Home Textiles Today articles from October 2008

Home Textiles Today archives from October 2008

LNT Runs Out of Time.
October 13, 2008... By Brent Felgner Unable to win Noteholders' Support, LNT Girds for the End Clifton, N.J. - Barring what even insiders acknowledge would amount to a last-minute-miracle save, the nation's No. 2 home fashions specialty retailer will...

Frette Opens 10th Store.
October 13, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Boston - When Frette opened its 10th freestanding store here this month the luxury brand took its first step toward presenting a new vision for the luxury brand. Located in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the shop offers...

Ralph Home: Opportunities Await.
October 13, 2008... By Carole Sloan New York -While continuing to emphasize its aspirational mantra, the home furnishings business of Polo Ralph Lauren sees major opportunities in accelerated product development, distribution expansion, and merchandise...

Retail Forward Predicts Bleak Holiday.
October 13, 2008... By Staff Columbus, Ohio - Two weeks after predicting holiday 2008 will be the weakest in 17 years, consultancy Retail Forward revealed its channel projections - with unwelcome expectations for furniture and home furnishings stores. ...

Calvin Klein Enters Furniture Market.
October 13, 2008... By Carole Sloan New York - With the introduction of its first furniture collections, Calvin Klein Home will expand its retail reach into fine furniture stores with a complete lifestyle presentation including furniture, bedding, tabletop,...

Retail Briefs.
October 13, 2008... By Staff Mervyn's Hires Dever Staff Mid-tier department store chain Mervyn's, which in late July filed for Bankruptcy under Chapter 11 protection, has hired Jane Dever as its new vp, dmm of home. She replaces Michael Rotar, who...

Kabat Retires from P/Kaufmann.
October 13, 2008... By Staff New York - Lee Kabat, who has been a corporate vp of decorative fabric producer P/Kaufmann since 1979, has retired. Kabat has entered into a consulting agreement with the company that allows him to pursue opportunities both...

Pacific and Bliss Appoint Williams, Vienti.(Pacific Trade International appoints Dale Williams)(Arthur Vienti)(Brief article)
October 13, 2008... By Staff Rockville, Md. - Longtime home furnishings executive Dale Williams has joined Pacific Trade International, the owner of Chesapeake Bay Trading, as coo, a new position. He reports to Mei Xu, president and co-owner with her...

Pillow Suppliers Fight for Share in Tough Economy.
October 13, 2008... By Jill Rowen A confusing economic crisis and a recent upheaval in the market with the Chapter 11 filing of memory foam pillow maker Sleep Innovations has suppliers of basic bedding on guard. With a credit crunch and shrinking consumer...

Certification Boards and their Eco-Expertise.
October 13, 2008... By Staff CONEG The Coalition of Northeastern Governors is a non-partisan association of the governors of the eight Northeastern states, which developed a packaging standard limiting the use of heavy metals. coneg.org Control...

Eco-Certification: Industry Seeks Top of 'Green' Crop.
October 13, 2008... By Jill Rowen Last month's New York market promised fashion and function, innovation and freshness, but one question that may have been asked most often of vendors was: "Are you certifiable?" Before anyone takes offense, we're talking...

Organic Cotton Production Skyrockets.
October 13, 2008... By Staff Lubbock, Texas - The amount of organic cotton grown by farmers worldwide in 2007/08 increased 152% over the prior year period, according to Organic Exchange. "Approximately 60% of the total represents expansion of known...

Kohl's Basks in South Florida.
October 13, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Miami - This month Kohl's introduced itself to South Florida shoppers for the first time, opening a wave of new units in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. One of the sites here, located in the Miami...

New Las Vegas Dates Overlap September 2009 N.Y. Market.
October 13, 2008... By Staff Las Vegas - The Las Vegas Market has pushed back the dates for its summer 2009 show to September and will shorten the market to a four-day event, Sept. 14-17, precipitating a conflict with the HFPA-sponsored New York Home Fashions...

Sleep Innovations in Pre-packaged Chapter 11.
October 13, 2008... By Brent Felgner Wilmington, Del. - A hearing was held Oct. 6 on the series of first-day motions involving the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of memory foam sleep product manufacturer Sleep Innovations. According to an affidavit by new...

Birkins Out at WestPoint.
October 13, 2008... By Staff New York - Art Birkins, svp, global supply chain management for WestPoint Home, is no longer with the company. The position has been eliminated. Questions concerning these areas are being referred to Chris Baker, the company...

Crown Crafts Names Elliott to Top Finance Post.
October 13, 2008... By Staff Gonzales, La. - Infant and toddler textiles producer Crown Crafts Inc. has promoted Olivia Elliott to vp and cfo. Elliott replaces Amy Samson, who previously notified Crown Crafts of her desire to step down as cfo for personal...

Hoffman Named to Lead Lord & Taylor.
October 13, 2008... By Staff New York - Hudson's Bay Trading Company (HBTC) has named Brendan L. Hoffman president and ceo of upscale specialty unit Lord & Taylor; he takes over the posts held for the past nine years by Jane Elfers, effective Oct. 6. ...

Home Source Hires Schaus.
October 13, 2008... By Staff Atlanta - Home Source International has hired Lissa Schaus as director of bedding design; she will develop bedding products for the Portico brand, newly licensed by Home Source. Schaus will also design bed products for other...

Stanton Carpet Recruits Skelly.
October 13, 2008... By Staff Syosset, N.Y. - Wool and synthetic area rug and broadloom manufacturer and importer Stanton Carpet has appointed Barbara Skelly director of marketing, reporting to Jonathan Cohen, coo. Skelly most recently worked for Designtex...

Bella Rose Hires Two, Signs Straaton.
October 13, 2008... By Staff Oklahoma City - Top-of-bed, table linen and decorative pillow company Bella Rose by Chateau has hired two new designers to broaden its high-end bedding and decorative accessory offerings. The two designers are Taryn Jacobson...

Swirbul Trades Post for Consulting at Chris Stone.(Jay Swirbul)(Brief article)
October 13, 2008... By Staff Vernon, Calif. - Jay Swirbul has stepped down as vp, sales and marketing at decorative and upholstery fabric resource Chris Stone, a post he has held since June. He assumed the vp position after the departure of Mark Aizawa,...

Cost Plus Marks 50 Years.
October 13, 2008... By Staff Oakland, Calif. - Cost Plus World Market is beating the drum for its 50th anniversary. Founded on Fisherman's Wharf by San Francisco businessman William Amthor, Cost Plus has grown its original "out-of-the-crate" rattan furniture...

Mohawk Mourns Loss of Sales Manager Mechsner.(Carrie Janet Mechsner)(Obituary)(Brief article)
October 13, 2008... By Staff Sugar Valley, Ga. - Mohawk Home has lost one of its longtime sales staffers to cancer. Carrie Janet Mechsner, who worked for Mohawk Home for the past 14 years of her career as its West Coast business manager, passed away...

Shaw to Produce Angela Adams Area Rugs.
October 13, 2008... By Staff Dalton, Ga. - Area rug and home textiles designer Angela Adams, well known for her organic and contemporary clean-lined themes and patterns, has partnered with Shaw Living to create a co-branded collection of area rugs. Set...

Surya to Debut Candice Olson Area Rugs.
October 13, 2008... By Staff Calhoun, Ga. - Area rug manufacturer Surya has partnered with HGTV celebrity decorator Candice Olson to create a new collection of area rugs set to debut later this month at the High Point market. Olson will be at Surya's High...

TFA Acquires Plantation House.
October 13, 2008... By Staff New York - Textile Fabric Associates (TFA), the high end affiliate of Swavelle/Mill Creek Fabrics, has acquired Plantation House, the wholesale fabric division of Weathervane Hill, Inc. The line, which is designed by Tom Roth...

Unifi Promotes Repreve 'For the Planet'.
October 13, 2008... By Staff Greensboro, N.C. - Polyester and nylon yarn producer Unifi, Inc. has launched www.Repreve.com and coordinated efforts to heighten awareness for this 100% recycled yarn brand. As part of the "Repreve For the Planet" campaign to...

Wool Partners International Acquires WONZ.(Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand Inc.)(Brief article)
October 13, 2008... By Staff Christchurch, New Zealand - Wool Partners International has entered into a Heads of Agreement with Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand Inc. to purchase the Wools of New Zealand group of companies. Theresa Gattung, chair...

ABC Home Event to Fight Breast Cancer.
October 13, 2008... By Staff New York - ABC Carpet & Home will host a breast cancer cure fundraising event on Oct. 16 at its flagship store here. Elizabeth Miller, svp of style and design for Mohawk Home's upscale area rug division, Karastan, was the...

JLA Home Teams with Echo.(Echo Design Group)(Brief article)
October 13, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral New York - Echo Design Group and JLA Home recently inked a licensing partnership to co-create a bedding collection that marries 85-year-old Echo's design expertise with JLA's manufacturing capabilities. Set to...

Shaw to Debut Museum of New Mexico Rug Line.
October 13, 2008... By Staff High Point, N.C. - Shaw Living is among a roster of home furnishings companies that will offer new products under the Museum of New Mexico license at the upcoming High Point market later this month. To the Museum of New Mexico...

Venus Home Trades Up.(Venus Home Fashions)
October 13, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Foot Hill Ranch, Calif. - Armed with a new, state-of-the-art towel and sheeting manufacturing plant in India, a newly inked designer licensing partnership, and a new staff of design and sales executives, 36-year-old...

Economy, Hurricanes Spoil September.
October 13, 2008... By James Mammarella New York - Retailers did not fare well in September, and home departments in general failed to break out of the year-long doldrums. Food, consumables, health and wellness - and children's clothing - were the...

Dan River Brand, Designs for Sale.
October 13, 2008... By Staff La Jolla, Calif. - The name and intellectual property of Dan River is now up for sale by Consor, an intellectual asset management company based here. Among the assets the firm has listed for sale: The Dan River name. ...

Family Dollar Slices Softlines.
October 13, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Q4 Profits Drive Full Year Gains Matthews, N.C. - As its low-income customer base suffers through increasingly difficult economic times and high unemployment rates, neighborhood deep-discounter Family Dollar is...

Iconix Acquires Waverly.(F. Schumacher & Co. Waverly Home Fashions)(Iconix Brand Group )(Brief article)
October 13, 2008... By Staff $26 million Cash Deal Closed Oct. 6 New York - Iconix Brand Group - owner of Cannon, Royal Velvet, Fieldcrest and Charisma - has acquired the Waverly brand from NexCen Brands for $26 million in cash. NexCen will use...

London Luxury to Feature Outlast.
October 13, 2008... By Staff New York - High end home textiles supplier London Luxury has debuted a line of basic bedding, blankets and accessories featuring Outlast Gold Level temperature regulation technology along with a proprietary antimicrobial finish....

Doubling Down on Market Dates.
October 13, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Las Vegas is pushing a fat pile of chips into the center of the table. Last week, the Las Vegas Market announced it will shift its July show into September, with dates set for the 14-17. The dates coincide with four out...

Bottomless Pit of Promotions.(Brief article)
October 13, 2008... By Carole Sloan Yes, we're in a situation that none of us has experienced before. But panic is not the answer to how to effectively deal with all the elements - controllable and non-controllable - that are swirling around us on both a...

High Point: Active Aspirations.
October 20, 2008... By Carole Sloan High Point, N.C. - Noting that business in recent months has slowed, home textiles exhibitors at this week's High Point Market see the interior design community continuing to have a stronger business outlook than the retail...

Linens 'n Things Demise Takes Away 589 Stores.
October 20, 2008... By Brent Felgner Clifton, N.J. - As it ramps up for the going-out-of-business sales across all 371 of its remaining stores, Linens 'n Things' projected financial standing looks deceptively better than it has in recent memory. For the...

Suppliers See More Risk, Less Reward.
October 20, 2008... By Brent Felgner New York - Even months before the current nationwide economic crisis, home textiles suppliers were feeling the pinch of rapidly tightening credit markets fueled by a spate of retail bankruptcies, including the likes of...

JLA Home Fabrics Launches Fashion Bedding.
October 20, 2008... By Carole Sloan High Point, N.C. - JLA Home Fabrics is launching a decorative bedding program at the market here this week. The 20 bed ensembles will be exclusive to the furniture trade and not available to the corporate JLA Home...

Retail Briefs.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Mervyn's Expected to Liquidate Staff Mervyn's late last week was expected to announce it would move to liquidate its remaining 175 stores. The mid-tier retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July. Earlier...

Nautica Home in Broad Bedding Ensemble Debut.
October 20, 2008... By Staff New York - Nautica Home recently unveiled 14 new adult bedding ensembles and two new sheet sets as well as a new range of quilts. The new sheeting includes a 700-thread line in muted tones of cotton sateen, embroidered with a...

China Terry Quota Subject of Monitor Push.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Washington - U.S. House Ways and Means Committee chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY) has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) create a textile and apparel imports monitoring program, to collect data on currently...

Feiler Brings Color Command to Stellar Alliance.(Brief article)
October 20, 2008... By Staff New York - German towel manufacturer Feiler has joined the Stellar Alliance, a collaborative group of manufacturers and markets with offices in New York, Germany and China. Feiler specializes in a double-woven chenille branded...

Indo Count Debuts Durable Shine.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Mumbai, India - Indo Count recently introduced the Durable Shine Collection of bedding, made with a blend of extremely fine yarns to give the look of sateen without the fading problems. The sheets combine a mix of Pima and...

Mattress Toppers Gain Ground.
October 20, 2008... By Jill Rowen Support, Protection are Key Selling Benefits Mattress toppers are having a great season. In the midst of an economic crisis, it seems consumers are looking for ways to revamp their beds without splurging for a new...

O Ecotextiles Exec to Address Green Upholstery.
October 20, 2008... By Staff High Point, N.C. - How to make more eco-friendly textiles choices is the topic of a free luncheon session during the International Home Furnishings Market here this week. Patty Grossman, ceo of O Ecotextiles and head of the...

Ed Hardy Line Gets Moving.
October 20, 2008... By James Mammarrella Beverly Hills, Calif. - In a tough market for commodities, at least one bedding resource is determined to lead with fashion: Wholly Sheet, and its prime property, the tattoo-drenched works of Ed Hardy. In October...

Home Decorators Collection Names Surya 'Partner of Year'.
October 20, 2008... By Staff St. Louis, Mo. - Surya Inc. was named Partner of the Year for 2008 by retailer Home Decorators Collection at the latter's 14th annual vendor conference here last month. Surya, a Calhoun, Ga.-based manufacturer of area rugs and...

Nourison Extends Kitchen Rugs.
October 20, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Saddle Brook, N.J. - Despite the rocky economy, rug manufacturer Nourison has found not just one, but two sweet spots among retail customers for its domestic accent rug division. In the honey pot is a blend of...

Iconix Focused on Direct-to-Retail Licensing.
October 20, 2008... By Staff New York - Royal Velvet is off to a good start at Bed Bath & Beyond, and Iconix Brand Group's recent acquisition of Waverly will help the brand company grow its home business, its chief said last week. Iconix chairman,...

Waverly Bows Tidewater for Williamsburg Fabrics.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Williamsburg, Va. - Williamsburg and Waverly together has launched the new Tidewater decorative fabric collection, presented by P/K Lifestyles, a P.Kaufmann division. The 10 new complementary fabrics offer special graphics,...

Capel Unveils Chobi Collection.
October 20, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Troy, N.C. - One-of-a-kind, hand-knotted Chobi rugs will be in the spotlight at the High Point showroom of Capel Inc. this week during the International Home Furnishings Market. This new assortment from the...

Unifi to Debut Repreve Nylon at Intertextile Shanghai.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Suzhou, China - Polyester and nylon yarn manufacturer Unifi will introduce Repreve nylon 6,6 to the Chinese market at Intertextile Shanghai, Oct. 20-23. Like Repreve polyester, Repreve nylon is a first-quality yarn made from...

Carpet One Names Shaw Area Rug 'Chosen One'.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Dalton, Ga. - The versatile, multi-colored Madison pattern from the Global Traditions collection by Shaw Living earned special kudos during the recent summer convention of Carpet One Floor & Home, held in Nashville. Carpet...

IFDA Forming Japan Chapter.
October 20, 2008... By Staff King of Prussia, Pa. - The pending Japan chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) recently held its first meeting, in Osaka, with almost 90 designers and colleagues attending. Spearheading the...

Textillery Weavers Revamps Website.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Bloomington, Ind. - After accruing "extensive feedback" from its residential and hospitality clients, Textillery Weavers has revamped its website - www.textillery.com - with enhanced features and more user-friendly search options....

American Textile Co. Expands, Promotes.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Duquesne, Pa. - While much has been said about the slumping home textiles industry, at least one domestic resource - American Textile Co. - can report real expansion as it takes stock of 2008. The basic bedding manufacturer is...

Family Dollar Elevates Flur, Pugh, Morse.(Family Dollar Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
October 20, 2008... By Staff Matthews, N.C. - Neighborhood general merchandiser Family Dollar Stores has promoted three executives. Dorlisa Flur is elevated to evp strategy and marketing. "Understanding our customer is critical to our mission of...

MSLO Board Expands.
October 20, 2008... By Staff New York - Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has named William Roskin as an additional member of its board of directors. Roskin was formerly evp, human resources and administration at Viacom up until its 2006 split into two...

Sears Holdings Names Financial Chief.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Sears Holdings Corporation, parent of the Sears and Kmart chains, has hired Michael Collins as svp and cfo. He will succeed Miles Reidy as cfo prior to the end of the fiscal year. In the interim, Reidy...

Unifi Names Wickes, Ning to Direct China Unit.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Suzhou, China - Polyester and nylon textured yarn producer Unifi Inc. has established the management structure for its China-based subsidiary, Unifi Textiles (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (UTSC). Unifi named Ed Wickes as president of...

Vegas Market Eyes Fabrics, Retains John Lenox.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Las Vegas - Longtime decorative fabric executive John Lenox has been retained as a consultant by the World Market Center to identify the potential for textile business development for the Las Vegas Market. "My primary...

Bon-Ton Stores 'Financially Strong'.
October 20, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral York, Pa. - Early into its presentation at the Wachovia Consumer conference last week, the Bon-Ton Stores Inc. was quick to "make a point" of dispelling rumors of its troubles with vendor cooperation and its financial...

Commerce Department: Sales Show Serious Slump.(Brief article)
October 20, 2008... By Staff Washington - Adding to the documentation of economic uncertainty, the U.S. Commerce Department last week issued its advance estimate of seasonally adjusted U.S. retail and food services sales for September: $375.5 billion, a...

Macy's Lowers Forecast, Moody's Cuts Rating.
October 20, 2008... By James Mammarella Cincinnati - On Oct. 10, Macy's Inc. lowered its earnings forecast, prompting Moody's Investors Service, five days later, to lower its outlook on Macy's to "negative" from "stable." Macy's cited depressed sales as...

October Comps Continue September Slowdown.(Report)(Brief article)
October 20, 2008... By Staff New York - With same-store sales continuing at a sluggish pace in the third month of the third fiscal quarter, some retailers were faced with the need to readjust earnings projections, the Johnson Redbook reported. "October...

Asian, Tribal & Textile Shows Provide Inspiration.(Brief article)
October 20, 2008... By Staff San Francisco - The historic Fort Mason Center here is gearing up for two special exhibition events in early February that include artworks and textiles available for licensing, wholesale and retail distribution. First on the...

Chief Execs Remain Downcast.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Cap Ex Budgets Take Hit New York - The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence posted a reading of 40 in the third quarter of 2008, firmly entrenched in the "negative outlook" zone. The survey includes about 100...

Consumers to Cut Back on Holiday Spending.
October 20, 2008... By Staff Port Washington, N.Y. - About one-quarter of consumers surveyed by retail researcher NPD Group say they plan to spend less this holiday season than during last year's holiday. In the 2007 survey, 18% of consumers said they...

NRF Presses Congress for New Round of Stimulus Checks.(National Retail Federation)(Brief article)
October 20, 2008... By Staff Washington - The National Retail Federation called on Congress to hold a lame duck session immediately following the Nov. 4 general election for the purpose of creating a new consumer stimulus package. "Increased consumer...

Shaw to Shutter Yarn Plant.(Shaw Industries Inc. (Dalton, Georgia))(Brief article)
October 20, 2008... By Staff Dalton, Ga. - Responding to decreasing demand for certain soft floor covering products, Shaw Industries Group Inc. plans to permanently shut down its spun yarn facility, which it calls Plant 76, in Trenton, Ga. Production at...

LNT: 33 Years Later, Saying Goodbye to An Old Friend.
October 20, 2008... By Brent Felgner Bernardsville, N.J. - Linens 'n Things rose out of the ashes of bankruptcy and now it will return to much the same state: ashes. The chain was Eugene Kalkin's baby. The former Stern Bros.-Allied Stores merchant bought...

Smart People Don't Panic.
October 20, 2008... By Jennifer Marks There's a lot that's scary about the Linens 'n Things liquidation. The fact that a chain that just a couple of years ago generated $2 billion in revenue basically collapsed. That 589 stores are dropping off the map. That...

Value is Still the Key.
October 20, 2008... By Carole Sloan As folks get ready to go to yet another of the marathon array of markets that peoples in the home textiles world are increasingly becoming accustomed to, this round offers a menu of unique challenges probably never seen...