Home Textiles Today articles from June 2007

Home Textiles Today archives from June 2007

Coteminas Hit by Springs Losses.(Financial report)
June 4, 2007... By Don Hogsett Sao Paolo, Brazil - Hamstrung by a $141.5 million loss at its Springs Global cross-border operation, Brazilian parent Coteminas said profits last year were slashed by more than half even as it virtually tripled its sales as...

Joan Fabrics Assets to be Auctioned.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Wilmington, Del. - The assets of bankrupt former fabric powerhouse Joan Fabrics are scheduled to be sold at auction on June 26, according to an order filed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court here. Rick Mikels, an attorney for...

Luxury Looks Living Large at Showtime.
June 4, 2007... By Carole Sloan High Point, N.C. - A focus on luxury looks with lots of silks, velvets, embroideries and embellishments in fabric, scrollwork, paisley and Jacobean as design favorites; and an abundance of color, albeit in a more muted...

Wal-Mart Evaluating Home Tweaks.
June 4, 2007... By Brent Felgner SuperCenter Expansion Trimmed Rogers, Ark. - Wal-Mart is testing a new home store set utilizing lower center sidecounters (gondolas), intended to further enhance its developing "room solutions" effort and the customer...

Throw and Blanket Entrepreneur Biederlack Dies.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Cumberland, Md. - Robert Biederlack, the cosmopolitan German businessman with a vaguely aristocratic mien who founded Biederlack of America and nourished it into a major throw and blanket producer, died Thursday, May 24, in...

Domestics Leads Charge at Big Lots.(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... By Staff Columbus, Ohio - Big Lots' home business during the first quarter was "pretty good" and led by domestics, chairman and ceo Steve Fishman told analysts during a conference call before the company's annual shareholders meeting last...

Retail Briefs.
June 4, 2007... By Staff BJ's Profits Off as Sales Climb Staff BJ's Wholesale Club saw first-quarter income fall 11.0% to $13.7 million, as sales rose 7.5% to $2.0 billion; comp club sales were up 2.3%. Frank Forward, cfo, said excluding gasoline...

Qual-Fab Taken Private.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Hialeah, Fla. - Qual-Fab, a long time printer and converter of decorative fabrics, has been sold to a private equity group, Innovo Capital of Miami. Saul Levine, 87, founder of the company has retired. His daughter Jil...

Santens of America Shuts Down.(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral Anderson, S.C. - After 18 years of manufacturing jacquard and jacquard-border terry bath ensembles, beach towels and embroidered varieties, Santens of America permanently shut down on May 18. The company was the U.S....

JCP Fetes Supplier Leaders.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Plano, Texas - Bedding supplier Extreme Linen and shades and blinds window supplier Wholespace Industries were awarded the overall company award at the JCPenney Suppliers Summit meeting on May 22. Extreme Linen, which also won...

Nichol Adds Duties at Dan River.
June 4, 2007... By Staff New York - At Dan River, Bruce Nichol, vp of product development, now will head all design and development efforts. The move follows the resignation of Melanie Kaplan, former svp, product design and development. Kaplan, as...

Restoration Hardware Aims at Contract, Baby Segments.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Corte Madera, Calif. - Specialty retailer Restoration Hardware continues to foment brand extensions as it works to build a sustainable business strategy. The latest: Restoration Hardware Trade - a new division that targets...

Sears Holdings Profits Jump as Sales Sag.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Sales were down but profits up in the first quarter at Sears Holdings, the 3,800-store retailer reported last week. Nothing was said about home category performance at Sears, but the company did state,...

Veratex Expands Jennifer Gucci Home.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Van Nuys, Calif. - Veratex will hold a special market event in its New York showroom featuring its Jennifer Gucci Home Collection during Licensing International, June 19 through 21. Gucci, a former member of the Italian Gucci...

828 Int'l Preps Lines for Atlanta.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Greenville, S.C. - Come July and the Atlanta International Area Rug market, 828 International Trading Company will launch a dozen new collections. A highlight of the group is the power-loomed Laguna, comprising 12...

Hanung India in U.S. Contract.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Noida, India - Hanung Toys & Textiles Ltd., India (HTTL) has signed a contract valued at $65 million with a leading home textiles distributor in the United States. Hanung said the deal will cover supplies of sheet sets, quilts,...

Home Glows at Ross Stores.(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... By Staff Pleasanton, Calif. - Home was one of the two "best performing" merchandise categories during the first quarter for Ross Stores, the retailer said during its quarterly earnings call; dresses was the other top-selling category. ...

Stein Mart: Linens Lag as Home Hums.
June 4, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral Jacksonville, Fla. - It is the gifts - not the linens - that keep giving at Stein Mart, where the home business was boosted during the first quarter through renewed emphasis in this category and home decor. The...

Urban Outfitters to Bow 'Greenhouse'.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Senk Promoted to CEO Philadelphia - Specialty retailer Urban Outfitters said it will launch a "greenhouse" inspired retailing concept in early 2008. "Our new concept is designed to appeal to men and women interested in a...

Poole Takes on Wellstrand from Wellman.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Fort Mill, S.C. - Polyester resin and fiber producer Wellman, Inc. has sold the equipment used to manufacture Wellstrand fiber and licensed the use of the Wellstrand name in the United States to David C. Poole Company, a...

Williams-Sonoma Cautious on 2Q.
June 4, 2007... By Staff San Francisco - Citing a sluggish home furnishings environment, Williams-Sonoma lowered its second-quarter outlook - but affirmed its full-year expectations. The retailer now anticipates 2Q earnings of 14-18 cents per share,...

Bon-Ton Affirms Guidance.
June 4, 2007... By Staff York, Pa. - After better-than-expected performance in February and March, April's weather woes set back first-quarter results at the Bon-Ton Stores, executives said during their earnings call with analysts. For the quarter...

Home No Standout at Dillard's.(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... By Staff Little Rock, Ark. - Fleet-footed activity in the shoe department wasn't enough to carry the chain as first-quarter net income for Dillard's vvdropped to $42.9 million from $61.3 million for the same period one year ago. Net...

Hellenic Rug Ramps Up Candice Olson Line.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Brooklyn, N.Y. - The focus by Hellenic Rug Imports during the July markets, in Atlanta and Las Vegas, will be on the Candice Olson collection and the brand's new Gallery program. "The huge success of the Candice Olson rug...

Feizy Rugs to Add Collections.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Dallas - Feizy Rugs has a lineup of new design and color additions to existing collections for the upcoming markets in Atlanta and Las Vegas. New to its Home program is the Iota collection, a contemporary grouping comprising...

Designer Filicia Appears at Karastan Events.(Thom Filicia)(Fieldcrest Cannon Inc. Karastan Rug Mills Div.)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... By Staff Dalton, Ga. - Designer alumnus of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" Thom Filicia teamed up with rug resource Karastan and co-sponsor Wear-Dated Carpet Fiber to host Decorating From the Floor Up seminars at the Field Museum in...

Soft Goods Slow at Jo-Ann.
June 4, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral Hudson, Ohio - While admittedly the first quarter was "historically, our weakest quarter in terms of financial results," Jo-Ann Stores found silver linings in a few "significant milestones" it reached. The 794-unit...

Silver Buffalo Supersedes Evandale.
June 4, 2007... By Staff New York - Home decor producer Evandale has a new owner and a new name: Silver Buffalo. The new owner and ceo is Eric Silver, who was evp of Evandale when it was a division of J.W.E. "Our goal in purchasing this business...

C&F, Waverly Lauded by Licensor Williamsburg.(C&F Enterprises)(Colonial Williamsburg Co.)(Waverly Mills Inc.)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... By Staff Williamsburg, Va. - Licensees of Colonial Williamsburg gathered for a summit in the historic Williamsburg Lodge in May, and C&F Enterprises and Waverly were among several honored for their merchandising achievements. C&F's...

Amer. Century in New High Point Space.(American Century Home Fabrics)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... By Staff High Point, N.C. - American Century Home Fabrics is opening its new, larger showroom on the eighth floor of Market Square Tower here in time for Showtime this week. The company is taking over the space formerly held by Joan...

Claire's Recruits Eugene Kahn.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Pembroke Pines, Fla. - Eugene Kahn, former chairman and ceo of May Department Stores, has joined Claire's Stores as ceo. Claire's, a 3,000-store retailer of teen and tween fashion accessories, last week completed its...

Kaplan Joins Hanover Direct.(Melanie Kaplan)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... By Staff Weehawken, N.J. - Melanie Kaplan has joined Hanover Direct as chief creative officer - product development and design. In this newly created position for the direct marketing retailer, Kaplan's primary focus will be on the...

New Executive Roles at Macy's.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Gray Retires, MacDonald Resigns Cincinnati - Peter Sachse, chairman and ceo of macys.com, has assumed an additional role as Macy's Inc. chief marketing officer and president of Macy's Corporate Marketing (MCM); in his new...

Next Generation Takes Ginsey Reins.
June 4, 2007... By Staff Bellmawr, N.J. - Longtime bath product manufacturer and marketer Ginsey Industries is under new ownership, but retains the same management. Harry Haber, who for the past 15 years has operated the company and owned the majority of...

Safavieh Hires Barry Burress.(Safavieh Rugs and Home)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... By Staff Port Washington, N.Y. -Upscale rug supplier Safavieh has appointed Barry Burress to the newly created position of Midwest territory manager, responsible for sales in the Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan markets. "Barry's...

Confidence Rebounds in May.
June 4, 2007... By Staff New York - With Americans feeling more buoyant about current business conditions, consumer confidence bounced back in May from an April downturn, advancing by 1.6% to a level of 108.0 from 106.3 the month before, the Conference...

Housing Zigs and Zags.
June 4, 2007... By Don Hogsett Washington - The broad U.S. housing market continued its wayward, erratic trek in April, with the vast market for existing homes slipping by 2.6% even as new home sales surged unexpectedly higher and housing starts ticked...

Cost Plus Plans Upswing as Losses Widen.
June 4, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral Oakland, Calif. - This month marks the one-year anniversary since Cost Plus World Market implemented its "comprehensive turnaround" plan, and the company said that there are "tangibly" visible differences at the store...

May Comps Keep Up Pace.(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... By Staff New York - Same-store sales perked up modestly during the third week of May, recovering from some softness the week before, but remained spotty and unsettled, the Johnson Redbook Index reported, in part due to unseasonably cool,...

Target Shareholders Urge Eco Progress.
June 4, 2007... By James Mammarella Cleveland - With 2006 full year sales having increased 13% over 2005 to $5.9 billion, and earnings having leapt 18.5% to $3.21 per share, Target chairman and ceo Bob Ulrich easily laid claim to "progress" at the annual...

How Green Was My Fabric.
June 4, 2007... By Carole Sloan It looks like it's time for a whole new vocabulary for the home textiles world. There's an apparent groundswell taking place in the home furnishings arena, home textiles will not be exempt. It's the whole eco movement,...

Not Sufficiently Confusing.
June 4, 2007... By Jennifer Marks If you're bewildered about when you should come to New York this August to hook up with the customers and/or vendors appropriate to your line of business, you are in good company. The uncoupling last August between...

WestPoint Home Cuts 1,000 Closes Most U.S. Bedding Plants.
June 4, 2007... By Don Hogsett Headquarters, Sales Offices Impacted, Off-shore Shift Accelerates New York - Hacking away at costs, shutting down more plants and thinning out its white-collar ranks as it tries to stabilize sales and push more...

Cotton Group's Counsel: Step Up Quality.
June 18, 2007... By Don Hogsett Washington - As worldwide demand for cotton continues to outpace production, putting upward pressure on prices, the cost of home fashion's most basic raw material is forecast to rise an average 3.6% this year and then jump...

Macy's Modeling Martha.
June 18, 2007... By Carole Sloan 'Ultimate Collector' in Dress Rehearsal West Nyack, N.Y. - Macy's has unveiled the Martha Stewart Collection of home furnishings at its store here in what might best be termed a dress rehearsal for the main event set to...

Showtime Traffic Slackens.
June 18, 2007... By Carole Sloan Exhibitors Outlook Optimistic High Point, N.C. - Despite a marked drop in attendance, punctuated by an unsettled current business condition and questionable outlook, exhibitors at Showtime here earlier this month were...

Course Correction at Wal-Mart.(Correction notice)
June 18, 2007... By Brent Felgner Retailer Cautiously Seeking Fashion Fayetteville, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores president and ceo Lee Scott and the company's most senior executives are locked in a frank conversation about rescuing and retooling the...

Retail Briefs.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Dollar General Buyout Detailed Staff The Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) affiliate Buck Acquisition Corp. revealed its financing plan for the agreement to take 8,000-store neighborhood discounter Dollar General private. The...

For the Record.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Due to a transmission error, advance coverage of Showtime prepared for the June 4 issue of HTT was replaced by previously published material. The actual preview coverage is available online at www.hometextilestoday.com (enter...

Gottschalks: More Cuts to Home Textiles.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Fresno, Calif. - Gottschalks continues to downsize home textiles in its merchandise mix, "shifting dollars so that what would have been a textiles inventory might be shifted to housewares or gift items," said president and ceo Jim...

Jessica McClintock Previews at Dallas Market.
June 18, 2007... By Staff City of Commerce, Calif.- Pacific Coast Home Furnishings (PCHF) will preview a part of its licensed Jessica McClintock Home collection at the Dallas Gift Market, June 19-27 at the World Trade Center in "The Mix" showroom. As...

Stein Mart Banking on Nina, Gifts to Lift Home.
June 18, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral Retailer Reveals Plans at Annual Meeting Jacksonville, Fla. - Using the very upscale backdrop of the Cummer Museum and Gardens here, in the choice company of Picasso, Kandinsky and a room full of religious Russian...

Yellow, Metallics in Cotton Inc. Trend Forecast.
June 18, 2007... By Carole Sloan New York - Three major color statements, ranging from understated and subtle colors in "Compose" to fresh, dynamic shades in "Enmesh," and an urban influenced group "Theatrics" that features iridescence in cool and warm...

Strong Rupee Dampens India Exports.
June 18, 2007... By Staff New York - Having managed the transition out of quotas in 2005, some manufacturers saw large gains - while India's home textile exports to the United States overall increased marginally in 2006. But in the early months of 2007...

Bon-Ton Sales Inch Up.
June 18, 2007... By Staff York, Pa. - The Bon-Ton Stores made a smart buy. The company continues to break out monthly comparable store sales for its legacy Bon-Ton stores separately from the 142-door Carson's group of stores it acquired last year from Saks...

Filene's Stars in Retail Ventures Results.(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 18, 2007... By Staff Columbus, Ohio - Tri-platform off-price retailer Retail Ventures (RVI) reported a 4.5% rise in first quarter sales to $754.1 million, largely on store-count increase, while comp store sales fell 5.2% - but one division posted...

Atlanta Rug Market Goes Green.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Atlanta - The Atlanta International Area Rug Market is going eco-friendly. During the upcoming event in July it will also encompass the new AmericasMart Green Products Showcase of environmentally-inclined home products. This...

Dan River Moving to 7W Building.
June 18, 2007... By Staff New York - Completing a long-running downsizing of its showroom and offices here, Dan River is moving to 7 West 34th St. in time for the upcoming market and exiting its current space on 6th Ave. Dan Hammer, evp and president...

Actress Hargitay Graces Karastan Ads.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Dalton, Ga. - High-end rug resource Karastan has unveiled its 2007 "Make A Statement" advertising campaign, featuring actress Mariska Hargitay, a star on NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." Five different print ads -...

Bid Made on Some Joan Fabrics Assets.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Wilmington, Del. - Greystone Private Equity has been named the stalking horse bidder for certain assets and real property of Joan Fabrics, with a bid of $13.45 million - but not including the company's Circa 1801/Doblin operations...

Maitè Designs Opens U.S. Showroom.(Brief article)
June 18, 2007... By Staff Atlanta - The Qingdao, China-based luxury linen manufacturer Maite Designs has opened its first U.S. wholesale showroom, located here. The company already does substantial business in Asia and Europe. The new showroom features...

Textrade Preps NY Showroom, Indian Factory.(Textrade International )(Brief article)
June 18, 2007... By Staff Mumbai, India - Textrade International is taking a New York showroom at 7 W. 34th St., part of a push to expand its business in the U.S. market. In addition, Textrade has just commissioned a 225,000-square foot manufacturing...

Jenny and Jeff Introduces Bath Accessories.
June 18, 2007... By Staff New York - Jenny and Jeff Designs, led by Jenny Faw and Jeff Stock, will introduce six new novelty juvenile designs in bath accessory collections, including Pirates and Zoo, at the upcoming International Licensing Show 2007, June...

PHI Partners with Artists.
June 18, 2007... By Staff San Francisco - Peking Handicraft Inc.(PHI), well-versed in licensing with more than 30 properties represented in its line, recently grew its roster to include three more such partnerships. They are artists Jim Shore, Julia...

Quaker Fabrics to Sell Plant.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Fall River, Mass. - Jacquard upholstery and yarn producer Quaker Fabric has reached an agreement to sell its 193,000-square-foot Plant J facility here to two buyers. Nordic Properties and Whelan Associates, both based in...

Sander Sales Opens at 230 Fifth.(Brief article)
June 18, 2007... By Staff Edison, N.J. - Sander Sales has opened a New York sales office and design studio at 230 Fifth Ave., according to the showroom building. The home textiles importer's headquarters and fulfillment center will remain in Edison,...

Springs to Bow Fisher-Price Line.
June 18, 2007... By Staff El Segundo, Calif. - Toy titan Mattel has extended its licensing arrangement with Springs Global US, which will now produce the first-ever complete line of bedding and bath products for infants and toddlers under the Fisher-Price...

Williamsburg Placemats Due from Jason Products.(Brief article)
June 18, 2007... By Staff Williamsburg, Va. - The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has signed a new licensing agreement under which Auckland, New Zealand-based Jason Products Ltd. will produce a line of Williamsburg hardboard placemats and coasters,...

Licenses Prospecting for Partners.
June 18, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral New York - Between the sheets and in the shower are where it's at, in terms of brand building. That's what several major properties have come to realize, just in time for the Licensing International Expo 2007 this...

Matching Licenses to Rugs.
June 18, 2007... By Cecile B. Corral From Andy Warhol to Kathy Ireland, Rug Licenses are Branching Out New York - Who would have thought soft flooring would make a new canvas for Andy Warhol's art, or a place to tee off for PGA aficionados? You'd...

Town & Country Hires Judi Alexander.
June 18, 2007... By Staff New York - Town & Country Living has recruited former WestPoint Home executive Judi Alexander as vp of licensing and marketing. Alexander managed the launch of Charisma Home for WestPoint and worked on the Betsey Johnson,...

Capel Promotes Freitag.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Troy, N.C.- Ninety-year-old family owned and operated rug manufacturer and importer Capel Inc. has promoted Laura Freitag to sales manager for its 17-state Central region. Freitag has been with Capel for the past seven years...

Family Dollar Elevates Fiorucci.(Marianne Fiorucci promoted at Family Dollar Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
June 18, 2007... By Staff Matthews, N.C. - Family Dollar Stores has promoted Marianne Fiorucci to vp-planning and allocations, reporting to Bryan Causey, svp-planning, allocation and replenishment. Fiorucci joined the 6,300-unit neighborhood discounter...

Merchant Pellenberg Joins Linen Source.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Tampa, Fla. - Charles Pellenberg has joined retailer Linen Source as senior vp, gmm, a new post. He reports to Steve Cobden and Frank Hill, co-presidents of the Thompson Group, owner of Linen Source. Pellenberg is responsible...

Company C Hires Savory.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Concord, N.H. - High-end rug, bedding and accessory manufacturer and supplier Company C has hired Susan Savory, appointing her retail buyer and merchandiser. She is based out of the main office here and reports to Nancy...

Analyst Resigns from Cotton Inc.
June 18, 2007... By Staff New York - Dana Poor, product trend analyst-home for Cotton Inc., has resigned and relocated to Atlanta where she will be a consultant to the company. Linda DeFranco, senior product trend analyst for the company, will assume...

Harvey Cole Remembered.(In memoriam)(Brief article)
June 18, 2007... By Staff Los Angeles - Services were held June 5 at University Synagogue in Irvine, Calif. for Harvey Cole, who died on June 2. Cole, 84, and his wife Maureen started Pillows of California, a fashion decorative pillow business, in 1954....

New Dates for High Point.
June 18, 2007... By Staff High Point, N.C. - The High Point Market Authority has released a set of dates that will put the market back on an April and October schedule starting next year. Much like the schedule before the Market Authority went to an...

American Textile Appoints Katz.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Duquesne, Pa. - Mattress pad and pillow manufacturer American Textile Company announced the appointment of Jennifer Katz as senior product manager for core basic bedding products, reporting to Michael Guidry, vp of product...

Off-Price Show Promotes Lapidos.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Brookfield, Wis. - The Off-Price Specialist Center has promoted markets director David Lapidos to the newly created position of vp for the group. Adding to his oversight of regional markets and exhibitor qualification,...

Lenzing Chief of Euro Fiber Assoc.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Lenzing, Austria - Thomas Fahnemann, chairman of the management board of Lenzing AG, was elected president of CIRFS for a three-year term. He succeeds Omer Sabanci, who was CIRFS president since 2004. CIRFS is the association...

World Market Center Taps Perryman.(Brin Perryman appointed)(Brief article)
June 18, 2007... By Staff Las Vegas - The World Market Center (WMC) has hired Brin Perryman a leasing manager, reporting to director of leasing Babs Blair. Perryman was most recently western regional sales manager for Furniture Today (a sister...

Rep Firm Founder Schueth Dies.
June 18, 2007... By Staff Indianapolis - Robert Schueth, 73, passed away May 12. Schueth founded the manufacturers representative company Schueth & Associates in 1975 to serve companies in the home textiles industry. His son, John, joined the firm in...

TJX Names Two to Board.(David Ching and Michael Hines appointed at TJX Companies Inc.)(Brief article)
June 18, 2007... By Staff Framingham, Mass. - Shareholders of off-price retailer TJX Companies have elected David Ching and Michael Hines to the board of directors, joining eight other ongoing directors who were re-elected. Ching is svp and cio of...