillows Augment Bedding At the New York Market -- Springs Global US has launched a line of decorative pillows for the Court of Versailles luxury brand and added a core luxury bath program. In addition, as...

Peking Handicraft Celebrates with Warren Kimble.(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff San Francisco -- Decorative pillow and rug producer Peking Handicraft is introducing new additions to its Warren Kimble Collection, licensed by the American "contemporary folk" artist. For many years, the firm has licensed...

Sears to Take Charge, Appeal Verdict.
February 13, 2007... By Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said it will appeal a Feb. 2 decision by a Dallas court requiring Sears to pay a group of institutional bondholders about $73.5 million in a case that stems from the retailer's 2004...

Sew-Rite Shows Six Jeffrey Fisher Ensembles.
February 13, 2007... By Staff At the New York Market -- Luxury textiles designer Jeffrey Fisher dresses the bedroom with cutting edge fashion and affordable chic in six complete contemporary bedding ensembles, fresh from Jeffrey Fisher Style, a new licensed...

GTT International has Fun with Freckles.(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff Riverside, Calif. -- Bedding supplier GTT International has acquired the license for Freckles, and is showing initial patterns and prototypes in their showroom at 230 Fifth Avenue during market week. Mindy Moss, Freckles...

Hallmark Kitchen Goods Created by Fallani and Cohn.(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Cecile B. Corrale First Grouping Includes Iconic Holiday-themed Textiles and Linens Tappan, N.Y. -- Fallani and Cohn has paired up with Hallmark to create collections of kitchen textiles and table linens, starting with an iconic...

Caldeira Leads with Velvet Collection.
February 13, 2007... By Staff At the New York Market -- A velvety palette of chocolate enhanced with persimmon, aqua, red, and pink already appeals to the tastes of British shoppers. And Caldeira USA Inc. is hoping what's good for the Brits is good for...

Park B. Smith Shows Eco-Leadership.
February 13, 2007... By Carole Sloan At the New York Market -- Building on its decade-long involvement in eco-friendly and organic home textiles products, Park B. Smith Co. is expanding those efforts into a broad spa program with new fibers and expanded...

Allure Brings on Beach.(Allure Home Creation)(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff At the New York Market -- Allure Home Creation, the country's largest supplier of bath accessories and shower curtains, has now added beach towels to its assortment. "Why do we need another beach towel player in our...

American Mills Showing Jane Seymour Home.(Jane Seymour Home Collection )(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff At the New York Market -- The Jane Seymour Home Collection is being showcased here this week at the American Mills showroom at 295 Fifth Avenue. The Jane Seymour Home Collection is a joint effort between the...

Stung by Stockholders, Eddie Bauer Exec Resigns.(Fabian Mansson resigned)(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff Redmond, Wash. -- Outdoor lifestyle brand Eddie Bauer announced the resignation of president, ceo and board member, Fabian Mansson one day after the proposed private buyout of the company failed to get a sufficient vote of...

Bon-Ton Director Exits Board for State Office.(resignation of Thomas Wolf )(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff York, Pa. -- Thomas Wolf has resigned from the board of directors of The Bon-Ton Stores as of Friday, Feb. 9, the company said. Wolf, who has been president of Wolf Organization Inc., a building materials manufacturer and...

Kelly Hoppen's KHHome Debuts from Homestead.(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff At the New York Market --Homestead, a unit of Li & Fung, is introducing the KHHome collection, a derivative collection of British designer Kelly Hoppen's trademark luxury home furnishings. KHHome has been designed for...

Maples Intros Plushest Bath Rugs.(Maples Industries )(Brief article)
February 13, 2007... By Staff At the New York Market -- Maples Industries is introducing its softest and plushest bath rug collection yet, with the addition of the Royal Velvet "Big & Soft" collection. This exclusive line is made using the latest...

Curtain Show Set.
February 13, 2007... By Staff Taunton, Mass. -- The 2007 New England Curtain Show will take place March 31 - April 2 at the Holiday Inn in Taunton, Mass., located at 700 Myles Standish Blvd. at exit 6 off Route 495. This will be the show's second year at...