Monday, September 24, 2012
THE BUSINESS AND FASHION NEWSPAPER OF THE HOME TEXTILES INDUSTRY
Anna’s Linens Expands in Puerto Rico BY WARREN SHOULBERG SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — Anna’s Linens knew it was going to like doing business in Puerto Rico. It just didn’t know how much. Following the opening earlier this month of three more locations, Anna’s president Alan Gladstone said the chain “hopes to eventually have 12 to 15 locations” in the territory. Three of those are already in the works and will be open by next spring. The rapid expansion in this island territory of some 4 million people is not without good reason: The two original stores here are now the number one and two grossing units in the entire 307-store Anna’s chain. The largely Latin population base here is heavily skewed toward budget moderate customers, the sweet spot for the Anna’s operation, which began in Orange County, Calif., targeting a similar demographic and is now celebrating its 25th anniversary. SEE ANNA’S PAGE 18
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No Martha Mention at JCPenney Do Performance of 1st Shops Touted home at all during the webcast presentation and Q&A follow-up. Analysts were invited to PLANO, TEXAS — JCPenney ceo Ron Johnson JCP headquarters in Plano to tour a mock laylast week stood before the analyst community for out of a shop-in-shop prototype in progress, the fourth time in eight months to exwhich so far has concentrated on applain the changes taking place at the parel brands, computer bars and other company as it rolls out branded shopamenities. in-shop concepts. For the first time, In discussing the need to attract however, there was no mention of Mara younger demographic to the store, tha Stewart or the 20,000-square-foot Johnson told analysts JCP has the oldest Stewart shop that was previously dehome customer among its major comscribed as the anchor for a revitalized petitors in the space, whom he listed as RON JOHNSON home department. Target, Walmart, Macy’s and Kohl’s. JCPenney SEE JCP PAGE 23 In fact, there was little talk about BY JENNIFER MARKS
Pem Pegs Porter’s Poetry BY JENNIFER MARKS
Anna’s employees and suppliers just before the grand opening of the Caguas store.
Inside This Issue HFI Presents First Printed Bedding ..................................... page 2
N EW YORK — Tracy Porter’s recently introduced Poetic Wanderlust designs have been translated into a new bedding collection at Pem America. “She’s an artist at heart, and it’s reflected in what she’s doing,” said Dewey Cabe, Pem’s vp of design. In addition to duvet covers and comforters, Poetic Wanderlust includes voile patchwork quilts — either hand-made or machine-made. The bedding is all cotton, with accessories pieces rendered in satin, linen and silk dupioni. Targeting department and specialty stores, the retail on queen quilts will be around $149.99, with the retail on a queen duvet cover approximately $129.99. “I really think she has her finger on the pulse,” Cabe said. “The hotel look has been around for so long everything has gone SEE PEM PAGE 23
A Turning Point ..................................................................... page 4
Round 1: Booth Display
The I-Went-to-New-York-Market-and-All-I-GotWas-A-T-shirt-Column .......................................................... page 4
NEW YORK — Last month, Home Textiles Today profiled six new companies that were first-time exhibi-
HTT Hosts Market Kick-off Party ........................................ page 14
tors at the New York International Gift Fair. They are also contestants in HTT’s new “America’s Next Great Home Textiles Company” series. Industry veterans from the areas of showroom design, product development and marketing visited each of the companies during the show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center here. In this issue Beth Darragh, a showroom designer, weighs in with her impressions on the contestants’ booth designs, how well they conveyed their brand message and aesthetic. In October, we will follow up with an evaluation of product design and in November the perspective on their A SPECIAL REPORT marketing. For more, turn to pages 8 and 9.
America’s Next Great Home Textiles Company
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Home Textiles Today
September 24, 2012
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HFI Presents First Printed Bedding Ensembles NEW YORK — Armed with a new
and complete printing and finishing operation within its parent company’s Chinese division, Home Fashions International debuted its printed bedding ensemble program during market this month. The company — which built its foundation on beefy jacquards and embellished pieced bedding — has developed a new brand, Palmetto Printworks, as the umbrella for the new printed collection, explained Tom Healy, president and coo of Home Furnishing International’s Home Fashions International division, which designs and markets finished products in the U.S. “With the inst allation of state-of-the-art printing and finishing capabilities at our new printing facility in Rugao, Home Fashions International introduces Palmetto Printworks as the brand for our new print collection, reflecting on the ambience of our South Carolina home,” Healy said. During market week, Palmetto Printworks showcased 19 new ensembles, “each with its own point of view, ranging from vibrant, bright colors to sleek, modern looks. And, each ensemble is truly reversible, offering the customer two complete decorating options with each coordinating bedding statement,” he added. Some highlights of the new printed bedroom fashions include Talisman, a stylized damask and medallion print reversing to a classic graduated stripe, in shades of smoke blue, café au lait and taupe; Peyton, a
grandly scaled silhouette damask motif in crisp white on a Tiffany blue ground, reversing to an allover ogee motif; Retro, a Pop Artinspired floral in magenta and white with lime accents reversing to an angular geometric in lime and magenta; Zebra, an updated interpretation of a classic animal print that pairs a graphite zebra stripe motif over an ombré field of Naples yellow; Oval, a sleek midcentury-modern geometric in shades of gunmetal gray and blue; Twigs, a stylish contemporary look featuring silhouetted tree branches in spa blue and leaf green reversing to rainfall coordinate; Paisley, a traditional allover pattern rendered in bold black and white to create a positive/negative effect; and Centella, a classic medallion motif showcased in two colorways, fuchsia, turquoise and sage, or saffron, espresso and charcoal. “Because of the new technologies that we have installed at our Rugao facility, we are able to offer the market printed fabrics that are higher quality and much softer than conventional prints,” said David Li, president and ceo Home Furnishing International. “For example, our polyester and blended fabrics have the soft hand of silk, but the low cost and easy care of polyester. We also have the ability to add a variety of special finishes, such as anti-static or wrinkle-resistant treatments.” In addition to the debut of the Palmetto Printworks collection, Home Fashions International is presenting new styles in its woven jacquard bedding and accessories line, introduc-
has contracted with Brand Matter to bring the Field & Stream brand into home textiles. In addition to yarn-dyed fashion bedding, the Field & Stream collection includes quilts, blankets, throws and decorative pillows featuring iconic imagery. “I think the throws will be a really gift-driven business,” said Kevin Finlay, Ellison ceo. “They scream Field & Stream.” The line targets department and specialty stores with a June/ July 2013 delivery schedule,
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according to Rick Platt, president of Brand Matter. Field & Stream menswear is launching this fall in more than 1,000 doors, with placements in Bon-Ton, Belk and Macy’s, he added. Dick’s Sporting Goods has the exclusive license for branded hunting, fishing and camping equipment. At retail, the brand is expected to do $200 million this year. “It’s a lifestyle,” said Platt, noting U.S. brand awareness for the 141-year-old brand is 70%.
For more information on these Home Textiles Today advertisers, scan their QR tags below using a free QR scanner available at synqware.com.
Intertextile
HFI has developed the new Palmetto Printworks brand for a recently launched printed collection of dec pillows like this blue and white ikat style.
ing five luxury jacquard designs under its Westgate brand. The classically inspired Westgate designs feature highly refined styling and detailed embellishments. Home Fashions International also is adding 10 new jacquard and embroidery designs to its HFI brand, with styles ranging from clean and classic geometric woven patterns to embroidered coastal motifs in bright hues. Also at market, Home Furnishing International targeted the outdoor furniture and accessories business, offering fabrics and exclusive designs in outdoor fabrics as well as finished decorative pillows and chair cushions for outdoor furniture. The company also is offering its own line of decorative pillows and outdoor cushions under the Veranda name, and launched them at market. Highlights in Veranda’s decorative pillows, chair cushions and love seat
cushions line include a woven stripe in seven color combinations and a coordinating solid in 20 vibrant colors accented with coconut buttons. New embroidered styles include an ikat paisley in three colors; an allover palm tree; iron work and lattice designs and embroidered coastal patterns. New prints include five floral patterns, an ikat kilim, a seashore design and an allover sunflower. “I think that our new capabilities in printing will create excitement because we can produce our own print designs and give exclusive designs to our customers,” said Neil Zuber, evp, HFI. “The retailers have commented several times about their concerns over all of the different classes of trade having the same outdoor designs, and how this leads to price sensitivity with so many retailers having nearly identical looks.” HTT
Ellison Debuts Field & Stream NEW YORK — Ellison First Asia
ELITE SPONSORS
Lenzing
Manhattan Properties
Protect-A-Bed
Softline Home Fashions
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The Field & Stream home line gets its first showing just as branded menswear is rolling out to department stores.
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Home Textiles Today
September 24, 2012
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OPINIONTodaY A Turning Point
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OR M Y MON E Y, the New York Home Fashions Market earlier this month was one of the most interesting — and pivotal — in years. You could say spring market of 2000 was the last in which the big U.S. mills were the undisputed Goliaths of the industry. (By summer, Glenoit would be among the first to file bankruptcy, and by fall, Wall Street analysts were already forecasting the same for Pillowtex.) Spring market of 2005 was notable as the moment off-shore manufacturers rushed in en masse, buoyed by the final elimination of quotas in January of that year. Fall market of 2012, I believe, marks two important milestones: the shift of the market’s focus to Gen Y/Millenials, which I wrote about in my previous column, and the point at which Made in the USA began to be talked about as a viable posEDITOR-IN-CHIEF sibility. In product terms, Veratex had sheets and comforters (cut & sewn in the United States with fabric from Israel), Downlite touted a line of sleep products filled with U.S. down (in imported shells), Pacific Coast Feather Company showed a line of sleep products made of fabric woven in the United States and filled with fiber produced in the United States and HomeTex also showed some bedding made from fabric woven and finished in the United States. Home Source and Comfort Revolution are both setting up factories. HomeTex has acquired a small U.S. towel manufacturer. Around market time I spoke with a couple of other U.S. importers who said the time might be ripe for some U.S.-woven goods. But what really cut the cake for me were conversations with execs from two Indian mills who said they are seriously considering setting up some production here. Why? Abundant cotton, electricity that is cheaper and more reliable than elsewhere and automated equipment that requires little labor. Now, to be clear, nobody is talking about bringing it all back. Nobody is talking about bringing anything like half of it back. But many see a role for U.S. made products in a portfolio of globally manufactured goods — with estimates ranging from 5% to 15% of their products being partially or completely produced in America. We’ll see where all of this goes. But I felt a sense of true forward momentum — and a new era dawning. HTT
Jennifer Marks
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The I-Went-to-New-YorkMarket-and-All-I-Got-WasA-T-shirt-Column
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EL L , W E A L L SEEM to have made it through another New York market week, but I’m quite sure what souvenir T-shirt you came back with varied wildly depending on your products, your customer base and your approach to business in general. With that in mind, I’d like to give you a sampling of the shirts I saw Warren people wearing as they left to head home: Shoulberg market I Went to Market and PUBLISHER/ All I Got Was a T-shirt EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Reading “Market Was Great.” Believe it or not, this appeared to be the just about the strongest textiles market the industry has seen since at least 2009. The exact reasons for this development are somewhat sketchy at best, but despite whatever you hear about the economy, the consumer is out there shopping and the stores need goods. Retail is perhaps the strongest part of the American economy right now and it’s going to be a good Christmas season whoever gets elected on Nov. 6. I Went to Market and All I Got Was a T-shirt Reading “Back in the U.S. of A.” So, OK, we’re still not going to see a large-scale return to American manufacturing, but there were more conversations about Made-in-America products than anyone’s heard in a real long time. How many of those conversations turn into reality and how many of them subsequently turn into orders remains to be seen. Talk — and the textiles market — is cheap. But for right now, the imperfect storm
is starting to coalesce around U.S. products. I Went to Market and All I Got Was a Tshirt Reading “New is Good.” New product continues to drive sales and those companies that made the investment in product development had them pay off. But it wasn’t just new product. There were an above-average number of brand new showrooms — and companies remodeling existing ones weren’t too far behind. If you had something new to sell and someplace new in which to sell it, people were buying. I Went to Market and All I Got Was a Tshirt Reading “Technology.” In an industry where the greatest technological advancement remains the invention of the fitted sheet, having a successful new product based on technology is a tough card to play. But there were lots of new products offering fibers, fabrics and finishes that promised such things as temperature control, moisture control and a better night’s sleep. I have no idea if any of them will sell, much less whether any of them actually work. But it was sure nice to see the industry stepping up on the tech front. I Went to Market and All I Got Was a Tshirt Reading “Thank God I’m Not a Penney Supplier.” Just about the only ones who weren’t out celebrating when market wound down were the suppliers who have been doing big business with JCPenney. Yes, there were a few exceptions for new programs, but for the most part anyone who was a Plano player was singing the blues and wondering how in the world they were going to replace all that lost volume. All of these T-shirts, by the way, are still available at Iwentomarketandalligotwasatshirt. com. HTT
9/20/2012 3:22:08 PM
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Comfort Revolution Opening First U.S. Plant BELMONT, MISS. — Comfort Revolution, the high-end sleep product company founded by industry veteran Michael Fux, will open its first U.S. manufacturing plant here in a 432,650-squarefoot building. The plant, which will employ 200 people, will feature state-ofthe-art equipment, including robotic technology. This year,
Sealy Inc. became a partner with Comfort Revolution. The new plant will manufacture Comfort Revolution products and some Sealy-branded products. The facility will also serve as a fulfi llment center and will open following renovations. “We looked at sites throughout the Southeast for the new plant but were most impressed
with Belmont,” Fux said. “We’ve wanted for a long time to produce products in the United States, and we’re eager to get started.” Comfort Revolution is headquartered in West Long Branch, N.J. It produces mattresses, mattress toppers and pillows using premium memory foam and Hydraluxe gel technology. HTT
Duck River Tags into Kensie N EW YORK — Duck River has
interpreted the Kensie elegant whimsy into a line of home textiles translated from the brand’s apparel pieces for young women. The line was announced during the spring market and now occupies the front bedding space in Duck River’s showroom at 295 Fifth Avenue. “Kensie’s designs are so prolific,” said Joel Bren, Duck River’s head of marketing. “It’s bold, colorful and fashion-forward.” Targeting the department store and specialty store channels, Kensie is available in duvet Duck River displayed Kensie beds along with the apparel pieces that covers as well as comforters. inspired them. Elsewhere in bedding, the company has redesigned its set packaging with larger inserts for the front panel and additional inserts on all other sides. The inserts are written in English, Spanish and French. Duck River is also celebrating its recent move into a new corporate office and automated warehouse in Edison, N.J. This market, it also added to its fashion dec pillow offerings with twin-packs and threepacks and introducing memory foam bath mats, as well as clearer PVC shower curtains. In window, a core category, cotton and cotton blends are back after a price-mandated shift to poly in earlier seasons. “We’re doing much, much more in energy-saving curtains – and not just for the winter,” Bren said. “Look at that hot spell we had during the summer.” A new open packaging with Dec pillows accentuate the whimsical. hangers that can be reused also debuted at market. HTT
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Home Textiles Today
September 24, 2012
Retail Briefs NPD Identifies Bright Spots in Textiles
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itchen and table linens showed the best growth among home textiles for the 12 months ended in July 2012, according to the NPD Group, which surveys thousands of consumers each month about their shopping habits. Kitchen and table linens experienced a 1% increase in unit sales and nearly at 10% increase in dollar volume — primarily thanks to higher retail prices. The average selling price of home textiles items was up overall during the period, but with the exception of kitchen and table, unit sales were down, keeping industry dollars flat. In bedding, for example, dollar volume showed a slight increase even though unit volume fell 9%. NPD Group identified price, appearance, and material/texture as the top home textiles purchase motivators, but each of those took a slight dip compared to last year. Rising in importance as sales drivers are matching other items owned and eco-friendly attributes. Consumers, ages 18-34, increased their home textile spending by 3.5% in the 12-month survey period, with 10% of those dollars directed toward online purchases. “The younger generation clearly has a voice, and they are not only using it, but they are getting louder,” said Debra Mednick, executive director of The NPD Group’s home business.
Saks Opens Sferra Pop-up Shop
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uxury linens house Sferra Bros. is showing some of its finest collections and components of bedding, bath towels and table linens in the company’s firstever pop-up shop, located in Saks Fifth Avenue’s new ninth-floor home area at its New York flagship. The merchandise mix is available mostly by special order, with a few items in stock. The shop was scheduled to remain in place until at least Sept. 24.
Ikea Plans Faster Expansion, Reports 7% Sales Gain
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kea will accelerate its store opening pace over the next few years, as it aims for a bigger share on the market in the face of the global economic slowdown, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal and Reuters news service. The Sweden-based home furnishings giant plans to double the pace of openings by 2020, according to the Journal, with an eye trained on growing its presence in both the United States — where its momentum has been particularly strong — and in China. The retailer wants to open 20 to 25 stores per year starting in 2014, according to the Reuters report, up sharply from the 11 stores it added in the latest fiscal year and seven new stores in the previous year, according to the report. Worldwide, Ikea said its sales for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31 grew about 7% to a record 27 billion euros, equivalent to about $35 billion, according to the report. That was on top of 7% sales growth the year before. “We’re increasing our production in the U.S., and would also like to find more suppliers that have a strategic fit with Ikea, the company’s current ceo, Mikael Ohlsson, told the Journal.
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Home Textiles Today
September 24, 2012
News
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Arlee Sets a Fresh Table in Revamped Showroom NEW YORK — The interior walls have all been knocked down, allowing the sunlight to stream through the many windows at Arlee Home Fashions’ showroom, shining the spotlight on not just the company’s new table linens presentation but also all of its product categories. Whereas the nearly 10,000square-foot space previously presented Arlee’s many wares by category in a series of rooms, the showroom — on the 11th floor of 261 Fifth Avenue — has been redesigned to send a new message. “We wanted a way to show all of what we do in a way that shows that everything is related,” David Frankel, president, told HTT. “We took down all of the walls, opened up the windows
and are letting our products speak for themselves.” For market, the showroom evenly showed soft window, decorative pillows and the new hearty serving of upscale table linens in a separate yet synergistic way. Display fixtures are sleek, portable, and reconfigurable all throughout, adding to the updated look. “The new space offers a more neutral backdrop for the product,” Frankel said. “Now when you walk in, you can understand in a second everything we do. There’s a nice flow.” Arlee’s highlight this market was its new table linens program, which spans 43 collections — 14 solids, 25 prints, and four woven jacquards. There are 10 display tables
and a series of display racks smartly arranged to showcase the full breadth of the offering. As Derek Pierce, who heads the division, explained: “We wanted to show this market that we are in this business now.” Added Frankel: “They [Pierce and Julie Chisholm-Polich] have worked really hard. They’ve done an amazing job.” The company’s chair pad category has been fully integrated into the category to coordinate with the table linens offering. Also noteworthy this market was Arlee’s soft window lineup, which “definitely represents our most expanded window offering ever,” Frankel said. HTT Arlee showcased upbeat prints as part of its inaugural table linens line.
Featured designers from the window collection have room to shine in the new showroom.
Arlee offered a range of colors in its solid table linens collection
Softline Home Avanti, Spode/Portmeirion Extend Partnership, Product Category Offering Fashions Gets Sticky M O O N AC H I E , N. J. — Avanti
and Spode/Portmeirion have extended their licensing agreement for t able linens and kitchen textiles as well as for several newly added categories, including Christmas tree skirts and stockings, kitchen rugs and kitchen window treatments. The parties originally joined forces three years ago. In addition to the iconic Spode Christmas Tree pattern, Avanti has been marketing coordinates to
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several of the brand’s classic dinnerware patterns, such as Portmeirion Botanic Garden and Spode Blue Italian and Woodlands. The company expects to grow this offering in 2013, noting Spode Christmas Tree has been a best-selling pattern in dinner and table linens for many years with a very large collector base. “This collection represents an important component of our table/kitchen business and we are very excited to be able to
continue to grow this franchise with the strong support of our partners at Spode/Portmeirion,” said Jeff Kaufman, president and coo, Avanti. Lawrence Bryan, ceo, Portmeirion Group, said: “We are happy to extend our license with Avanti. They have made great strides integrating our brands with their product expertise in their marketplace. We look forward to a prosperous future and extended partnership.” HTT
With New Simple Shade
NEW YORK — Softline Home Fashions introduced a window covering package that is literally peel-and-stick at this month’s market. The new Simple Shade consists of a pair of pleated blackout curtains and a rod sold together. The back side of the rod uses 3M tape to adhere to a wall or ceiling. “The room-darkening curtains will allow instant privacy, are energy-efficient and improve sleep,” according to Softline. Simple Shade is available in four colorways. Softline has filed for patents on the product in the United States and Canada as well as other countries. HTT
9/19/2012 3:24:38 PM
,I \RX¶UH LQ home textiles New York is the market. And the market in New York is the TEXTILE BUILDING For 90 years, 295 Fifth Avenue has been the leading showcase for the home textiles industry, with the best location, the best value per square foot, services that cater to your distinctive needs, high-profile traffic, high-tech security, a wi-fi buyers lounge and the personal service of a staff of 15. Give your business the best market, in the market. Call Lou Lombardi, President & CEO, Manhattan Properties, Inc. 212-685-0530 ƒ ceo295@aol.com ƒ on-site management
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Home Textiles Today
America’s Next Great Home Textiles Company
September 24, 2012
News
Round 1: Booth Display Criteria: Display, proportion, effective brand communication, overall experience
A SPECIAL REPORT
HedgeHouse Display Proportion Communication Experience
★★★★ ★★★★ ★★ ★★★
Airy and clean, the display used vertical and horizontal merchandising to full benefit. The logo and photo visuals were fun and engaging, although I wasn’t quite sure what i was looking at until I got the sales pitch. I enjoyed the booth and the presentation of the product and its benefits. Lots of energy and really felt like I saw something “new!”
Le Cote Francais Maison Display ★ Proportion ★ Communication ★ Experience ★ Although I understood all of the amazing possibilities and ranges of fabrics and treatments available in this line — which there were many — I just couldn’t process any of them. The Maison folks knew where everything was, but there was no clear message that the booth was able to tell. The fabric swatches were large and folded in stacks, which were impossible to discern or enjoy.
Pyar & Co Display Proportion Communication Experience
★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★★
The booth had a very boutique-ish feel — like you wandered in off of Ocean Drive in South Beach. I kept wondering what makes these pillows different — seems it may be Pyar & Co’s ability to customize to spec. I would suggest going after that angle to solidify reputation and establish that position among its competitors. It was the perfect pairing of atmosphere and product.
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9/19/2012 11:48:14 AM
News
September 24, 2012
Judge: Beth Darragh Darragh is a designer and owner of Lowell-Darragh Productions, an event and full service production company located in New York. Her portfolio represents appreciable design, eclectic and moving interiors that establish the space as a whole — something to participate in and experience.
Home Textiles Today
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America’s Next Great Home Textiles Company A SPECIAL REPORT
Simple Syrup Display Proportion Communication Experience
★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★
From the name to the display to the characters it was engaging and whimsical and stunning in its simplicity. The execution of the draping on the walls could have been better and quite possibly the shelf systems could use a bit of panache. But this was a booth that had real style, real drama and a product that just begged to be looked at.
Stamattina Display Proportion Communication Experience
★★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★
These guys know who they are. They know who their customers are. They also know who they aren’t. Their booth was classic and tasteful. The product was actually king here — each impeccable and each allowed to tell its own story. This could have easily been all 4 stars with a few more details attended to — adding pieces with some height, also the size and placement of the logo.
Wabisabi Green Display ★ ★ Proportion ★ ★ Communication ★ ★ Experience ★ ★ Two issues — the booth seemed too small and the booth seemed too large. The fixture for the pillows was too small to accommodate the assortment, so they all looked rather cramped and some of the designs were obscured. The rest of the space used rather low level tables that just didn’t “fill” the space appropriately. Wabisabi Green is really an innovative company with fun, sunny, seascape designs, but it was all a bit flat here, including the lighting.
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9/20/2012 3:38:11 PM
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Home Textiles Today
September 24, 2012
News
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Invista, Maples Rugs Expand Bath Offerings With New TruSoft Stainmaster Products NEW YORK —Invista Surfaces this market is expanded its rug portfolio with new TruSoft-branded fiber-made products, including an extended collection of bath rugs with Maples Industries. TruSoft rugs are the first to carry the more than 25year-old Stainmaster brand, which is owned by Invista Surfaces, a division of Invista Performance Surfaces & Materials. They are made from new soft nylon 6,6 fibers “that can be manufactured in many colors, styles and patterns to help them stay soft and looking great,” Invista said. Peter Hardy, business manager, rugs, Invista Surfaces, told HTT, “We continually challenge ourselves to look for opportunities to improve upon our offerings to help create differentiated value for our customers. Our market research confirms that consumers want super-soft, fast-drying bath rugs that will hold their color to keep looking great. And, if the initial reaction from our customers is an indication of success, we are very excited because they’ve been amazed by how great new TruSoft rugs feel.” Echoing the benefits of TruSoft, Scottsboro, Ala.based Maples Rugs co-owner Wade Maples said his company’s new collection launching at market “really looks great. It’s got a two-pile height, it’s very soft, and it has an eyelash-like construction and texture. And the rugs are Wade Maples with a display of the company’s TruSoft rugs. made to dry quickly.” Another plus, he noted: “Bright.” All of Maples’ new bath rug offerings employ TruMaples’ first TruSoft-branded bath rug collection debuted last year, “and we had one fiber for the previous collection. Now we Soft fibers – “both dull and bright,” he noted. “We’ve have two fibers,” he said. “The first one was a duller luster. The new discovered that the fibers combine well with some older fibers to give new effects. We are tufting and one offers a bright luster.”
twisting them together for new looks and styles.” Maples’ assortment includes 21-by-34, 24-by-40, contours and lids. A 21-by-34 is set to retail for $24.99. HTT
Hornick Unveils Bel-Air Louis Hornick & Co. celebrated the launch of the Bel-Air collection of luxury home textiles during market week. From left, Louis Hornick II, Louis “Tripp” Hornick III and Paulette DuBey, executive directory of the Bel-Air Association.
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9/18/2012 5:06:48 PM
News
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September 24, 2012
Home Textiles Today
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Boss Adds Second Collection Villa Aublet, from the Club Collection, features a continuous pattern of open circles in shades of gray targeting the modern lifestyle.
N EW YORK — Sunham Home Fashions has launched a contemporary line under the Hugo Boss Home license fueled by the retro design aesthetic of the 1950s to target the Millennial consumer and those who share that sensibility. Dubbed the Boss Home Collection, the line includes six bedding ensembles: Tie-Dye Stripe, Urban Passage, Tossed Floral, Confetti, Ikat Floral and Rhythmic Dots. Coordinates include the check jacquard sheet, an embroidered check quilted coverlet and sham, and a cotton velvet toss pillow. Sunham is showing four beds in the Boss Home Luxury Collection: an Italian printed watercolor floral in a cool yellow, an abstract maritime-inspired print in blue-gray, a contemporary linear jacquard in charcoal and ivory, and an ivory ottoman jacquard. In bath, Sunham is introduc-
ing a check dobby towel in 12 colors, as well as the Kimono robe Under its Lacoste license, Sunham always keeps an eye on the giftable business and this market is introducing a fitness towel featuring the brand’s iconic croc logo in a zippered pouch. The Lacoste Casual Collection is introducing five bedding ensembles, among them: Hennel, a network of vibrant colors; Fermat, a sporty mix of stripes; and Alombert, a textural graphic. The program is also introducing a diamond quilted coverlet and sham program in brushed twill. The more upscale Club Collection is showing four new patterns named after Parisian villas and featuring graphic, architectural patters with subtle color. In addition, Club Collection has added three core accent pillows: jersey pique, double-sided knit and embroidered. HTT
Famous Home Intros Essenza in Bath N EW YORK — Famous Home Fashions launched the Essenza bath line to coordinate at this month’s market with the bedding program it introduced previously. The Essenza brand was created by Van S, a company with distribution and “shops within shops” in the major retailers across Europe. “They look at design with humor and wit,” said Amanda Houck, vp of design and product
development for Famous Home. “They are a perfect match with Famous Home’s reputation for fashion-forward design and customers that ‘expect the unexpected.’ ” The printed shower curtain is constructed of 100% polyester. The bath accessories are Dolomite with decals HTT Famous Home Fashions’ Essenza line includes bath accessories and a printed shower curtain.
Natori Goes Home for Spring NEW YORK — The Natori Home bedding collection for spring 2013 taps designer Jose Natori’s roots in the Philippines, translating elements from traditional everyday arts and crafts with color direction driven by ocean blue, sunset coral and bleached sand gray. The Mantones de Manila
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design was inspired by large silk shawls with long fringes of the same name, which are embroidered with dainty and bright roses, daises and irises. The 400-count cotton sateen duvet cover is t aken from Calado embroidery found in the national Barong shirts. the Mantones de Manila bed run-
ner is made of a sheer linen and silk blend with hand-knotted fringe details and embroidery. Kalinga draws from a region in the Central Philippines, employing warrior tattoo motifs as embroidery throughout the ensemble. Pleated wave fabric manipulation technique is
featured in the Natoribamboo duvet cover. Earth tones in pearl and mocha symbolize the land of the Kalinga people. Island Paradise, a new modern take on Natori bedding, “elicits daydreams of sand, surf, and coral reefs. From the beaches of Palawan to the marine sanctuary of the Siar-
gao Islands, one is lulled by the sand gray tones infused with touches of coral, and the taste of sweet mangoes.” The pleated duvet cover in sun-washed coral is constructed from a new fabrication of lightweight cotton. The quilted coverlet and shams are a bleached sand gray. Causal pillows and shaded tonal coral embroidery in the pattern of Anahow leaves amplify the island motif. HTT
9/18/2012 5:07:18 PM
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Home Textiles Today
September 24, 2012
Balta Launches Next Generation of Flat-Weaves
News
> hometextilestoday.com
It’s Quilts, Blankets and Throws, Oh My, At Melange Home NEW YORK — Melange Home covered this mar-
ket with a hefty new offering of quilts, blankets and throws in a variety of styles and constructions. While the Eileen West licensed collection that launched this market was at the center of the company’s presentation, senior partner Alan Laytner offered HTT a summary of the company’s introductions within its Melange in-house line. Employing “a whole bunch” of Kantha handstitched fabric, Melange has created a broad diversification of quilts and coverlets, throws and decorative pillows. Because of the nature of the fabric, many of the products are one-of-a-kinds. But also for this category, Laytner explained, “We are taking prints, patching them, and adding pick-stitching, and even over-dying or stone-washing” for added styles. Included in the lineup are also upholstered furniture pieces and handbags made in this construction for the collection. Laytner noted that the Eileen West-branded collection includes some Kantha pick-stitched varieties that center on the designer’s 20th century florals. Another new collection from Melange this market is a grouping of cotton yarn-dyed blankets. As Laytner explained, “We are weaving two different colored yarns into the blankets.”
Melange Home’s quilts are made of 100% cotton velvet printed prewash with ribbon trim.
In the quilt category, Melange is showing up to 40 new styles, many featuring brightly colored geometric printed velvet multi-patch pieces embellished with grosgrain ribbon trim. The velvet is made of 100% cotton and is machine-washable. For the spring/summer season, Melange is also offering some new lightweight throws made of acrylic, polyester or cotton. Melange’s New York City showroom is located in suite 1207 at 230 Fifth Ave. HTT
Mytex Pivots to Brands NEW YORK — Balta U.S.’ newest line of flat-woven rugs are knock-
ing at the door. Made for the indoors with their wool-like construction, this new batch – elegantly titled Victoria – wants to be invited inside. “Unlike most of our flat-woven rugs that are designed for the outdoors, Victoria is exclusively designed for the indoors,” said Patrick Moyer, president of sales/marketing, Balta U.S. The company is a division of The Balta Group, which operates vertically integrated manufacturing facilities in Belgium and Turkey. “We see a strong movement toward trend-right, textural rugs that bring the popular flat-woven construction back indoors,” he continued. Answering to that style shift, the company launched this “next generation in flat-woven machine-made rugs,” which utilizes “a thick and complex polypropylene yarn system along with a very dense construction to achieve an innovative new look, perfect for today’s discerning customer,” Moyer explained. The result is a soft feel on a construction that is made to look like wool but is easy-care and durable, and can retail at “an affordable price.” The rugs are made in Belgium at the parent company’s headquarter facilities. HTT
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NEW YORK — With a recent deal in place for exclusive access to Springs’ design archive dating back to the 1800s, as well as a force of new account-specific reps helping to open new lines of business, Mytex is putting the push on brands. The company, which built its foundation for years on commodity bedding, currently produces home textiles under license for Cabella, Jeffrey Fisher and Bob Mackie.
“Mytex is on the move,” said Art Siegel, director of U.S. sales. “We’re working with a consultant to bring on more licenses.” Mytex is also expanding its offerings in throws, dec pillows and other accessories – and recently added a full-time position at its facility in China to bird-dog the effort. In addition, the company has added a sourcing person for India and Pakistan. “Our manufacturing is in
China, but there are certain types of handwork and stitching there are better done in India and Pakistan,” Siegel said. In the New York office, Mytex has added one person to the design and broadened the number of freelance designers contributing to its portfio. “We’re stepping out of the box and doing more innovation,” Siegel said. “We’re out there banging on doors. I’m excited about this.” HTT
Kadri Wovens Debuts My Hem NEW YORK — Kadri Wovens has created a sheet with detachable cuffs so that consumers can swap out the look of their beds without buying additional sheets. My Hem cuffs for sheets and cases feature embroidery designs “and zip right off,” said Sri Hari Prasadh, president of Kadri Wovens, a unit of The Kadri Mills Ltd. A sheet set carries two hem options, with additional hem designs sold separately. “We wanted to develop a line that is not driven by thread counts, products that speak for themselves,” Prasadh said. HTT
9/18/2012 5:07:34 PM
News
> hometextilestoday.com
September 24, 2012
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Home Textiles Today
by em Creates First Second Generation Collection N EW YORK — Montreal-based
bath coordinate design house by em took a different approach to its business at market earlier this month. “Instead of reinventing the wheel and creating a whole new collection, like we normally do for every market, we decided to take what we did last market and make it even better,” Emile Vidmar, executive designer, told HTT. “It’s the next generation of the collection.” While its March market introductions were more contemporary-focused, this time the design direction is more of “a blend – we’re bolder, and we’re mixing contemporary with retro, ‘mod’ era looks,” he said. “It looks modern, but it’s also retro.”
The patterns include florals and botanicals reminiscent of late 1950s and 1960s fashions; soft geometrics; and interesting stripe stories in charcoal with pop color accents, such as charcoal with fuchsia and citrus or with lilac and rose. The key to the whole collection, Vidmar stressed, is its flexibility. “Everything mixes and matches. We’re not doing direct coordinates.” And in the showroom, the display of new product further sends that message. “We’re trying to show pieces more simply, like a [shower curtain] panel with only a [lotion] pump,” he said. “No more full coordinate sets on the display. We want to say ‘Less is more,’ because it is.”
That’s not to say by em is not offering a full breadth of shower curtains and bath accessories. There are 20 new styles of each, and all accessories encompass several components, including tumblers, trays and soap dishes, aside from the lotion pump. Also for market, by em created an “I [heart] NY” collection in honor of the Sept.11 anniversary which coincided with market week this year. The collection includes three-piece modular resin accessories that fit together. The lotion pump and tumbler fit snugly onto the soap dish/tray. Vidmar said the collection targets souvenir shops, among others, and by em plans to grow the offering to include other looks. HTT
by em’s “I ‘heart’ NY” collection is displayed at the company’s lobby showroom window at 230 Fifth.
Espalma by Cobra Shows Biggest Brazilian Collection Yet NEW YORK — With the Brazilian real and the U.S. dollar more closely aligned on the exchange rate than they have been in a long time, Espalma by Cobra is bringing back its signature Brazilian towel offerings in a bigger way than ever. True to Brazilian style, the collection spans a vibrant spectrum of colors for both solid and patterned bath towel ensembles and beach towels, as well as a program of terry bathrobes. Espalma by Cobra managing director Kurt Hamburger is considered by some in the industry as a pioneer in the Brazilian towel business in the U.S., arguably importing the first jacquard beach towel collection from Brazil. Two years into founding his company, Hamburger made his first excursion to Brazil for business in 1969 looking to work with the country’s top towel manufacturers. C o n v e ni e n t l y f o r H a m burger, who at the time could not speak Portuguese but was fluent in German, the Southern town of Blumenau had been established as the country’s textiles capital with the help of post-World War II exiles from Germany setting up their own
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textiles businesses there. Since then, he has religiously maintained close ties with the South American country’s home textiles manufacturers and continually imported their products here, marketing the goods to the mid- to upper-retail tiers. That is how the “Cobra” part of the name came about – Co for Company and Bra for Brazil. In recent years, unfavorable currency exchange rates and a weak U.S. economy prompted Espalma by Cobra to focus on sources elsewhere, namely India and Pakistan. But with a new equilibrium in the two economies inching closer to reality, the company jumped back into Brazil full-force. “Brazil has been making towels for decades and they have the best equipment and the best technicians, “ Hamburger told HTT. Rae Ellen Blum, the company’s vp of sales and marketing, described Brazilian towels as being “so much more glamorous, and having so much more of a perceived value, an overall superior quality” versus like products from other parts of the world. “Even the water is better in Brazil,” she added, “and we don’t have problems with power
The Brazilian collection includes towels, bath mats and robes.
outages and other issues. They are the best.” During this month’s market, Espalma by Cobra introdued 12 collections from Brazil. The bath towel ensembles are largely jacquard, “what we are known for,” Blum said. The offering includes solid-colored jacs, velour, zero twist, woven jacs and “some innovative pattern looks,” Blum continued.
Retails run from $19.99 and up, as the collection is designed for department stores and better specialty shops. A robe assortment comprises combed cotton-made styles, many of them with special details like eyelet. All of the products for the company’s new Brazil line are being sourced from Buddemeyer.
Hamburger is expecting a strong response from his retail customers. “We’ve already had previews with some of our more important clients, and one of them is interested in buying five 40-foot containers,” he said. “I think that we are now ready to re-introduce Brazilian towels in the U.S. market in a big way.” HTT
9/18/2012 5:08:07 PM
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Home Textiles Today
September 24, 2012
Events
> hometextilestoday.com
HTT Hosts Market Kick-off Party at 230 Fifth 1
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1. From left: Avi Cohen of Veratex with Pat Bannon of LinenSource and Donna Aslanian of Prism Design. 2. From left: Norman Savaria of WestPoint Home with Jim Twining of Southern Tide, Taran Chernin of WestPoint Home, and Gregg Haft of Portico. 3. From left, back row: Richard Dawes and John Dawes, both of The Curtain Shop, and Mike Ellis of Ellis Curtain; and from left, front row: Alan
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Paverman and Dustin Ellis, both of Ellis Curtain; Lynne Howells, Boscov’s; and Debbie Hatton, independent sales representative. 4. Frontgate’s Robert Panko. 5. From Softline: Gene Ober, left, Tannia Herroz, and brothers Rodney and Jason Carr. 6. From left: Viorella Dimaano, Beth Ford, Maria Matos, and Felicia Bethea, all from Sears.
9/18/2012 5:01:36 PM
> hometextilestoday.com
Events
September 24, 2012
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1. From left: Sandra Tandros and Jeffrey Bernstein of Domay; Emile Vidmar and Dimitra Angelis of by em; Jay Sethi of J & S International; and Jeff Cheng of Shanghai Orient HomeTex Ltd. 2. Alexander Sweet, left, with his father, Loren Sweet of Brentwood Originals.
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3. From Trident, left to right: Rahul Gupta, Satish Karan, Sarvesh Agarwal, and Joanne Krakowski.
5. From left: Jamey Boytner of Bolt Group with Comfort Revolution’s Michael Fux.
4. Home Source International team, from left: T. Periaswamy, Rachel Sorgeloos, Keith Sorgeloos and Scott Sorgeloos.
6. From left, the HomTex team: Jerry Wootten, David England, Robyn Easterlin, Tedd Smith, Jeremy Wootten, Evan Miller, and Travis Blackwood.
9/18/2012 5:02:03 PM
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Home Textiles Today
September 24, 2012
Events
> hometextilestoday.com
Market Week Happenings
Nourison feted the market kick-off with a cocktail reception at its vast lobby showroom at 295 Fifth Avenue. From left, Nourison principal Stephen Paykar with Gilbert Cavaliero, vp of rugs and luggage for Bloomingdales.com. It was a “super” time at The Northwest Co.’s market party. From left, Nicole Kuechenmeister of Warner Bros., Stan Mieszkowski of Northwest, Debbie Sutton of Warner Bros., Kim Rizzardi of Northwest, and Laurie Hicky of Warner Bros.
Anna’s Linens’ Alan Gladstone, center, toured Hollander Home Fashions’ new showroom with Hollander’s Amy Webster, left, and Jeff Hollander.
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Celebrating the launch of the Cabana Joe branded bedding program at market were: from left, Michael Nemoir of The Bon-Ton Stores, Rick Platt of Brand Matter, and Arun Agarwaal of Alok International.
9/19/2012 3:14:38 PM
Thursday, November 15th • AmericasMart, Atlanta • 9am - 4:30pm
CONFERENCE
Online Technologies 3rd Annual
Online Goes Mobile The one-two punch of tablets plus smart phone adoption makes 2012 the year of mobile. Don’t get left behind! Make sure your business is current on the best mobile sales strategies. This annual conference is specifically designed to meet the needs of retailers and manufacturers in the gift and home furnishings industries. Topics include: • Mobile Advertising for Every Store! • Prepare Your Website for Smart Phone Shoppers • How to Combat Showrooming in Your Store • No Boundaries - Mobile Sales and Flexible Fulfillment • How to Get iShoppers to Buy From You
Early-bird Registration $99 (save $90) (Through October 15th) Standard Registration $189 (Starting October 16th) Fee includes Lunch & Conference Notebook. Seating is limited, so register now! Visit http://hometextilestoday.com/techcon for more information and to register online. For more information contact Heather Grant at 336-605-1061 or hgrant@sandowmedia.com.
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Home Textiles Today
September 24, 2012
News
Next Creations’ Sapin Takes on Bath N EW YORK — Next Creations
Holdings’ Kevin Sapin, executive vp, has also been appointed president of the company’s bath division. “With the expansion of our bath operations and assortment we feel that we need a dedicated professional to lead our efforts for expansion and diversification,” said Michael Vidra,
ceo. “Kevin has vast knowledge to our customers and retail.” and experience in towSapin described the els, shower curt ains growth of Next Creand bathroom accessoations’ bath business as ries spanning over two “quick and steady.” decades. He will bring He added: “We look the leadership required forward to further develto move our company oping the bath diviin the direction we envision, to equal our bedKEVIN SAPIN sion with beautiful prod- Next Creations ding reputation as a key ucts offering great value resource.” HTT
Beacon Sales Boosting Vytex NEW YORK — A pair of industry veterans made the
rounds at this month’s market for their newest product, a patented natural rubber latex called Vytex NRL, which is produced from a 100% renewable resource — the Hevea brasiliensis tree. Beacon Sales and Business Solutions’ managing partners Steve McGee and Tedd Smith forged an agreement earlier this year with Vytex producer Vystar Corporation just ahead of last spring’s New York Home Fashions Market to launch the Vytex brand into the home textiles industry with natural
rubber latex pillows and foam mattresses. “We are the raw material supplier to the end seller,” McGee said. “These are problem-solving products rather than just eco products.” The process used to create Vytex removes proteins from the rubber so it is clean and odor-free. Vytex has received FDA approval for use in the medical sphere, he added. The product is also 100% biodegradable. According to Smith, “It is a pure and healthy product.” HTT
> hometextilestoday.com
Mohawk Relaunches Website S U G A R VA L L E Y , G A . —
Mohawk Home has again expanded its interactive presence on the web with the launch of the company’s new website at www. mohawkhome.com. Residing within the Mohawk Flooring Group website, the new site was redesigned to offer quick and easy access to newly expanded information about the products manufactured by Mohawk Home. “Mohawk Home enjoys highvolume engagement with the end consumers and with the launch of the new website, it was important to educate and allow consumers to search product while providing inspiration for their home’s decor,” said Bill Kilbride, president. The website boasts a new interactive design that allows consumers to shop for product
and connect with the Mohawk Home community through Facebook and the Mohawk “Homescapes” Blog, which can be found at www.mohawkhomescapes.com. “Our new website focuses on a foundation of inspiration and knowledge for all consumers. We want our guest to have a trusted source for research, a place to be inspired, and ultimately find the perfect rug or doormat in one easy to navigate site” said Jennifer Palmer, Mohawk Home’s director of e-commerce. HTT
Anna’s ANNA’S FROM PAGE 1
The three new stores here, in secondary cities on the island, follow the Anna’s template closely. Two measure out at 12,000 square feet while the third is a smaller unit at about 5,000 square feet. The five stores are sited in a mix of indoor malls and strip centers, often anchored by one of the big national operations that have long been in this marketplace, JCPenney and Kmart. The stores feature Anna’s signature window coverings department, a cornerstone for its business, as well as a stepped-up fashion bedding department heavily skewed to bed-in-a-bag put-ups. The stores also feature slightly expanded non-textiles areas with tabletop, housewares and some home dec items. The mix throughout the store is increas-
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The Anna’s brain trust, from left, Carie Doll (with her back toward the camera), Alan Gladstone and Scott Gladstone confer just before the doors opened at one of the new stores.
ingly private label, blending ongoing, replenishment programs with opportunistic purchases. Merchandise from Penney and Walmart was included in the opening day assortments. Gladstone presided over the opening day soiree, joined by
executives with some 40 vendors who toured three of the five stores on the island by bus. A reception was held later in the evening for the group, which also included nearly a dozen Anna’s executives. Anna’s promoted the grand
Latina TV star Domenica Brazzi’s private-label program for Anna’s was featured prominently in the new stores.
openings with both print and TV advertising and it clearly worked. At the Caguas store, close to 400 people were lined up in the mall by the time it opened at 9 a.m., snaking through racks of sale merchandise splayed in the common space of the mall. That the display stood directly in front
of a large Penney store was not lost on both Anna’s executives – who target the troubled store as a prime source for market share – and suppliers, only too anxious to do business with one of the few retailing operations in the business aggressively opening stores this year. HTT
9/19/2012 3:35:51 PM
Thank You Once again this market, more people in the industry chose Home Textiles Today than all other publications put together for their marketing needs in print and online advertising and for their networking needs with our Big Market Kick-off Party . Thank you to our readers, our customers and the home textiles industry.
Textiles is our Middle Name
HTT SP2012 Market thank you.indd 1
3/13/12 10:27 AM
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Home Textiles Today
> hometextilestoday.com
September 24, 2012
BUSINESS TodaY Burlington Coat Factory’s Cleaner Inventories Churn Strong Q2 Results B URLINGTON , N.J. — Keen on streamlining its inventories and removing superfluous skus for a more focused offering, Burlington Coat Factory delivered robust EBITDA growth during its second quarter. The company, which is owned by Bain Capital, reported a 32.9% increase in adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) to $30.7 million during the quarter ended July 28. Results were driven by its overall
sales growth and comp gains, according to Tom Kingsbury, president and ceo. Gross margin grew 100 basis points. Total revenues for the quarter increased 8.9% to $871.7 million. Net sales were also up 8.9% to $864.2 million, and comparative store sales increased 2.9%. “We continue to stay focused on our inventory management, which resulted in a 21% faster inventory turnover, reduced aged goods, and more fresh values for our customers,” said Kingsbury.
Year-to-date, adjusted EBITDA fell 2.8% to $100.6 million, which the company attributed to investments made during the third and fourth quarters of the previous fiscal year that have not annualized. Total revenue for the sixmonth period grew 7.2% to $1.86 billion, with sales up 7.2% to $1.846.6 billion, and comps rises 1.7%. Burlington Coat Factory operates 482 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico. HTT
WSL: More Canadians Shopping For Wants Than Americans N EW YORK — A new study by
WSL/Strategic Retail examined Canadian consumer behavior and found that 64% of Canadians say they can still afford to shop for more than just basics — compared to half of U.S. residents who say they cannot. “As U.S. companies struggle with sales and profit growth in a stalled global economy, and as the
Internet continues to steal share of shoppers from the stores, the opportunity to expand into Canada has become very appealing,” said Wendy Liebmann, CEO of WSL/ Strategic Retail. “While each of the major retail categories exist, Costco is the only Club; Walmart faces off against a weak Zellers (at least until Target arrives in 2013); and The Bay and Sears are the
only mid-tier Department stores. The added bonus is that few Canadians shop Amazon.” The retail scene in Canada is also less promotional, with 55% of Canadian women regularly clipping coupons compared to 68% of American women. Only 57% of Canadian women pick up circulars in the store, while 71% of U.S. women do. HTT
Same-store sales
Comps soften as BTS winds down NEW YORK — Same-store sales during the third
but apparel in general did not perform well,
week of August rose 2.4% in Johnson Redbook Index the third week of September Third week of September, year-over-year % change following a 2.7% gain in the prior week, according to The WEEK ENDED 9/1 9/8 9/15 9/22 9/29 MONTH TARGET Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Department stores* 1.0 1.3 0.8 1.0 0.5 Index was up. Discounters 3.2 3.5 3.2 3.3 3.2 Redbook Index 2.5 2.7 2.4 2.5 2.2 Month-to-date, Septem*Including chain stores and traditional department stores ber was up 2.5% compared to Source: Johnson Redbook Index September of last year, relative to a target of a 2.2% gain. Month-over-month showed a 1.8% gain, rela- hurting the department stores with their narrower merchandise bases,” she continued. “Distive to a target of a 1.5% gain. Sales slipped during the week as back-to- count stores sales were supported by consumschool merges into transitional fall business, er basics such as food and household supplies. Several retailers suggested the forecasted drop noted Redbook analyst Catlin Levis. “Back-to-school categories are now winding in temperature this week may provide the imdown and some clothing categories were active, petus they seek.” HTT
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Pier 1 Sales, Profits Continue to Climb In 2Q F O R T W O R T H , T E X A S — An 8.3% sales gains and a sharply improved gross margin led to soaring profits for retailer Pier 1 Imports in the fi scal second quarter ended Aug. 25. Sales of $367.6 million were up from $339.6 million a year earlier, the result of increased store traffic and a higher average ticket, the Fort Worth-based company reported. Profits of $26.2 million or 24 cents per share were up 57.7% from the same period a year earlier, although part of the gain stemmed from a one-time tax benefit. Excluding that benefit and adjusting for a normal tax rate, earnings would be $20.7 million or 19 cents per share - still up about 24% in dollars and 36% on a per share basis. Alex Smith, president and ceo, said this was the company’s 12th consecutive quarter of same-store sales gains and profit growth. Same-store sales were up 6.7% from a year ago, on top of a 10.8% gain a year earlier. Compared with three years ago, same-store sales have grown 28.7%, the company said. “Our sound strategies and focus on flawless execution ide-
ally position the company to achieve continued growth and long-term success. Now, with the recent launch of the new ecommerce enabled Pier1.com, we have two powerful growth vehicles - our enhanced portfolio of 1,058 Pier 1 Imports stores and our new online business,” Smith said. Gross profit was 41.2% of sales for the quarter, up 1.6 percentage points from a year earlier. For the first half of the fiscal year, sales of $728.7 million were up 8.1% from the same period last year, with a 7% gain in same-store sales. Net income of $44.1 million or 40 cents per share was up 43.3%. Adjusted to exclude the tax benefit, earnings would have been $30.7 million or 26 cents per share, a gain of about 26%. The company also raised its profit forecast, saying it now expects earnings per share of $1.15 to $1.21 for the year, or adjusted earnings of $1.10 to $1.16 per share on a 52-week basis. That is up from the prior guidance of $1.08 to $1.14 on an adjusted basis. HTT
ShopperTrak Forecasts 3.3% Gain In Holiday Sales C HIC AGO — Traffic and sales
should both rise during the November/December holiday shopping period this year, according to a projection from retail technology firm ShopperTrak. The company expects sales to rise 3.3% and traffic to grow 2.8% during the period. “Retailers have reason to be optimistic about this season. It’s clear that foot traffic is increasing and month-overmonth sales continue to be better than expected,” said Shop-
perTrak founder Bill Martin. “In fact, our shopper visit data tell us that consumers are visiting more stores than last year. This influx of traffic will present opportunities for retailers to convert these visitors into buyers, especially with the extended holiday shopping season.” An early Hanukkah (Dec. 8) should lift sales earlier than last year, as should a longer shopping period between Black Friday and Christmas, said ShopperTrak. HTT
9/19/2012 2:54:26 PM
Anna’s Linens turns 25 this year and Home Textiles Today is celebrating with a Special Commemorative Report in our December 3, 2012 Issue. This Special Report will be all about Anna’s – past, present and future – and will pay tribute to the thousands of Anna’s employees, suppliers and customers who helped make it all possible. You’re invited to be part of the celebration with a commemorative ad honoring Anna’s. And a portion of all gross ad proceeds will be donated to Anna’s favorite charity, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Your Home Textiles Today sales representative can give you all the details.
TEXTILES IS OUR MIDDLE NAME
Jeff Reeves, 336-605-1009 jreeves@hometextilestoday.com
HTT_Anna's Linens tab.indd 1
Mary McLoughlin, 646-805-0227 mmcloughlin@hometextilestoday.com
Kaushal Shah, 91-9821715431 kaushal@kaushals.com
8/21/12 10:47:24 AM
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Home Textiles Today
September 24, 2012
Nourison Signs with Waverly N EW YORK — Looking to give its customers an early glimpse on its newly inked license with Iconix Brands’ Waverly brand, Nourison came to market earlier this month with a soft launch of the accent and area rug program. Two out of three initial collections were on display at the company’s lobby showroom at 295 Fifth Avenue. They are a printed polyester frise-type low-pile shag, and a washable hooked line – the latter being Nourison’s signature construc-
tion for its accent division. Julie Rosenblum, Nourison’s executive director of licensing, told HTT at least one more collection – an indoor/outdoor offering – will soon be added to the branded line. Waverly, a longtime home brand, has recently been updated to include a library of more casual and bright-colored patterns in floral, globally-inspired, striped, coastal, and soft-novelty looks that are more relevant in to today’s home décor trends. HTT
News
Bardwil’s Lenox Bath Line Expands Price Point Reach N EW YORK — Bardwil Linens’ Lenox Bath division is looking to broaden its customer reach within the same department store tier with two new towel collections priced at more attainable brackets. Westerly is the company’s new Pima cotton ensemble under the Lenox brand. At 18 pounds per dozen, the low-twist and “very soft” offering can sit at a $16.99 retail for a bath towel. It comes in 12 solid colored styles, and also offers tub mats
and bath sheets. Wearing an even sharper $14.99 price is the brand’s new Turkish cotton offering, which is made in China and comes in 14 solid colors. This is not to say Bardwil’s Lenox Bath line is not ramping up its more upscale signature assortments. The company’s “work horse” Lenox bath towel collection, Platinum, now comes in four more new colors – blush, olive, navy, and dark green. And the brand’s top-of-the-
line collection, Pearl, which retails for $29.99, also has four new colors in its palette – sherbet, white sherbet, sea glass, and white sea glass. At the center of the Bardwil Lenox Bath division’s market introductions was its new interpretation of its popular Butterfly Meadow collection. A soothing blue-and-white story, the new Butterfly Meadow Blue collection comes in two versions – an all-over floral and a romantic toile. HTT
CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED
LINES OFFERED
Home Furnishings Buyers
Taiwan Textile Federation The largest textile trade organization in Taiwan, dedicated to the development and improvement of Taiwanese fabrics for export seeks agent representation across the USA and Canada to represent lines of upholstery fabric and curtain poles accessories. Must be established and have a track record of success. Please send cover letter and resume to fabricinternational@gmail.com Sponsoring authority Organizer
Z Gallerie, a home furnishings lifestyle retailer operating 50+ locations across the US has immediate opportunity for a Tabletop Buyer AND a Home Textile Buyer. Our merchants’ goal is to furnish our customers with exclusive, stylish and accessible products in an inspirational store environment. Position is located at our Berkeley, CA offices. Buyer(s) will develop Z Gallerie exclusive products, source them globally andmanage the products through their life cycle. Ideal candidate(s) will have solid experience in both developing business strategies and managing OTB through monthly financial reviews. Must be creative and have in-depth knowledge of merchandising and design trends. Buyer(s) will work closely with Planner(s) to spend OTB most efficiently and profitably. Buyer(s) must have strong collaboration and team building skills, excellent communication & negotiation skills, as well as, the ability to balance strategic thinking and attention to detail to be successful in this position. Must have superior leadership skills, enthusiasm, initiative, passion for results, be flexible and have an entrepreneurial spirit balanced with strong analytical and decision-making skills. All candidates should enjoy a fast paced, collaborative and entrepreneurial environment with excellent skills in communication, retail math, Word and Excel. Bachelor’s degree required, as well as, two or more years of previous buying experience, preferably in the Home Furnishings area. Please forward resumes with salary history and requirements to bbo@zgallerie.com. Please visit us at www.zgallerie.com. No Phone Calls Please Stylemaster® importer of curtains, valances, bedspreads, and furniture throws looking for order entry processor with EDI experience. Please email resume to ethelromano@bellemaisonusa.com
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Multinational home textile manufacturer/exporter seeking International Sales
Representatives and Stocking/Distributors with established wholesale/retail relationships and proven track record. Please email:
bobbygsales@prodigy.net
SALES REPS WANTED Stylemaster®-importer of curtains, valances, bedspreads, and furniture throws with a stocking warehouse in CT. Seeking well-connected reps. Many customers still available. E-mail resume jromano@stylemasterusa.com
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360 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10010 Tel: (646) 805-0227; Fax: (646) 365-2307 www.hometextilestoday.com www.facebook.com/httmag EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennifer Marks 10 Ocean Blvd #8B Atlantic Highlands, N.J. 07716 (732) 204-2012 | jnegley@hometextilestoday.com PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Warren Shoulberg (646) 805-0226 | wshoulberg@hometextilestoday.com SENIOR EDITOR Cecile B. Corral 428 Bianca Ave. Coral Gables, FL 33146 (305) 661-7493 | cbcorral@aol.com MANAGING EDITOR Julie Murphy (646) 805-0224 | jmurphy@hometextilestoday.com CONTRIBUTING GRAPHIC ARTIST Desiree Nunez (646) 805-0233 | dnunez@giftsanddec.com DIRECTOR OF MARKET RESEARCH Dana French (336) 605-1091 | dfrench@sandowmedia.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER, ACCOUNT MANAGER SOUTH/EAST/CHINA Jeff Reeves (336) 605-1009 | jreeves@hometextilestoday.com ACCOUNT MANAGER NORTHEAST/MIDWEST/ WEST COAST/CANADA Mary McLoughlin (646) 805-0227 | mmcloughlin@hometextilestoday.com CLASSIFIED AD SALES Spencer Whittle (336) 605-1027 swhittle@sandowmedia.com Karen Hancock (336) 605-1047 khancock@sandowmedia.com MANAGER, EUROPE Mirek Kraczkowski Tel: 48 22 401 70 01; Fax: 48 22 401 70 16 | kraczko@aol.com MANAGER, INDIA Kaushal Shah Cell: 91-9821715431; Tel: 91 22 2305 9305 Fax: 91-22-66634596 | Kaushal@kaushals.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Rich Lamb Tel: (336) 605-1074; Fax: (336) 605-1143 | rlamb@sandowmedia.com DIRECTOR, WEB OPERATIONS Chris Schultz | (336) 605-1076 | cschultz@sandowmedia.com MANAGER, CLIENT SERVICES, WEB ADVERTISING Dan Sage | (336) 605-1080 | dsage@sandowmedia.com E-MEDIA PROJECT MANAGER Missy Axe | (336) 605-1005 | maxe@sandowmedia.com DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE MARKETING Allison Ternes (704) 573-9007 | aternes@sandowmedia.com PRESIDENT, FURNITURE TODAY GROUP Kevin Castellani (336) 605-1034 | kcastellani@sandowmedia.com FOUNDING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Carole Sloan 1979-2011
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September 24, 2012
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Home Textiles Today
Glen Raven Names Marcia Blake Merch Manager For Custom Fabrics GLEN RAVEN, N.C. — Glen Raven has collection, Outdoor Couture by Marhired Marcia Blake as custom fabrics cia Blake, consists of throw pillows, outmerchandise manage, a new podoor drapes and tableware. sition created to promote the outFor the past two years, Blake door room concept at retail. helped Glen Raven develHer career includes roles as the op its Sunbrella fabric kiosk manager and buyer for Patio Furprogram and promoted reniture & Collectibles for Roger’s tractable Solair awnings. Gardens; president and creative At Glen Raven, Blake director of Outdoor Interiors, a dewill work with retailers of sign firm specializing in outdoor MARCIA BLAKE outdoor living products Glen Raven environments; and a design conon in-store merchandising. sultant for O.W. Lee, a manufac“As a highly talented outturer of casual furniture. Blake’s own door living specialist, Marcia has be-
come a valued member of our decorative fabrics team, and we look forward to even greater contributions in her expanded role,” said Suzie Roberts, vice president and business manager for decorative fabrics for Glen Raven. “The outdoor room concept is a leading trend in home décor and a tremendous opportunity for our retail partners. Marcia will play a central role in providing information, training and consultation for retailers.” Blake, who will remain based in California, reports to Roberts. HTT
Pem America PEM FROM PAGE 1
minimalist. It’s time for something with color and interest.” Pem extends that point of view to its house Style 212 line, traditionally a graphic print business. For this past market, Pem created solid programs with a focus on texture: reverse appliqués, unfinished edges, differentiated pleats, soutache techniques, among them. Color is also the centerpiece of a new collection of Indian quilts — “the brightest we could find,” Cabe said. Other new quilts were inspired by vintage kimono designs. Pem’s enthusiasm for texture arises in the quilt area as well — in one example, Pem presents the back side of a pieced quilt as the face, celebrating the raw, hand-hewn texture as a design feature. Overall, Pem’s focus is on a younger, fresher sensibility, but one that still cherishes heirloom forms. This is especially evident in Pem’s new upscale Carol Gardens brand, which might be something Vera Wang would create if she were a post-punk 25-year-old living in a San Antonio loft. The looks are rich and sumptuous — with a twist: using traditional fabrics in new ways. The showcase bed is wedding-registry-worthy white lace patchwork. There are plenty of ruffles in Carol Gardens, but their edges are unfinished. “We’re going to expand on this motif,” said Cabe, adding that he has trapunto in his sights. HTT
PRESIDENT AND CEO Adam I. Sandow
Pem’s new Carol Garden’s brand is long on romance — with a contemporary twist.
CFO/COO Christopher Fabian VP CREATIVE AND EDITORIAL Yolanda E. Yoh EVP, GROUP PUBLISHER James N. Dimonekas SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S.A. (866) 456-0405 All other countries: (515) 247-2984 HTTcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com FAX SUBSCRIPTIONS: 1-866-310-7181 THE BUSINESS AND FASHION NEWSPAPER OF THE HOME TEXTILES INDUSTRY® 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010 Telephone: (646) 805-0227 Fax: (646) 365-2307 USPS 497-490 HOME TEXTILES TODAY (USPS 497-490) (ISSN 0195-3184) is published 29 times a year except for the weeks of 1/16, 2/6, 2/20, 3/12, 3/26, 4/9, 4/23, 5/7, 5/21, 6/4, 6/18, 7/2, 7/16, 7/30, 8/13, 8/27, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12, 11/26, 12/10, 12/24 by Furniture/Today Media Group, 360 Park Avenue South, 17th fl., New York, NY, 10010 a subsidiary of Sandow Media LLC, 3731 NW 8th Ave, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. HOME TEXTILES TODAY copyright ©2012 by Sandow Media LLC. Annual subscription rates: U.S. and Canada $169.97; 1 year, other countries $325.99 for surface mail . All payments must be made in U.S. currency. Subscription inquiries: HOME TEXTILES TODAY, PO Box 5879, Harlan, IA 51593-1379. Phone: (866) 456-0405. HOME TEXTILES TODAY and THE BUSINESS AND FASHION NEWSPAPER OF THE HOME TEXTILES INDUSTRY are registered trademarks of Sandow Media LLC, used under license. Sandow Media LLC does not assume and hereby disclaims liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material contained herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident or any other cause whatsoever. (Posted under Canadian International Publication Agreement No.40624074. Sandow Media/CDS (Mint Hill) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to HOME TEXTILES TODAY, P.O. Box 5879, Harlan, IA, 51593-1379 Email: HTTcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: RCS International; APC; PO Box 503, RPO West Beaver Creek, Rich Hill, ON L4B 4R6
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JCP JCP FROM PAGE 1
The home makeover had originally been scheduled for completion by March 1. Johnson did not address when the shop would debut, but he did say construction will begin in January. The fate of the Martha shop has been snarled by lawsuits from Macy’s, which has exclusives on Martha Stewart-branded bedding, bath, tabletop and cookware. Macy’s has won a temporary injunction against Stewartbranded goods in those categories moving into JCP stores. So far, JCPenney has rolled out 12 branded shop concepts. “We’re seven
weeks into some. We’re three weeks into others,” said Johnson. “They are comping 20% better than the rest of the store.” The Izod brand, which moved into its own shop Sept. 1, is up 50% compared to a year ago and performing above expectations, he added. The new JCP branded basic apparel shop in women’s is “off the charts” while the men’s version has been slower to gain traction. “The shops are working,” said Johnson. “We will have 40 of them a year from now.” Ultimately, Penney will have 100 shop-in-shops, some of them rotating through seasonally. Johnson said each deal with vendors for the brand-
ed shops is negotiated separately. Vendors provide capital to build the shops, but share in the profits, he said. “There is no ‘funny money,’” he added, noting JCP is not asking for promotional allowances or markdown money from its shop vendors. “Greed is a really bad thing,” he said. “We can’t say ‘We’re the power’ and take money out of their pockets. If you’re going to be profitable long-term, we have to share in profitability. It’s a principal thing.” During the presentation, Johnson also said JCP is developing a new registry program called Present Company and working to overhaul its ecommerce business. Details are to be announced at a later date. HTT
9/20/2012 12:37:26 PM