Home Textiles Today April 1st Issue by Sandow Media

Monday, April 1, 2013

THE BUSINESS AND FASHION NEWSPAPER OF THE HOME TEXTILES INDUSTRY

Window Makers See Improvements BY JILL ROWEN

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| Vol. 34, No. 9 | $8.00

Walkin’ and Talkin’ at the NY Market Celebs, Cotton and Costs Contribute to Conversation

NEW YORK — “Cautiously optimistic” was the mood of window coverings suppliers prior to market and that turned into “couldn’t be more pleased” post-market for many. With housing starts now showing growth, it spells a better mood in the curtain category. Energy-efficiency and black out-style constructions continue to expand, and almost all manufacturers agree that the Internet continues to be a growing avenue for the industry. In fact, companies a r e s p e n di n g m o r e time – and money – on capturing the online shopper. According to Jason Carr, co-founder, Softline Home Fashions, the company has been aggressive in fine tuning its Internet presence. Softline’s approach is far from static, and it is quick to change and update products, mirroring what’s selling and what’s not, agreed Rodney Carr, co-founder. “We’ve elevated our customer service reps to account managers, with a raise,” noted Jason. Arguello, part of the Fresco “Customer service is not trend from Ellery Homestyles. just answering a phone anymore. It’s about serving the customer. That same concern for ease led us to the Simple Shade.” Simple Shade is Softline’s latest innovation, a peel and stick drapery product. Softline is also making a statement with

NEW YORK — WestPoint Home is investing in manufacturing again, with work already under way to boost capacity at its bedding facility in Bahrain. WestPoint is self-funding the $10 million capital expenditure, according to Norman Savaria, president and ceo. “There’s a lot more confidence in what’s going on in the plant and the results we’re getting there,” he said. The company is converting to compact cotton spinning, which

SEE WINDOWS PAGE 20

SEE WESTPOINT PAGE 23

BY HTT STAFF NEW YORK — They came, the saw and — if they didn’t exactly buy — retailers shopping last month’s New York Home Fashions Market had plenty to look at and even more to talk about. From new celebrity lines to Made in America programs to the growing impact of online to the industry’s favorite topic — prices and raw material costs — buyers and sellers alike said it was generally a positive market. Now comes the hard part: Getting all those new products onto store shelves Yarn prices, a subject of concern Party time! Mike Walsh of Sunham Home Fashions, left, at Heimtextil in January, received and Mike Doherty of Ellery Homestyles caught up during SEE RECAP PAGE 22

HTT’s market kickoff party. For more party photos see pages 12-14.

WestPoint Home’s $10 Milion Spend WestPoint’s Seduction line includes extremely low-twist towels as well as a bedding lifestyle story.

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Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

News

Iman Makes Her Bed with Alok home textiles products. “My passion has always been home,” she told HTT on the eve of market in the Alok showroom in 7W. “I love textiles. When I was a model, the other girls used to go out at night, but I would go to flea markets looking at fabrics. My husband [singer David Bowie] calls me a chic hoarder.” Iman said she took her time in finding the right partner to work with for finished products. “I’m very sensitive about price points and understanding that just because it doesn’t cost a lot doesn’t mean the quality has to suffer. We found the right partner in Alok.” Arun Agarwal, president of Alok, agreed, pointing out the embellishments, sewing details and styling of the groups, which will hit a $199 price point for three-piece queen comforter sets. Many of the designs are derived from the Kaufmann fabric line. Iman said she thinks American consumers are ready for the

BY WARREN SHOULBERG N EW YORK — Iman, the striking African-born model who has gone on to be a designer and entrepreneur, is adding another line to her resume with the introduction of a home textiles collection for Alok. The line, which includes three bedding ensembles with coordinating towels, debuted during market and is set to arrive in stores this fall. The groups offer design statements from around the globe, spanning from Morocco to Ibiza to Hollywood. Iman, born in Somalia, first burst onto the international scene as a fashion model gracing the covers of Vogue and other publications. She continued to work with designers, eventually creating her own line of cosmetics and then apparel that has been a huge hit for Home Shopping Network. Several years ago she moved into the home arena with a line of fabrics for P. Kaufmann, but this is her first line of finished

raised in Providence, R.I., he was a longtime resident of this suburban New Jersey community. McCarthy — known to friends as Geno or just Gene — spent his entire career in the home textiles industry, starting as a salesperson after graduating from Providence College.

Tracking Textiles ONLINE ON THE KITCHEN/DINING MENU Internet dollar sales of kitchen and dining room textiles continue to grow* Online

Online

11%

Other

Brick &Mortar

91%

87%

2/11-1/12

2/12-1/13

*Data may not add up to 100% due to rounding

While the online share grew over the past year, the average price spent for these products online is nearly double the price paid in-store. The most dramatic gain was in kitchen linens where online sales grew from 5% to 11% in dollars and almost every category within the segment contributed to this increase. Source: The NPD Group, Inc./Consumer Tracking Service. 12 months ending January 2013

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Fashion icon Iman and Alok president Arun Agarwal with the featured Morocco bed, part of her bed and bath launch.

sophisticated prints and layering of the beds based on what is going in apparel design. “Six years ago everything in fashion was neutral and gray. Now it’s all about prints and layering. It’s totally changed, and that customer who is buying those fashions will

be looking at them for her home now. The landscape is ready for these looks. “Americans are still conservative, but they are willing to go for these looks. They just need someone to curate the collections. And that’s my job.” HTT

Eugene F. McCarthy Passes NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J. — Gene McCarthy, one of a generation of career-long textiles veterans who rose to be president of Fieldcrest Mills and continued to work well into his 70s, passed away in late March after an illness. He was 76. Born in Philadelphia and

He eventually became presi- his deep faith and was the beddent of Fieldcrest in the 1990s at rock and best friend to his devota time when as one of the smaller ed wife and children. American textiles mills it special“He was a longtime volunteer ized in better products for the de- and board member of the Amerpartment store trade. It was also a ican Red Cross Summit Chapcompany with a preponter, a member of the derance both of execuCanoe Brook Country tives of Irish American Club and an optimistic descent and excellent golfer and a proud pargolfers. ticipant in his monthly While he qualified on book club. both fronts, McCarthy was McCarthy is sureven better known as “a vived by his wife, GENE MCCARTHY gentleman” by friends and Carol, and his five co-workers, and that image children: Eugene F. stayed with him throughout his ca- (Jay) McCarthy Jr., John McCarreer even after he left Fieldcrest in thy and his wife Amy, Thomas a change of management. McCarthy and his wife Wendy, While the information sup- Billy McCarthy and his wife plied by his family for his obit- Sue and Meghan Duttenhofer uary said he retired in 2000, he and her husband Steve; and his was usually seen at market and brother, Terrance McCarthy. He around the industry representing is also survived by 11 (soon to be CDS, the textiles finishing com- 12) grandchildren: Jack, Emily, pany in South Carolina where Molly, Owen, Katie, Sarah, Lucy, he had earlier served as an exec- Jack, Andrew, Matt and Tommy. utive. He worked markets as reIn lieu of flowers, the famicently as last year. ly is asking that donations in his In the notice of his passing, memory be made to the Leukehis family noted, “Gene will for- mia/Lymphoma Society, 1311 ever be remembered for his gen- Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, erous spirit, keen insight and his NY 10605 or the New Proviever-present sense of humor. He dence Rescue Squad, 7 Academy was a true gentleman, guided by St. New Providence, NJ. HTT

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Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

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OPINIONTodaY Feeling the Pressure Can the Internet Save the Home Textiles Industry?

T’S NOT OF T EN R ETA IL ISSUES go viral on the Internet, but last week a photo posted on Reddit by an Australian consumer went flying around the web, generating a lot of discussion about showrooming and one store’s ham-handed attempt to dissuade it. The photo depicted a sign that greets shoppers as they enter Celiac Supplies, a specialty food store in Brisbane. “As of the first of February, this store will be charging a $5 fee per person for ‘just looking.’ The $5 will be deducted when good (sic) are purchased.” The placard goes on to explain there has been “a high volume of people who use this store as a reference and then purchase goods elsewhere.” I’ve not seen any coverage about what impact the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF policy has had on the store’s traffic, but I suspect only the most dedicated shopper would walk into a place that administers what is essentially a cover charge for entry. As the opportunities presented by ecommerce continue to grow, operators of brick-and-mortar stores are struggling to compete as their mobile-toting consumers wander the aisles comparison shopping. A recent study by digital tracker Placed found Bed Bath & Beyond is the retailer most vulnerable to losing a potential in-store sale to Amazon via showrooming. The same survey found consumers were most likely to engage the Amazon Price Check app while strolling through TJMaxx. Target during the recent holiday season announced a price match policy in hopes of keeping its customers from straying to the Internet. Interestingly, the first in-store sign I saw calling out the policy was placed next to one of Target’s private label apparel brands. Cute. It seems every time you turn around another Internet retailer has sprouted up, and etailers that built their base on a single category (e.g., cookware, shoes) are now charging into home. (Did you know The Google Store carries blankets?) How to counter? JCPenney ceo Ron Johnson doesn’t get a lot of love these days, but I think his idea that stores need to offer more than just merchandise is valid. Maybe some of the celebrities who are slapping their names on merchandise should commit to some store-level face time to generate traffic. Maybe there needs to be more kids craft days and cooking demonstrations. Maybe when Ashley is standing in front of a Lacoste bedding display with her iPhone in hand, the device needs to spit out a message that says: “Hey Ashley, Macy’s will give you an extra 15% discount if you buy this duvet set in this store in the next 90 minutes.” There definitely needs to be more fun in the art of the deal. HTT

Jennifer Marks

T F IR ST I T WA S JUST a random comment or two, and then the topic started to show up more frequently and by the end of the week, it was the single most mentioned theme of all the conversations I was involved in during the New York home textiles market two weeks ago. Everyone, it seemed, wanted to talk about how the Internet was in the process of totally changing the business model of the American home textiles industry. Anyone who’s been folding sheets and towels for any period of time knows all about the dead-end corner this industry has painted itself into: Extremely distribution in the hands of a dozen or so ginormous reWarren concentrated tailers, total dependence on proprietary and dedicated product to the Shoulberg near-fatal elimination of national brands and a singular focus on low pricing to the exclusion of virtually any other purchasing trigger. PUBLISHER/ Just when it seemed as if this situation would never change — inEDITORIAL DIRECTOR deed, would continue to deteriorate — along comes the Internet to change everything. All of a sudden, there are not just 10 customers who control distribution with an iron pencil. All of a sudden, there are the kinds of choices in places to sell product that haven’t existed in a generation. All of sudden, the deck is not quite so stacked. Consider this scenario, which was played out all over market week: The brick-and-mortar buyer comes into a showroom and says she has one open-to-buy slot and she wants a green floral bed-in-a-bag on 250thread-count with poly blend comforter and her store branding. And by the way, 52 vendors are bidding for this program and she will give it to the supplier who offers to buy out the existing inventory of the previous program in this space and then will put up the most markdown money. The next appointment is from the online buyer for the same store. She’ll take everything in the showroom. It’s an amazing dynamic and if this particular example is exaggerated a bit for effect, it’s not by much. It’s as if the floodgates have been opened and there are now hundreds, maybe even thousands, of outlets to place home textiles products rather than just 10. The equation that has been the foundation of this business for the past two decades has been turned totally upside down. Mind you, it’s not quite that easy. Minimum manufacturing orders are still a huge factor, and no supplier is going to commit to a container load of product just because some website is going to post a picture of an item on their bedding page. But the stranglehold the big stores have held this industry hostage with is starting to loosen up a bit and that’s hugely good news for those in the business and ultimately for the people who use these products, too. Contrary to popular belief, there may even be a future for this industry after all. HTT

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News

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Pem America Introduces Keaton Home NEW YORK — Award-winning actress Diane Keaton — also a serial house renovator who has authored two books on the subject —stepped onto the stage during market week at Pem America with a collection of four beds under the k By Keaton brand. “I like to think of home as more a play house rather than this st atic place that never changes,” Keaton told HTT. The collection of duvet sets, sheet sets, blankets and quilts are designed so the consumer can personalize the way they put things together. “This is something I’ve truly loved for a very long time,” she said. Elsewhere in the Pem showroom, the company introduced Modern Trusseau, a more mod-

ern take on luxury that eschews sweetness in favor of velvets and matelasses. In the Poetic Wanderlust by Tracy Porter that Pem debuted last market, Pem has introduced a new top of bed construction: jacquard burn-out voile. The company also tweaked its Seventeen line this market to address a slightly older consumer, the firstapartment girl. Pem’s array of quilts swings from last market’s eye-catching brights to more masculine, Japanese-inspired motifs this time around under the name Japanese Workwear. “It’s global, but it’s not straying so far from traditional that people don’t understand it,” said Dewey Cabe, vp of design. HTT

Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

Aussino Teams with Taylor Swift NEW YORK — Singer/songwriter

Taylor Swift’s new line of home textiles debuted during last month’s New York Home Fashions Market. Multi-category manufacturer Aussino also previewed a line that included top of bed, quilts, dec pillows, solid color towels, beach towels, tote bags and apron. The supplier plans to add robes and sleepwear to the collection for the official launch. Swift, a seven-time Grammy Award winner, is raising her profile in the products business. She recently signed on as the face of Diet Coke, and she promotes girl power in a Keds campaign that broke earlier this year. She has two perfumes in the market as well as a line of

greeting cards with American Greetings. “This is a fresh look,” said Steve Lewis, Aussino president. “A store can really build around this brand.” Former Boscov’s ceo Burt Krieger, who has known Swift’s family since she was in grade school, is working with the actress on brand and product development. He described how the pajamas Swift sported in her “Never Getting Back Together” video — an outfit whipped up by a stylist from a funky piece of fabric — received so many queries from fans that the team quickly put a line into production. “We sold 2,300 in three days on her Facebook page,” he said, noting there was no effort made

to sell the PJs elsewhere. “We say she is ‘authentically composed.’ ” Aussino created two lines of bedding for Taylor Swift Home. The first addresses “the young Taylor,” a nod to her breakout at age 16 as well as her young fan following with sweet prints. The other reflects the more sophisticated sensibilities of the now 23-year-old Swift, a designer-wearing celeb who’s no stranger to the red carpet. Elsewhere in Aussino’s introductions, the company is doing more embroidered quilts and dec pillows. The company has jumped into the pet bed business as well. In bath, Aussino is now rolling out accessories to coordinate with its shower curtains. HTT

Gramercy in the k By Keaton collection features a pinstripe duvet cover.

Floor and toss pillows key off Swift’s latest album, “Red.” Below: One of the more grown-up bedding designs, which reflects Swift’s appearances on the red carpet.

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3/27/2013 4:19:28 PM

Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

News

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FIRST MONDAY:

Linens & Lingerie Adapts to Serve Generations Of Shoppers BY CECILE B. CORRAL TOWSON , M D. — In just 1,100 square feet of selling space, longtime luxury linens shop owner Blair Franke manages to efficiently but effectively cater to three generations of customers in this upscale suburb of Baltimore. “We have a lot crammed in a small space,” Franke, who began working at the store 15 years ago,

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told HTT. Her mother, Elizabeth Franke, founded Linens & Lingerie as a neighborhood linens shop in 1983, not long after her husband passed away. As Franke put it, “My mother did not want to be one of those lunch ladies,” so she seized the opportunity to open her store when another linens shop in the area was going out of business. The rest is history.

AUG 17-21

Linens & Lingerie in Towson, Md., caters to multiple generations of shoppers in its small space.

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“We have a high-end client and we’ve had a strong customer base for our whole 30 years, and they keep coming back, and now their children have grown up and come back to us to shop for themselves and their own children.” That isn’t by chance. It is part of Franke’s grander plan – one she sketched soon after joining the company, and continues to work on today. “When I came on board, my friends told me they liked the store but thought it was too expensive,” explained Franke, who earlier in her career was a graphic designer and then switched to selling print to

graphic designers in advertising agencies. “So I got to work with my mother to try to carry other items, like a gift line and soaps, and expanding the baby department so that we could get more people in here on regular basis. The idea was for them to come in to see the gifts or the baby line, and then from there we’d show them our linens and work from that angle.” The plan has worked, especially in more recent years as the U.S. economy steadily improved, she said. “A year ago I started working with my marketing rep to help us reach a younger clien-

tele, so for that we are pushing more baby items, more accessories, and more gifts,” Franke continued. “We also are doing more social media, and use it to promote our events at the store, or talk about trends in thread count, or to show our newest products at the store and some new things we might have found at the latest gift shows, for example.” About 60% of Linens & Lingerie’s business is on the linens side, comprised of high-end bedding components – sheeting, shams, duvets, and other soft accessories – as well as bath towel ensembles, accessories and robes, and table linens. The other 40% includes lin-

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gerie, particularly pieces that match with the bedding, as well as nursery linens, baby and young children’s clothing, and small gift items. Despite room for just a single display bed, Linens & Lingerie’s home textiles supplier list is long and varied – “we probably work with 20 different ones,” Franke said. Among them are Matouk, Hamburg House, Stamattina, Home Treasures, N.C. Souther, Schlossberg Switzerland, and Peacock Alley. In t able linens, brands include Garnier Thiebaut, Beauvais, La Maisonnette, and more. As Linens & Lingerie’s customer base expands, so does its merchandise mix and services. Franke said custom monogram-

Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

ming and embroidery continue to be important, but print sheeting is more recently a growing niche. Easy-care bedding is also big lately, as “more and more younger customers prefer it” – but when luxury is part of the offering. To meet that need, Linens & Lingerie relies on Hamburg House and Matouk – “both of them both carry very nice easy-care sheets.” Prices also speak to all generations. For a Peacock Alley or a Matouk 300-count bedding ensemble, the price tag falls around $250, in some cases even with embroidery work. On the other extreme are 600- to 1,000-count custom embroidered bedding ensembles that retail for about $2,500. HTT

Manufacturers including Matouk, Hamburg House, Stamattina, Home Treasures, N.C. Souther, Schlossberg Switzerland and Peacock Alley are represented.

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Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

News

Ellison Introduces 100% U.S.-Made Bedding

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HomTex Debuts DreamFit Living VINEMONT, ALA. — HomTex is expanding upon its DreamFit brand,

which serves mattress and furniture store channels, with the launch of DreamFit Living for the retail segment of the industry. The brand covers sheets, pillows, mattress pads and toppers. “We are very excited about today and the future of textiles at HomTex,” said Jerry Wootten, president and ceo of HomTex Inc. “Our focus is to develop and innovate the top-of-bed and pillow categories so they continue to benefit today’s consumers. For us, it’s about finding the right products to make people’s lives better.” DreamFit Living sheets and mattress pads and toppers feature the patented FitRit Construction; which includes additional sewn panels, plus extra-wide elastic and lock-stitching to stay snug. DreamFit Living sheets are made from American-grown cotton that is woven, cut and sewn in the United States. Also at market last month, the company debuted the HomTex Mills brand of affordable quality sheets, top-of-bed collections, decorative pillows and more. HTT

All-American: No part of Ellison’s new U.S.made bedding has ever touched foreign soil.

NEW YORK — Ellison has introduced a line of duvet and sheet sets that has been completely produced in the U.S., from the cotton to the spinning to the weaving to the finishing to the cut-and-sew. “We feel we are the only company out there that can weave wide-width sheeting domesti-

cally,” said Kevin Finlay, ceo, who cut his teeth as an American mill executive. “We’ve got something that is truly, 100% made here.” Debuting under the brand Ellison American Classic, the solid-color sheets will be offered in 300-count and 400count constructions in six col-

ors. The duvet cover program will initially be offered in white and champagne only – and is trimmed with eyelet made in the United States. The up-market collection is made with Supima cotton in a percale weave, “a very traditional American construction,” Finlay noted. HTT

HomTex’s Comfort Combinations pillow allows consumers to add or subtract pillow inserts to create the combination of height and support that suits them best.

Bardwil Cooks up New House Line of Kitchen Textiles NEW YORK — Fashion and functionality are the focus of the first, full-fledged Bardwil-branded kitchen textiles collection, which launched at the New York Home Fashions Market. “We know that kitchen is a growth category, and we want to be part of it,” said Amy Zemser, vp of sales and marketing. “We’ve always worked with license brands and private label in kitchen textiles. But now, we’re seeing a real opportunity to make a strong statement of our own under the Bardwil brand. It will help us to better serve our customers in the mid- to high-end tier department stores.” The new line spans three kitchen textiles groupings. As described by Zemser, they are: • The fiber-reactive printed grouping, which “really speaks to the modern, millennial, nontraditional lifestyle with its very, very colorful looks.” Patterns are summery and geometric, and in some cases globally inspired. A herringbone theme also comes into play on a matching flat-woven towel and a coordinating pot mitt. • Decorative flat-woven towels and bar mops. “We’re keying in on outdoorsy, gather-round, al fresco living for casually gourmet home-cooking types.” Patterns are casual, clean and simple – stripes and a herringbone element – translated in six tasty colorways: chili pepper, avocado, truffle, nutmeg, almond and plum. • Traditional three-pack printed flat-woven towel sets, with iconic design themes: apple, coffee, rooster, fern and a moose. “A great value, we’re selling these packs to our mid to better retail customers.” HTT

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Bardwil serves a feast of colors and textures with its new, first-ever comprehensive house line of kitchen components.

3/27/2013 5:20:56 PM

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Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

Maples Touts History, U.S.-Made Products S C O T T S B O R O , A L A . — After

almost five decades of domestically producing area, accent and bath rugs, there is no doubt that Maples Industries is well versed in the home textiles industry. During market last month, the three-generations-old company — with roots that date back to 1928 — weaved something else for retail customers: its own story. Maples Industries touted its rich history in home textiles in tandem with the launch of its latest bevy of new wares – all made in the USA under the new tagline “Rugs Across America.” “The big story for us at market is ‘Made in America,’ ” said Wade Maples, a co-founder and co-owner of the company, along with his wife and two sons. “It really works for us — to be a domestic supplier — so we are really going to play off that in everything we say and do at market.” He noted that he and his team plan to share their stories about the company’s history with buyers — many of whom he said don’t know it — “so we will re-emphasize that in our conversations with them.” Helping tell the story are several new displays throughout the showroom, stressing

that “everything we make is made right here in Alabama,” added Patricia “Pat” Maples, co-owner and head of product development and design, and Wade’s wife. Although Maples Industries was founded in 1967 by John “Wade” Maples and his father, John Maples Sr., it was originally started in 1928 by John Maples Sr. and his siblings and mother as The Maples Company. The product offering included bedspreads, chenille robes and tabletop tufted rugs. Then in 1963, the family sold the company to JP Stevens. Four years passed, and in 1967 Wade and his father bought an abandoned radio station, installed a few tabletop tufting machines, and Maples Industries was born. “We sold our fi rst bath sets to JCPenney,” Wade said. A year later, the company got a Small Business Administration loan and moved into a 30,000square-foot facility — which still serves as its headquarters. “And we gradually grew from there,” Wade said. In the early 1980s, Wade’s son John III started working for the company in the summers from high school through his college years.

“I was doing maintenance, running tufting machines, working in latex coder, as a bundle boy, painting,” he told HTT. “I had plant jobs and then later office-type work until I finally joined full time in 1990.” In between, in the late 1980s, Pat Maples also came on board, working in product design and development. The company took a major turn in 1988 when it hired its own fulltime in-house sales force. “That was a huge step, a big transition for us,” Wade noted. “That is when we really started expanding our business with other major customers.” Among the first to be hired were Bob King and Arnie Stevens, both of who are still with the company today and serving as vice presidents of sales. Over the years, Wade said, Maples Industries has reinvested much of its profi t back into the company. “We st arted at zero, and today we’ve grown into a more than $200 million company,” Wade said. “And we began with 30,000 square feet and now have over 1 million square feet of space across four different

facilities, all in Scottsboro.” “And let’s not forget we employ 1,700 people,” added Pat. “That is a big source of

As John III explained: “We’re a family team here. We sit down together on a daily basis, when someone isn’t traveling

Maples Industries’ new tagline for market — Rugs Across America, as emblazoned on this rug here — speaks to the company’s long history as a domestic manufacturer.

pride for us. Our own grandson, Christopher, is going away to college soon, and we know that many of our employees have worked for us and have been able to put their own families through college.” Wade agreed: “The big benefi t that comes from our kind of business is what we are able to do for people who work for us. It is all about the jobs.” And that is largely because Maples Industries is still 100% f a mi l y ow n e d , t h e c o u p l e agreed.

[for business], and we work as a team with our extended family of employees here at the mill and develop product, solve problems and even argue a lot. But we keep it positive.” Added Wade: “We all enjoy working, and there is plenty of opportunity for that in this business.” Looking ahead, Wade said, “Our plan is to keep building and expanding our business and develop it further with domesticmade product — indefinitely.” HTT

Revere Mills Unveils Waverly, Airelite Collections N EW YORK — Revere Mills has

expanded its licensed bath towel ensemble program with Waverly by adding a new collection in unexpected but seasonally trendright colors. There is no room for the usual white and ivory shades in this fashion grouping’s rainbow. Four deep hues — berry jam, black, espresso, and peacock — make up the “rich palette” used across the two super-soft, yarndyed jacquard ensembles for the Waverly brand by Revere which debuted at New York Home Fashions Market last month. As Elaine Aschenbrand, Revere’s director of marketing and product development, explained: “We are basing them on the new patterns Waverly is introducing now. One [ensemble] is a geometric design and the other is an overall scroll design.”

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Revere, which has been Waverly’s towel licensee for the past three years, has used “outside the box types of palettes and color combinations for the line in the past … and it’s been successful for us in towels,” she said. “Waverly is willing to try new things, and we’ve always been successful with it across the board, with mid- to better-level retailers.” Also new for market from Revere were additions to its growing “Airelite” collection of towel ensembles, which Revere produces using its proprietary Airelite specially treated cotton fiber, which has been combined this time with viscose extracted from bamboo for a new batch of styles. “This new collection is extremely soft,” Aschenbrand said. “Our new construction makes the towels extremely soft and fluffy and absorbent. They just get softer

and softer with each wash.” Dubbed Royal Plush, the new set is available in seven solid colors and caters to better-end retailers. “We have created this new, particular towel because we’ve had so much success so far with our Airelite line that we wanted to offer something new for it,” she continued. Revere launched its Airelite program in early 2012 to a strong response from retail customers. “People like the difference they see with Airelite,” Aschenbrand explained. “It is something new. It’s not just the same old cotton. It’s innovative and offers more value.” HTT Revere’s new generation of Waverly bath ensembles comes in scroll patterns and four nontraditional colorways.

3/27/2013 5:22:03 PM

Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

News

Allure Home Takes Two Design Paths For Bath

> hometextilestoday.com

Cambridge Pushes Ecommerce C AMBRIDGE , O NTARIO — Cam-

N E W YO R K — Exploded and

Allure Home Fashions is multiplying its design scales to the Nth degree with a new crop of “explosive” iconic looks, including Roses.

embellished. These are two words that fittingly describe the two design directions being taken by Allure Home Fashions in its latest offering of bath coordinates. Gaby Colquitt, vp of design and marketing, explained her choice of words for the batch of 24 new collections – 16 of which are designed for master bath-type looks and eight of which span novelty styles for juvenile, tween, teen and back-to-college purposes. By “exploded,” she means “overscaled, graphic, extra large floral and leaf patterns” on the

master bath groupings for a “very modern, very clean look. “Embellished,” she said about the second trend story, includes dressmaker details, special sewing treatments, “and other added-value fabrications that hit a different kind of look from the graphic collections.” Many of these looks serve the younger customer set. Each of the 24 new bath collections includes matching towel ensembles, shower curtain and bath rug that “indirectly” coordinate with bath accessories. And by “indirectly” Colquitt

means “using new techniques, like different shines, washes, glazes and finishes” on the accessories pieces that are not necessarily exact matches to their soft goods counterparts but rather comfortably complement them “via colors and shapes.” “We are excited about this market,” Colquitt said. “We feel like we have some very strong contenders. It’s time to update, and we have explored some very different coordinating looks and different kinds of collections for our retail partners this market.” HTT

bridge Towel, which manufactures 80% of its product in Canada, is aggressively pushing south through ecommerce — and the United States, which now accounts for 40% of its ecommerce business. The company is live on Amazon.com and “most of the majors” in ecommerce, according to Jason Thompson, director of ecommerce and web marketing for the company. As far as business in general is concerned, Thompson said, “We’re optimistic. Based on performance last year and 1Q this year, we’re full on to the wall.” The company plans to push its ecommerce initiative with a more purchaserfriendly website for both wholesalers and consumers expected to launch in three months. In other news, Cambridge has inked a deal to produce a broad range of bathroom products under the Mandalay Bay and The Resortist

brands, both Las Vegas-based hotel properties. “This partnership will bring to the U.S. and Canadian markets the style and experience of Mandalay Bay and The Resortist in products that bear their hallmark brands and legendary performance,” said Hugh Thompson, president and coo of Cambridge Towel. The company is showed during market from a new, larger showroom at 295 Fifth Ave., Suite 713. HTT

Elrene Expands Seasonal Offerings N E W YO R K — Encouraged by

improved sales for Easter products this season coupled with a renewed optimism in the economy, Elrene Home Fashions brought to market a hefty serving of new table linens and kitchen textiles for the fall and winter seasons. As Bryan Siegel, chairman of the board and ceo, told HTT: “We think that this year in particular will be a pretty strong seasonal year. We’ve been getting some good, early responses from our Easter sales — they are picking up nicely as the weather has improved. Already this is definitely a better Easter season than

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we had last year in terms of retail sales. They definitely have been ahead of last year’s, for sure.” Encouraged by that, he continued, “We believe the coming big seasons [Halloween, harvest and Christmas] should be pretty strong, too.” At the New York Home Fashions Market, Elrene debuted “lots of fun, cheery, novelty-type looks with lots of color. Even for Christmas, when you think of the traditional reds and greens, we are offering more colors like Kelly green, pop reds and other vibrant colors. We’re taking a more moderate approach this time, not going too cutesy or too

serious, but rather much more fresh and clean. Just an overall more moderate aesthetic.” Furthermore, in terms of count of patterns and collections, “everything went up” for this market compared to the prior year, Siegel said. “Last year, for Halloween, we showed about six collections. This year, we have eight,” he explained. And within the new offerings, there is a heavier emphasis on vinyl offerings and coordinating kitchen components for trick-or-treat season, in response to requests for more child- and party-friendly wares.

For the harvest season, Elrene showed 14 collections, versus last year’s 11, and virtually all are fabric. Most significant, and at no surprise, is that Elrene’s new batch of Christmas linens span about 20 collections — an increase from 2012’s 17 offerings, and fabric here also dominates the assortment. On par with last year is the Hanukkah line, which comprises about three styles. “I think the holidays are really picking up steam,” Siegel reiterated. “We saw some very good results in our first quarter, and with the way things are going

week to week, we are optimistic. People are getting spring fever now, and I think that steam will continue and will roll right into some good holiday selling.” In the soft window category, the company is launched five new designs at market. “Window has turned out to be a nice growth area for us,” Siegel added. “We are happy with the business, happy with how it is going, and we like that it allows us to test the boundaries on different fabrics. We are having a lot of fun doing that and using a lot of that influence in other areas, namely table linens.” HTT

3/27/2013 3:13:13 PM

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News

Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

Mohawk’s Main Market Message: ‘Made In The USA’ N EW YORK — Seeing a renewed willingness from

Mohawk continues its message and is launching a “Duck Dynasty line.

Protect-A-Bed Debuts Natural Fiber Option C HICAGO – Protect-A-Bed debuted a 100% natural, Tencel-based

fiber as part of its new Signature Series mattress protector. The waterproof fitted sheet-style protector is being touted as chemical free and organic by the company. Properties of the new offering include thermo-regulating features that help maintain an even core body temperature throughout the sleep process. It also offers protection against bacteria growth and a barrier against dust mites and allergens. Signature Series has Protect-A-Bed’s Miracle Membrane, a scientific air vapor porous membrane, which is waterproof and protects against liquids and bodily fluids that may ruin a mattress or inhibit a mattress’s warranty claim. HTT

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both retail customers and shoppers to embrace domestically made products, Mohawk Home sent a strong message at the New York Home Fashions Market that underscores the company’s roots as a longtime USA manufacturer. “We are supporting the initiatives that we believe in, but also those of our retail partners, like Walmart, who are themselves re-emphasizing this USA-made message,” said Bart Hill, general manager of area rugs and bath rugs. “Our business hasn’t shifted dramatically — we have always been primarily USA-based.” “But,” Jeff Seagle, director of marketing and product merchandising interjected, “forever, no one has wanted to talk about it. Now we’re again seeing a renewed interest from our customers, so we’re making a statement about who we are.” Mohawk Home’s assortment — spanning area, accent and bath rugs, as well as a broad array of doormats — is mostly Made in USA, manufactured at its Sugar Valley, Ga., headquarters and at other nearby facilities. To relay the message, Mohawk Home created a huge display in its New York City showroom, located

on the 14th floor at 295 Fifth Ave., along with several product labels bearing the American flag and a new feel-good video about this effort on its website, accessible online and via QR codes on product labels. “Where it is appropriate and where retailers drive it, we will respond to their needs and requests to promote this message with different labels” and promotions, Hill added. “Being a U.S. manufacturer is nothing new to us. We’re just glad to be one, and we embrace it ourselves.” Among Mohawk Home’s new offerings for market will be the “Duck Dynasty” collection, created through a recent partnership with cable network A&E, which airs the TV program. Now in its third season, “Duck Dynasty” features “a Louisiana bayou family living the American dream as they operate a thriving business while staying true to their family values and lifestyle,” as the A&E website describes it. The line by Mohawk spans printed rugs, doormats and utility rugs — “all made in the USA, every bit of it,” Seagle added. Each category comes in six to eight designs, and price points are set to range from $19.99 to $39.99. HTT

Kassatex Mines the Upper End N EW YORK — Kassatex is underscoring its luxury positioning with the introduction of European bed linens and Portuguese bath rugs along with expanded bath accessories and a more sophisticated take on baby products. “In the past couple of years we’ve seen an explosion in our brand,” said Ernesto Khoudari, president and ceo. “We’re offering a lot of fashion.” The company debuted three Italian bedding ensembles in thread counts ranging from 210 to 600, and six top-of-bed matelasses from Portugal. Kassatex is also introducing high-end bath rugs from Portugal. Constructions include silk/Modal/ Egyptian cotton, linen/Egyptian cotton, shaggy bamboo and 100% Egyptian cotton. All will be marketing under the Kassatex brand. “Our customers are telling us Kassatex is being recognized [by consumers],” said Cathy Cloutier, vp of sales and marketing. In addition to its range of solid-color towel constructions, Kassatex is showing 12 new fashion towels. Among them: zero-twist from Turkey, chenille borders, linen dobbies, lace effects and high-low constructions. “They’re all machine-washable,” Cloutier said. “Our fashion is usable fashion. It’s not just hanging there to be pretty.” Bath accessories have become “a very strong category for us,” Khoudari said. While much of the collection is porcelain, introductions also include mercury glass, acacia wood and high-end resin with mother-of-pearl.

Kassatex’s new collection of luxury bath rugs is made in Portugal.

In Bambini, the kids collection of bath towels and accessories launched six years ago, Kassatex is moving into a more sophisticated look, dialing down the brights into more cosmetic hues. HTT

3/27/2013 3:13:38 PM

Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

Events

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HTT Hosts Market Kick-off Party

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4 6

3/27/2013 5:38:25 PM

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Events

April 1, 2013

Home Textiles Today

1 “Sleepy” Floyd pops in as the Comfort Revolution group gathers to pose: From left, Michael Fux, Kalle Simpson, Valerie Hupchick, Melissa Schadt, Dimitrios Corodemus, Jenny Tuttle and Jamey Boiter. 2. Avanti Linens’ Michael Tauber with Nancy Feldman of Textile Direct USA. 3. Frontgate’s Robert Panko.

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4. Downtown Company’s Donna Manci, left, and Jose Pereira. 5. The EA International team: From left, Pete Soca, Debbie Mills, Kent Hicks, Pete Girard, Alberto Minoccheri, and Dale Brown. 6. The ladies of Ellery Homestyles: From left, Amanda Svoboda, Amy Goolsbee, Katy Smith, Laura Troomey and Molly Rammel.

7. Ready for their night caps, the Soft-Tex team: From left, Art Perry, Kayla McNeil, Bob O’Connell, Jeff Chilton and Alysabeth Beesmer. 8. The Blue Ridge Home Fashions team: from left, Ping Pan, Angelo Amendola, and John Crippin. 9. Agatha Burgio, Edie Roberts, and Jeff Cohen, all from Edie Inc.

3/27/2013 5:28:33 PM

Home Textiles Today

Events

April 1, 2013

> hometextilestoday.com

1. The Home Source International team: From left, Andrea Bruckner, T. Periaswamy, Keith Sorgeloos and Lynne Goodfellow. 2. From left: Louis Cooper, Trident; Tab Morin, Multi Glory Home Textiles; and Brett Dye, Trident. 3. From left: Faraz Azbar, Safah International; Abdullah Suleman, Union Exports; and Matthew Nazir, Global Home Living. 4. Alan Eisenberg of Protect-A-Bed was caught in the action, shooting some hoops.

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3/27/2013 4:07:40 PM

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Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

Next Creations Puts a New Spin on Traditional NEW YORK — Next Creations is updating traditional in both its own

line and Raymond Waites collection. Gone are tassels, gimps and bullion — replaced with inviting textures across the surface of top of bedding and decorative pillows. Raymond Waites’ Royal Paisley, for example, is a panel print with rich color detailing on twill. Also in the line are Kerrington, a yarndyed woven, and Granville, a tonal yarn-dyed woven jacquard. Next Creations is also introducing four transitional beds for the brand. A new technique in the Next Creations bedding line is invisible tacking on comforters, so the face doesn’t show the quilting, leaving the top of bed to better show off its designs. In the Charisma collection, which Next Creations positions as contemporary traditional, the key accent on bedding is silk. Next Creations is also lighting up the palette in Charisma bath with new spa hues. In bath towels, Next Creations is covering a number of bases with wavy ribs, dobbies, embroideries and jacquards. Shower curtains and bath accessories include a variety of freestanding designs, as well as a piece that can tie back to some of the bedding introductions. HTT Raymond Waites’ Royal Paisley is a panel print with rich color detailing on twill.

Your second glance will confirm your first instinct…

Paramour Bedding Collection

Paramour Bath Collection

Pacific Coast Home Furnishings, Inc. www.pchfweb.com www.austinhorn.com (323) 838-7808 Commerce, California U.S.A.

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3/27/2013 5:31:42 PM

Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

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PEOPLETodaY Standard Linens Names Wingold vp, Sales and Marketing TORONTO — Standard Linens

HealthGuard, where he served as Inc. has hired Dan Winnational sales and margold to fill the newly keting manager. Prior created position of vice to that, he was direcpresident of sales and tor of ticket operations marketing. for the Phoenix-based The utility bedding Western Professional manufacturer said the Hockey League. new post has become Based in Charlotte, “critical” as the company DAN WINGOLD NC, he reports to ceo enters the wholesale core Standard Linens and president Oliver bedding basics category Altiparmakyan. for the first time. Wingold will be Wingold comes to Standard involved in the design, developLinens Inc. from Canadian sleep ment and marketing of the comprotection products company pany’s new protector, pillow and

duvet brands, as well as with expanding and streamlining the sales department, “which will drive product awareness and the development of new business opportunities in the USA and Canada,” the company noted. “We are very confident about having Dan lead our sales and marketing initiatives as we enter this exciting time for Standard Linens Inc.,” Altiparmakyan said. “Dan’s knowledge, experience and sheer passion are exactly what we need for years to come.” HTT

Family Dollar Names Senior Merchant MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar has promoted Scott Zucker to senior vp of merchandise operations, a new position. He joined the company in 2006 as divisional vp - pricing. In 2007 he moved up to vp merchandise operations. Most recently, Zucker was vp of IT solutions. In his new role, he will report to Michael Bloom, presi-

dent and chief operating officer. In his new position, Zucker will oversee the strategy and execution of merchandise initiatives, category management, merchandise planning and replenishment. “Meeting the needs of our customers and Team Members is critical to our mission of being a compelling place to shop and work.

This new alignment will allow for improved execution, simplified operational processes, inventory optimization and faster strategic decision-making,” said Bloom. Prior to joining Family Dollar, Zucker was with BearingPoint Consulting, where worked with a number of large retail organizations. He started his retail career with Belk. HTT

Invista’s Dacron Taps Schultze to Head Sales and Marketing K ENNESAW, G A . — Sleep solutions fiber technology brand Dacron, which is part of the Invista family, recently appointed Curt Schultze as the company’s

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new sales and marketing director, North America. Schultze has been with DuPont and Invista throughout his career, most recently on the

Stainmaster carpet business. Based here and reporting to Fontanillas, Schultze replaces Chris Basinger, who recently left the company. HTT

Momeni Promotes Alford to Design Manager Post C ARLSTADT, N.J. — Area rug and accessories house Momeni has

promoted Ashley Alford to the newly created position of design manager. Alford has been with Momeni since 2012 and has been involved in several key marketing campaigns and product introductions. In her new role, Alford will be responsible for developing and coordinating all creative aspects relating to the Momeni brand, including product design, marketing, promotion and sourcing. She reports to president Reza Momeni and the head designer Katy Repetto. “We are fortunate to have a young, talented member like Ashley Alford on our team,” Momeni said. “She has the vision, enthusiasm and ability to keep Momeni on the forefront of design, innovation and technology for many years.” HTT

Wayfair Promotes Five Execs B OSTON — Home furnishings etailer Wayfair.com announced a slate of executive promotions impacting strategy, marketing and operations. Ed Macri was named senior vp of business intelligence and marketing. Macri launched the business intelligence group six years ago and oversees global business intelligence and direct marketing for all three company brands: Wayfair.com, AllModern.com and JossAndMain.com. Prior to joining Wayfair.com in 2007, Macri held management roles at IBM, Digitas and Bain & Company. John Mulliken was named senior vp of strategic initiatives. Mulliken, who is also the cofounder and general manager of Joss & Main, joined Wayfair. com in 2010. Previously, he was

a principal and executive leader with The Boston Consulting Group. The company also promoted Dave Raymond to vp of operations process improvement, Laura Scott to vp of supplier operations and Jeff Steeves to vp of marketing. The three joined Wayfair.com in the fall of 2009. “All five of these talented leaders have been instrumental in driving Wayfair.com’s rapid growth trajectory to become the number one retailer in home goods,” said Niraj Shah , ceo and co-founder of Wayfair.com. “We are excited to build upon their continued success and expertise as we expand our leadership position in the home space and deliver an unparalleled shopping experience to our customers.” HTT

3/27/2013 4:09:38 PM

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Home Textiles Today

April 1, 2013

Market Mavens

At the Maytex showroom, some longtime industry veterans got together during the New York Home Fashions Market last month to catch up and talk about the good old days — and maybe even the good new days, too. Shown here, are from left, Carie Doll of Anna’s Linens, Hygiene Bath founder and now retired Noel Levine, Alan Gladstone of Anna’s Linens, longtime retailer and now consultant Charlie Chinni; and David Baines, Michael Mendel and Leonard Mendel of Maytex.

Your second glance will confirm your first instinct…

Ravel Bedding Collection

Matrix Bath Collection

Pacific Coast Home Furnishings, Inc. www.pchfweb.com www.austinhorn.com (323) 838-7808 Commerce, California U.S.A.

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3/27/2013 4:09:52 PM

Home Textiles Today

> hometextilestoday.com

April 1, 2013

BUSINESS TodaY Textiles a Boost to Williams-Sonoma’s Q4 SAN F RANCISCO — Driven pri-

marily by its Pottery Barn and West Elm brands, retailer Williams-Sonoma said fourth-quarter profits rose 9.1% on a 10.9% jump in revenues. Laura Alber, ceo, cited “ textiles, furniture and decorative accessories” as important categories for the brand during the recent investor call. Williams-Sonoma’s cat alog and e-commerce businesses continued to grow at a faster pace than traditional retail stores, and Alber noted that all of brands except the flagship label recorded comparable brand revenue growth during the quarter. In the Pottery Barn Kids brand, net revenues for 2012 were $558 million, with an increase in comparable brand revenue of 5.6%. “The combination of textiles and furniture, especially in nursery, drove our business as our customers came to us to put together rooms for their children,” she said. In the PBteen teen brand, net revenues for 2012 were $220 million, representing an increase in comparable brand

revenue of 1.7% for the year and 6.4% in the fourth quarter. Alber said that “textiles drove performance in our business all year. Burton has been a fantastic launch for us, and we are happy and proud to continue this partnership, as well as introduce new exciting partnerships in 2013.” In the West Elm brand, net revenues for 2012 were $430 million, representing almost 11% of total company sales. Comparable brand revenues grew 17.4% on top of 30.3% in 2011. “Growth continues to be driven by all categories, including furniture, textiles and decorative accessories,” Alber said. Total revenues for the quarter ended Feb. 3 were $1.41 billion, up from $1.27 billion in the previous year’s fourth quarter. Revenues from its retail stores rose 4.9% to $772.9 million and accounted for 55% of the total. The remaining 45% came from e-commerce and catalog business, which the company calls direct-to-consumer revenues. Those revenues rose 19.3% to $633.5 million.

In the previous year’s fourth quarter, retail and direct-toconsumer revenues represented 58.1% and 41.9% of the total, respectively. In the most recent quarter, direct-to-consumer revenues were paced by Pottery Barn, West Elm, Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn Kids, while retail store revenue growth was led by West Elm and Pottery Barn. Fourth-quarter profits totaled $133.7 million or $1.34 per share. That was up from $122.6 million or $1.17 per share in the comparable period the previous year. Profit and revenue growth in the 53-week fiscal year ended Feb. 3 followed a similar pattern as the fourth quarter. Total revenues rose 8.6% from the previous 52-week fiscal year to $4.04 billion, while profits rose 8.4% to $256.7 million, or $2.54 per share. For the most recent year, direct-to-consumer revenues were up 14.5% to $1.87 billion, while revenues from traditional retail stores were up 4.1% to $2.17 billion. HTT

Same-store sales

Easter Begins to Move Comps NEW YORK — Early Easter shopping helped lift

Redbook analyst. Stores also reported rising demand for spring apparel and swimwear “as a lot of people are getting ready for spring break and a vacation in a warm place,” she said. . HTT

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WEEK ENDED

3/9

3/16

3/23

Department stores* Discounters Redbook Index

1.6 3.3 2.7

1.7 3.6 2.9

1.3 3.3 2.6

3/30

*Including chain stores and traditional department stores Source: Johnson Redbook Index

4/6

O M A H A , N E B . — The opening of nine new units boosted Gordmans Stores’ fourth-quarter sales, but on a same-store basis performance lagged. Sales for the quarter ended Feb. 2 climbed 9.4% to $202.5 million, but comps fell 4.1%. Earnings per share were 41 cents – outpacing the apparel and home retailer’s revised guidance of 35 to 37 cents. “While we are disappointed with our recent results, including a slow start to fiscal 2013, we believe that the strategic initiatives that we have put in place, in concert with the change in

our senior leadership team, will produce improved comparable sales as the year progresses,” said Jeff Gordman, president and ceo. “In addition, we will continue our expansion strategy with the opening of 10 new stores in a combination of new and existing markets.” For the full fiscal year, sales rose 10.2% to $607.7 million, while comps slipped 0.7%. Gordmans opened in four new markets and two new states during the year, and now operates 86 stores in 18 states. Net income fell 6.5% to $23.5 million, or $1.21 per share. HTT

Dollar General Benefits From Consumables Traffic GOODLETTSVILLE, TENN. — Dollar General closed out its 23rd con-

same-store sales 2.6% during the third week of March, following a 2.9% increase in the previous week, according to the Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index. Month-to-date, March was Johnson Redbook Index up 2.8% compared to March of Third week of March, year-over-year % change last year. Month-over-month showed a 0.6% gain. “Easter based buying became evident across a broad range of merchandise categories from food to toys and footwear,” said Catlin Levis,

Gordmans’ 4Q Sales Up, Comps Down

MONTH TARGET

1.6 3.5 2.8

2.1 4.0 3.3

secutive year of same-store sales growth in the recent fi scal year. Sales continue to be driven by consumables, executives said, although DG is positioning home for growth. The company has stepped up its presentations in home — particularly in bath, bed and window, chairman and ceo Rick Dreiling told analysts during last week’s quarterly conference call. “We think there’s a lot of sales opportunity.” However, during the fourth quarter shoppers were careful with their money, which suppressed sales in seasonal and home, he said. For the fourth quarter ended Feb. 1, net income rose 8.2% to $317 million, or 97 cents per share. Sales ticked up 0.5% to $4.21 billion, with comps up 3.0%. For the full fiscal year, net income jumped 24.3% to $953 million, or $2.85 per share. Sales increased 8.2% to $16.02 billion, with comps up 4.7%. HTT

3/27/2013 4:12:06 PM

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3/26/13 1:57 PM

Home Textiles Today

Windows WINDOW FROM PAGE 1

two visible partnerships: its Sunbrella fabric curtain drapes and a line from designer and HGTV contributor Monica Pederson. Sunbrella is a performance fabric primarily for outdoor use. “We had a phenomenal market,” noted Louis “Tripp” Hornick III, coo, Louis Hornick &

April 1, 2013

Co. “We got a lot of requests from companies we’ve never done business with before. There are a lot of online retailers that now want to branch out into soft home.” In addition, the company used its Facebook page this past market to highlight its past awards. The company expanded its Firefend program with a new lined-drape version. It also intro-

News

duced an LH bedding program with a high-end matelassé called Lita. The company is now offering high-end decorative hardware from German maker Buchheister. “We now have an entire division devoted to online, and they had an exceptional market,” noted Angela Boswell, vp design and product development, Ellery Homestyles. “We also had

> hometextilestoday.com

[companies] come in who we hadn’t seen before and that was great — there aren’t that many out there.” According to Boswell, the company saw renewed interest in its Eclipse line with intros in its Thermaback, Thermaweave and Thermalayer versions. “We saw a lot of interest in juvenile,” she added. Another trend to watch: its Fresco trend offerings,

awards

CALL FOR ENTRIES!

ENTER THE 62ND ANNUAL RETAILER EXCELLENCE AWARDS From Gifts and Decorative Accessories The REA Awards are the oldest and most prestigious honors in the gift industry, recognizing retail and individual achievement. Join us and the honorees for the Gala Awards Dinner during the summer New York International Gift Fair: Sunday, August 18th at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City Entry Deadline: April 26, 2013. Go to www.GiftsandDec.com, click on the REA button for entry forms or email Caroline Kennedy, ckennedy@giftsanddec.com to request forms.

Categories include: • Gift Store Design/Redesign • Marketing Achievement • Visual Merchandising/Display

• Store Events Plus: • 2013 REP OF THE YEAR • 2013 INDUSTRY RISING STAR!

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