Home Textiles Today August 22nd Issue

Monday, August 22 2011

THE BUSINESS AND FASHION NEWSPAPER OF THE HOME TEXTILES INDUSTRY

|

hometextilestoday.com

| Vol. 32, No. 20 | $8.00

Flash Site Mertado Home Heats up at Target Expands into Home Textiles

BY JENNIFER MARKS

BY JENNIFER MARKS R EDWOOD C ITY, C ALIF. — Mertado, a flash sale site launched in April 2010 with a focus on kitchenwares, is rapidly expanding its product assortment to become a home furnishings resource.

Built on the Facebook platform by three Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, Mertado encourages a high degree of interactivity — demonstration videos by suppliers (products accompanied by a video have a higher sell-through rate by two to three times) and recommendations and product reviews by members (which also drives up conversions).

“The more comments a product gets, Foam pillows are among the home textiles the more demand,” Mertado has recently added to its site. said Kathy Aronson, director of merchandising and a former buyer for Gap Body. “It’s like you’re in a shop and suddenly everybody is gathered around one table.”

There are currently about 150,000 members on the relatively SEE MERTADO PAGE 23

Inside This Issue

MINNEAPOLIS — Target’s home textiles department will undergo a significant reset next month, shifting from a branded collection approach to merchandising in favor of a product classification set.

“Our guests have said they would rather shop domestics by category rather than by brands,” Kathryn Tesija, evp, merchandising, said during the company’s quarterly conference call with analysts last week.

As the department transitions into its seasonal set in September, Target will created unified presentations for sheets, comforters and blan-

Home is Where the Cart is .............................................................. page 4 It’s a Long, Long Way From May to December............................. page 4 See the Light .................................................................................... page 5 Intertextile Shanghai Preps for August Show ............................................................................. page 22

htt110802_001_006_022_023.indd 1

SEE TARGET PAGE 23

Home a Driver for Ross Stores P LEASANTON , C ALIF . — Ross Stores’ non-apparel categories, especially home, are emerging as a critical aspect of the chain’s total business, and home was credited with helping to generate strong second quarter sales.

Vice chairman and ceo Mi-

chael Balmuth, noted Ross Stores is “very happy with that piece [non-apparel categories] of our business, driven by home.

It keeps becoming a more important part of our total. And we are building our investment and merchant organization for it.”

The home business is also showing resilience to cost increases in the coming seasons, Balmuth added.

“The rising prices we are going to be looking at are going to be less in our home business SEE ROSS PAGE 18

Down and Feather Prices Strain Suppliers

Trident Promotes Two ..................................................................... page 2 Bob Hamilton, 67 ............................................................................. page 2

kets and install better signing, she said.

Also coming next month: the quick hit Missoni program, with 400 skus in home, baby,

BY JILL ROWEN N EW YORK — A confluence of events has culminated in higher than ever prices for down and feather, with many wondering whether down-filled products may become a strictly high-end offering.

Suppliers of down readily rattle off the reasons why: China’s domestic economic issues and higher prices overall (China provides 80% to 85% the world’s down); farmers growing fewer geese and ducks (down is a byproduct of meat production); and greater worldwide demand,

especially in apparel.

The result: less availability at prices that have tripled in the last 18 months in some estimates and as much as 300% in the last few years. Meanwhile, makers of down-filled home products are now pondering their next move as prices continue to climb.

“There is a finite supply of down and feather, and demand doesn’t mean that supply will necessarily increase to an equal degree,” noted Joe Crawford, marketing chair for the American Down and Feather Council.

‘With growth in demand within China for apparel, comforters

and other top of bed, plus the demand in apparel worldwide , you are going to see consistent pressure in pricing.”

“Rising feed prices and low prices for meat prices are preventing the farmers from raising more ducks and geese, contributing to higher prices,” acknowledged Beth Mack, chief merchandising officer, Hollander Home Fashions. In terms of sourcing, “the only impact we see is less stock piling and more spot buying,” she noted.

In fact, makers of down and feather products have gotten a SEE WARMTH PAGE 6

8/19/2011 4:32:40 PM

2

Home Textiles Today

Retail Briefs Stein Mart to Ramp up E-commerce

S

tein Mart announced the recent hiring of Ralph Harmon as director of e-commerce, a newly created post.

His experience includes similar posts at Maurices/ Dressbarn, Goody’s Family Clothing and Olesen Logistical Management Group.

President and ceo David Stovall Jr. said Harmon is charged with “moving our online business beyond the test stage. We see significant opportunity [for Stein Mart’s e-commerce business] in the future.”

BJ’s Posts a Strong Profit

B

J’s Wholesale Club’s earnings sharply outpaced expectations for the second quarter, rising 25% to 84 cents per share. The club had projected earnings between 74 to 78 cents.

Sales climbed 11.0% to 2.98 billion, and comps rose 7.8%. Excluding the impact of fuel sales, comps were up 3.8%.

Home Depot Raises Guidance on Strong 2Q

T

he Home Depot boosted its fiscal year guidance after reporting a 19.4% jump in earnings per share for the second quarter.

EPS was 86 cents, with net earnings of $1.4 billion.

Sales rose 4.2% to $20.2 billion, and comps increased 3.5%.

“Our second-quarter results were driven by a rebound in our seasonal business, storm-related repairs and strength in our core categories,” said Frank Blake, chairman and ceo. Home Depot now expects fiscal year EPS from continuing operations to be up approximately 16% to $2.34.

Cost Plus Launches Sweepstakes

T

o promote the launch of its new Trade Winds Collection, Cost Plus World Market today announced an “Around the World” Sweepstakes for its Facebook fans.

The grand prize winner will receive a trip for two the areas that inspired the new collection, including Bali, Greece, Morocco, and Peru, as well as a $2,000 World Market gift card.

The sweepstakes is open through Sept. 2.

Macy’s Tweaks Social Media

M

acy’s upgraded its fall season mobile content, debuting additional videos from Macy’s celebrity designers and industry experts along with daily shopping sprees worth up to $500.

Last spring, Macy’s launched QR code technology as part of its Backstage Pass program. “This new layer of communication between Macy’s and shoppers delivers an enhanced in-store shopping experience and creates new opportunities for personal interaction,” said Martine Reardon, Macy’s executive vp of marketing.

Macy’s new television advertising will alert consumers to the QR code technology with 30-second spots featuring Martha Stewart, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Tommy Hilfiger, Rachel Roy and Jessica Simpson.

htt110802_002 2

August 22, 2011

News

> hometextilestoday.com

Trident Promotes Two LUDHIANA, INDIA — As part of its major expansion in capacity, Trident has promoted Kapil Ghorse to head the manufacturer’s products team.

Ghorse had been head of home textiles sales and marketing.

That position will now be take by Sheerish (he has no last name), who was previously head of the

yarn sales and marketing team.

PK Markandy, joint managing director, said of Ghorse: “His valuable experience both in operational excellence and market knowledge will surely add value to him personally and the organization in executing the new role.”

Markandy noted that before

Sheerish moved to the yarn group four years ago he spent more than six years handling the U.S. market for home textiles sales. “For him, I am sure, [the new position] is more of a home coming!” said Markandy.

Trident is spending more than US $550 million over the next two years on expansion. HTT

Pacific Coast Feather Company Creates ‘New Generation’ Mattress Pads SEATTLE — Pacific Coast Feather Company (PCFC) has significantly expanded its mattress pad line with the creation of a portfolio of new, state-of-the-art mattress pads featuring new designs, leading edge materials and proprietary, added-value features.

The innovations will be unveiled at the New York Home Fashions Market next month.

PCFC’s ultra lofty, silky soft LunaLuxe Mattress Pad uses bonded fiber fill, which delivers the feel and performance of an ultra lofty, highly slickened down alternative fiber, the company said.

Inspired by mattress fabrications, the company is adding a new classification of mattress pads. PCFC’s circular knit mattress pads feature three interlocking layers of circular knit fabric, which work together to conform to the mattress for a

Pacific Coast’s Sealy LunaLux mattress pad.

snug fit without interfering with the feel and performance of the mattress. The company said the pad is ideal for use on memory foam and latex mattresses.

PCFC’s new Sealy Choice Density Mattress Pad line allows retailers to offer two or three densities while keeping all of the other specifications the same. HTT

Bob Hamilton, 67 C ORNELIUS , N.C. — Bob Ham-

navy blazers, pastel ties and ilton, the longtime Fieldcrest matching socks - made his mark, Cannon marketing executive mostly as the keeper of the Royal whose colorful and Velvet legacy. His prodsplendiferous story-telluct and marketing preing and showmanship sentations were legendwas matched only by ary for their eloquence his equally Technicolor as well as their panache, wardrobe, passed away and Hamilton excelled at each. earlier this month folHis ties to Royal Vellowing a long battle with BOB HAMILTON vet outlived Fieldcrest cancer. He was 67.

Cannon itself: When Hamilton more the company went out of busirecently was a senior marketing ness and its Kannapolis, N.C. vp with Welspun and, as he did offi ces were being cleaned out, at Fieldcrest, he helped to estabHamilton rescued generations of lish a unified product image for RV sales and marketing materithe rapidly expanding company.

But it was at Fieldcrest where als and became the living reposHamilton — almost always itory for the history of one of the attired in a country club gen- industry’s greatest brands. tleman look that tended toward His struggle with his illness,

which first appeared on an overseas business trip in 2009, were chronicled in an online blog where Hamilton continued to wax poetic — a phrase that while sometimes sounding archaic fit him perfectly.

Indeed, in the last entry in the blog, posted announcing his passing, his family continued both the tone and spirit of Hamilton’s language: “Our most gracious, tailored, gentle-hearted, profound, articulate, storyteller of a husband and father, the truest of gentlemen, is finally at peace.”

Hamilton is survived by his wife, Diane, children and grandchildren, although all family members could not be immediately named. HTT

8/19/2011 4:50:17 PM

The Textile Building

Join Us at the Cornerstone of the Home Textile Marketplace For 90 years the Textile Building at 295 Fifth has been the leader in showcasing the best of the home textile industry.

Put your company in a leadership position and enjoy these advantages: • More actual square footage for your rental $. 295 Fifth has the lowest loss factor in the home textile showroom market.* Compare our space measurements and you’ll see how you’re paying much less for actual square footage at 295.

• The most Market Week traffic. 295 Fifth is the only building to rent exclusively to the home textiles, tabletop and gift industries for showrooms. And we have more than double the number of showrooms than any other building.

• Free freight service and more freight cars running full-time, including weekends prior to each Market Week.

• State-of-the-art security and 15 daytime employees—twice the staff of any comparable building to keep the building spotless and well-serviced.

Become a leader today…for less!

Call Lou Lombardi at 212-685-0530.

LOU LOMBARDI, President MANHATTAN PROPERTIES COMPANY Owner/Management

295 FIFTH AVENUE • NEW YORK, NY 10016 • 212-685-0530 • ceo295@aol.com

*according to official REBNY guidelines

Untitled-3 1

8/4/2011 11:23:13 AM

4

Home Textiles Today

August 22, 2011

> hometextilestoday.com

OPINIONTodaY Home is Where the Cart is

F

OR A L L T HE CONCER N about consumer spending intentions — well-placed, certainly — one channel of retailing continues to balloon: e-commerce.

Retailers that serve hard-pressed moderate consumers in particular have noted that their shoppers are cutting back on the number of trips they’re making to stores. At the same time, online shopping grows steadily.

In the recent spate of quarterly financial reports from retailers, HSNi (formerly known as the Home Shopping Network) said e-commerce sales grew 22% for its Cornerstone Brands division (which includes Garnet Hill and Frontgate, among other brands) and 11% for HSN. Macy’s Inc. reported that online sales for macys.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF and bloomingdales.com combined rocketed up 40.2% in the second quarter and 39.2% in the first half.

Even Sears Holding — parent of Kmart, Sears U.S. and Sears Canada — saw online sales jump 32% during a quarter that otherwise had not much to crow about, numbers-wise.

The laggard: JCPenney, which experienced fairly robust online growth before the Great Recession.

During the second quarter, JCP’s internet sales rose only 2.8%.

Last week, Stein Mart announced the creation of a new ecommerce guru position. Target said it is preparing an ecommerce relaunch this fall that has been two years in development.

There’s also been movement on the supplier side. Last week, Laura Ashley debuted an e-commerce site for product created by U.S. licensees, and Sure Fit — a pioneer among home textiles suppliers in terms of e-commerce — launched an improved site.

The flash site/membership sale e-commerce channel is also erupting.

Recent weeks saw the introduction of Froogal and Fab as well as the expansion of Mertado and MyHabitat (Amazon’s membership-only fashion site) into home textiles.

And I just deleted four more paragraphs about recent moves in e-commerce and m-commerce (social media) developments to save space.

Bottom line: The fastest growing shopping cart going these days is a keypad. HTT

Jennifer Marks

It’s a Long, Long Way From May to December

I

T ’ S A L MOS T T H E S TA R T of the fourth quarter. Do you know where your customers are?

It’s got to be a question retailers from one end of the country to the other are asking themselves they try to figure Warren as out what in the world Shoulberg is going on out there.

As recently as PUBLISHER/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR M a y, i f y o u a s k e d most store executives about how they were feeling about prospects for the balance of the year, you generally would have gotten fairly positive responses. It was a pretty good spring at most stores, the consumer wasn’t starting to feel better about things in general, and retailers were placing orders for the holidays that reflected those buying patterns.

But, as the song says, it is indeed a pretty long stretch from early spring to the end of the year and somewhere along the line, not only have the wheels fallen off the train, the train itself seems to have fallen off the tracks.

The consumer is clearly spooked by all of the horrible news coming out of just about everywhere: Washington, Wall Street, Europe and all points in between.

She’s worried about her job, her house,

her 401(k) and the last thing she’s thinking about is buying home furnishings.

The round of summer home and gift shows just concluding was not a pretty picture. At almost all of the shows, buying was pretty conservative and concentrated more than ever with the tried and true larger suppliers.

Cotton prices may be coming down — so fast that it shows this was much more about speculation than crop yields — but that’s not going to help a whole lot for the balance of the year. Home textiles retailers have been dealt their cards and they are going to have to play their hands this holiday.

So, if you’re a retailer what do you do?

You’re probably sitting on a little too much inventory and it’s inventory that you no doubt paid more for than you used to, which means you have a little less margin for promotions that a year ago. Yet you’re going to have to drive your business to make things happen. So it’s time to take out the coupons, the one-day sales and all the other promotional paraphernalia in your arsenal.

This fourth quarter is not going to be the slash-and-burn scene we saw in 2008 when things collapsed in about fi ve minutes. But it has the prospects to be a tougher time than the ’09 or ’10, that’s for sure.

Will all of this be enough? Tough to say, because it’s also a long, long way from September to December. HTT

YOUR WORLD IS ABOUT TO CHANGE FOREVER. YOU WILL REALIZE ONLY ONE THING MATTERS; COMFORT WITHIN YOUR LIFE. ... the ultimate luxury

Don’t miss the exclusive viewing of the Live Comfortably Platinum Collection

htt110802_004_005 4

coming 9.19.11

8/19/2011 4:54:11 PM

Home Textiles Today

August 22, 2011

> hometextilestoday.com

5

See the Light

S

HOPPING IS a passion, so when I had three uninformative or uninspiring. The no-stick pan video gifts to buy rather than let my fingers do the should have told me why it was safe to use. Instead Chef walking on the web I headed to a favorite big X cooked a piece of brown meat in a set that cried for a food stylist. It was dinnertime, and I wasn’t inbox. Videos are increasingly part of spired to buy the pan, rush home and recreate our lives so I decided to see what they had to Jeanne the scene—or wrap the gift. show and tell me.

The spokesperson in a mattress video urged Some monitors were placed at eye-level Byington for either LeBron James or Danny DeVito, GUEST COLUMNIST me to ask a sales associate about the differences between the lines. There was neither an assoand most didn’t compel me to buy or even ciate nor a mattress around. I wondered if the put the sheets, plastic cups, mattress cover, marketer, writer or video director ever visited child’s toy or hair color on my wish list. a store like this.

An Oral-B video was the exception of the Eliza offers sage advice when she sings 16 I saw: The monitor was at average adult “Show Me” in “My Fair Lady.” Take advaneye level, the image bright, the sound suffitage of the medium and think action, not talkciently loud. ing heads. An endorsement for a mattress proThe images of some monitors were so tector by a pleasant-looking person—even if an dark I couldn’t make out the action. In others, the voices were garbled. And the brand was a mys- entomologist--won’t grab a customer’s attention from the tery for a few. I had to watch twice to determine which of colors and three dimensional objects around.

Save the quotes for a blog post and show how easily the featured items matched the products around me.

In addition to technical difficulties, most videos were and snugly the mattress cover fits. A fake family having

Laura Ashley US Launches Ecommerce Site F O R T M I L L , S.C . — English lifestyle brand Laura Ashley has launched a U.S. ecommerce site featuring licensed home furnishings – including bedding and bath – as well as U.K. fabrics, wallpapers and accessories at www.lau-

raashley-usa.com.

“The new U.S. site is expanding on the success of the U.K. ecommerce operations, which has enjoyed year after year double-digit growth,” said Laura Ashley, Inc. president K.C. Ng.

Laura Ashley fans can also find products available at brick-andmortar stores at the site’s “Where to Buy” feature. Products ordered from www.lauraashley-usa.com will only be deliverable to addresses in the United States. HTT

Surefit.com Revamps NEW YORK — Slipcover and accessories supplier Sure Fit has upgraded its ecommerce site, www.surefit.com, with a simplified navigation to improve the shopping experience.

New features include the Slipcovers Basics Series, with

how-to videos; live chat that allows customers to ask a site operator real-time questions; and options that help visitors shop by style, furniture type, accessory or color.

“We take how we interact with our customers very seri-

ously,” said Hugh Rovit, Surefit ceo. “Which is why we worked hard to introduce new features and redesign our website — based on customer feedback — to create a shopping experience that is helpful and easy to navigate.” HTT

Michael’s Textiles Relocates P ETERSBURG , VA . — Michael’s Textiles – distributor of decorative fabrics, trimmings and decorative drapery hardware – has completed its move into a new facility here.

Joel Lessem, owner and president said the “moving of the entire operation went

htt110802_004_005 5

seamlessly and was transparent to the customer. We are in the same town, in a more operationally effective warehouse facility, and given the advance notice, we were able to completely re-think and re-design both our distribution facility and offices to maximize effi-

ciency.”

David Lessem, senior vp, said the new 80,000-squarefoot facility allows employees to interact more closely “and take less physical steps to get the job done quickly, which will improve our customer service even further.” HTT

fun watching TV doesn’t sell a plastic tumbler as well as demonstrating it doesn’t break when it falls to the floor during horseplay.

“Budget from $7,000 to $10,000 to shoot, edit, add a good voice and nice music for a piece that shouldn’t run more than three minutes,” New York video producer Paul Gourvitz suggests, “and manufacturers should provide their own monitors.” [The Oral-b toothbrush folks did.]

The people who take the time to check out options in person usually need something right away, so it makes sense to focus as much on the quality of merchandising videos as those slated for smartphones and Facebook fan pages. HTT Jeanne Byington, whose PR/marketing agency helps clients introduce products and promotions to retailers, consumers, designers, architects, the media and others, writes “The Importance of Earnest Service,” a blog about customer, quality, courteous and all sorts of service. It can be found at blog.jmbyington.com.

Window Design Scholarship Established in Memory of Valerie Bursten BETHESDA, MD. — The Interna-

tional Window Coverings Exchange, a group of 15 industry members, is sponsoring a scholarship fund to honor the memory of Valerie Bursten, the late wife of the group’s co-founder, Steve Bursten.

Valerie Bursten, who died this past January, was a leader in developing training and management for independent business owners in the custom window fashions industry.

The Valerie Bursten Scholarship will select two candidates – one a professional and one a student - who committed to broadening consumer awareness and promoting the growth of the custom window decorating business, which were Bursten’s passions.

In addition to the Window Coverings Exchange, donors and sponsors include Window Fashions-Vision Magazine, Custom Home Furnishings Academy (CHFA), Window Coverings University and Exciting Windows.

In the professional category, applications are open to designers, fabrication experts, in-

terns, associates, employees, business owners and others currently serving in the window coverings industry. Students preparing for a career in the design and sales of residential window treatments are also eligible to apply.

Applications are being accepted online until Oct. 1, and winners will be announced in early November.

The winners will attend the International Window Coverings Expo in Chicago, April 27-29, 2012; the Professional Window Coverings Sales Class at Window Coverings University in Baltimore, March 20-22, 2012; and the Exciting Windows Annual Conference, Jan. 28-30, 2012.

Professional and student winners will receive tuition and paid attendance to all events. In addition, industry professionals will receive travel expenses to the events.

For information about qualifications for the award visit www.valerieburstenscholarship.com .For more information, contact steveb@excitingwindows.com. HTT

8/18/2011 5:04:19 PM

6

Home Textiles Today

August 22, 2011

Nourison Returns to High Point SADDLE BROOK, N.J. — After a brief absence, family owned and operated area rug house Nourison is returning to the High Point Market with a new showroom.

The space is set to open its doors this fall in time for the upcoming market, which is set to run Oct. 22 to 27.

Located at the InterHall location on the first level of the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC) building, Noursion said it’s new permanent showroom is “intended to specifically target regional home furnishings retailers that come to the High Point market.”

Alex Peykar, company principal, explained Nourison boasts a significant backup inventory of

area rugs and is able to ship out orders quickly - both of them capabilities that make the company “probably the best possible fit for home furnishings retailers. These stores only have a limited allocation of space and sales per square feet become very important.”

The showroom will feature Nourison’s full range of products and focus specifically on lines that are most suited for the home furnishings market including contemporary, mid-priced, area and scatter rugs, broadloom and home accessories such as pillows and poufs.

Nourison also operates permanent showrooms in New York, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Zurich as well as at its headquarters here. HTT

Morgan Home Fashions Signs Deal for Thomas & Friends N EW YORK — Morgan Home Fashions has signed a license agreement with HIT Entertainment to produce Thomas & Friends seasonal beach products.

The new line featuring the popular pre-school property will

be unveiled during the New York Home Fashions Market Week from Sept. 19-23. The collection includes sun shades, zip-up beach mats and roll-up beach mats. The products will be available at retail for the 2012 beach season. HTT

Winter Warmth WARMTH FROM PAGE 1

one-two punch due to another raw material.

“The price of cotton has had the greatest impact,” said Donna McLin, general manager, Down Inc., a part of Maple Leaf Farms.

“Cotton is used in so many components. The supply chain was able to absorb some of the price increases for a short time, but we’re all concerned about how the consumer will react to higher prices in stores.”

“The higher-end goods are selling better; they’re doing okay,” noted John Factelis, president, Phoenix Down, who said the days of $19.99 promotional down pillows are gone. Factelis noted that the hospitality business is also holding its own, but production costs are impacting every company. “I’m analyzing

htt110802_001_006_022_023 6

every aspect of my business, including energy costs to manage it in this climate,” he said.

“China is no longer willing to take losses on programs just to keep it running,” said Bob Hickman, United Feather & Down.

“It’s not necessarily getting a better price for a bigger order.”

In addition, though high-end goods are selling, Hickman noted that there are “fewer places to shop for better quality goods.” He anticipates even more contracted offerings for down-filled products in the mass market. “We’re managing through it and hoping to get some breathing room in 2012,” he said.

Crawford, who is also svp, finance and procurement for Pacific Coast Feather, agreed.

“There will always be retailers targeting a certain custom-

News

> hometextilestoday.com

Crate & Barrel Adding Two Stores in Canada

BY MICHAEL KNELL M ISSISSAUGA , O NTARIO — Crate & Barrel will open its second store in Alberta in October and its first store in Quebec next spring, bringing its Canadian network to a total of five stores.

The home furnishings specialist will open a 24,430-square-foot store in Edmonton’s Southgate Mall in October, followed in the spring with a 25,000-square-foot store at the Carrefour Laval mall in the Montreal suburb of Laval.

Crate & Barrel’s other Canadian stores are located here as well as in Toronto and Calgary, Alberta.

Construction began on the Laval store last week and when completed, it will have a staff of about 50. According to a report in the Edmonton Journal, the store there will have 40 associates.

Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Chicago, Crate & Barrel entered the Canadian market with its first store in Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre in 2008. The following year it opened the unit in Calgary’s Southcentre mall, and a few months later opened in Mississauga’s Square One. According to a report in the Journal, Crate & Barrel - along with its sister brand CB2 - plans to open eight or nine stores in Canada over the next two years, including at least one store in British Columbia.

Crate & Barrel is among a growing group of U.S. retailers looking to establish a presence in Canada. Among those with strong furniture, home décor and appliance businesses are Target, Big Lots, Lowe’s and Restoration Hardware.

HTT

Ikea’s Photo-Sharing Site Goes Live C ONSHOHOCKEN , PA . — Ikea’s new community photo-sharing website, www.theshare-space. com, has gone live, and the retailer is encouraging its customers to elevate their status at the site by posting as much as possible.

Each week, Ikea will name one customer’s room the “Pick of the Week.” Ikea has also created “Kudos” levels for active

posters, including: • Space Sharer: A user who upload 3 or more distinct rooms (e.g., 1 living room, 1 bedroom and 1 kitchen or 3 different bedrooms); • IKEA Fan: A user who tags five Ikea products in his or her photo collection; • IKEA Super Fan: A user who tags 25 Ikea products in

his or her photo collection; • Admired Space: A room is saved by five other users; • Exceptional Space: A room is saved by 25 users.

The site is also home to a new blog, “Design by IKEA” (www.theshare-space.com/en/ Blog), through which Ikea design experts sharing tips, trends and design ideas. HTT

er that is willing to pay a higher price. What you will see are other retailers saying ‘I still have a natural fill customer’ and look for ways to hit that critical price point. They’ll do it by reengineering the product and working with down-feather blends to meet the prices,” he said. (Geese live longer and cost more to feed – one of the reasons premium goose down is more expensive).

He also concurred that doing business in China has changed dramatically. “They are on much stronger footing,” he said.

It may be counter intuitive for some, but Steve Uretsky, president, Allied Feather & Down, said a warm winter will do the trick in terms of demand.

“A warm winter will slow demand in apparel and make more down available for home textiles and bring down prices.”

Down apparel has had its

own price increase, but it is not as significant due to the small volume of raw material needed. “There are 14 to 22 ounces of down in a pillow [and] about one to two pounds in a comforter. For apparel, it’s only a few ounces,” noted Uretsky.

For its sister company, Allied Home, Uretsky noted that it has an advantage as a new company: “We’re not holding stock, and we are putting a lot of thought into product development.”

With no price relief in immediate sight, will consumers pay more for down? Crawford noted that decreasing prices at retail in years gone by gave consumers the false impression that down and synthetics were interchangeable, and a re-education has to happen. The issue now comes down to convincing consumers that down has its merits and is worth the price.

“The down industry can do public relations, they can get the word out,” suggested Mack, who has a particular pro-down stance: “Overall, natural products are more expensive; however, feather and down has a lower carbon footprint, is a true natural product, is lighter and provides much greater warmth properties.”

“That’s one of the things that doesn’t get enough attention. I don’t think consumers realize how environmentally friendly down is. It is a meat-by product, so there is no waste. It is cleaned with bio-degradeable soap. There is no oil, and if you take the feathers out, they decompose quickly,” said Crawford.

The environmental claims notwithst anding, down and feather products have a tough road ahead as suppliers face the rising price of down. HTT

8/18/2011 11:27:46 AM

ENHANCED WITH

High Performance. High Fashion.

The ONLY plush, premium blanket filled with 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation for superior warmth and lightweight comfort rship e n t r a p e Exclusiv ry Homestyles ™ Elle n e e e t w t a l e u b ™ Thins M 3 d an

™ CComfortTech omfo blankets, enhanced with 3M™ Thinsulate Thinsu ™, offer warmth and fashion for living space. Soft and inviting micromink, any livin and faux fur fabrics feature an interior microfiber an llayer ayer ooff TThinsulate hinsulat ™, a lightweight, breathable fiber that provides warmth all year round.

internationally recognized as the authorThinsulate™ is inter ity in high performance insulation and is used in jackets, pants, gloves and boots for optimal warmth and comfort in the most frigid temperatures. Thinsulate™ has developed a ‘cool’ factor among its consumer advocates and is known for its various sponsorships including those from winter Olympic athletes.

Available in 4 sophisticated, fashion colors, ComfortTech blankets and throws are perfect for chilly nights at home or cool weather weekend outings.

The ultimate blend of fashion, function and innovative style!

Innovation lives here...

295 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1212 / New York, NY 10016 phone: 212.684.5364 • email: info@elleryhomestyles.com www.elleryhomestyles.com

HTT_Ellery CT Blanket tab.indd 1

8/9/11 11:01:45 AM

8

Home Textiles Today

August 22, 2011

News

NYIGF Announces Best New Products in Home Textiles

> hometextilestoday.com

Covington Names Tarver President and ceo NEW YORK — Greg Tarver has joined Covington

N E W YO R K — A pillow from

Aalamwaar Textiles’ Tranquility collection was named the best new home textiles product at the New York International Gift Fair, and five other companies were awarded with having the best product introductions in their categories.

Aalamwaar, based in Tarpon Springs, Fla., won the top award for the Mandela pillow, a silk piece that was brushed and block-printed by hand.

Category winners were:

Bedding • Winner: SFERRA (Edison, N.J.) for Utopia Down Collection, with ivory German silk jacquard shell filled with Icelandic Eider down, offered in light, medium and heavy weights; • Finalist: Cuddledown (Portland, Maine) for North American Exclusive 1,000 Fill Power Comforter; • Finalist: Libeco Home (New York) for Georgetown Quilted Coverlet.

From left to right: Kristen Hamilton, At Home sales representative and Christian Falkenberg, GLM vp and NYIGF show manager present the awards to the summer 2011 Home Textiles Market Week winners: Liz Rapelye, director of marketing and public relations, Sferra; Jenny Haik, designer and owner of Scents and Feel; Alicia Adams, owner of Alicia Adams Alpaca; Mareike Fink, public relations and marketing manager of Blissliving Home; and Diane Crocker, sales executive of Blissliving Home.

Bath

Home Accessories

• W i n n e r : S c e n t s & Fe e l (Miami) for Fout a & Guest Towel Hemingbone with stripes, a natural cotton set produced in two colors; • Finalist: Matteo (Los Angeles) for Vintage Stripes Collection; • Finalist: Qi Cashmere (New York) for Lansing Robe.

• Winner: Alicia Adams Alpaca (Stanfordville, N.Y.) for Links Wrap, hand-looped with baby alpaca, and available in ivory, taupe, light gray and charcoal colors; • Finalist: Libeco Home (New York) for Flagstaff blanket and pillows; • Finalist: V Rugs & Home (Miami) for Cotton Straw Pillow.

The panel of judges included: Jennifer Marks, Editor-in-Chief, Home Textiles Today; Jenny Heinzen York, Editor-in-Chief, Home Accents Today; David Gill, senior editor, HFN; Wanda Jankowski, Editor-in-Chief, LDB; and Catherine Davis, senior style editor, Veranda. HTT

Dining • Winner: Blissliving Home (Rockville, Md.) for Mendoza Slate Placemats, featuring gold sequins and embroidery that shimmers across the rectangular linen; • Finalist: Pehuen (West New York, N.J.) for Raw Silk Placemat; • Finalist: Sferra (Edison, N.J.) for Festival 101 Colors.

Fabric & Design as president and ceo. He was previously president and chief operating officer at The Robert Allen Group.

Prior to joining Robert Allen in 2003, Tarver spent 27 years at WestPoint Stevens and its corporate predecessors.

At Covington, he will report to Mark Kahan, GREG TARVER chairman, and will oversee the company’s operaCovington tions, sales and management.

“Greg has the operational experience to optimize CFD’s worldwide sourcing capability in both home fashions and finished products and the sales and marketing energy and vision to complete Covington’s return as a major force in the world of home furnishings,” said Kahan.

Later this month, CFD will move into a new office at 470 7th Ave. in New York. The company also operates a distribution center in Calhoun Falls, SC, and has additional offices in High Point, NC, and Haining City, China. HTT

Orian Steps Up Canadian Effort ANDERSON, S.C. — Orian Rugs is expanding its presence in Canada through a partnership with The Brick, Canada’s largest furniture retailer.

Orian will introduce seven new rug qualities in a varity of colors, designs and constructions through The Brick.

“We are thrilled to partner with such a visionary retailer”, said Patty Dyjach, Orian Rug’s national account manager.

“Shelley Mushtuk (The Brick’s area rug buyer) understands the importance of enriching

President Obama Signs Bill to Amend CPSIA WASHINGTON — President Obama

ABC Kids Expo 2011 Connects With Social Media L OUISVILLE , KY. — Buyers and

sellers in the juvenile products industry will “virtually” be able to keep up with all the latest developments at the 2011 ABC Kids Expo via Facebook,Twitter and blog posts made by show staff and attendees.

The 800-square-foot “Blog

htt110802_008 8

Bistro” will be the show’s centerpiece of high-tech connectivity.

This space will feature 16-foot high walls with 8-by-10-footscreens on outer walls that will show a continuous feed of Twitter posts that include the show’s official hashtag, #ABCKids11.

Qualified members of the

media, mommy bloggers and baby planners will find plenty of electrical outlets, pastries, snacks, coffee and other beverages in the bistro during show hours.For more information about the show, visit www.theabcshow.com or call (210) 6914848. HTT

her customer’s experience with a fashion-forward area rug collection that complements their home décor.”

Retail price points will range from $129.97 to $249.97.

“We share common goals and values with The Brick”, said Pat O’Farrell, Orian Rug’s Canadian sales manager. “We both have a strong foundation of value, creativity and innovation. We are looking forward to growing this partnership and growing our market share in the Canadian market.” HTT

has signed HR2715, the bill to amend the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008) to provide greater discretion to the Consumer Product Safety Commission to exclude products and materials that cannot practically meet the new lower 100ppm lead standard for children’s products that went into effect August 14. The amendment law is now in effect.

An important provision is an express provision that makes it

clear that goods already on retail shelves need not meet the new limits which now apply only to new goods manufactured after August 14, 2011.

CPSC is also directed to give greater deference to ASTM standards as durable JP rules and permit alternate flexible testing and certification rules.

CPSC now also has the authority to enact regulations that reduce testing and certification burdens on small businesses that already produce safe products. HTT

8/18/2011 4:24:40 PM

SAN2932-Sam Salem Tab Ad-hr_Layout 1 8/18/11 3:14 PM Page 1

If You Think You Know Sam Salem and Son...

THINK AGAIN! Come Visit Us at Our New Showroom at 7 West 34 St; Suite 500

See What's New in the Home Collections. Sophisticated Designs from Joseph Abboud... to the Trendy, Glamorous Looks of .

We Have it ALL, Including Great Service and Even Better Prices.

THINK AGAIN!

Tel: 212-695-6020 • Fax: 212- 695-6303

10

Home Textiles Today

August 22, 2011

News

Walmart Customers Sticking to Necessities B ENTONVILLE, A RK. — Walmart

U.S. customers are still scrimping to make ends meet, trading down and foregoing discretionary purchases — resulting in a comp decline of mid-single digits for the home department.

While the outdoor living department some saw improvement during the second quarter, “there appears to have been a trade-off in indoor living categories,” Bill Simon, president and ceo of Walmart U.S., told analysts during the company’s quarterly conference call earlier this month. “Customers are opting out of décor items for their homes, or they’re trading down.”

By contrast, the home department at Sam’s Club generated

a single-digit comp gain, with domestics, kitchen electrics and housewares cited as strong performers.

Price inflation in food has supplanted worries about gas prices for Walmart U.S. customers, and the retailer is focusing on its pricing, according to Mike Duke, president and ceo of WalMart Stores Inc. “I’ve recently observed several focus groups, and it’s clear many consumers are still struggling,” he said.

He added: “There certainly are many reports on Walmart pricing, and the fact is that the gap has narrowed in some cases.

We’re committed to widening the gap on price, and we have a specific plan and timetable

to deliver EDLP to every customer.”

Operating income for Walmart US rose 2.1% to $4.985 billion in the quarter ended July 31. Sales eked out a 0.4% gain to reach $64.9 billion. Comps, excluding fuel, dipped 0.9%, within the range of Walmart’s expectations.

Operating income for Sam’s Club rose 15.0% to $492 million during the quarter. Sales climbed 9.5% to $13.6 billion.

Comps, excluding fuel, rose 5.0%.

Corporate earnings per share rose 12.4% to $1.09, near the high end of its guidance. Sales rose 5.5% to $108.6 billion.

Total U.S. comps, excluding fuel, were flat. HTT

> hometextilestoday.com

Cuddledown Launches New 1,000-Fill Power Pillow and Comforter P ORTLAND , M AINE — Luxury down bedding and home fashions

manufacturer Cuddledown is introducing a 1,000 fill power down comforter and pillow it asserts is the first such construction in the North American market.

Handcrafted at company headquarters here, the new high-performance products are made of high-quality down and feature shells made from 350-count, 100% cotton German batiste.

“At Cuddledown, we currently offer a selection of fine European white goose-down fills, but our new 1,000 Fill Power truly redefines the standards of luxury,” said Chris Bradley, ceo of the 38-year-old company. “This fill is the best we’ve ever seen, and you won’t find it anywhere else in the U.S. right now. ” HTT

JCP’s Shopper Remained Cautious Over 2Q P L ANO , TEX AS — Faulting in

part the lethargic economy for continuing to tighten the pocketbooks of middle-income shoppers, JCPenney Company Inc. reported softer-than-expected top line results over its second quarter.

While comparable store sales for the quarter rose 1.5%, tot al sales decreased 0.8%, reflecting the company’s exit from its catalog business, JCP said.

Internet sales through jcp. com grew only 2.8% to $326 million, representing JCP’s “difficult conversion away from the catalog business and its effect on dot-com,” explained Myron “Mike” Ullman III, chairman and ceo, during the retailer’s earnings call earlier this month.

“We still feel we’re in the middle of that transformation.”Over half of our dot-com business today is the home, and big-ticket home is the most troubled of our businesses.”

JCP.com is “getting good sell-through on fresh merchandise,” Ullman continued.

“As a matter of fact, we continue to see very sharp price points being best sellers as well as newness and fashion, and Sephora is actually the high-

htt110802_010 10

est trending business in the store.”

With that in mind, JCP is optimistic about its ability to maint ain margins, he continued. “But we still have the drag a bit of our dot-com. So in the first half and particularly in the second quarter, half of our decline in margin to last year was the effect of dot-com.”

Overall, the strongest merchandise results in the period were in women’s apparel and accessories and fine jewelry.

Home was not included in this group, but housewares was singled out among various categories that performed double digits ahead of last year, Ullman said.

Net income for the quarter was $14 million, or $0.07 per share, including previously announced restructuring charges.

JCP noted that it is “comfortable with the level and content” of its inventory, as it is in line with expected sales trends, and up approximately 2.3% over last year.

“The challenging economy continues to impact the moderate consumer,” he continued. “Nevertheless, we have made significant strides in implementing our merchan-

dising growth initiatives, with sales gains across our apparel and accessories businesses both in stores and on jcp.com.

Through our focus on building attractions, improving sales productivity in stores, managing expenses and streamlining operations, we are committed to delivering on the Company’s long-term earnings targets.”

Looking to the third quarter, JCP offered its guidance, which calls for comparable store sales to increase 2% to 3%; tot al sales to increase approximately 250 basis points less than comparable store sales due to the impact of the company’s exit of its catalog and related businesses; and earnings per share to be in the range of $0.15 to $0.20 per share, including restructuring charges of approximately $0.05 per share.

The company said this guidance does not include the impact of JCP’s voluntary early retirement program that was communicated to associates this month. The company expects to disclose the number of associates who elect to participate in the program as well as the operational effi ciencies resulting from the program as part of its third quarter earnings release. HTT

Cuddledown’s 1000 Fill Power Batiste Comforter

Dreamline to Rep C&F Enterprises in Western Canada N EWPORT N EWS , VA . — C & F

Enterprises has signed Dreamline Agency of Canada to represent C the home textiles company’s product in the Western Canadian retail market.

Jennifer Sheridan, C & C’s national sales manager, said: “We are excited to expand the reach of C & F quilted bedding and tabletop designs throughout Western Canada with Dreamline Agency. Their experience with selling the April Cornell

apparel brand creates a natural extension to the romantic fabrics of April Cornell luxury quilted bedding.”

Dreamline is a wholesale sales agency specializing in ladies apparel, gifts and now bedding and home textiles. It works with retailers and specialty boutiques in the provinces of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, The Northern Territories, Manitoba, Alberta, and Yukon. HTT

8/18/2011 1:42:20 PM

Our friend Bob Hamilton “Our most gracious, tailored, gentle-hearted, profound, articulate, storyteller of a husband and father, the truest of gentlemen, is finally at peace.”

“Bob was the epitome of a true gentleman, friend and educator.”

“Bob’s impeccable presence and shining enthusiasm made a lasting impression on many of us who had the privilege to work with him.”

“His heartfelt passion and sincere encouragement made work a joy.

He was a great mentor, friend and collaborator and a consummate professional.”

“He really made business fun with his enthusiasm, his great ideas and his work ethic.”

“When Bob spoke, flowers came out. I would come into a meeting at market with a complaint, and come out having bought six more colors, and feeling good about it!”

“A stylish gentleman and great teacher of the home industry.”

“He was a true gentleman in a crazy business. Trying to be funny, I once pulled his pocket square out of his pocket at a Fieldcrest sales meeting. He nonchalantly took it from me and coolly said “Roy my boy, it needed to be refolded anyway.”

“There are, of course, no words that can do him justice — his eloquence, humor, and his perennially upbeat spirit — even throughout his illness — is already missed.”

“In the golf game of life, Bob played every hole honestly, with a smile and a thought to remember. The final hole, his best, showed us how to say goodbye.”

From your friends and co-workers at Welspun, thanks Bob.

HTT_Welspun.indd 1

8/12/11 12:36 PM

12

Home Textiles Today

August 22, 2011

News

> hometextilestoday.com

Midwest Textile and Home Products Association Sponsors 22nd Charity Golf Outing D UBLIN , O HIO —The Midwest

Textile and Home Products Association 22nd Charity Golf Outing was held last month at the Country Club of Muirfield Village.

The event honored the memories of Dick Kenney, Morris I. Gindi, Matt Meinzinger, Lynn Davis, Kent Evans, Marvin Smith and Lido Mazzei. Proceeds from this year’s outing will benefit the victims from the spring 2011 tornadoes through the Maples Tornado Victims Relief Fund, HFPA FoundationFIT Scholarship Fund, Columbus Blue Jackets FoundationPediatric Cancer and specified charities for those honored.

The program included golf, dinner, introduction of the honorees and beneficiaries, sponsorship recognition, golf awards, raffle and live auction. HTT

From left: Dan Torchia, Torchia Sales & Marketing; Ted Tepe, Seaman Paper; Dan Cousineau, Torchia Sales & Marketing; and Steve Johnson, Big Lots.

From left: Bruce Garfinkel, Steve Klug and Michael Doherty of Ellery with Aaron Croysdale of Big Lots.

From left: Ren Trapani and Kevin Cook, both HC International; Dale Hughes, Sam Salem & Sons; and Cindy Hughes, Big Lots.

Trend Lab Licenses for Nickelodeon Infant Goods MINNEAPOLIS — Trend Lab will debut its first collections of Nickelodeon-licensed products at the ABC Kids Expo in Louisville, Ky., next month, including bedding, room décor and

htt110802_012 12

storage pieces.

The nursery and toddler products will be based on three Nickelodeon properties: Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob Square Pants and Blue’s

Clues.

Targeting mid-tier retailers, department stores and specialty stores, the products are slated to launch at retail in mid-2012.

HTT

At top: From left: Joe Zadareky, Big Lots; Dan Anthony, Virginia Linens; and Jude Giovengo, PemAmerica.

At bottom: From left: Chad Novak, FXI; Jennifer Oldam, Ryan Spear and George DeSotle, all of SureFit.

HFPA Sets Meeting Date N EW YORK — The Home Fash-

ions Products Association, the association for the home textiles industry, will hold its annual meeting Nov. 16.

The location is showroom building 7W New York at 7 W. 34th St., between 5th and 6th

Avenues.

The tentative schedule calls for a Continental breakfast from 9to 9:30 a.m., followed by the meeting from 9:30 to 10 a.m. A guest speaker will give a presentation afterward. More information will be announced. HTT

8/18/2011 5:18:42 PM

Avanti.indd 1

8/12/2011 12:40:35 PM

14

Home Textiles Today

August 22, 2011

> hometextilestoday.com

PEOPLETodaY J.Queen New York Taps Barabara Wright to Expand Bath NEW YORK — J.Queen New York Is ramping up its bath business with the addition of industry veteran Barbara Wright to its creative team. Wright will develop bath accessories, decorative towels, rugs and shower curtains.

She will be based out of J.Queen New York’s Manhatt an showroom. Previously, Wright held senior bath development positions at Royal Heritage Home and Veratex.

She will also support design

and merchandising efforts as J.Queen New York expands its product offerings in fashion bedding and other fabric categories.

“Barbara’s contributions, as we approach September mar-

ket week, will support J.Queen New York’s continuing efforts is to increase its market share in the fashion bath and fashion bedding categories,” said Don Whittam, executive vp of merchandising. HTT

Furlet Takes Over From Ulrich at MMPI C HICAGO — Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) has named Mark Furlet vp of its Chicago Gift & Home division, effective immediately. Furlet moves into the position held for the past 14 years by Joan Ulrich, who has resigned from the company.

Furlet has served for the past five years as general manager of the LA Mart, and will remain its vice president and general manager, in addition to directing the Chicago division. In this new role, Furlet will direct all of MMPI’s gift

industry marketing, leasing and operations in Chicago and Los Angeles, as well as overseeing the gift teams responsible for selling and marketing permanent showrooms and temporary exhibition space.

Chris Collins, who has been with MMPI for seven years, and involved with the gift industry for over two decades, will continue in his role as vp and general manager of the 7W New York showroom building, as well as leading the strategy for the MMPI businesses in New York.

The move also comes shortly after MMPI cut back its staff, and a few months after parent company, Vornado, announced plans to take the business back to its roots. Steven Roth, chairman of Vornado, said in his annual letter to shareholders, “In 2011, we will withdraw capit al from the unencumbered 350 West Mart building in Chicago (almost entirely an office building) by financing, sale or both. We will also focus on LA Mart. We will transition 7 West 34th back to New York Office [another division of Vor-

nado] by 2015. Effectively this will scale the business back to its core, the Chicago Merchandise Mart plus the Washington and Boston Mart operations.”

W h i l e t h e l e t t e r di d n ’ t address the fate of New York’s Show Piers, which MMPI took over in 2009, the recent repositioning of Chris Collins’ role in New York could suggest his involvement in their management. A projected renovation, which had been held up by a legal challenge, was resolved in MMPI’s favor this February.

HTT

New Licensing Rep for The Vera Company Named A TL ANTA — The Vera Company - which licenses the trademarks and copyright art of the late Vera Neumann, best known for her colorful scarves - has tapped Jeff Casner to represent the company’s licensing.

Casner has been the director of licensing at Franco Manufacturing for the past seven years.

Before that, he was senior vp for KN Ltd., which licensed Karen Neuburger’s designs.

“Jeff brings a wealth of experience to this role” said Susan Seid, president of The Vera Company. “He has been on both sides, as licensor and licensee, in both fashion and in home.” HTT

Conley to Head High Point Market Authority HIGH POINT, N.C. — Trade show executive Tom Conley has been named president and ceo of the High Point Market Authority by its board of directors.

He replaces former President Brian Casey, who left the Market Authority, the market’s organizing body, this spring for

a position with Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. in Cleveland. Conley will start Aug. 15.

“We are very pleased to have someone of Tom’s caliber join the Market Authority, particularly with his extensive background in trade show management,” said authority Chairman

Kevin O’Connor of Samson Marketing in a press release.

Conley is the owner of TPC & Associates in Chicago, a convention and trade show services business that he launched in 2009.

Before that, he was president of the Toy Industry Assn.

Fabric Veteran Martha Fulton, 71 POMPANO BEACH, FLA. — Fabric

designer Martha Fulton passed away here July 31. She was 71.

Originally from Scotland, she came to the U.S. by way of New Zealand in the 1960s.

She worked for numerous US and Canadian textile manufacturers over the years, includ-

htt110802_014 14

ing Hafner, Blumenthal Print Works, Samuelson, Quaker, and American Silk Mills, among others, either directly our through her firm, Martha Fulton Associates.

“She was known for her enormous talent in design which she graciously shared with those with

whom she worked,” said Patti Donohue, a former colleague.

Fulton is survived by her daughter, Sara Gruber. Those who would like to make donations in Fulton’s name are requested to give the Sustainable Furnishings Council at sustainablefurnishings.org. HTT

in New York and headed the annual International Toy Fair, a 100-year-old trade show. Conley was also formerly president of the Steel Service Center Institute, the International Travel Management Partners and the National Housewares Manufacturers Assn., where he

implemented new processes to improve and redefine the annual Housewares show.

Conley will be responsible for developing strategies for the market and expanding “its role as the world’s premier home furnishings market,” the press release said. HTT

Messe Frankfurt USA Promotes Everett A T L A N TA — Trade fair organizer Messe Frankfurt USA has promoted Stephanie Everett to vp, making her responsible for managing the teams producing all nine shows currently held in the USA and Canada.

Everett joined Messe Frankfurt USA in 2004 and quickly moved into a project manage-

ment role, followed by subsequent promotions to show manager and group show director.

Most recently, Everett was responsible for the textiles portfolio of six shows, including the market-leading shows Texworld USA, Techtextil North America and the recent launch Texprocess Americas. HTT

8/18/2011 11:48:33 AM

c o M I n g THI S SEP TEM B ER I n n EW YoRk

ConText:

Online & Beyond A h Al f - dAy c o n f eer r e nc e o n All t h ings o n l in e A n d digitAl nl digitA l

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 8:00 A .M. – 1 2:00 P.M. HoTEl gAn SEvooR T PA Rk AvEn UE •Park ave. south & 29th st.•

Join Home Textiles Today for an enlightening, informative and fastpaced program on what’s new in e-commerce, mobile commerce, social networking, blogging, Qr tags and the entire online world, held right before the september new york textiles market week. it’s your chance to see how these emerging technologies can help your business all in one easy session.

nEW YoRk cIT Y Program highlights include:

EARlY BIRD REgISTRATIon

99

$

until september 6th

helaine suval President, suval consultants former eVP, gMM, Macys.com

Crystal vilkaitis director of social Media snap retail

Brett Goldberg President, synqware.com

Chris Phillips sales & Marketing director, Apartment therapy

STAnDARD REgISTRATIon

189

$

after september 6th

BRoUgHT To YoU BY:

SPonSoRED BY:

Ea c h r egi s tered attendee will re ceive a free Q R t ag for their com pany, c ou r tesy of S y n q war e. c om

Re gis te r o nl ine at Fur ni tur eTodayo nli ne . c o m / co nfe r e nc e s For mor e infor mat ion and s pons or s hip oppor t unities , c o nta c t Wa rren s h oulberg at 6 46-805-0226 or w s houlberg@ho metextiles to d ay.c o m

HTT conf TAB.indd 1

8/15/2011 4:13:44 PM

16

Home Textiles Today

> hometextilestoday.com

August 22, 2011

BUSINESS TodaY Macy’s Touts Best 2Q in a Decade; Home Among Strongest Areas C INCINNATI — Macy’s Inc. just

wrapped up what it described as its strongest second quarter period in the past 10 years, with better-than-expected comps and sales results.

The quarter’s best performing merchandise categories included home as well as jewelry, watches, fashion accessories, cosmetics, fragrances and men’s. Also strong were private brands. Martha Stewart Collection “continues to see strength,” cfo Karen Hoguet, said during Macy’s earnings conference call earlier this month.

Cotton price increases forced Macy’s to increase its retails in sev-

eral categories. This fall, Hoguet said, apparel and home textiles are set to see the highest relative price or cost increase.

“As we look to the fourth quarter, we are cognizant of some price increases,” Hoguet continued. “Our initial experiences with price increases have proven to be generally consistent with our expectations in terms of unit sales.”

The 850-plus unit department store chain boost earnings per share by 57% to 55 cents for the quarter, “well ahead of our expectations,” noted Hoguet. The jump was driven by sales and im-

provement in Macy’s credit performance.

Sales rose 7.3% to $5.94 billion, and comparable store sales increased 6.4%.

For the year to date, Macy’s sales were up 6.5% to $11.83 billion, and comps were up 5.9%.

Macy’s started the year expecting a comps growth of 3% for both the first half and the full year of 2011.

Online sales – macys.com and bloomingdales.com combined – jumped 40.2% in the second quarter and 39.2% in the first half.

Online sales positively affected the company’s same-store sales by

Lowe’s Earnings Flat, Expands Online Push M OORESVILLE , N.C. — Lowe’s

profit performance beat Wall Street expectations although its sales missed the retailer’s target.

Net income of $830 million was fairly flat compared to last year’s second quarter, while earnings per share rose 10.3% to 64 cents.

Sales for the quarter ended July 29 rose 1.3% to $14.5 billion, with comps off 0.3%.

The home center retailer has been conducting merchandise reviews in all departments, according to Robert Niblock,

chairman, president and ceo.

The company also continues to invest in ecommerce, which ended the qurter with more than 190,000 items available online – a 73% jump from a year ago, he told analysts during Lowe’s quarterly conference call.

“We’ve also recently begun shipping items to customers from service stores and regional distribution centers in addition to our dedicated Internet warehouse. This means with more items available for partial ship-

ment than ever before, we can provide faster delivery and reduce our cost to fulfill orders,” he said.

Lowe’s is launching a Spanish-language version of its site, including ecommerce. The retailer will also soon debut its first mobile app. Near the end of the fiscal year, the company will launch My Lowe’s, “a set of capabilities that will revolutionize how customers interact with us to more efficiently manage projects and improve their homes,” said Niblock. HTT

Same-store sales

Comps Holding Fairly Steady N EW YORK — A balance of summer clearance

Some retailers said hot weather during the and better Back-to-School spending than a year week ended August 13 retarded sales of fall ago pushed same-stores sales ahead 4.7% dur- merchandise, she added. HTT ing the second week of August, according to the Johnson Redbook.

“As the school year nears, Johnson Redbook Index sales appear to be slightly Second week of August, year-over-year % change above target year-to-ate, alWEEK DED EN 8/6 8/13 8/20 8/27 MONTH TARGET though the impact will be Department stores* 3.0 3.3 3.2 2.8 easier to assess next month Discounters 5.7 5.5 5.6 5.5 as consumers are increasingRedbook Index 4.8 4.7 4.8 4.6 ly buying closer to need,” *Including chain stores and traditional department stores Source: Johnson Redbook Index said Catlin Levis, Redbook analyst.

htt110802_016_018 16

1.2 percentage points in the quarter and 1.3 percentage points in the year to date.

Macy’s is “cautious but optimistic” about the second half of this year, Hoguet said. Reluctant to share details about the company’s holiday plans when asked by an analyst, she offered that Macy’s is building on last year’s gift strategy and plans to be omni-channel this year.

Macy’s currently expects same-store sales in the second half of fiscal 2011 to grow 4% to 4.5%, which would result in full-year 2011 same-store sales being up between 4.8% and

5.1%. At the beginning of the year, the company’s initial guidance was for fiscal comp gain of approximately 3%. In July, fullyear same-store sales guidance was raised to an increase of approximately 4.8%, For the full year 2011, Macy’s is increasing its earnings guidance to $2.60 to $2.65 per share, including $1.74 to $1.79 per share in the second half of 2011. This compares with previous full-year guidance of $2.40 to $2.45 per share, and initial earnings guidance of $2.25 to $2.30 per share provided at the beginning of the year. HTT

WestPoint Sales Down in 2Q N E W YO R K — Executives at WestPoint Home parent Icahn Enterprises cited a soft housing market and the exit from some unprofitable programs for WestPoint Home’s 23% sales decline in the second quarter.

For the period ended June 30, revenues for Icahn’s home fashions division (WestPoint) fell

to $82 million, with gross margin down 42%.

For the first six months, sales fell 5% to $190 million, with gross margin off 17%.

Icahn executives offered no additional remarks about the home business during a conference call with analysts or in the presentation materials. HTT

Crown Crafts Results Weighed Down by Costs G ONZALES , L A . — Rising costs of raw materials, labor and transportation pushed down Crown Crafts’ profit during the company’s first quarter even though sales gained.

Net income fell 27% to $530,000, or 5 cents per share.

Sales rose 2% to $17.5 million.

“Net sales continued to improve as a result of our innovative and popular new designs in bedding, blankets and accessories, combined with our aggressive promotional and marketing activities in this product category,” said Randall Chestnut, chairman, president and ceo. HTT

Another Strong Quarter for TJX FRAMINGHAM, MASS. — TJX saw earnings per share jump 21.6% to 90 cents during the second quarter.

Consolidated sales rose 8.0% to $5.5 billion.

Sales at the Marmaxx divi-

sion jumped 10.4% to $3.65 billion, with comps up 5%.

Sales at HomeGoods climbed 12.9% to $515 million, with comps up 3% on top of a year-ago comp increase of 8%. HTT

8/18/2011 4:36:49 PM

The Big Party Is Moving to a New Location

Join us for the all-new

MARKET KICK-OFF PARTY At its new location, Bar Basque at the Eventi Hotel, just two short blocks from the Fifth Avenue showroom buildings Sunday, September 18, 6-8pm Sponsored by:

W 29th Street

Global Home Show Market Kickoff Party Sponsors:

eventi

295 5th Ave

ay adw Bro

W 30th Street

7W 34th St

5th Avenue

495

Avenue of the Americas 6th Avenue

W 34th Street

261 5th Ave

W 28th Street W 27th Street W 26th Street

230 5th Ave

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Warren Shoulberg at wshoulberg@hometextilestoday.com or 646-805-0226.

HTT Sept2011 Market party ad.indd 1

8/16/11 4:51 PM

18

Home Textiles Today

August 22, 2911

Home Textiles Help Soften 2Q Blow for Stein Mart J AC K S O N V I L L E , F L A . — Stein

Mart Inc. experienced a difficult second quarter, but the period was a good one for home textiles, which was singled out among the top categories.

Improved performances in home are part of the 260-unit offprice mid-tier department store chain’s overall effort to sharpen merchandise mixes and align inventory more closely with sales trends across the store. More tweaking in home has begun with the recent addition of major brands, like Vera and Eileen West as well as some further “reinvigorating” in linens, gifts and other home-related areas, noted president and ceo David Stovall Jr. During Stein Mart’s earnings conference call last week, an analyst asked Stovall about the impacts of price increases on the retailer’s business.

“Price increases in the first half have been in the mid-single digits and that will continue in the second half,” he responded. “We are working with our vendors on that. But we see

that pressure lessening as we talk about next spring.”

Overall, he said, “in most cases, we see that moderating.”

“Second quarter sales were disappointing, particularly following our positive first quarter performance,” Stovall said. “Our entire team is focused on executing our strategies to accelerate sales and strengthen Stein Mart’s position as a fashion-driven, valueoriented retailer. We are refining our assortments, improving our shopping experience, continuing to invest in customer research, and launching a new advertising campaign this fall.”

Because of an adjustment, Stein Mart’s net income in the second quarter, ended July 30, dipped 88.5% to $1.3 million, or 3 cents per share. Net income as adjusted for the second quarter of 2010 was $3.0 million or 7 cents per share.

After a positive first quarter sales performance, sales in the second quarter slipped 2.1% to $270.2 million. Comps decreased 1.1%. HTT

Bon-Ton Stores Improves Net Loss in 2Q YO R K , P A . — The Bon-Ton

Stores’ second quarter was another challenging period for the regional department store chain.

Bud Bergren, president and ceo, noted: “We improved our net loss in the second quarter by 13 cents per share, reflecting lower selling, general and administrative and interest expenses and a favorable tax benefit.”

For the quarter, ended July 30, Bon-Ton’s net loss narrowed slightly to $32.3 million, or $1.78 per share, compared with a net loss of $33.7 million, or $1.91 per share, for the year-ago period.

Sales fell 2.2% to $595.5, and comps decreased 1.5%.

Year-to-date results were harsher, as net loss widened to $68.3 million, or $3.79 per share, compared with a net loss of $57.3 million, or $3.24 per share, for the prior year period. Comps were down 1.4% and sales decreased 1.9% to $1.245 billion.

Hard home was among the top performers during the second quarter, and furniture was among the weakest for the period.

htt110802_016_018 18

Cost increases are top of mind, and Bergren offered an outline of the retailer’s strategy during BonTon’s earnings call this morning.

“We instituted price increases in spring 2011 to reflect cost increases of approximately 5% to 8%,” he said. “We found some price resistance to basic commodity products while we saw little impact on price increases on fashion merchandise. We will be increases price in early fall 2011 in fashion merchandise to offset the 18% to 15% expected increase in cost. Our pricing strategy consists of fashion merchandise and holding select key items to last year’s prices.”

For spring 2012, Bon-Ton’s pricing outlook sees “moderated” cost pressures, “and cotton prices have dropped sharply from spring ‘11 highs. Chinese domestic demand has slowed, yet factory production is down in response to U.S. and Europe demand. We expect some cost reductions come late fall 2011 and we expect this to continue going into spring of 2012.” HTT

Business

> hometextilestoday.com

NRF: Retail Container Traffic to Pick up in Fall WASHINGTON — The National

Retail Federation predicted this week that import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports will remain below last year’s levels for the remainder of the summer before seeing year-over-year gains again this fall as retailers begin to stock up for the holiday season.

This finding is according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released earlier this month by NRF and Hackett Associates.

“Cargo numbers have been down this summer, but that’s a reflection of last year’s unusual shipping patterns more than the economy,” explained Jonathan Gold, vice president for supply chain and customs policy, NRF. “The economy continues to face challenges, but job growth has been steady, and retailers have been adding jobs themselves as sales improve. Cargo figures for this fall clearly show that retailers are expecting a healthy holiday season.”

The Global Port Tracker covers the U.S. ports of Long Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the

West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston and Savannah on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast.

Collectively, these ports handled 1.25 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), In June, import cargo volume dipped 2.6% compared to May and 5% dip compared to June 2010, breaking an 18-month of streak of year-over-year monthly volume gains.

“Rather than indicating an economic downturn, however, the numbers are a skewed comparison against higher-than-normal numbers last summer, when fears of shortages in shipping capacity caused many retailers to bring holiday merchandise into the country earlier than usual.

Actual retail sales have seen 12 straight months of growth,” Global Tracker explained.

Year-over-year increases are expected to resume in September, which is forecast at 1.48 million TEU, up 10.4% from last year. October is forecast at 1.46 million TEU, up 8% from last year; November at 1.31 million TEU, up 6.2%; and De-

cember at 1.18 million TEU, up 3%.

One TEU is one 20-foot cargo container or its equivalent.

The first half of 2011 totaled 7.15 million TEU, up 3.9% from the first half of 2010, and the full year is forecast at 15.28 million TEU, up 3.6% from 2010. Imports during 2010 totaled 14.7 million TEU, a 16% increase over unusually low numbers in 2009.

While cargo volume is expected to increase through this fall’s holiday shipping cycle, Hackett Associates founder Ben Hackett said a number of key economic indicators are raising concerns about future cargo growth.

“Industrial production in China is weak, bulk commodity imports are declining, and ports are beginning to report reduced export volumes,” Hackett said. “In the U.S., we have lower private consumption, lower government expenditure and lower indices like the purchasing managers’ index. This is cause for concern because it could lead to lower growth of trade volumes.” HTT

Study: Walmart No Longer Perceived as Low-price Leader NEW YORK — The recession has

so impacted Walmart shoppers that 86% of them no longer consider the chain to offer the lowest prices, according to a new study from WSL/Strategic Retail.

The survey of over 1,500 Walmart shoppers found 82% of them say they haven’t seen any

Ross 2Q ROSS FROM PAGE 1

and footwear and more in apparel,” he explained.

As it relates to cotton, Balmuth continued: “Our merchants very aware of the price dropping in cotton, so as we buy – and we bought in packaway – we have been very aware of that, and the price points we’ve been looking for in the market reflect our knowledge of that, and our prices will be

improvement in their financial situation in the past year, and 70% don’t expect their finances to get better next year.

Dollar stores, respondents said, have better prices than Walmart, and shoppers noted dollar stores have stepped up the availability of national brands. Consum-

ers also cited supermarkets and other mass retailers as having better prices.

The consultancy’s ceo, Wendy Leiberman, said while Walmart is not likely to disappear, “it will no longer dominate the U.S. retail landscape as it once did.” HTT

moderated by next spring.”

Ross Stores Inc. earnings per share grew 20% in the second quarter to $1.28, with net earnings grew up 15% to $148.3 million.

Sales were up 9% to $2.09 billion; and comps increased 5% on top of a 4% gain in 2010.

Looking ahead, Balmuth said Ross Stores is being cautious in its outlook for the back half of the year, “mainly due to the unknown impact on con-

sumers from the recent stock market volatility and increased economic uncert ainty. It is also unclear how higher sourcing costs and expected price increases throughout all of retail will impact our business. As a result, although we hope to do better, our sales and earnings targets for the second half of 2011 remain unchanged.”

In the third quarter, the company will open 14 new Ross Stores and 11 dd’s Discounts. HTT

8/18/2011 4:40:13 PM

Open A New Window With

More companies choose Home Textiles Today for their marketing & advertising than all other industry publications put together.

www.HomeTextilesToday.com

HTT_Campaign "11 finals.indd 2

3/3/11 10:11:58 AM

20

Home Textiles Today

August 22, 2011

Calendar August

13 – 14

27 – 30 Textile House South America Anhembi Exhibition Pavilion São Paulo (SP), Brazil (+55 11) 2105-7000 www.grafitefeiras.com.br

HD Boutique Exposition & Conference Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Fla. (770) 291-5400 www.hdboutique.com

29 – 31

13 – 15

Intertextil Show Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai, China (852) 2238 9983 www.messefrankfurt.com/hk

Indigo (Home Furnishing Edition) Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium +33 (0) 1 70 38 7000 www.indigo-salon.com

September

18

9 – 13

Home Textiles Today Market Kickoff Party Bar Basque at the Eventi Hotel 6 p.m. to 8pm (646) 805-0226

Show Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York (914) 421-3200 www.ihmrs.com

December 4–7

Maison & Objet Parc des Expositions, Paris-Nord Villepinte, Paris www.maison-objet.com

19 – 23 New York Home Fashions Market Home Fashion Products Association (212) 297-2122 (Kellen Co.) www.homefashionproducts.com

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

Germany (609) 987-1202 www.domotex.de

16 – 20 imm cologne The Exhibition Center Cologne, Germany (773) 326-9920 or +49 221 821-0 www.imm-cologne.com

At the New York International Gift Fair, Jan. 29 - Feb. 3 At 230 Fifth Avenue, Jan. 30 - Feb. 4 At 7 W New York, Jan. 28 - Feb. 3 (800) 272-7469 www.nyhometextilesmarketweek. com

28 – February 2

Texworld USA Jacob Javits Center, New York (770) 984-8016 www.texworldusa.com

New York International Gift Fair Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Passenger Ship Terminal Piers, New York (800) 272-7469 www.nyigf.com

18 – 24

29 – February 1

Dallas Holiday & Home Expo Dallas Market Center, Dallas (214) 655-6100 www.dmcfinds.com

Intirio Flanders Expo, Gent, Belgium +32 09/24 38 450 www.intirio.be

18 – 20

January 2012

18 – 24

9 – 10 Dallas Fabric Show Dallas Market Hall, Dallas (214) 655-6100 www.dallasmarketcenter.com

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market Dallas Market Center, Dallas (214) 655-6100 www.dallasmarketcenter.com

15 – 18

20 – 23

National Retail Federation Convention & EXPO Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York (202) 626-8162 www.nrf.com

F!NDS Dallas Temp Show World Trade Center, Market Hall, Dallas (214) 655-6100 www.dmcfinds.com

21 – 23 Heimtextil Russia IEC Crocus Expo Exhibition Center, Moscow, Russia +7 (495) 721 1058 www.messefrankfurt.ru

23 – 26

10 – 12 Dallas Total Home & Gift Market Dallas Market Center, Dallas (800) DAL-MKTS www.dallasmarketcenter.com

10 – 12 Atlanta Fall International Gift & Home Furnishings Market AmericasMart, Atlanta (404) 220-3000 www.americasmart.com 10-12 F!NDS Dallas Temp Show World Trade Center, Market Hall, Dallas, TX (214) 655-6116 www.dmcfinds.com

12 – 14 Domotex Middle East Dubai Airport Expo Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates +971 4 337 6072 www.domotex-middle-east.com

ABC Kids Expo Louisville, Ky. (210) 691-4848 www.theabcshow.com

October 2–3 New England Curtain Show Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Marlborough, Mass.

508-536-5959 www.curtainchic.com

6–8 Interstoff Asia Essential – Autumn Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong (852) 2238 9917 www.interstoff-asia.com

Heimtextil Frankfurt Fair & Exhibition Center Frankfurt am Main, Germany (770) 984-8016 heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com

Maison & Objet Parc des Expositions, Paris-Nord Villepinte, Paris, France (888) 522-5001 www.maison-objet.com

22 – 25 11 – 18 Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market AmericasMart, Atlanta (404) 220-3000 www.americasmart.com

Interiors Birmingham The National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, UK +44 (0) 20 7921 8408 www.interiorsbirmingham.com

24 – 26 12 – 15 The Atlanta International Area Rug Market AmericasMart, Atlanta (404) 220-3000 www.americasmart.com

Surfaces Mandalay Bay Convention Center Las Vegas, (866) 860-1975 www.surfaces.com

29 – February 2

22 – 27

14 – 17

High Point Market International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC), High Point, N.C. (336) 869-1000 www.highpointmarket.org

The Canadian Home Furnishings Market (TCHFM) The International Centre Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (514) 866-3631

CGTA Gift Show Toronto International Centre; Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, Canada (416) 679-0170 www.cgta.org/Assoc/Home.aspx

November

14 – 17

29 – February 3

12 – 15

Domotex Hannover Hannover Fairgrounds, Hannover,

New York Home Textiles Market Week

International Hotel / Motel

htt110802_020 20

20 – 24 11 – 14

30 – February 3 Las Vegas Market World Market Center, Las Vegas (702) 599-9621 lasvegasmarket.com

February 2012 5–9 Spring Fair The National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, UK (609) 921-0222 www.springfair.com

7 – 10 Texworld Paris Le Bourget Exhibition Centre, Paris, France +33 155 268 989 www.texworld.messefrankfurt.com

8 – 10 Expofil Parc des Expositions, Paris-Nord Villepinte, France +33 (0) 4 72 60 65 00 www.expofil.com

8/18/2011 5:10:12 PM

Home Textiles Today’s

Global Home Show

September 18-22 A Must-See Destination Fall NY Home Fashions Market Week 295 5th Avenue and 7 West 34th Street Interested exhibitors, join an exciting array of companies at the 4th HTT Global Home Show.

Make appointments now with these leading suppliers:

Mr. Adam Kester

Mr. Joseph Shafran

Mr. Ben Noonan

Ms. Diane Carleo

Telephone: (704) 527-6133 x 2411 Email: akester@contourhealth.com Web: www.ContourHealth.com

Telephone: (812) 343-6200 Email: joe.shafran@fazethree.com www.Fazethree.com

Telephone: (704) 232-4187 Email: bennoonan@carolina.rr.com Web: www.pradipoverseas.com

Telephone: (706) 260-7635 Email: diane@carpets.com Web: www.unitedweavers.net

For complete information, contact: Joe Carena, Show Manager, jvcarena@gmail.com (203) 329-9553

FFor complete exhibitor information, contact: ODATIONS: M M O C C A L E HOT tes go to For lowest ra eek om/MarketW .c ts n u co is lD NYCHote 00-521-8765.

-8 1 t a s u ll ca or

HTT_GHS fall11 tab2.indd 1

W Warren Shoulberg, Publisher, Home Textiles Today wshoulberg@hometextilestoday.com w ((646) 805-0226

8/15/11 11:05:20 AM

22

Home Textiles Today

August 22, 2011

News

Intertextile Shanghai Preps for August Show S HANGHAI — Intertextile Shanghai will take place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre here Aug. 29-31, with buyers coming from Asia, Europe and the United States, according to fair organizer Messe Frankfurt.

Attending buyers include home fur-

nishing brand Laura Ashley from the UK; retailer Sears Holdings from the USA; BALS Corporation, the sourcing agent for lifestyle product chain store Franc Franc from Japan; Nibico International Corporation from Taiwan; and Togas from Russia, Messe Frankfurt said in a release.

The show is adding an 11th hall this year as well as regional pavilions from Korea, Pakistan, Taiwan and Turkey, as well as new country pavilions from Greece, Italy and Spain.

For more information about this event, email textile@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com. HTT

360 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10010 Tel: (646) 805-0227; Fax: (646) 365-2307 www.hometextilestoday.com 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 PRODUCT 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 DIRECTOR OF MARKET RESEARCH Dana French (336) 605-1091 | dfrench@sandowmedia.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER, ACCOUNT MANAGER 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: 91-22-6663 4597 / 24988658 Fax: 91-22-66634596 | Kaushal@kaushals.com ONLINE SALES MANAGER Penny Schneck (336) 605-1084 | pschneck@sandowmedia.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

Blanket from Germany’s Ibena

E-MEDIA PROJECT MANAGER Missy Axe | (336) 605-1005 | maxe@sandowmedia.com

Printed blackout fabric from Full Color Co. of Taiwan

DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE MARKETING Allison Ternes (704) 573-9007 | aternes@sandowmedia.com PRESIDENT, FURNITURE TODAY GROUP Kevin Castellani (336) 605-1034 | kcastellani@sandowmedia.com

100% Pilyolefinic yarn from Italy’s Pozzi Arturi

FOUNDING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Carole Sloan 1979-2011

SANDOW MEDIA PRESIDENT AND CEO Adam I. Sandow 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

Kuans Living of Italy

FAX SUBSCRIPTIONS: 1-866-310-7181

THE WEEKLY 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 1/3, 2/14, 2/28, 3/20, 4/11, 4/25, 5/2, 5/16/,5/30, 6/13, 6/27, 7/4, 8/1, 8/15, 8/29, 9/5, 9/26, 10/17, 10/31, 11/14, 11/28, 12/12, 12/26 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 ©2011 by Sandow Media LLC. Annual subscription rates: U.S. and Canada $169.97; 1 year, other countries $325.99 for surface mail and $525.00 for airmail. 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

Cretona from Textiles Frau Perez of Spain

htt110802_001_006_022_023.indd 22

MDV Casa Italia of China

8/19/2011 4:05:32 PM

News

> hometextilestoday.com

Mertado

Target TARGET FROM PAGE 1

beauty and apparel. In addition, Target this fall will launch a new ecommerce site, which has been under development for two years.

Target’s higher income shoppers are shaking off the austerity of the worst of the recession and are buying discretionary items again, giving a lift to home, said Tesija.

“The top 20% of households with higher income shoppers are shopping more often and spending more,” she said.

“Moderate households are still cutting back on trips.”

Most of the discretionary spending in domestics in taking place at the “better” price tier, she added, although “best”

23

Home Textiles Today

August 22, 2011

items such as Fieldcrest and Woolrich goods are also experiencing better sales.

Target believes higher retail prices will peak during the third quarter and begin to ease during the fourth, said Tesija. After noting in May that soft goods prices would increase by double-digits in the fall, she clarified the statement. It’s not that all soft home and apparel products will experience doubledigit hikes, but that the total number of skus carrying higher price tags will expand.

Net income for the quarter ended July 30 rose 3.7% to $704 million, or $1.03 per share. Sales increased 5.1% to $15.9 billion, with comps up 3.9%. HTT

MERTADO FROM PAGE 1

young site, according to president and co-founder Vijay Chittoor. Members are rewarded for introducing others to the site and receive rewards in the form of “Mertado bucks” to spend.

“If your friend makes a purchase, both of you get $15 in Mertado bucks,” he said.

The t arget customer is a woman age 30-50. “The profile is similar to the online Facebook gamer,” said Aronson. “She’s more willing to watch video in the Facebook environment, and she will spend about 30 seconds watching video.”

Vendors who sell on Mertado may be test-driving a new product before they take it out to retail or clearing through inventory.

Mertado has added bedding to its offerings.

“For the trade, what’s nice is we’re members-only, so that item doesn’t pull up on a [Google] search,” she added.

Mertado has already begun selling home textiles but is looking to add suppliers, said Dusty Eber, senior vp of merchandising and creative alliances, and former president of KN, the Karen Nuberger brand management company.

“More vendors are more equipped for this than we thought,” said Eber. “They’ve got great art. Most are set up to drop ship.”

The retailer is not interested in basics, said Aronson.

“Because it’s impulse, we’re staying away from basic, boring stuff,” she added. “If we would do a basic, it would have to have a twist.” HTT

CLASSIFIEDS THEY’RE LOOKING FOR YOU

CLOSEOUTS

www.hometextilestoday.com . www.hometextilestoday.com . www.hometextilestoday.com .

SPENCER WHITTLE: swhittle@sandowmedia.com ph 336.605.1027 fax 336.605.1143

KAREN HANCOCK: khancock@sandowmedia.com ph 336.605.1047 fax 336.605.1143

THIS

COULD BE YOUR AD

CLOSEOUTS WANTED --BOUGHT AND SOLD-Seeking Unlimited Quantities on Firsts, Irregulars and Overstocks HOME FASHIONS DISTRIBUTOR INC Mike O’Neil 207-646-1949 Email: mike@homefashionsinc.com

www.hometextilestoday.com

HELP WANTED Leading Home Textile supplier, located in New York seeks Fashion Bedding designer. Must have minimum of 5 years experience and be proficient in embroidery and jacquard design.

Must have full understanding of Illustrator and Photoshop.

Both domestic and international travel is required.

Send resumes Attn: BB159 to classifieds@sandowmedia.com Leading Home textile supplier, located in New York seeks Product Development professional in Fashion bedding.

Must be proficient in all aspects of weaving and fabrication.

Categories include wovens, jacquards and prints. Must have 5-10 years experience. Both domestic and international travel are required.

Send Resumes Attn: BB160 to classifieds@sandowmedia.com Product Development Manager – Specialty Products Specialty Comfort Products: Home, Office Travel • Full product development – concept to launch • Create product spec/tech packs; sourcing from China, travel required • Project management experience; commercialization process knowledge • Oversee QC process; internal testing and compliance • Cost analyses, excellent computer skills, Bachelors Degree required

Please send resumes to: Attn: BB157, classifieds@sandowmedia.com

LINES OFFERED PEKING LINEN INC

THIS COULD BE YOUR AD

Home textiles distributor directly supported by its factory facilities in China seeks a Sales Manager. Sales Reps also wanted with local home fashions account contacts required.

Send resumes to: info@pekinglinen.com Call: 201-293-4418

SUBSCRIBE Home Textiles Today is the fashion and business source home textiles industry executives turn to every week to learn the latest developments bound to affect their businesses.

Go to: hometextilestoday.com and subscribe today!

htt110802_001_006_022_023 23

8/19/2011 4:44:12 PM

Nourison.indd 1

8/11/2011 5:53:23 PM