Home Textiles Today articles from June 2005

Home Textiles Today archives from June 2005

Safeguard sought for curtains, drapes.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... NEW YORK -- An industry coalition is asking the U.S. government to place a safeguard restriction on imports of cotton and man-made fiber curtains and draperies from China. Filing the safeguard petition with the Commerce Department were...

WPS creditors battle at deadline: bidders challenge each other's rights to participate in process.(News)
June 6, 2005... NEW YORK -- Less than a week before the bid deadline in the WestPoint Stevens auction, the two leading contenders for the bankrupt mill remain mired in a contentious legal battle challenging one another's rights and standing to prevail or, for...

WPS readies for test.(News)(WestPoint Stevens Inc.)
June 6, 2005... NEW YORK -- By virtually all accounts, the winner in the auction for WestPoint Stevens will come away with a sharply downsized company, hopefully free of debt and with a clear vision of its future. But proof of performance will be the...

Restoration realigning.(News)
June 6, 2005... CORTE MADERA, CALIF. -- Restoration Hardware is exploring the launch of a new brand that could take off with a catalog in fall of next year or spring 2007. Hired to head up the new brand was Lisa Versacio, who helped develop the West Elm brand...

Saks looking more into chargebacks.(Retail Briefs)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Saks Incorporated has revealed that its Audit Committee is embarking on an additional inquiry into previously disclosed improper vendor chargebacks. The new inquiry will focus on the timing of the recording of inventory markdown and vendor...

LNT teams with Berkus.(Retail Briefs)(Linens 'n Things)(Nate Berkus)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Linens 'n Things is partnering with decorator Nate Berkus to launch the Nate Berkus collection--billed as an affordable line of home decorating products across most categories in the store. The line--covering bedding, bath, tabletop, and...

Restructuring costs Sears $60 million.(Retail Briefs)
June 6, 2005... Sears Holdings Corp. plans to spend $60 million as it lays off and relocates employees while restructuring Kmart. The company will spend about $30 million of that sum to relocate employees from Kmart's headquarters in Troy, Mich., to Sears'...

Hancock secures $110 million in credit.(Retail Briefs)(Hancock Fabrics)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Hancock Fabrics has entered into an agreement with Wachovia Bank, National Association, and Wachovia Capital Markets LLC for a secured revolving loan and letter of credit facility of up to $110 million. The new facility would replace...

Family Dollar lowers target.(Retail Briefs)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Family Dollar warned that its earnings per share for the third quarter would fall below the previously expected target of 33 to 37 cents. In last year's third quarter, EPS was 42 cents. The culprit: lower-than-expected comps. Comps for the...

ShopKo gets green light from FTC.(Retail Briefs)(ShopKo Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... ShopKo Stores, Inc. has been cleared to proceed with its acquisition by an affiliate of Minneapolis-based private equity investment firm Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison Incorporated. The FTC informed ShopKo that it was granted early termination...

Gottschalks eyes Federated/May locations: company to seek stores in 'secondary markets'.(News)
June 6, 2005... FRESNO, CALIF. -- Gottschalks Inc. is keeping a close eye on the Federated/May mega-merger and may be interested in acquiring locations vacated when the two eliminate redundancies where both currently maintain a presence. Jim Famalette,...

Kohl's sees opportunity from merger.(News)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS. -- The merger of Federated Department Stores and May Co. should create greater market share opportunity for moderate retailers, according to Kohl's chief. "When you look at Federated's approach to more private label...

Textillery working on new line: company to debut new showroom at Atlanta Merchandise Mart.(News)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... BLOOMINGTON, IND. -- Textillery Weavers is readying a new line of designs as it prepares for the summer trade show season--which will include the debut of its new showroom at the Atlanta Merchandise Mart and exhibition in the International...

JLA Home targets young consumer.(News)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... ROSWELL, GA. -- Textiles supplier JLA Home plans to focus its recently established Youth Home Fashions division on sophisticated designs for tweens and teens, targeting the young consumer who shops at American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch and...

Shabby Chic heads north.(News)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... VAN NUYS, CALIF.--Shabby Chic is headed north of the border. Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic home brand has licensed with Cherokee Inc. to produce home textiles, furnishings and accessories exclusively for Hudson Bay Companies in Canada. ...

Sphinx adds new sizes to collection.(News)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... DALTON, GA. -- Sphinx is adding rounds, squares, and oversized rugs to its new introductions as well as some of its better-selling collections. With the additions, Sphinx now offers more than 250 rounds, 90 squares, and 300 mansion-sized area...

Pamela Kline signs with Kid's Supply.(News)(Kid's Supply Company)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... CLAVERACK, N.Y. -- Luxury bedding designer Pamela Kline has signed a licensing agreement with Kid's Supply Company, the Madison Avenue emporium for children's and baby bedding. The labels Pam Kline Kids and Baby Traditions will be joined by...

Marti tapped by Traditions.(News)(Judi Marti appointed)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... CLAVERACK, N.Y. -- Judi Marti has been appointed vice president of sales and retail for luxury bed linens company Traditions by Pamela Kline. She will report directly to Shari Kline, president, and Pamela Kline, CEO. Traditions by...

Calendar.(Calendar)
June 6, 2005... 8-10 Heimtextil Japan Tokyo International Exhibition Center Tokyo +81 3 3262 8453 www.interior-lifestyle.com 13-15 NeoCon World's Trade Fair Merchandise Mart Chicago (312) 527-7074 www.merchandisemart.com/neocon ...

Fine Design to highlight luxury: Michael Payne will deliver keynote address.(News)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... CHICAGO -- Fine Design 2005--the residential component to NeoCon World's Trade Fair taking place June 13-15 at The Merchandise Mart here--will showcase the latest in luxury home furnishings and host a series of special events. Interior...

Session to present travel tips.(News)
June 6, 2005... NEW YORK -- Members of the home textiles industry are invited to attend a networking session about navigating travel in India, Pakistan, China and other global destinations sponsored by the Executive Women in Home Textiles. The event takes...

IFDA teams with Trendease.(News)(International Furnishings and Design Association)(Trendease International)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... NEW YORK -- The New York Chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) has partnered with Trendease International, which this month will begin distributing a bi-monthly report on global home furnishings trends to IFDA...

Las Vegas Market venues filling up: extra leasing agents hired to finish job.(News)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... LAS VEGAS -- Two of the 1 three venues for July's Las Vegas Market are now fully leased, and the Las Vegas Convention Center nearly 90 percent full. World Market Center officials have hired an additional three leasing managers and two...

Natco Home Fashions moves into bedding: Vega to lead new division, reporting to Corona's Bolton.(PEOPLE Today)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... WEST WARWICK, R.I. -- Natco Home Fashions--parent company of Corona Curtain, Robertson Home Fashions, Central Oriental, Soft Impressions, and Flemish Master Weavers--is expanding with the launch of a bedding division. Stacey Vega, who has...

Paust joins American Trim: CMI to serve as company's sales agent for transportation industry.(PEOPLE Today)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... DURHAM, N.Y. -- Robert Paust has joined American Trim Mfg./Cidega Corp. as assistant sales, marketing and product development manager, a new post. Paust will work with the company's sales representatives as well as develop product and...

Valdese adds staff to match expansion.(PEOPLE Today)(Valdese Weavers appointments)(Joel Crisp, Mark Moss and Martha Clifton)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... VALDESE, N.C. -- In moves designed to further expand its efficiencies and develop a broader global presence, Valdese Weavers has made several executive appointments, according to Mike Shelton, president. Joel Crisp has joined the company...

Anile picked to head culp upholstery fabrics.(PEOPLE Today)(Dominick Anilea and Liam Waters appointed at Culp Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Culp, Inc. has named Dominick Anile vice president of sales for its upholstery fabric line. Previously, Anile was vice president of sales for the company's velvets/prints division. Liam Waters has been named...

Lowe's Pond retiring, Stone to assume post.
June 6, 2005... MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Dale Pond, senior executive vice president of merchandising and marketing with Lowe's Companies, Inc., plans to retire on June 30. He will be replaced by 36-year Lowe's veteran Larry Stone, currently senior executive...

Gottschalks narrows its loss.(BUSINESS Today)(company sales and earnings)
June 6, 2005... FRESNO, CALIF. -- Helped by a solid home business, deep cuts in interest expense and lower costs, Gottschalks Inc. reported a modestly narrowed first quarter loss of $2 million, improving on a prior-year deficit of $2.4 million. Sales at...

Weather takes toll on sales.(Johnson Redbook Index)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... NEW YORK -- With unseasonably cool weather throughout Northeastern states hampering sales of seasonal goods, same-store retail sales eased off during the fourth and final week of May, rising 2.9 percent, compared with a stron ger gain of 3.4...

Confidence rebounds.(BUSINESS Today)
June 6, 2005... NEW YORK -- With Americans feeling better about the economy and the jobs outlook, consumer confidence reversed a three-month losing streak during May and rebounded 4.8 percent to a reading of 102.2, The Conference Board reported. But even...

Same-store sales harmed by cool weather.(Business)
June 6, 2005... NEW YORK--Hobbled by unseasonably cool weather across parts of the country, then pressured further by record-high gas prices, same-store retail sales were choppy and spotty during May as department store sales were largely held in check, and...

Wall street watch: for the week ended June 2, 2005.(Business)
June 6, 2005... MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS CLOSE % CHG % CHG. COMPANY 6/2/05 THIS WEEK YEAR-TO-DATE Crown Crafts (O) 0.44 -2.22% -20.00% Culp Inc. (N) ...

The long, hot summer: "the question dogging the industry in the meantime: How much open-to-buy will there be?".(OPINION Today)
June 6, 2005... SUMMER'S STARTING WITH A BANG for Wal-Mart's home textiles suppliers, legions of whom boarded planes a few days ago for the retailer's product summit in Shanghai. But that's just the beginning. There will be no lazy, hazy days of summer...

A world apart: "even the folks working for Chinese owned and based companies are marveling at the differences in how they now do business.".(OPINION Today)
June 6, 2005... AS MORE AND MORE FOLKS in the home textiles world become virtual commuters between the United States and the Far East, some things have already come into sharp focus. The first is that doing business in China is radically different from doing...

Wal-Mart branching out.(News)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... BENTONVILLE, ARK. -- Wal-Mart will focus on becoming a more aggressive merchant and improving the shopping experience for female customers, executives said during the company's annual shareholder meeting last week. In concentrating on its...

Pine Cone moves into retail.(Pine Cone Hill)
June 6, 2005... LENOX MASS. -- Moving from a role as a designer of rags, fabrics and home textiles and tabletop products, Pine Cone Hill found founder Annie Selke and her husband Whitney have now become retailers in a big way. way. Last month, the couple...

WPS bidding process heats up.(News. WestPoint Stevens auction.)
June 13, 2005... NEW YORK -- It seems to be just Icahn and Ross. But no matter who else might show up at the WestPoint Stevens auction next week, the process will likely be punctuated by bids and overbids contingent on legal issues to be decided in a courtroom...

TJX pushes HomeGoods.(News)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... FRAMINGHAM, MASS. -- Although the HomeGoods chain had a difficult 2004, the nameplate has developed enough cachet that TJX will more aggressively co-brand side-by-side T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods locations, which have separate entrances but a...

Lampert sheds light on Sears; chairman promises discipline and responsiveness in combined company.(News)
June 13, 2005... Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- As the combined Sears Holdings Corporation posted its first quarterly results last week, Chairman Edward Lampert promised that the company will be highly disciplined about expenses and capital allocation, but more...

Stein Mart counting on Jones.(News)
June 13, 2005... JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- Stein Mart Inc. formally introduced home area Vice President and General Merchandise Manager Kassie Jones during its annual meeting here last week, pointing out that the company expects her to boost the category after it...

Target to debut O'Brien line.(Retail Briefs)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Designer Thomas O'Brien's 500-sku collection for Target will debut in October, the retailer reported last week. As previously announced, the exclusive brand--Vintage Modern--will encompass bedding, bath, furniture, decorative accessories,...

Saks sale clears regulatory hurdle.(Retail Briefs)(Belk Inc. acquires Saks Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Saks Incorporated has cleared the hurdle presented by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust improvements Act of 1976, and is now scheduled to complete its sale of Proffitt's and McRae's to Belk, Inc. on July 5. On April 28, Belk agreed to...

Lowe's heads North.(Retail Briefs)(Lowe's Companies Inc. planning to open stores in Canada)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Lowe's Companies will enter Canada with six to 10 stores in Toronto in 2007, and eventually may open up to 100. The home center chain will establish an office in the Toronto area later this year, which will be led by Doug Robinson, newly named...

Family Dollar shifts focus to home, urban stores.(News)(Family Dollar Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... NEW YORK -- Family Dollar Stores plans to improve the performance of its urban stores, open 500 to 560 stores this year, and increase its focus on home by upgrading the merchandise quality and adding more special events, company President and...

LNT predicts second quarter loss.(News)(Linens 'n Things Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Clifton, N.J. -- Linens 'n Things shifted its outlook for the second quarter from black to red, warning Wall Street to expect a loss of 11 to 15 cents per share. Previously, the company had expected to post earnings between 3 and 9 cents...

Big Lots expanding closeouts; items will be 60 percent of assortment.(News)
June 13, 2005... Columbus, Ohio -- Having completed all "heavy lifting and defensive strategies" over the past three years to better build brand nationally, tidy up its units and improve marketing to customers, Big Lots Inc. is focusing this year and beyond on...

Fishman takes company's reins.(News)
June 13, 2005... Columbus, Ohio -- Retail veteran Steve Fishman is headed to Big Lots as chairman, CEO and president. He will join the company in July. Fishman will replace Michael Potter, who in January announced his intention to step down as CEO in order...

Retail Ventures on rocky road.(News)(posted loses for first quarter)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Columbus, Ohio -- Retail Ventures parent company of Value City, Filene's Basement and DSW Show Warehouse--posted a sharply wider loss for the first quarter as costs rose, margins softened and same-store sales declined decisively. Total...

Showtime adds new exhibitors.(News)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... High Point, N.C. -- The 31st Showtime fabric market to be held July 10 through 13 will feature products from 231 of the group's 259 members. Companies exhibiting hail from at least 17 countries and include 14 new exhibitors from the United...

Three nail down awards from Penney.(News)
June 13, 2005... Plano, Texas -- Carpenter Co. was presented the 2004 Supplier of the Year award for the home division by JCPenney. Carpenter also was given the supplier award for jcpenney.com, another category specific to the company's Interact site. ...

Shaw taps Robertson.(News)(Shaw Living hired Bruce Robertson)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Dalton, Ga. -- Looking to expand its presence in the Canadian market, Shaw Living recently hired Bruce Robertson as its sales manager for Canada. Based in Toronto, Robertson reports to John McLeod, vice president of sales and marketing for...

Sears thanks Partners.(News)(Regal Home Collections, Burns Group awarded)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- The Karastan Rug and Karastan Carpet divisions, Regal Home Collections and The Burns Group were the home textiles suppliers presented with the 2004 Partners in Progress awards by Sears and The Great Indoors. The...

National Curtain creates new sales director post.(News)(Darrel Druckman )(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... New York -- National Curtain recently appointed Darrel Druckman to the newly restructured director of sales post. He reports to George Gokhan, vice president. Druckman was most recently with Ex-Cell Home Fashions, where he worked the past...

Macy's Home adds mini-store.(News)(Macy's New York)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... New York -- Macy's Home Store will include a mini-store within a store in 10 furniture departments when the company launches its total home Provence collection next month. The shops will mark the American debut of merchandise from France's...

2005 Virginia Jackson Design Award winners.(News)(Philadelphia University)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... JACQUARDS Lillie Furman, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), first; Erin Voorhies, RISD, second; Lauren Valente, RISD, third. PRINTS Jihyun Bac, North Carolina State University, first; Maria Thomas Herring, North Carolina State...

JCPenney fills in the blanks.(News)(JCPenney Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Plano, Texas -- JCPenney is filling a void in three bedding categories that many retailers have abandoned--bedspreads, coverlets and daybed covers. "Some 15 to 17 percent of our assortment is in these categories," reported Donna Gering,...

2004: the year in statistics.(News)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Data for Numbers 2004 is based on information provided directly by suppliers in these categories. Home Textiles Today augments the information with data from the U.S. Department of Commerce; Claritas, a market-research firm headquartered in San...

Despite deflation, sales gained sharply in '04.(2004: THE YEAR IN STATISTICS: Bedding)
June 13, 2005... New York -- In 2004, the bedding category saw continued price deflation, a trading up of specifications at prior price points and more direct sourcing from Asia. Although leading bedding suppliers struggled to grow--or even...

Product innovations drove strong bath market.(2004: THE YEAR IN STATISTICS: Bath & Bath Accessories)
June 13, 2005... New York -- The bath category proved to be a hot place in home during 2004, earning a 2.8 percent gain in sales to $3.7 billion. Drawing their design inspiration from the spa and luxury markets, suppliers breathed new life into the solid...

Rug suppliers found plush 2004.(2004: THE YEAR IN STATISTICS: Rugs)
June 13, 2005... New York -- In 2004, price hikes for raw materials, heightened direct-importing activity by retailers and retail price-point cutbacks represented the most challenging hurdles that area and accent rug players had to lace. And yet, they...

Window industry worked hard to stay flat.(2004: THE YEAR IN STATISTICS: Window Treatments)
June 13, 2005... NEW YORK -- A continued deflationary trend in the soft window business during 2004 saw retailers moving more lower-priced items for largely the same overall dollar amount, as the size of the business at retail remained flat at $2.6 billion. ...

Loss of players created room in the kitchen.(2004: THE YEAR IN STATISTICS: Kitchen Textiles)
June 13, 2005... NEW YORK -- The kitchen textiles industry held its ground in 2004, gaining a modest 1.8 percent in sales to $560 million. Not surprisingly, discount department stores rang in the most sales for kitchen textiles last year, holding on to more...

Cross-pollination kept table buzzing.(2004: THE YEAR IN STATISTICS: Kitchen Textiles)
June 13, 2005... NEW YORK -- The table linens category in 2004 eked out a sales gain of 1.2 percent to $820 million that it managed during an otherwise lackluster year. The gain was achieved by pursuing cross-coordination with related categories, like...

HTT methodology.(News)
June 13, 2005... HTT organizes retailers according to the following classifications: HOME TEXTILE SPECIALTY STORES/ CHAINS: Home textiles is the total business or single largest category. Chains include Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens 'n Things and Anna's Linens....

Bella Rose expands sales reach; California-based Bon Marche, Rep. Judy Bynum to lead the way.(PEOPLE Today)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. -- Bella Rose by Chateau, a home textiles design and manufacturing company, beefed up its sales reach with the addition of California-based sales firm Bon Marche and independent representative Judy Bynum. Bon Marche...

Lowe's promotes Robinson.(Doug Robinson)(Lowe's Companies Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Lowe's has promoted Doug Robinson to the newly created position of president for Lowe's Canadian operation. Robinson joined Lowe's in 2003 with more than 20 years of experience in the home improvement industry. Most...

Vicari named global licensing president.(Maria Vicari)(VF Corporation Sportswear Coalition)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... NEW YORK -- Maria Vicari has joined VF Corporation Sportswear Coalition, a division of VF Corporation, as president of Nautica global licensing. In this new role, she reports to Denise Seegal, president of the coalition, which includes...

Capel to introduce 27 new collections.(PEOPLE Today)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... TROY, N.C. -- Capel Incorporated will show 27 new area rug collections during the Atlanta International Rug Show this July. Capel will debut three new outdoor/indoor collections and three new contemporary collections that highlight hand...

VanderWerf joins Orian.(PEOPLE Today)(Brian VanderWerf)(Orian Rugs Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... ANDERSON, S.C. -- Machine-woven area and accent rug manufacturer Orian Rugs recently added Brian VanderWerf to its management team, appointing him vice president of sales. VanderWerf was most recently vice president of Northeast sales for...

Carlsruh named home VP at ShopKo; vet responsible for profitability.(PEOPLE Today)(ShopKo Stores Inc.)(Jim Carlsruh)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Green Bay, Wis. -- Jim Carlsruh has been named divisional vice president of home at ShopKo, with responsibility for the merchandising and profitability of housewares, furniture, lamps, auto and hardware at all 140 locations. He comes to...

Calendar.(Calendar)
June 13, 2005... June 13-15 NeoCon World's Trade Fair Merchandise Mart Chicago (312) 527-7074 www.merchandisemart.com/neocon 14-16 China Textile & Apparel Trade Show Javits Center New York (718) 261-1181 www.nychinashow.com 21-23 Annual Licensing...

Sears Holdings starts with a loss.(BUSINESS Today)
June 13, 2005... Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Nicked by a $90 million one-time, non-cash accounting charge, Sears Holdings Corp.--the newly combined Kmart and Sears--recorded a small $9 million first quarter loss. But pull the non-cash accounting charge out of...

Memorial Day spurs sales.(Johnson Redbook Index)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... NEW YORK -- With the nation's department stores getting a lift from strong Memorial Day sales, which offset some weakness at mass merchants, same-store retail sales came in modestly ahead of plan during the first week of June, rising 3,3...

Manufacturing growth slows.(BUSINESS Today)
June 13, 2005... TEMPE, ARIZ. -- While still growing modestly, the U.S. manufacturing sector, a principal driver of the American economy, continued to lose momentum during May, the rate of growth slowing steadily over the past seven months, the nation's...

Wall Street watch: for the week ended June 9, 2005.(Business)(Illustration)
June 13, 2005... WALL STREET WATCH FOR THE WEEK ENDED JUNE 9, 2005 MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS % CHG. CLOSE % CHG YEAR-TO- COMPANY ...

The half-full glass.(OPINION Today)
June 13, 2005... LICENSING PEOPLE may be among the world's greatest optimists. They trumpet thousands of properties few have heard of, artists whose work is neither widely distributed nor hailed, characters from "hit" movies that haven't yet completed...

Times are changing.(OPINION Today)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... IT'S DEFINITELY not business as usual in this home textiles business--either from the supplier side or at retail. It seems that almost every other week there is something internally or externally happening that impacts the way the home...

Editor's notes.
June 13, 2005... It was great to see so many of you in person at the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assn. trade show last month, and to get a look at what new trends are going on in the industry. There was something of a thrill after the ribbon was cut to open...

Number of U.S. births rises 2% in '03.(By the Numbers)
June 13, 2005... High Point -- Based on the preliminary data from National Center for Health Statistics, the number of births in the United States was 4,091,063 in 2003, up 2% from the final 2002 number. This breaks the downward trend of births experienced from...

Minority birth rates increasing.(By the Numbers)
June 13, 2005... There were some notable differences in the birth rates by race and ethnicity in 2003. Women of both Hispanic and Asian descent had higher birth rates than either non-Hispanic whites or blacks. This continues a multi-year trend. In 2003, 43% of...

Britax signs licensing deals with Fisher-Price, universities.(Licensing)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Orlando, Fla. -- Gear manufacturer Britax stepped into the licensing arena at last month's Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assn. trade show here, with a partnership with Fisher-Price to produce Fisher-Price branded carseats and travel systems....

Spin Master to make toys for Deko Boko.(Licensing)
June 13, 2005... San Francisco -- VIZ Media has named Spin Master master toy licensee for Deko Boko Friends, a Japanese animation property for preschool audiences. Simon Spotlight, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, has also been named...

Evergreen Concepts hired to promote Brainy Baby brand.(Licensing)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Alpharetta, Ga. -- Infant developmental DVD company The Brainy Baby Co. has signed Evergreen Concepts as its licensing agent in the United States and Canada in an effort to further establish its multimedia products into the consumer...