Home Textiles Today articles from September 2008

Home Textiles Today archives from September 2008

Egyptian Cotton Enforces Brand Rights.
September 1, 2008... By Jennifer Marks New York - The Egyptian government is getting serious about pursuing manufacturers and retailers who make false claims about the use of long-staple Egyptian cotton in their goods. A representative from the Cotton...

JLA to Launch Robert Allen Finished Goods.
September 1, 2008... By Carole Sloan New York - Robert Allen @ Home will launch a fashion bedding and window coverings collection via a licensing arrangement with JLA Home at the New York Home Fashions Market this month. The collection of about 10 to 12...

Area Rug Makers Ply Green Wares.
September 1, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral New York - As long as area rugs have existed, there has been an organic element to the category. It's called wool. Artisans primarily used wool to make the ancient handmade Persian and Oriental rugs of...

Williams-Sonoma in Woeful Slump.
September 1, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral San Francisco - Williams-Sonoma Inc. experienced progressively declining comp-store sales throughout the second quarter, as well as net revenues declining by greater-than-expected rates, the six-nameplate upscale home...

For the Record.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Due to a submission error, the article "230 Fifth Exhibitors Prep for Markets" (in HTT Aug. 18, p.28) incorrectly listed the company in one of the showrooms. The correct information: North American kitchen, tabletop and bath home...

Jaclyn Smith Home Set for Kmart Launch.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Building on a 20-year exclusive brand partnership in the apparel segment, Kmart will introduce the Jaclyn Smith Home Collection to its shoppers online and in stores, starting Sept. 9. The retailer said...

Retail Briefs.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Kohl's Mansell Elevated to CEO Staff Kohl's promoted president Kevin Mansell to president and ceo, succeeding Larry Montgomery in the ceo role; Montgomery will continue as chairman and will continue to manage Kohl's human...

Sunham Eyes Fashion to Revive Quilt Category.
September 1, 2008... By Staff New York - Seeking to return to the days of solid margins in the quilt category, manufacturer Sunham Home Fashions is putting fashion first, and adding interactive mystery to its marketing. For quilts and all of its broad home...

Indian Handicrafts Event Set for October.
September 1, 2008... By Staff New Delhi - The 26th annual Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair will take place here Oct. 15-18 at the India Expo Centre & Mart. This year's event will feature 700 permanent showrooms, with more than 500 exhibitors of home...

Jo-Ann Stores Gets House in Order, Trims Loss.
September 1, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Hudson, Ohio - Coming off its eighth consecutive quarter of year-over-year earnings improvement, Jo-Ann Stores continued to project some softness in its home decor and seasonal categories during the fall season - but...

Kathy Ireland Home by Bonavista to Debut.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Los Angeles - Decorative pillow, readymade curtain and fabric supplier Bonavista USA will develop a "Kathy Ireland Home by Bonavista" product line in those categories. Bonavista will show the collection, to be based on the...

Onadein Forms Hometex Decorative Fabrics Hangzhou.
September 1, 2008... By Staff New York - Tayo Onadein, former vp of design for JLA Home Fabrics, has formed a new decorative fabric company: Hometex Decorative Fabrics Hangzhou & Co., Ltd. "I decided to start my own fabric business with a partner in...

Slumping Bon-Ton Trims Inventory, Cuts Debt.
September 1, 2008... By Staff York, Pa. - In a period when Bon-Ton is among the department store retailers struggling to maintain sales volume and failing to show a profit, the fiscal second quarter offered some growth opportunities - even if only in a limited...

Cost Plus Sales Up, Loss Cut.
September 1, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Retailer Preparing to Raise Prices in Second Half of the Year Oakland, Calif. - After spending much of last year lowering price points to drive more traffic and transactions, specialty retailer Cost Plus Inc. is now...

Ross Ups Full Year Guidance.(Ross Stores Inc. revenue report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... By Staff Pleasanton, Calif. - In a very good year for off-price retailers, Ross Stores had record second-quarter net earnings of $71.3 million, up 40% from $50.9 million in the year-ago period; EPS of 54 cents was up 46% from 37 cents last...

Big Lots Reports Record EPS.
September 1, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Columbus, Ohio - After announcing its seventh consecutive quarter of record earnings per share results, Big Lots said it will begin working on a strategic plan to address its long-term business for 2009-2011. ...

Maples Mourns Casey's Death.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Scottsboro, Ala. - Maples Industries is mourning the loss of one of its longtime sales representatives, Julie Ann Casey, 52, who suffered an accidental death while bicycling in Clearwater, Minn. near her home on Aug. 15. ...

Dillard's Loss Grows as Outlays Trimmed.(Financial report)
September 1, 2008... By Staff Little Rock, Ark. - Department store operator Dillard's recorded a deeper loss for the second quarter, noting its expense reduction efforts had fallen short. Dillard's ceo William Dillard II, said, "We continued to manage our...

Tuesday Morning Trims '09 Outlook.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Dallas - Off-price retailer Tuesday Morning saw profits cut in half for the fiscal year ended June 30, as sales fell 4.2% to $885.3 million; comps fell 7.6%. Net income of $14.5 million or 35 cents per diluted share plummeted...

Raymond Waites Taps Alok for Organics.
September 1, 2008... By Staff New York - Raymond Waites Design and Next Creations are working in conjunction with Alok Industries of India to develop a certified organic line of bedding products. "Our goal is to market to customers who are concerned about...

Best Products Chosen at Gift Fair/Textiles Market.
September 1, 2008... By Staff New York - A panel of consumer and trade press editors has selected the New York Home Textiles Market Week Best New Product Awards, in conjunction with the New York International Gift Fair produced by GLM. Criteria included...

CHF to Debut Alex Juvenile Collection.
September 1, 2008... By Staff New York - During the September market, diversified home textiles supplier CHF Industries will unveil a line of juvenile bedding, bath and home accessories under the Alex toy brand. Joan Karron, CHF evp Joan Karron pointed...

Pioneer Linens Launches Enhanced Site.(Website overview)
September 1, 2008... By Staff West Palm Beach, Fla. - Luxury home textiles retailer Pioneer Linens has launched a new website with both e-commerce and brand-building goals. Consumers browsing www.pioneerlinens.com can find and order from full assortments...

Yunus, Nano-Tex to Debut Lux-Performance Sheeting.(Yunus Textiles teamed with Nano-Tex )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... By Staff Oakland, Calif. - Yunus Textiles (Karachi, Pakistan) and its U.S. subsidiary Royale Linens have teamed with Nano-Tex to for a new luxury-performance line of cotton sheeting. "The new line features Nano-Tex Neutralizer to...

Cambridge Reps Homespice Decor in West.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Tucker, Ga. - Braided rug manufacturer Homespice Decor has partnered with Cambridge Sales, a West Coast sales representative agency specializing in home furnishings and decorative accessories. In the territories of Colorado,...

Orian 'Goin' Green' for 30th.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Anderson, S.C. - Domestic woven area rug manufacturer Orian Rugs is gearing up for its 30th anniversary in business come 2009 with the soon-to-come debut of its new "Goin' Green" campaign. In a renewed effort to become more...

Scandia Down Revitalizes Brand.
September 1, 2008... By Staff New York - Scandia Down is scaling up another notch as part of a broad brand re-energizing initiative, and unveiled new home and gift introductions here to select retailers during New York Gift Week. "Relaxed luxury" is the...

Sunbrella Area Rugs Debut from Colonial Mills.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Pawtucket, R.I. - Braided texture rug and home accessories manufacturer cmi (Colonial Mills, Inc.) has partnered with Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC to co-create a new rug collection that is made entirely of recycled...

Aussino Hires Two.(Aussino USA Inc. appointed Nicole Striano and Maris Elefonte )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... By Staff New York - Aussino has added a new face to its design department and welcomed back a former member of the team. Nicole Striano has re-joined Aussino as director of product development and design for the bedding division. She...

IFDA to Honor Journalist Chapman.
September 1, 2008... By Staff New York - The New York Chapter of the International Furnishings Design Association will hold a memorial service Sept. 9 in memory of Pat Chapman, journalist and home furnishings public relations executive who died suddenly last...

NexCen Gains Liquidity, D'Loren Resigns.(Robert D'Loren )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... By Staff New York - Robert D'Loren has resigned as ceo of brand management firm NexCen Brands, and been replaced in that position by evp and cfo Kenneth Hall. D'Loren also resigned from the board of directors. NexCen chairman David...

Heller New President, CEO of Sleep Innovations.
September 1, 2008... By Staff West Long Branch, N.J. -Sleep Innovations, manufacturer of memory foam sleep products, has named Rick Heller president and ceo. A partner in consulting service Carl Marx Advisory Group for the past five years, Heller most...

Home Decor Veteran Mike Larkey Joins Fortunoff.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Uniondale, N.Y. - Veteran home furnishings retailer and supplier Mike Larkey has joined Fortunoff here as a consultant. Larkey will oversee all furniture, rugs, mattress, pictures and mirrors merchandising, reporting to dmm...

Cotton Inc. Names Reed to Eco Post.
September 1, 2008... By Staff Cary, N.C. - Janet Reed has joined Cotton Incorporated in the new position of associate director of environmental research, reporting to Kater Hake, vp of agricultural research. At Cotton Inc., Reed will be responsible for...

JLA Home Fabrics Taps Viall for Design.(Martha Viall)(appointments)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... By Staff Reidsville, N.C. - Martha Viall has been named director of design at JLA Home Fabrics here. Viall succeeds Tayo Onadein, formerly vp of design, who resigned last month. Viall, formerly senior designer for the company, has...

HSN Now Standalone as IAC Breakup Done.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... By Staff St. Petersburg, Fla. - Direct-to-consumer retailer HSN on Aug. 22 became an independent, publicly traded company, as parent firm IAC completed its transition to five separate spinoffs. The new company, trading via symbol HSNi...

Discounters Drive August Gains.
September 1, 2008... By Staff New York - While their upstairs counterparts continued to struggle, the discounters scored steadily improving same-store sales increases for the third week running, the Johnson Redbook reported. The Redbook Index recorded...

Target Hammers Away on Price.
September 1, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Minneapolis - Target is expecting more from the "pay less" side of its motto going forward, promising its shoppers to match Wal-Mart's prices on like merchandise as the 1,648-unit upscale discounter responds to...

NY Int'l Gift Fair January Date, Venue Changes.
September 1, 2008... By Staff White Plains, N.Y. - The winter edition of the New York International Gift Fair will run Sunday-Thursday, Jan. 25-29, 2009 - a one-time shift due to venue availability. Show operator George Little Management (GLM) said the...

Into the Breach.
September 1, 2008... By Jennifer Marks Another moment of reckoning has arrived in the over-stored U.S. market. How many stores will we lose before the downturn is over? Linens 'n Things is shedding 205. Mervyn's will shutter 26. Boscov's is closing 10. In...

'Who Eats It?'.
September 1, 2008... By Carole Sloan As we move into a major market mode, it might not be a bad idea to look back at the results of the most recent retailing and home textiles efforts. The latest round of retail quarterly reports and analyst calls has...

Major Splash of Fresh from CHF.(CHF Industries Inc.)
September 8, 2008... By Jennifer Marks New York - While CHF Industries will work with accounts on exclusive projects behind closed doors at next week's market, it will also unveil two new brands and relaunch Umbra. The new Blah, Blah, Blah collection for...

Stepping Up Exports at Decosit.
September 8, 2008... By Carole Sloan Brussels, Belgium - Although the value of the dollar should present a plus for American decorative fabric companies exhibiting at Decosit here later this week, many are approaching the event with the classic phrase,...

Dressing Up Dec Pillows.
September 8, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral New York - It is a cliche by now to say decorative pillows are recession-proof. Everyone knows, suppliers say, that the cheapest way to give a facelift to a saggy, seven-year-old sofa is to Botox it with new, trendy...

Tough Economic Times May Save LNT.
September 8, 2008... By Brent Felgner Clifton, N.J. - It's difficult to miss the irony in the Linens 'n Things proposed plan of reorganization. The very same tough economic conditions that the company has repeatedly blamed for dragging it into Chapter 11...

Retail Briefs.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Top Home Merchant Vernon Out at Fortunoff, Reported to Chinni Staff Dave Vernon has resigned as evp and general merchandise manager of home for Fortunoff; the Uniondale, N.Y. - based company confirmed it is seeking a...

Mervyns Sues its Owners, Target.
September 8, 2008... By James Mammarella Wilmington, Del. - Filing a Sept. 2 lawsuit alleging a "fraudulent transfer action," Mervyns LLC is suing 37 financial defendants - the private equity sponsors and private equity owners that bought it from Target - plus...

Pier 1 Betters Assortment, Tightens Operations.
September 8, 2008... By Staff New York - Specialty retailer Pier 1 Imports narrowed its second-quarter loss and is on track to continue its turnaround, said president and ceo Alex Smith, speaking at the Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference here. Pier...

Sanger to Energize the Mix from Veratex.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Van Nuys, Calif. - Veratex's appointment of a vp of merchandising - a first for the company - signals a strategic broadening of scope for the fashion-oriented home textiles producer, specifically expanding the Veratex private...

Connolly to Head U.S. Operations for Abhishek.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Ludhiana, India - Abhishek Industries Limited, a $350 million unit of Trident Group, has named Meg Connolly executive vice president of its U.S. operations. With more than 25 years of experience in the home textiles industry,...

Downlite Debuts Samantha Brown, Tommy Bahama.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Mason, Ohio - Samantha and Tommy B will be the stars of the show at Downlite during next week's New York Home Fashions Market. Samantha Brown - star of Travel Channel's "Passport to Great Weekends" - becomes Downlite's new...

Park B. Smith Rolls Out Fashion Recycled Goods.
September 8, 2008... By Staff New York - New developments in recycled fabrics with a fashion flair and lots of decorative embellishments highlight the new bedding, rugs, window coverings and kitchen textiles at Park B. Smith. Adding to its Eco-Ordinates...

1888 Mills Adds Clorox FreshCare to Line.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Oakbrook, Ill. - Global home textiles manufacturing company 1888 Mills has expanded its kitchen towel line with the addition of Clorox FreshCare-branded goods. The program is currently available at Wal-Mart; it will hit other...

Sears Canada Debuts College Pop-up Stores.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Toronto - Sears Canada is opening a series of pop-up stores on university campuses across the province of Ontario this month, stocked with housewares, home decor, bed and bath, electronics, and cosmetics. The four pop-up...

Sleepwell to Debut Top-of-Bed Goods.
September 8, 2008... By Staff New York - Sleepwell Inc., the U.S. division of vertical home textiles manufacturer Kamal Group, has taken a showroom here at 230 Fifth Ave. on the first floor (Suite 102) and will participate in its first New York Home Fashions...

Couristan Customers Can Tap New Web Features.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Fort Lee, N.J. - Added sales features and enhanced product content are among the recent upgrades implemented on area rug and broadloom house Couristan Inc.'s website, www.couristan.com . The just-completed upgrade allows...

Downlite Partners with Kassatex.(Kassatex Fine Linens)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... By Staff Mason, Ohio - Down and feather bedding producer Downlite has entered a strategic partnership with Kassatex Fine Linens for distribution in the Caribbean and Central/South American regions. Kassatex, a wholesale distributor of...

Megerian Rugs Markets with Elle Decor.
September 8, 2008... By Staff New York - Four generation family-owned and -operated Megerian Rugs, a manufacturer of upscale area rugs, is unveiling a new print advertising campaign with Elle Decor, and the two are celebrating with a cocktail party Sept. 17...

Commonwealth Expands Thermalogic Curtain Line.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Montreal - Window coverings supplier Commonwealth Home Fashions is expanding the line of Thermalogic engery-efficient curtains it debuted during the February market, adding new textures and fabrics to the line for the upcoming New...

Perfect Fit to Debut Nano-Tex Enhanced Basic Bedding.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Charlotte, N.C. - Basic bedding and comfort product maker Perfect Fit Industries is launching a line of goods featuring the Nano-Tex Neutralizer chemical-free alternative to anti-microbial treatments. The line will feature...

Riegel Textiles Touts Eco-Value of Towel Line.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Johnston, S.C. - Mount Vernon Mills division Riegel Textiles has unveiled a new hospitality towel program that includes energy- and cost-saving components. The full line of terry and microcotton bath towels, bath sheets, hand...

Shoppers Adopt Green Goods, Practices.
September 8, 2008... By Staff New York - Consumer behavior is getting greener, if only bit by bit, a new survey from WSL Strategic Retail shows. The most recent Pulse survey by WSL found American consumers have increased their eco-friendly activities from...

United Feather & Down Widens Natural Lines.(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... By Staff Des Plaines, Ill. - For the New York Home Fashions Market, introductions by United Feather & Down will focus on "balanced living" with new energy-saving products, eco-friendly down alternative fills for the luxury market, and...

Wesley Mancini Rugs Due from Classical Elements.
September 8, 2008... By Cecile B. Corral Charlotte, N.C. - Wesley Mancini Ltd. and Classical Elements Inc. have partnered to launch a new upscale rug line come January during the ShowTime trade event here at High Point. Branded the Classical...

Curtain Exchange Marks 10 Years.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Dallas - The Curtain Exchange, a specialty retailer offering handcrafted, custom curtain treatments, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. Founded in September 1998 by Georgina Callan, the first boutique opened in...

Home Factors in JCP's Sales Slide.(JCPenney Company Inc. revenue report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... By Staff Plano, Texas - Home and jewelry were the weakest departments in a disappointing August for JCPenney; the retailer reported a 3.2% drop in sales to $1.51 billion, with comps sliding 4.9%. Year-to-date (30 weeks) revenue of...

JLA Home Fabrics Teams with Delta for JLA Direct.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Reidsville, N.C. - JLA Home Fabrics has reached an agreement with Yangtze River Delta Textile Co. to design and promote a new line, JLA Direct, that will be a competitively priced line of jacquards. The new venture is in...

Kohl's Sees Comps Bottoming Out.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Menomonee Falls, Wis. - Overall sales volume at Kohl's continued to gain incrementally, up 2.6% to $1.26 billion in August - but comp sales fell 5.8% for the month. August reflected 2008 as a whole very closely at the...

Discounters, Store Labels Gain as Consumers Cut Back Direct.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Columbus, Ohio - "Discount and value retailers are benefiting from an influx of cost-conscious shoppers at the expense of conventional and high-end retailers," according to a recent survey from TNS Retail Forward. The...

Target Designers Tapped for NYC Bullseye Bodegas.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Minneapolis - With the four-day run of its four Manhattan pop-up stores coming later this week, Target has enumerated the designers to be highlighted - and it turns out it's all of them. Twenty-two Target designer exclusives...

Sears Profit Plummets as Inventory Cuts Continue.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Mainstream retailer Sears Holdings saw second-quarter earnings drop 56%, as comp-store sales at the U.S. Sears and Kmart chains declined 6.2%. Results would have been worse, if not for a big one-time...

230 Fifth to Host 9/11 Concert.
September 8, 2008... By Staff New York - The 230 Fifth Avenue showroom building will host The September Concert, an annual event "to celebrate our common humanity and to reaffirm our hope for peace," said real estate company Newmark Knight Frank. The free...

Mink & Sons to Add 15 Macy's Rug Stores.
September 8, 2008... By Staff New York - Kenneth L. Mink & Sons is taking over the rug lease departments in 15 Macy's stores in metropolitan Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis. The move was effective Aug. 31, according to David Mink, president of Kenneth L. Mink...

Carpenter Co. Launches 'Zzzz Across America' Marketing Tour.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Richmond, Va. - Comfort cushioning product supplier Carpenter Co. has launched its latest promotional campaign, tying in the SleepBetter.org website with the "Zzzz Across America Tour" led by a trailer full of interactive tools...

Textillery Readies Bamboo Line for High Point.(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... By Staff Bloomington, Ind. - At the upcoming High Point Market (Oct. 20-26), decorative throw manufacturer Textillery Weavers will show its expanded bamboo yarn line. On display at Textillery's IHFC - Design Center D408 showroom, the...

Australian Wool Innovation Launches Logo, Marketing.(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... By Staff Sydney, Australia - In what it says is the start of a three-year, $120 million campaign, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has unveiled a new logo featuring a stylized ram's head as the motif. Australian Merino wool is being...

Peking Handicrafts Brings Bird Images Home.
September 8, 2008... By Staff San Francisco - Recognizing what it calls a "growing demand for bird-themed home decor and accessories," supplier Peking Handicraft has introduced a collection of needlepoint dec pillows featuring a variety of bird designs in...

PEM America Bows Southern Living Baby.(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... By Staff Las Vegas - At the ABC Kids Expo here this week, PEM America is unveiling the new addition to its Southern Living license, Southern Living Baby. The high-end nursery ensemble collection, with retail price points of $149-$199,...

People Briefs.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Sam's Club Elevates Davis Staff Sam's Club has promoted Cindy Davis to evp of membership, marketing and e-commerce; she will continue reporting to Doug McMillon, president and ceo. Davis had been responsible for...

Keeco Welcomes Back Grassi for National Accounts.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Hayward, Calif. - Diversified home textiles supplier Keeco has tapped Chris Grassi as a working partner in the company with an active role in national account management. With his team at Grassi Associates, he will be directly...

Student Stevens' Design for Pendleton Benefits Fund.(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... By Staff New York - The color photo of a student-designed "Painted Pony" blanket woven by Portland, Ore.-based Pendleton Woolen Mills gleamed from a Times Square billboard here in August. The promotion was part of a longstanding...

Rovner Leaves NexCen Board.
September 8, 2008... By Staff New York - Brand management firm NexCen Brands announced that Jack Rovner has resigned from its board of directors, effective Aug. 29. Rovner, elected a director on Oct.31, 2006, is the co-owner and partner of Vector...

Saks Names Fashion Director.
September 8, 2008... By Staff New York - High-end softlines specialty store operator Saks Fifth Avenue has named Eric Jennings vp, fashion director of men's, home, food and gifts; he will report to Terron Schaefer, group svp, marketing. Jennings will...

Vegas Design Center Hires Wells.
September 8, 2008... By Staff Las Vegas - The Las Vegas Design Center at the World Market Center has named Randy Wells vp, a newly created position that will focus on managing the year-round design and hospitality showrooms center. He was most recently...