Home Textiles Today articles from May 2008

Home Textiles Today archives from May 2008

Global Home Show Set for Vegas.
May 5, 2008... By Staff Las Vegas - The second annual Global Home Textiles show here this week will showcase some 300 manufacturers of various sizes from 14 countries looking to make contact with U.S. wholesalers, importers and retailers. "As a...

Kohl's Promotes Exclusive Brands.
May 5, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Milwaukee - Exclusive brands and private brands will continue to push national brands off the shelf at Kohl's, executives said during the $16.5 billion retailer's annual shareholder meeting here last week. In 2007,...

LNT Files for Ch. 11 Bankruptcy Protection.
May 5, 2008... By Brent Felgner New York - The other shoe finally dropped last Friday, and industry suppliers are now preparing to open up shipping lanes to Linens 'n Things as soon as they clarify the retailer's debtor-in-possession financing. LNT,...

Vendors Extend Hospitality.(Company overview)
May 5, 2008... By Carole Sloan Las Vegas - There will be a major move toward enhancing products with eco-friendly, sustainable and recyclable materials among the decorative fabrics and home textiles exhibitors participating in the HD Expo and Conference...

Iconix Profits Up, Launches China Venture.(Financial report)
May 5, 2008... By James Mammarella New York - Brand management firm Iconix Brand Group recorded first-quarter net profit of $18.2 million, up 43.3% from $12.7 million in the same period one year ago - and launched a joint venture in China to invest in...

Luxury Bedding to Debut from Vera Wang.
May 5, 2008... By Staff New York - Vera Wang this month will debut a high-end bedding line to broaden her reach in home and extend her bridal empire. In 2009 and 2010, the designer plans to move into rugs, decorative fabric, furniture, lighting,...

Retail Briefs.(briefs)(Financial report)(Brief article)
May 5, 2008... By Staff Duckwall-ALCO Dips into the Red Staff Retail general merchandiser Duckwall-ALCO Stores posted a net loss of $224,000 for its fiscal year ended Feb. 3, down drastically from net income of $5.7 million for the prior year -...

Winter Las Vegas Dates Shift.
May 5, 2008... By Staff Looking to reduce conflict with other venues, World Market Center Las Vegas will shift its Winter 2009 Las Vegas Market to Feb. 9-13. Pointing to expansion, Market ceo Robert Maricich said that the recent January show saw a 60%...

Dan River Bankruptcy: Global Aftermath.
May 5, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Karachi, Pakistan - With an estimated $30 million in Pakistani textiles hung up by the Dan River bankruptcy, a group of the country's mills has retained lawyers to explore lawsuits against Dan River and Indian parent...

EWHT Sponsors Panel.
May 5, 2008... By Staff New York - Navigating the freelance option in today's market is the topic of a panel discussion to be hosted next month by Executives Working in Home Textiles (EWHT), coordinated by Lisa Goldmeer, business development manager,...

Greenweave Earns Eco-certification.
May 5, 2008... By Staff Hackensack, N.J. - Greenweave, the 100% recycled, post-consumer polyester fabric collection from upholstery and decorative fabric resource Weave Corp., has been granted the silver level of Cradle to Cradle certification by MBDC...

Harounian Expands Green Label Rugs.
May 5, 2008... By Staff New York - Oriental rug supplier Ebisons Harounian Imports is expanding its Green Label program of eco-friendly area rugs with new additions. Michael Harounian, a principal of the company, said the new offerings are...

Home Depot to Ease Growth, Spending.
May 5, 2008... By Staff Atlanta - Home improvement retailer The Home Depot will trim its square-footage growth outlook, in a new plan aimed at upping cash flow. Besides cutting 50 future stores from its "new store pipeline," Home Depot will close 15...

Big Lots Slams Home Textiles Sameness.
May 5, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral New York - Observing a "lack of innovation and creativity" coming from the soft home industry, Big Lots chairman, ceo and president Steve Fishman said his company is turning its home category focus toward the stronger...

Home Missing as Wal-Mart Gains.
May 5, 2008... By Staff New York - While Wal-Mart is happy with its recent results in most merchandising categories, the home department stands alone in trailing the performance of the big retailer's "leading competitor," Target. "In relative terms,...

JCP Sees Tax Rebate Lifting Back to School Sales.
May 5, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral New York - The income tax rebate checks set to start rolling out in May and through July will have a modest effect - but one that JCPenney is likely to take advantage of during back-to-school, said Mike Ullman, chairman...

Martha Stewart Narrows Quarterly Loss.(Financial report)
May 5, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Macy's Program Tops on Bridal Registry New York - Though Martha Stewart's Kmart business got clunked in the first quarter, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia was "pleased" with the performance of the Martha Stewart...

Window Treatment Suppliers Retrench.
May 5, 2008... By James Mammarella Category at Five-Year Low Point New York - The fortunes of soft window treatment suppliers continued to toughen in 2007, with overall retail volume of $2.4 billion down 2.8% from 2006 - and off 7.7% from the level...

Egyptian Pavilion Set for Global Home Textiles.
May 5, 2008... By Staff White Plains, N.Y. - Seven producers of high-end home textiles will participate in the Egyptian Pavilion at Global Home Textiles, May 6-8 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. Egyptian Pavilion exhibitors will...

IFDA 'Green Design' Seminar Set.
May 5, 2008... By Staff New York - The New York Chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) will present a seminar, "Great Design is Green Design," covering sustainability as a principle in home and commercial design. ...

Smaller RVI Turns Profit.(Financial report)
May 5, 2008... By Staff Columbus, Ohio - Freed of the drag on profits and sales growth that the Value City discount chain had exerted, the two remaining divisions of Retail Ventures Inc. put up much improved results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year...

Target Lures Seasonal Shoppers with Whim.(Cynthia Rowley)(Brief article)
May 5, 2008... By Staff Minneapolis - To spark seasonal sales, Target is marketing Whim by Cynthia Rowley in Beach, Party and Picnic modes, comprising hardlines and softlines home entertaining goods. The soft side includes tablecloths and runners...

Valdese Weavers Names Earles, Walters to New Posts.(Jason Earles )(Bob Walters)(Brief article)
May 5, 2008... By Staff Valdese, N.C. - Jason Earles has been named to the new position of vp sales and marketing for Circa 1801, a division of Valdese Weavers. Earles succeeds John Lenox, president of Circa 1801 for many years, who has left the company....

Area Rug Makers Meet the Challenge.
May 5, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral New York - With retailers being more cautious in their orders as home furnishings sales continue to dip across many categories, suppliers are compelled to be more creative in the way they market their wares. Area...

ITM Launches Braided Rugs.
May 5, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Cumberland, R.I. - Backed by an India-based flexible manufacturing facility that it owns in a joint venture, fledgling braided rug company International Textile Manufacturers (ITM) is muscling its way into the U.S....

Natco Expands Domestic Rug Production.
May 5, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral West Warwick, R.I. - Natco Products Corp. is expanding its domestic area rug and accent rug machine-made operations, adding 60,000 square feet to its existing 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Sanford,...

Roubini Rugs Offers Fornasetti Line.
May 5, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral New York - Artwork from the archives of Italian painter, sculptor, interior designer and engraver Piero Fornasetti is now being interpreted in a line of upscale hand-knotted wool and silk area rugs. ...

Pet Goods Provide Expanding Niche.
May 5, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral New York - It's been said dogs have owners, but cats have staff. Regardless of the status of a pet's home provider, these coddling caretakers are doling out the dollars on quality comfort for their canines and...

Plushest Pet Beds Prevail.
May 5, 2008... By Carole Sloan New York - As furnishings for pets grow as a business for both home textiles suppliers and retailers, high end retailer Pierre Deux has launched a chain-wide program this spring that is featured in its 20-store chain as...

Designer Riviera Teams with Portico.
May 5, 2008... By Staff New York - San Francisco-based designer Jodi Riviera has joined the Portico Home & Spa team as chief creative director. Riviera, who counts Crate & Barrel and Williams-Sonoma among her clients for home design, is currently...

828 International Promotes DeLettera.
May 5, 2008... By Staff Greenville, S.C. - Area and accent rug supplier 828 International Trading Company has promoted Amy DeLettera to account manager, assigned to serve the company's retail customers in the greater Atlanta area. DeLettera has...

JanelleStyle Retains Jenkins for Sales.(Daryl Jenkins & Associates)(JanelleStyle Designs )(Brief article)
May 5, 2008... By Staff Smyrna, Ga. - JanelleStyle Designs has signed with Daryl Jenkins & Associates of Dallas to manage its sales in Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Mexico. "I am so happy to be...

Levinsohn Adds Parrish as Sales VP.
May 5, 2008... By Staff New York - Private label home furnishings supplier Levinsohn Textile has hired Lara Parrish as vp of sales; she will direct all sales efforts and will coordinate the new product initiative of BackDrop upholstered headboards. ...

LNT Sheds a Director.
May 5, 2008... By Staff Clifton, N.J. - George Golleher has resigned from the boards of directors of both Linens 'n Things and its parent, Linens Holding Co. "To the knowledge of the registrants, Mr. Golleher did not resign due to any disagreement...

Couristan Pro Sindoni Dies.(Lawrence Sindoni)(Occupation overview)(Brief article)
May 5, 2008... By Staff Fort Lee, N.J. - Lawrence Sindoni, a veteran of the floor covering industry and a member of the Couristan team for 25 years, passed away peacefully at his home on April 14. He was 73. "Larry was with Couristan during a period...

Wal-Mart Alters Board.
May 5, 2008... By Staff Bentonville, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores has nominated two new director candidates to replace two current directors who will not stand for re-election at the June 6 annual meeting. Jack Shewmaker and Roland Hernandez will be...

Consumer Confidence Further Deteriorates.
May 5, 2008... By Staff New York - Noting, "The glass remains half empty," Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Research Center, said the April Consumer Confidence Index does not bode well. The Index is at 62.3 (1985=100), down from 65.9 in...

Price Competition Undercuts Comps.(Brief article)
May 5, 2008... By Staff New York - Retailers saw comparable-store sales slow sharply in the third week of April, dropping the month-to-date gain to 1.7%, just below the targeted 1.8% comp gain, the Johnson Redbook reported. After a strong start,...

Reducing Catalogs to Aid Standalone HSN.
May 5, 2008... By Staff New York - "HSN continued to exhibit strong momentum," said Barry Diller, chairman and ceo of Home Shopping Network parent company IAC regarding results for the first quarter ended March 31. "With this quarter's results, it...

Tax Rebates Could Yield $42 Billion Retail Boost.(Brief article)
May 5, 2008... By Staff Columbus, Ohio - Two-fifths of consumers are ready to spend their anticipated federal income tax rebates on either everyday retail expenses or special purchases, amounting to a total of $42 billion pumped into the economy by year...

Textiles Weaken at Tuesday Morning.
May 5, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Dallas - The textiles category was among the "particularly depressed" segments at Tuesday Morning Corp. during its third quarter, the 821-unit retailer said during its earnings call last week. Kathleen Mason,...

Hospitality Segment Beckons.
May 5, 2008... By Jennifer Marks The most frequently asked question in conversations lately: "Who's doing well in home?" In the big box retail world, nobody. Here's a sampling of headlines from last week's HTT Extra e-newsletter: Soft home,...

Going to the Dogs.(textiles)
May 5, 2008... By Carole Sloan Item - Orvis is featuring a therapeutic memory foam dog's nest for older dogs with a cotton canvas cover at $159 for the small dog size. Item - Pierre Deux is tempting dogs and their owners with Le Petite Settee, a...

Echo Design at 85.(Echo Design Group Inc.)
May 19, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral New York - The Echo Design Group in 1928 had five young years under its belt as an upscale women's scarf company when the founding couple, Theresa and Edgar Hyman, brought on a third partner: their newborn daughter...

Profits Halved, JCPenney Aims at 'Better' Zone.
May 19, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Plano, Texas - An array of new brands, most leaning to the "better" side of the price point table, is marching into JCPenney during June and July to help the 1,074-unit mid-tier department store chain recruit a...

'Everything Must Go' at LNT Store Closings.
May 19, 2008... By Brent Felgner New York - Linens 'n Things has scheduled a May 29 auction for the liquidation rights to the approximately 120 stores it will close in connection with its Chapter 11 bankruptcy, even as creditors line up to be heard over...

Macy's Going Local, Liking Martha.
May 19, 2008... By Carole Sloan Cincinnati - Within the 8-month-old Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's, high-end luxury home textiles are "just tremendous," asserted Terry Lundgren, chairman, president and ceo. Housewares and the recently introduced...

Bed Bath & Beyond Enters Mexico.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Union, N.J. - Specialty retailer Bed Bath & Beyond has formed a joint venture with privately held Mexican home goods retailer Home & More, S.A. de C.V. By investing $4 million, BBB is a 50% equity partner in the new entity...

Mills, Dan River Clash Over Containers.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Wilmington, Del. - The battle continues between Dan River and a group of offshore mills that contend the liquidating U.S. division of the Indian conglomerate GHCL owes them a collective $30 million for merchandise. With U.S....

Pennacchio Departs WestPoint as Sales Fall, Losses Trimmed.(WestPoint Home)(Joseph Pennacchio)
May 19, 2008... By James Mammarella New York - WestPoint Home named former Sara Lee exec John Piazza president and ceo last Friday, May 16, noting the immediate departure of Joseph Pennacchio, who had served in the top post at the company since October...

Retail Briefs.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Bon-Ton May Extend Alfaro to Home Staff Department store operator The Bon-Ton Stores has entered a license and design contract with Victor Alfaro for an exclusive branded collection, Victor by Victor Alfaro, that will...

Home 'Under Pressure' at Wal-Mart Stores.
May 19, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Bentonville, Ark. - As consumers turned their attention toward basic necessities, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported solid sales and earnings gains for the first quarter, with earnings per share up nearly 12% to 76 cents....

Kohl's Clips Inventory as Home Slumps.
May 19, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Menomonee Falls, Wis. - Home trailed the company as "clearly the weakest" category at Kohl's during the first quarter, the 957-unit mid-tier department store reported last week. "Of our six business groups, [home]...

Letter To The Editor.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Clarifying Chinese Export Rebate We refer to your editorial in Opinion Today entitled "Double Trouble for the Industry" and wish to set you straight on some facts. First, let me say that I am writing from the company Safdie &...

Cannon In, Martha Heading Out at Sears, Kmart.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill. - There has been no final disposition decision concerning the Martha Stewart Everyday program at Kmart, an arrangement that is scheduled to end by the end of 2009. "There is the potential of losing the...

Riegel Textiles to Bring Perego Linens to U.S.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Johnston, S.C. - Mount Vernon Mills division Riegel Textiles has partnered with Italian fine table linens maker Perego to bring the Perego Luxury Linens for Riegel line to the hospitality market in the United States. With a...

Sheets and Pillowcase Market Turns Down.
May 19, 2008... By Jill Rowen Suppliers Scramble for Share Sheets and pillowcases were pulled in all directions as a difficult retail climate culminated in an 8.1 % decrease in sales for the category in 2007, to $2.135 billion. The third in HTT...

7W New York Offers Temporary Space for Fall Market.
May 19, 2008... By Staff New York - Showroom building 7W New York will offer temporary exhibit space to textiles manufacturers during New York Home Fashions Market, Sept. 15-19, 2008. According to Chris Collins, vp and general manager of 7W New York,...

ABC Carpet Showing at ICFF.
May 19, 2008... By Staff New York - Specialty resource ABC Carpet is taking part for the first time in the International Contemporary Furniture Fair at the Javits Center here, May 17-20. ABC is spotlighting a selection of from the Pachamama, PQ,...

Cotton Inc. Launches 'Natural' in 85 Malls.
May 19, 2008... By Staff New York - The Cotton Incorporated "Natural" branding campaign is off and running with a four-tier platform of sweepstakes, gift-with-purchase, online and traditional marketing aimed at 85 malls across the country. Anchored...

Denyse Schmidt Creates Quilt for Glass House.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Bridgeport, Conn. - Quilt designer Denyse Schmidt has been invited to participate in the annual Philip Johnson Glass House Commission program, for which she has created a special striped pattern piece. Supporting the...

Duckwall-ALCO Trims HQ Staff.(Duckwall-Alco Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... By Staff Abilene, Kan. - Rural general merchandiser Duckwall-ALCO Stores has cut its headquarters staff by 10%, part of its continuing cost-control campaign. The company said 27 positions here have been eliminated, including one...

Laneve Details Bloomie's Catalog Plan.
May 19, 2008... By Carole Sloan New York - Although Bloomingdale's will discontinue its Bloomingdale's by Mail catalog early next year in favor of its bloomingdales.com internet efforts, it will continue with "bHome" in home furnishings, "HOT" in apparel,...

NexCen Bows Waverly Ads with Sandra Lee.(NexCen Brands Inc.)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... By Staff New York - Brand management firm NexCen Brands is kicking off its "World of Waverly" ad campaign in Better Homes & Gardens this month, featuring Waverly spokesperson Sandra Lee. Lee, the host of "Semi-Homemade Cooking with...

Yazdani to Show Rare Zohra Rug at Domotex Dubai.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Dubai, United Arab Emirates - A rare carpet valued at more than $1 million will be on display at Domotex Middle East 2008, to be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre May 25-27. The hand-made, pure...

Portico Home to 'Bring Home the Green'.(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... By Jennifer Marks New York - Portico Home, the brand acquired last year by industry veterans Gregg Haft and Charles Schlang, is preparing to launch an aggressive campaign to tout Portico's green bona fides. Model-activist Summer Rayne...

Raksha Bella Launches Eco-Luxe.(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... By Staff San Francisco - Raksha Bella has launched its Classic Collection at select California coastal retailers, a line that founder and designer Carrie Peters said is the result of a spiritual decision to create an "eco-luxe" bedding...

Repreve Yarn by Unifi to be Featured on Discovery Channel.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Greensboro, N.C. - Fiber and yarn producer Unifi, Inc.'s 100% recycled yarn Repreve will be featured on "How It's Made," a TV series produced by the parent company of the Discovery Channel. The unique production processes...

Texlynx Teams with BASF for Value-Added Products.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Lahore, Pakistan - Chemical developer BASF Pakistan Private Limited and buying house/resource agency Texlynx Home have agreed to collaborate in developing innovative textiles for global retailers and brands in the United States...

Brooke Shields to Promote Royal Velvet.
May 19, 2008... By Staff New York - To boost the launch of Royal Velvet home textiles at Bed, Bath & Beyond this June, brand owner Iconix Brand Group has retained actress Brooke Shields to star with her family in print and online ads. Shelter,...

D. Porthault Debuts at Bergdorf Goodman.(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... By Staff New York - Luxury retailer Bergdorf Goodman has unveiled its new D. Porthault boutique, featuring exclusive products and custom finishings, located in its Decorative Home area on the 7th floor. The linen house was founded in...

Kohl's Goes Solar at 50 Stores.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Menomonee Falls, Wis. - Mid-tier retailer Kohl's will convert more than 50 stores in New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland to solar power, affecting about three-quarters of its 67 locations in the three states. With the power...

Panel: Going Green in Decor Fabrics.
May 19, 2008... By Staff New York - Traditional Home magazine and fabric house Robert Allen will host a Green Panel discussion this week at the D&D building here. The panel will feature Alexis Audette, fabric design and green fabric specialist for...

Regal Readies Hafner, Mastercraft Lines.(Regal Fabrics)(Hafner Inc.)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... By Staff Middleton, Mass. - Decorative fabric suppliers Regal Fabrics has acquired the exclusive license to produce the designs formerly made by Hafner Inc., which in March shut down its production facilities for furniture fabrics in North...

Springs Debuts 'Sanitized' Line for Hotels.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Las Vegas - At the HD Expo here last week, Springs Global US unveiled a hospitality bed and bath program employing Sanitized technology, which inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes odor and keeps items fresher longer. ...

Beach Towels Bask in Back Yards.
May 19, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Suppliers Upscale Product to Upshift Prices New York - Whether motivated by limited discretionary funds or a more cautious spending attitude, Americans are viewing summer 2008 - positioned in the thick of the...

Edelman, Harrison in New Roles at Macy's.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Cincinnati - Macy's Inc. has appointed Daniel Edelman, currently president and coo of San Francisco-based Macy's West, to the new corporate-level position of president for international retail development. Robert Harrison,...

Glen Raven Promotes Three.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Glen Raven, N.C. - Outdoor fabric maker Glen Raven Custom Fabrics-Americas has elevated two senior designers to management positions and promoted Gina Wicker to director of design. Wicker will continue to oversee Sunbrella...

People Briefs.(Tom Lindh resigned from International Home Furnishings Center and is replaced by Bruce Miller)(Brief article)
May 19, 2008... By Staff IHFC President Lindh Resigns; Miller Steps In Staff Tom Lindh resigned as president and ceo of the International Home Furnishings Center, the showroom building complex announced on May 7. The IHFC said Lindh, who has...

Rizzy Rugs Hires 'Rug Doug' Ernewein.
May 19, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Calhoun, Ga. - India-based handmade wool rug manufacturer Rizzy Rugs has appointed industry veteran Doug Ernewein to the company's newly created post of vp, product development and training. Ernewein, known widely...

Zheng Zhang Taps Bannon for Design.
May 19, 2008... By Staff New York - Fashion bedding supplier Zheng Zhang USA has named Pat Bannon director of design. Bannon has held similar posts at Thomasville Home Furnishings, Carolina Creations, and Fabrican. With her designs for textiles,...

Bloomingdale's Promotes Berman, Anderson.
May 19, 2008... By Staff New York - Frank Berman and Charles Anderson have been promoted to senior vps at Bloomingdale's, both continuing to report to Tony Spring, president and coo. Berman, most recently vp of marketing, becomes svp marketing,...

Century Home to Bow Chang Line.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Toronto - Home textile supplier Century Home Fashions has signed a licensing agreement for bedding and home fashion accessories with women's fashion designer Simon Chang. The Simon Chang lines will debut for fall 2008, with...

Kaleen Rugs Recruits Washburn.
May 19, 2008... By Staff Dalton, Ga. - Hand-tufted, hand-knotted and hand-loomed India-based area rug manufacturer Kaleen, which runs its U.S. operations here, has appointed Tammy Washburn to the newly created post of regional accounts manager. ...