Home Textiles Today articles from February 2009

Home Textiles Today archives from February 2009

Retail Briefs.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Bharti Wal-Mart in Startup Mode Staff Bonafide retailers and business owners" in the Punjab region of India have begun registering for membership in BestPrice Modern Wholesale, the joint venture between Bharti Enterprises...

For the Record.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Due to a proofreading error, we incorrectly listed the headquarters of Berkshire Blanket, in the Throws table of the Supplier Giants section in the HTT 2009 Business Annual (Jan. 25, p. 22). It should be: Berkshire Blanket; Ware,...

Sleep Innovations Speeds Emergence from Ch. 11.
February 9, 2009... By Jennifer Marks West Long Branch, N.J.--Memory foam manufacturer Sleep Innovations in late January announced it plans to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier than expected. The company reported that its reorganization...

Home Source Offers Fine Dec Pillows with Zaanha.
February 9, 2009... By Staff New York--Home Source International in late January launched a new, high-end decorative pillow line that ultimately aids Afghan women. The limited edition pillows are constructed of Italian linen, filled with down and...

HTT Names New Director of Research: Dana French.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Greensboro, N.C.--Dana French has been named director of market research for HTT , replacing Kay Anderson, who has left the company. A nine-year veteran at HTT parent company Reed Business Information, she was senior research...

Natori Home Bows Towels by Loftex USA.
February 9, 2009... By Carole Sloan New York--Natori Home is launching its luxury towel collection from Loftex USA, an extensive range of four groups of individual statements with specifically crafted details and embellishments. The debut towels will be shown...

Fortunoff Enters 'Chapter 22'.
February 9, 2009... By James Mammarella and Carole Sloan Uniondale, N.Y.-- Upscale jewelry and home furnishings specialty retailer Fortunoff last week filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection - exactly one year and one day after its first Chapter 11, on Feb....

Park B. Smith in Showroom Move.
February 9, 2009... By Staff New York--Park B. Smith Inc. has moved its showroom to the 230 Fifth Avenue building from its longtime showroom at 295 Fifth Avenue. While building out what will be its permanent showroom on the 18th floor, the company is...

FIT Scholarship Breakfast Set.
February 9, 2009... By Staff New York-- Tickets are now on sale for the Fashion Institute of Technology Scholarship Awards Breakfast, sponsored by the Home Fashion Products Association. The Breakfast program will take place 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Tuesday,...

Fine Linens by Oswald Wins with the Web.
February 9, 2009... By Carole Sloan New York--"Intensive personal service." Whether in-store on the upper East Side of Manhattan or on the three-year old internet site, Fine Linens by Oswald holds to this credo, dovetailing with its dedication to high quality...

Nautica Broadens Welspun Partnership.
February 9, 2009... By James Mammarella New York--Welspun USA takes on a full roster of Nautica Home categories in a new licensing agreement that adds fashion bedding, bath accessories, window treatments and indoor area rugs to its existing sheet, bath rug,...

Lenor Romano Home Debuts.
February 9, 2009... By Jennifer Marks New York--Lenor Romano Home made its debut at the New York International Gift Fair last month. A designer of men's luxury sweaters, Romano recently launched a line at Saks Fifth Avenue. She also produces a secondary label...

Lenzing Salutes Products by Advansa, Unitika.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Lenzing, Austria-- Fiber resource Lenzing awarded polyester yarn developer Advansa its new Sleep Facto certificate for a bedding product that "precisely satisfies the defined feel-good parameters." Awarded at the Heimtextil...

Capel Moves to New Flagship Showroom.(Capel Rugs)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral San Francisco--After nearly six decades, Capel Rugs has moved out of its longtime showroom here and into a new 5,000-square-foot space in the city's design district. Capel officially opened the showroom doors -...

Surya Wins Visual Display Award.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Calhoun, Ga.--Area and accent rug and home textiles accessory company Surya Inc. was recognized for its showroom presentation and display in mid-January during the America's Magnificent Carpet Awards ceremony at the AmericasMart....

Mazarakis Joins Linon to Relaunch its Rug Business.
February 9, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Mineola, N.Y.-- Steve Mazarakis, longtime president and ceo of area rug company Hellenic Rug Imports as well as its founder in 1988, has left to join Linon Home Decor Products, where he is charged with energizing its...

Victor Group Taps Bennotti for Marketing.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Saint-Georges, Quebec, Canada-- North American decorative fabric manufacturer Victor Group has appointed Paul Bennotti director of marketing. Bennotti, a veteran of the textiles industry with more than 20 years of experience...

Balta Group Selects Noten as CEO.
February 9, 2009... Staff Dalton, Ga.--Balta US's parent company, longtime Belgian soft flooring company Balta Group, has appointed Jules Noten to ceo. He replaces Marcus Billman, who is relocating to the United Kingdom to pursue other business...

Feizy Names Jones Key Account Manager.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Dallas--Area rug manufacturer Feizy has appointed Jamie Jones as its key account manager. Jones comes to Feizy from One Coast, where she served first as a key account sales assistant and then most recently as key account...

Beaulieu Canada Taps Poirier.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Acton Vale, Quebec, Canada--Area rug and carpet company Beaulieu Canada has appointed Marcel Poirier to the position of vp, commercial business division, which includes the hospitality sector. Poirier started his long career...

Sears Holdings Taps Kasbe for IT.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill.-- Sears Holdings has hired Timothy Kasbe as svp and chief information officer, taking over that role from Karen Austin, who will now serve as president of the home electronics business unit. Kasbe most...

Waples to Head Retail Sales at AbsolutelyNew.
February 9, 2009... By Staff San Francisco--AbsolutelyNew Inc., which helps inventors turn their ideas into consumer products, has appointed Greg Waples vp of retail sales. He was svp of global sales for Jarden Corp.'s leisure and entertainment division....

Bob Lakenan Joins Jaipur.(Jaipur Rugs appoints Bob Lakenan )(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... By Staff Atlanta--Bob Lakenan has been named to the new post of director of national accounts for Jaipur Rugs, according to Asha Chaudhary, ceo. "Lakenan brings to Jaipur a successful track record in growing national accounts...

Jo-Ann Stores Elevates Smith.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Hudson, Ohio--Craft and fabric retailer Jo-Ann Stores has promoted Travis Smith from evp merchandising and marketing to chief operating officer; he will continue to report to chairman, president and ceo Darrell Webb. Smith...

Boyd Retires as Transprint Transforms.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.--Heat transfer resource Transprint ceo William Boyd is retiring from day-to-day operations; he will consult to Transprint on innovation. Boyd grew Transprint into the largest producer and supplier of...

Off-Price Surprise in January.(Statistical data)(Company rankings)
February 9, 2009... By James Mammarella New York--There are winners in every market, in any business climate. In January, the big winners were Wal-Mart, as many expected, but also the off-price giants Ross Stores and TJX. Ross Stores and TJX each issued...

NRF Sees 2009 Retail Decline.(National Retail Federation)(Financial report)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... By Staff Washington-- For the first time since it began projecting annual retail sales in 1995, the National Retail Federation has forecast a sales decline for the year. The retailer trade association estimates sales for all of 2009 will...

World Link Targets Hospitality, Health Care Markets.
February 9, 2009... By Staff New York--World Link Industries, LLC, a new company focused on supplying bed and bath products to the hospitality and health care markets, has been formed. Structured as an international alliance with facilities in Hong Kong,...

DWR Appoints Investment Bank.
February 9, 2009... By Staff San Francisco--Struggling residential and contract home furnishings retailer Design Within Reach has retained investment bank Thomas Weisel Partners LLC to review strategic alternatives "including advice related to an unsolicited...

Confidence at Another All-Time Low.
February 9, 2009... By Staff New York--The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index has made another historic mark in the wrong direction, with the January measure at 37.7, down from 38.6 in December (1985=100). Lynn Franco, director of The Conference...

JS Fiber Buys Creative Bedding and Fossfill Trademark.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Statesville, N.C.--Diversified manufacturer JS Fiber Co. has acquired Creative Bedding Technologies, along with its down alternative Fossfill trademark and numerous patents for bedding products. Creative Bedding Technologies...

1888 Mills Buys Blair Mills.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Oakbrook, Ill.-- Diversified home textiles manufacturer 1888 Mills has completed its asset purchase of Belton, S.C.-based Blair Mills, a supplier of towels to the hospitality market. The company said it will move some of the...

A First: Three Neg-Comp Months in a Row.(Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
February 9, 2009... By Staff New York-- The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index fell 2.3% in January, vs. the goal of a 1.8% drop. That negative comp-store mark was the third consecutive negative monthly comp sales measure posted by the Index, which had...

Natco in Maine Weaving Expansion.
February 9, 2009... By Staff West Warwick, R.I.--After seven months of construction, area rug supplier Natco Home Products has completed the 60,000-square-foot expansion of its domestic weaving facility in Sanford, Maine. Natco broke ground early last...

Alpha Bedding Launched.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Lake Zurich, Ill.--Healthcare and hospitality-oriented basic bedding supplier Alpha Bedding "is now fully operational," company executives announced. "Nobody is doing what we do," said Ted Lazakis, Alpha Bedding ceo. "Our...

Riegel Debuts Super Soft 250 Sheet for Hospitality.(Mount Vernon Mills Inc. Riegel Textile Div.)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... By Staff Johnston, S.C.--Riegel-Mount Vernon Mills, Inc. has introduced Super Soft 250, which it calls "a luxury sheet that captures the soft, smooth feel of high count, fine yarns and combines it with the heavy duty durability of a...

Rug Supplier Foreign Accents Turns 25.
February 9, 2009... By Staff Albuquerque, N.M.--Contemporary rug house Foreign Accents is celebrating its quarter century in the soft floor covering business with a party this week during the Las Vegas Market. Foreign Accents' story began "humbly" in a...

NYIGF to Stagger Dates.(New York International Gift Fair)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... By Staff White Plains, N.Y.--The summer 2009 New York International Gift Fair will return to its staggered schedule, said organizer George Little Management. NYIGF will run Saturday, Aug.15 - Thursday, Aug. 20 at the Javits Center and...

Let's Get Smarter.
February 9, 2009... By Jennifer Marks, Editor-In-Chief So I've finished my first day of jury duty as I write this. It's evening, my husband is blasting CNBC and fulminating at the screen about Wells Fargo, TARP money and TARP recipient salary structures. ...

The Return of Fashion.
February 9, 2009... By Carole Sloan, Founding Editor-In-Chief Change seems to be in the air -- not seismic change, but enough to bring freshness and a new look to fabrics and furniture in the near future. At Heimtextil in Frankfurt, Germany and at Maison...

Macy's Shifts to a Single Division.
February 9, 2009... By Carole Sloan and James Mammarella Cincinnati-- Macy's Inc. is restructuring to a single national organization, even while it accelerates its "My Macy's" local merchandising initiative; the $26 billion retailer also will cut its...

Vegas Outlook Guarded.
February 9, 2009... By Carole Sloan Las Vegas--Home textiles exhibitors here are hopeful they will attract retailers from the West Coast and some from the Midwest that did not attend the three early-year shows in Dallas, Atlanta and New York. For some,...

Retailers Slash Headcounts.
February 9, 2009... By James Mammarella New York--Like Macy's Inc., other retailers facing the economic crisis and an uncertain 2009 have made a range of cost-cutting and streamlining moves in recent days -- especially in the area of payroll reduction. ...

Springs Trims U.S. Exec Ranks.
February 9, 2009... By Brent Felgner Fort Mill, S.C.--Springs Global has thinned its U.S.-based executive and professional ranks in merchandising, marketing, design and sales, nudging or pushing more than a dozen people out the door, including at least three...

Vendors Offer Fashion to Turn Around Top of Bed.
February 23, 2009... By Jill Rowen New York- Filling the half-full - or half-empty - glass in 2009 is going to take some bold fashion steps, as well as an ample dose of value-engineering, say suppliers of bedding. The first of HTT's reports on bedding,...

Peking Handicraft Bows Animal Dec Pillows.
February 23, 2009... Staff San Francisco- Home decor and furnishings supplier Peking Handicraft Inc. is offering a new perspective on the animal-skin trend with a collection of wool hooked decorative pillows. The collection features close-up profile images...

AFC Home Enters Infant and Juvenile Market.
February 23, 2009... Staff New York- AFC Home Fashions has expanded into infant and juvenile with a line of fleece products. In the infant category, AFC offers a fleece blanket along with a plush animal. The blanket is rolled in bundle and the animal's...

Huntsman Trims Costs, Ramps Up Asia Focus.
February 23, 2009... Staff Basel, Switzerland- Textile dye and chemical producer Huntsman said its Textile Effects division has completed its restructuring, with a new focus on Asian markets. "The sales and customer support organization in Asia is now the...

Waites, Boyd to Decorate Japan Show House.
February 23, 2009... Staff New York- U.S. designers Raymond Waites and Eileen Kathryn Boyd will participate in the inaugural designer house show being put on next week by the new International Home Furnishings and Design association chapter in Japan. The...

IFDA Honors Chris Madden.
February 23, 2009... Staff King of Prussia, Pa.- For her "Operation Cozy Comfort," in which she sent hundreds of blankets to wounded American soldiers in Iraq, designer Chris Madden was recently honored with a presidential commendation from the International...

Maholi Bows Bamboo Line.
February 23, 2009... Staff Toronto, Ontario, Canada-Maholi Inc., a manufacturer of sheets and down duvets and pillows, has come up with a new take on bamboo bedding products. The company's recently released Damask Stripe collection is a 100% bamboo...

Stein Mart Shoppers Aid Salvation Army Cause.
February 23, 2009... Staff Jacksonville, Fla.- Stein Mart has partnered with The Salvation Army for the second consecutive year in the national "Give & Receive" event, with the retailer giving shoppers discounts for bringing in apparel donations. The...

Wal-Mart de Mexico in Expansion.
February 23, 2009... Staff Mexico City- Wal-Mart de Mexico, which now operates 1,208 retail locations in five retail (and one restaurant) formats, plans to open 252 new stores in 2009, an investment of $11.8 billion pesos, or about $798 million. In a...

Revman to Debut Incog-Neato Leak-Proof Pads.
February 23, 2009... Staff New York- Revman International will produce Incog-Neato wet-protection bed pads licensed by mother and inventor Tammy Cheskis; the line combines rubberized fabrics with flannel prints. The "cheerful decorative prints" help this...

Hohenstein Institute Opens U.S. Headquarters.
February 23, 2009... Staff Elon, N.C.- Textile research and testing laboratory Hohenstein Institute, based near Stuttgart, Germany, has established Hohenstein Institute America, Inc. here in response to its growing U.S. customer base. Hohenstein America...

CHF, Alex Bow Line at Toy Fair.
February 23, 2009... Staff New York- Toy company Alex partnered with diversified home textiles producer CHF Industries to introduce the ALEX Home collection at the American International Toy Fair, earlier this month at the Javits Center here. Alex is...

Thorndike Mills Debuts Artist Susan Branch's Line.
February 23, 2009... Staff Palmer, Mass.- Family-owned-and-operated braided and hooked rug company Thorndike Mills has partnered with Martha's Vineyard artist Susan Branch to create a collection of rugs, chair pads and decorative pillows that targets gift...

High Point Hotels Cut Rates for April Market.
February 23, 2009... Staff High Point, N.C- The High Point Market Authority has succeeded in persuading some local hotels to reduce their rates and minimum-stay restrictions for the spring market. HPMA said regular room rates have dropped 15% on average,...

Revman's Roman is HFPA President-elect.
February 23, 2009... Staff New York- The Home Fashion Products Association has announced the election of a president-elect, four new members to the board of directors, and the re-election of three directors to new two-year terms. Richard Roman, head of...

Textiles Product Winners Honored.
February 23, 2009... Staff New York- More than 120 entries were judged in the New York Home Textiles Market Week Best New Product Awards, and the overall, or Best of Market, winner was New York-based Dixie Reinhardt Fine Linens, for its Private Collection...

Sears Marketer West Honored by NRF.
February 23, 2009... Staff Washington- The Retail Advertising and Marketing Association has named Ric West, divisional vp, Sears Holdings, as the newest member of its Retail Advertising Hall of Fame. Prior to joining Sears, West spent 13 years at Best Buy,...

J.R. United Taps Enders for Sales.(Company overview)
February 23, 2009... Staff Miami- Bedding, bath and kitchen textiles supplier J.R. United recently appointed Kevin Enders vp of sales. A 20-year veteran of the retail and wholesale segments of the home textiles industry, Enders most recently founded and...

New Showrooms Open for Market at 7 West.
February 23, 2009... Staff New York- In time for the upcoming New York Home Fashions Market in March, six new permanent showrooms and several new exhibitors will showcase their wares at home accents mart 7 W New York. The six new showrooms are for: Createx...

Pendleton Kicks Off Centenary Celebration.
February 23, 2009... Staff Portland, Ore.- In recognition of reaching its 100th year in business, six-generation family owned and operated domestic blanket and fabric weavers Pendleton Woolen Mills is creating commemorative home and apparel collections for...

Texlynx Adds Positions in United States, Pakistan.
February 23, 2009... Staff Lahore, Pakistan- Texlynx is adding to its team as it looks to expand its reach in a turbulent market. The company recently hired Mike Proloux as evp, development and international sourcing. He was previously country manager in...

Wal-Mart Cuts 700 HQ Jobs.
February 23, 2009... By James Mammarella Bentonville, Ark.- Merchandising, marketing, real estate and support jobs here have been cut - between 700 and 800 received their pink slips on February 10 as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. made reductions it said fit its...

Crown Crafts Swings to Loss on Goodwill Impairment.
February 23, 2009... Staff Gonzales, La.- A $9.0 million goodwill impairment charge, triggered by the decline in the company's market capitalization, pressed Crown Crafts Inc. into a third quarter loss of $8.2 million. The Q3 loss was 88 cents on a per...

Same-store sales: Retailers Edge Up on February Comp Goal.
February 23, 2009... Staff New York- Still in negative comp-store sales territory, retailers last week nonetheless edged further ahead of their February target, the Johnson Redbook reported. For the second week of February, the Johnson Redbook Retail Sales...

January Sales Fell 11%, Home Down 14%.
February 23, 2009... Staff Jan. Sales Beat December - Except in Home Washington- Retail trade sales in January 2009 were 1.1% above December levels, but fell 11.0% below January 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau said in its advance estimates statement. The...

Unifi Q2 Loss Widens on Depressed Sales.(Financial report)
February 23, 2009... Staff Projects Margin and Cost Improvements Greensboro, N.C.- Cooling demand hurt the second quarter results of textured polyester and nylon yarn producer Unifi Inc., but the company expects a better second half. "Net sales were...

Wal-Mart Pledges to Win in Every Business'.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. revenue report)(Financial report)
February 23, 2009... By Jennifer Marks Bentonville, Ark.- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. broke through the $400 billion sales mark for the year, despite posting a profit decline in the fourth quarter. In recorded remarks released in mid-February, execs asserted that...

JCPenney Has Hopes for Home.
February 23, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral 48% Profit Drop Closes Book on 2008 Plano, Texas- The home category was singled out as a "bright spot," helped by the demise of two category rivals, in an overall tough fourth quarter, JCPenney said during its...

Vendors Upbeat in Vegas.
February 23, 2009... By Carole Sloan New Distribution Channels Beckon Las Vegas- Despite apprehension about traffic and results going into the Las Vegas market, many home textiles exhibitors were surprisingly pleased with their results. Attendance was...

CHF to Intro Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Domestics.
February 23, 2009... By Carole Sloan New York- In an unusual alliance, furniture and home decor designer firm Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams will launch a decorative bedding and accessories collection with CHF Industries. The collection will debut in April...

Window Covering Group Invites Award Entries.
February 23, 2009... Staff New York- The entry deadline for the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) Product Innovation Awards is Monday, March 16. The WCMA honors manufacturers for design creativity, technical advancement, and overall...

AATCC Names Design Competition Finalists.(American Association of Textile Chemists & Colorists)(Brief article)
February 23, 2009... Staff 125 Entries Received in 5th Annual Event Research Triangle Park, N.C.- The American Association of Textile Chemists & Colorists (AATCC) received 125 entries, representing 38 different educational institutions, in its fifth annual...

Executive Bill Brand Gains Merchandising Oversight at HSN.
February 23, 2009... Staff St. Petersburg, Fla.- HSN has expanded responsibilities for Bill Brand, evp of programming and advanced services, to include marketing and business development functions. Brand reports to Mindy Grossman, ceo. In making the...

JanelleStyle Expands Area Rug Offering.
February 23, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Smyrna, Ga.- Textile designer Janelle Jarous Lampp, owner of JanelleStyle Designs, is building up her area rug lines via a new partnership with flooring wholesaler Homelegend and an expanded assortment with existing...

Not Quite Dead Yet.
February 23, 2009... Jennifer Marks, Editor-in-Chief "I won't be at all surprised to see infomercials or TV shopping broadcastsby Holiday 2010 for 'Fortunoff fine jewelry at affordable prices.'" Late last week, I Googled the word "linens." The idea was to...

Once More -- with Feeling.
February 23, 2009... Carole Sloan, Founding Editor-in-Chief "The home textiles business has not embraced fashion forwardness nor spotlighted its potential star young designers." Had some interesting visits during the Las Vegas market earlier this month...

Retail Briefs.
February 23, 2009... Staff Macy's Buys Back $686M Debt Notes Staff Declaring it had successfully completed its cash tender offer for two issues of senior debt notes that are to come due later this year, Macy's Inc. said the "aggregate consideration...

Dollar General Eyes Home Goods Growth.
February 23, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Goodlettsville, Tenn.- After ramping up its consumable business over the past year, Dollar General is now turning its attention to the non-consumable business - including home - to fix its flaws by yearend, when...

Family Dollar Thrives on Promotions, Private Label.
February 23, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Matthews, N.C.- As its shoppers' habits shift with the economy, Family Dollar is actively altering its product mix to focus more on consumables and less on discretionary items. During the company's presentation at...

JCP.com in Wamsutta-Disney Exclusive.(JCPenney Company Inc.)(Brief article)
February 23, 2009... Staff Fort Mill, S.C.- The Disney Resort Collection by Wamsutta, announced in March 2008, is launching at retail as an exclusive for JCPenney.com. The Wamsutta brand, produced by Springs Global, is the exclusive linens provider for...