Monday, October 22, 2012
THE BUSINESS AND FASHION NEWSPAPER OF THE HOME TEXTILES INDUSTRY
Tis the Season Warming Products Move to the Racetrack
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hometextilestoday.com
| Vol. 33, No. 23 | $8.00
Walmart U.S. Sees Growth in Home BY CECILE B. CORRAL
BED BATH & BEYOND
BY JENNIFER MARKS MIDDLETOWN, N.J. — Snow men, reindeer, Christmas trees, holly branches and ornaments are key holiday motifs running through home textiles assortments at this time of the year — except, it turns out, in the bedding department. In a still-conservative shopping environment, straight-down-theline holiday themes are mostly confined to table linens, kitchen textiles, fingertip towels and door mats this year. Although warmthrelated bedding items have moved to the racetrack for the all-important fourth-quarter selling season, solids dominate the assortments. In mid-October, Home Textiles Today visited the stores of eight top retailers in suburban Monmouth Country, New Jersey, to see which was most aggressively merchandising for the season. SEE WINTER PAGE 10
Inside This Issue Golden Group, High Q Trading align to serve North American market ........................................ page 2 Changing Times .................................................................... page 4 Quotations from the Chairmen........................................... page 4 September Comps Soften.................................................... page 18
BENTONVILLE, ARK. — It comes as no surprise that for Walmart U.S., consumables are driving traffic and dominating the merchandise mix. But the trend stands to benefit slower-moving segments of the business, such as home, which in the first half of 2012 has gained traction thanks not only to recent renovations in the area but also to help from its counterparts in dry grocery, food, and over-the-counter products. During the company’s 19th annual meeting for the investment community earlier this month, Walmart U.S.’s evp and chief merchandising and marketing officer Duncan Mac Naughton explained the dynamic. “Our price investment driving traffic to the box as well as our assortment approach is basically giving us balanced growth. The box is working, and we are seeing that balanced growth across the concepts,” he said. The proof, he said, is evident in several areas, including home.
Duncan Mac Naughton
“Sheets are up 8.8%. That’s a 1,000-basispoint acceleration from the beginning of this SEE HOME PAGE 12
Round 2: Product Design NEW YORK — In August, Home Textiles Today profiled six new companies that were first-time exhibitors at the New York International Gift Fair. They are also contestants in HTT’s new “America’s Next Great Home Textiles Company” series. Industry veterans from the areas of showroom design, product development and marketing visited each of the companies during the show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center here. In the Sept. 24 issue, showroom designer Beth Darragh rated the contestents’ booth designs. In this issue, veteran home textiles designer Patricia Feiwel assesses product design on four criteria: originality, excellence of exeA SPECIAL REPORT cution, price/value equation and suitability to category. Her evaluations can be found on pages 14-15.
America’s Next Great Home Textiles Company
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Home Textiles Today
October 22, 2012
News ADVERTISEMENT
Sleep Innovations to be Acquired by Sun Capital Partners W EST L ONG B RANCH , N.J. — Sleep Innovations Inc.is changing hands again. The foam sleep products manufacturer - the 12th largest home textiles company in HTT’s Top Suppliers ranking — has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Sun Capital Partners Inc., a private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and investments. Terms were not disclosed. “On behalf of the management team of the company and the board of directors, I am pleased that we delivered significant growth and value for our investors as a result of the transaction,” said Diane Baker, Sleep Innovations’ chairwoman. Baker, a turnaround specialist, became chairwoman in 2009. Last January, Sleep Innovations retained New York-based Sawaya Segalas & Co. LLC, a consumer investment banking firm, to explore “strategic opportunities that could include the sale of the business.” Sleep Innovations was founded in 1996 by industry veteran Michael Fux, who now owns a competing company, Comfort Revolution. In fall 2005, Catterton Partners bought a controlling interest in Sleep Innovations. The company generated approximately $261 in sales in 2011,
according to HTT’s ranking. Sleep Innovation’s current assortment consists of polyurethane foam mattresses, mattress toppers, pillows, and specialty products. Through its Advanced Urethane Technologies division, the company also produces polyurethane foam-based fabricated components and bulk materials for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) who serve the mattress, furniture, automotive, marine, medical packaging markets. Marc Leder, co-ceo of Sun Capital, said Sleep Innovations stands to “benefit from our extensive experience in the bedding and retail industries as the company looks to continue on a growth path,” adding that Sun Capital “has deep experience in the bedding market, most notably with bedding product retailer Mattress Firm, which was successfully exited in 2007 at an attractive return.” Sleep Innovations’ president and ceo Michael Thompson — who came to the company from private equity firm American Capital Ltd — said Sun Capital, “offers Sleep Innovations the breadth of financial and operating capabilities to support the future growth of the company.” HTT
Tracking Textiles THE BUSINESS OF BATH Market Share in Bath Towels / By Category, in Units
Hand towel, open stock Bath towel/bath sheet, open stock
13%
16%
Bath towel set
12% Wash/Face cloth, open stock
17%
Wash/ Face cloth set
31%
Bath mat/, bath rugh
10%
While bath towel sales declined to 710 million units and $3 billion after a year of growth in 2011, sales of solid color towels were even year-over-year and bath mat/rug sales held on to some of their growth from last year. Source: The NPD Group, Inc. / Consumer Tracking Service. 12 months ending August 2012
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Golden Group, High Q Trading Align to Serve N. American Market BY CECILE B. CORRAL A T L A N TA — Long-time Indian towel manufacturer Golden Group has joined forces with High Q Trading Company to develop and distribute new bath and beach towel collections for the U.S. and Canadian markets. High Q Trading, based here, is a distributor and wholesaler of home textiles worldwide. Golden Group, based in Panipat, India, is a major manufacturer of terry towels, and it serves its own domestic market as well as several internationally. Via its newly inked partnership with High Q, the plan is for the company to break into the North American market with a broad line of all-cotton bath and beach towels as well as other performance varieties made of bamboo and with anti-
microbial features. Louis Ragy, president and ceo of High Q, told HTT the partnership was formed last month during the New York Home Fashions Market. “We are thrilled with this new relationship that will expand our group market share to all of the major retailers here to deliver a first class product at very competitive pricing to our customers,” he explained. “Golden Group has been around for about 50 years and it as major leader in India and has always been innovative, aggressive and a go getter in its field.” To support this new venture, Golden Group recently built a state-of-art mill in Panipat by its headquarters. High Q will supply the warehousing and distribution for the product in the United States. HTT
Peggy Traub Supports Withit Scholarship Fund in Father’s Honor N EW YORK — Thanks to a $10,000 gift from co-founder Peggy Traub, non-profit home furnishings industry organization WithIt is able to launch its first ever matching campaign for student scholarships. Traub essentially “jump started” a new fund when she offered to match $2 for each $1 donated, up to the first $5,000, WithIT explained. This match “effectively triples the value of each dollar donated.” Traub’s gesture is being made in memory of her father, the late Marvin Traub, former ceo and president of Bloomingdale’s, who passed away earlier this year from cancer. Since it was formed in 1997, WithIt has worked to support the industry by encouraging young women to pursue careers in the home furnishings industry. Students in every discipline of the industry have an opportunity to apply for this annual scholarship. Marvin Traub “With talented students requiring financial assistance in order to complete their degrees, giving scholarships is one of WithIt’s highest priorities,” said Violette Forman, vp of the WithIt Scholarship Foundation. “This matching gift opportunity fueled by a generous gift from Peggy will greatly enhance our efforts to encourage others to support our scholars. By investing in our students today, our industries will earn dividends for decades to come.” In order for donations to receive matching funds, they must be made by Nov. 30 online at www.withit.org. HTT
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Home Textiles Today
October 22, 2012
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OPINIONTodaY Changing Times
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F T E R PR E V I E W I NG the New York Home Fashions Market week last month, one of the big take-aways was the market pivot to the Millennial generation. We’ve since seen more evidence of the trend. Last week, Macy’s announced the launch of 13 new brands in the coming months to appeal explicitly to the 13- to 30-year-old population segment. The brands are apparel, accessories and footwear, although obviously the design sensibility, if nothing else, can be expected to spill into the home department. It should be noted the house apparel brand Style & Co. has already migrated into bedding. Think about the oldest cohort of the Millennials. They’re getting married, setting up households, having children. They need stuff, lots of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF it. They’ve also been on-demand consumers their whole lives. They never had to wait for that one night of the year when “A Charlie Brown Christmas” was broadcast. They could watch it five times a day – in July – if they wanted to, first on video, then on DVD. They’ve been shopping online since they had the means to pay electronically. And when they look out at the retail landscape, how do they view it? Kohl’s is their mother’s store. JCPenney is their grandmother’s store. Walmart is a grocery store. This is the fast-fashion generation. It’s also the flash-sale site generation, so it’s probably no surprise that the flash channel is starting to step up its game. Last week, One Kings Lane launched its first national TV campaign, “Design is Never Done.” It’s part of a broader brand-building strategy that will ultimately expand into print advertising. In late September, Fab.com began a three-week test of a TV spot touting “everyday design” in six U.S. markets. One assumes there will be more to come from others. The pop-up store is the physical manifestation of the flash-sale site. Target was the pioneer here. We’re starting to see more of them. Sferra did a pop-up in Saks last month. Land of Nod is doing an NYC popup next month. PBTeen launched pop-ups on Oct. 20 is five cities. I fully expect flash-sale sites to get in the game, probably next year. The times they are a changing. And that’s good for everybody.
Jennifer Marks
HTT
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S
Quotations from the Chairmen
O, I F YOU ’R E a student of world history you’ll know this statement I heard recently on a news report about China. It referred to the late Chairman Mao and one of the key tactics he used to take over the country. He said if you won over the countryside and surrounded the cities that Warren the cities themselves eventually be Shoulberg would won over as well. PUBLISHER/ It got me thinking: EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Who else adapted such a strategy in business, setting up in the country outside the cities with the eventual goal of winning over the cities too? Bingo. Chairman Sam. As in Sam Walton of Walmart. It’s a little hard to believe now when the company has thousands of stores all over the place, but for the first 30 or 40 years of its existence Walmart was largely a rural and suburban-based business. It tended to site stores on the outskirts of town – often in areas not yet well populated but certain to be so with the natural expansion of the demographic base. Once it had circled a major metropolitan area, it moved in ever closer, finally setting up stores in the cities themselves. Except that, unlike Mao, Walmart has never quite accomplished that last piece of its master plan. In city after city all across America the company has failed to penetrate the inner urban neighborhoods it needs to take its business to the next level.
So while there are Walmarts in seemingly every suburban and exurban strip center shopping locale, they are still rare sights in inner cities. And that is a major reason why Walmart’s U.S. business has been flat for so long. It’s certainly not the only one, of course. A general merchandising malaise has befallen the Boys from Bentonville, who never quite know if they want to be Target or Kohl’s or Family Dollar on any given day. This ambiguity is reflected in an often directionless product mix that tries to be all things to some of the people but often ends up, in the worst Lincolnian sense, of being not much to many. But there’s more. Walmart, as the biggest retailer in the history of retailing, got blindsided by Amazon, much as the rest of the merchandising industry did. But with its scale and brainpower, it should have never happened to them even if others got hit. Walmart has let Amazon become the goto online retailer, a position it should have taken ownership of back when Jeff Bezos was still only peddling books. Those merchandising mishaps are a big part of the Walmart story, but the failure to penetrate urban areas is something that most people don’t realize has contributed to the difficulties the company is going through today. Its machinations with smaller stores and different formats would not be so necessary if Walmart had figured out how to crack Big American Cities. It turns out that Chairman Mao was much better as a merchant selling his politics than Walmart has been as a politician trying to sell its merchandising. HTT
10/18/2012 11:30:34 AM
News
> hometextilestoday.com
Retail Briefs
Rizzy Home launches FYH by Vicki Payne Collection HIGH POINT, N.C. — Rug, textiles and accent furni-
ture source Rizzy Home debuted the FYH by Vicki Payne Collection at last week’s High Point Market. Vicki Payne is the host of the syndicated television design and home improvement program, For Your Home by Vicki Payne. She has partnered with Rizzy Home to bring her classic, enduring and stylish designs to a new line of rugs and coordinating decorative pillows. The new rug collection is made of 100% wool, hand-tufted hooked rugs incorporating design ideas from Payne’s work. Her new decorative pillows are designed specifically to coordinate with the colors and designs of the new rug collection. Payne’s design style reaches a new and exciting customer for Rizzy Home and “speaks to quiet luxury, comfort and ease,” according to a press release on the debut. “My opinion as a designer is the most valuable virtue that I have, and I strive to know it and own it,” Payne said. The new collections were on display at the company’s newly expanded showroom in Showplace 3515.
Family Dollar Names Marketing Chief
F
amily Dollar has appointed Jocelyn Wong senior vp/ chief marketing officer. She will report to Michael Bloom, president and coo. Wong most recently served as group vp of shopper marketing for Safeway supermarkets, where she led the creation of shopper marketing organization. She began her career with Proctor and Gamble where she held various roles.
Zara Home Goes Live in the U.S.
Z
HTT
Loloi Unveils New Branding, Logo H IGH P OINT, N.C. — Loloi debuted its new brand concept last week during the High Point Market. “A Pattern of Distinction” is the company’s new tagline, and a modern, stylized logo accompanies it. “Our patterns on individual rugs are original and distinctive, but over time, we’ve also developed a pattern of introducing distinctive rugs and maintaining solid business practices,” said Cyrus Loloi, company executive. The new logo is a stylized “L,” which conveys the idea of a thread. While the company’s full name, Loloi Rugs, was included on the previous logo, “Rugs” will be absent from the new version. “Loloi has plans in the near future to expand into pillows, throws and
Honors are now open for entries, according to AmericasMart, cosponsor of the event. Next year’s ICON Honors ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, July 11, 2013. The annual event, now going into its fourth year, celebrates innovation, contribution and achievement throughout the gift
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ara Home is open for business in the United States, if only online at www.zarahome.com. When the fast-fashion retailer announced the launch of the home site here, it promised a merchandise assortment heavy on home textiles — and the site delivers. Under the bedding category, Zara Home is offering 57 duvet covers, most with coordinating sheets and cases; 32 quilt designs, some with coordinating shams; 36 bedspreads; 68 throws; 138 dec pillow designs; 25 drapery panels and nine tieback options; two duvet/ comforters and three sleep pillow styles; along with bed skirts and protectors. The bath collection includes 67 towel styles; 27 bath mats; three shower curtains; and 45 hard accessories, some in sets. The bath area also offers laundry baskets and scented candles. Elsewhere in home textiles, there are 66 tablecloth options, 35 free-standing napkin designs; 48 placemats; and 16 table runners along with a robust assortment of tabletop.
One Kings Lane Launches First National Campaign
H
ome-focused flash sale site One Kings Lane launched its first national brand advertising under the theme “Design is Never Done.” Created by Wieden+Kennedy New York, the full campaign will consist of 15- and 30-second spots as well as digital banners and interactive social media elements. Print ads will debut in 2013. The ads can be viewed on One Kings Lane social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Amir Loloi and Cyrus Loloi unveiled the company’s new logo and branding during last week’s High Point Market.
other home furnishings,” Loloi said. “We wanted our new logo to
be reflective of our plans to move forward.” HTT
2013 ICON Awards Open A T L A N TA — The 2013 ICON
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October 22, 2012
and home industry. Highlights of the 2012 event, which was co-sponsored by the Gift & Home Trade Association and Sandow Media — parent company to Home Textiles Today — are posted on the AmericasMart website at americasmarticonhonors.com. The event featured entertainers Kenny Loggins and Jeff Foxworthy as well as hon-
ors in 13 different categories. Details on the 2013 event, to take place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel, will be posted on the AmericasMart site, with ticket ordering information to be available soon. All submissions and nominations are made exclusively online at www.americasmarticonhonors. com. HTT
The Land of Nod to Open NYC Pop-up
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he Land of Nod, the multi-channel retailer of home décor and toys for infants and children, will open a pop-up shop in New York’s Soho neighborhood next month. The shop will be located at 136 Prince St. between West Broadway and Wooster Street. It will open Nov. 2 and operate through Dec. 31. Price points will range from $1.95 to $349. More than 3,200 square feet will be filled with exclusive assortment of children’s toys and holiday décor. Weekly events will include book readings and DIY crafts such as puppet making. On site holiday gift boxing will also be available. The Land of Nod, which is part of the privately held Crate & Barrel family of retail nameplates, operates four retail stores as well as a website and catalog.
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Home Textiles Today
October 22, 2012
News
> hometextilestoday.com
NYIGF Expects a Strong Winter Edition W HITE P LAINS , N.Y. — React-
ing to both greater demand from companies seeking access to the New York market as well as subtle shifts to the exhibit floor layout, the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) said it is on track to sell-out its winter 2013 edition, which runs January 26 to 30. Set to t ake place at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 & 94, the event will have an estimated 10% increase in numbers of new, handmade and gourmet housewares resources. The largest growth will be in NYIGF’s New York’s Newest, a cross-category collection of companies new to the market. This cross-category collection of companies new to NYIGF now will showcase 250 exhibitors in the Javits Center’s Hall 1E. New York’s Newest relocated from Pier 92 to the Javits Center in August 2012. The winter edition will also represent the last before
NYIGF’s “Focus Forward 2013” strategic reorganization debuts in summer 2013 with introduction of four new, comprehensive market collections: Home, Craft, Lifestyle and New. “We’re seeing increased demand for exhibit space at NYIGF - from both first-time participants as well as returning companies seeking larger presence on the exhibit floor,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vp “At the same time, many suppliers in the annual Gourmet Housewares Show at NYIGF are seeking year-round exposure to the thousands of retailers who shop NYIGF.” Demand from both returning participants and new exhibitors is resulting in “sold out” status for NYIGF’s At Home division, which presents 300 home furnishings suppliers at Pier 94 and 200 home fashions suppliers at the Javits Center. A soldout Ex•Tracts will continue to expand the number of natu-
ral and organic resources presented by its 100 personal care suppliers. NYIGF’s Handmade Global Design will increase its exhibit
Fabric Sources Burlington Technologies, Bentex Mills Merge BY CINDY W. HODNETT BURLINGTON, N.C. — Upholstery
fabric manufacturer Burlington Technologies has announced a merger with Bentex Mills, a Greensboro, N.C.-based weaver that primarily serves the contract fabric market, providing products for health care, hospitality and office furnishings. Bentex will operate as a separate division of Burlington Technologies, according to Michael Durham, Burlington’s president and ceo. “We are merging our capabilities and resources,” he said. “The product design, quality, sales and marketing will remain the same as it is today.” Other Burlington Technologies business units are BMS, its yarn-dying operations; Se7en, residential decorative fabrics; and Gryphon Seams, cut and sewn products and services. It also has affiliate companies including VitaFlex, which produces patented stretchable nonwoven fabrics, and Diagnostic Chips, an intellectual properties company.
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Durham said the Bentex partnership will provide new strategic capabilities, operating synergies
“We are merging our capabilities and resources.The product design, quality, sales and marketing will remain the same as it is today.” —MICHAEL DURHAM, Burlington
and expanded market opportunities for both companies. “The alliance has major implications for all of our associated business segments,” Durham said in a statement. “The benefits to both residential and contract customers will be a combined company that has a more diverse and broader set of capabilities in areas like manufacturing expertise and equipment, design prowess, yarn toolbox and product offerings. A broader company is a stronger
company positioned for growth and stability in the future, yet we want to retain capabilities like speed and flexibility that both of our customer bases demand.” Bentex owner Ernest Benbassat has been named the executive vice president of fabric manufacturing and will continue as president of the Bentex division. Benbassat said that Burlington Technologies’ facilities, capabilities, and raw material supply will accelerate Bentex’s opportunity to grow in volume, breadth of product mix, and service to its customers. Durham said that North American textile customers are once again concentrating on domestic suppliers and that the partnership between the two companies addresses the needs of a shifting market. “The offshore pricing advantages for small lot sizes and/or sophisticated weavers are fast disappearing,” he said. “And now customers are taking a closer look at things like Intellectual property protection, product quality, inventories and reliable delivery.” HTT
space by 5% for the winter 2013 edition. This expansion, which is made possible through completion of renovations to the Javits Center’s Level 4 Galleria,
will showcase 150 handcrafted global import resources with a focus on good design, traditional craftsmanship, and community HTT
The Bombay Company Licenses with Arden Companies N E W Y O R K — The Bombay Company has teamed with Arden Companies for an outdoor line including cushions and pillows, outdoor furniture, structures, privacy screens, furniture covers, shades and umbrellas, lighting and solar, decorative accessories, storage, planters, hammocks, garden tools, accessories and more. The collection will be introduced in 2013 and will be Bombay’s first outdoor line. “We have extensive experience working with retailers that service the outdoor customer,” said Charley Thompson, senior vp of mar-
keting, Arden Companies. “We are enthused to leverage our extensive customer research and global infrastructure to bring compelling products to the marketplace for Bombay’s customers.” The Bombay Company will continue developing and maintaining long-term relationships with key retailers to expand its presence across multiple lifestyle categories. Hermes-Otto International will continue to directly design, source and import in its areas of core competency of furniture, décor, wall décor and seasonal categories. HTT
Eileen Fisher Exec to Address Oeko-Tex Event GREENSBORO, N.C. — Amy Hall,
director of social consciousness for Eileen Fisher, will join a roster of other sustainability presenters at the International Oeko-Tex Association’s “The Next 20” event, which takes place Nov. 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. at The Glass House, 545 W. 25th St., New York. Environmental advocate and author Robert Kennedy Jr. will
keynote the event. Additional speakers include: Tom Chappell of Tom’s of Maine and Rambler’s Way; Nicole Bassett of prAna; Elysa Hammond of Clif Bar &Co.; Kevin Burke of AAFA; Mark Henning of Dow; and Dr. Jean-Pierre Haug of the International Oeko-Tex Association. Emily Walzer, managing editor of Textile Insight, will moderate. HTT
10/17/2012 5:23:59 PM
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Home Textiles Today
October 22, 2012
News
> hometextilestoday.com
Americasmart Establishes First Home & Rug Floor A T L A N T A — Americasmart
Atlanta is rebranding Floor 4 of Building 1 by integrating home furnishings and home accents with area rugs. The new Home & Rug floor will unveil its expanded product mix during The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, Jan. 9-16, 2013. “Retailers coming to market now want to see products across a wide variety of merchandise classifications. Their stores are increasingly carrying multiple product categories, so the one-stop approach reflects what they come to markets for,” said Jeffrey L. Portman, president and coo of AMC, the parent company of Americasmart Atlanta. “We saw that with the combining of the Gift and Home market dates with the rug show dates, and now organizing the market along these lines is the logical next step.” Americasmart also has announced a series of new leasing activity. Following are some of the notable moves for January 2013: • Currey & Company will nearly double the size of its Building 1, Floor 14 showroom. Best known for lighting products, including chandeliers, wall sconces, table lamps and floor lamps, Currey & Company also sells interior furniture, garden furniture and accessories and has recently launched an area rug line to be prominently displayed
in their expanded showroom. • Surya, specializing in area rugs and home accessories, will move to Building 1, Floor 11, adding a broader dimension to this home accents and furnishings floor. Surya joins Palecek, Blue Ocean Traders, Zentique, Silkroute, Peninsula Home Collection, Legend of Asia and other eclectic exhibitors to round out the floor's offerings. • Light & Living, founded 35 years ago in the Netherlands, is opening its first-ever U.S. showroom in Building 2, Floor 9 of Americasmart. Light & Living sells a broad collection of lighting and home decorations, which also include tabletop accessories and gifts. • Mr. Brown, a mainstay of the prestigious HD Home Temporary Collection, secured a permanent showroom on Floor 9 of Building 1 to showcase a larger array of its upscale home furnishings and home accents. • Chehoma, a Belgian maker of distinctive home accents and embellishments and a favorite of buyers in the High Design Temps, acquired a permanent showroom on Floor 9 of Building 1. • Alexander Terry Associates, Inc., a multi-line rep company, will have a new and expanded showroom on Floor 10 of Building 1. This long-time exhibitor presents an array of home and textiles lines ranging from bed and
bath to home and gift items. • Kaleen, area rug specialists, doubled its showroom space to 6,000 square feet on Floor 3 of Building 1. Kaleen produces a full line of both handmade and machine-made rugs including popular licensed collections. • Stein World, the Tennessee-based purveyor of home furnishings and accents, will have its debut at Americasmart with a showroom on Floor 11 of Building 1, adding a new destination on the popular home category floor. • Napa Home & Garden, manufacturer of decorative ceramics, lightweight planters, terracotta pots, cachepots and decorative accessories will relocate
and expand to more than 7,500 square feet on Floor 12 of Building 2. • Regency International, specialists in trim-a-tree and floral merchandise, will expand its long-standing showroom on Floor 17 of Building 1 to present an even wider array of specialty holiday and floral items. • Le Creuset, the renowned cookware and bakeware manufacturer, will expand to a 1,400square-foot showroom on Floor 8 of Building 2 West Wing. Le Creuset began making French ovens in 1925 in Fresnoy-leGrand, France, expanded to the U.S. and has been a popular destination in the Gourmet & Housewares center since it opened. • Calphalon, the maker of pots, pans, knives and small housewares items, will open its first showroom in the housewares section on Floor 8 of Building 2 West Wing underscoring the growth of the overall gourmet & housewares category across retail channels. • Artisan House, creator of handmade freestanding sculptures and wall art will open a showroom on Floor 14 of Building 1 adding another home accents option to the Home & Design destination floor. • Kenian Imports, importer of high-quality bamboo/rattan furniture, enters Americasmart for the first time in their own showroom
in a premium space on Floor 14 of Building 1. Kenian Import's signature item is its bamboo/rattan folding chair. • Art Addiction, creators of wall art that is contemporary imagery printed on sleek acrylic material, relocates and expands to a new showroom on Floor 10 of Building 1 offering an alternative option for home décor. • Aesthetic Movement, purveyor of home accessories, tabletop items, throw pillows and personal care items, expanded its showroom on Floor 10 of Building 1 with its array of creative, innovative products. • Home Accents Alliance, seller of home furniture and home accents, will have its debut at Americasmart in a 3,000square-foot showroom on Floor 5 in Building 1, adding an alternative dimension and design option to the floor. • Karen Alweil Studio, a multirep company whose products include top-of-the-table art, furniture, bath products and unique home décor, moves from a temporary exhibit to their own permanent showroom on Floor 10 of Building 1. • Prestige Identity opens a new showroom on Floor 10 of Building 1. Prestige Identity, a multiline rep group, is an importer of European home and office accessories, as well as kitchen, table and garden products.. HTT
Surfaces, Las Vegas Market Align Dates L AS VEGAS — January 2013 will mark
the beginning of a new alliance in which the Las Vegas Market and the Surfaces floor covering trade fair will hold their events in tandem. Surfaces will take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center from Jan. 28-31. Las Vegas Market will take place at the World Market Center from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1. “Our dates coincided in 2011 and it proved to be an enormous success for both events,” said Dana Teague, Surfaces’ group director. “Due to scheduling conflicts in 2012 our dates were one week apart and we were met with disappointment from our attendees; therefore both parties agreed that it was in the best interest of our events to hold our dates concurrently and give our customers a convenient, one-stopshopping opportunity, saving them both time and money.”
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Registration benefits will be available for attendees who wish to participate in both events, and a complimentary shuttle service will travel between each venue. “The synergies of our co-location add value to both of our customer bases-allowing manufacturers exposure to new distribution channels,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president of gift and home decor at International Market Centers, which operates the World Market Center. “We’ve worked to make access to both events convenient and easy for buyers.” Surfaces has also expanded the Designer Day program to two days: Jan. 29 and 30. HTT
Attendees of the Las Vegas Market will also be able to participate in the Surfaces event in 2013.
10/17/2012 4:16:28 PM
ENHANCED WITH
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HTT_Ellery CT Blanket tab.indd 1
8/9/11 11:01:45 AM
10
Home Textiles Today
October 22, 2012
News
> hometextilestoday.com
THROWS BED BATH & BEYOND Throw/pillow set* Bo Cassa Sunbeam Slumber Rest heated
poly Dacron/cotton/poly poly
$14.99 39.99 49.99
BIG LOTS Dan River Fleece Lifestyles Footwarmer Aprima Luxury
poly poly poly
$3.00 8.00 22.00
JCPENNEY JCP Home Micro Plush JCP Home Cozy Studio Ombre Studio Sherpa Royal Velvet Chenille Royal Velvet Cable Knit Sealy Heated Plush
poly poly acrylic poly poly cotton poly
$10.00 20.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 40.00 45.00
poly poly poly poly NA
$14.99 19.99 19.99 19.99 49.99
poly poly/acryllic poly poly poly poly acrylic
$24.99 24.99 39.99 34.99 59.99 59.99 79.99
poly acrylic poly poly poly cotton/acrylic acrylic poly/nylon
$40.00 60.00 60.00 60.00 100.00 120.00 160.00 200.00
poly poly acrylic poly poly acrylic poly
$14.89 24.99 28.49 29.99 29.99 34.99 49.99
poly/cotton poly poly poly
$7.97 7.97 19.96 NA
KMART Cannon Micro Plush (throw & pillow set) Cannon Velvet Cannon Faux Fur Plush Throw & Sock gift set* Cannon Comfort Heated
KOHL’S Sonoma Chenille Sonoma Sherpa The Big One* Biddeford Heated Plush Biddeford Heathed Micro Mink/Sherpa Jennifer Lopez Faux Fur Simply Vera Vera Wang
MACY’S Charter Club Ultra Plush Martha Stewart Textured Yarn Charter Club Cosy Faux Fur Charter Club Reversible Sherpa Sunbeam Slumber Rest MicroPlush heated Martha Stewart Sweater Knit Hotel Collection Ombre Hotel Collection Quill
TARGET RE Plush Threshold Knit Home Knit Stripe Threshold Micro Mink Biddeford Heated MicroPlush Threshold Knit Biddeford MicroMink/Sherpa heated
WALMART
Winter Warmth
WINTER FROM PAGE 1
The retailers included Bed Bath & Beyond, Big Lots, J C Pe n n e y, K m a r t , K o h l ’s , Macy’s, Target and Walmart. We looked at three key categories for seasonal warmth products — sheets (flannel and/or fleece), throws (a heavily giftable category) and blankets — but also took note of other warmth products being highlighted on the floor, which almost entirely consisted of heated mattress pads. The survey did not include comforters and duvets or quilts because these items are stocked throughout the year. And during HTT’s store visits, we found them unperturbed in their usual locations.
Key take-aways: • Kmart was hands-down the most promotional in the categories HTT examined, with discount pricing on most items. Kohl’s came in second. Most retailers hadn’t begun discounting when HTT visited, mostly notably Macy’s, which shows the highest overall pricing of the lot. • Seasonal sheet inventories are tightly edited and weighted toward solids. • Snowflakes rule: To the extent that ret ailers offered warmth products with patterns, the snowflake was the clear winner. If an assortment included more than one pattern, the non-snowflake was usually a non-holiday lodge look. • Poly rules, too. Despite
SHEETS BED BATH & BEYOND Seasons Flannel* Berkshire Bedding MicroLoft
$49.99 59.99
cotton poly
24.99 24.99
poly cotton
45.00 35.00
poly cotton
24.99 29.99
cotton poly
49.99 114.99
cotton
140.00
cotton
24.99
cotton
22.96
BIG LOTS Dan River flannel Dan River Fleece
JCPENNEY JCP Home Fleece JCP Home Flannel*
KMART Cannon Fleece set* Cannon Flannel set*
KOHL’S Home Classics Flannel* Home Classics Fleece
MACY’S Martha Stewart Flannel*
TARGET Style Flannel Sheets*
Mainstays Plush Royal Plush Rachele Sunbeam heated Better Homes Sherpa
cotton poly
WALMART Mainstays Flannel *Included at least one item with holiday/seasonal themes
*Included at least one item with holiday/seasonal themes
METHODOLOGY Home Textiles Today visited stores in Monmouth County, N.J., over a seven-day period between Oct. 9 and Oct. 16. The stores included: BED BATH & BEYOND: Middletown
KOHL’S: Middletown
BIG LOTS: Middletown
MACY’S: Eatontown (Monmouth Mall)
JCPENNEY: Eatontown (Monmouth Mall)
TARGET: Middletown
KMART: Hazlet Eatontown (Monmouth Mall)
WALMART: Neptune
BIG LOTS
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10/17/2012 4:42:09 PM
News
> hometextilestoday.com
the year-over-year drop in cotton prices, of the 97 products that listed construction content on their packaging, 77% were made of pure polyester. Had it not been for all-cotton flannel sheet sets in the mix, that figure would have been 92%. • The most handsomely merchandised assortments for seasonal warmth products were found at JCPenney and Macy’s.
• Walmart may not have been fully set for the season … or was it? The store had three endcaps devoted to seasonal product — one in the fabric department offering a nosew John Deere fleece throw kit. Within the home textiles department, product seemed to be distributed fairly randomly, as though to fill empty space. The season has only just begun. HTT
OTHER Biddeford heated mattress pad poly $75.00 Rest Warm heated mattress pad poly 75.00 Sealy heated mattress pad cotton/poly 100.00
KMART poly
69.99
poly
140.00
poly
16.44
NA
19.96
MACY’S Biddeford heated mattress pad
WALMART John Deere fleece throw kit Sunbeam Comfy Toes heated mattress pad
TARGET
KOHL’S
BL ANKETS BED BATH & BEYOND Berkshire Blanket Microfleece Berkshire Blanket Polartec Indulgence Luxury Berkshire Blanket Seasons Down Alternative Seasons Down
poly poly poly cotton poly fill/polyshell duck down/poly shell
$29.99 39.99 44.99 49.99 69.99 89.99
cotton poly poly poly poly poly
$20.00 20.00 20.00 23.00 59.99 59.00
poly poly cotton poly poly poly poly
$25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00 50.00 NA 85.00
cotton poly poly poly poly poly NA
$22.99 29.99 35.99 39.99 39.99 39.99 69.88
poly cotton Micro Plush poly poly
$14.99 34.79 79.99 129.99
poly poly poly poly
$50.00 NA 200.00 260.00
poly poly poly cotton shell/poly fill cotton/acrylic poly cotton shell/poly fill poly
$16.99 26.99 39.99 49.99 54.99 59.99 69.99 79.99
poly/cotton poly poly
$16.96 24.96 89.96
BIG LOTS
JCPENNEY
Cannon Heated mattress pad
11
Home Textiles Today
October 22, 2012
Dan River Living Colors Plush Crash on It Plush Joseph Abboud Biddeford Plush heated Comfort Knit heated
JCPENNEY JCP Home Micro Plush JCP Home Microfleece JCP Home Pure Perfection JCP Home Down Alternative Chris Madden Lux Plush Sealy Heated Plush Sealy Heated Comfort Knit
KMART Cannon Cannon Microfleece Cannon Faux Mink Alt Down Shavel Super Plush Cannon Micro Plush Cannon Supreme Plush Cannon Comfort heated
KOHL’S Home Classic Micro Fleece Home Classic Eygptian Cotton Biddeford heated Sunbeam Slumberfest heated
MACY’S KMART
Charter Club 3-in-1 PolarTech Biddeford Comfort Knit heated Sunbeam Slumber Rest heated
TARGET RE Microfleece Home Microplush Threshold Fuzzy Home Down Alternative Home Sweater Knit Simply Shabby Chic Fieldcrest Matlelasse Biddeford Microplush heated
WALMART Mainstays Fleece Mainstays Plush Sunbeam Imperial Plush heated
MACY’S
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10/17/2012 4:42:24 PM
12
Home Textiles Today
October 22, 2012
News
> hometextilestoday.com
Walmart’s Global E-commerce Top Of Mind For Future Plans to dominate in key markets BENTONVILLE, ARK. — Walmart outlined the four-pronged global ecommerce strategy it’s implementing to become the worldwide leader in online retailing during its 19th annual meeting for the investment community earlier this month. Neil Ashe, president and ceo, Walmart Global eCommerce, said Walmart “is going to win in e-commerce by being Walmart.” By that, he said, “e-commerce here is different than it is everywhere else” because Walmart is “the only company with 10,000 points of distribution around the world. We’re the only company with access to 200 million customers on a weekly basis. We’re the only company with one of the best logistics networks in the world and we’re the only company with the supplier relationships that we have to bring to bear to make a different experience for our consumers. Tie it all together. That’s any time anywhere access. And we’re going to provide that to Walmart around the world.” To achieve this, the first step will be to “excel in fundamentals — get the basics of e-commerce right.” Ashe said this entails knowing customers by name. “A commitment to know who you are — it’s a very simple concept. But it unlocks a tremendous opportunity to do things like personalized commerce,” he explained. “We should know who you are and you should have a different experience whenever you come in contact with Walmart or Sam’s club as a result of that knowledge of who you are.” Secondly, Walmart is looking to “take advantage of new tech-
nologies that allow us innovate on the edge and do new and different things than anyone else is capable of doing,” Ashe said. More simply put: Offer a wide assortment at the best price. “There aren’t any walls on ecommerce,” he went on. “We can offer as many items as the customer wants, and it’s our commitment to do that. So currently we sell millions of items on Walmart.com. Maybe 10 times what you’d find in a Supercenter. We’re going to take that number to tens of millions over the next year.” Third on the list is to “win” in key markets worldwide, providing “the best service not just in a retail environment, but in any internet environment,” Ashe said. This means “the best site, best app, best store, best club. How can we use technology to transform your interaction with us so that you have the highest quality experience every time you come in contact with Walmart, whether it’s at your kitchen table or at one of our stores or clubs?” Finally, the fourth effort calls for Walmart to pull together its entire platform and then unite and expand it to ultimately forge “a deeper relationship with the consumers that we already have around the world.” Over the past year, Walmart has laid some groundwork for its larger efforts going forward, Ashe noted. One of the key new technological developments Walmart has made recently allows the company to now monitor price across the internet. “Pricing is fundamental to how we compete in the marketplace, and so technically, we
were flying blind,” Ashe said. “We didn’t understand exactly what the prices were on our products around the web, and now we do. We can monitor and every 20 minutes the price of every product that we’re selling around the web. That’s an incredibly powerful tool as we start to present to our customers the ability to know that when you go to our properties at Walmart.com or Sam’s club or our other properties around the world that you’re going to
find the right price relative to the competition.” Crowd sourcing is another vehicle Walmart’s global ecommerce division is now using to broaden its customer and product reach. “We’re… availing ourselves of the new ways people, our consumers are acting in the marketplace. So crowd sourcing, this idea that you can empower a lot of people to do things for you and to do work for you is a trend on the internet that we wanted
to make part of Walmart.” The company created this program called “Get on the Shelf” thinking it would get “a couple hundred entries,” Ashe said. Instead, it received 4,000 entries from people looking to get their products on Walmart shelves. “We put the video that his they submitted out to our Facebook fans. We got over 1 million votes about the products that they’d want to see on the shelves…in partnership with [Mac Naughton] and his team, we’ve gotten three of those products on the shelf so far….Most importantly, we made a connection. The program was such a success that we’ve already ruled it out in markets outside the U.S. In fact, it’s live in China as we speak today.” More recently, the company launched same-day delivery in four markets around the U.S. - Washington D.C.’s metro area, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, and San Francisco’s Bay Area. HTT
Walmart
Overall, Walmart U.S.’s traffic in the first half of 2012 is up 70 basis points, which translates to 24 million more transactions, he noted. The company’s market share in food, consumables, and overthe-counter categories is up 70 basis points in the first 26 weeks. “This means we are growing three times faster than the market place, so we’re executing this
strategy and it is working,” Mac Naughton claimed. As the company ramps up its efforts to more closely meet shoppers’ demands and preferences, Walmart U.S. has learned via surveys that “price is a big deal” to them, Mac Naughton said. Hence, the company plans to invest $6 billion in retail pricing by 2017, “through product initiatives, logistics initiatives,
and cost-to-goods savings.” This investment will be “broad-based,” he added, “and will primarily be in food and consumables.” As it relates to home, “on-shoring” is an option that is being explored to support this effort. In a slide titled “Driving cost of goods efficiencies” during Mac Naughton’s presentation, a stack of solidcolored sheets and a scented can-
dle were shown as products that could be part of the company’s “on-shoring” efforts. Mac Naughton explained “on-shoring” means “building partnership with suppliers, bringing manufacturing back to the United States — this makes sense in many of our businesses and we’re able to lower costs and actually increase flexibility and fulfillment times.” HTT
HOME FROM PAGE 1
year, because if you walked the stores you saw clarity for the customer,” he continued. “You saw good, you saw better, and you saw best. You saw appropriate colors. You saw sizes. You saw fitted sheets. You saw flat sheets. It’s what the customer wanted, and it’s working.”
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Neil Ashe president and ceo, Walmart Global eCommerce
The Four-Point Global Strategy 1. Know the customer – by name – to create personalized commerce. 2. Expand online product offerings by “tens of millions.” 3. Be the ecommerce market share king in key international markets across all formats: sites, apps, stores and clubs. 4. Leverage technology for projects such as monitoring pricing across the Internet and using crowd-sourcing to broaden product appeal. Source: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Investment Community Meeting
10/17/2012 5:25:10 PM
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14
Home Textiles Today
America’s Next Great Home Textiles Company
October 22, 2012
News
Round 2: Product Design Criteria: Originality, excellence of execution, price/value equation, suitability to category
A SPECIAL REPORT
HedgeHouse Originality: Excellence of Execution: Price/Value Equation: Suitability to Category:
★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★★
The “throw bed,” sophisticated but not precious, rolls into a matching bag/carrier case made of the same fabric. This down and fiber-filled cushion is a new category of comfort. At 40 inches by 70 inches, it’s made of beautiful linen and cotton from Ireland and Belgium with an unusual gold zipper of anodized aluminum — hidden, but a welcome suprise. The versatile new item works well at home and can go anywhere.
Le Cote Francais Maison Originality: ★ ★ ★ Excellence of Execution: ★ ★ ★ Price/Value Equation: ★ ★ Suitability to Category: ★ ★ ★ ★ This offering is an usual group of pillows and throws with a French accent. Mixes of vintage and modern fabrics make a contemporary patchwork. Adding to the ensembles is a group of original, artist-designed pillow collections with many unique mixes. Customers can customize an order or choose from vintage “one-of-akind” pieces.
Pyar & Co Originality: Excellence of Execution: Price/Value Equation: Suitability to Category:
★★★ ★★★★ ★★ ★★★★
In our global society, an American wife and an Indian husband. She was mesmerized by the beauty and grace of the sari. How to share the gifts and colors of India with the West? Through this collection of pillows in rich and unusual combinations with exquisite detail. Some true bonuses — with no minimums and the opportunity for customization.
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10/17/2012 10:54:46 AM
News
October 22, 2012
Judge: Patricia Felwel Feiwel has been designing textiles for over 25 years. In the retail market, she has created custom lines for key stores such as Barney’s, Henri Bendel and Saks Fifth Avenue. As director of design she has worked for companies such as Pillowtex, Fieldcrest-Cannon, Sheridan USA and P. Kaufmann in the United States as well as mills in China, India, Portugal and Brazil. She has also developed textiles for significant design house labels, among them Knoll International, le Creuset, Waterworks, and Thomasville Furniture.
15
Home Textiles Today
America’s Next Great Home Textiles Company A SPECIAL REPORT
Simple Syrup Originality: Excellence of Execution: Price/Value Equation: Suitability to Category:
★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★
This unusual group is hand-made in the South. With detail-oriented sublimation printing, these “moody” pillows look hand-painted. They have a group of coordinating printing that form a rich ensemble. In addition, there is a limited run of doll/pillows fashioned on Victorian-style characters, signed and numbered.
Stamattina Originality: Excellence of Execution: Price/Value Equation: Suitability to Category:
★★ ★★★★ ★★ ★★★★
Beautiful bedding as only the Italians can print — and sewn in the United States, a perfect combination. A unique sheeting collection using a re-constituted embroidery machine from the days when we made it here. The mix and match collection of sheets and comforters, pillows and duvet covers features sophisticated shades. Sewn, quilted and assembled here — so don’t worry about extra shipping costs.
Wabisabi Green Originality: Excellence of Execution: Price/Value Equation: Suitability to Category:
★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★★
This group of modern, eco-friendly home décor takes its themes from nature. Brightly colored pillows, napkins and runners employ eco-friendly and natural fibers with themes of land and sea. Luscious colors and graphic patterns are hand-printed with environmentally friendly water-based inks. Created, printed and fabricated in the United States.
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10/17/2012 10:55:42 AM
16
Home Textiles Today
October 22, 2012
> hometextilestoday.com
PEOPLETodaY Shopko Names Interim ceo G R E E N B AY, W I S . — Shopko Stores has appointed chief operating officer Mike Bettiga interim ceo while the company seeks a successor to Paul Jones, who left the company for another post. “We appreciate the many contributions Paul Jones has made to Shopko during the past five years and wish him nothing but the best,” said Scott King, senior managing director of Sun Capital Partners, the private investment firm whose affiliate owns Shopko. “A national search is under way to select a new leader for the company.”
Bettiga began his career with Shopko as a pharmacist in 1977. He has held a number of positions over the years at the company, including executive leadership of store, pharmacy and optical operations; retail health merchandising; and responsibility for Shopko Express stores. In 2009, he was promoted to executive vp and coo, leading all retail health divisions, store operations, legal, real estate, corporate projects and business development. Said Bettiga: “We have ambitious plans for the future, including the continued roll-out of the
Shopko Hometown concept and I look forward to leading the team on that effort and our other growth initiatives.” T h e c o m p a n y ’s f o r m a t s include 134 Shopko stores in small to mid-sized cities; five Shopko Express Rx stores, a neighborhood drugstore concept; and 12 Shopko Hometown locations, a smaller concept store for smaller communities. Shopko is in the process of converting more than 170 recently-acquired Pamida stores and pharmacies to the Shopko Hometown nameplate. HTT
Invista Hires New Dacron Marketing Manager K ENNESAW , G A . — Invista has hired Christopher Basinger as marketing manager for the Dacron fiberfill business in the North American bedding industry. “Chris Basinger adds an important dimension to the Dacron brand team,” said Roberto Fontanillas, global busi-
ness director for Invista’s Dactron fiberfill business. “His varied experience and deep knowledge of branding and retail market dynamics will prove invaluable as we expand consumer recognition of the Dacron brand and grow business with our mill and retailer partners through product innovation.”
B a s i n g e r ’s b a c k g r o u n d includes positions at Hanesbrands, Inc., Newell Rubbermaid and Unifi Manufacturing. In a blind consumer research study in 2012, two-thirds of U.S. home textiles decision makers said they are familiar with the Dacron brand, according to Invista. HTT
Nourison Expands Sales Force SADDLE B ROOK , N.J. — Nourison has brought on board three new account executives to cover key regional territories. They are: Pamela O’Toole, account executive for the Southern California territory; Patrick Carroll, account executive for the North/Central New Jersey/ North West Pennsylvania territory; and Darrell Slough as the account executive for the North/ West Texas, Oklahoma, Northern Louisiana territory. All are responsible for managing and developing business within their respective regions, including more than 75 active rug collections as well as the company’s broadloom division, the Calvin Klein, Joseph Abboud, and Barclay Butera licensed brands, and the Mina Victory line of decorative accessories. O’Toole brings to Nourison extensive industry experience, including sales and marketing positions in yarn, broadloom,
hospitality, retail, and other segments of the industry. Recently, she has held positions at Milliken Hospitality and Masland Carpets and Rugs. Carroll, who has spent many years working in sales and sales management positions within the industry, most recently held several key sales positions across the East and West Coast regions at Karastan Rugs. Slough has held several key sales positions at Shaw Industries in the rug division and at Thomasville furniture. “We are truly pleased with the opportunity to add these three savvy, seasoned professionals to our team,” said Gerard O’Keefe, vp of sales. “Pam, Patrick and Darrell bring their deep knowledge and passion to the new positions. Each is well established in their respective territories and has strong existing relationships. We are confident that they make an immediate positive impact.” HTT
Former Springs ceo Enters American Textile Hall of Fame LOWELL, MASS. — One-time Springs Industries president and
ceo Peter Scotese was recently inducted into the American Textile Hall of Fame here along with Dr. Masahiro Shima, the founder, president and ceo of Shima Seiki Manufacturing, a leading manufacturer of computerized flat knitting machines. The American Textile Hall of Fame was initiated in 2001 by the American Textile History Museum in Lowell to honor individuals, corporations and institutions that have made significant contributions to the textile industry in America, as well as those who advanced the place, role, and appreciation of textiles in American life. Shima is the first non-American recipient of the honor. “Mr. Scotese and Dr. Shima have each had a profound impact on the textile industry in unique ways,” said ATHM president and ceo Jonathan Stevens. “They are worthy of great recognition for contributions they made to shape the history and future of textiles, and we are honored to pay tribute to their achievements.” HTT From left, Karl Spilhaus, chairman, ATHM board of trustees; George Shuster, chairman, Textile Hall of Fame committee; Toshio Nakashima, accepting on behalf of inductee Dr. Masahiro Shima; inductee Peter Scotese; and Jonathan Stevens, president and ceo, American Textile History Museum.
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10/16/2012 10:34:33 AM
Anna’s Linens turns 25 this year and Home Textiles Today is celebrating with a Special Commemorative Report in our December 3, 2012 Issue. This Special Report will be all about Anna’s – past, present and future – and will pay tribute to the thousands of Anna’s employees, suppliers and customers who helped make it all possible. You’re invited to be part of the celebration with a commemorative ad honoring Anna’s. And a portion of all gross ad proceeds will be donated to Anna’s favorite charity, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Your Home Textiles Today sales representative can give you all the details.
TEXTILES IS OUR MIDDLE NAME
Jeff Reeves, 336-605-1009 jreeves@hometextilestoday.com
HTT_Anna's Linens tab.indd 1
Mary McLoughlin, 646-805-0227 mmcloughlin@hometextilestoday.com
Kaushal Shah, 91-9821715431 kaushal@kaushals.com
8/21/12 10:47:24 AM
18
Home Textiles Today
> hometextilestoday.com
October 22, 2012
BUSINESS TodaY September Comps Soften BY CECILE B. CORRAL NEW YORK — September comps
were strong for most, but in the shadow of a strong August showing suffered by comparison. Fred’s and Alco Stores tied for the harshest comp decline, each with a 3.8% decline. Kohl’s was close behind with a 2.7% comp dip after a stronger performance in August. The mid-level department store chain has been up and down in comps over the past several months. Footwear led the company with the strongest comp — a low single digit increase. Home recorded a low single-digit comp decrease, yet it nonetheless outperformed the company. Bedding and bath 10.0%
— Ross Stores and TJX Cos. While they often report the same comp results, this month TJX’s “well above plan” 6.0% comp outdid Ross’ also betterthan-expected 5.0%. Carol Meyrowitz, ceo of TJX, said the company’s customer traffic “continued as the driver of our comp sales increases at every division … Marmaxx also achieved a strong 6% comp sales increase and all divisions delivered excellent performance.” Ross updated its outlook, noting that earnings per share for the 13 weeks ending Oct. 27 are now projected to be in the range of 70 cents to 71 cents, compared to 63 cents for the same period last year.
1.0%
8.5%
2012 year-over-year
7.0%
SEPTEMBER SALES FOR KEY RETAILERS Five Weeks Ended September 30, 2012 (dollar amounts in millions) a 2012 SALES
Alco Stores Bon-Ton Stores Inc. Costco Wholesale Corp. (b) Fred’s Inc. Kohl’s Corp. Macy’s Inc. Ross Stores Inc. Stein Mart Inc. Target Corp. The TJX Companies Inc.
$40.2 $288.9 $9,310.0 $170.9 $1,608.0 $2,358.0 $800.0 $102.7 $6,075.0 $2,500.0
2011 SALES
40.3 $286.9 $8,610.0 $169.5 $1,631.0 $2,297.0 $726.0 $98.9 $5,923.0 $2,200.0
TOTAL % CHG.
SAME-STORE % CHG.
(0.3) 0.7 8.0 1.0 (1.4) 2.7 10.0 3.9 2.6 10.0
(3.8) 0.6 5.0 (3.8) (2.7) 2.5 5.0 2.4 2.1 6.0
TOTAL % CHG.
SAME-STORE % CHG.
30 WEEKS Alco Stores Bon-Ton Stores Inc. Costco Wholesale Corp. Fred’s Inc. Kohl’s Corp. Macy’s Inc. Ross Stores Inc. Stein Mart Inc. Target Corp. The TJX Companies Inc.
2012 SALES
2011 SALES
$306.5 $1,705.3 $64,230.0 $1,282.0 $11,545.0 $16,430.0 $6,245.0 $761.5 $44,607.0 $16,100.0
$301.4 $1,709.4 $58,570.0 $1,244.0 $11,455.0 $15,839.0 $5,549.0 $746.5 $42,690.0 $14,600.0
1.7 -0.2 9.6 3.0 0.8 3.7 13.0 2.0 4.5 10.0
(1.2) (0.1) NA (1.2) (0.9) 3.6 8.0 1.3 3.9 8.0
5.5% 4.0%
a. Reporting periods vary among retailers. b. Costco’s September comp results are for the U.S. division and do not include the positive impact of inflation on gasoline prices or the positive impact from foreign currencies. Including those impacts, comps for the month were up 6.0% in the U.S. division, 7.0% in the international division, and 6.0% for the total company.
2.5% 1.0% -0.5% -2.0%
September Same-Store Sales Johnson Redbook Index
-3.5% -5.0% SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT Source: Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Average, a unit of Instinet, a Reuters company.
were singled out as the strongest segments. In Alco’s case, sales declined due to “slower consumer spending as well as the continued impact of changing weather patterns and drought on the majority of the company’s trading area,” explained Rich Wilson, president and ceo. “As previously announced, we will be broadening our food offering to include frozen food in 153 stores during the months of October and November. We anticipate this signifi cant enhancement will drive customer traffic and build average basket size.” The month’s comp leaders were the off-price chains
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WINNERS AND LOSERS Same-store sales % change
WINNERS TJX Cos. Costco Wholesale Corp. Ross Stores Macy’s Inc. Stein Mart Target Corp. Bon-Ton Stores
6.0% 5.0% 5.0% 2.5% 2.4% 2.1% 0.6%
LOSERS Fred’s Inc. Alco Stores Kohl’s Corp.
-3.8% -3.8% -2.7%
“The forecasted upside from our previous earnings per share guidance of 63 cents to 66 cents
is mainly due to a combination of ahead-of-plan sales and merchandise gross margin in August and September, as well as slightly better-than-expected shortage results from our annual physical inventory in September,” explained Michael Balmuth, vice chairman and ceo. Macy’s had the next highest comp, up 2.5%, which was less than half of what the department store reported in August. Still, noted chairman, president and ceo Terry Lundgren, “Our sales in the two-month August/ September period, which includes the back-to-school season, were consistent with our positive year-to-date trend. We continue to feel good about the remainder of our fall season as we begin to ramp up receipts of fresh inventory for the cooler weather ahead.”
M a c y ’s o n l i n e s a l e s f o r macys.com and bloomingdales. com combined were up 39.0% in September and 35.8% yearto-date. These figures are included in the company’s samestore sales calculation. Stein Mart continued to make strides month by month. September was no different, as the mid-tier off-price department store chain posted a 2.4% comp, led by linens and ladies’ career sportswear. The results might have been better had weather not affected the business, explained interim ceo Jay Stein. “Early in the month, sales were impacted by hurricane Isaac resulting in a number of stores not being operational for a period of time.” Target’s 2.1% comp increase was in line with expectations, said Gregg Steinhafel,
chairman, president and ceo. “We’re pleased with our sales results through the first two months of the quarter and believe we remain on-track to attain our third-quarter sales and profit goals.” The softest comp gain came from The Bon-Ton Stores, which reported a 0.6% increase. Brendan Hoffman, president and ceo, said the regional department store “gained momentum the final two weeks in the month and finished strong. We largely attribute our performance to a better balanced merchandise assortment and refined marketing efforts. Our multi-channel methods of communicating with our customers created excitement and traffic. In addition, our customers continued to respond favorably to the new fall receipts.” HTT
10/16/2012 10:49:24 AM
The Pakistan Advantage Pakistan continues to be one of the most important resources for the American home textiles industry. However, Pakistani suppliers need to better communicate their stories to potential U.S. customers. To that end, Home Textiles Today will present a special promotional section called “The Pakistan Advantage” highlighting the Pakistani home textiles industry and featuring individual companies in the business. Last year’s section was a big success with strong participation from a broad cross-section of the supplier base in Pakistan.
TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE, CONTACT YOUR HTT SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Joe Carena, jvcarena@gmail.com, (203) 329-9553
Jeff Reeves, jreeves@hometextilestoday.com, (336) 605-1009 Mary McLoughlin, mmcloughlin@hometextilestoday.com, (646) 805-0227 Warren Shoulberg, wshoulberg@hometextilestoday.com, (646) 805-0226
“The Pakistan Advantage” will be a multi-page section that will run in the December 17 issue of HTT and then will be reprinted in HTT issues distributed at Heimtextil in Frankfurt, Germany in January 2013. Participating companies will receive a full-page ad and a full-page advertorial write-up especially produced by HTT. The section will only be open to companies based in Pakistan. Pakistani home textiles producers have a strong story to tell to the American market. Make sure you do so in “The Pakistan Advantage.”
TEXTILES IS OUR MIDDLE NAME
HTT_Pakistan tab.indd 1
10/12/12 3:11:12 PM
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Home Textiles Today
October 22, 2012
Business
> hometextilestoday.com
NRF: Strong September Sales Give Hopeful Outlook for Holiday Season WASHINGTON — Propelled by
solid sales in clothing and electronics stores as well as in furniture and home furnishings, September’s retail sales growth is paving the way for what is expected to be a strong holiday season. The National Retail Federation (NRF) recently found that September retail sales, excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, increased 0.4% seasonally adjusted from August, and 2.1% unadjusted year-
over-year. For furniture and home furnishing stores, results were also noteworthy, as sales increased 0.4% seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and 5.1% unadjusted year-over-year. “In spite of the uncertainty and unease surrounding our nation’s high unemployment and long-term fiscal challenges, consumers continue to spend and shop,” said Matthew Shay, NRF president and ceo. “Robust backto-school spending combined
with a series of new, technology-led product launches certainly helped retailers in September. The American consumer is holding their own in this economic environment, but the question remains, for how long?” September retail sales, released today by the U.S. Department of Commerce, showed total retail and food services sales, which include non-general merchandise categories such as automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants, in-
Nielsen: Holiday Gain Should be Solid S CHAUMBURG , I LL . — Nielsen
is forecasting a 2.3% increase in holiday spending across five key departments: food, beverages, alcohol, health/beauty and homecare. Even though 59% of consumers told Nielsen they plan to spend the same as last year, there is a 10-point drop (from 37% in 2011 to 27% in 2012) in the number of people expecting to spend less. Eight percent of respondents reported plans to spend more this holiday season, up from 5% in 2011 and 2010. “With nearly a quarter of consumers indicating they have already started their holiday shop-
ping by mid-September, I expect ‘pragmatic enthusiasm’ to inch spending levels higher than last year,” said James Russo, vp, global consumer insights, Nielsen. Nielsen’s Consumer Confidence Index is the highest since before the recession, he added. “Planned shopping-list usage is down so impulse buying could be up, and shoppers across the income spectrum say they plan to spend more in multiple areas,” said Russo. Once again, ecommerce is poised to be the channel with the highest rate of growth, with 18% of Nielsen respondents saying they will spend more on-
line this year. Consumers saying they’ll spend more at mass merchandisers doubled this year to 12% in 2012, from 6% in 2011 and 2010. With gift spending estimates in the range of $250 to $500, Nielsen is forecasting spending in the five key categories for November and December to reach $98.3 billion. Nielsen expects dollar sales to increase 2.3% and unit sales to remain generally flat (0.1%). Earlier this month, The National Retail Federation projected a 4.1% increase in year-overyear spending, which includes all categories of retail goods. HTT
Same-store sales
Comps on the Incline as Holiday Gets Started
creased 1.1% seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 5.4% unadjusted year-over-year. “With recent data painting a more optimistic view of consumer confidence, we can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel,” said Jack Kleinhenz, NRF chief economist. “While the latest retail sales data indicates continued improvement for the economy, increasing gas prices and the looming fiscal cliff still pose serious challenges to the momen-
tum we’ve seen in consumer spending.” Congruent with NRF’s revised definition of retail sales to include “auto parts, accessories and tire stores” and “nonstore” sales, NRF is now projecting year-over-year retail sales growth of 4.5%. The revised definition seeks to be more representative of the retail industry’s diversity, and better reflect the growth and economic influence of ecommerce and mobile retail sales. HTT
Surya Awards Winners in Sales Force Contest With $100k in Prizes CALHOUN, GA. — Surya, manufacturer of area rugs and home acces-
sories, announced last week the winners of a special in-house sales contest that resulted in the company awarding four sales representatives $25,000 each. As part of the contest, Surya’s more than sales representatives were challenged to open new accounts, grow existing accounts, and grow their overall territory. The winners were revealed at special ceremony held during High Point Market. The winners were: • The Woolard Group, which was recognized for adding the most retailers and “positioning [the company] to succeed in accessory sales,” Surya said; • Jeff Hagedorn, recognized for driving the most growth for his existing customers; • Jim Govola, recognized for leveraging Surya solutions to improve the performance of all Surya dealers, resulting in highest overall territory growth; • Jane Reed, recognized for best representing the Surya brand by following all elements of the Surya sales program. Noted Surya president Satya Tiwari: “We focus on engaging our employees, including sales reps, so that they feel good about being a meaningful part of the Surya brand. This friendly contest is a reflection of the special things we do to make our sales reps know how much we value them.” HTT
N EW YORK — Same-store Johnson Redbook Index sales were up 1.8% in the Second week of October, year-over-year % change second week of October following a 1.6% gain the prior WEEK ENDED 10/6 10/13 10/20 10/27 MONTH TARGET week, according to The JohnDepartment stores* (-0.3) 0.2 (-0.1) 0.2 son Redbook Retail Sales InDiscounters 2.6 2.7 ` 2.6 2.7 Redbook Index 1.6 1.8 1.7 1.9 dex. *Including chain stores and traditional department stores Month-to-date, October Source: Johnson Redbook Index was up 1.7% compared to October of last year, relative to a “Sales of Halloween merchandise started target of a 1.9% gain. Month-over-month showed slightly later than last year, but they have picked a 1.5% drop, relative to a target of a 1.4% drop. The Columbus Day holiday at the beginning of up gradually as the holiday falls two days later the week combined with cooler weather provid- than the previous year,” she said. “We expect a ed consumers with opportunity and motivation significant portion of Halloween sales to come in to shop and spend, said Redbook analyst Catlin the final days before the holiday into retail November.” HTT Levis.
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10/17/2012 10:35:52 AM
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22
Home Textiles Today
October 22, 2012
News
Retail Container Imports to Rise 9.9 % in October as Holidays Near WASHINGTON — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 9.9% in October as merchants wrap up the annual shipping cycle for holiday merchandise, according to the National Retail Federation’s monthly Global Port Tracker. “NRF’s annual forecast says retailers should see solid growth during the holiday season this year and these cargo numbers back it up,” said Jonathan Gold, NRF vp for supply chain and customs policy. “Increased imports show that retailers have gauged the market and expect increased sales.” Global Port Tracker, which is
produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, 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, Savannah, Port Everglades and Miami on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. Collectively, these ports handled 1.42 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in August, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was up 6.7% from July and 3.3% from August 2011. One TEU is one 20-foot cargo container or its equivalent.
September was estimated at 1.49 million TEU, up 8% from last year, and October is forecast at 1.45 million TEU, up 9.9%. August, September and October are the three busiest months of the year as retailers bring merchandise into the country for the holiday season, and volume for the three months combined is up 7%. While cargo volume doesn’t correlate directly with sales, NRF forecast last week that holiday sales will increase 4.1% to $586.1 billion this year. With most holiday merchandise already at least in distribution centers by the end of October, monthly cargo volume will
drop off for the remainder of the year but will remain above 2011 levels. November is forecast at 1.32 million TEU, up 2.4% from last year, and December is forecast at 1.28 million TEU, up 4.6%. After the holidays, January 2013 is forecast to stay at 1.28 million TEU, down onehalf of 1% from January 2012, and February is forecast at 1.19 million TEU, up 9% from a year earlier. The first half of 2012 totaled 7.7 million TEU, up 2.9% from the same period last year. For the full year, 2012 is expected to total 16 million TEU, up 4.1% from 2011. Hackett Associates founder
Ben Hackett noted that some retailers brought cargo into the country early because of the threat of a strike when the labor contract covering East Coast and Gulf Coast longshoremen was set to expire Sept. 30. The strike was averted when labor and management agreed to continue talks through Dec. 31. “Inventories are up, which could be due to lack of demand, but it could also be due to prestocking in anticipation of the dock strike that didn’t come,” Hackett said. “Either way, it is within a narrow range of movement and it does not suggest that we are sliding into another recession.” HTT
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10/18/2012 10:25:50 AM
News
October 22, 2012
Shoppers To Be Slightly Less Conservative in Holiday Spending WASHINGTON — Consumers will be taking a conservative approach to buying gifts and seasonal décor this holiday, as their projected spending budgets are expected to inch up modestly this year over 2011. National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2012 Holiday Consumer Spending Survey, which was conducted by consumer research firm BigInsight, found the average holiday shopper will spend $749.51 on gifts, décor, greeting cards and more, compared to the $740.57 they actually spent last year. NRF is forecasting holiday sales will increase 4.1% to $586.1 billion. “We’ve seen this pattern of cautious optimism all year and despite the challenges that still exist in our economy, it looks as if consumers are eager to celebrate with friends and family,” said Matthew Shay, NRF president and ceo. The survey polled 8,899 consumers from Oct. 2-8. When it comes to decorations, the average person will spend $51.99, almost 6% more than last year’s average of $49.15 and the most in the survey’s history. Total spending on holiday décor is projected to reach $6.9 billion. The biggest portion of shoppers’ budgets this year will go toward gifts for family members, with the average person planning to spend $421.82 on children, parents, aunts, uncles and others. Additionally, people will spend $75.13 on friends, $23.48 on co-workers and $28.13 on others, such as pets and community members. Consumers will also spend on average $100.76 on food and candy, $28.66 on greeting cards, and
$19.55 on flowers. Consumers are “now accustomed to living on a budget, cutting back on nonessential purchases, and using coupons and searching for deals,” NRF noted. More than half of the consumers surveyed -- 52.3% -- said the state of the U.S. economy will affect their spending plans, down from 62.2% last year. Three in 10 (31.4%) consumers affected by the economy will comparative shop online more often, 46.4% will shop for sales more often, 23.2% will travel less or not at all, and 6.0% will comparative shop using their mobile device. Consistent with results seen over the past decade, four in 10 (41.4%) of Americans said they will begin holiday shopping before Halloween. “Perhaps boosted by interest in layaway options or an urge to score the season’s ‘musthave’ item before it is too late,” NRF said, 22.1% said they will begin in October, up from 20.3% last year. Another four in 10 (39.0%) will begin in November, 16.2% will begin in first two weeks of December and 3.5% will wait until the very last minute and shop in the last two weeks of December. Nearly two-thirds (65.3%) will shop at discount stores and more than half (57.8%) will shop at department stores. Clothing stores (36.2%), electronics stores (31.8%) and specialty stores (16.7%) will be popular with holiday shoppers as well. Grocery stores will also see increased foot traffic - 51.8% will shop at a grocery store for holiday items, up from 48.8% last year. Setting a new high, more than half
(51.8%) will shop online for gifts and other items this holiday season, up from 46.7% last year. When asked what percent of their holiday shopping they planned to do online, the average person will complete about 38.8% of their shopping on retailers’ and other companies’ websites, another survey high. Shop.org, NRF’s digital division, is forecasting online holiday sales will grow 12% to as much as $96 billion. A boon to this year’s holiday is the new development that consumers are expected to spend the most on non-gift items in the survey’s 10-year history. Six in 10 shoppers (59.0%) plan to spend an average of $139.92 on “self-gifting” this holiday season. NRF’s survey also offered a breakdown of spending by age group. Seven in 10 (71.5%) young adults ages 18 to 24, “often the ones seen standing in the long lines for retailers’ midnight and early-bird Black Friday promotions,” NRF said, will spend an average of $159.62 - the highest percent of any age group, though not the most amount of money. Adults ages 25-34 will spend the most at $175.65. On holiday wish lists, gift cards lead the way for this year. The survey found six in 10 (59.8%) of those polled said they’d like to receive gift cards this year, up from 57.7% last year and the most in the survey’s history. By comparison, half (49.1%) said they would like clothing, 45.7% said books, CD, DVDs, videos, or video games, and more than one-third (35.8%) are requesting electronics or computer-related accessories. HTT
Costco Posts a Strong 4Q ISSAQUAH, WASH. — Costco wrapped up its fourth quarter with a 27% jump in net income to $609 million, or $1.39 per share. Sales for the quarter ended Sept. 2 climbed 14% to $31.5 billion. Comps, excluding the impact of gasoline sales,
were up 6% in the U.S., 7% in the international division and 6% for the full company. For the full fiscal year, net income rose 17% to was $609 million, or $1.39 per share. Sales increased 12% to $97.06 billion. Comps, excluding
fuel sales, rose 6% in the U.S., 8% in the international division and 6% for the total company. Costco ended the fiscal year with 608 clubs in seven countries, including 439 in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
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quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to $170.7 million a year ago. Comps rose 1.7%, comprised of a 4.7% increase in average ticket offset by a 3.0% decrease in traffic. The company noted that “absent one-time items,” net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 is expected to increase modestly versus the same peri-
360 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10010 Tel: (646) 805-0227; Fax: (646) 365-2307 www.hometextilestoday.com www.facebook.com/httmag EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennifer Marks 10 Ocean Blvd #8B Atlantic Highlands, N.J. 07716 (732) 204-2012 | jnegley@hometextilestoday.com PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Warren Shoulberg (646) 805-0226 | wshoulberg@hometextilestoday.com SENIOR EDITOR Cecile B. Corral 428 Bianca Ave. Coral Gables, FL 33146 (305) 661-7493 | cbcorral@aol.com MANAGING EDITOR Julie Murphy (646) 805-0224 | jmurphy@hometextilestoday.com CONTRIBUTING GRAPHIC ARTIST Desiree Nunez (646) 805-0233 | dnunez@giftsanddec.com DIRECTOR OF MARKET RESEARCH Dana French (336) 605-1091 | dfrench@sandowmedia.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER, ACCOUNT MANAGER SOUTH/EAST/CHINA Jeff Reeves (336) 605-1009 | jreeves@hometextilestoday.com ACCOUNT MANAGER NORTHEAST/MIDWEST/ WEST COAST/CANADA Mary McLoughlin (646) 805-0227 | mmcloughlin@hometextilestoday.com CLASSIFIED AD SALES Spencer Whittle (336) 605-1027 swhittle@sandowmedia.com Karen Hancock (336) 605-1047 khancock@sandowmedia.com MANAGER, EUROPE Mirek Kraczkowski Tel: 48 22 401 70 01; Fax: 48 22 401 70 16 | kraczko@aol.com MANAGER, INDIA Kaushal Shah Cell: 91-9821715431; Tel: 91 22 2305 9305 Fax: 91-22-66634596 | Kaushal@kaushals.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Rich Lamb Tel: (336) 605-1074; Fax: (336) 605-1143 | rlamb@sandowmedia.com DIRECTOR, WEB OPERATIONS Chris Schultz | (336) 605-1076 | cschultz@sandowmedia.com MANAGER, CLIENT SERVICES, WEB ADVERTISING Dan Sage | (336) 605-1080 | dsage@sandowmedia.com E-MEDIA PROJECT MANAGER Missy Axe | (336) 605-1005 | maxe@sandowmedia.com DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE MARKETING Allison Ternes (704) 573-9007 | aternes@sandowmedia.com PRESIDENT, FURNITURE TODAY GROUP Kevin Castellani (336) 605-1034 | kcastellani@sandowmedia.com FOUNDING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Carole Sloan 1979-2011
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
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Tuesday Morning Sees Net Sales, Comps Inch Upward in Q1 DALL AS — Tuesday Morning’s new president and ceo, Brady Churches, said he is looking forward to improving the closeout retailer’s business upon the release of its first quarter preliminary report, which included modest increases in sales and comps. The 840-unit chain saw net sales increase by 1.3% to $172.8 million in the
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Home Textiles Today
od last year. Full results will released Oct. 22 and Churches plans to discuss the company’s forward-looking strategy at that time. Churches, who has been on the job for only five weeks, said: “There is significant room for improvement on multiple fronts, and there remains much work to be done.” HTT
THE BUSINESS AND FASHION NEWSPAPER OF THE HOME TEXTILES INDUSTRY® 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010 Telephone: (646) 805-0227 Fax: (646) 365-2307 USPS 497-490 HOME TEXTILES TODAY (USPS 497-490) (ISSN 0195-3184) is published 29 times a year except for the weeks of 1/16, 2/6, 2/20, 3/12, 3/26, 4/9, 4/23, 5/7, 5/21, 6/4, 6/18, 7/2, 7/16, 7/30, 8/13, 8/27, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12, 11/26, 12/10, 12/24 by Furniture/Today Media Group, 360 Park Avenue South, 17th fl., New York, NY, 10010 a subsidiary of Sandow Media LLC, 3731 NW 8th Ave, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. HOME TEXTILES TODAY copyright ©2012 by Sandow Media LLC. Annual subscription rates: U.S. and Canada $169.97; 1 year, other countries $325.99 for surface mail . All payments must be made in U.S. currency. Subscription inquiries: HOME TEXTILES TODAY, PO Box 5879, Harlan, IA 51593-1379. Phone: (866) 456-0405. HOME TEXTILES TODAY and THE BUSINESS AND FASHION NEWSPAPER OF THE HOME TEXTILES INDUSTRY are registered trademarks of Sandow Media LLC, used under license. Sandow Media LLC does not assume and hereby disclaims liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material contained herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident or any other cause whatsoever. (Posted under Canadian International Publication Agreement No.40624074. Sandow Media/CDS (Mint Hill) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to HOME TEXTILES TODAY, P.O. Box 5879, Harlan, IA, 51593-1379 Email: HTTcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: RCS International; APC; PO Box 503, RPO West Beaver Creek, Rich Hill, ON L4B 4R6
10/18/2012 2:23:33 PM
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