Home Textiles Today articles from June 2009

Home Textiles Today archives from June 2009

Surtex Finishes on Upbeat Note.(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Staff New York- The Surtex show for art and design wrapped up last month at the Jacob Javits Center on a positive note. Most exhibitors who spoke with HTT reported having a good three days, with many saying yesterday's traffic was the...

CRI Expands Seal of Approval to Enhance Carpet Care Standards.(Carpet and Rug Institute )(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Staff Dalton, Ga.- The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is expanding its Seal of Approval program to "encourage carpet cleaning companies to provide a higher level of customer service and satisfaction," the organization said. CRI's Seal...

Wal-Mart Names ceo of Latin America Operation.(appointment of Vicente Truis as chief executive officers)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Staff Bentonville, Ark.- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. last week named Vicente Truis executive vp, president and ceo of Wal-Mart Latin American. Trius led the Wal-Mart Asia operation for the past year, overseeing more than 40 new store openings...

Sales Softened for Second Week in a Row.(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Staff New York- Although sales picked up as the Memorial Day weekend got underway, same-store sales for the week ended May 23 fell off from the prior week, the Johnson Redbook reported last week. The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index...

Ross Stores Earnings Jump 20%.(financial news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Staff Pleasanton, Calif.- Lower inventories, faster turns and fewer markdowns lead Ross Stores to a 20% jump in earnings per share during the first quarter. EPS was 72 cents, with profit for the quarter ended May 3 up 17% to $91.4...

Target: Home Improves in Spots but Spending still off.
June 1, 2009... Staff Minneapolis- Target echoed several other retailers in late May in saying that its home department is stabilizing, but it made clear - as have many other retailers - that stable doesn't mean healthy. Same-store sales in home and...

Cautious Optimism Abounds.
June 1, 2009... Jennifer Marks, Editor-in-Chief Judging from the recent series of quarterly retail calls with analysts, life is no longer hideous. And that almost feels too good to be true. The business, nearly all seem to agree, is "stabilizing."...

For the Record.(Correction notice)
June 1, 2009... Staff In HTT 's May 18th issue, an article titled "Off-Shore Factories Pursuing Domestic Markets" incorrectly attributed a quote to the late Bud Frankel of Arlee. The speaker was the current Arlee president, David Frankel. The story...

Stein Mart Profit Soars.(Financial report)
June 1, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Jacksonville, Fla.- Home continues to be the "most difficult area" in sales at Stein Mart, the company noted during its first-quarter earnings call last week. The category could stand to lose inventory strength as...

Valley Forge, Adler launch Volumes of Velvet.(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Staff Las Vegas- The new Volumes of Velvet collection - designed by Jonathan Adler and produced by Valley Forge Fabrics - represents the designer's foray into the hospitality market. This collection, developed "specifically for...

Recession Roundtable Anticipates More Retail Rumbles.(Discussion)
June 8, 2009... Staff New York- A group of liquidation expects warned of more bankruptcies to come - and soon - during a recent roundtable sponsored here by Berns Communications Group. Retail liquidation is expected to accelerate during the end of the...

May Same-Store Sales Below Target.(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 8, 2009... Staff New York- Same-store sales fell slightly below target in May, the Johnson Redbook reported last week. The Johnson Redbook Index for the month was down 0.1% vs. a target of a 0.2% increase. Both department stores and discounters...

Dollar General Posts a Record First Quarter.
June 8, 2009... Staff Goodlettsville, Tenn.- "Robust" sales across the store and lower costs helped send Dollar General's profits skyrocketing during the first quarter to $83.0 million from $5.9 million in last year's 1Q. "While consumables again set...

May Proves to be Another Challenging Month for Retailers.
June 8, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral New York- The month of May proved another challenging period for most mid-tier and higher end retailers as the economy continued to dampen sales results, particularly for non-discretionary products. Not...

Color Climbs at Showtime.
June 8, 2009... By Carole Sloan High Point, N. C.- Color it clear, almost bright, and mix with stylized, simplified renditions of old-time favorites, whether traditional or contemporary in mood. That's the view of many decorative fabrics designers...

Carpenter Kicks off Sleep Better Campaign.
June 8, 2009... Staff Richmond, Va.- With the recession in mind, The Carpenter Co. is launching its new national marketing campaign under the theme: "Sleep Better, Dream Better." The campaign, which kicked off last week and runs through September,...

Williams-Sonoma Sees a Silver Lining.
June 8, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral San Francisco- Textiles grabbed the spotlight in several Williams-Sonoma Inc. brands during the first quarter, singled out as "dominant" and among product categories that lately have been "gaining the most traction,"...

Beaulieu, Dunbar-Cullum Partner for Hospitality Carpet Collections.
June 8, 2009... Staff Acton Vale, Quebec, Canada- Carpet and rug house Beaulieu Canada has forged a partnership with New York textile design company Dunbar-Cullum Inc. And together they have launched nine new collections of carpet styles. The nine...

Outdoor/Indoor Exhibitor Area set for Atlanta Show.(Brief article)
June 8, 2009... Staff Atlanta- Coming on its second market since debuting in January, the AmericasMart's Living Outdoor/Indoor-The Gardens product center has reach full capacity of leased showrooms. The center is prepping for the upcoming Atlanta...

Retail Briefs.
June 8, 2009... Staff Family Dollar Sees Momentum in 3Q Staff Family Dollar's third quarter sales rose 8.2% to $1.84 billion, the company announced last week. Comp sales at the 6,654-unit chain increased 6.2%. Family Dollar opened 26 new...

Pending Home Sales Up for Third Consecutive Month.
June 8, 2009... Staff Washington- The combination of low mortgage interest rates and the first-time buyer tax credit helped boost pending home sales in April for the third consecutive month, according to the National Association of Realtors. The...

Trevira Reorganizing in Insolvency, Seeking New Owner.
June 8, 2009... Staff Bobingen, Germany- Less than a month after announcing a management overhaul, polyester fiber giant Trevira GmbH is restructuring its business under an insolvency procedure in the local Augsburg court. "Customer orders will be...

Peking Handicraft Goes Retro with New Christmas Line by Artist Rhein.
June 8, 2009... Staff San Francisco- Home decor and gift house Peking Handicraft Inc. is launching a new mix-and-match holiday textiles collection designed by artist D.L. Rhein. The look is 1950s and 1960s retro and employs block letters and vintage...

Kravet Signs Fabric License with Calvin Klein.
June 8, 2009... Staff New York- Calvin Klein, Inc. has entered into a licensing program with Kravet, Inc. to manufacture and distribute a line of designer decorative fabrics including multi-purpose and upholstery wovens, window fabrics and decorative...

Carroll Celebrates Silver Anniversary with Karastan.
June 8, 2009... Staff Dalton, Ga.- Karastan Rugs longtime executive Patrick Carroll is celebrating his 25th anniversary working for the upscale area rug manufacturer. Carroll is currently territory manager representing carpets and rugs in northern...

WestPoint to Produce Izod for Home.
June 8, 2009... Staff New York- WestPoint Home has signed a licensing agreement with Phillips-Van Heusen to produce Izod branded bedding, bath and kitchen products. Shipments are expected to begin in spring 2010. The collection will target department...

Target to Debut Limited-Edition Home Fashion with Dror.(Brief article)
June 8, 2009... Staff Minneapolis- Target this month will launch an exclusive limited-edition collection of bedding, decorative accessories and stationery designed by Dror Benshetrit. The Dror for Target program will reflect Benshetrit's...

Classical Elements Adds Two.
June 8, 2009... Staff Raleigh, N.C.- Classical Elements, manufacturer and distributor of decorative trimmings, tassels, tiebacks and decorative hardware, has hired two new sales agents to represent its broad assortment of products to the trade. The...

Segal: Speed and Flexibility Matter.
June 8, 2009... By Carole Sloan New York- Retailing over the next few years will have to change radically, becoming quicker and more flexible to keep pace with consumers. To remain successful, "we all will have to focus on logistics, custom products...

Gribetz: Communication Key.
June 8, 2009... By Carole Sloan New York- Home furnishings retailers must use every means of communications they can to maintain and build their links with today's consumers. Department stores especially must become more aware of how people are...

Crypton Fabrics Unveils Antimicrobial, Green Technologies.
June 8, 2009... Staff West Bloomfield, Mich.- Antimicrobial and "green" fabric company Crypton Fabrics is launching several new products and technologies for fabrics, bedding and carpeting. At the forefront is the company's new alliance with Simmons...

NYIGF Plans Mets Ticket Giveaway Contest.
June 8, 2009... Staff White Plains, N.Y.- New York International Gift Fair is betting retailers like baseball. Its "Take me out to the ball game" promotion for this year's fair will award two retailers a pair of tickets each to see the New York Mets...

Venus Group Touts Sustainability and Initiatives on New Website.(Website overview)
June 8, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Foot Hill Ranch, Calif.- With several years under its belt in sustainable manufacturing and product development practices, Venus Group has paved the way for the recent debut of its new "Earth Smart" eco-friendly program...

Greenbacks a Concern for Eco-Friendly Products.
June 8, 2009... By Jill Rowen Green, the cash kind, seems to be more on the minds of consumers than eco-friendly offerings in the home textile marketplace right now. The green movement is taking new shape as many vendors try to live the ideal, even though...

7W Plans Special Events For Gift Fair/Home Textiles Week.
June 8, 2009... Staff New York- Showroom building 7 W New York is planning a number of events for New York Gift & Home Textiles Market Week, which runs August 14-20 in tandem with the New York International Gift Fair at the Jacob K. Javits Center. ...

Williams-Sonoma's Pottery Barn Makes Plans for Holiday.
June 22, 2009... Staff San Francisco--Williams-Sonoma Inc.'s Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids nameplates are "ready to go, in-stock and headed forward" to tackle this year's critical holiday season. "You can expect to see in the Pottery Barn brand...

Showtime Exhibitors Report Optimistic Event.
June 22, 2009... By Carole Sloan High Point, N.C.--Better than expected. But mostly because expectations were probably at the lowest point in the nearly two decades Showtime has been holding its decorative fabrics trade show. Exhibitors reported that...

Pier 1 Performs *Better than Planned* During Q1.
June 22, 2009... By Cecile B. Corral Forth Worth, Texas-- Home decor, outdoor home accessories and furniture were among the merchandise category highlights during Pier 1 Imports Inc.'s first quarter - a period which produced results "that were better than...

Home Textiles Grow Online.
June 22, 2009... By Jill Rowen New York-- For any vendor that thinks a trend can be too narrow too sell well, the Internet is a reality check. Too much camouflage bedding in stock? No problem -- and no surprise -- there's an Internet site devoted to just...

Retail Briefs.
June 22, 2009... Staff Target's Board Declares Quarterly Dividend of 17 cents per Share Staff Earlier this month, Target Corp.'s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 17 cents per common share - a 6% increase from the prior...

Ross Stores Gains Traction.
June 22, 2009... Staff Pleasanton, Calif.-- Ross Stores Inc. sounded a lot like Wal-mart Stores during the off-price chain's presentation earlier this month at the Piper Jaffray Consumer Conference, attributing at least part of its recent performance to...

Big Lots Looks Ahead.
June 22, 2009... By Staff New York-- Big Lots is in a "growth mode" and plans to open 45 stores this year, which is double from last year, according to Steve Fishman, chairman, ceo and president. Fishman made his remarks earlier this month at the 29th...

Longtime Executive Al Paul Passes.
June 22, 2009... Staff Chicago-- Long time retailing executive Al Paul died May 4. Paul, 83, led the former Spiegel catalog's home furnishings business through a radical transformation, rising to senior vp of home furnishings before retiring in the...

WestPoint Home, Allstar Products Team up for Snuggie.
June 22, 2009... Staff Hawthorne, N.Y.--Bedding and bath house WestPoint Home has teamed up with consumer products branding, marketing and distributor Allstar Products Group to produce, sell and distribute the Snuggie brand. WestPoint Home has gained...

Capel, Jane Seymour Designs Partner for Rug collection.
June 22, 2009... Staff Troy, N.C.-- Capel Rugs and Jane Seymour Designs have teamed up to create and market a co-branded line of casual lifestyle area rugs. The collection is set to launch in mid July during the Atlanta International Area Rug Market,...

Eddie Bauer to be Purchased in Ch. 11.
June 22, 2009... Staff Seattle--Eddie Bauer Holdings, which entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week, has entered into a bid agreement with private equity firm CCMP Capital Advisors to be acquired. The firm -- whose consumer and retail investments have...

J.C. Penney Wins Award for Viral Marketing Campaign.
June 22, 2009... Staff Plano, Texas--J.C. Penney Company Inc. is the recipient of this year's World Retail Award under the "Best Digital Retail Advertising" category for the mid-tier department store's "interactive viral marketing campaign" it calls Beware...

Industry Veteran Angelica Allen Remembered.
June 22, 2009... Staff Lindenhurst, N.Y.-- Family and friends gathered recently to celebrate the life of Angelica Allen, who passed away last week after a battling cancer. Allen spent most of her career at WestPoint Home, beginning at WestPoint...

Sunbury Launches Decorative Fabric Collection.
June 22, 2009... By Carole Sloan New York-- With a heritage that ties back to ancient fabrics for many purposes -- but always natural -- Sunbury has introduced two new decorative fabric collections using only natural fibers that are the next step beyond...

Sunbury Adds Bedding Collection.
June 22, 2009... Staff New York-- Responding to requests from its decorative bedding customers for fabrics designed specifically for that purpose, Sunbury has launched a major collection of wovens from jacquards to all-over coordinates. The 340-sku...

Veteran Supplier Cwirko Switches Roles.
June 22, 2009... Staff New Vernon, N.J.--After years of selling home textiles to retailers, Kathleen Cwirko-Spero is celebrating the one-year anniversary this month of owning her own independent specialty retail business. Cwirko-Spero left her position...

Thorndike Mills Connects Retailers Directly to Consumers.
June 22, 2009... Staff Palmer, Mass.-- Domestic braided rug manufacturer Thorndike Mills -- a division of TMI Industries -- has launched a new website that the company said makes it easier for retailers to work with the mill. "The focus behind the...

GHTA Launches *Independent Retailer Resource Center*.
June 22, 2009... Staff Grand Rapids, Mich.--The Gift and Home Trade Association, a non-profit professional trade association, has launched the Independent Retailer Resource Center (IRRC)--www.independentretailer.biz -- to provide additional tools,...

Newport Layton Closes Minneapolis Office.
June 22, 2009... Staff Portland, Ore.--In a cost-cutting move, Newport Layton Home Fashions announced last week it has shut down its offices in Minneapolis. As a result, longtime design team and couple George and Marcella Whyte will no longer be with...

Riegel adds Aprons to Product Assortment.
June 22, 2009... Staff Johnston, S.C.--Riegel, a division of Mount Vernon Mills, is adding hospitality bib-style aprons to its offerings. Coming soon to the line, these new pieces can come with or without pencil pockets in a single size --...

Celebrity Designers to Present at the AmericasMart During July Markets.
June 22, 2009... Staff Atlanta-- The likes of Suzanne Kasler, Bob Brown and others are among a group of six celebrity designers participating together during the Gift, Home Furnishings and Area Rug markets next month here at the AmericasMart. Retailer...

NYIGF to Launch Eco Choice Awards.(New York International Gift Fair)
June 22, 2009... Staff White Plains, NY--Co-sponsored the New York International Gift Fair and GREENRetailer magazine, the new Eco Choice Awards are set to debut during the fair's upcoming event in mid August. Retailers will have "a decisive role" in...

Foreign Accents Partners with HGTV's Michael Payne for Rug Collection.
June 22, 2009... Staff Albuquerque, N.M.--Contemporary area rug house Foreign Accents, which this year turns 25 years old, has joined forces with HGTV celebrity designer Michael Payne to co-create a new line of branded area rugs. "Our partnership is a...

Pacific Coast Feather Honors Longtime Employees.
June 22, 2009... Staff Seattle--Pacific Coast Feather Company (PCFC) recently honored its two longest serving employees - Kay and Gary Abbott - for half a century of service. The celebration was held in late May at the company's plant in Henderson,...

Australia's Living Textiles Baby Launches Line in United States.
June 22, 2009... Staff Newport Beach, Calif.--Australian baby bedding company Living Textiles Baby is branching out to include the United States. as its newest market. The company, which was established in 1963, offers a broad range of nursery and...

High Point Market Ads Promote 'Connecting'.
June 22, 2009... Staff High Point, N.C.-- The High Point Market Authority launched a new advertising campaign aimed at encouraging home furnishings professionals to "connect" at the upcoming High Point Market. This ad is part of a series that will urge...

AmericasMart Renews Leases.
June 22, 2009... Staff Atlanta--Area rug suppliers Jerry H. Aziz Oriental Rugs and Harounian Rugs International --both longtime exhibitors at the International Area Rug market here -- have each renewed their showroom leases at the AmericasMart for the next...

Manual Woodworkers Launches Baby and Children's Brand.
June 22, 2009... Staff Hendersonville, N.C--Manual Woodworkers & Weavers (MWW) has created a new brand it calls "izzy" for its baby and children's items. The company said it serves as the umbrella for its "comprehensive collection of all of our...

Creative Touch, Amadi Carpets Expand Showrooms.
June 22, 2009... Staff Atlanta-- At the AmericasMart here, two exhibitors -- Amadi Carpets Inc. and The Creative Touch Inc. - are each set to expand and relocate their respective showrooms this summer in time for the upcoming Atlanta International Area Rug...

FIT Students Opening Pop-up Shop at 7W.
June 22, 2009... Staff New York-- Showroom building 7W will host a pop-up shop gallery showcasing projects developed by the Fashions Institute of Technology Home Products Development program students from the class of 2010. As part of the Home Products...

Town & Country Living Teams up with Farberware for Kitchen, Table.
June 22, 2009... Staff New York--Town & Country Living has signed an exclusive agreement with Farberware Licensing Company to create a new collection of kitchen textiles and table linens. The line will be officially introduced in September during the...

Shaw Celebrates 10th Anniversary of its EcoWorx Carpet Backing Recycling System.
June 22, 2009... Staff Dalton, Ga.--Shaw Industries is celebrating the 10th anniversary of EcoWorx, the company's first fully recyclable commercial carpet backing system and what it claims is the world's first "Cradle to Cradle" certified flooring product....

Jellybean Expands into Non-Traditional Markets.
June 22, 2009... Staff Atlanta-- Home Comfort Inc., parent company of accent rug brand Jellybean, is generating "sharp increases" in business from its pursuit beyond traditional gift store markets and into untapped retail channels. The company...

Walmart Recognizes Suppliers.
June 22, 2009... Staff Bentonville, Ark.--Hollander Home Fashions, JLA, Mohawk and Loftex have received vendor recognition awards during Walmart's supplier summit. Hollander's recognition extends across the entire home division for execution and...

KarmaKraft.com Creates Custom Cloths.
June 22, 2009... Staff Raleigh, N.C.--Designers, small business owners, graphic artists and even individual consumers looking to print their own designs onto bedding, table linens and other pieces are among the customers KarmaKraft.com is hoping to tap....

Swavelle Opens Chinese Operation.
June 22, 2009... Staff New York--Swavelle/Mill Creek Fabrics and its subsidiaries, Textile Fabric Associates (TFA) and Bravo Fabrics International, converters of decorative fabrics for home and hospitality use, have launched Swavelle Trading (Shanghai)...

Protect-A-Bed Lands in JCPenney Outlets, Online.
June 22, 2009... Staff Chicago--Protect-A-Bed's mattress protection products have been picked up by four JCPenney outlet stores and will launch on jcpenney.com next month, according to the supplier. The products are being carried at outlets in:...

Ralph Lauren Home Opening Lighting Showroom.
June 22, 2009... Staff New York--Ralph Lauren Home, a division of Polo Ralph Lauren Corp., will open its first independent Lauren Ralph Lauren lighting showroom at the World Trade Center in Dallas on June 24, concurrent with the International Lighting...

Retailers Honored at ADL Annual Awards.
June 22, 2009... Staff New York--About 400 friends, relatives and business associates across the entire home furnishings spectrum gathered at the Grand Hyatt Hotel here earlier this month to salute Gordon Segal, Lester Gribetz and Jeff Cook, honorees of...

Polymer Group to Shut Down Arkansas Plant, Consolidate Others.
June 22, 2009... Staff Charlotte, N.C.--Polymer Group Inc. has decided to close its North Little Rock, Ark., plant and consolidate certain manufacturing operations in its Benson, N.C., plant "to maintain competitiveness in response to major global...

U.S. Commerce Department Reports Slight Sales Increase.(Financial report)
June 22, 2009... Staff Washington-- U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said he sees a conservative uptick in the U.S. economy, based on the country's retail and food services sales in May - which proved better than April's results. The U.S. Commerce...

Hanging onto Market Share.
June 22, 2009... Jennifer Marks, Editor-In-Chief The recent winners at retail -- basically, Walmart, off-pricers and dollar stores --share a common assertion: This new market share is ours and we're going to hang onto it when the economy improves. Big...

It's Win, Place or Show at Walmart.
June 22, 2009... Carole Sloan, Founding Editor-In-Chief Don't know how many of you all out there have been watching the Walmart ads of late, but they're merely the tip of the iceberg so far as the No. 1 retailer is concerned. The ads -- whether for...