Home Textiles Today articles from May 2003

Home Textiles Today archives from May 2003

Regional merchandise strategy rolls at LNT.(Linens 'n Things )
May 5, 2003... CLIFTON, NJ -- As it rolls forward the expansion of its store-level "inventory ownership" program--now in about 70 stores--Linens 'n Things has also begun working to more broadly regionalize its assortments, executives said last week following...

Joan Fabrics signs jac joint venture in China.
May 5, 2003... TYNGSBORO, MA -- Joan Fabrics and The Cha Textile Group of Hong Kong have signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture company in China for the manufacture of jacquard flat goods. The products, primarily for the home furnishing market,...

Branded to the core at Kohl's: committed to home.
May 5, 2003... MILWAUKEE -- With 75 percent to 80 percent of its merchandise rooted in nationally known brands, Kohl's continues to search for labels that it can "explode" through home and across its other merchandise segments in the store, according to...

Rug makers find cool life at independent retailers. (update 03).
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- Writer Thomas Wolfe said you can't go home again. And yet rug suppliers are finding that they want to be with mom 'n pop. Although most major home textiles suppliers have narrowed their focus to romancing the largest national...

Home Depot adds signage; says women shop stores. (Retail briefs).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... The Home Depot is rolling out a new directional signing program to improve the navigability of stores, John Costello, evp and chief marketing officer, told investors at the Lehman Bros.' Sixth Annual Retail Seminar. He also addressed past...

Value City restates 4Q. (Retail briefs).(Value City Department Stores)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Value City Department Stores reported that due to an administrative error fourth quarter 2002 diluted earnings per share were overstated in its April 7 press release. The company originally reported diluted earnings per share of $0.16 for the...

Spiegel to create new PL credit card. (Retail briefs).(private label)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Spiegel Group has reached an agreement with Alliance Data Systems to create a new private label credit card program for the group's merchant divisions. If the bankruptcy court grants approval, there will be no transfer of existing receivables...

Elder-Beerman reaches into Iowa. (Retail briefs).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Elder-Beerman will expand its one-story format, designed to serve communities of small to mid-sized market, into Muscatine, IA, marking the company's first entry into Iowa, as well as its 12th store in this format. The store will open in...

Ross Stores to move HQ. (Retail briefs).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Ross Stores will relocate its corporate offices from here to Pleasanton, CA, by the summer of 2004, and has signed a lease for 150,000-square-feet of corporate office space at Carr America Corporate Center in Hacienda Business Park. The company...

8 home stores to close in Eddie Bauer cutback.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... REDMOND, WA -- Eddie Bauer will close 60 underperforming stores, including eight free-standing home stores or multi-concept formats with home furnishings and apparel in one unit. Eddie Bauer, which had home textiles sales of $173 million...

Martha Q1 not a good thing.(Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia)
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- With a federal investigation casting a long shadow over the reputation and business operation of designer and tastemaker Martha Stewart, her company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, recorded a first-quarter loss of $4.5 million, a...

Wal-Mart staying ahead of SARS.
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- Wal-Mart's got a message for suppliers--and even its own employees--who've recently traveled to parts of Asia: Stay home. For at least 10 days, that is. With continuing fears surrounding the SARS outbreak, the world's largest...

Pier 1's drama: 'as the store turns'.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- Increasing inventory turns and conversion rates are among Pier 1 Imports store initiatives going forward, executives said at Lehman Brothers' Sixth Annual Retail Seminar here last week. Inventory turns have historically not been...

Zorlu finds an 'easy' window appeal.(window curtains)
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- Eye-popping prints so crisp and dimensional they begged touching were among the fashion bedding introductions at Zorlu USA during spring market. But they were only a small part of a much larger story that extended into the company's...

Classic vistas across 5th and market.(Classic Linens)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- From its fifth floor, living room-like vista overlooking Fifth Avenue across the street from the 295 showroom building, Classic Linens was in position to gain a broad perspective of the marketplace during market week. It was equally...

DuPont textile division creates prez, board slots.(DuPont Textiles & Interiors )(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... WILMINGTON, DE -- Longtime DuPont executive Steve McCracken has been named president of DuPont Textiles & Interiors (DTI), the wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont. McCracken has been group vp of DTI, the business evolving from the DuPont...

Williams-Sonoma looks north to grow.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- Williams-Sonoma's international ambitions extend no farther than Canada, the company's chief marketing officer said last week. At least for now. Pat Connolly, executive vp and chief marketing officer, told investors at the...

Beacon taps Midwest exec.(Beacon Looms names sales executive)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... TEANECK, NJ -- Lori Bell has joined Beacon Looms as sales executive covering Wal-Mart, Sears, and other major retail accounts in the Midwest. Bell most recently worked seven years as a sales executive at Bess Manufacturing. She will be...

Cafaro to head mktg at Terrisol.
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- After spending the past six years establishing itself as a domestic supplier of beach and bath towels and table linens, Terrisol Corp., the U.S. subsidiary of Brazilian-based Karsten, is taking on a bigger mission that will extend...

Proud Pratesi rides into textiles show. (Newcomer).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... At first glance it looked like booth #1717 was misplaced--perhaps at the wrong show, even--with the huge, black structure a stark contrast to the frills and fabrics of the surrounding booths. But there was no mistake, and neither were the...

Salzburg brings its rugs to show. (Newcomer).(Salzburg Creations)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- Neoclassical and Art Deco designs are the muses for Ida Deknavorian's 18--and growing--collections of 100 percent hand-tufted wool rugs. "That's what inspires me," she said. "I fell into this business by accident. But I love...

Dante Living going nationwide. (Newcomer).
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- Dante Living is eager to gain a sort of dual citizenship--one at home in Europe and a second here in the United States--for its line of luxury throws, blankets and cushions. For the past year, this six-year-old manufacturer,...

Tradition makes linens a Taylor family business. (Newcomer).(Lynne Taylor)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- Lynne Taylor's great uncle imported Irish linens for distribution in the United States from 1922 to 1970. But when he died the family dissolved the company. Five years ago, Taylor picked up the trail and launched her own line...

(Close) shave and a haircut. (Opinion Today).(MasterCard, Visa lawsuit settlement may shift costs to consumers)
May 5, 2003... Sometimes in this business, the industry-watcher side of the brain and the consumer side of the brain have a hard time getting into sync. Such was the case last week when first MasterCard and then Visa announced that they had reached a...

A higher calling. (Opinion Today).(Target, JCPenney)
May 5, 2003... Every now and then we come across a situation or event that tries to prove that the world of retailing is not totally consumed by reverse auctions, built-in markdown dollars, replacement of other vendors' goods to get an order, and the like....

Masters of Linen labels separate it from pack.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- A new quality label for linen products debuted at the spring textiles show this market, brought to the industry by Masters of Linen, the organization that has been marketing this fiber for 30 years. The label first launched...

ShopKo Stores taps vp.(vice president of distribution and transportation)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... GREEN BAY, WI -- Samuel Martin has joined ShopKo Stores here as vp of distribution and transportation, assuming responsibility for the movement of all merchandise to the company's ShopKo and Pamida store locations. Reporting to Dan...

Kmart names counsel.(Kmart has hired Harold Lueken as senior vp and general counsel)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... TROY, MI -- Kmart has hired Harold Lueken as senior vp and general counsel, effective May 12. In addition to overseeing the legal department, Lueken will also take charge of Kmart's human resources department from Michael Macik, executive vp of...

Initial NY sourcing show proceeds as planned.(Sources trade show to take place May 17-20)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... WHITE PLAINS, NY -- Sources, a new trade show for volume-buying retailers, wholesalers and importers, will go ahead as planned May 17 to 20 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York, according to show organizer George Little Management. ...

GLM ups Sikalis' role.(George Little Management)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... WHITE PLAINS, NY -- Trade show organizer George Little Management has named Penny Sikalis group show manger of GLM Temporaries at the Dallas International Gift & Home Accessories Market. She will continue to serve as vp and group show manager...

Woolrich names director.(director of merchandising and designs)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... WOOLRICH, PA -- Woolrich has promoted Paula Kosmatka to director of merchandising and designs. Her department reports will include home, outdoor living, Woolrich Sporting Group, Discovery Channel Quest licensing apparel and special makes,...

Christy bows line, logo.(new Spa collection)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... GORDONSVILLE, VA -- Towel manufacturer Christy looks to bring the spa and hotel experience home with its new Spa collection, introduced at market along with its redesigned logo. The Spa collection "uses a shorter loop and a denser weave,"...

Vietnam agreement blasted.(Roger Milliken comments on bilateral trade agreement with Vietnam)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Roger Milliken, ceo of Milliken & Co. and co-chair of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, charged that the U.S. government's new bilateral trade agreement on textiles with Vietnam will give the emerging nation "an...

IFDA hosts program.(International Furnishings and Designs Association )(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- The New York chapter of The International Furnishings and Designs Association will host a program covering the major spring markets in the United States. Editors from trade and consumer publications will review the New York...

Quaker sees profits cut in half. (Business Today).
May 5, 2003... FALL RIVER, MA -- With sales falling off at an almost double-digit pace, and its margins squeezed thin, first-quarter profits at Quaker Fabric Corp. were virtually slashed in half, dropping by 48.8 percent, to $3.7 million from $7.0 million...

Same-stores don't reflect confidence. (Business Today).
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- Consumer confidence may be improving, but it hasn't shown up at the cash register yet; and same-store retail sales remained soft during the third week of April, their weakest performance of the month, the Redbook Retail Sales...

One month surge highest since 1991. (Business Today).
May 5, 2003... NEW YORK -- The speedy resolution of the war in Iraq clearly cheered Americans and drove consumer confidence levels surging during March by the biggest one-month gain since the end of the Persian Gulf War in 1991. Reversing months of...

Stein Mart to shutter 16 stores. (Business briefs).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Stein Mart, the Jacksonville, FL, off-price retailer last week said it will close 16 underperforming stores this year, about 6 percent of its current store base of 270 units. As a group, the 16 stores generated operating losses of $5.2...

Dillard's sells stake in Texas centers. (Business briefs).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Dillard's Inc. said it is selling its interest in Brownsville, TX-based Sunrise Mall and its associated center, Sunrise Commons, to CBL & Associates Properties Inc. The sales price was $80.7 million, including the assumption of $40 million in...

S&P boosts Bed Bath & Beyond credit rating. (Business briefs).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Standard & Poor's, one of the Big Three corporate credit rating agencies, has raised its corporate credit rating on Bed, Bath & Beyond to "BBB" from "BBB-," citing the stores "consistent operating performance and improving profitability and...

Moody's boosts Dan River credit rating. (Business briefs).(Moody's Investors Service)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Moody's Investors Service has raised its rating on Dan River Inc. following the completion of the diversified textile producer's refinancing. Dan River's senior implied rating was upgraded to "B2" from "B3"; its senior unsecured issuer...

China demand drives cotton higher. (Business Today).
May 5, 2003... WASHINGTON -- As cotton consumption climbs worldwide, and China continues to suck up a large part of the worldwide supply, cotton prices are now at their highest levels in two years, and expected to climb even higher for the cotton crop being...

Wall street watch: summary for the week ended May 1, 2003. (Business Today).(various retailers, manufacturers)(Illustration)
May 5, 2003... Summary for the week ended May 1, 2003 RETAILERS CLOSE % CHG % CHG. 5/1/03 THIS WEEK YEAR-TO-DATE Bed Bath & Beyond * (D) (H) 38.89 0.44% ...

This is the 'new' Kmart. (Reporter's notebook).
May 12, 2003... TROY, MI -- Kmart emerged from bankruptcy last week with $2 billion in exit financing, new stock and a new chairman--chief investor Edward Lampert, who owns more than 50 percent of the company. In a promising note, Kmart last week also...

Ikea cozies up to home in L.A. entry.
May 12, 2003... COVINA, CA -- The opening of the Ikea store here is yet a further refinement of its new approaches to home furnishings merchandising originally launched last January, including a new layout, a strong emphasis on kids furnishings and a focus on...

A powerhouse deal that may never see day.(Springs, Pillowtex merger)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... NEW YORK -- The powerhouse combination of Springs and Pillowtex, the marriage the union wants to bust up, would create the largest company the industry has ever seen, with combined home fashions sales in the range of $3.1 billion based on 2002...

Union moves to scuttle P'tex deal.(Springs Industries Inc. acquisition of Pillowtex Corp.)
May 12, 2003... KANNAPOLIS, NC -- Trying to save jobs in a battered American textiles industry, a textile workers' union is trying to block the much-discussed --though not publicly announced--sale of Pillowtex Corp. to Springs Industries Inc., a move that...

Home tanks at Sears.(home fashions sales fall)
May 12, 2003... HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL -- Home fashions sales declined in the low double digits at Sears for April compared with the companywide comp sales decline of 8.5 percent. But, said Alan Lacy, Sears chairman and ceo, during a press conference after...

Spiegel DIP OK'd, prepares to slash positions. (Retail briefs).(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... The Spiegel Group said it will cut approximately 635 positions as it restructures its Eddie Bauer headquarters organization, realigns its corporate information services and closes down a Northwestern service center. In the meanwhile, a...

Giles ascends further at LNT. (Retail briefs).(Bill Giles promoted to executive vp, CFO at Linens 'n Things)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... Bill Giles has been promoted to executive vp, cfo, at Linens 'n Things, from his position of vp, cfo. He continues to report to Norman Axelrod, chairman and ceo. Giles joined the retailer in 1991 as assistant controller, and then was...

L.L. Bean explores a buyout of competitor.(Eddie Bauer)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... FREEPORT, ME -- Now with Eddie Bauer's parent company, Spiegel, in Chapter 11, L.L. Bean is exploring the possibility of purchasing all or part of Eddie Bauer once it comes out, said Rich Donaldson, spokesman, L.L. Bean. "We are in the...

For the record.(Correction Notice)
May 12, 2003... In the May 5 issue, a highlighted quote in the Terrisol story on page 6 should have been attributed to J.R. Schmitt. In a story on Zorlu USA appearing in the same issue, the first name of the company's design director was incorrectly given....

Kaufman new coo at Avanti Linens.(Jeff Kaufman)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... MOONACHIE, NJ -- Veteran retailer Jeff Kaufman has joined embellished towel manufacturer Avanti Linens as president and coo. He will work in tandem with Michael Tauber, president of sales, marketing and design, and will focus on operations. ...

American Pacific expands trade IT program.(TradeIT software from Global Trading Systems)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... KIRKLAND, WA -- Global Trading Systems has announced that San Francisco-based American Pacific will expand the implementation of its TradeIT software solution with the addition of three more modules to improve teamwork and management of product...

Ashford Court finds room to grow in HQ: new HQ and factory will be larger by 50 percent.(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... RICHMOND, VA -- Needing more space to accommodate its growing top-of-bed and table linen coordinates businesses, Ashford Court is in the process of relocating its headquarters and factory to a new site that is almost 50 percent larger than its...

The 'just Martha' tour opens in Miami.(Martha Stewart tour)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... MIAMI -- With her image as America's gatekeeper of good taste rapidly being replaced by her reputation as a slick trader, Martha Stewart is a woman on a mission to win back her customers, readers and devotees in the same way any good homemaker...

Limited damage from heavy weather.(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... SCOTTSBORO, AL -- The severe weather that blew through the Midwest and South last week affected some home textiles producers. Maples Rugs suffered some losses at its headquarters and production facilities here from the effects of the recent...

Donna's quilts readies new complex.(Quilts by Donna)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... LOUISVILLE, KY -- Top-of-the-bed and accessories manufacturer Quilts by Donna will be on to bigger things later this summer, having begun construction on a new 30,000-square-foot office and warehouse facility last week. The company, now in...

Design show is the first down under.(Brooklyn Designs will have 30 Brooklyn-based home furnishings exhibitors )(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... BROOKLYN, NY -- Though a design show in New York is not unusual, the place for a home furnishings event in June is--here across the East River. Touted as the first design show to be held in this borough, Brooklyn Designs will have 30...

Politics may succeed where Stockman didn't.(Springs' pending buyout of Pillowtex is temporarily blocked for the moment textile workerse union)
May 12, 2003... NEW YORK -- In a last-ditch drive to save what few textiles jobs are left in America--in an industry virtually disowned by Washington policymakers who have used it as a bargaining chip in the global scheme--a textiles workers union is...

Owen looking to spring(s) ahead. (Done deal).(Springs Industries completes buyout of blanket producer Charles D. Owen Mfg.)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... FORT MILL, SC -- Moving step by incremental step towards its ultimate goal of creating a home fashions powerhouse with as much as $4 billion in annual sales, Springs Industries has completed its buyout of blanket producer Charles D. Owen Mfg.,...

New York mixes up a mish-mash.(Kmart's Penn Station store in heart of Manhattan)
May 12, 2003... In the heart of Manhattan, Kmart's Penn Station store looked clean and orderly on May 7. New signage throughout the store promoted Mother's Day purchases, although in the domestics area some of the items billed as Mother's Day goods consisted...

Miami struggles to speak the language.(Kmart in Miami's Westchester Mall greets customers with circulars in both English and Spanish)
May 12, 2003... A small stand with circulars in both English and Spanish greets customers entering the Kmart in Miami's Westchester Mall. The Spanish edition was wrapped in Kmart's "La Vida" weekly publication. Last week's issue emphasized the Mexican holiday...

High-end sees positive signs at HD 2003. (Fabrics Today).
May 12, 2003... LAS VEGAS -- Judging from the response of customers and others walking the HD 2003 show here earlier this month, the better- to upper-end of the contract fabric market has turned around. HD 2003, which is focused solely on the hospitality...

U.S. regions inspire Waverly lines. (Fabrics Today).(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... NEW YORK -- Looking back into its American heritage, Waverly is introducing the initial collections of American Residence, a themed decorative fabric program. Launched this week, it will expand with additional locales and regions as design...

Culp still on schedule for China. (Fabrics Today).(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... HIGH POINT, NC -- Despite the spread of SARS, Culp is not changing the timeline of its move into China for manufacturing, finishing, and cut-and-sew operations and distribution of upholstery and decorative fabrics. But the company has...

Clark Holdings enters Chapter 11. (Fabrics Today).(Clark Holdings L.L.C. )(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... NEW YORK -- Clark Holdings LLC has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company was formed in April 2002 as a result of a merger of Cyrus Clark Co. and Concord Home. According to Gilbert Lazarus, a partner in Lazarus & Lazarus...

The best laid plans ... (Opinion Today).(opinion on Springs Industries' impending acquisition of ailing rival Pillowtex )
May 12, 2003... You'd be tempted to call Springs Industries' impending acquisition of ailing rival Pillowtex the worst kept secret in the home textiles industry--if the industry weren't so replete with gossip on a daily basis. So let's call it the most recent...

Not-so smooth operations. (Opinion Today).(without their physical presence on site at manufacturing facilities due to SARS, many US suppliers say quality levels already are being affected)
May 12, 2003... As the entire consumer products landscape is buffeted by the SARS epidemic, deflation (now officially acknowledged by the Federal Reserve), a mood of general ennui on the part of consumers, the economy and war, everyone is scratching their...

GLM joins with U.K. group to protect copyrights.(George Little Management forms partnership with Anti Copying in Design to help prevent copyright infringement at its tradeshows)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... WHITE PLAINS, NY -- George Little Management (GLM) has formed a partnership with Anti Copying in Design (ACID) to help prevent copyright infringement at its tradeshows. ACID is a United Kingdom-based member organization committed to...

Politzer's prize merchant: exec veep at Filene's B'mnt. (People Today).(Jerald Politzer appointed to executive vp of merchandising at Filene's Basement)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... COLUMBUS, OH -- Jerald Politzer has been appointed to the newly created post of executive vp of merchandising at Filene's Basement, a division of Value City Department Stores. He will report to Heywood Wilansky, president and ceo. He...

Former IMRA chief Verdisco dead at 60. (People Today).(Bob Verdisco headed International Mass Retail Association from 1990 until his retirement last December)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... ARLINGTON, VA -- Bob Verdisco, who headed the International Mass Retail Association from 1990 until his retirement last December, passed away April 30th due to complications from cancer. He was 60. Verdisco assumed the helm of the IMRA at a...

Bell bounces to Beacon. (People Today).(Lori Bell joins Beacon Looms as sales executive )(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... TEANECK, NJ -- Lori Bell has joined Beacon Looms as sales executive covering Wal-Mart, Sears and other major retail accounts in the Midwest. Bell most recently worked seven years as a sales executive at Bess Manufacturing. She will be based...

Chapman heads CHF design tech. (People Today).(CHF Industries names Katy Chapman to design technologies director)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... NEW YORK -- CHF Industries has named Katy Chapman to the new position of design technologies director. Joan Karron, CHF executive vp, said Chapman will be responsible for the company's CAD (computer-aided design) resources, "as well as...

Students' creativity cited in awards. (People Today).(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... NEW YORK -- Design students from three colleges last week won scholarships from the Joseph Beyda Creative Foundation. The foundation, named after the former Town & Country president, invites students to enter an annual design competition...

Numbers fall in Q4 for Gottschalks. (Business Today).(Gottschalks Inc. )
May 12, 2003... FRESNO, CA -- With sales trailing off, margins thinning out and hit by one-time items tied to the shutdown of some of its stores, Gottschalks Inc. recorded a fourth-quarter loss of $4.2 million, compared with a year-before profit of $10.4...

Same-stores rebound slightly. (Business Today).(retail sales)
May 12, 2003... NEW YORK -- Lifted by warmer weather and sales of seasonal apparel, same-store retail sales staged a modest rebound during the final week of April, but it still wasn't enough to overcome a lackluster Easter and save a dreary month. A key...

Production, ordering down for second month. (Business Today).(manufacturing industry slows)
May 12, 2003... TEMPE, AZ -- With production and orders both declining, the nation's manufacturing sector slowed for a second straight month in April, even as the overall U.S. economy grew for the 18th consecutive month, said a key economic indicator compiled...

Disappointing results in April shower retailers. (Business Today).(sales data, various retailers)
May 12, 2003... NEW YORK -- Even with the addition of Easter into the month, retailers still fought a difficult battle to get customers into the stores to buy. The cold weather that permeated across the nation helped consumers hibernate at home. The...

Wall Street watch: summary for the week ended May 8, 2003. (Business Today).(stock prices, various retailers, manufacturers)(Illustration)
May 12, 2003... WALL STREET WATCH Summary for the week ended May 8, 2003 % CHG. CLOSE % CHG YEAR- RETAILERS 5/8/03 THIS WEEK...

Kmart narrows loss in last month under Ch. 11.
May 12, 2003... TROY, MI -- Fresh out of bankruptcy and eager to put its best foot forward, Kmart Corp. reported sharply improved operational results for the month of March, narrowing its loss before one-time bankruptcy costs by almost two-thirds, to $53...

Hanover will unload non-core businesses.(Hanover Direct to sell Silhouettes, International Male and Gumps)
May 19, 2003... WEEHAWKEN, NJ -- Renewing its focus on strong home brands, Hanover Direct will parcel off its non-core businesses of Silhouettes, International Male (including the Undergear brand) and Gumps, once the mergers and acquisitions market recovers,...

Pillowtex review leaves possible deals in doubt.(Springs Industries' planned acquisition of Pillowtex)
May 19, 2003... NEW YORK -- Accounting issues at Pillowtex have added another layer of uncertainty to Springs Industries' proposed buyout of the mill, which remains on hold after earlier hitting a snag involving the nation's largest textile union. Adding...

Lundgren: 'textiles are selling': Federated will expand home.(Federated Department Stores looks to distinguish itself)
May 19, 2003... CINCINNATI -- As Federated Department Stores rolls out its "reinvent" strategy launched in 2002, it also sees home as a large opportunity to distinguish itself not only from other department stores but from all other retailers. Federated...