Home Textiles Today articles from March 2006

Home Textiles Today archives from March 2006

Stein Mart pushes up new home rollout.
March 6, 2006... JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- Seasoned home executive Kassie Jones and her team have managed to push Stein Mart's home department reinvention project about two months ahead of schedule, and more than half of all units have already been remade. "We...

Market Basket reveals broad trade-up.(retail trade survey)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Spring retail prices on bedding and bath products climbed at both the opening price point and top price point levels in this year's Market Basket survey. Home Textiles Today's fifth annual review showed that Target, Kohl's and...

Risky business? Wal-Mart goes luxe.
March 6, 2006... SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The "L" word--"luxury," heretofore unmentionable--is springing up all over Wal-Mart's domestics department, particularly in sheets and other bedding coordinates, as well as in towels. But as Wal-Mart uses home fashions to...

Bloomingdale's bows bedding by Barbara Barry.(Barbara Barry Dream collection )
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Bloomingdale's is launching the Barbara Barry Dream collection of bedding, the second step in the California interior designer's home furnishings portfolio. The formal launch occurs in tandem with the store's circular, which...

Kohl's Crows over home, rolls brands.(Retail Briefs)
March 6, 2006... Home was the leading departments at Kohl's during the fourth quarter, the retailer said as it announced the soft home rollout of its exclusive Candies and Apt. 9 brands. "Home was much improved in the quarter as customers noticed the changes we...

Sears favors 'Grand' over 'Essentials'.( Sears Holdings PLC )(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Sears Holdings will convert 14 of its off-the-mall Kmart stores to the Sears Grand format this year, rather than to the Sears Essentials model as planned. The 50 existing Essentials units seem to be losing in comparison to the larger Grand...

Martha K-sales down, royalties up.(Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc.)(Kmart Holding Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Kmart paid Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) $28.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, up from $23.7 million in the same period a year ago--even while sales of Martha Stewart Everyday products "declined modestly in the quarter, with...

Marshall field's extends returns.(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... Marshall Field's is extending its 90-day return/ exchange policy to 180 days. "Many of our guests have expressed a need for more time to decide if their purchases are right for themselves or their gift recipients," said Frank Guzzetta, chairman...

BJ's offers high-low merchandising.(BJ's Wholesale Club Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... BJ's Wholesale Club is upgrading assortments, qualities and brands, while sharpening its price levels so that members can trade up--or down--executives said. "For example, in domestics, members now have the option of trading up to 1,000 thread...

For the record.(Correction notice)
March 6, 2006... A proofreading error resulted in the misspelling of an executive's name in the February 20, 2006 issue of HTT. The caption oil page 23 should have read: "At the Natori launch, Federated chairman Terry Lundgren, left, with Josie Natori, JLA's...

JLA Home welcomes 'New Age Manufacturing'.
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Seeing the future in the home textiles world in 2000, Edmund Jin started JLA Home, a rapidly growing product development, sourcing and sales company that now exceeds $175 million in volume. "We have a unique business model,"...

Hallmart collectibles to debut Alexander Julian collection.
March 6, 2006... SUN VALLEY, CALIF. -- Hallmart Collectibles has become the bedding licensee for designer Alexander Julian, and will debut the new collection during the International Furniture Fair in High Point., N.C., next month. This is 12-year-old...

JCPenney experience hits Times Square.(JCPenney Experience )(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- The JCPenney Experience opened here last week at the crossroads of Times Square, with a three-level store that embraces technology as a key to its marketing strategy. The third floor is dedicated to home furnishings with the new...

Regal Fabrics settles futon lawsuit: 'substantial' settlement in copyright case against suppliers, ShopKo.(News)
March 6, 2006... MIDDLETON, MASS. -- Regal Fabrics said it has settled a copyright infringement suit against a supplier, an off-shore fabric mill and a U.S. retailer for a "substantial" cash amount in the U.S. District Court in Boston. The fabric in...

Merged cos. form Scout.(News)
March 6, 2006... MILLBORO, VA. -- Bungalow and Park Designs, a pair of home decor companies, have merged to form SCOUT Limited. Ben Johns has been named ceo. Johns is known as co-founder and president of The Bacova Guild. Marly Metzler will serve as coo,...

Pierre Deux's Provence plays custom theme.(new products and facilities)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Pierre Deux returns to its roots for spring with new fabrics and furnishings celebrating the designs and colors of Provence. And an important part of the new collection is an emphasis oil custom work of all types--window,...

Croscill upgrades design infrastructure.
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Croscill has invested more than a half-million dollars in its design department, adding equipment and people to slash sampling turnaround time and to speed decision-making about which designs will go forward on what ground and in...

Former Croscill exec Joe Osborne, 68.(Croscill Inc.'s vice president)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Services were held late last month for Joe Osborne, 68, who died February 20. Osborne, a highly regarded home textiles executive, had retired from Croscill after 35 years with the company, last as a vp, sales. "Joe Osborne was...

Sarita Handa grows Denyse Schmidt quilts.(Sarita Handa Exports)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Sarita Handa Exports is rolling out three new patterns by modernist quilt designer Denyse Schmidt. The 100% cotton quilts are being distributed with spring 2006 shipments to specialty stores. The three designs, all patchwork-pieced...

ShanghaiMart to host textile mftrs by invitation.(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... SHANGHAI -- ShanghaiMart will host an invitation-only home textiles trade event for a select group of U.S. and European buyers on April 6-7. Exhibitors will consist of a targeted group of leading factories from across China, according to...

Scoperta sets Milan dates.(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... MILAN, ITALY -- The Scoperta fabrics and curtain fair has set the date for this year's show from May 9-12 at the Fiera Milano exhibition complex in Cernobbio, just outside Milan. The fair adds 25 new exhibitors this year, up 18% over last...

Towellers' breezy expansion goes clean and green.(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... KARACHI, PAKISTAN -- Towellers is on an expansion kick, a project that began with the launch of operations at a new green-fields facility in late 2005 and will eventually include the construction of a wind turbine power plant to cut energy...

Polymer group to relocate HQ to Charlotte.(News)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. -Polymer Group will set up a new corporate headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. area, consolidating many of its sales, administrative and other operational offices to better serve the customers of its nonwoven, engineered...

IMB will ShowTech.(IMB --World of Textile Processing)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... COLOGNE, GERMANY -- IMB --World of Textile Processing, the textiles technologies trade show that takes place only once every three years, has been set for May 10-13. The fair at the Cologne Exhibition Centre will feature more than 700...

Parimatex adds sheet plant.(Parimatex Group )(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... DAYTON, N.J. -- Parimatex Group plans to open phase one of its new Faisalabad, Pakistan-based manufacturing plant in May, with a capacity of producing 4,000 sheet sets per day. The second phase, with operation to commence in November, will...

828 Int'l debuts indoor-outdoor.(828 International Trading Co.)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... GREENVILLE, S.C. -- 828 International is adding an indoor-outdoor collection to its offerings and is also building its main line with a new collection. Both are set to debut during the New York Home Textiles market, which will run from March 31...

FIT will honor textiles execs.(Fashion Institute of Technology)(10th annual Scholarship Awards Breakfast)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) will honor several home textiles industry leaders at its 10th annual Scholarship Awards Breakfast, set for Tuesday, April 4 at the Waldorf-Astoria Grand Ballroom. The scholarships support...

After 26 years, it's a brand new game: Donna Sharp moves beyond Quilts, alters branding.(News)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... SHEPHERDSVILLE, KY. -- After 26 years of operating as Quilts by Donna, the design-driven, craft-steeped producer is expanding its product offering and has begun doing business as Donna Sharp, Inc. While quilting expertise and tradition...

CPSC tightens burn rule.(Consumer Product Safely Commission)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safely Commission has approved a federal mattress flammability standard to take effect July 1, 2007. In a 3-0 vote, the CPSC approved the testing protocol, which calls for a 30-minute burn test. CPSC...

Park B. Smith drives alumni fundraiser.(News)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Already a major contributor to College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, Mass.), Park B. Smith, class '54, issued a challenge to alumni during its recent fund-raising drive, Lift High the Cross. When it appeared the drive would hit...

Federated taps MacDonald for marketing.(Federated Department Stores appoints Anne MacDonald as chief marketing officer)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... CINCINNATI -- Federated Department Stores has recruited Anne MacDonald as chief marketing officer and president of the Macy's corporate marketing division. She succeeds Peter Sachse, who moves into the newly created position of chairman and ceo...

Hancock Fabrics names Kennedy to top marketing post.(Kathleen Kennedy )(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... BALDWYN, MISS. -- Hancock Fabrics has hired Kathleen Kennedy as senior vp and chief marketing officer. With responsibility for marketing, sales promotion and branding strategy, Kennedy will report to Jane Aggers, ceo of the 443-unit home decor...

Feizy imports taps Pearce for Southern sales.(PEOPLE Today)
March 6, 2006... DALLAS -- Area rug supplier Feizy Import & Export Co. recently hired Mike Pearce as its sales representative assigned to cover a five-state region that encompasses Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. He also provides service...

Design Within Reach recruits Carrara from Williams-Sonoma.(Michelle Carrara as Vice presidents merchandising)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... SAN FRANCISCO -- Design Within Reach has hired Michelle Carrara as vp merchandising. Her most recent post was divisional merchandise manager, textiles and apparel, Pottery Barn Kids. Carrara had prior merchandising experience at Gap Inc. ...

Robert Allen Group names Kinkler to executive team.(PEOPLE Today)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- The Robert Allen Group has recruited Linda Kinkier to the new position of senior vp business development. Kinkler most recently was senior vp, Ralph Lauren Home at WestPoint Home, where she had worked since 1996. Prior to that...

Wingate is acting CEO of Springs Dec. Floor.(David Wingate as Chief executive officer in Springs Decorative Floor, Inc)(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... FORT MILL, S.C. -- David Wingate will temporarily take on the ceo responsibilities at Springs Decorative Floor, Inc., a subsidiary of Springs Industries that was not part of company merged into the new Coteminas alliance Springs Global. ...

Smaller Saks struggles for sizzle.(BUSINESS Today)
March 6, 2006... BIRMINGHAM, ALA. -- Weighed down by weakness at its flagship Saks Fifth Avenue Stores, Saks Inc. recorded a fourth quarter loss of $2.2 million, compared with a year-before profit of $96.6 million. Operating profit at swank Saks Fifth Ave. was...

Consumer confidence slumps sharply.
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Screeching to a sudden and unexpected halt after three months of steady gains, consumer confidence dropped off sharply during February, slipping by 4.8%, with Americans saying they're feeling uncomfortable about the outlook for the...

Retail comp sales end February shy of mark.(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Same-store retail sales picked up by 3.0% during the fourth and closing week of February, but it wasn't enough to offset weather-related weakness earlier during the month, and sales for all of February missed their target, rising by...

Same store sales stall: ten of 22 chains down.(Brief Article)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- Holding on tight to their wallets after a January shopping binge when they cashed in their gift cards, consumers largely shunned the malls during February, handing retailers a post-holiday jolt and sending same-store sales for many...

HTT retailers fall short in comp store gains.(Business)
March 6, 2006... NEW YORK -- February's same-store sales for key American retailers came up short when compared with the month before, alarming Wall Street and investors. But the numbers look even worse when stacked up against the year before, February 2005....

Wall Street watch: for the week ended March 2, 2006.(Business)(Illustration)
March 6, 2006... MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS COMPANY CLOSE % CHG % CHG. 3/2/206 THIS WEEK YEAR-TO-DATE Crown Crafts (CRWS) * 0.64 0.00% -8.57%...

Real stores, real items, real prices: "it doesn't matter to the consumer what appears on the master planogram back at headquarters.".
March 6, 2006... WHEN I STARTED OUT in the retail trade newspaper business, we used to have an argument about which type of store one should survey in putting together a report on any given retailer's merchandising line-up--the latest prototype or the regular...

Figuring foot by foot: "retail managements are increasingly looking to this measurement as a key barometer in terms of space allocation within a store.".(OPINION Today)
March 6, 2006... SALES PER SQUARE FOOT. It's a critical retail measurement, yet one that is infrequently used in general retail analyses. Obviously, it's not the only gauge--but it is crucial as retailers take ever-more radical steps to in crease their...

Calendar.(News)(Calendar)
March 6, 2006... March 9-11 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo (formerly the Hearth & Home Expo) Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City www.hpbexpo.com/index.asp 22-24 Interstoff Asia Spring Hong Kong Convention...

Mascioni enters finished bedding.(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... New York -- Mascioni, the Italian company noted for its high quality printing and finishing of decorative and bedding fabrics, has entered into a new business: private label finished bedding. "We are able to deliver a turnkey product with...

Kohl's carves out brand exclusives: retailer ramping up private-label branding.
March 20, 2006... Clifton, N.J. -- With Kohl's exclusive Candies bedding now in place, Nine & Company home awaiting a fourth design rollout, and the private label Apt. 9 about to debut, the first visible elements of a reset and remerchandised home department are...

Ellery retuning waverly strategy.(Ellery Homestyles)
March 20, 2006... New York -- With the acquisition of the Waverly Lifestyles home textiles license, Budd Goldman, ceo of Ellery Homestyles, expects to expand the product mix, develop new base cloths and broaden its look. Calling Waverly "the best known home...

Cotton prices heading up.
March 20, 2006... Washington -- The world supply of cotton is forecast to drop as much as 5% this year, at the same time that demand is heating up, putting upward pressure on cotton prices, which are now forecast to climb by more than 13% this cotton year, to an...

Federated to axe six Lord & Taylors.(Retail Briefs)(Federated Department Stores)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Federated Department Stores will close five Lord & Taylor stores and convert another to a Macy's; 49 Lord & Taylor stores will keep operating. Federated is pursuing divestiture of L&T; a transaction is expected in 2006. A Strawbridge's store in...

Zucker shifts execs at Hudson's Bay.(Retail Briefs)(Jerry Zucker)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Hudson's Bay Co. altered senior leadership: Jerry Zucker is now governor, ceo; Michael Rousseau, president (was evp, cfo); Marc Chouinard, coo; Thomas Haig, executive vp. Peter Kenyon, evp, will depart. George Heller, retiring as ceo,...

Kohl's selling credit card business.(Retail Briefs)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Kohl's will sell its private label credit card accounts and balances to JPMorgan Chase for cash, about $1.5 billion, plus fees for Kohl's to run marketing and customer service. Kohl's launched a $2 billion share repurchase, and raised 2006...

Pier 1 tests new items, more catalogs.(Retail Briefs)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Pier 1 Imports is looking to improve its marketing and merchandising, said Charles Turner, cfo. The 1,200-store, $1.8 billion retailer is counting on pared-down assortments, a cleaner look but more sophisticated color palettes. Pier 1 will...

TJX: cuts in staff, exec pay save $18m.(Retail Briefs)
March 20, 2006... The TJX Cos. has cut about 250 positions at its offices in the U.S., Canada and U.K.; 12 senior TJX senior executives will take 10% salary cuts. Result: a cost reduction of $18 million on an annualized basis.

Williams-Sonoma to test new format.(Retail Briefs)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... This fall, Williams-Sonoma debut a store format, Pottery Barn Bed & Bath. It expects to "replicate at retail the success we have had in our direct business with our Pottery Barn Bed & Bath catalog and e-commerce," said Patrick Connolly, evp,...

For the record.(News)(Correction notice)
March 20, 2006... In the Marcia 6, 2006 issue of Home Textiles Today (page 6), a proofreading error resulted in an incorrect location for the Scoperta fabric and curtain trade show. Scoperta will run May 9-12 at the new Fiera Milano exhibition complex in the Rho...

Stein Mart plans aggressive 2006.(News)
March 20, 2006... Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart is striding into a new fiscal year ready to embark on its largest batch of new store openings in five years, an upgrade of its store transaction systems, and a revamped home department that focuses on fashion...

Luxury resource Anichini to open Fifth Avenue Store.(News)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Tunbridge, Vt. -- Anichini, the luxury bedding supplier, will open a retail store at 230 Fifth Avenue in New York later this year. The 1,600-sq.-ft. store will be on the first floor of the building which also houses the company's wholesale...

Wal-Mart commits to touchy-feely changes: retailer leveraging its position as a brand to broaden customer base.(News)
March 20, 2006... New York -- "Save More, Smile More," one of the Wal-Mart's advertising mantras, rolls off the tongue like the slogan of a certain upscale competitor, "Expect More. Pay Less." But Wal-Mart's new campaign, "Beyond tile Basics," easily...

Bloomies Fetes Barbara Barry Dream.(News)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... New York -- Bloomingdale's formal launch of Barbara Barry Dream, the bedding created by the California interior designer, marked a first for the store--three major windows featuring home textiles on the Lexington Avenue side of the flagship...

DJC Design Studio closes.(News)
March 20, 2006... Concord, N.H. -- DJC Design Studio, the designer and producer of award winning fashion throws, will close at the end of the year. President Diane Jackson Cole and vp Karen Carpenter will retire from the business which Jackson founded in...

Vijaeswari Textiles introduces Gossamer Cotton.(News)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Coimbatore, India -- Vijaeswari Textiles Limited (VTX) has created a new label, Gossamer Cotton, for a line of bedding products made from hand-picked and selected cotton buds. "Gossamer Cotton is the technique of handling the cotton," said...

Creative Bath extends Joseph Abboud License.(News)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Central Islip, N.Y. -- Creative Bath Products Inc. recently extended its licensing partnership with designer brand Joseph Abboud to add bath towels and rugs to the program. For the past four years, the two parties have created coordinated...

Belk offers licensed Biltmore Estate Line.(News)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Asheville, N.C. -- America's ultimate mansion has teamed up in a direct license with Belk to offer Biltmore Estate For Your Home, an assortment of merchandise comprising fashion bedding, home furnishings and related items. The exclusive program...

SURTEX IDs winners.
March 20, 2006... White Plains, N.Y. -- SURTEX International Student Design Competition winners were jury-selected from 160 entries. First place: Amanda Ryan of Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Her entry was Cocktail Hour, an "Art Deco-inspired...

K.I.D.S. teams with fashion delivers.(News)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... New York -- Fashion Delivers and K.I.D.S. recently joined forces to step up charitable donation efforts from the apparel and home textiles industries to people in need. Fashion Delivers is a non-profit created in the aftermath of Hurricane...

Window treatment makers rally with style.(News)
March 20, 2006... New York -- Manufacturers of window treatments are fighting the price-deflation tide by emphasizing fashion, and are hoping that retailers will join them in their quest for higher margins. Sheers are still the leading panelww, but 2006 will...

China manufacturers Grapple with fast growth.(CHINA: TOP INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURERS)
March 20, 2006... Although China stands as monster competitor to most in the global home textiles community, China's leading manufacturers are as concerned as their colleagues elsewhere about pricing pressures and exploding capacity levels. "Compared with...

Jo-Ann stores readies overhaul: Home Decor Departments to reset with smaller but updated assortments.(News)
March 20, 2006... Hudson, Ohio -- Even as he prepares to leave his posts as Jo-Ann Stores chairman, ceo and president as soon as a successor is appointed, Alan Rosskamm is spearheading an ambitious four-part plan to turn around the company after a very poor...

Pantone shapes 2007 home color palettes.(News)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Chicago -- Pantone revealed eight directional 2007 color palettes for home furnishings at the International Home & Housewares Show here. Simply Elegant marries tradition and modern day, with blends of mahogany-silvered mink, silvery blues,...

Cotton Inc. launches Global Product Supply Chain.(News)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Cary, N.C. -- Cotton Inc. will integrate four departments into a new division, Global Product Supply Chain, to be led by Mark Messura, who has been promoted to executive vp. The four traits being melded are: Textile Research, Global Product...

Restoration Hardware unveils outdoor living catalog: eight outdoor furniture collections are featured.(News)
March 20, 2006... Corte Madera, Calif. -- Restoration Hardware launched a new outdoor lifestyle catalog this month. Restoration Hardware Outdoor features eight outdoor furniture collections, six of which are new to the brand. Decorative accessories include...

OWIT offers panel on customs security: trade issues also a topic at event.(News)
March 20, 2006... New York -- The New York chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) will present a discussion, C-TPAT: Past, Present and Future, on Tuesday, March 21, with networking from 6 p.m. and the main program starting at 6:30...

Global Connections links textile buyers, sellers.(News)
March 20, 2006... White Plains, N.Y. -- This month's Global Connections show will feature government-sponsored pavilions from China, Egypt and India, as well as independently exhibiting companies from China, Egypt, India, Taiwan and Vietnam. A new pavilion from...

Connolly retires; led Lenox towel division of Bardwil.(News)(Meg Connolly)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... New York -- Bardwil Linens said goodbye to Meg Connolly last week after she announced her decision to retire. She was vp of the company's Lenox towel division, which she helped launch for Bardwil two years ago when she joined the company. ...

American Century recruits Gallagher.(News)(American Century Home Fabrics appoints Peter Gallagher )(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Salisbury, N.C.--Peter Gallagher has joined American Century Home Fabrics as vp, jobbing division, a new post. Gallagher, a longtime Robert Allen executive, reports to David Lappert, svp, general manager of American Century. "Pete will run...

Processing show set for Shanghai.(News)
March 20, 2006... Shanghai -- Koelnmesse, host of the textile technology show IMB Cologne, along with Beijing Triuni Exhibition Co. and VDMA German Garment and Leather Technology Assn., will launch Textile Processing China. The event will run October 19-21 at...

Hellenic Rug imports shifts sales execs.(PEOPLE Today)
March 20, 2006... Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Hellenic Rug Imports is restructuring its top executive team upon the recent departure of Steve Roan, who resigned as national sales manager to start his own retail business with his wife, Carolyn. The Roans recently...

Braemore elevates Paladino.(News)(Neil Paladino promoted at Braemore Fabrics division of P. Kaufmann, Inc. )(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... New York -- Neil Paladino has been promoted to president of the Braemore Fabrics division of P. Kaufmann, Inc. Paladino has served as vp sales for Braemore. In his new role he succeeds Bob Appelbome, who remains svp of the parent company,...

Anna's names senior buyer.(News)
March 20, 2006... Costa Mesa, Calif. -- Anna's Linens has promoted Peggie Galvin to senior buyer of towels, bath shop and flamed art. Calvin has been a buyer at Anna's Linens for two years; she was previously a buyer for Stroud's and a sales rep for...

Marion Murray and American Century Home part ways: Robert Allen vet moves on.(News)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Salisbury, N.C. -- Marion Murray has departed from American Century Home Fabrics where she served as vp, design and merchandising. Murray joined the company in December 2005 from The Robert Allen Group where she was vp design for the Robert...

Dollar General seeks home GMM.(News)(general merchandise managers)(Rita Branham and Rick McNeely appointed)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General has placed its merchandising functions under two general merchandise managers who will report to Beryl Buley, division president of merchandising, marketing and supply chain. Rita Branham has been named...

JLA Home Fabrics division taps Lew Magrish to lead sales: joined JLA from rep firm.(News)(Brief article)
March 20, 2006... Greensboro, N.C. -- Lew Magrish has been named national sales manager for JLA Home Fabrics, the new decorative fabrics division of JLA Home. He reports to George Kerr, president of JLA Home Fabrics. Magrish was a long-time sales...

KmartSales surge benefits sears holdings.(BUSINESS Today)(earnings at Kmart Holding Corp. and Sears Holdings Corp.)
March 20, 2006... Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Fourth-quarter profit at Sears Holdings Corp. more than doubled, soaring by 109.7%, to $648 million from $309 million last year. The rise was aided by improving margins as markdowns were cut and promotional events were...