Home Textiles Today articles from November 2008

Home Textiles Today archives from November 2008

Fashion Brightens Bath Outlook.
November 3, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Embellishments, Stripes Lift Category New York --When times are tough, the rule of thumb is "stick to basics." Not so, say bath towel suppliers. Even in this most challenging economy, the fundamental white or...

Platt to Helm Brand Matter.(Hilco Consumer Capital)(Windsong)(Brand Matter appointed Rick Platt )(Brief article)
November 3, 2008... By Staff New York --Rick Platt has been named president of Brand Matter, a new licensing and marketing company in a joint venture partnership with private equity firm Hilco Consumer Capital and brand capital firm Windsong. The...

Fortunoff Hires Bobkin, Kwon.(appointments of Mitch Bobkin and Sam Kwon)(Brief article)
November 3, 2008... By Staff Uniondale, N.Y. -- Longtime home fashions executive Mitch Bobkin has joined specialty retailer Fortunoff as fashion director for furniture, rugs, lamps and wall art. He also will buy decorative accessories. Bobkin, who was...

JCP Limits Severance Packages.(JCPenney Company Inc.)(Brief article)
November 3, 2008... By Staff Plano, Texas --The JCPenney board of directors has conditionally set a cap of 2.99 times annual base salary and target bonus on any future severance agreements with senior executives. The only exception would be on the...

Michael Day's Duties Expand at Swavelle.
November 3, 2008... By Staff New York --Michael Day, vp and design director of the Textile Fabric Associates (TFA) division of Swavelle/Mill Creek, has assumed responsibility for the indoor and outdoor upholstery fabric development and design at Swavelle as...

Stein Mart Seeks Top Executive.
November 3, 2008... By Staff Jacksonville, Fla. -- Mid-tier off-price department store chain Stein Mart Inc. has embarked on a nationwide search to replace its current president and ceo, Linda McFarland Farthing. Farthing, who has been a member of the...

Beaulieu Promotes Tuck on Residential Side.(Beaulieu Canada Co. promoted Wayne R.G. Tuck)(Brief article)
November 3, 2008... By Staff Acton Vale, Quebec, Canada --Beaulieu Canada has promoted Wayne R.G. Tuck to the position of evp of sales. In his new stint, which he assumed in late September, Tuck is responsible for national sales of the company's...

MFG.com Launches Online Marketplace for Textiles.
November 3, 2008... By Staff Atlanta -- MFG.com -- an Internet global sourcing platform for manufacturers and buyers -- has launched into the textiles arena. More than 15,000 textiles buyers and factories covering home, apparel and industrial textiles are...

Gottschalks to Appeal Trading Suspension.
November 3, 2008... By Staff Fresno, Calif. Western department store chain Gottschalks will appeal a ruling by the New York Stock Exchange to suspend trading of its shares. The NYSE suspended trading of Gottschalks prior to market opening on Monday, Oct. 20,...

Martha Stewart Bullish on Merchandising.
November 3, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral New York -- While Macy's and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. still both decline to offer specific sales results on the lifestyle guru's one-year-old home Collection at the department store, MSLO said it is in a...

Halloween Boosts October Comps.(Brief article)
November 3, 2008... By Staff New York --Retailers reaped some solace in these scary times, as overall comparable-store sales goals were achieved in the third week of October, the Johnson Redbook reported last week. However, the sensation was mainly...

Wal-Mart Aims for 'Impact' In a Tough Economy.
November 3, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart is embarking on an ambitious U.S. store remodel program as part of its three-year strategic plan, dubbed "Project Impact." With the economy driving up Walmart's comp traffic from...

Target Drives Volume with Value Message.
November 3, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Minneapolis --At a time when Target Corp. admits to feeling its "weakest sales and profit performance" in its 46-year history, the 1,685-unit discount general merchandiser outlined its initiatives to support its...

LNT Wind-Down Accelerates.
November 3, 2008... By Brent Felgner Clifton, N.J. -- Inventories are nearly hitting the ceilings of Linens 'n Things stores once again -- the stores look full, as they otherwise should, well into the fourth quarter nearing the holiday season. The scenes...

Jaclyn Smith Home Launched at Kmart.
November 3, 2008... By Staff New York --Celebrity Jaclyn Smith joined Kmart execs here last week to tout the debut of Smith's inaugural bed and bath line, which is exclusive to the retailer. The line has already rolled out to stores and kmart.com. It will...

Pershing Square Pitches Target Land Leaseback.
November 3, 2008... By James Mammarella New York --Activist investor William Ackman mounted a public presentation here last week as his firm Pershing Square Capital Management proposed a tax-free spin-off to create a new owner of the land under the stores and...

Dillard's Cites Strengths.
November 3, 2008... By Staff Little Rock, Ark. -- Southeastern regional department store operator Dillard's responded to a call by activist investors for changes to management by issuing a statement emphasizing its commitment to "maintaining our conservative...

Un-Seasonable Retail Climate.
November 3, 2008... By JenniferMarks, Editor-in-chief What a week we just had. Low-ender Value City washed out, joining Mervyns and Linens 'n Things on the roster of October liquidations. That's a total of 586 stores launching GOB sales in a span of about...

A Game of Expectations.
November 3, 2008... By Carole Sloan, Founding Editor-in-chief At least there were fewtire-kickers to get in the way of the definitely smaller number of retailers who attended the High Point Market last month. And those who came, did write orders -- albeit not...

Retail Briefs.
November 3, 2008... By Staff Macy's to Resume Monthly Reports Staff Macy's Inc., which stopped reporting monthly sales data in February, will resume issuing monthly data, with October sales due on Nov. 6 -- but the company did not say how long it...

Pendleton Celebrates 100th Anniversary.(Brief article)
November 3, 2008... By Staff New York -- Last week, Pendleton kicked off the celebration of its 100th anniversary with a gathering at Central Park's Tavern on the Green - a nod to the building's history as a one-time sheepfold. The Pendleton, Ore.-based...

Modest Traffic at High Point.
November 3, 2008... By Carole Sloan High Point, N.C. --It wasn't the worst of worlds, but neither was it anywhere near the best -- so far as home textiles exhibitors at the High Point Market late last month were concerned. Before market, most exhibitors...

Consumer Confidence Over the Falls.
November 3, 2008... By Staff New York --The Conference Board has run out of ways to couch the bottomless plunge in its Consumer Confidence Index -- simply stating that it "fell to an all-time low in October." The Consumer Confidence Index debuted 41 years...

Retail Blues Hit Tuesday Morning.
November 3, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Dallas --Off-price home furnishings retailer Tuesday Morning posted dreary fiscal first quarter results - but management emphasized a bright spot. During the 851-unit chain's earnings call last week, president and ceo...

Williams-Sonoma Pulverizes Previous Outlook.
November 3, 2008... By Staff San Francisco - Multi-platform home specialty retailer Williams-Sonoma Inc. has slashed its quarterly and full year earnings guidance - the latter by as much as 75%. W-S said it now expects fiscal year 2008 diluted earnings...

Sam's Club Tunes Up Formats.
November 3, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Bentonville, Ark. -- Club remodels and three test prototypes are on the menu at Sam's Club as the country's No. 2 warehouse club seeks to expand memberships, executives said last week during Wal-Mart Inc.'s 15th Annual...

Wal-Mart Pushes Eco-Goals to Front of China Agenda.
November 3, 2008... By Staff Beijing --Wal-Mart has made "building a more environmentally and socially responsible global supply chain" a top-of-list item for its suppliers in China. Lee Scott, president and ceo of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., summed up the...

Value City to Liquidate, Files Ch. 11.
November 3, 2008... By Staff Columbus, Ohio --Value City filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Southern District of New York on Oct. 26, citing the economic downturn, tightened credit and limited consumer spending. According to court...

Moody's Places Bon-Ton Stores 'Under Review'.
November 3, 2008... By Staff York, Pa. -- The management of The Bon-Ton Stores told HTT that it planned no statement regarding the announcement by Moody's Investors Service that it had placed the ratings of the retailer "under review for possible downgrade."...

Koni Teams with Lenzing.
November 3, 2008... By Staff San Diego --Koni Corp. is poised to unveil a new line of designer hospitality products using Lenzing Fibers' Modal and Tencel at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show this month. Koni fabrics made from Modal and...

Fill Producer Bows Website for PrimaLoft Yarn.
November 3, 2008... By Staff Albany, N.Y. -- Down alternative fill supplier PrimaLoft has launched an industry website - www.primaloftyarn.com - dedicated to its new product line, PrimaLoft Yarn. "This website provides manufacturers with all the tools...

Rizzy Rug Preps Area Rugs from India Facility.
November 3, 2008... By Staff Calhoun, Ga. --Come January, the extensive line of area rugs by Rizzy Rugs will include new heat-set polypropylene collections and new 100% wool area rugs, all of them machine-made by the company in its own facilities in India....

Ellery Eclipse Drives Blackout Curtain Category.
November 3, 2008... By James Mammarella New York -- Ellery Homestyles helped fine tune the soft window industry standards for noise reduction and energy savings in 2006 with the introduction of its Eclipse line. Now, with that brand selling in 8,000 retail...

Majestic Rug Debuts Four Collections.
November 3, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Closter, N.J. -- Area and accent rugmaker Majestic Rug Co. continues to expand, adding four new collections: Jade Printed, Ashley, Lotus and Windsor. The four groups join an already broad assortment spanning 20...

Nourison Offers Rug Boutique Display Solution.
November 3, 2008... By Staff Saddle Brook, N.J. -- Responding to retailers' concerns on merchandising area rugs -- cost, space and return on investment -- Nourison rolled out a compact but comprehensive Rug Boutique rug display system last month. The...

Texlynx Forges Hospitality Partnership with Spyro.
November 3, 2008... By Staff Lahore, Pakistan -- Diversified home textiles sourcer and quality assurance service Texlynx has formed a joint venture with Spyro Hotel Supplies, a United Arab Emirates firm serving the UAE and Middle East. The new...

Split the Sheets Debuts on QVC.
November 3, 2008... By Staff Tacoma, Wash. -- Keeping both halves of every sleeping couple comfortable is the goal of Split the Sheets, and last week the company took its flagship product line to consumers via QVC. The Split the Sheets line features...

Hollander Debuts Laura Ashley Anniversary Collection.(Brief article)
November 3, 2008... By Staff Boca Raton, Fla. -- Manufacturer Hollander Home Fashions is marking its 10th anniversary as the Laura Ashley basic bedding licensee with the debut of the Anniversary Collection. The Anniversary Collection will include popular...

Kahn Family Sells Croscill after 62 Years.
November 17, 2008... By HTT Staff Equity Fund Buys Textiles Legacy New York -- Croscill is passing into new hands after 62 years and three generations of business by the founding Kahn family. Croscill Acquisition LLC, a new company owned by the managed...

Home Hurts JCPenney in Stores, Online.
November 17, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Plano, Texas -- Home sales proved bitter on two tiers for JCPenney during the 1,093-unit mid-tier department store chain's third quarter. Home failed not only in stores, but its weakness also hindered JCP.com from...

Kohl's Battles Slump with Exclusives.
November 17, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Beset by falling profits and shrinking comparable-store sales, Kohl's is fighting back with very tight inventory control and the expansion of its exclusive and private brand programs. Home...

Macy's Dips into Red Ink.
November 17, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Cincinnati -- In October, Macy's Inc. saw its average unit retail decrease "for the first time that I can remember," evp and cfo Karen Hoguet said. But at least for home textiles, a piece of that business --...

Retail Briefs.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Dollar General Names Top Merchant Staff Discount general merchandiser Dollar General has recruited Todd Vasos as division president and chief merchandising officer for its 8,300 stores. Starting Dec. 1, he will oversee...

CBK Offers Consumer Drop Ships.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Union City, Tenn. -- Gift and home decor wholesaler CBK has launched a consumer drop ship program to support the e-commerce efforts of its 25,000 retail accounts. CBK, which merchandises a modest selection of table runners,...

Linens 'n Things Creditors Seek to Broaden Probe.
November 17, 2008... By Brent Felgner Wilmington, Del. -- The Linens 'n Things creditors committee is seeking to broaden its probe into the retailer's financial dealings involving investors, management and professionals during the period from its going-private...

'Difficult Times--Wal-Mart Times'.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Bentonville, Ark. -- Despite a 10% boost in third-quarter earnings, Wal-Mart Inc. lowered expectations for full-year profits last week, pointing to the impact of a stronger dollar on its international results. Wal-Mart now...

World Market Taps McKay.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Las Vegas -- The World Market Center has appointed tradeshow industry veteran Phillip McKay to the newly created post of svp. He most recently was president and ceo of PPM Media, a tradeshow production company he founded. He has...

AG Enters Hospitality, Hires Collins.(Debbie Collins )(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... By Staff New York -- AG Hospitality -- the hospitality division of AG luxury textiles -- launched earlier this month with the announcement that Debbie Collins had joined the company to head the new division. Collins most recently was...

Draper Inspires Sferra Wonderland Collection.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Edison, N.J. -- Sferra is channeling Dorothy Draper, the influential mid-century American interior designer, in its 1891 by Sferra collection for spring/summer. "She was the first to say that everything didn't have to exactly...

Suppliers Stoic at Hotel Show.
November 17, 2008... By Carole Sloan New York -- Concern about the near term opportunities in the hospitality field dominated conversation among exhibitors at last week's New York International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show. Business for home textiles...

Towellers Debuts Thirsty Cotton Towel Collection.(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... By Staff Karachi, Pakistan -- Towellers has introduced its Thirsty Cotton towel, an eco-friendly, fast-drying product line that does not sacrifice softness or loft. The 70/30 cotton/poly construction of Thirsty uses "micro denier...

Auerbach, Founder of Northwest, Recalled.(Shay Auerbach)(Obituary)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... By Staff Roslyn, N.Y. -- Services were held Friday, Nov. 14 for Shay Auerbach, 82, co-founder and chairman of The Northwest Company, who died Nov. 11 of cancer. Auerbach, the son of Russian immigrants, founded the company in 1985 with...

Meijer Teams with Domestic Maven Katie Brown.(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... By Staff Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Supercenter chain Meijer has selected home entertaining and decor maven Katie Brown as its "Home Solutions Advisor," a role in which she will help develop new product lines and provide shoppers with...

Rizzy Rug Preps Area Rugs from India Facility.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Calhoun, Ga. -- Come January, the extensive line of area rugs by Rizzy Rugs will include new heat-set polypropylene collections and new 100% wool area rugs, all of them machine-made by the company in its own facilities in India....

Sears Promotes Layaway Through Dec. 23.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- With a range of stipulations, Sears launched a 5-and-a-half-week holiday layaway program on Sunday, Nov. 16, with all purchases to be paid in full by Tuesday, Dec. 23. "Not only did we hear feedback...

WestPoint Home Sheds Sales, Narrows Loss.(WestPoint Stevens Home Fashions)(Financial report)
November 17, 2008... By Staff New York -- As expected, sales volume kept shrinking - and losses narrowed - as WestPoint Home in its third fiscal quarter shed underperforming retail placements along with manufacturing and distribution infrastructure. As...

Mohawk Taking Write-off, Closing Yarn Plants.
November 17, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Calhoun, Ga. -- Coming off a brutal third quarter amidst what the company described as "one of the most difficult periods in the history of our industry," Mohawk Industries Inc. announced last week that it is "adjusting...

Dec Pillows Makers Pressed on Price.
November 17, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Two months ago, HTT reported that dec pillow suppliers were confident about their business, calling it "recession-proof" -- but undoubtedly concerned about retailers' push to reduce inventories. That unease about...

Atlanta Gift Show Adds Licensing Showcase.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Atlanta -- The AmericasMart here, long the home of the seasonal area rug and gift markets, will add licensing to its highlights for the first time. Come January, the mart will introduce its new Licensing & Design area to...

Boscov and Lakin Families to Buy Bankrupt Chain.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Transaction May Close by Month's End Reading, Pa. -- Boscov's has signed an agreement to sell the majority of its assets to a family group headed by Albert Boscov along with Edwin Lakin, the former top executive. At the...

Cartoon Network Adds Home Textiles Partners.
November 17, 2008... By Staff New York -- Cartoon Network Enterprises has announced new licensing agreements for several animated properties with Franco Manufacturing and The Northwest Company, as well as an expanded license with Jay Franco & Sons. The...

Gracious Home Opens in Chelsea.
November 17, 2008... By Staff New York -- High end home furnishings specialty retailer Gracious Home opened its third New York store in the Chelsea area of Manhattan last week. The store, which occupies the blockfront from 25th to 26th Streets on Sixth...

Bardwil to Make Vera Neumann Goods.(Bardwil Linens' partnership)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... By Staff Atlanta -- Bardwil Linens is the latest supplier to join the licensee roster of The Vera Company. Bardwil has signed on to create table linens and kitchen textiles donning the vintage designs of Vera Neumann - or Vera, as she...

Company C Bows First Holiday Line.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Concord, N.H. -- Festive Christmas and wintry themes are a new source of design inspiration for rug and decorative home textiles manufacturer Company C, which just launched its first-ever holiday collection. The company's...

Karastan Customizes Inspired Luxury Rugs.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Dalton, Ga.-- Upscale area rug manufacturer and importer Karastan is taking its service and offerings up another notch with the introduction of its Inspired Luxury program of customized rug offerings. Consumers can now select...

Orian Moves N.Y. Showroom to 7W NY.(Orian Rugs Inc.)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... By Staff Anderson, S.C. -- Orian Rugs is relocating its New York City showroom to 7 West NY, at 7 West 34th Street, to a space that measures double the size of its former space. Orian spent the past five at 286 Fifth Ave., directly...

Ikea US President Named.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Conshohocken, Pa. -- Specialty retailer Ikea has named Mike Ward president of Ikea U.S., effective Jan. 1, 2009. Ward will step in as current Ikea U.S. president Pernille Spiers-Lopez shifts to head of global human resources,...

Kendig, Home Execs Promoted at JCPenney.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Plano, Texas -- John Kendig, who had been vp-direct transition, overseeing the this year's merging of the JCPenney direct and retail businesses, has been named vp of the company's window coverings and furniture businesses, a new...

Leahy, Gold Exit P/Kaufmann.
November 17, 2008... By Staff New York -- Tom Leahy has left P/Kaufmann where he was vp sales for the P/K Lifestyles division, the licensee that designs and markets the Waverly and Williamsburg decorative fabric collections. "The position was eliminated,...

Fabric Force Elkin McCallum: 'I'm Back.'.
November 17, 2008... By Carole Sloan Tyngsboro, Mass. -- Home furnishings fabric veteran and former owner of Joan Fabrics Elkin McCallum has launched a line of performance fabrics, multi-purpose and upholstery goods at his fabric mill, Texel, in Tiaxacia,...

Pacuk Named President of Raxon Fabrics.
November 17, 2008... By Staff New York -- Andy Pacuk has been appointed president of Raxon Fabrics, a division of Vescom Group of Deurne, Holland, effective Nov.17. Pacuk's appointment is part of Vescom's reorganization of its presence in North America,...

Talbert Leaves Veratex, Sager Steps Up.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Van Nuys, Calif. -- Longtime home textiles industry executive Dale Talbert has left Veratex, where he was vp sales. He has been succeeded by Debbie Sager, vp marketing, who adds the vp sales responsibilities. "It was a great...

Retail Comps Crash in October.
November 17, 2008... By James Mammarella New York -- October comparable store sales were negative for 12 of the 15 retailers tracked monthly by Home Textiles Today -- and home was weak across the board. Only Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and Fred's showed positive...

E-tailers Prepare for Holiday Challenges.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Washington -- Fewer online retailers expect major sales volume increases this holiday season than last year, although e-commerce will maintain its "tremendous influence" throughout the season, a new survey from Shop.org reveals....

Comps Start November Under Negative Goal.(Brief article)(Statistical data)
November 17, 2008... By Staff New York -- Retailers in the first retail week of November struggled to keep up with a negative comp-store sales target, the Johnson Redbook reported. Even measured against the modest retail advances of the past several...

Off-Pricer TJX Cuts Forecast.
November 17, 2008... By James Mammarella Framingham, Mass. -- Leading off-price retailer TJX Cos. offered a positive outlook in a marketplace strewn with distressed merchants and refused merchandise -- but noted that its home departments are suffering. ...

Crown Crafts Profit Soars.(Financial report)
November 17, 2008... By Staff Gonzales, La. -- Infant and toddler products maker Crown Crafts Inc. nearly doubled its second-quarter profit by driving new sales, even as it digested its acquisition of licensed lines from Springs Global. That acquisition,...

HFPA Reminder on Annual Meeting.
November 17, 2008... By Staff New York -- The Annual Membership Meeting of the Home Fashion Products Association (HFPA) will take place Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7W NY, located at 7 West 34th Street. While the invitee-only board of directors meeting runs 8:30...

Iconix Reports Strong Sales and Profit Growth.
November 17, 2008... By Staff New York -- Profits and sales grew robustly in the third quarter for Iconix Brand Group, which announced a share buyback program as it reported results. Of the recent Waverly acquisition, Iconix pointed to continuity of...

Towellers Signs Deal with Greek Textiles Group.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Karachi, Pakistan -- Home textiles manufacturer Towellers Limited has signed a joint venture with 55-year-old Greek towel and textiles producer M/s Moutalaski/J. Sakaladis Group for transfer of technology and equipment. "The...

Veken Wins Again on 'Coral Fleece' Patent.
November 17, 2008... By Staff Ningbo, China -- Veken Group Holding Co. Ltd. has settled its suit in the Chinese civil courts against Changzou Aoyang Textiles Co., Ltd., a supplier to U.S. retailers. At issue was Chinese Patent No. ZL200510050367.5, which...

Jeanne Carroll Mourned.(Feizy Oriental Rugs)(Brief article)
November 17, 2008... By Staff Dallas -- Feizy Rugs is mourning the loss of director of advertising Jeanne Carroll, who died last week at the age of 52. Carroll and her daughter, Janice Leigh Hill, were the victims of a murder-suicide committed by Carroll's...

Meet the Prudent Consumer.(Viewpoint essay)
November 17, 2008... By Jennifer Marks When I read last week that Sears was getting back into the layaway business for the first time in nearly 20 years, I sent a colleague a facetious e-mail reading: "Why, it's just like the '60s!" Then I realized, maybe...

The Contract Segment Beckons.(International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show)
November 17, 2008... By Carole Sloan It was interesting to see the narrow assortment of home textiles products at last week's International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show here in New York. The most dramatic change was the non-presence of the decorative...