Home Textiles Today articles from July 2009

Home Textiles Today archives from July 2009

Cole Brown New Diversity Chief for Walmart U.S.
July 6, 2009... Staff Bentonville, Ark.-- Walmart has promoted L.Mecole "Cole" Brown to chief diversity officer overseeing strategy for Walmart's U.S. business. She succeeds Charlyn Jarrells Porter, who served in the role from 2004 and recently retired....

Balta Group Appoints cfo.
July 6, 2009... Staff Dalton, Ga.-- Balta Group, parent of area rug manufacturer Balta US, has appointed Carl Verstraelen to the post of cfo. Verstraelen, a Belgian national, was previously cfo of Amylum Group, Lhoist Group and Agfa HealthCare. ...

Consumer Confidence Down.
July 6, 2009... Staff New York-- After two back-to-back months of encouraging gains, the Consumer Confidence Index fell back slightly in June. The Conference Board reported last week that the Index came in at 49.4 for June (1985=100), down from 54.8...

Study Shows Kmart Gains with Layaway.
July 6, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Worthington, Ohio-- Kmart is drawing new attention from economically-stressed consumers taking a new liking to layaway, noted BIGresearch's June 2009 report. During the business development firm's "BIG Call"...

Suppliers Optimistic Heading into Market.
July 6, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Atlanta-- The July International Area Rug Market is typically slower than its January predecessor each year. But because the economy was at such a low point six months ago and so many retailers reluctant to write orders...

Impairment Charge Pushes Crown Crafts into 4Q Loss.
July 6, 2009... Staff Gonzales, La.-- Crown Crafts today reported a net loss of $10.6 million, or $1.15 per diluted share for the fourth quarter. The results included a non-cash, pre-tax charge of $13.9 million for an impairment to goodwill, an...

Specialty Retailer Focuses on Luxury.
July 6, 2009... By Carole Sloan Las Vegas-- She wanted sun, year-round golfing opportunity as well as a significant work environment. Pam Sellars achieved all three objectives moving from Canada to the United States just a over 10 years ago as the...

Hollander Seeks New Era of Growth.
July 6, 2009... By Brent Felgner Boca Raton, Fla.-- When Jeff Hollander and Chris Baker first met for breakfast at New York's Essex House on Central Park South one Sunday morning late last January, both executives say they felt an immediate affinity about...

Making Sense of Branding.
July 6, 2009... Carole Sloan, Founding Editor-in-Chief Branding. It seems to be the new buzz word of the late 00's But today's concept of branding whether on the part of the brand owner or the retailer is often -- most often -- a far cry from what...

Retail Briefs.
July 6, 2009... Staff TJX Settles Cyber Security Suit Staff TJX Companies will pay $9.75 to settle a case with 41 Attorneys General related to a security breach in late 2005 that resulted in the theft of consumer credit card and debit card...

Target's Core Commodities Brand is Revamped, Becomes "Up & Up".
July 6, 2009... Staff Minneapolis-- Target Corp.'s "up & up" represents what the discount retail chain calls its new own house brand, which the company is re-launching this year, rolling it slowing into stores since this past spring with a full program in...

Creative Accents Teams with Wools of New Zealand.(Company overview)
July 6, 2009... Staff Marietta, Ga.-- Area rug producer Creative Accents has partnered with Wools of New Zealand. The high-end, custom manufacturer will carry the Wools of New Zealand brand on four collections of rugs, including the Rick Lee Collection...

New Kmart Site Profiles Design Process for Home, Apparel.
July 6, 2009... Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill.-- Kmart has launched www.kmartdesign.com , a site that provides documentaries about the company's design process for apparel and home products through a series of documentary shorts shot in the retailers design...

JLA Expands Harbor House Brand.
July 6, 2009... By Carole Sloan New York--With four retail stores in China, JLA is looking to expand its reach there at the retail level via its Harbor House brand. The full home furnishing collection features an array of in-house designed product...

GHTA Opens Doors to Members and Newcomers.
July 6, 2009... Staff Grand Rapids, Mich.-- The Gift & Home Trade Association is staking a suite at the AmericasMart next month during the Gift, Home Furnishings and Area Rug markets to acquaint members and non-members with new benefits and initiatives...

Manual Woodworkers & Weavers Adds Collection.
July 6, 2009... Staff Hendersonville, N.C.-- Manual Woodworkers and Weavers Inc. (MWW) is hoping to send a positive message via its new Pervade collection of decorative pillows, runners, bed scarves, wall hangings, and totes. Messages like "Believe...

Nourison Debuts New Merchandising Program "50 to Infinity".
July 6, 2009... Staff Saddle Brook, N.J.-- Nourison continues to develop new ways for retailers to merchandise its broad area rug assortment, adding the new "50 to Infinity" display to its marketing program offerings. Ready for shipment to retailers...