Home Textiles Today Feb 25th 2013

Monday, February 25, 2013

THE BUSINESS AND FASHION NEWSPAPER OF THE HOME TEXTILES INDUSTRY

Iconix Revved About Royal Velvet Full Rollout in May

The Royal Velvet towel wall at JCP.

BY CECILE B. CORRAL NEW YORK — After a transitional year for Royal Velvet, brand owner Iconix Brand Group is optimistic about its recent performance at exclusive licensee JCPenney amid the retailer’s transformation efforts.

“Royal Velvet looks fabulous,” noted Neil Cole, Iconix chairman and ceo, in response to an analyst’s questions during the company’s fourth quarter and year-end earnings call last SEE ICONIX PAGE 16

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Ups and Downs The Lows Go Higher and the Highs Go Lower The influx of all that synthetic fiber last year actually resulted in lower N EW YORK — Last year, it was 2012 opening price point all about cotton — not just the pricing impact on the overall baskets for eight out of baskets but also the diminishing 10 retailers in the survey.

China Leads presence of cotton in favor of allThis year, overall openManufacturing nations poly products or blends. ing price points climbed identified for 283 items.

This year, cotton came roardramatically. ing back. All-cotton constructions Six out of 10 retailers 5% in bedding rose to 42% this year, in HTT’s annual MarU.S. 10% Pakistan compared to 35% last year. Poly is 1.5% ket Basket Survey rang Other in with higher opening still going strong, however. All-poly price point baskets — bedding accounted for 42% of this every single one of them year’s survey, a slight dip from 44% 22% by double-digits. The last year. Blends fell from 21% of India 61.5% most modest increase bedding last year to 16% this year.

China took place at Kohls, The survey — which examined where the opening price the highest and lowest priced items point basket rose 10.3%. at key retailers in New Jersey, Long The highest was FamiIsland and Miami during the first * Other includes Bahrain, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Turkey. ly Dollar, up 42.6%. Item two weeks of February — is not prices in the value retailnecessarily representative of a retailer’s overall pricing grid, but it does assess the er’s opening basket were virtually unchanged — pricing consumers found in those stores in those except for queen bed in a bag, where the retailer hiked the non-sale price from $30 last year to markets early in the month.

The survey does not include merchandise $48 as seen on-shelf this month.

Among retailers that lowered their opening that has been marked down or put on clearance.

The highs and the lows represent full pricing price point baskets, the most dramatic shift was only.

SEE BASKET PAGE 11

BY HTT STAFF

MARKET BASKET

Croscill and Excell Have New Market Stories to Tell

BY WARREN SHOULBERG

Inside This Issue N EW YORK — Six months after taking “We simply felt that there The 2nd Act ....................................................................... page 2 over as president of the Excell-Croscillwas an opportunity to Glenoit triumvirate, Joe Granger is ready There’s Something about Martha ................................... page 4 express a higher level of to reintroduce the world to Croscill at Mirror, Mirror .................................................................... page 4 design through the same market next month. And major redos for JCP Watch: The Evolution Begins.................................... page 6 the two other units are not far behind. traditional voice for this Congress Pushes for Online Sales Tax ............................ page 16 Granger, who was president of Springs customer.”

JOE GRANGER Home Categories a Highlight for HSNi ......................... page 23 US and also spent many years at Ralph Lauren, said the introductions at market will represent a new course for Croscill, which was a legendary bedding and window powerhouse in the better market but has seen its THE LATEST STYLES business erode over the past few years.

TUPELO RUGS t PILLOWS t POUFS t WALL ART t THROWS In previewing what’s to come, Granger told Home Textiles Today, “We have been very focused on enhancing the design strategy for the brand. In this, there are two key components. The first is that we wanted to elevate the quality of the designs intended for our core THE COOLEST TRENDS consumer.

HIGH POINT “This is not to suggest that we intend to raise prices, as we are surya.com not,” he said, adding that the sweet spot for the line would remain in 877.275.7847

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Home Textiles Today

February 25, 2013

News ADVERTISEMENT

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The 2nd Act

Divatex Founder Back in Business

BY JENNIFER MARKS C AESAREA , ISRAEL — When Avi Gross stepped down from Divatex last summer, it turned out he was not walking away from the textiles business — just stepping into another part of it.

Gross founded Divatex — one of the top sheet suppliers in the country — in 1990, then in 2007 sold an 80% stake to The Himatsingka Group, a vertically integrated home textiles manufacturer based in India. He has since taken a stake in Elbit Visions Systems (EVS), a global provider in the field of Automatic Optical Inspection (AOI) to provide fabric quality control of fabrics and production.

And that has put him back in

his element — the factory floor.

“Our target customers are companies that want to have a DNA of excellence,” said Gross.

The EVS optical system was originally developed for military use, the goal being to create a camera that can see like a brain.

The system shifted to commercial applications in 1992, with Milliken & Company being the first textiles manufacturer in the United States to adopt the technology.

That tech is now in its fourth generation and feeds real-time data about production anomalies as they occur so they can be fixed before a whole run is ruined. Among the problems the technology can spot are weaving defects, dyeing and finishing de-

Another New Category for m.style N EW YORK — m.style is introducing window panels at next month’s New York Home Fashions Market along with an expanded assortment of shower curtains and duvet covers.

Founded in 2009 by former Bed Bath & Beyond assistant buyer Monika Murray, m.style specializes in what she calls “fast and fearless decorating,” with col-

Avi Gross, left, with EVS ceo Sam Cohen at an installation in India.

fects and shade variations.

“Now management has the view,” said Gross. “The record is there, the pictures are there.

It can be monitored in real time — even if the factory is 300 miles away from the office.”

Knowing that every second of the production run is being recorded and errors alerts are going out with time stamps also keeps floor inspectors on their toes, said Shay Zamir, former vp of merchandising for Divatex, who is also involved with EVS. “Nobody runs the red light when the policeman is around,” he added. “The camera is recording everything.”

For manufacturers, cutting a problem off the roll as soon as it’s spotted improves yield. For the end customer, it provides a record, said Gross, who was himself an end customer for 22 years.

“I don’t know how to sell something I don’t believe in,” he said. HTT

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Intertextile

Lenzing

A Peek at Pantone at JCP

husband — “He literally kicked my behind and said go and do this” — she got underway.

Shower curtains are customcolored to match the best-selling towel shades of the moment, she said. The duvet covers, which debuted late last year, all feature concealed zippers and retail from $79.00 to $89.99.

“I always want my product

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Protect-A-Bed

“I always want my product to be better than you expected.”

—MONIKA MURRAY m.style 230 Fifth Avenue

orful, spirited prints. Starting with shower curtains (she did a term at Blonder Home Fashions after leaving BBB), Murray has carefully built out her assortment.

“I equate the time at Bed Bath & Beyond as college,” she said. “I learned the jargon.

I learned the expectations. I learned the challenges. It’s a fantastic company, but I realized I was not as suited to be a buyer as I was a product developer.”

With a big push from her

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to be better than you expected,” said Murray. m.style is now moving into to window treatments as a decorating solution. “What shower curtains do for the bathroom, window curtains do for other rooms,” she said.

The company will offer four base cloths as well as grommets and tab tops. Curtains will be packaged as a pair of panels with an average retail target of $39.99, “if not less,” said Murray. HTT

Surya Rugs Pantone bedding and bath — the last big brand debut from Springs US last year before its Brazilian parent company announced it would seek a partner to run the state-side operation — has arrived at retail. Earlier this month, JCPenney began setting its floor with Pantone duvet sets, sheet sets, bath towels and bath accessories.

Here, a JCP circular announcing the launch.

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Home Textiles Today

February 25, 2013

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OPINIONTodaY

A

There’s Something About Martha

S OPENING A RGUMEN TS BEGA N last week in Macy’s lawsuit against Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and JCPenney, associates in JCP stores were already setting up portions of the new home department that was originally to be anchored by a 20,000-square-foot Martha Stewart shop-in-shop.

Through a variety of newspaper reports on both projects, a few details have come to light.

For the time being, it appears Martha Stewart’s name at JCP will be confined to rugs, window coverings, paper party products EDITOR-IN-CHIEF and a collection of food mixes, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Much of the Martha-designed product that won’t carry her brand thanks to the lawsuit will be labeled Everyday — an echo of the Everyday by Martha Stewart brand formerly carried by Kmart as an exclusive. This includes bedding, bath and kitchen.

The New York Daily News quoted Macy’s lawyer as saying that the department store had been kept “completely in the dark” about the plans for Stewart shops at JCP, which Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia once contended counts as a “Martha Stewart store” and therefore exempt from the exclusive arrangement with Macy’s.

No so, said Macy’s lawyer. “It all boils down to one thing — carpentry. On that rests billions in sales.”

Other news accounts report Macy’s lawyer arguing the retailer had essentially rescued the brand, elevating it from down market Kmart (where, it must be noted, the brand did $1 billion in annual retail sales) at a time when Stewart had recently completed her prison sentence for obstruction of justice.

Not so fast, argued Stewart’s attorney. “That would be like Macy’s taking credit for Thanksgiving because they sponsor the parade every year,” he said, according to the Daily News.

Stewart’s team also said the brand at Macy’s hits its minimums but failed to meet the projections Macy’s had originally set out, according to Bloomberg News. In addition, MSLO has accused Macy’s of pricing Stewart products in a way that makes its own private label merchandise more appealing.

“It hasn’t been a knock-it-out-of-the-park success,” Stewart’s attorney told the court, per Bloomberg.

The trial is slated to run through March 8. In the meantime, a who’s who of current and former executives from Macy’s, JCP and MSLO have been added to the witness list — including JCP ceo Ron Johnson, Macy’s chairman/president/ceo Terry Lundgren and Stewart herself.

Fasten your seatbelts and pass the popcorn. HTT

Jennifer Marks

I

Mirror, Mirror…

F YOU ’ V E BEEN following the recent news coming out of Bangladesh about deplorable working conditions in textiles factories and the fires that have caused hundreds of deaths there, you no doubt have felt some outrage.

After all, how could they allow this to happen?

Well, for those Warren of you who rememShoulberg ber the old comic PUBLISHER/ strip character EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Pogo, your outrage needs to be pointed in a different direction. As Pogo often said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

That’s because it is the customers of these factories — usually American companies, including both retailers and wholesalers — who are demanding that these products be made as quickly and cheaply as possible. And to do that, they are willing to look the other way when it comes to working conditions, salaries and quality of life of the employees at these factories.

The factory owners know that if they aren’t willing to work under those rules, there is somebody else down the road or across the border in the next country that will. It’s not a pretty story, but if you’re trying to find the bad guys in this story you need look no further than the company across the table from you … or on the sheets on your showroom and store shelves.

In all the conversations I’ve been in-

volved in about textiles over many years, never once has the subject of working conditions at the factory ever come up.

It’s a don’t-ask, don’t-tell situation where the less questions asked the better.

Mind you, what’s going on in the emerging Bangladesh textiles industry is only following the exact same path that every other nation that has been in the early stages of their industrial development has pursued: From the time the first factories making the first industrialized products — textiles — opened in England in the early 1800s through America’s industrial revolution later in the century in New England to the spread of manufacturing to the Southeastern United States in the first half of the 20th century and then to the move across the Pacific to Taiwan, China, India, Pakistan and elsewhere in Asia it’s been the same story.

So, what’s going on in Bangladesh — the latest textiles powerhouse more so in apparel than home right now, but that’s changing — is just the next chapter. It’s the natural migration of textiles manufacturing to the lowest cost location. And it’s the same pattern that will eventually move manufacturing onto newer ground in Africa and elsewhere.

Through it all, there has been one constant: These factories are just giving the customers what they want.

What’s going in Bangladesh right now — and let’s not forget it’s still happening all throughout Asia and even sometimes right here in the United States — is a true tragedy and very sad. But let’s not be hypocritical and point the blame 8,000 miles away. It could be as close as the mirror on your wall. HTT

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2/21/2013 2:08:46 PM

News

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GLM Introduces Online Product Directory W HITE P L AINS , N.Y. — GLM has announced the launch of NYNow365, a new online product directory that helps retailers searches for products and exhibitors at NY Now, the Market for Home & Lifestyle (formerly the New York International Gift Fair).

The image-based directory, available online at www.

NYNow365.com, allows exhibiting suppliers to create collections of products to showcase to retailers and other buyers registering and attending NY NOW. “We have created NYNow365 as part of GLM’s mission to improve efficiencies of product sourcing and distribution within the markets we serve,” said Charles G. McCurdy, ceo of GLM. “As a proprietary online resource available 365 days a year, NYNow365 allows GLM to be the most robust market-maker in the industry.”

Full use of NYNow365 is available to all NY NOW registrants and other qualified buyers through a “Request Invite” form on the site. Retailers can browse or search for specific suppliers and products. As part of each search, buyers are given options to “like” the product, and/or “pin” the product to their own online product board for future reference.

A “Popular” tab allows buyers to see products which have been searched for and “liked” by other site users. In turn, users can see product boards made public by other users. Additionally, buyers can request product information, including wholesale pricing and availability, and can request at-market meetings with exhibitors.

The site also has several features specific to exhibiting suppliers, including the ability to upload an unlimited amount of product information - including images and videos - with minimal effort and at no cost. Content specialists are available to assist companies in preparing directory listings and uploading content.

Retail Briefs

Belk Hires Flur for Multi-channel

R

Exhibitors also receive retailer leads in real time and at no charge, and leads are scored and prioritized to indicate buyer interest, along with a monthly data and trend report detailing the NYNow365 audience. Enhanced retailer data, trends and analytics, delivering deep market insights, will be made available as a paid option starting in April 2013.

“NYNow365 has been live in Beta mode for three weeks, and already we have nearly 10,000 products loaded onto the site,” said Jason Brown, chief digital officer for GLM. “When we officially launch the site in April, we expect to have 17,000+ products from hundreds of exhibiting suppliers, as well as additional functionality allowing for more advanced analytics.”

NYNow365 is available at www.nynow365.com in advance of the summer market launch of NY NOW, the Market for Home & Lifestyle. NY Now will run Saturday, Aug. 17, through Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers. HTT

Peking Handicraft Partners with Courtney Cachet SAN FRANCISCO — Peking Handi- tail between $70 and $130.

The New York-based decraft’s division targeting independent signer is working retailers announced a new on multiple product partnership with celebrity lines, several interdesigner and TV personnational design projality Courtney Cachet, ects, and is a regular known for her global luxucontributor to NBC ry lifestyle brand. The Caand Huffington Post chet line features a variety Style. Cachet is also of down-filled embroiCOURTNEY currently working on dered pillows to compleCACHET a pilot for her own ment Peking Handicraft’s style show, accordother 2013 collections.

According to a press release from ing to the release.

“I’m very excited to be working the company, the modern prints and vibrant colors in the Cachet collection with Peking Handicraft in the intro“mirror the designer’s well-known pos- duction of my Cachet collection,” itive and energetic attitude for a vibe Cachet said. “They have a stellar that can only be described as happy reputation in the industry for their and high-spirited.” Pillows in the expertise in sourcing and manufacCourtney Cachet collection will re- turing only the finest textile prod-

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Home Textiles Today

February 25, 2013

egional department store Belk has hired Dorlisa Flur as executive vp omni-channel, reporting to John R. Belk, president and chief operating officer.

She spent the past eight years at Family Dollar Stores, most recently as vice chair, strategy and chief administrative officer. Previous roles included chief merchandising officer and the executive vice president of strategy and marketing. Prior that, Flur was at McKinsey and Company, a management consulting firm.

Belk is in the process of creating an omni-channel environment that integrates the digital experience with the store experience. Initial implementation will span three to four years and will include a new ecommerce platform, new point of sale systems, improved mobile applications, installing a customer data warehouse and analytics and establishing enterprise inventory availability.

Meijer Outlines Store Plans

M

eijer will invest more than $160 million in new and remodeled stores this year, including construction of a new flagship.

Plans include six new Meijer supercenters and five major store remodels, four in Michigan and one in Illinois. In addition, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois will open two new supercenters each.

The remodel of Meijer’s store at The Knapp’s Corner in Grand Rapids will receive a new Meijer flagship remodel that will test design elements to be considered for future stores.

Meijer has opened 29 new stores since 2007 and now operates 199 superstores and grocery stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

Ikea Miami on Plan for Summer 2014

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roundbreaking for Ikea’s second South Florida store is expected to take place within the next two months, with the store opening in summer 2014.

Ikea’s other South Florida store is in Broward County’s Sunrise area. Two other Florida Ikea stores are located in Orlando and Tampa.

The 417,000 square-foot future Ikea Miami will be built in the City of Sweetwater adjacent to the Dolphin Mall, and located west of Miami International Airport at the intersection of the Dolphin Expressway (SR 836) and Florida’s Turnpike.

There are currently 340 IKEA stores in 40 countries, including 38 in the U.S.

Wayfair.com Intros Daily Flash Deals

O ucts for the home décor market.

Our goals and dedication to providing consumers with the highest quality of super stylish interior design items makes this a very synergistic partnership, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with them going forward.” HTT

nline home furnishings retailer Wayfair.com announced the launch of Daily Fair, a new flash sale feature offering significant savings on the site’s selection of home decor.

Daily Fair will offer limited time sales with savings on up to 1,000 different products a day, deals that will be open to all Wayfair.com shoppers. With a selection of more than 5 million products from 5,000 suppliers, Wayfair.com is “uniquely positioned to source great deals and savings across a wide range of home product categories at an unprecedented pace,” according to a company press release.

2/21/2013 5:34:04 PM

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Home Textiles Today

February 25, 2013

News

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WATCH

Royal Velvet bedding comes out from the clutter of other bedding brands.

The towel table didn’t seem quite as effective as similar fixturing in the jeans department. A temporary use of the space?

The Evolution Begins

O O

riginally scheduled to open March 1 of this year, the new arrival date for JCPenney’s revamped home department has been pegged for Mother’s Day, May 12.

Large-scale overhauls don’t happen overnight, of course.

With that in mind, Home Textiles Today is beginning a series of updates on the transformation as we’re seeing it unfold.

A mid-February visit to a JCP store in Monmouth County, New Jersey, found several pieces falling into place: a revamped

Still under construction at the time of our visit, the furniture department also pulled in rugs, window treatments and (not seen here) some lighting and accessories pieces.

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towel area, a Royal Velvet bedding section, a jazzier mattress shop and the contours of a crossmerchandised furniture area.

It was unclear where the store plans to locate the Martha Stewart shop – or whatever winds up in its place until the Macy’s suit against Stewart and JCP is decided. There were areas filled with random stuff, including an entire section next to window devoted to kid’s back-packs.

So far, no Jonathan Adler or Michael Graves merchandise in view, either. HTT

The mattress department pulses with a cool blue glow.

2/20/2013 2:44:58 PM

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February 25, 2013

Home Textiles Today

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Safavieh Makes Lux Bath Rugs a Permanent Offering P O R T W A S H I N G T O N , N.Y. —

High-end home furnishings house Safavieh is getting into the bath rug business in a bigger way with a newly expanded line of bath rug styles, one year since it first tested the category.

Set to launch in March during the New York Home Fashions Market, the company is introducing two new lines in multiple colorways.

“Since launching our first bath rug collection a year ago at the March 2012 Home Fashions Market, we have had great response to our designs and price points. The program has been expanded to include products for all retail categories from department and linen specialty stores to large discount chains.

The strategy for our March introductions is to bring a custom designer look to cotton bath

rugs,” said Cyrus Yaraghi, principal of Safavieh.

From the new Plush Master Bath collection, Safavieh’s blue and white awning stripe bath rug of 100% cotton will be available sets of two in the 22-by-34inch size, and are set to retail for $68.64. A set of two in the 27-by45 size retails at $95.48.

Safavieh will also introduce the Boston Bathmats collection with diamond motif in five color ways of 100% cotton. The rugs are packaged individually and come in sizes 30-by-48 for $75 retail, 36-by-60 for $97 retail, and 48-by-72 for $136 retail.

HTT

Safavieh’s blue and white awning stripe bath rug is part of the new Plush Master Bath collection.

Lenzing to Open Jumbo Production Line

LENZING, AUSTRIA — Fiber pro-

ducer Lenzing is constructing a new production line at its plant here that will have the capacity to produce 64,000 tons of fiber per year.

In addition to the specialty fibers Lenzing Modal and Lenzing FR, Tencel will also be produced at the new site.

The company is investing 130 million Euros (approximately $173 million) in the project, which is schedule to begin

®

operations next year.

“Tencel represents the greatest technological innovation in the man-made cellulose fiber industry since the invention of the viscose fiber around 100 years ago,” said Dieter Eichinger, vp for Lenzing’s Business Unit Textile Fibers. “Tencel uniquely answers the demands for competitive production costs relative to other fibers with the demands for sustainable production.” HTT

Trend Lab, Waverly Sign License for Baby Product Line M I N N E A P O L I S — Trend Lab

LLC and Waverly will launch a Waverly by Trend Lab infant and toddler product collection at the 2013 ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas.

The line will include crib and toddler bedding, coordinating room décor, gift items and diaper bags. Product is expected to roll out to mid-tier retailers, department and specialty stores,

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and select e-t ailers by early 2014.

The Waverly by Trend Lab product assortment will be moderately priced.

Trend Lab Trend Lab is a privately held, women-owned business that designs and produces infant and toddler bedding and accessories, home décor and gift items, bags, and pet products. HTT

2/20/2013 2:45:52 PM

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Home Textiles Today

February 25, 2013

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Bardwil, Dena Designs Partner for Bath and Kitchen Collections shower curtain hooks, a printed and embroidered shower curtain, a tufted rug, and ceramic accessories.

Ikat is an all-over floral pattern in pinks and lime greens with a touch of aqua. This grouping includes two towels collections: a printed floral, and a jacquard embroidered set. The shower curtain is printed and embellished with frill trim, rug is tufted with a pleated fringe, and the accessories here are also ceramic.

Ankara comes in two towel styles — a woven jacquard with fringe, and a solid embroidered style with a jacquard border. The rug is tufted with ruffle, and the grouping also includes accessories, hooks, and a shower curtain.

Bardwil has also created a solid-colored bath towel collection that marries in color across the Dena bath program.

In kitchen textiles, Bardwil’s

N EW YORK — Already serving

brides and newlyweds with its Lenox line of table linens, Bardwil Linens is looking to court the Millennial generation with a casual and whimsically cohesive collection created in partnership with Dena Designs.

Bardwil will unveil its new Dena program for bath and kitchen textiles during the New York Home Fashions Market in March. The two parties inked an exclusive licensing deal in late 2012, and the plan is to roll out the first round of products to retail by spring and summer.

For bath, there are three coordinate groupings, initially, with several other design options on the table for review.

Diamond, a flame-stitch style blue and aqua story, comprises three towel styles: a terry with embroidery; a printed set; and a jacquard with embroidery.

The other components include

Dena Fishbein of Dena Designs

American Homes and Textiles Inks Clifford License NEW YORK — American Homes

and Textiles has signed a licensing agreement with Scholastic to produce a soft home collection featuring the Clifford the Big Red Dog character and his friends.

The Clifford property, which marks its 50th anniversary this year, continues to air on PBS television and remains a big seller in children’s books.

“We are delighted to add Clifford to our already strong lineup of in-house juvenile bedding styles,” said Naveed Shamsi, vp of American Homes and Textiles. “We believe that many paretns of today’s kids have grown up with Clifford and still have a strong connection and comfort level with him.”

The company will produce better quality juvenile and infants bedding, bath and beach products. The collection will debut at the upcoming New York Home Fashions Mar-

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Dena collection is fashion-oriented and bedecked with dressmaker details meant to achieve a “girlie” and hostess-type looks, explained Susan D’Arcy, svp of design.

The components include solid colored towels, decorative towels, potholders, oven mitts, drying mats, and aprons “with lots of embroidery, prints, applique. There’s a lot of mixing and matching of patterns,” said D’Arcy.

Price points are still being set, but Bardwil’s vp of sales, Darrel Druckman, said the plan is to keep them moderate — another part of the company’s strategy to appeal to Generation Y types who are in their 20s and 30s and earning on average middle level incomes.

“We’re adding the little extras to the product while carefully maintaining cost levels within a mid-range,” he said. HTT

Showtime Changes December 2015 Dates

H IGH P OINT, N.C. — Organizers of Showtime, the twice-yearly

American Homes and Textile’s new licensed Clifford line includes super soft microplush throws.

ket, which takes place March 18-21.

American Homes & Textiles

will also introduce other new licensed products during market, said Shamsi. HTT

trade show here for textiles, leather and trimmings, have changed the dates of the December 2015 show and announced the dates of future shows through 2020.

Officials at the International Textile Market Assn. said the December 2015 show is now set for Dec. 6-9, one week earlier than originally scheduled.

“We work hard to recognize all holidays surrounding December Showtime and are sensitive to their importance. Upon consulting industry members, the ITMA board of directors voted to adjust the winter show dates,” says Catherine Morsell, ITMA executive director.

She said board members felt the revised dates would fit best into the schedules of furniture manufacturers, who are the largest group of attendees at the event.

The complete list of show dates through 2020 is as follows: 2013: June 2-5 and Dec. 8-11 2014: June 1-4 and Dec. 7-10 2015: May 31-June 3 and Dec. 6-9 2016: June 5-8 and Dec. 4-7 2017: June 4-7 and Dec. 3-6 2018: June 3-6 and Dec. 2-5 2019: June 2-5 and Dec. 8-11 2020: June 7-10 and Dec. 6-9 HTT

2/20/2013 11:57:36 AM

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Kassatex Readies European Bedding Collection

Fiesole from Kassatex

NEW YORK — Kassatex Fine Lin-

ens will launch luxury bedding collections from Italy and Portugal at the New York Home Fashions Market next month.

“I have always wanted to incorporate my passion for European luxury bedding in to the Kassatex family of products,” said Ernesto Khoudari, Kassatex president and ceo.

“Layering texture and pattern have always been important components in our merchandising strategy, and that strategy in

mind, merchandising matelasses from Portugal alongside Italian bedding felt like the natural progression,” he added.

The assortment will include three Italian bedding ensembles and six top of bed matelasse ensembles in a variety of color and design styles ranging from traditional to the more contemporary.

To round off the new tier of luxury goods, Kassatex will introduce bath rugs from Portugal. Five new collections will be

Home Textiles Today

February 25, 2013

available in a wide color palette and constructions which incorporate silk, linen and other luxurious fibers.

All bedding and bath rug collections will be stocked in the company’s 100,000-square-foot distribution center in Miami.

“We are incredibly excited to be adding this new tier of product in to our line, and equally excited to hear the positive feedback we have been receiving from our customers during early previews,” said Khoudari. HTT

9

Kaleen Earns SA8000 Status for Indian Facility DALTON , G A . — Rug producer Kaleen has earned SA8000 status for its India manufacturing unit. SA8000 is a series of social accountabilty workplace standards designed to protect the well-being of factory workers.

“I believe this to be the single most important honor a manufacturer should strive to receive, and we are extremely proud of the recognition of over 40 years of achievement for our manufacture team and the dedication and commitment of the Rathi Family,” said Joe Barkley, executive vp of Kaleen. “Kaleen’s social commitment has been a primary focus since the Mr. Rathi started the company in 1964”.

According to a press release from Kaleen, the SA8000 standard is one of the world’s first

auditable social certification standards for decent workplaces, across all industrial sectors. It is based on conventions of the ILO, United Nations and national laws. The SA8000 standard spans industry and corporate codes to create a common language for measuring social compliance.

Those seeking to comply with SA8000 have adopted policies and procedures that protect the basic human rights of workers.

The management system supports sustainable implementation of the principles of SA8000: child labor, forced and compulsory labor, health and safety, freedom of association and right to collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours and remuneration. HTT

Proposte Launches New Site VILLA BERBA , ITALY — Proposte,

the trade show for European fabrics and curtains, has revamped its web site with a design that makes for easier viewing on all types of screens, including tablets.

The site includes a review of trends from the 2012 fair along with shuttle schedules for the 2013 event, which will take place May 7-9.

Fair promoters Ascontex Promozioni and Consorzio Promozione Tendaggio Italiano announced a number of new companies from Italy and elsewhere will participate in this year’s show. The official pre-catalog will be released next month.

The show also announced the theme for the 2013 fair: “Always on the move.” HTT

View our Video mwwsolutions.com

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2/20/2013 3:45:55 PM

10

Home Textiles Today

MARKET BASKET

February 25, 2013

Bed Bath & Beyond

Big Lots CONSTRUCTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

$39.99 89.99 19.99 39.99 99.00 99.00 19.99 $407.95

Coastal Life / Keeco LLC cotton and polyester Revman International cotton and polyester Bed Bath & Beyond cotton B. Smith / Levinsohn Textile Co. cotton/linen/ polyester Bed Bath & Beyond/Scent-Sation cotton Real Simple / Sunham Bedding cotton Berkshire Blanket polyester +16.6% FROM $349.92 IN 2012

China China India China China China China

$9.99 4.99 3.99 2.99 12.99 19.00 4.99 6.99 9.99

Revere Mills cotton Revere Mills cotton Revere Mills cotton Revere Mills cotton Bed Bath & Beyond/Shelly’s Design polyester Real Simple / Mohawk Industries Invista Comforel nylon Wamsutta ceramic Wamsutta ceramic NA plastic

Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan China USA China China China

PRICE

TOP PRICE POINT

CONSTRUCTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

BEDDING Queen sheet set $14.99 Big Lots polyester China Queen bed-in-a-bag 26.00 Big Lots polyester China Pair of standard shams* 3.00 Big Lots polyester China Dust ruffle NA Queen quilt 14.99 Big Lots polyester China Queen blanket 20.00 Big Lots cotton India Throw 3.00 Big Lots polyester India TOTAL OPENING BEDDING $81.98 FLAT FROM $82.00 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet $10.00 Big Lots cotton India Bath towel 5.00 Big Lots cotton India Hand towel 4.00 Big Lots cotton India Wash cloth 0.50 Big Lots cotton Pakistan Shower curtain 5.00 Big Lots Peva China Bath rug 7.00 Big Lots polyester India Soap dish* 4.00 Big Lots ceramic China Lotion pump* 5.00 Big Lots ceramic China Tissue box 3.00 Big Lots plastic China TOTAL OPENING BATH $43.50 +64.2% FROM $26.50 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S OPENING TOTAL: $125.48 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $108.50 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: +15.6% BEDDING Queen sheet set $29.99 Big Lots cotton/polyester India Queen bed-in-a-bag 69.99 Big Lots polyester China Pair of standard shams 6.99 Big Lots polyester China Dust ruffle NA Queen quilt 39.99 Hedaya polyester China Queen blanket 29.99 Big Lots polyester China Throw 18.00 Big Lots polyester China TOTAL TOP BEDDING $194.95 + 34.4% FROM $145.00 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet* $10.00 Big Lots cotton India Bath towel 6.00 Big Lots cotton Pakistan Hand towel 6.00 Big Lots cotton China Wash cloth 3.00 Big Lots cotton India Shower curtain 8.00 Jay Franco polyester Pakistan Bath rug 15.00 Big Lots polyester India Soap dish* 4.00 Big Lots ceramic China Lotion pump* 5.00 Big Lots ceramic China Tissue box 6.00 Big Lots plastic China TOTAL TOP BATH $63.00 +4.5% FROM $66.00 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S TOP BASKET TOTAL: $257.95 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $211.00 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: +22.30%

TOTAL OPENING BATH $75.92 -13.6% FROM $87.91 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S OPENING TOTAL: $483.87 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $437.83 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: +10.5% BEDDING Queen sheet set $199.00 Wamsutta long-staple cotton China Queen bed-in-a-bag 249.00 Manor Hill/Revman Int’l cotton and polyester China Pair of standard shams* 119.98 Barbara Barry cotton India Dust ruffle 59.99 Ampersand / Divatex Home cotton India Queen quilt 189.99 Nostalgia Home cotton China Queen blanket 199.00 laundry / Nostalgia Home cotton China Throw 49.99 Ellery Homestyles polyester China TOTAL TOP BEDDING $1,066.95 +48.2% FROM $719.92 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet $80.00 Terrisol Corp. micro-cotton India Bath towel 39.99 Terrisol Corp. micro-cotton India Hand towel 24.99 Terrisol Corp. micro-cotton India Wash cloth 14.99 Terrisol Corp. micro-cotton India Shower curtain 59.99 DKNY / CHF Industries cotton China Bath rug 49.99 Terrisol Corp. cotton India Soap dish 17.99 Kate Spade / CHF Industries glass China Lotion pump 19.99 Kate Spade / CHF Industries glass China Tissue box 29.99 Kate Spade / CHF Industries glass China TOTAL TOP BATH $337.92 -11.3% FROM $380.91 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S TOP BASKET TOTAL: $1,404.87 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $1,100.83 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: +27.6%

MANUFACTURER

OPENING PRICE POINT

MANUFACTURER

TOP PRICE POINT

OPENING PRICE POINT

PRICE

BEDDING Queen sheet set Queen bed-in-a-bag Pair of standard shams Dust ruffle Queen quilt Queen blanket Throw TOTAL OPENING BEDDING BATH Bath sheet Bath towel Hand towel Wash cloth Shower curtain Bath rug Soap dish Lotion pump Tissue box

> hometextilestoday.com

*Only one price point available

NA - Not available

*One individual sham is $59.99.

Penny Pincher’s Picks...

...and Top-of-the-Line Choices

Opening price point baskets, lowest to highest

Top price point baskets, lowest to highest

Big Lots

$125.78

+15.6%

Family Dollar

$142.00

+44.2%

Family Dollar

$127.46

+42.6%

Big Lots

$257.95

+22.3%

Walmart

$149.96

-1.8%

Marshalls

$161.87

+13.3%

Kmart

$197.47

-17%

Target

$276.84

-8.8%

Marshalls

$322.87

-26%

Kmart

$327.86

+35.8%

Walmart

$359.58

-7.6%

Target

$574.84

-7%

Bedding Construction

16% Blend

42%

42% Cotton

Poly

2013 21%

JCPenney

$384.00

+25.5%

Kohl’s

$735.64

Kohl’s

$389.04

+10.3%

JCPenney

$843.00

Bed Bath & Beyond $483.87

+10.5%

BBB

$1404.87

+27.6%

Macy’s

$2,191.96

-1.1%

Macy’s

$722.96

-12%

-29.5% +11%

Blend

35% Cotton

44% Poly

2012

htt130202_010_013.indd 10

2/20/2013 3:22:23 PM

MARKET BASKET

> hometextilestoday.com

Family Dollar

JC Penney

BEDDING Queen sheet set $21.00 Family Dollar polyester China Queen bed-in-a-bag* 48.00 Family Dollar polyester China Pair of standard shams* 4.00 Family Dollar polyester Pakistan Dust ruffle NA Queen quilt NA Queen blanket* 10.00 Springs polyester USA Throw 5.00 Family Dollar polyester China TOTAL TOP BEDDING $88.00 +27.5% FROM $69.00 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet NA Bath towel $5.00 Family Dollar cotton Pakistan Hand towel* 3.00 Family Dollar cotton Pakistan Wash cloth 2.00 Family Dollar cotton Pakistan Shower curtain 10.00 Family Dollar polyester China Bath rug 10.00 Family Dollar polyester China Soap dish** 12.00 Family Dollar plastic China Lotion pump** 12.00 Family Dollar ceramic China Tissue box NA TOTAL TOP BATH $54.00 +83.1% FROM $29.50 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S TOP BASKET TOTAL: $142 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $98.50 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: +44.2% **part of set

PRICE

Price Points

htt130202_010_013.indd 11

NA - Not available

Kmart PRICE

MANUFACTURER

CONSTRUCTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

OPENING PRICE POINT

SEE BASKET PAGE 13

**Two shams at $35.00 each.

BEDDING Queen sheet set $22.99 Kmart Cotton/poly Pakistan Queen bed-in-a-bag* 49.99 Kmart Poly China Pair of standard shams* 9.99 Kmart Cotton China Dust ruffle* 21.99 Kmart Cotton/poly Pakistan Queen quilt* 19.99 Kmart Poly China Queen blanket 16.99 Kmart Poly China Throw** NA TOTAL OPENING BEDDING $139.94 -9.1% FROM $153.95 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet NA Bath towel $3.99 Kmart Cotton India Hand towel 2.99 Kmart Cotton India Wash cloth 2.60 Kmart Cotton India Shower curtain 12.99 Kmart PEVA China Bath rug 6.99 Kmart Nylon USA Soap dish 3.99 Kmart Plastic NA Lotion pump 6.99 Kmart Plastic China Tissue box* 16.99 NA Various NA TOTAL OPENING BATH $57.53 -29.0% FROM $81.01 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S TOP BASKET TOTAL: $197.47 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $237.96 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: -17.0%

TOP PRICE POINT

seen at Kmart (down 17.0%). Kmart dropped its opening price point 14% on queen bed in a bag, slashed the tag on a queen quilt 50% and pared back pricing on nearly every item in the bath segment tracked by the survey.

Another difference? Comparisons of items not available in 2013 vs. 2012. Last year, Kmart was out of stock during HTT’s visit on shams and dust ruffles, but in-stock this year, adding $31.98 in merchandise to the opening price point basket. However, it was out of stock this month on bath sheets and non-sale throws, items that totaled $34.98 in last year’s basket.

Others who lowered their opening price point baskets included Macy’s (down 12.0%), Target (down 8.8%) and Walmart (down 1.8%).

While retailers were mostly nudging prices up on the opening end this year, the majority (six out of 10) lowered them in the top price point basket. But three that boosted prices did so dramatically.

As was the case with the opening price point baskets, Family Dollar had the biggest price jump in top price point baskets this year, up 44.2% — this despite the fact all bedding this year was 100% polyester, just as it was in 2012.

Because there was only one price point

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

BEDDING Queen sheet set $65.00 JCP Home cotton India Queen bed-in-a-bag 220.00 JCP Home cotton China Pair of standard shams* 70.00 JCP Home cotton China Dust ruffle 45.00 JCP Home cotton India Queen quilt 100.00 JCP Home cotton China Queen blanket 120.00 Faribault wool/ingeo USA Throw 50.00 Faribault wool USA TOTAL TOP BEDDING $670.00 +19.6% FROM $560.00 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet NA Bath towel $15.00 JCP Home cotton China Hand towel $11.00 JCP Home cotton China Wash cloth $9.00 JCP Home cotton China Shower curtain $50.00 Croscill 100% poly China Bath rug $35.00 Mohawk Home 100% poly China Soap dish $13.00 JCP Home wood/porcelain Vietnam Lotion pump $15.00 JCP Home glass China Tissue box $25.00 JCP Home bronze China TOTAL TOP BATH $173.00 -13% FROM $199.99 IN 202 THIS YEAR’S TOP BASKET TOTAL: $843.00 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $759.99 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: +11% *Two individual shams at $25.00 each

available in queen bed in a bag, the price on that item jumped 60% in this basket as well. And the biggest price increases took place in bath.

Bed Bath & Beyond’s upper price point basket jumped 27.6% this year. The big changes: queen bed in a bag, up from $99.99 last year to $249.99, more than double; queen blanket, up from $89.99 last year to $199.99; throw up $30 over last year’s price; dust ruffle up 50%; and queen quilt up 27%.

By contrast, BBB’s top-of-the-line pricing in the bath basket this year fell 11%, primarily because the retailer knocked down the price on its most expensive bath rug from $99.99 to $49.99.

Big Lots was the other retailer with heftier prices in the top price basket this year, up 22.3%. In bedding, that was because Big Lots had no queen quilt in stock at the time of HTT’s 2012 visit. This year, one was available, adding $39.99 to the ticket.

There was also no bath sheet to price last year; this year the basket added this time at $10.

There were only three retailers in this year’s survey that lowered pricing on both their opening and top-tier baskets: Macy’s, Target and Walmart.

Macy’s brought its opening price point

CONSTRUCTION

BEDDING Queen sheet set $19.00 JCP Home polyester China Queen bed-in-a-bag 80.00 JCP Home cotton India Pair of standard shams* 50.00 JCP Home cotton China Dust ruffle 30.00 JCP Home poly/cotton China Queen quilt 80.00 PEM America cotton China Queen blanket 40.00 JCP Home polyester China Throw 20.00 JCP Home polyester China TOTAL OPENING BEDDING $319.00 +30% FROM $244.00 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet NA Bath towel $5.00 JCP Home cotton India Hand towel 4.00 JCP Home cotton India Wash cloth 3.00 JCP Home cotton India Shower curtain 12.00 JCP Home PEVA China Bath rug 15.00 Mohawk Nylon/comforel USA Soap dish 11.00 JCP Home polished nickel China Lotion pump 10.00 Umbra plastic China Tissue box 5.00 Umbra plastic China TOTAL OPENING BATH $65.00 +5% FROM $62.00 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S OPENING TOTAL: $384.00 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $306.00 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: +25.5%

NA - Not available

BASKET FROM PAGE 1

MANUFACTURER

OPENING PRICE POINT

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

TOP PRICE POINT

CONSTRUCTION

OPENING PRICE POINT

MANUFACTURER

TOP PRICE POINT

PRICE

BEDDING Queen sheet set $20.00 Family Dollar polyester China Queen bed-in-a-bag* 48.00 Family Dollar polyester China Pair of standard shams* 4.00 Family Dollar polyester Pakistan Dust ruffle NA Queen quilt NA Queen blanket* 10.00 Family Dollar polyester USA Throw* 5.00 Springs polyester China TOTAL OPENING BEDDING $87.00 +26.1% FROM $69.00 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet NA Bath towel $3.00 Family Dollar cotton Pakistan Hand towel* $3.00 Family Dollar cotton Pakistan Wash cloth $0.89 Family Dollar cotton Pakistan Shower curtain $3.75 Family Dollar vinyl China Bath rug $6.00 Family Dollar polyester China Soap dish** $12.00 Family Dollar plastic China Lotion pump** $12.00 Family Dollar ceramic China Tissue box NA TOTAL OPENING BATH $40.64 +98.2% FROM $20.50 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S OPENING TOTAL: 127.64 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $89.50 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: +42.6%

*only one price point

11

Home Textiles Today

February 25, 2013

BEDDING Queen sheet set $79.99 Kmart Cotton India Queen bed-in-a-bag* 49.99 Kmart Poly China Pair of standard shams* 9.99 Kmart Cotton China Dust ruffle* 21.99 Kmart Cotton/poly Pakistan Queen quilt* 19.99 Kmart Poly China Queen blanket 39.99 Kmart Poly/cotton China Throw** NA TOTAL TOP BEDDING $221.94 -37.8% FROM $356.95 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet NA Bath towel $12.99 Kmart Cotton Pakistan Hand towel 6.99 Kmart Cotton India Wash cloth 5.99 Kmart Cotton India Shower curtain 19.99 Kmart Various China Bath rug 19.99 Kmart Invista nylon USA Soap dish 9.99 Kmart Various China Lotion pump 12.99 Kmart Various China Tissue box* 16.99 NA Various NA TOTAL TOP BATH $105.92 -31.0% FROM $153.41 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S TOP BASKET TOTAL: $327.86 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $510.36 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: -35.8% *Only one price point for this category in non-sale merchandise NA - Not available

** No non-sale items available in this category

2/20/2013 3:22:50 PM

12

Home Textiles Today

MARKET BASKET

February 25, 2013

Kohl’s

> hometextilestoday.com

Macy’s

BEDDING Queen sheet set $89.99 Kohl’s cotton India Queen bed-in-a-bag 159.99 Kohl’s Polyester China Pair of standard shams 31.99 Kohl’s cotton India Dust ruffle* 44.99 Kohl’s cotton/polyester China Queen quilt 99.99 Nostalgia cotton China Queen blanket 89.99 Kohl’s cotton India Throw* 34.99 Kohl’s polyester China TOTAL TOP BEDDING $551.93 -27.3% FROM $758.96 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet* $19.99 Kohl’s cotton Turkey Bath towel 17.99 Kohl’s Cotton China Hand towel 14.99 Kohl’s Cotton China Wash cloth 10.79 Kohl’s cotton China Shower curtain 35.99 Saturday Knight polyester China Bath rug 29.99 Saturday Knight cotton India Soap dish 11.99 Kohl’s ceramic China Lotion pump 17.99 Kohl’s ceramic China Tissue box* 23.99 Kohl’s ceramic China TOTAL TOP BATH $183.71 -35.3% FROM $283.91 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S TOP BASKET TOTAL: $735.64 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $1,042. 87 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: - 29.5%

PRICE

MANUFACTURER

CONSTRUCTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

OPENING PRICE POINT

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

BEDDING Queen sheet set $45.00 Sander Sales Enterprises polyester China Queen bed-in-a-bag NA Pair of standard shams* 50.00 Macy’s / bar III cotton Pakistan Dust ruffle 85.00 Macy’s / Charter Club cotton India Queen quilt 200.00 Macy’s / Martha Stewart Collection cotton China Queen blanket 100.00 Lauren Ralph Lauren cotton China Throw 60.00 Macy’s / Martha Stewart Collection acrylic China TOTAL OPENING BEDDING $540.00 -13.2% FROM $622.00 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet $32.00 Macy’s cotton Pakistan Bath towel 10.00 WestPoint Home cotton India Hand towel 8.00 WestPoint Home cotton India Wash cloth 6.00 WestPoint Home cotton India Shower curtain 39.99 Macy’s / Martha Stewart Collection polyester China Bath rug 34.00 Macy’s / Martha Stewart Collection cotton India Soap dish 12.99 Macy’s / Martha Stewart Collection ceramic China Lotion pump 14.99 Macy’s / Martha Stewart Collection ceramic China Tissue box 24.99 Macy’s / Martha Stewart Collection ceramic China TOTAL OPENING BATH 182.96 -7.6% FROM $197.97 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S OPENING TOTAL: $722.96 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $819.97 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: -12%

TOP PRICE POINT

CONSTRUCTION

OPENING PRICE POINT

MANUFACTURER

TOP PRICE POINT

PRICE

BEDDING Queen sheet set $21.99 Kohl’s polyester China Queen bed-in-a-bag 94.99 Kohl’s polyester China Pair of standard shams 19.99 Kohl’s polyester India Dust ruffle* 44.99 Kohl’s cotton/poly China Queen quilt 55.99 Peking Handicraft cotton China Queen blanket 14.99 Kohl’s polyester China Throw* 34.99 Kohl’s polyester China TOTAL OPENING BEDDING $287.93 +32.1% FROM $217.94 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet* $19.99 Kohl’s cotton Turkey Bath towel 5.99 Kohl’s cotton China Hand towel 4.99 Kohl’s cotton China Wash cloth 3.99 Kohl’s cotton China Shower curtain 11.24 Kohl’s vinyl China Bath rug 8.99 Kohl’s nylon USA Soap dish 9.94 Kohl’s ceramic China Lotion pump 11.99 Kohl’s ceramic China Tissue box* 23.99 Kohl’s ceramic China TOTAL OPENING BATH $101.11 -25.1% FROM $134.91 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S OPENING TOTAL: $389.04 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $352.85 PERCENTAGE CHANGE:+10.3%

BEDDING Queen sheet set $260.00 Macy’s / Martha Stewart Collection cotton India Queen bed-in-a-bag NA Pair of standard shams** 360.00 Lauren Ralph Lauren cotton China Dust ruffle 190.00 Natori cotton China Queen quilt 385.00 Lauren Ralph Lauren cotton China Queen blanket 500.00 Natori viscose from bamboo and cotton China Throw 100.00 Sunbeam Products Inc. polyester China TOTAL TOP BEDDING $1,795.00 -0.4% FROM $1,802.00 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet $75.00 Macy’s / Hotel Collection combed cotton India Bath towel 55.00 Macy’s / Hotel Collection combed cotton India Hand towel 34.00 Macy’s / Hotel Collection combed cotton India Wash cloth 20.00 Macy’s / Hotel Collection combed cotton India Shower curtain 59.99 Macy’s / Martha Stewart Collection polyester China Bath rug 80.00 Macy’s / Hotel Collection cotton Portugal Soap dish 17.99 Macy’s / Martha Stewart Collection metal India Lotion pump 24.99 Macy’s / Martha Stewart Collection metal India Tissue box 29.99 Macy’s / Martha Stewart Collection metal India TOTAL TOP BATH $396.96 +8.2% FROM $366.96 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S TOP BASKET TOTAL: $2,191.96 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $2,168.96 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: -1.10%

*Only one price point available

*One standard sham is priced at $25. **One standard sham is priced at $180.

NA - Not available

High Fliers...

...and Low Riders

The High/Low

Highest priced item in top-tier basket

Least expensive item - the wash cloth

$ difference between the highest and the lowest price items in the baskets

Macy’s

Queen blanket

Walmart

Wash cloth

$1.77

Kohl’s

Queen bed in a bag $159.99

Family Dollar

Wash cloth

$0.89

Bed Bath & Beyond Queen bed in a bag $249.00

Big Lots

Wash cloth

$0.50

Marshalls

Queen quilt

JCPenney

Wash cloth

$3.00

JCPenney

Queen bed in a bag $220.00

Bed Bath & Beyond Wash cloth

$2.99

Target

Target

Queen quilt

$99.99

Kmart

Wash cloth

$2.60

Kmart

$77.39

Kmart

Queen sheet set

$79.99

Marshalls

Wash cloth

$2.99

Marshall's

$77.00

Walmart

Queen sheet set

$64.88

Target

Wash cloth

$1.99

Big Lots

$69.49

Family Dollar

Queen bed in a bag

$48.00

Macy’s

Wash cloth

$6.00

Walmart

$63.11

Big Lots

Queen bed in a bag

$69.99

Kohl’s

Wash cloth

$3.99

Family Dollar

htt130202_010_013.indd 12

$500.00

$79.99

$494.00

Macy's

$246.01

Bed Bath & Beyond

$217.00

JCPenney

Kohl's

$156.00 $98.00

$47.11

2/20/2013 3:23:04 PM

MARKET BASKET

> hometextilestoday.com

Marshalls

13

Target

BEDDING Queen sheet set $49.99 Lauren Ralph Lauren cotton Bahrain Queen bed-in-a-bag NA Pair of standard shams** 39.98 Lauren Ralph Lauren cotton China Dust ruffle NA Queen quilt 79.99 Newton Buying Corp. cotton and polyester India Queen blanket 49.99 Lauren Ralph Lauren cotton China Throw 24.99 Marshalls of MA, Inc. polyester and acrylic China TOTAL TOP BEDDING $244.94 -30% FROM $349.95 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet NA Bath towel $12.99 DKNY cotton NA Hand towel 7.99 DKNY cotton NA Wash cloth 3.99 DKNY cotton NA Shower curtain 16.99 Richloom Home Fashions polyester and cotton Pakistan Bath rug 19.99 Trade Lines Inc. polyester China Soap dish 5.99 NA glass and metal India Lotion pump 9.99 NA metal China Tissue box NA TOTAL TOP BATH $77.93 -19.6% FROM $96.92 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S TOP BASKET TOTAL: $322.87 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $446.87 PERCENTAGE CHANGE:-26%

$19.99 NA 19.98 NA 49.99 16.99 12.99 $119.94

NA

microfiber

China

Marshalls of MA, Inc.

polyester

China

Marshalls of MA, Inc. cotton Elite Home Products cotton Sun-Yin USA Inc. polyester +44.5% FROM $82.95 IN 2012

China India China

NA $5.99 Newton Buying Corp. cotton Pakistan 3.99 Newton Buying Corp. cotton Pakistan 2.99 Newton Buying Corp. cotton Pakistan 5.99 Popular Bath Products polyester China 9.99 Tradewinds Imports LLC cotton chenille India 4.99 NA glass China 7.99 NA glass and metal India NA $41.93 -30% FROM $59.92 IN 2012 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $142.87 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: +13.3%

PRICE

BEDDING Queen sheet set $79.99 Target (Fieldcrest) cotton India Queen bed-in-a-bag 79.99 Sunham Home cotton/poly China Pair of standard shams** 39.98 Sunham Home cotton China Dust ruffle 49.99 Target cotton China Queen quilt 99.99 Sunham Home cotton China Queen blanket 69.99 Target (Fieldcrest) cotton China Throw 34.99 Target acrylllic China TOTAL TOP BEDDING $454.92 +1.1% FROM $449.92 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet*** $9.99 Target cotton/rayon India Bath towel 12.99 Target cotton India Hand towel 9.99 Target cotton India Wash cloth 8.99 Target cotton India Shower curtain 29.99 Target cotton India Bath rug 24.99 Target cotton India Soap dish 9.99 Target copper/glass China Lotion pump 12.99 Target Resin China Tissue box NA TOTAL TOP BATH $119.92 -29% FROM $167.91 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S TOP BASKET TOTAL: $574.84 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $617.83 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: -7% *One standard shaw priced at $9.99. **One standard sham priced at $19.99. ***Only one price point in this category NA - Not available

it took a scalpel to bath items, particularly in towels. In addition, there was no tissue box available this year, eliminating $14.99 from the overall ticket for an opening price point basket that came in 8.8% lower than last year.

The story was similar in Target’s top price point basket, where the total bedding price crept up slightly only to be offset by cuts to the top-line shower curtain and bath rug (and the absence of a tissue box).

Walmart’s cuts were weighted more heavily on the top price point basket (down 7.6%) compared to the opening price point collection (down 1.8%).

Its most dramatic price decreases in toptier merchandise took place in queen bed in a bag (nearly $55 cheaper) and queen blanket ($20 less), with small trims on pricing for some bedding and bath items.

PRICE

For the 2013 Market Basket Report, HTT editors visited stores in the metro New York and Miami areas between February 1 and February 15. Only items tagged at everyday prices were included in the survey; sales or clearance items were not used. The following stores were surveyed: Kohl’s Macy’s Marshalls Target Wal-Mart

Bayshore, N.Y. Miami Miami Jersey City, N.J. Farmingdale, N.Y.

MANUFACTURER

CONSTRUCTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

BEDDING Queen sheet set $19.97 Wal-Mart cotton/poly Pakistan Queen bed-in-a-bag 29.96 Wal-Mart polyester China Pair of standard shams 4.97 Wal-Mart polyester China Dust ruffle* 16.97 Wal-Mart polyester China Queen quilt 19.97 Wal-Mart cotton/poly China Queen blanket 9.88 Wal-Mart polyester USA Throw 2.98 Wal-Mart polyester China TOTAL OPENING BEDDING $104.70 -4.2% FROM $109.28 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet $9.97 Wal-Mart cotton China Bath towel 2.97 Wal-Mart cotton Pakistan Hand towel 2.47 Wal-Mart cotton Pakistan Wash cloth 1.77 Wal-Mart cotton Pakistan Shower curtain 3.88 Wal-Mart Peva China Bath rug 6.97 Wal-Mart nylon USA Soap dish 1.88 Wal-Mart ceramic China Lotion pump 1.88 Wal-Mart ceramic China Tissue box* 13.47 Wal-Mart cermaic China TOTAL OPENING BATH $42.56 -4.1% FROM $43.47 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S OPENING TOTAL: $149.96 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $152.75 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: -1.8% BEDDING Queen sheet set $64.88 Wal-Mart cotton India Queen bed-in-a-bag $29.96 Wal-Mart polyester China Pair of standard shams $22.88 Wal-Mart cotton India Dust ruffle* $16.97 Wal-Mart polyester China Queen quilt $54.97 Wal-Mart polyester China Queen blanket $49.96 Wal-Mart polyester China Throw $7.96 Northwest polyester China TOTAL TOP BEDDING $247.58 -14.7% FROM $290.34 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet $12.97 Wal-Mart cotton China Bath towel 8.84 Franco cotton China Hand towel 6.96 Wal-Mart cotton China Wash cloth 5.97 Wal-Mart cotton China Shower curtain 19.88 Wal-Mart polyester China Bath rug 22.97 Wal-Mart nylon USA Soap dish 8.47 Wal-Mart metal China Lotion pump 12.47 Wal-Mart metal China Tissue box* 13.47 Wal-Mart metal China TOTAL TOP BATH $112.00 +3.8% FROM $107.90 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S TOP BASKET TOTAL: $359.58 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $389.24 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: -7.6%

HTT

Methodology Miami West Babylon, N.Y. Lindenhurst, N.Y. Jersey City, N.J. West Long Branch, N.J.

Walmart

OPENING PRICE POINT

basket down 12%. In the bedding department it whacked pricing on shams ($50 this year vs. $120 last year), dust ruffle ($85 vs. $107), and queen blanket ($10 less this year).

In bath, even though Macy’s raised the pricing on its least expensive shower curtain and bath rug, it dropped pricing on the bath sheet, soap dish, lotion pump and tissue box.

In its top price point basket, Macy’s actually raised pricing on many items, but knocking $60 off the tag for its most expensive queen bed in a bag lowered the overall top price point basket by 1.1%.

Target’s opening price point bedding tally was virtually the same as 2012, but

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

TOP PRICE POINT

BASKET FROM PAGE 11

CONSTRUCTION

BEDDING Queen sheet set $32.99 Target cotton Pakistan Queen bed-in-a-bag 49.99 Target cotton/poly China Pair of standard shams* 19.98 Target polyester China Dust ruffle 15.99 Target polyester China Queen quilt 69.99 Target cotton China Queen blanket 16.99 Target polyester China Throw 19.99 Target polyester China TOTAL OPENING BEDDING $225.92 FLAT FROM $225.92 IN 2012 BATH Bath sheet $9.99 Target cotton/rayon India Bath towel 3.99 Target cotton China Hand towel 2.99 Target cotton China Wash cloth 1.99 Target cotton China Shower curtain 9.99 Target PEVA China Bath rug 9.99 Target nylon USA Soap dish 6.99 Target composite China Lotion pump 4.99 Target plastic Taiwan Tissue box NA TOTAL OPENING BATH $50.92 -35% FROM $77.91 IN 2012 THIS YEAR’S OPENING TOTAL: $276.84 LAST YEAR’S TOTAL: $303.83 PERCENTAGE CHANGE: -8.8%

*One standard shaw priced at $9.99. **One standard sham priced at $19.99.

NA - Not available

Price Points

MANUFACTURER

OPENING PRICE POINT

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

TOP PRICE POINT

CONSTRUCTION

OPENING PRICE POINT

MANUFACTURER

TOP PRICE POINT

PRICE

BEDDING Queen sheet set Queen bed-in-a-bag Pair of standard shams* Dust ruffle Queen quilt Queen blanket Throw TOTAL OPENING BEDDING BATH Bath sheet Bath towel Hand towel Wash cloth Shower curtain Bath rug Soap dish Lotion pump Tissue box TOTAL OPENING BATH TOTAL MARKET BASKET $161.87

BBB Big Lots Family Dollar JCPenney Kmart

Home Textiles Today

February 25, 2013

*only one price point

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Home Textiles Today

> hometextilestoday.com

February 25, 2013

PEOPLETodaY Avanti Hires Croscill Vet MOONACHIE, N.J. — Pegeen Cooper has joined Avanti in the newly

PEGEEN COOPER Avanti

created position of director of sales.

Cooper was with Croscill for 27 years and has extensive experience in product development, design and sales, and was a key member of the team responsible for the growth of Croscill’s bath accessory business.

“We are very excited to have someone with Pegeen’s experience and relationships joining us to continue to grow the business,” said Jeff Kaufman, president and coo. HTT

Midwest-CBK hires Laurence Warden as VP of sales C ANNON FALLS , M INN . — Hol-

iday, gifts and home and outdoor décor producer MidwestCBK announced the addition of Laurence Warden as vice president of sales. Warden began his career at Midwest-CBK while in his native England, and now has more than 25 years of experience in the holiday and gift industry.

“MidwestCBK has an incredible legacy and played a lead LAURENCE role in creatWARDENT ing the holiMidwest-CBK day and gift industry, built by outstanding, talented and passionate people who create extraordinary products,” Warden said. “What brought me back to Midwest-CBK is the magic of this special place, which I’m thrilled to share with our customers and the industry. We are in the best industry in the world — the products we sell touch people’s hearts and inspire them to laugh. And I have the best job in the world - I love the fun

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people, changing trends and of course the products.”

In his new role, Warden will lead the independent and national sales teams, focusing on growing sales and ensuring that both customers and the Midwest-CBK team have fun in the process.

“I had the privilege of working with Laurence when we served together at Midwest-CBK in the 1990s, and welcome his tremendous history of success, energy and breadth of experience back to the company and our customers,” said Dick Duff, Midwest-CBK general manager.

“His genuine enthusiasm combined with outstanding sales and leadership will serve our customers, employees and the industry well.”

Warden served in several sales leadership roles at Midwest-CBK in both England and the U.S., including director of national sales. Prior to returning to Midwest-CBK, Warden served as the director of sales for Kaemingk Associates, where he brought the largest European holiday company to the U.S. market HTT

Lowe’s Canada Names New President Current president returning to U.S. operation

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Sylvain Prud’homme will join Lowe’s as president of Lowe’s Canada, effective March 25. He replaces Alan Huggins, who will return to the United States as Lowe’s vp of international operations.

Prud’homme will report to William D. (Doug) Robinson, head of international operations and development.

Most recently, Prud’homme was at Loblaw Company, where he served in executive vice president roles in operations and merchandising. His retail career has included posts at Sobey’s West, Wal-Mart Canada and Super C. “Sylvain brings to Lowe’s deep experience in

national and international retail operations and merchandising across Canada,” said Robinson.

“He is a strategic thinker and a humble leader, and will be an outstanding addition to the leadership team in Canada.”

Huggins was vp of operations when Lowe’s opened its first Canadian stores in 2007 and served as the division’s president since 2009. In his new role, Huggins will be responsible for development of Lowe’s international operations and the coordination across Lowe’s international businesses. HTT Lowe’s Canada currently operates 34 stores and one distribution center. HTT

Gordmans Promotes Morand to Chief Merchant

OMAHA , NEB. — Gordmans has

named Michael Morand executive vp and chief merchandising officer. Previously, he was executive vp of planning, allocation and analysis.

“Mike is an accomplished leader across multiple retail formats and organizations,” said Jeff Gordman, president and ceo. “His merchandising acu-

men, strategic planning proficiency and inventory management expertise make him the perfect choice to lead the combined merchandising and planning team, serving in a critical role necessary to achieve our strategic objectives and drive Gordmans’ continued expansion in both new and existing markets.”

Morand has spent more than 30 years in the retail industry.

Prior to joining Gordmans in 2007, he held senior level positions in merchandising, strategic planning, allocation and marketing for several operating divisions of May Department Stores (now known as Macy’s), including Robinsons-May, Famous Barr and Lord & Taylor. HTT

Ellery Homestyles Beefs up Bedding NEW YORK — Ellery Homestyles hired Janet Gate-

house as vp- bedding, a new position, to lead the expansion of the category.

Gatehouse, who has experience on both the supplier and retail side of the industry, will collaborate with Ellery’s design, product development

and sales teams.

“We are committed to investing resources to become an industry leader in bedding. With the addition of this strategic position, we feel strongly that we are taking a positive step forward.” says Budd Goldman, ceo of Ellery Homestyles. HTT

Brunton International Hires Stoughton D A L L A S — Brunton International has hired Denise Stoughton in the newly created position of design director.

She relocated from New York to Dallas and started her new position Feb. 4.

Most recently, Stoughton was with Maytex.

Prior to that, she spent six years at Croscill as part of her 18-year career in the home textiles industry “She will be a welcome addition to the company and intricately involved in our continued growth,” said Roy Brunton, present. HTT

2/20/2013 11:59:43 AM

> hometextilestoday.com

February 25, 2013

Home Textiles Today

15

HiEnd Accents/HomeMax Readies New York Showroom Debut IRVING, TEXAS — HiEnd Accents, also known as HomeMax, has taken a showroom at 7W ahead of the New York Home Fashions Market, which will take place March 18-21. The showroom is located in Suite 1031.

The company presents its line as “affordable luxury” and is expanding its scope beyond its base in the furniture retail channel into big box home furnishings. A longtime specialist in rustic bedding and home accessories,

HiEnd recently introduced a traditional line, the Landmark Home Collection.

In addition to bedding, HiEnd Accents also offers bath accessories, decorative pillows, window treatments, rugs, dinnerware and

small furniture.

“Retailers want to be able to offer a variety of styles to appeal to every type of customer, and have diversified their offerings to accommodate the ever changing economy,” said Cynthia Zheng,

principal of HiEnd Accents.

“More and more companies pay close attention to regional demographics when they merchandise. As a result, we have achieved steady year-to-year growth with our customers.” HTT

Lueder Joins Downlite MASON , O HIO — Downlite has named David Lueder vp of sales to help support its growth and new brand licenses.

Lueder comes to Downlite with over 20 years of management and sales experience in the industry. He has previously worked at Victoria Classics, Nostalgia Home Fashions, and Pillowtex in top management positions.

Chad Altbaier, who was previously in the position, is transitioning to sales for major accounts as well as leading the growing bulk down segment for the outdoor market. He will reside on the West Coast.

Lueder will reside in Ohio and report to Jim Lape, ceo.

“We are extremely enthused to have Dave join our Downlite team. He is an experienced leader with excellent strategic skills,” said Lape. HTT

HOME TEXTILES TODAY IS ON FACEBOOK. JOIN THE CONVERSATION AT FACEBOOK.COM/HTTMAG

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2/20/2013 3:56:07 PM

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Home Textiles Today

> hometextilestoday.com

February 25, 2013

BUSINESS TodaY Congress Pushes for Online Sales Tax WASHINGTON — A group in congress is once again introducing a bill that would allow states to collect sales tax from internet retailers.

Introduced Feb. 14, sponsors of the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 include more than 50 U.S. senators and representatives. The 11-page bill is at least the third effort in recent years to pass an online sales tax collection measure.

Many businesses believe online retailers have an unfair competitive advantage since they aren’t required to collect state and local sales taxes, since they don’t share the same costs and offer incentives like free shipping.

Some major online retailers buckled in recent years and agreed to start collecting the taxes at a future date.

A press release from the office of U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) said the current bill re-

solves the differences between recent bills in both houses of congress.

It would give states the option to require collection of sales and use taxes already owed under state law by out-of-state businesses. Currently, consumers are required to remit those taxes, but much of the time they go unreported and uncollected.

Currently, brick-and-mortar retailers collect those taxes from customers who make purchases in their stores. Many online and catalog retailers do not collect the same taxes.

Two rules govern the current online retail approach to sales tax.

In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled in National Bellas Hess v. Department of Revenue that mail order resellers needed to have physical contact with a state — other than mail — to be required to collect state sales tax.

In Quill Corp. v. North Dakota, the Supreme Court in 1992 ruled that a business must have a physical presence in a state to collect, but said Congress could overturn the decision by legislating the parameters of state taxation.

It was unclear at press time whether like previous efforts the bill would exempt small sellers — businesses with less than $500,000 in remote sales.

“Small businesses and states alike are suffering from the inability to collect due — not new — taxes from purchases made online,” Womack said in the release.

“The Marketplace Fairness Act is the bipartisan, bicameral, common-sense solution that promotes states’ rights and levels the playing field for our Main Street businesses rather than continuing to allow the government to pick marketplace winners and losers.” HTT

Same-store sales

Love Was in the Air for Comps N EW YORK — Valentine’s Day promos helped

ond week of the retail calendar, versus the third week last year, which positively affected comparisons for retailers,” she added.

Sales were healthy in traditional Valentine’s Day categories such as flowers, cosmetics, jew-

push comps up 3.1% in the second week of February following a 2.4% gain the prior week, according to The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index.

Month-to-date, February Johnson Redbook Index was up 2.8% compared to Second week of February, year-over-year % change February of last year, relative

to a target of a 2.9% gain.

WEEK ENDED 2/9 2/16 2/23 3/02 MONTH TARGET Month-over-month showed a Department stores* 0.5 1.5 1.0 1.5 1.5% gain, relative to a target Discounters 3.4 4.0 3.7 3.7 Redbook Index 2.4 3.1 2.8 2.9 of a 1.6% gain. *Including chain stores and traditional department stores Shoppers finished their ValSource: Johnson Redbook Index entine’s Day shopping by midweek and began to take advantage of President’s Day promotions toward elry and candy. The in customer traffic also liftthe end of the week, noted Redbook analyst ed sales in categories not directly related to the event, including basic and seasonal apparCatlin Levis.

“Some attributed the strength to the fact el, food and household goods, all of which saw that this year’s Valentine’s Day fell on the sec- satisfactory business. HTT

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NRF: Retail Sales Inched Up 0.3% in January

WASHINGTON — In response to the increase in payroll taxes and rise in gasoline and energy prices, consumers adjusted their spending in January, lifting sales for the month slightly.

This is according to the National Retail Federation, which earlier this month reported January retail sales – excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants – increased 0.3% seasonally adjusted from December and increased 5.4% unadjusted year-over-year.

Sales at furniture and home furnishing stores’ sales decreased 0.2% seasonally-adjusted monthto-month and increased 5.8% unadjusted year-over-year.

“Today’s retail sales figures continue to indicate a stable yet fragile economy,” said NRF president and ceo Matthew Shay. “Consumers are continuing to hold back on spending just as our economy is held back by political brinkmanship in D.C. The failure to address the critical challenges confront-

Iconix Revved About Royal Velvet ICONIX FROM PAGE 1

week. “We are rolling it out to shops in May. But it is already doing better than we thought it would. JCPenney has had some troubles, but we are very confident about how they are executing the program.”

In his prepared remarks at the onset of the presentation, he noted, “For Royal Velvet, we are now one year into the transition, and there should only be upside from here.”

Overall, home “continued to perform well,” over the past quarter and fiscal year, Cole

ing our economy will continue to dampen consumer confidence, which will in turn mute sales and growth.”

January retail sales released today by the U.S. Department of Commerce showed total retail and food services sales, which include non-general merchandise categories such as automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants, increased 0.1% seasonally adjusted month-tomonth and increased 4.7% adjusted year-over-year.

“With the return of healthy housing prices, stronger employment statistics combined with historic highs on Wall Street at the end of 2012 and 2013, consumers seem a bit more confident these days,” NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz said.

“Even though retail sales were relatively modest in January, consumers seem to have adjusted accordingly to rising taxes and energy prices. Far from secure, consumer confidence continues to be shaky.” HTT said, especially via strengths from the Charisma, Sharper Image, and Fieldcrest brands.

Still, the drag from Royal Velvet was blamed in part for offsetting “healthy trends across the majority of our portfolio” during the fourth quarter, noted Warren Clamen, Iconix evp and cfo.

Iconix’s fourth quarter total revenue was down 11% to $85.1 million, compared to $95.5 million the prior year period.

Net income dipped 7.7% to $28.9 million versus the year ago’s $31.3 million, while earnings per share for the quarter came in flat at 41 cents.

Full year 2012 total revenue fell 4.3% to $353.8 million. Net income slid 4.2% to $122.0 million. HTT

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Untitled-1 1

8/31/2011 12:50:57 PM

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Home Textiles Today

February 25, 2013

Calendar March 10 – 14

CMC Gift & Home Market California Market Center Los Angeles californiamarketcenter.com/markets/ lagifthome.php

17 HTT’s New York Market Kickoff Party 230 Fifth Avenue Rooftop Lounge (646) 805-0226 www.hometextilestoday.com

18 – 21 New York Home Fashions Market Home Fashion Products Association (212) 297-2122 (Kellen Co.) www.homefashionproducts.com

17 – 20 ASD Las Vegas Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, (310) 481-7300 www.asdonline.com

19 – 23

21 – 24 Dallas Total Home & Gift Market Dallas Market Center, Dallas (800) 325-6587 www.dallasmarketcenter.com

26 – 28 Domotex asia/CHINAFLOOR Shanghai New International Convention Center, Shanghai, China +86 21 6247 7668 www.domotexasiachinafloor.com

April 3–5

Lineapelle Fair District, Bologna, Italy +39 02 8807711 www.lineapelle-fair.it

15 – 18 Home Expo India India Expo Centre and Mart 91-11-26135256 www.epch.in/homeexpo

htt130202_020 20

www.icff.com

Vision13: International Window Coverings EXPO New Orleans Convention Center, New Orleans (651) 293-1544 www.wf-vision.com

15 – 17

20 – 23

Evteks CNR Expo, Istanbul, Turkey +90 212 465 74 75 http://www.cnrevteks.com/

HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles Fair 2013 Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Hong Kong (852) 1830 668 www.hktdc.com/en-buyer/

20 – 25 High Point Market International Home Furnishings Center, Other locations, High Point, N.C. (336) 869-1000 www.highpointmarket.org

May 7–9

Hospitality & Design Show Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas (508) 743-8502 www.hdexpo.com

15 – 19

19 – 21 Surtex Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York (914) 421-3200 www.surtex.com

June 2–5

Showtime Fabric Fair Market Square, Textile Tower, High Point, N.C. (336) 885-6842 www.itma-showtime.com

Proposte Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Como, Italy +39 02 6434054 www.propostefair.it

10 – 12 NeoCon World’s Trade Fair The Merchandise Mart, Chicago (800) 677-6278 www.merchandisemart.com/neocon 18 – 20 Licensing International Expo Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas (212) 951-6612 www.licensingexpo.com

19 - 25 Dallas Holiday & Home Expo Dallas Market Center, Dallas (800) 325-6587 www.dallasmarketcenter.com

19 – 23 Dallas Total Home & Gift Market Dallas Market Center, Dallas (800) 325-6587 www.dallasmarketcenter.com

19 - 23

18 – 21 International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York (914) 421-3200

Japan International Exhibition Center (Tokyo Big Sight), Tokyo, Japan +81 3 3262 8453 www.interior-lifestyle.com

5–7 Interior Lifestyle (Ambiente/ Heimtextil/HomeDesign)

F!NDS Dallas Temp Show World Trade Center, Market Hall, Dallas (214) 655-6116 www.dallasmarketcenter.com

25 - 27 Global Sources China Sourcing Fair Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, Florida +852 8199-7308 www. visit@chinasourcingfair.com

26 - 29 & July 3 – 6 New Designers Business Design Centre, London 020 7288 6738 www.newdesigners.com

July

10 – 17 The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market AmericasMart, Atlanta (404) 220-3000 www.americasmart.com

11 - 14 The Atlanta International Area Rug Market AmericasMart, Atlanta (404) 220-3000 www.americasmart.com

16 –18 Texworld USA Jacob K. Javits Center, New York (770) 984-8016 ext. 401 http://www.texworldusa.com

16 - 18 Home Textiles Sourcing Jacob K. Javits Center, New York (770) 984 8016 www.HomeTextilesSourcing.com

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Home Textiles Today

February 25, 2013

News

Walmart Fourth Quarter Beats Estimates B E N T O N V I L L E , A R K . — WalMart Stores Inc. out-performed its fourth quarter guidance, with income from contributing operations up 7.9% to $5.6 billion, or $1.67 per share.

Some of the highlights from management’s remarks on the business: • At Walmart’s U.S. stores, home continued to post positive comps in the low single-digit range during the fourth quarter, with home décor leading the

business.

• At Sam’s Club, domestics comps were up by double-digits.

• Walmart U.S. just marked the first full year of positive comp sales in apparel in 7 years.

• Walmart is accelerating the small format rollout. In the recent fiscal year, it opened 76 small formats, including Neighborhood Markets and Express Stores. It plans to add approximately 100 small stores this year.

For the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31, consolidated sales rose 3.9% to $127.1 billion. Sales at Walmart U.S. stores increased 2.6% to $74.7 billion, while sales a Sam’s Club were up 3.4% to $14.5 billion.

For the full fiscal year, income from continuing operations was up 7.9% to $16.999 billion, or $5.04 per share.

Consolidated fiscal year sales climbed 5.0% to $446.1 billion.

Sales were up 3.9% to $274.5

> hometextilestoday.com

Iconix Ups 2013 Guidance NEW YORK — To reflect the company’s acquisition of British denim brand Lee Cooper, Iconix Brand Group has raised its 2013 guidance.

It calls for the following: • Revenue of $425 million to $435 million, compared to the prior guidance of $415 million to $425 million; • Earnings per share of $2.05 to $2.15, from $2.00 to $2.10; • Free cash flow to $203 million to $210 million, from $196 million to $203 million.

“Over the past year we have executed on several exciting initiatives that position our company for significant growth,” said Neil Cole, chairman and ceo. “We acquired three iconic brands, continued to expand our global footprint, signed a Peanuts movie deal and launched a new $1.1 billion securitization facility.”

Iconix now owns more than 30 brands. HTT

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News

February 25, 2013

23

Home Textiles Today

360 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10010 Tel: (646) 805-0227; Fax: (646) 365-2307

Home Categories a Highlight for HSNi ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – Sales growth in home design and household, especially home textiles, at HSN and in the Cornerstone home brands Ballard Designs and Grandin Road were credited with helping drive parent company HSNi’s performance over the fourth quarter and full year.

As evp and cfo Judy Schmeling highlighted during the multi-channel retailer’s earnings call last week, sales increased in the quarter in every product category at HSN, and every Cornerstone brand had a significant increase in digital penetration.

Added Mindy Grossman, ceo and director: “It was a record year for customer growth and digital penetration at both HSN and Cornerstone…

HSN experienced a number of key milestones, including 3% growth in its customer file — the largest in five years — and retention rates achieved 10-year highs. HSN’s mobile sales

Croscill CROSCILL FROM PAGE 1

the $199-$249 range. “We simply felt that there was an opportunity to express a higher level of design through the same traditional voice for this customer. ” As important to the new strategy is targeting a newer customer. “Secondly, we have a compelling need within the brand to start to diversify our demographics, to appeal to a new customer. This does not indicate that the brand will become something entirely different in terms of aesthetics, but that it will begin to speak in a new traditional voice.

“This is intended to bring a more current and relevant voice to the brand,“ he said, “to allow it to speak to where traditional design for the home should evolve directionally.

You will see both pieces in March market.”

This will be part one of the new Croscill strategy. The company will make a second statement in June with the launch of a program Granger will only say now is “intended to create both a sense of anticipation on the consumer’s part as well as a sense of urgency.” He said these are two emotions “not commonly felt

htt130202_001_022_023.indd 23

continued to accelerate, reaching $63 million in the quarter, nearly exceeding total mobile sales for all of 2011.”

HSNi’s sales over the fourth quarter, ended Dec. 31, grew 7%to $982.9 million, including 11% growth in digital sales. Cornerstone’s sales rose 6% to $299.1 million, including 14% growth in digital sales.

Operating income increased 8% to $92.8 million, and was also favorably impacted by a reduction in stock-based compensation. GAAP dilutedand earnings per share from continuing operations increased 27% to $1.

HSNi’s annual sales grew 6% over the prior year to $3.3 billion. HSN’s net sales were up 5% to $2.3 billion, including 10% growth in digital sales. Cornerstone’s sales climbed 10% to $1.0 billion, including 18% growth in digital sales.

Annual operating income increased 8% to $258.7 million, and EPS jumped 12% to $2.36.

Looking ahead, the company is hoping to build on its recent momentum, especially in home.

The HSN property last month launched a “digital redesign” across all platforms to better integrate its content with community and commerce.

“As with any other undertaking of this magnitude there is a period of refinement and customer acclamation, so we do expect digital sales at HSN to be tempered in the first quarter as these actions are fully implemented,” Schmeling warned.

At Cornerstone, the “immediate focus is to leverage last year’s success in outdoor furnishings in the home brands, particularly at Frontgate, which is launching its largest outdoor collection ever.” HTT

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in home furnishings, but very common in successful consumer products business.”

The company will also begin the process of transforming the Excell and Glenoit brands in March as well.

He said there will be two launches of “incredibly innovative solutions for basic bath products” at market.

Again, Granger played the details close to the vest but said they would focus around the shower curtain category where he believes there is an “opportunity to have the consumer view them as disposable fashion, creating a faster cadence of change.”

On the Glenoit side of the house, the focus will be on the Resilience rug program for kitchen, “bringing further innovation” to the category.

And come September market, the Excell brand will be officially relaunched, again emphasizing design and increased frequency of purchase based on fashion.

The company enters the new year following what was a “difficult” but ultimately successful 2012, Granger said. “We were able to address quite a few of our own internal issues during the past six months and as a result I am very happy that both companies (Croscill and Excell/Glenoit) will finish the year profitability.”

They will also enter the new year as a nationally recognized Women’s Business Enterprise as part of parent company Patriarch Partners. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council says it is the nation’s leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America’s corporations. Patriarch, owned by Lynn Tilton, purchased Excell, Glenoit and Croscill in 2008.

Since arriving Granger has restructured the management at the company and now believes he has the team in place to make all of this happen. Included are: Richard Warren, senior vp of sales and merchandising; Carl Mofield, senior vp of global operations based at the company’s Goldsboro, N.C. facility; Nina Bostick, vp of sourcing and product development; Kathleen Moore, vp of Croscill design; Noelle Smith, vp of Excell design; Alison Sarkozy and Michelle LaRovere, head of Excell and Croscill sales, respectively.

As the company’s showroom in 295 Fifth Avenue began its market metamorphosis, Granger said the overriding idea was to step up the pace of new products. “We are focused on bringing more innovation across the board.” HTT

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