Home Textiles Today articles from September 2005

Home Textiles Today archives from September 2005

No China agreements, more petitions submitted: fourth round of textiles talks with United States fail.(News)
September 5, 2005... BEIJING -- China and the United States failed to reach a comprehensive textiles agreement in a fourth round of talks last week. In response, some industry bodies made it known they would file additional safeguard petitions in "sensitive"...

TIP focuses on growth.(News)(Textiles d'Interieur Premiere)
September 5, 2005... BRUSSELS, BELGIUM -- Global sources, whether from Europe or Asian countries, are focusing on the United States and the European Union as primary growth objectives. Exhibitors at Decosit and Textiles d'Interieur Premiere (TIP) here are...

Katrina crushing business.(small business in water)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK -- In the days since Hurricane Katrina tore through South Florida and portions of the Gulf Coast states, the home textiles industry has worked to cope with its effects on both people and business. Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Anna's...

Optimism at Decosit.(News)
September 5, 2005... BRUSSELS, BELGIUM -- American fabric suppliers see renewed opportunities in the export marketplace--a combination of currency values, better goods emphasis and global sourcing used to advantage. And most of the Americans showing at Decosit...

Wal-Mart hires Quinn for marketing.(appointment of Stephen Quinn as vice president)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Stephen Quinn is joining Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. as senior vice president, marketing, effective Sept. 12. Quinn is chief marketing officer for Frito-Lay, Inc., North America, responsible for all aspects of the marketing of Lay's, Doritos,...

Saks: Jones moving out.(resignation of George Jones)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... George Jones, president and CEO of the Saks Department Store Group (SDSG), has resigned, effective Sept. 30. The company also related that Toni Browning has been named president and CEO of SDSG's Parisian business, effective Sept. 15. ...

Meijer taps Kaspar for home.(appointment of Ray Kaspar as merchandise manager)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Meijer has appointed Ray Kaspar as merchandise manager of soft home and home decor. His home store retailing background includes merchandising and store management positions at Rich's, Montgomery Ward, Bloomingdale's, Homeplace, and...

Federated closes the deal.(Federated Department Stores, Inc. acquires May Department Stores Company)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Federated Department Stores, Inc. has completed its merger with The May Department Stores Company and plans to divest an additional seven duplicate stores in California, New York and Massachusetts in 2006. The seven locations join a list of...

Lowe's investing in distribution.(Lowe's Companies Inc expanding)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Lowe's Companies, Inc. will invest $150 million in expanding its distribution network, including the construction of a regional DC in Lebanon, Ore., and expansion of three distribution facilities in Valdosta, Ga., Statesville, N.C. and North...

Home Depot picks Ryder for DCs.(contracts )(distribution centers)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... The Home Depot has awarded Ryder System, Inc., a provider of supply chain, warehousing and transportation management solutions, a multi-year contract. Under the contract, Ryder will provide third party logistics (3PL) services including...

W-S counts on newer brands.(News)
September 5, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is looking to emerging brands--particularly West Elm, Williams-Sonoma Home, PB Teen and Hold Everything--as the means for increasing sales and attaining long-term growth, company executives related during...

Gottschalks to open home furnishings store.(new store at Idaho)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... FRESNO, CALIF. -- Gottschalks plans to open its first 30,000-square-foot lifestyle concept store in the third quarter in Pocatello, Idaho. The unit will primarily focus on home furnishings, with decorative home, housewares and gifts in half of...

Riley joins Nano-Tex.(appointment of Wendy Riley as vice president )
September 5, 2005... EMERYVILLE, CALIF. -- With the naming of a vice president of business development for home furnishings, Nano-Tex plans a major expansion of its textiles enhancement technology across many segments of the interior furnishings business. ...

Classic Slipcovers gets Cannon.(Licensing)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK -- Official Pillowtex, LLC, has signed a licensing agreement with California-based Classic Slipcover Company for the Cannon, Cannon Royal Family and Royal Velvet brands. Classic Slipcovers, a provider of ready-made slipcovers,...

Government alters 51 percent regulation: change eases burden on companies to list products as U.S. content.(News)
September 5, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The rules concerning support and assistance from the U.S. government that required a 51 percent U.S. content have been changed. The changes will broaden the ability of American exporters via the International Buyer Program...

Brunton expanding and relocating.(Brunton International)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... DALLAS -- Brunton International is relocating into a new building and doubling its showroom space to accommodate new categories and expanded lines of its core throw and dec pillow offerings. By the upcoming New York Home Textiles Market in...

American Century hires for bedding, buys DC.(Myron Bass and Susan Morris for distribution)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... ARCHDALE, N.C. -- In two major expansions, American Century Home Fabrics has hired Myron Bass and Susan Morris to bolster its bedding business, and purchased a distribution facility in Salisbury, N.C. In the five years that it has been...

SEC charges former Kmart duo: Conaway and McDonald accused of lying to investors.(News)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Former Kmart CEO Charles Conaway and former Chief Financial Officer John McDonald were recently charged with securities violations for allegedly lying to investors about the giant retailer's financial condition in the months...

Ailing WPS pension fund taken over: PBGC becomes trustee of hourly and salaried worker accounts.(News)(Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has assumed responsibility for the pensions of 32,500 workers and retirees of bankrupt WestPoint Stevens. The pension plans of WPS hourly and salaried workers ended on Aug. 8,...

GTT opens office in China, moves into larger facility.( GTT International opens other facility)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... RIVERSIDE, CALIF. -- GTT International has moved into a newly finished 75,000-square-foot warehouse, office and distribution center. Its former 50,000-square-foot space was also located in Riverside. In addition, the company opened a...

Saks ups total of improper markdowns.(News)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... BIRMINGHAM, ALA. -- Saks Incorporated management recently finished its internal investigation of improper vendor markdown allowances first discovered by independent auditors and found that the amounts collected were larger and spanned a longer...

Restoration Hardware announces personnel changes.(News)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... CORTE MADERA, CALIF. -- Restoration Hardware's Patricia McKay, executive vice president and chief financial officer, has resigned effective Sept. 9. She plans to join Office Depot, where she had been a member of the board of directors, in...

Home Source to enter new space, add innovations: showroom will feature wall displays and working areas.(News)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK -- Home Source International will move into its new showroom on the 19th floor of 230 Fifth Ave. in mid September to prepare for the upcoming New York Home Tex-tiles Market. The 1,890-square-foot former Panache showroom is located...

Sandra Magsamen debuts first PHI collection.(News)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. -- PHI has introduced a collection of linen guest towels and cocktail napkins by Sandra Magsamen, a new licensed artist that joined the company's roster of designers late last year. Her eight debut patterns are...

Dollar General tries to entice new customers.(News)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... GOODLETTSVILLE, TENN. -- In a recent second-quarter conference call, executives at Dollar General stated that based on levels of promotional activity for back-to-school in August, the coming holiday season won't be any less promotional than...

C&F updates quilts, revisits juvenile/baby.(C and F Enterprises)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NEWPORT NEWS, VA. -- C&F Enterprises is getting back into juvenile and baby bedding with numerous reversible quilts and accessories to be sold as sets or open stock. The juvenile/tweener looks come in twin, full and queen, and retail for...

Culp selling yarn equipment: operation will shut down during company's second quarter.(News)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Culp, Inc. plans to reduce its U.S. yarn manufacturing operations by selling the company's polypropylene yarn extrusion equipment located in Graham, N.C., to American Fibers and Yarns Company. The buyer is one of Culp's...

John Tomkins takes reins at New Roth & Tomkins.(News)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... EAST NORWALK, CONN. -- John Tomkins has assumed the presidency of the former Roth Fabrics/Weathervane Hill, which has been renamed Roth & Tomkins. Tom Roth, former president of the company, now heads Weathervane Hill, which is a retailer...

JLA takes space in market square.(News)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... GREENSBORO, N.C. -- JLA Home Fabrics has signed a lease for showroom space in the Market Square Textile Tower on the sixth floor that will open for Showtime in December. JLA also has named two additional sales reps to its growing sales...

Restoration Hardware adds custom programs, refines mix.(News)
September 5, 2005... CORTE MADERA, CALIF. -- Restoration Hardware has created an integrated color merchandising approach with new fixtures to stimulate customers to purchase across categories and unveiled new customized programs in home. The company has...

Unifi closing nylon plant.(News)
September 5, 2005... GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Unifi, Inc. is closing Nylon plant number one in Mayodan, N.C., and will move those operations and offices to plant three in nearby Madison, N.C. According to the company, the move allows Unifi to centralize production...

IFDA offers look at color trends.(News)(The International Furnishings and Design Association)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK -- The International Furnishings and Design Association will present Color Pulse 2006 on Sept. 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the Henredon showroom located at 200 Lexington Ave., 16th floor. The event will offer a look at color trends in 2006...

Pacific Coast Home adds bath accessories, moderate fancy towels.(News)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... CITY OF COMMERCE, CALIF. -- Pacific Coast Home Furnishings is delving into bathroom accessories with upwards of 12 freestanding or coordinating styles that work back to embellished bath towels and shower curtains. The new fully stocked...

House unveils new fabrics, pillows, crib bedding.(News)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK -- At the New York International Gift Fair, House, a bedding and fabric manufacturer from Santa Monica, Calif., introduced 22 new print fabrics. Its new Lifestyle collection features bedding in wide stripes, toiles, vintage...

Calendar.(Calendar)
September 5, 2005... September 2-6 Maison et Objet Paris-Nord Villepinte Paris 33 (0)1 58 07 18 00 www.maison-objet.com 9-12 Textiles d'Interieur Premiere Brussels Kart Expo Brussels, Belgium 44 1442 233 234 ...

Survey: confidence in economy up: small business owners predict reduced layoffs over next six months.(News)
September 5, 2005... BENTONVILLE, ARK. -- Overall confidence in the economy rebounded last month, according to the Small Business Confidence Index released recently by Sam's Club. According to August figures from the Small Business Confidence Index, 47.5...

Legna featured in Emmy Gift Bag: academy will market products before show.(News)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... FAIRFIELD, CALIF. -- Legna bedding from SDH will be among the 16 exclusive high-end items that will be given as part of the Celebrity Presenters Gift Bag for both the Creative Arts Awards and the Primetime Emmy Awards All products in the...

SnoreEzzz launches sleep pillow.(developed hypoallergenic snore-reduction pillow )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK -- Sleep specialist SnoreEzzz has developed a new hypoallergenic snore-reduction pillow that supports the neck and head, and has a 200-count washable fabric liner and pillow case. Its design is intended to enhance airflow for...

ShanghaiMart holds Market Week.(News)
September 5, 2005... SHANGHAI, CHINA -- ShanghaiMart's Autumn Home Textile Market Week is slated to Lake place from Sept. 12 to 14. The Market Week, being held in the recently opened International Home Textile Center, is an export-oriented event organized for a...

Feil closes deal for 261 5th Ave.(Feil Organization acquires 261 Fifth Ave.)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK -- The Feil Organization has closed its earlier-reported deal to buy 261 Fifth Ave., one of the main textiles buildings in the city. The organization stated that it is taking "a long-term ownership position with 261 and intends to...

Home Depot taps Taylor to head merchandising: Liebert promoted to executive vice president.(PEOPLE Today)(Tom Taylor appointed as executive vice president)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... ATLANTA -- The Home Depot has named Tom Taylor, a 22-year associate, executive vice president, merchandising and marketing. Taylor, who is currently executive vice president, Home Depot Stores, will replace John Costello, who has decided to...

Textiles vet to lead Thomasville Furniture.(PEOPLE Today)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... ST. Louis -- Home textiles veteran and Target Corp. executive Nancy Webster has been named president and CEO of the Thomasville Furniture Industries division of Furniture Brands International. Webster has worked since 2003 as vice president...

Hollander adds basic bedding vp: Saks vet Webster responsible for design of multiple categories.(PEOPLE Today)(Amy Webster appointed as vice president)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... BOCA RATON, FLA. -- Hollander Home Fashions has added Amy Webster as vice president of its basic bedding division. She reports to Dave Sides, president of basic bedding, and will work closely with Beth Mack and Andy Schantz, also vice...

Big Lots appoints merchandise planning vp.(Lisa Bachmann appoints Vice president)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... COLUMBUS, OHIO -- Big Lots has appointed Lisa Bachmann senior vice president of merchandise planning and allocation/ information technology. She will report to Steve Fishman, chairman, CEO, and president. Bachmann joined Big Lots in...

Renaissance hires Botwinick.(Renaissance Home Fashions appoints Alan Botwinick )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK -- Alan Botwinick, formerly with National Curtain, has been named sales manager of Renaissance Home Fashions. The company opened a new showroom at 230 Fifth Ave. in suite 1408 on Sept. 1. Available products include drapery...

cmi creates direct sales force.(PEOPLE Today)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- cmi (Colonial Mills, Inc.), a manufacturer of braided-texture area rugs and accessories, has reorganized its sales department by creating an internal, direct sales force. "This change was made in large part to dovetail...

Home Dynamix hires Holmes.(appontmnet of Cynthia Holmes as manager)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... MOONACHIE, N.J. -- Cynthia Holmes is joining Home Dynamix as product development category manager, effective Oct. 1. "Cynthia's strong background in discount store merchandising, particularly in soft home categories, uniquely qualifies her...

Gottschalks ups income.(BUSINESS Today)
September 5, 2005... FRESNO, CALIF. -- Gottschalks, Inc. reported net income for the second quarter was up 50 percent, to $300,000 from $200,000 last year. Same-store sales increased 3.1 percent, while total sales were up 2.6 percent, to $151.6 million from...

Retail sales falling short of target.(Johnson Redbook Index)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK -- The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 3.4 percent in the fourth and final week of August, bringing the month-to-date increase to 3.7 percent against a targeted 3.9 percent gain. "Sales softened in the final week of...

Consumers feeling more confident.(BUSINESS Today)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK -- Lifted by a stronger jobs outlook, and with Americans seemingly undaunted by rising gas prices, consumer sentiment climbed unexpectedly higher during August, jumping up 1.9 percent to a reading of 105.6, erasing most of the big...

Ross again leads the way.(Business)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK -- For the second month in a row, its Ross Stores coming across the same-store-sales finish line with a comfortable lead--this time besting second place Costco. Ross saw a comp rise for August of 13 percent, following up on a July...

Same-store sales.(sales and earnings)(Illustration)
September 5, 2005... SAME-STORE SALES AUGUST SALES FOR KEY RETAILERS Five weeks ended August 31 (a), (dollar amounts in millions) SAME- 2005 2004 ...

Wall Street watch for the week ended September 1, 2005.(Business)(Illustration)
September 5, 2005... WALL STREET WATCH FOR THE WEEK ENDED SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS % CHG % CHG. CLOSE THIS YEAR- COMPANY ...

Better living through television?(OPINION Today)
September 5, 2005... THERE'S NO BETTER WAY to get a bead on your own culture than to step outside of it. Some simultaneous television programming in Shanghai two weeks ago brought that lesson home powerfully. An American TV channel and a Chinese channel were...

Thinking for the future.(regulations in industry)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... IT'S ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE--but it happened! The United States government finally has acknowledged--albeit somewhat reluctantly--that we're doing business in the 21st century. For the textiles world, both home furnishings of all types...

Thread count game slammed by FTC [Federal Trade Commission].(News)
September 12, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The issue of how to properly evaluate thread counts for the purpose of product labeling has once more become top-of-mind as the Federal Trade Commission's Division of Enforcement recently issued a staff opinion stating that...

Cannon revs up, RV bounces back.(Cannon brand)(Royal Velvet towel)
September 12, 2005... NEW YORK -- As the Cannon brand prepares to re-launch at the October market, an upgraded Royal Velvet towel program is headed back to retail this mouth to replace the unsatisfactory debut program that raised questions about the prospects for...

Sears holding back Sears Holdings.(report profit)
September 12, 2005... HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. -- Hobbled by continued poor performance at its recently acquired Sears business, Sears Holdings Inc., parent of the newly combined Kmart and Sears, reported that second quarter profits edged ahead by 4.5 percent, to $161...

China companies ponder safeguards.(Shanghai Worldbest Hometex Group)(Yueda Hometex R&D)(Luolai)
September 12, 2005... SHANGHAI -- It's been more than eight months since the last quotas were dropped from home textiles products, and export-oriented manufacturers in China have one particularly pressing concern: the prospect of quota reinstatement. At the...

Mervyn's shifts strategy.(Retail Briefs)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... Mervyn's last week said it will focus on high-growth markets in the West and Southwest and close 25 percent of its store base in the process. The 62 underperforming stores slated to close by February 2006 have been unprofitable for years,...

Blair makes Pitorak interim CFO.(Retail Briefs)
September 12, 2005... Blair Corporation, a national multi-channel direct marketer of women's and men's apparel and home products, has appointed Larry Pitorak interim chief financial officer. He comes from Tatum Partners, a national professional services firm.

Hudson's Bay plans open house.(Retail Briefs)(open house for vendors)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... Hudson's Bay Company will hold an open house for vendors of unique merchandise Sept. 30. Open to vendors of all sizes, the event will allow registered participants to pitch to relevant buyers from each of HBC's properties--Bay, Zellers, Home...

OW America, Sphinx merge: Oriental Weavers decides to combine importing, domestic branches.(News)
September 12, 2005... DALTON, GA. -- Oriental Weavers Group is merging its importing division, Sphinx, with its domestic manufacturing branch, OW America, in what the company described last week as an effort to further strengthen the latter's position in North...

Acquirer sweetens ShopKo deal.(News)(Goldner, Hawn, Johnson & Morrison)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... GREEN BAY, W.S. -- ShopKo Stores and its would-be acquirer, affiliates of Goldner, Hawn, Johnson & Morrison, have raised the purchase price of ShopKo shares after a number of interested parties let their disapproval of the proposed $24...

Blue Ridge names new evp, signs RV deal.(News)(John Lin appointed as executive vice president )(Royal Velvet utility license)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... LOS ANGELES -- Blue Ridge Home Fashions has named John Lin executive vice president of marketing and brand strategy, and acquired the Royal Velvet utility license. Lin reports to CEO Ning He and works closely with John Crippen (see page...

P&A picks partners.(News)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... ALBERTSON, N.Y. -- P&A Marketing recently forged new partnerships in China and India that are expanding its product lines. The importer of bedding and terry products also is expanding its New York showroom space at 230 Fifth Ave. for the...

Crown Crafts signs luxury Kelly Rightsell brand.(News)
September 12, 2005... GONZALES, LA. -- Crown Crafts, Inc. has signed a licensing agreement with Kelly B. Rightsell Designs, expanding its presence into luxury distribution channels for infant and juvenile bedding and accessories. Under the agreement, Crown...

Home Source expands sheet program.(News)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... NEW YORK -- Home Source International has expanded its Solutions sheet program with two new blended cotton products as part of its introductions for the upcoming New York Home Textiles Market. The blended Solutions items are a...

Lenzing raising prices.(News)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... LENZING, AUSTRIA -- The Lenzing Group, a producer of manmade cellulose fibers, plans to increase the prices of its fibers beginning in the further quarter. Increases of at least 5 percent--depending on the fiber type--are expected,...

Goldsun opens showroom.(News)(Goldsun Home Textiles)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... NEW YORK -- Bedding manufacturer Goldsun Home Textiles recently opened a permanent showroom in New York at 261 Fifth Ave. The parent company, which goes by the same name, is a manufacturer, distributor and supplier of fabric and bedding in...

Retail sales just shy of target.(Johnson Redbook Index)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... NEW YORK -- The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 3 percent in the first week of September, just short of a 3.1 percent targeted gain. The index moved up 3.4 percent last week. "Sales were driven by twin themes of...

Decor continues expansion.(News)(of its home textiles offerings )(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... NEW YORK -- Decor By Beader's Touch continues to expand its home textiles offerings and at next month's New York Home Textiles Market will debut window panels and coverlets along with new duvet designs at its new showroom space at 230 Fifth...

Caesarea introduces new rug construction.(News)
September 12, 2005... NEW YORK -- Caesarea Creations will introduce a new bath rug construction during the upcoming New York Home Textiles Market and show an enhanced construction for the HydroMagic rug it debuted during the spring market. The new CottonPlus...

Charity Golf Outing on the way.(News)
September 12, 2005... DUBLIN, OHIO -- The Midwest Textile Association will hold its 16th annual Charity Golf Outing on Sept. 12 at the Golf Club of Dublin. MTA has raised over $650,000 helping individuals in the textiles industry and charitable organizations....

U.S. gets freckles.(News)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... FAIRFIELD, CALIF. -- Freckles is coming to the United States via 100% Pure/Custom Comfort. Freckles--which specializes in home furnishings for kids from infants to early teens--is the brand name for Kids@home and the corporate name of the...

Robert Allen preps new offerings.(News)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... NEW YORK -- The Robert Allen Group plans to introduce 30 window/drapery Essentials collections for fall and winter 2005. The newest addition to the Essentials collection, a nine-book set--The Tools of the Trade--is launching this week. The...

DWR intros bedding collection.(News)(Design Within Reach)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- Design Within Reach is introducing an exclusive bedding collection comprised of sheets, covers, and other products. The full assortment will be available from Design Within Reach through its catalog, Web site and more than...

DFA expands membership.(News)(Decorative Fabrics Association)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... NEW YORK -- The Decorative Fabrics Association has established an Allied Membership within which individually owned and operated showrooms, mills and fabric representatives can join the existing membership of manufacturers of high-end...

Session examines online shopping gender: Mooney to focus on differences in shopping.(News)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Online retailers will explore whether gender matters online at the Shop.org 2005 Annual Summit--Sept. 12 to 14 at The Venetian Las Vegas --where Kelly Mooney, president and chief experience officer of Resource Interactive, will...

Tipton joins American Textile: company looks to fill bed pillow post.(PEOPLE Today)(appointment of Rhonda Tipton)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... DUQUESNE, PA. -- The American Textile Company has appointed Rhonda Tipton senior product manager for core basic bedding products, reporting to Michael Guidry, vice president of product development. Tipton has experience in the consumer...

Meijer taps Kaspar.(PEOPLE Today)
September 12, 2005... GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. -- Meijer has appointed Ray Kaspar as merchandise manager of soft home and home decor. Kaspar's home store retailing background includes merchandising and store management positions at retailers including Rich's,...

PHI adds creative director: Sedestrom will report to company's COO.(PEOPLE Today)(appointment of Kirsten Sedestrom )(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. -- PHI has hired Kirsten Sedestrom for the new position of creative director. She reports to Chief Operating Officer Mark Grand and is responsible for trend analysis, creative direction, and communication to...

Feizy hires Oriental Weavers vet.(PEOPLE Today)(appointment of Stacy Feraco)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... DALLAS -- Stacy Feraco has joined Feizy Rugs as regional sales manager for the home center business segment, responsible for sales and servicing of Feizy's home center "big box" customers. Feraco spent the past 10 years working with...

Glen Raven chooses Barbuto for senior designer.(PEOPLE Today)(appointment of Linda Barbuto)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... GLEN RAVEN, N.C. -- Performance fabric producer Glen Raven has hired Linda Barbuto as a senior designer. She joins a team of designers that shares responsibility for design and new product development for Sunbrella as well as other...