Home Textiles Today articles from January 2009

Home Textiles Today archives from January 2009

Rug Makers Rally in Atlanta.
January 12, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Suppliers Upbeat in Tough Times Atlanta -- After closing the door on a year described as the most difficult period in business in decades, many rug suppliers are keeping their chins up as they return to the...

Sales Down Across Categories.
January 12, 2009... By HTT Staff New York -- For most of the category leaders in HTT 's annual Top 5 Suppliers rankings, 2008 was a year of sales declines that ranged from tolerable to profound. Bath accessories: Sales declines for all major players. ...

Suppliers Faced Difficult '08.
January 12, 2009... By HTT Staff New York -- Early in the year as economic storm clouds were darkening, many suppliers asserted that a flat year would be a good year. For the majority of the companies in HTT 's annual Top 15 Supplier ranking, it was a...

Suppliers Walk Heimtextil to Gauge Design, Market.
January 12, 2009... By Carole Sloan Frankfurt, Germany -- Working with suppliers from around the world and walking the show with key retailers are the prime objectives of American suppliers attending Heimtexil here this week. For some companies, it is...

Retail Briefs.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Tuesday Morning Updates Credit Line Staff Closeout chain Tuesday Morning entered into a new, five-year, $150 million senior secured revolving credit facility with Bank of America as administrative agent and Wells Fargo...

For The Record.(Steve Goldberg left ABC Carpet & Home )(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Steve Goldberg left ABC Carpet & Home where he was vp, merchandising and retail development because his position was eliminated, according to Paulette Cole, ceo and creative director of ABC Home. His complete title, the reason for...

American Pacific Liquidates.(American Pacific Enterprises Inc.)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Jennifer Marks Pioneer in Global Sourcing, Licensed Brands San Francisco -- Late last month saw the last day of business for 24-year-old American Pacific Enterprises. On Dec. 16, an assignee of the company's creditors was...

Amity Home to Unveil Loungewear.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Azusa, Calif. -- Home textiles maker Amity Home is branching into loungewear, which it will debut this month at the Atlanta Gift and Home Furnishings Market. Amity will also be exhibiting at Heimtextil in Frankfurt, Germany. ...

Premiere to Debut Ultra-fine Sheets.(Premiere Fine Linens)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Frankfurt, Germany -- Premiere Fine Linens will unveil Ultra-fine cotton sheets at the Heimtextil international home textiles show here this month. Ultra-fine cotton yarn was developed by Premiere. It is a blend of...

Sferra Debuts Kelly Wearstler Collection.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Edison, N.J. -- Luxury linens maker Sferra is launching a line in conjunction with West Coast contemporary interior designer Kelly Wearstler that will debut in spring, marking her introduction in soft home. The line includes...

HTT's Top 15 Supplier Giants.
January 12, 2009... By Staff [TABLE OMITTED]

Supplier Giants.
January 12, 2009... By Staff [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED]...

Atlanta Exhibitors Champion Color, Pattern.
January 12, 2009... By Jill Rowen Wielding Better Goods vs. Tough Economy Atlanta -- With bright, bold colors and artsy graphic patterns, exhibitors at this edition of the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market are showcasing an upbeat line...

Area Rug Makers Adapt as Sales Slide.
January 12, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral New York -- Area and accent rug makers came in for their share of pain in 2008, as the strained consumer economy and a store count undercut by the demise of Linens 'n Things, Mervyns and Value City exacted a toll on the...

Momeni Expands Atlanta Showroom.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Carlstadt, N.J. -- After spending more than 20 years in the same fifth-floor showroom, high-end contemporary rug supplier Momeni Inc. has plans to relocate to a new and much larger space in Atlanta at the AmericasMart in time for...

Atlanta Rug Introductions.
January 12, 2009... By Staff 828 INTERNATIONAL TRADING CO Greenville, SC (800) 733-0828 The rugs that make up the company's new Athena collection look like a kaleidoscope of stained glass designs that center on intricate motifs patterned in...

Karastan Makes Donation to Design Cares Charity.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Dalton, Ga. -- Karastan donated one of its Plum Blossom rugs from the Studio By Karastan Artworks collection to the seventh annual Design Cares charity silent auction. The holiday soiree, held Dec. 9 and sponsored by...

MWW Shifts to New Atlanta Showroom.(Manual Woodworkers and Weavers )(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Hendersonville, N.C. -- Manual Woodworkers and Weavers has moved into a new a new showroom at AmericasMart in advance of the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Fair. The new space is located at 697, 6th. floor,...

OTA Notes Organic U.S. Cotton Jump For Second Consecutive Year.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Greenfield, Mass. -- For the second consecutive year, U.S. acreage planted with organic cotton increased, according to research compiled by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and funded by Cotton Inc. Analysis of available...

Bella Rose Names Regional Rep Firms.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Oklahoma City -- Home textiles design and manufacturing company Bella Rose by Chateau has partnered with sales firm California Marketing Associates for Southern California and with Style Connections for the Northeastern U.S. ...

Hollander Honors Canela with Leo Award.(Ricardo Canela)(Hollander Home Fashions)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Boca Raton, Fla. -- Basic bedding powerhouse Hollander Home Fashions has named its third annual Leo Award winner: Ricardo Canela, plant manager of the Bedford Park, Ill. facility. Created to honor the late Hollander founder,...

ITMA Names New Board and Officers.
January 12, 2009... By Staff High Point, N.C. -- Steve Shelly, Classic Elements, has been named president of the board of directors of International Textile Market Association (ITMA), the producer of the Showtime decorative fabric event. Board members...

Peking Handicraft Debuts Trina Turk Residential.
January 12, 2009... By Staff San Francisco -- Diversified home decor supplier Peking Handicraft, Inc. (PKHC) has unveiled a new licensed textiles collection, Trina Turk Residential. The line features interpretations of designer Turk's apparel prints,...

7W to Treat International Buyers, Launches E-Catalog.
January 12, 2009... By Staff New York -- Showroom building 7 W New York will once again, on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23-24, host International Buyer Appreciation Day during the New York Gift and Home Textiles Market Weeks. International buyers can take...

Textrade Names Gruber to Head U.S. Unit.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Mumbai, India -- Indian home textiles manufacturer Textrade International has named Jenny Gruber president of its new U.S. operation based in New York. Her appointment is part of Textrade's effort to build its U.S. presence....

Valley Forge Fabrics Taps Roeser to Lead Sales.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. -- Hospitality industry fabric resource Valley Forge Fabrics has promoted Kimberly Roeser to vp of the company's worldwide sales force. Roeser has been a designer and sales professional in the home...

Economic Indicators Still Dropping.
January 12, 2009... By Staff New York -- The Conference Board reported late last month that its Composite Index of Leading Economic Indicators declined 0.4% in November, following a 0.9% decline in October, and no change in September. Conference Board...

Everbright Pulls Out of $30 Million Gottschalks Deal.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Fresno, Calif. -- Regional department store chain Gottschalks said the $30 million investment agreement in the company by Everbright Development Overseas Securities Ltd. has been terminated. In an 8-K filed with the Securities...

Forecast: Rebound in 2010.(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Columbus, Ohio -- Retailers must brace for a 2009 of slower sales, according to analysis by TNS Retail Forward of U.S. Commerce Department data. 2009 sales growth is projected "to approach 2% growth compared with the 2.3%...

Pier 1 Asserts 'Wherewithal' for Turnaround.
January 12, 2009... By James Mammarella Fort Worth, Texas -- Specialty retailer Pier 1 Imports is grinding away in turnaround mode, but faced a widened third-quarter loss of 41 cents per share, compared to 11 cents in the year-ago period and was notified by...

Christmas Week Comp Sales Down Slightly.(Everbright Development Overseas Securities Ltd.)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Fresno, Calif. -- Regional department store chain Gottschalks said the $30 million investment agreement in the company by Everbright Development Overseas Securities Ltd. has been terminated. In an 8-K filed with the Securities...

French Home Textiles Makers Team Up for NYIGF.
January 12, 2009... By Staff New York -- Two pavilions will showcase French suppliers and designers under the trademarked "CreatedinFrance" label at the upcoming New York International Gift Fair, from Jan. 25 to 29. Five home textiles producers will be...

U.S. Brings WTO Case vs. China on Export Subsidies.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Washington -- The United States Trade Representative in late December filed a dispute settlement case with the World Trade Organization against what it termed "unfair" export support by the People's Republic of China. The...

Hancock Fabrics Narrows Loss.(Financial report)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Baldwyn, Miss. -- Craft and home fabric retailer Hancock Fabrics reported a third-quarter net loss of $2.5 million, tightened from the $6.1 million loss for the year-ago period, both inclusive of bankruptcy related costs. As...

Unifi Slashes Quarterly Guidance, Sees 2009 Upturn.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Greensboro, N.C. -- Polyester and nylon textured yarn producer Unifi Inc. reduced its adjusted EBITDA guidance for its 2009 second fiscal quarterended Dec. 28 to a range of $2 to $4 million from previous guidance of $8 to $9...

World Market Resets Floors.(The World Market Center )(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Las Vegas -- The World Market Center is shifting showrooms and amenities in Building B for Winter Market (Feb. 9-13). A new mix of permanent showrooms is taking shape on the first floor to create an international sampling of...

Blissliving Teams with Chesapeake in Vegas.(Blissliving Home )(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Rockville, Md. -- Bedding and home decor supplier Blissliving Home is moving together with Chesapeake Bay Candle to a new showroom at the Las Vegas World Market. The new space is Suite C-0676M in Building C, Level 6. The...

Macy's Amends Credit Covenants.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Cincinnati -- Macys Inc. is amending its existing bank credit agreement to update the financial covenants toward what it called "a more market-based approach." With two covenant changes, Macy's will pay higher fees in...

Home Source Extends One Coast Territories.(Home Source International distribution agreements with One Coast)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Atlanta -- Home Source International has signed One Coast, its sales representative agency as its national distribution arm with the exception of the Southeast and San Francisco markets. One Source has been working with Home...

Loloi Rugs Expands Space.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Atlanta -- Marking five years for its permanent showroom at AmericasMart here, handmade and machine-made area rug company Loloi Rugs has expanded its space to 8,000 square feet in time for the International Area Rug Market. ...

NRF Prompts Obama for Sales Tax Holidays.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Washington -- The National Retail Federation has posted an open letter to President-elect Barack Obama that calls for three 10-day national sales tax holidays, as well as longer-term economic measures. "We urge you to act...

Sphinx in New Line Debuts in Atlanta.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Dalton, Ga. -- Oriental Weavers USA's Sphinx brand is set to unveil several new area rug collections and an expanded rug pad assortment during the Atlanta International Area Rug Market. A highlight is the machine-made...

UF&D to Underline Performance at Heimtextil.(United Feather & Down )(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Des Plaines, Ill. -- United Feather & Down will spotlight the comfort and health benefits of its proprietary basic bedding products at Heimtextil, Jan. 14-17 in Frankfurt, Germany. Among the key UF&D performance fills to be...

Westex Acquires Sewrite Division.(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Mississauga, Ontario, Canada -- Basic bedding producer Westex International Ltd. has secured the rights to the ironing board cover business of Sewrite Group, another Canadian textile producer. The new product category with its...

Consumer Confidence Dips To Lowest Level.
January 12, 2009... By Staff New York -- After increasing modestly but encouragingly in November, the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index declined to its all-time low in December to 38.0 (1985=100), down from 44.7 in November. The Present Situation...

Contract Exhibitors Expand at Heimtextil.
January 12, 2009... By Staff Record 350 Suppliers Registered Frankfurt, Germany -- Contract Creations, the logo and section dedicated to the contract textiles sector, will be featured increasingly at exhibitors' stands at Heimtextil here this month. ...

Trans-Ocean Former Owner Theodore Hassen Passes.(Obituary)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff White Plains, NY -- Theodore Hassen, 74, former owner of area rug company Trans-Ocean Import Co., passed away Dec. 23. Hassen was described as a "friend, partner, and exceptional executive" by his former partner, Allen...

Heimtextil Trend Fourms Set.(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Frankfurt, Germany -- Once again, Heimtextil here this month will feature a Trend Show and the accompanying Trend Table created by a team of international creative professionals. The group has been expanded from its previous...

Letter to the Editor.(Letter to the editor)
January 12, 2009... By Staff Cordial Relations at Showtime As a board member of the International Textile Market Association (ITMA), I read your article on Dec. 15, 2008 about Showtime and the attempt by Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc (MMPI) to raise...

Bright Young Things.(emerging consumer segments)
January 12, 2009... By Jennifer Marks Let's kick the year off on a bright note. I recently had the good fortune to attend a presentation by Fashion Institute of Technology home fashions students on the subject of emerging consumer segments. Here's what...

Consumers Demand Change.(home furnishings industry)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... By Carole Sloan Now that the dismal holiday retail season is over, and we're into the new year and have a brief pause before the marathon of first quarter market weeks, it's time to take a pause and assess what steps can be taken to take...

Heimtextil Exhibitors Expect Lower Attendance.
January 14, 2009... By Carole Sloan Industry Facing Business Challenges Frankfurt, Germany -- Global business challenges, changing currency rates and a general malaise in home furnishings sales are expected to have a major impact on the international home...

Heimtextil Attracts Avid U.S. Vendors.
January 14, 2009... By Carole Sloan International Accounts, Partners Remain Key Frankfurt, Germany -- American exhibitors at Heimtextil here this week have a plethora of reasons for exhibiting -- from new exposure opportunities to potential gains in...

BB&B Confident in Spite of Profit Fall.
January 26, 2009... By James Mammarella Union, N.J. -- While profits fell by more than a third in its third quarter, Bed Bath & Beyond said those results in the current economy show that it is positioned to compete successfully now and in the future. ...

New Looks Key at N.Y. Event.
January 26, 2009... By Carole Sloan New York -- Exhibitors at the New York International Gift Fair/Home Textiles Market Week here are putting significant emphasis on product enhancements as a key inducement for retailers to buy. With a track record of...

Heimtextil 'Productive' for Vendors.
January 26, 2009... By Carole Sloan Frankfurt, Germany -- Despite a marked decline in attendance from earlier years, the American exhibitors at Heimtextil here earlier this month were generally comfortable with their results. The American exhibitors...

Bold Introductions at Area Rug Market.
January 26, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Atlanta -- Price was on every supplier's lips at the International Area Rug Market here, but not to the exclusion of design and innovation. Traffic picked up by the second day of the event, and buyers had many...

Retail Briefs.
January 26, 2009... By Staff Orla Kiely Line to Debut at Target Staff Placemats and aprons will be among the first soft home items in British designer Orla Kiely's exclusive at Target, to launch Feb. 1, spanning housewares to table linens and kitchen...

For the Record.
January 26, 2009... By Staff Basic bedding producer Westex International Ltd. acquired ironing board covers produced for Sewrite Group by its Chinese supplier -- not the rights to the Sewrite ironing board cover business -- said Ellis Chitiz, president of...

HGTV to Launch Licensed Products in 2010.
January 26, 2009... By Jennifer Marks New York -- Lifestyle programming force HGTV has retained licensing agency The Beanstalk Group to develop a line of home and garden products set to hit retail in fall 2010. "The brand represents all things home and...

Hilco, Gordon Bros. to Buy LNT Name, Trademarks.
January 26, 2009... By Carole Sloan Wilmington, Del. -- A joint venture between Hilco Consumer Capital and Gordon Brothers Brands will pay $1 million for Linens 'n Things' name, internet domain names, brands and other intellectual property. "We're taking...

Williams-Sonoma Slashes Costs.
January 26, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral San Francisco -- Home furnishings specialty retailer Williams-Sonoma Inc. is taking dramatic actions -- including an 18% cut in headcount -- to reduce its overhead by about $75 million in 2009. By Jan. 31, the...

Art Van Adds to Rug Business.
January 26, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Warren, Mich. -- Larger sized rugs and customized color and pattern options are rolling out at 30-unit furniture and home furnishings chain Art Van as the retailer's accessory category gains customers' attention -- and...

Iconix Forms Latin America Unit, Lauds Home Brands.
January 26, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral New Venture to Direct Licensing in Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America New York -- Iconix Brand Group has formed Iconix Latin America, a "traditional licensing business" in the form of a joint venture with...

Ellen Tracy in First Non-Apparel License.
January 26, 2009... By Staff New York -- Fashion brand marketing firm Brand Matter, owner of the Ellen Tracy design house brand, has entered a licensing agreement with Olivet International for all stylea of luggage, part of the company's strategy to expand...

London Luxury to Produce Sharper Image Line.
January 26, 2009... By Staff New York -- London Luxury has signed a five-year licensing agreement with The Sharper Image to produce bed and bath products. The Sharper Image is in the process of relaunching as a virtual brand after last year's bankruptcy...

Textrade to Debut Swarovski Crystal Line.
January 26, 2009... By Staff New York -- Home textiles manufacturer Textrade, Inc. is introducing a Swarovski Crystal collection of bedding, decorative pillows, window treatments, table linens and basic bedding. "Bling has been hot in accessories and...

China Furniture Show Adds Soft Home.
January 26, 2009... By Staff Guangzhou, China -- The next China International Furniture Fair (CIFF) here in March will include home textiles. Intertextile Guangzhou Hometextile China will be held March 18-21 in conjunction with the 23rd CIFF. It will...

Kay Dee Presses New Designs.
January 26, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Hope Valley, R.I. -- Kitchen textiles supplier Kay Dee Designs is ready to meet head-on what it expects will be a "tough" 2009 with its largest ever batch of new introductions. Rick Rakauskas, president and...

Multi-Glory Adds Tri-Max.(Zhejiang Multi-Glory )(Brief article)
January 26, 2009... By Jennifer Marks Frankfurt, Germany -- Basic bedding manufacturer Zhejiang Multi-Glory introduced Tri-Max, a new eco-friendly line of mattress pads, at the Heimtextil international home textiles fair here. The Tri-Max line offers...

Texprocil Demands More Support.
January 26, 2009... By Staff Mumbai, India -- Texprocil - India's cotton textiles export promotion council - expressed disappointment in the Indian government's second round of stimulus spending, saying the new package does nothing to help textiles exports....

Trident Debuts U-func Towels.
January 26, 2009... By Jennifer Marks Frankfurt, Germany -- Major towel manufacturer Trident/Abhishek Industries is finalizing a deal that will make it the exclusive worldwide manufacturer of towels employing U-func silver yarn. The product made its debut...

Colonial Mills Produces 'going green' Catalog.
January 26, 2009... By Staff Pawtucket, R.I. -- Braided texture area rug and accessory domestic manufacturer cmi (Colonial Mills Inc.) has released its new, condensed, 40-page product catalog and a 16-page wholesale price list for 2009. Designed to...

Rug Institute Drops Green Seal.
January 26, 2009... By Staff Dalton, Ga. -- The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) will no longer recognize Green Seal's GS-37 Standard as a Green Certification for its Seal of Approval Cleaning Solutions, citing shortcomings in the process used to develop this...

Schumacher Debuts Terra.
January 26, 2009... By Staff New York -- Decorative fabric supplier Schumacher has launched the Schumacher Terra brand of eco-friendly fabrics and wallcoverings, in a debut centered on the organic cotton By Nature Collection. The products will feature...

Unifi Adds Repreve Product, Launches Online Certification.
January 26, 2009... By Staff Greensboro, N.C. -- Textured yarn producer Unifi Inc. has extended its Repreve line of recycled fibers with the new Repreve polyester staple fiber. The Repreve polyester staple fiber is made from 100% recycled materials for...

Vermont Organic Recruits Kiniry.
January 26, 2009... By Staff Middlebury, Vt. -- Organic wool home textiles manufacturer Vermont Organic Fiber Company has named outdoor industry entrepreneur Edward Kiniry ceo. Matthew Mole will continue as VTOF founder and president, responsible for...

Art Van Hires Dilliplane as Accessories Buyer.
January 26, 2009... By Staff Warren, Mich. -- Great Lakes regional furniture and home furnishings chain Art Van has appointed Donald Dilliplane accessories buyer, reporting to Bob Price, vp of merchandising. Dilliplane began his retail career in 1988...

Belk Promotes Orvos, Samples.
January 26, 2009... By Staff Charlotte, N.C. -- Southeastern regional department store chain Belk will promote Adam Orvos to evp human resources, effective April 3; Orvos is currently svp finance and controller, as well as principal accounting officer. ...

Gilmartin Retires from Covington.(Roger J. Gilmartin)(Covington Fabrics Corp.)
January 26, 2009... By Carole Sloan New York -- Roger J. Gilmartin, president and ceo of Covington Fabric & Design, has retired. Gilmartin, whose association with Covington began in 1990 as a vendor, will remain as a consultant to the company, said Mark...

Graham Smith Joins Shalom Bros.(Brief article)
January 26, 2009... By Staff New York -- Graham Smith has joined Shalom Bros. in a new post with responsibilities for expanding the company's reach into more moderate price points, according to Nader Shalom, a company principal. Shalom has been a...

McMillon to Head Wal-Mart International.
January 26, 2009... By Staff Bentonville, Ark. -- Doug McMillon, president and ceo of Sam's Club, will be promoted to president and ceo of Wal-Mart International, effective Feb. 1. He will report to Mike Duke, who on the same date will assume his new...

O'Connell Joining Soft-Tex.(Robert O'Connell )(Soft-Tex Manufacturing )(Brief article)
January 26, 2009... By Staff Waterford, N.Y. -- Robert O'Connell is joining Soft-Tex Manufacturing as evp of sales and marketing, a newly created position reporting to Arthur Perry, Soft-Tex president. O'Connell previously worked with specialty foam...

Steinhafel Named Chairman at Target.
January 26, 2009... By Staff Minneapolis -- The board of directors of Target Corporation has named Gregg Steinhafel, president and chief executive officer, to the additional role of chairman of the board, effective February 1. Steinhafel succeeds Bob...