Home Textiles Today articles from February 2008

Home Textiles Today archives from February 2008

GHCL Home Textiles Sales Rise, Profits Down.(Financial report)
February 4, 2008... By Staff Nine-Month Sales up 100% from Last Year Mumbai, India - Diversified manufacturer GHCL Limited has roughly doubled its year-ago home textiles volume, even as operating profits constrict, as the company outlined in its...

Marketing Key for Iconix Brands.
February 4, 2008... By Carole Sloan New York - Building brands through marketing is crucial, and is the foundation for Iconix Brand Group, the new owners of four iconic home furnishings brands. "And we see home furnishings and international - especially...

Regional Impact Grows in Las Vegas.
February 4, 2008... By Carole Sloan Las Vegas - Despite attendance that was less than expected and apparent abbreviated stays by retailers, many home textiles exhibitors at the Las Vegas Market and related exhibitions here last week were relatively pleased...

Sferra Debuts Giza 45.
February 4, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Superfine Egyptian Line for Bed Linens New York - Sferra Brothers is upping the ante on luxury Egyptian cotton constructions with the introduction of Sferra Giza 45, which is constructed of the finest - and rarest -...

Moodroom to Give Designers Modular Launch Pad.(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff Montreal - A 15,000-square-foot industrial building here will soon house Moodroom, a contemporary "launch pad" for up-and-coming home furnishing designers and brands, in the form of a shop-in-shop retail store and design resource...

Oriental Weavers USA Adds Underlays.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Dalton, Ga. - Area rug resource Oriental Weavers USA will expand its product offering by adding area rug underlays, seeking to provide its retailers rug padding in an assortment of sizes, shapes and price points. Mike Riley,...

JCPenney to Unify Direct and Store Groups.(JCPenney Company Inc.)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff Plano, Texas - JCPenney will reorganize its buying, merchandising and marketing units to integrate its retail and direct (print catalog and internet) organizations. The company late last week announced the move internally, but...

Retail Briefs.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Executive Dominoes at eBay Staff Checking out of her post as president and ceo of online auction giant eBay Inc. is Meg Whitman and checking in to replace her is John Donahoe, promoted from his post as president of eBay...

Mike Ullman Honored by FIT.
February 4, 2008... By Staff New York - JCPenney chairman and ceo Mike Ullman was feted last week at the Fashion Institute of Technology Annual Gala in recognition of his leadership in the retail industry as well as his humanitarian pursuits. The event was...

Trendex Adds China Stores.
February 4, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral St-Laurent, Quebec - Trendex Home Designs, which produces goods that it distributes in the U.S., Europe, Central and South America and Australia, has been quiet over the past four years about its new retail initiative....

Crypton Protectors to Bed Bath & Beyond.
February 4, 2008... By Staff West Bloomfield, Mich. - Mattress and pillow protectors made with Crypton brand anti-allergenic fabric are headed to a test at 35 or more Bed Bath & Beyond locations. Originally developed for the hospitality industry, the...

Home Textiles Targeted by WMC.(World Market Center)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff Las Vegas - Catering to the home textiles industry is high on the agenda as the World Market Center here announced city approval of its plans for Building D, a 1.1 million-square-foot showroom and exhibition facility set for...

Maricich to Helm World Market Center.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Las Vegas - The principals of World Market Center Las Vegas have named furniture industry veteran Bob Maricich president and ceo. Maricich, who has spent the past 11 years with Hickory, N.C.-based Century Furniture Industries,...

Lewis Out, Sears Mulls Restoration Bid.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Six days after announcing a streamlined managerial structure, Sears Holdings Corp. said good-bye to president and ceo Aylwin Lewis, who was to step down Feb. 2, the final day of its fiscal year. As a...

Wal-Mart Taps First Solar Electric Stores.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Bentonville, Ark. - With the installation of a 390-kilowatt solar power system at its Chino, Calif. Sam's Club, and a 283-kilowatt system at the Honolulu Sam's on Keeaumoku Street, Wal-Mart Stores has completed the first pair of...

Eiseman Delivers Color Forecast.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Pantone Director Speaks at Vegas Market Las Vegas - Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone, Inc. previewed what she called one of the most directional furniture palettes in the ever-evolving home furnishings design...

Jessica McClintock Gets Romantic.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Pacific Coast Feather Adds Collections City of Commerce, Calif. -Designer Jessica McClintock will appear at the Pacific Coast Home showroom at 261 Fifth Avenue during New York Home Fashions Market to present the latest...

Suppliers Select 7W Showrooms.(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff New York - The showroom building 7 W New York announced a slate of new permanent home textiles showrooms, as well as temporaries taking up residence for the winter show season. New permanent suites include: Cloud 9 Design...

United Feather & Down Wins Product Honors.(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff Consumers Digest Bestows "Best Buy" Award Des Plaines, Ill. - Several United Feather & Down products were awarded "Best Buy" status in the February issue of Consumers Digest, which bases the citations on products that deliver...

Carpenter Co. Lauded for Innovation, Value.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Richmond, Va. - Leading comfort cushioning manufacturer Carpenter Co. has announced what it calls "the widest introduction of bio-based foam and fiber products in the industry." The company will showcase its newest...

Cotton Campaign to China Consumers Wins Award.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Hong Kong - Taking top honors for Promotional Activity of the Year at the Asia Pacific P.R. Awards was "Cotton-Beyond Your Imagination" by p. r. firm Fleishman-Hillard China, conducted for Cotton Incorporated and Cotton Council...

Domay Debuts Art Licenses.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Montreal - Diversified home textiles producer Domay Inc. has entered licensing agreements with a roster of publishers and popular artists, for which the company said kitchen textiles products will be ready to ship to retail by...

IFDA Offers Trend Breakfast.(International Furnishings and Design Association)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff New York - The New York Chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association will host a breakfast presentation Feb. 13 during New York Home Fashions Week to review trends from the Heimtextil and Maison & Objet...

Skip Hop Debuts Infant Bedding.(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff New York - Infant and toddler product developer and supplier Skip Hop has introduced its first collection of baby bedding and room accessories; the line will be available at specialty stores nationwide starting in February. ...

Tom and John Return to Rugs.
February 4, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Cartersville, Ga. - After a three-year absence from the home textiles industry, former Lacey Mills partial owners Tom Etheridge and John Hale are back in the rug business. "The team is back," Hale told HTT . ...

Jacobs Debuts Silk Road Weaves.
February 4, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Boston - It is only natural that color, rather than pattern, is Barbara Jacobs' guide in creating her new line of rugs. Treating each piece as a "canvas," the color consultant and interior finishes specialist...

Welspun Readies Bath Rug Launch.
February 4, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral New York - The foray by Welspun USA into the uncharted category of bath rugs happens this month during the New York Home Fashions Market. This rapidly growing bath and bedding company is flexing its muscle to give...

Commonwealth Revamps Showroom, Debuts Style Concepts.(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff New York - Window treatment supplier Commonwealth Home Fashions has announced the opening of its newly redesigned Manhattan showroom, created by the award-winning Philip Pearlman Design & Display firm of New York. The showroom is...

Indo Count Debuts Eco-Sheets.(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff Mumbai, India - With the 50% to 60% price premium on pure organic cotton products proving too rich for many retailers, Indo Count has created a line of Eco-Sheets intended to strike the balance between environmental consciousness...

NRF Bets on Second Half of 2008.
February 4, 2008... By Carole Sloan New York - The furniture and home furnishings segment of consumer products will face the biggest challenge in 2008, as a result of the negative impact on these businesses by the sluggish housing market, according to the...

American Textile Adds DuPont HMT to Aller-Ease.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Pittsburgh - Basic bedding supplier American Textile Company has bolstered its Aller-Ease line by utilizing DuPont Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT), which maintains the softness and cool breatheability of cotton, while providing a...

Casa Fiora in New High Point Showroom.
February 4, 2008... By Staff High Point, N.C. - Casa Fiora, a designer drapery source for interior designers and furniture retailers, has selected a new High Point showroom to showcase its drapery and related soft home furnishings collection. Located at...

Karastan Wins with Villa Veneto Rug.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Dalton, Ga. - Karastan is now a 12-time winner of the annual America's Magnificent Carpet Award held during the Atlanta International Area Rug Market. Karastan was honored as best overall in the power-loomed $1,000+ (retail)...

Amer. Pacific Names Co-CEOs.
February 4, 2008... By Staff San Francisco - The board of directors of diversified home textiles supplier American Pacific Enterprises announced that the position of ceo will be filled jointly by Kaela Forker and Jeremy Ozorio. The duo replaces Jack...

Elliott Bolsters Sales Team at Couristan.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Fort Lee, N.J. - Couristan is bolstering its sales management team with the appointment of industry veteran Ron Elliott to the newly created post of Western regional manager. Elliott comes to the 81-year-old rug and broadloom...

Loftex Hires Cloutier.(Cathy Cloutier has joined Loftex USA)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff New York - Cathy Cloutier has joined Loftex USA as director of retail merchandising; she will report to Jeff Kambak, evp of sales. Cloutier comes to Loftex from interior design firm Charlotte Moss, New York. She will be...

Turf Succeeds Segal at Crate & Barrel.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Northbrook, Ill. - Crate and Barrel president Barbara Turf will succeed co-founder and ceo Gordon Segal as the company's new chief executive, effective May 1. Turf has spent the majority of her career working with Segal on...

January Comps Crumbling.(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff New York - Comparable store retail sales headed toward a sluggish finale as most retailers' fiscal years wound down toward the finish on Saturday, Feb. 2, with comps up just 0.4% in the third week of January, slowing from a 0.7%...

Tuesday Morning Shifts to Green.
February 4, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Dallas - Coming off a difficult second quarter that resulted in falling sales and profits, upscale closeout retailer Tuesday Morning is avoiding further "seasonal and fashion jeopardy" going forward as it marks down...

Albany Int'l to Close Ala. Plant.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Albany, N.Y. - Diversified manufacturer Albany International, which among other product lines makes the PrimaLoft brand down alternative fill, will discontinue operations at its forming fabric plant in Montgomery, Ala., a result...

Consumer Confidence Turned Back.
February 4, 2008... By Staff New York - Consumer confidence, which showed some bounce in December, slipped back in January, The Conference Board reported. The Consumer Confidence Index now stands at 87.9 (1985=100), down from 90.6 in December. In related...

Cuddledown Hires Harrison.(Michelle Harrison has been hired as wholesale and hospitality manager at Cuddledown)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff Portland, Maine - Michelle Harrison has been hired as wholesale and hospitality manager at bedding manufacturer Cuddledown, a new position created in response to that division's recent expansion. Harrison, a 15-year veteran in...

Polymer Group Raises Prices on Resin and Fiber Goods.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Charlotte, N.C. - Resin and fiber-based materials producer Polymer Group (PGI) will increase prices due to continued increases in raw material costs, the company said. "In certain cases, input prices have increased more than...

Unifi Turns Toward Operating Profit.(Financial report)(Brief article)
February 4, 2008... By Staff Greensboro, N.C. - Polyester and nylon yarn producer Unifi showed a dramatically reduced year-to-year loss in its second quarter results, even in the face of increased raw material costs, as new management streamlined operations...

Wal-Mart Scores Vendors on Green Packaging.
February 4, 2008... By Staff Bentonville, Ark. - Aiming at reducing packaging material use by 5% by 2013, Wal-Mart Stores is rating its suppliers. A scorecard system has been in tests for a year; Wal-Mart said more than 97,000 products have been entered into...

Play Offense in 2008.
February 4, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Goodbye, January. And thanks for nothing. To recap: Scary Dow rollercoaster ride. Two rate cuts by the Fed. Consumer Confidence smacked down. Weekly retail sales anemic. Several retailers take their year-end...

Fight Monotony!
February 4, 2008... By Carole Sloan The occupants of this page seem to take turns bemoaning the blandness of much of the product in the home textiles world generally - and in bed and bath, especially. Beginning with the Heimtextil show last month and...

CHF Unleashes Green Gorilla.
February 12, 2008... By Staff At the New York Market - CHF Industries this week unveiled a new organic bedding line for kids and teens called Green Gorilla. Vice president Joan Karron pointed to market data supporting the launch: retail sales of organic...

Cotton Crunch in U.S.
February 12, 2008... By Jill Rowen India Yield Steadily Improves Cotton, the marketing favorite and a go-to fabric in home textiles, is beginning to strain under global supply and pricing pressures. The home furnishings industry uses about 28% of the...

'Croscill Cotton' Unveiled.(Brief article)
February 12, 2008... By Staff Diverse Styles On Tap At the New York Market - Croscill is highlighting a natural fibers story with the debut of Croscill Cotton, a 100% cotton, washable, duvet-driven program. "This will evolve into other natural fibers...

Hollander Further Commits to Green.
February 12, 2008... By Brent Felgner At the New York Market - Even in the best of times, adding value to basic bedding is always a bit difficult - after all, the obvious appeal of fashion is commonly overwhelmed by what seems like a sea of white. With home...

Homestead Takes Lifestyle Approach.(Brief article)
February 12, 2008... By Staff At the New York Market - Homestead is moving beyond textiles to present a total home scenario this week: an assortment of some 1,000 skus that includes tabletop, lamps, occasional furniture, decor pieces, storage, floor coverings...

London Fog Home to Launch.(PEM America)(Brief article)
February 12, 2008... By Staff At the New York Market - London Fog, a venerable outerwear apparel brand now part of the Iconix Brand Group family, is making its debut into the home furnishings market via licenses with Westgate and PEM America. Westgate...

Park B. Smith Offers Broad New Lines.
February 12, 2008... By Carole Sloan At the New York Market - Continuing its decade-plus involvement in eco-friendly products, Park B. Smith this market introduces a collection of recycled cotton bedding, quilt sets and decorative pillows, joining its...

Intellatex Bows Bright Bedding.
February 12, 2008... By Jennifer Marks At the New York Market - AQ Textiles is ready to roll with its Intellatex line, a program of negative-ionically charged bedding that neutralizes positively charged allergens generated by bed mites, pet dander, mold,...

Newport/Layton in Streamlining Push.(Company overview)(Brief article)
February 12, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Portland, Ore. - Less is more goes the saying, and it's true when referencing Newport/Layton Home Fashions' new headquarters and warehouse facility. The country's third largest decorative pillow company, with $20...

Dan River Offers Diverse Line.
February 12, 2008... By Staff At the New York Market - Dan River is emphasizing its range of product during the New York Home Fashions Market, particularly the better goods that can be produced from its mill operation in India. "This is not an opening...

Bardwil Bows Pearl Essence Bath.(Brief article)
February 12, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral New York - Bardwil Linens' upscale Lenox Bath division is dressed up in pearls this market. Its new Pearl Essence bath collection with genuine pearl fiber and Pima cotton blended products represents the company's...

Lacoste Home Adds Casual.
February 12, 2008... By Staff Home Line Features Bed, Bath and Beach New York - Casual, a range of textures, delicate wovens, fine gauge cottons, and details including ribbon appliques and embroideries, highlight a new lifestyle in the growing family of...

Westgate Adds Quaker, Flexes Muscle.(Company overview)
February 12, 2008... By Staff New York - Westgate has accelerated its pursuit of the global home furnishings market, buying the Brazilian assets of now-defunct Quaker Fabrics. The company is also upping investments in China. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court...

Players Scorecard.(Adler, Alessia,Alvarez, Jose,Anik, Ruby )( )
February 12, 2008... By Staff Appointments and personnel changes since August Market (through February 6, 2008) Date following entry indicates the issue of HTT or HTT Extra in which the entry appeared. Abell, Sam Named president, Courtney Davis,...

Players Scorecard.
February 12, 2008... By Staff The following list is arranged by company name, with individual entries listed alphabetically. Achim Importing * Mallow, Howie: Joined as evp-sales and marketing, 2/5/08 American Pacific * Forker, Kaela: Named...

Ellery Matelasses for Williamsburg.
February 12, 2008... By Staff At the New York Market -Williamsburg has announced a new licensing relationship under which Ellery will now produce the venerable William & Mary matelasse in five classic colors and three new colors, as well as two new...

Brentwood Celebrates 50 Years.
February 12, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral At the New York Market - Brentwood Originals has much to celebrate in 2008. This year marks the company's 50th anniversary, not just as a decorative pillow supplier, but by far the largest among its competitors in...

Famous Home Debuts Bedding.
February 12, 2008... By Staff At the New York Market - After 45 years of producing premier quality shower curtains and coordinated bathroom accessories, Montreal-based Famous Home Fashions is launching into fashion bedding. The company established a...

Maples Adds Printed Rug Power.
February 12, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Scottsboro, Ala. - A new Chromajet printer, equipped with high-definition improved resolution and dozens of new color options, is broadening the spectrum for Maples Rugs' printed rug assortment. The $270 million...

CHF Clarifies Fall River Plant Status.
February 12, 2008... By Staff New York - CHF Industries has issued notice that it will close the curtain manufacturing portion of its Fall River, Mass., plant by the end of March. The move affects about 90 employees. Another 100-plus people will remain on...

Sentiments Debuts at Market.(Brief article)
February 12, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Mother-Son Duo to Present Line City of Commerce, Calif. - In April 2006 mother-and-son duo Sherry Samani Dadbim and Ben Dadbim joined forces to create their own decorative pillow and table runner company, Sentiments...

Textile Product Winners Named at Javits.
February 12, 2008... By Staff New York - Shades of India was awarded "Best of Market" in the New York Home Textiles Market Week Best New Product Awards competition at the Jacob Javits Center. Awards also were presented in four product-specific categories...

Promotions, Retirements at Bon-Ton.
February 12, 2008... By Staff York, Pa. - Department store retailer The Bon-Ton Stores announced senior management changes including the retirement of John Gleason, svp corporate credit, and Colleen Golomski, svp human resources; effective dates are Feb. 16...

Skeet Ellis, Curtain Producer, Dies.(Ellis Inc., Curtain Manufacturers in North Plymouth )(Brief biography)
February 12, 2008... By Staff Plymouth, Mass. - Arthur Linwod "Skeet" Ellis III, age 77, the former owner/operator of A.L. Ellis Inc., Curtain Manufacturers in North Plymouth and Fall River, Mass. for nearly 50 years, passed away quietly on Jan.17 in Plymouth....

Gosselin Promoted at Famous Home Fashions.
February 12, 2008... By Staff Montreal - Famous Home Fashions Inc., producer of bath products, has promoted Chantal Gosselin to vp sales. She will oversee all sales to domestic and export markets, as well manage the in-house sales team, and sales agencies....

People Briefs.
February 12, 2008... By Staff Changes at Duckwall-ALCO Staff Rural discount merchandiser Duckwall-ALCO announced that James Schoenbeck, svp of real estate, is retiring after more than 32 years with the company. Phillip Hixon has been promoted to...

Fourth-generation Siegels take helm at Elrene Home.
February 12, 2008... By Staff New York - The fourth generation of the Siegel family is sitting at the head of the table now at Elrene Home Fashions. Mark Siegel, who devoted the past 41 years of his career to his family's table linens and kitchen textiles...

Winger, Former Owen Manager, Dies.
February 12, 2008... By Staff Flat Rock, N.C. - Industry veteran Stephen Winger died Jan. 24 at age 60 of cancer. Winger was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and studied with the Lacoste Institute in Paris, France. He began...

Market Intros.
February 12, 2008... By Staff Bedding Aussino USA New York (212) 213-8838 Four lines are featured. Eliza is a brilliantly colored floral bouquet, printed on 200 thread count cotton sateen with the golden yellow ground accented by shades of...

Hilasal Works its Bath Niche.(Brief article)
February 12, 2008... By Staff At the New York Market - Hilasal is fixed on its niche this market, unveiling a new batch of bath ensemble collections designed for mid- to upper-tier retailers. "We're differentiating ourselves in the marketplace with...

Sales Slump at Year's End.
February 12, 2008... By James Mammarella New York - The retail year ended pretty much the same way the holiday season started: with a "hard times" feel for major department store chains and discounters alike, but with bright spots for the off-price giants and...

Hits & Misses.
February 25, 2008... By Staff What Worked and What Didn't at Market Allure Home Creation Gaby Colquitt Vp, design and marketing Hits : "Hits were our modern elegance Belmont and Hilton full bath collections. They are high-end looks. Other...

Iconix Licenses Cannon to Sears Holdings.
February 25, 2008... By Staff Readies BBB Royal Velvet Debut, Offers London Fog New York - Fashion brand management firm Iconix Brand Group has licensed its Cannon brand directly to Sears Holdings, with the expectation that the former Pillowtex brand will...

JCPenney Expects Tough Year.(Brief article)
February 25, 2008... By Staff Plano, Texas - Despite a smaller than expected drop in quarterly profits during the fourth quarter, JCPenney execs last week told analysts they expect 2008 to be challenging year. "In fact, depending on which economic pundits...

Vendors Satisfied with Specialty Traffic.
February 25, 2008... By Carole Sloan New York - Home textiles exhibitors during the New York Home Textiles Market Week here earlier this month were generally pleased with their results, despite what a number of them called "lighter attendance." The Market...

Wal-Mart Hopeful on Home.
February 25, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Bentonville, Ark. - Wal-Mart hinted of good things soon to come for the home area as the company "works hard on improvements," said Wal-Mart Stores U.S. president and ceo Eduardo Castro-Wright during the retailer's...

'Croscill Cotton' Unveiled.(Brief article)
February 25, 2008... By Staff New York - Croscill highlighted a natural fibers story at market, with the debut of Croscill Cotton, a 100% cotton, washable, duvet-driven line. "This will evolve into other natural fibers - silk, bamboo," said Julie Brady,...