Home_Textiles_Today_Jan10th_2011

SEE ATLANTA PAGE 22

January 10, 2011

THE BUSINESS AND FASHION NEWSPAPER OF THE HOME TEXTILES INDUSTRY | hometextilestoday.com | Vol. 31, No. 1 | $8.00

BY CECILE B. CORRAL

ATLANTA — With the Atlanta Inter-national Area Rug Market as their launching point for business in 2011, category suppliers are exhib-iting their optimism for improved business trends in the New Year via the myriad new product offerings they are bringing to this biannual event.

“Because of the slowness in busi-ness lately, our new introductions had been fairly soft last year. But this year we are introducing a disproportionate amount of new products for our cus-tomers,” said Steven Peykar, princi-pal, Saddle Brook, N.J.-based Nouri-son. “We have developed a lot of new looks and a lot of great products in different price categories that we feel are more updated and on trend.”

Peykar described 2009 and 2010 as a recessionary period that “is real-ly the longest one since I’ve been in business. So this year we are hoping for some better results.”

Stronger sales activity from retail-ers during the fourth quarter has given reason to hope for a brighter 2011, said Arash Yaraghi, principal, Port Wash-ington, N.Y.-based Safavieh.

“We are encouraged that retailers [were] actively buying and promot-ing product in the fourth quarter of 2010 and we expect this to contin-ue as they see consumers respond,” he said.

If this trend continues, suppli-ers will be better equipped with the many obstacles — stemming f rom raw mater ia l pr ice hikes globally — they face this new year.

Atlanta Market Sets Stage for

Optimism in 2011

MIAMI — Diversifi ed home textiles producer Ellery Homestyles LLC has com-pleted a recapitalization with private investment fi rm Trivest Partners, which con-centrates its investments in founder/family owned busi-nesses in the United States and Canada.

Ellery’s founder and ceo, Budd Goldman, will con-tinue as an owner of the business and lead Ellery’s daily operations. Trivest Fund IV, with $325 million in com-

mitments, and Goldman pro-vided equity for the transac-tion. Senior financing was provided by Wells Fargo and Pepper Hamilton acted as legal counsel to Trivest.

“Our partnership with Trivest will be instrumental in helping Ellery successfully ex-ecute numerous strategies for continued growth, including existing product line expan-

sion, new product development and a signifi cant focus on the e-commerce channel,” said Goldman. HTT

Ellery Homestyles in Recap With

Investment firm

BUDD GOLDMAN

Ellery

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SEE XXX PAGE 1

Monday, January 10, 2011

THE BUSINESS AND FASHION NEWSPAPER OF THE HOME TEXTILES

NEW YORK — If 2010 was better than 2009 it was only for one reason: 2009 was really, really bad.

The 2011 Supply Side Giants, Home Textiles To-day’s exclusive annual ranking of the industry largest suppliers overall and by product category, paints a picture of an industry still reeling from the linger-ing aftershocks of the Great Recession, one des-perately trying to come to grips with lower price points, shorter margins and pressure from the cot-ton fi elds to the store shelves.It was that kind of year.

Just ten years ago, a list of the industry’s biggest suppliers would have included some of the great landmark names in the business,

the southern mills that ran the home textiles industry for the better part of a cen-tury.

Now they are largely gone or exist only in heavily altered states. Instead the list of the Top 15 vendors includes foreign-based entities with U.S. subsidiaries, spe-cialized suppliers largely in the white goods business and a number of rug com-panies that dominate that product classifi cation. An astronaut back from a long trip around the galaxy would barely recognize many of these names.

When it comes to the individual product breakdowns, where Home Textiles Today ranks the fi ve largest suppliers in most of the industry’s key classifi cations, the story is much the same, although more specialized resources turn up here.

Despite the changing cast of characters, all of the rankings show one very fun-damental shift in the very nature of the industry: An industry dominated by per-haps fi ve very large vertical mills just a decade ago is now fragmented and scat-tered in a hundred different directions, from the Carolinas to Karachi.

See inside for Home Textiles Today’s Supply Side Giants special report. HTT

More SupplyThan Demand Home Textiles Today Exclusive Annual Report

The looms keep weaving, but who’s buying?

SEE ATLANTA PAGE 22

January 10, 2011

THE BUSINESS AND FASHION NEWSPAPER OF THE HOME TEXTILES INDUSTRY | hometextilestoday.com | Vol. 31, No. 1 | $8.00

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BY CECILE B. CORRAL

ATLANTA — With the Atlanta Inter-national Area Rug Market as their launching point for business in 2011, category suppliers are exhib-iting their optimism for improved business trends in the New Year via the myriad new product offerings they are bringing to this biannual event.

“Because of the slowness in busi-ness lately, our new introductions had been fairly soft last year. But this year we are introducing a disproportionate amount of new products for our cus-tomers,” said Steven Peykar, princi-pal, Saddle Brook, N.J.-based Nouri-son. “We have developed a lot of new looks and a lot of great products in different price categories that we feel are more updated and on trend.”

Peykar described 2009 and 2010 as a recessionary period that “is real-ly the longest one since I’ve been in business. So this year we are hoping for some better results.”

Stronger sales activity from retail-ers during the fourth quarter has given reason to hope for a brighter 2011, said Arash Yaraghi, principal, Port Wash-ington, N.Y.-based Safavieh.

“We are encouraged that retailers [were] actively buying and promot-ing product in the fourth quarter of 2010 and we expect this to contin-ue as they see consumers respond,” he said.

If this trend continues, suppli-ers will be better equipped with the many obstacles — stemming f rom raw mater ia l pr ice hikes globally — they face this new year.

Atlanta Market Sets Stage for

Optimism in 2011

MIAMI — Diversifi ed home textiles producer Ellery Homestyles LLC has com-pleted a recapitalization with private investment fi rm Trivest Partners, which con-centrates its investments in founder/family owned busi-nesses in the United States and Canada.

Ellery’s founder and ceo, Budd Goldman, will con-tinue as an owner of the business and lead Ellery’s daily operations. Trivest Fund IV, with $325 million in com-

mitments, and Goldman pro-vided equity for the transac-tion. Senior financing was provided by Wells Fargo and Pepper Hamilton acted as legal counsel to Trivest.

“Our partnership with Trivest will be instrumental in helping Ellery successfully ex-ecute numerous strategies for continued growth, including existing product line expan-

sion, new product development and a signifi cant focus on the e-commerce channel,” said Goldman. HTT

Ellery Homestyles in Recap With

Investment firm

BUDD GOLDMAN

Ellery

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2 Home Textiles Today News > hometextilestoday.com

Dollar General Amps up Openings

Dollar General plans to open 625 new stores in the new fi scal year, returning to a pace that had

long characterized the value retailer, which operates more than 9,200 units.

The plan includes expansion in suburban, rural and metro areas as well as entry into Connecticut, Nevada and New Hampshire.

The company will also remodel or relocate 550 stores.

Macy’s Beefi ng up Online Staff

Macy’s Inc. will add roughly 725 new positions over the next two years as it expands its online

business for macys.com and bloomingdales.comThe plan calls for expanding merchandising and

marketing staff in macys.com and bloomingdales.com’s New York offi ces as well as adding operations positions in the San Francisco and suburban Atlanta offi ces.

The company’s online sales grew about 29% during the fi rst 10 months of the fi scal year on of 20% growth in 2009 and 29% in 2008.

Dillard’s Opens New Internet Fulfi llment Center in Maumelle, Ark.

Department store chain Dillard’s Inc. is setting up an Internet fulfi llment center near headquarters,

in Maumelle, Ark., to support the continuing growth of its online store at www.dillards.com.

The site was formerly a Target distribution center, and Dillard’s has signed an agreement to purchase it.

Dillard’s president Alex Dillard said the new high-tech facility “will be optimally equipped with advanced distribution and fulfi llment capabilities to support the growth of our Internet store.There are many pos-itive changes currently underway at Dillard’s, and the enhancement of the online shopping experience at dil-lards.com is a major focus of our efforts.”

He added that the site will provide “the capacity, the technology and the people” — 300 employees to be staffed there — to support the growth of Dillard’s Internet business.

The Maumelle Internet Fulfi llment Center will use the latest in fulfi llment and distribution technology, including the highly advanced use of robotics com-bined with improvements in ergonomics, noise reduc-tion and safety.

Environmentally-friendly features of the new facil-ity include less power consumption due to reduced conveyor usage as well as advanced energy-effi cient lighting systems.

Pier 1 Imports Comps Rise

Driven by increases in traffi c, conversion rate and average ticket, comparable store sales for Pier 1

Imports Inc. jumped double digits – 10.3% – during December.

Merchandise margins “remained strong” due to less promotional and clearance pricing than last year.

Based on these improvements, Pier 1 Imports now expects merchandise margins to be at least 57.5% of sales for the fourth quarter, up from its previous expec-tation of 57.0% of sales.

RetailBriefs

CHAROLOTTE, N.C. — Perfect Fit Industries is moving to expand its business beyond tra-ditional big box retailers, intro-ducing solution-based bedding products to the hospitality and healthcare industries in part-nership with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

The products include a unique bedbug protection solu-tion, an antimicrobial technol-ogy, an odor eliminating fabric treatment and a multi-compo-nent bedding program.

Working closely with Per-fect Fit institutional manager Ed Monks will be Geoff Hanff, a 22 year veteran in the hospi-

tality/institutional industry. “The relat ionships he’s

established via other catego-ries such as sheets, along with his industry knowledge and our performance-based, com-petitively-priced products, will make us the perfect team,” said Jeff Chilton, president of sales and marketing. HTT

Perfect Fit Steps up Hospitality Outreach

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Roger Milliken, known as much for his innovations in the textiles busi-ness as for his vehement defense of the American industry against exports, died on Dec. 30, 2010.

Milliken, who remained as chairman of privately owned Milliken & Co., was 95 and the cause of death according to pub-lished reports was multiple ill-nesses including leukemia.

While Milliken was primar-ily involved in the apparel fab-rics business, it did have a good-sized home textiles business at one point, notably its Visa fab-ric, which was a staple of the tablecloth business. Milliken did not make fi nished products but was a key supplier to compa-nies that did.

Milliken took over what had been a family business called Deering. In 1947, at age 31 fol-lowing the death of his father,

he ran the fi rm as ceo through 1983 when he turned over that role to a non-family outsider.

But he remained the public face – and voice – of the com-pany, no more so than in the fi ght over the North American Free Trade Agreement during the 1990s, a battle that he ulti-mately lost and one that he felt would bring an end of the Amer-

ican textiles industry as it existed then. He, of course, turned out to be right, but Milliken like other companies moved some operations overseas. None the less, he was the founder and key supporter of the original Crafted With Pride in the U.S.A. Coun-cil, which promoted American-made products.

His outspokenness on the import issue was matched by his close-mouthed attitude about his own company. One report sug-gested that Milliken was doing $4 billion a year in 2000, but Milliken never acknowledged or confirmed those reports. It is unknown how large the com-pany remains today or how extensive its involvement is in the home business.

Services were held here for Milliken, who is survived by five children and nine grand-children. HTT

Roger Milliken, 95

January 10, 2011

NEW YORK — December comp results that exceeded expectations compelled Kohl’s, Ross Stores and TJX Cos. to raise their guid-ance for the fourth quarter and full year last week.

Kohl’s now expects earnings per share of $1.62 to $1.66 for the fourth quarter and $3.61 to $3.65 for fiscal 2010. Previous guidance was $1.58 to $1.66 for the fourth quarter and $3.57 to $3.65 for fi scal 2010.

Ross Stores now projects earn-ings per share of $1.32 to $1.34, for a forecasted increase of 14%

to 16%, compared to $1.16 in last year’s fourth quarter.

“Our merchants have been able to take advantage recently of a large amount of compelling close-out opportunities in the marketplace,” explained Michael Balmuth, vice chairman and ceo of Ross. “As a result, today’s guid-ance also refl ects a projected tim-ing benefit to distribution costs related to our expectation of higher pack-away inventory levels at the end of the fourth quarter.”

TJX Companies now expects for fourth quarter diluted earn-

ings per share on a reported basis to be in the range of 70 to 71 cents compared to prior guid-ance, adjusted for the closing of the A.J. Wright business, of 62 to 64 cents per share.

For its full year fiscal 2011, TJX now expects earnings per share in the range of $3.16 to $3.17, which costs related to closing A.J. Wright. This range is based upon estimated consol-idated comparable store sales growth of approximately 3% to 4%, up from the prior guidance of 2% to 3%. HTT

Kohl’s, Ross, TJX Cos. Update Guidance Following Strong

December Comps

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4 Home Textiles Today > hometextilestoday.com

OPINIONTodaY

AS W E MOV E MOR E aggressively into 2011, there are some things that need to be more realistically discussed.

The fi rst is that the home textiles world is not the only user of textiles sourced globally. The segment is very low down on the food chain.

Next, the industry needs to be more realistic about specing and pricing product — especial-ly on the part of the big boys. I think that 2010 fi nally taught them that there is no king. Yes, some will be more equal than other, but not ex-tremely so.

As the fi ber price equation continues to roll on, retailers will have to understand the new price/value equation. Products will be de-speced to meet a price and quality goal while quality levels will be abandoned for en-tire product capabilities.

Also, looking ahead to Heimtextil this week, it was only a year ago in talking about international markets and how Americans work within this sphere, an industry executive noted — as I have over the decades — that Americans are viewed internationally as fair weather friends.

When business is good here at home, export is ignored. Come a downturn and suppliers wonder how they could have been so blind to the opportunities abroad. Now that the U.S. business is showing signs of life — albeit not so strong as many would like — it will be interesting to see how much that attitude changes.

We have seen a realization among many suppliers that

there is an American design cachet that resonates already in certain parts of the world, and there are other parts of the world that have not really been exposed to American design for the home — a facet of design that may or may not be globally translatable.

Since the goods basically are produced in the same geographical areas — China, India, Pakistan and Turkey for mainstream product — the de-sign factor is the key element that separates the United States from everywhere else. It’s been ever thus, and probably is part of our DNA.

Then there is the new consumer — no mat-ter what the age bracket — who has too many

ways to get product information, communicate about product specifi cs and make decisions that are totally out of the realm of how we did business in the past.

Over the past year or so, the retail marketplace has been hearing a great deal about “new discoveries” on how to do business in online and in social media with today’s increasingly independent consumer.

Then there is the basic issue of newness and fashion forward-ness in the home textiles world. For entirely too long this business has been dominated by a pervasive “this was a winner last season, so we want something like it for next season” mentality.

It’s time for this industry — suppliers, manufacturers, importers, product developers and whatever it is that any retailer deems to be “buyers” — to step up to the plate. HTT

“It’s time for this industry — suppliers, manufacturers, importers, product developers and whatever it is that any retailer deems to be ‘buyers’ — to step up to the plate. “

CaroleSloanFOUNDING

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Moving into a New Year

HER E’S T HE QU EST ION FOR T HE Y E A R :How high will they go?

We’re talking retail prices.This time last year, buyers of all stripes

rushed into the Heimtextil international home textiles fair convinced they could fi nd manufacturers willing to overlook their best interests and absorb higher raw materi-al costs. By and large, they didn’t.

What unfolded over the year was a differ-ent scenario: manufacturers and suppliers will-ing to take a big hit – but not to the extent they were willing to commit fi nancial hari-kari. Also new: retailers acknowledging publicly (mostly in quarterly calls to analysts) that price increas-es were inevitable for the fi rst time in years – no matter how daintily they phrased it.

By all accounts, the steepest of the increases won’t arrive until the Back-to-School season, but the real point of interest will be how de-speced the new goods turn out to be.

In a conversation with a longtime industry consultant several weeks ago, he offered: “I’ve been tell-ing my family and friends – solicited and unsolicited ad-

vice – if you’re going to by any clothes or textiles [in 2011] do it right away.”

My response: “Me, too.”Not that the advice of two industry-watchers – nor the

spate of newspaper articles about rising prices during the past few months – are likely to galvanize consumers in the immediate term. Buying closer to demand has become a way of life for most U.S. consumers, particularly during

the recession years. All parties continue to look for cost-cut-

ting measures, but after more than a decade of squeezing costs out of the system (easily two, de-pending upon how much of the supply chain you want to pull into the conversation), there are few effi ciencies as yet unredeemed.

The latest way: accounts bulk purchase their own raw ingredients and insist manufacturers “buy” from that pool. From what I’m hearing, these offers are being received coolly, if not en-tirely rejected. But, truth be told, I haven’t had enough conversations with enough companies

to know whether these are isolated incidents.But I’ll be asking around Frankfurt this week. HTT

JenniferMarks

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

“This time last year, buyers of all stripes rushed into the Heimtextil convinced they could fi nd manufacturers willing to overlook their best interests and absorb higher raw material costs.”

How High Will They Go?

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennifer Marks375 South End Avenue #32U

New York, N.Y. 10280(212) 945-9151 | [email protected]

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January 10, 2011

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5 Home Textiles Today> hometextilestoday.com

SO, DI D YOU GE T what you wanted from Santa last year? Whether you were naughty or nice, chances are you didn’t fi nd absolutely everything under your tree, menorah or kinara this

time around. But there were a couple of other things

out there, yours for the taking, if you were paying attention. They are the lessons learned from the 2010 Christmas shopping season.

1. The Experts are Pretty Stupid. The so-called authorities maintained their near-perfect track record by once again missing the boat on their predic-tions for how business would be for holi-day. Almost every one of them said there would be modest — at best — gains and that the season would get uglier and ever more desperate as the clock ticked down to Santa-time. Instead we ended up with one of the more robust shopping seasons anyone has seen in a long time, good not just by recent standards but by histor-ical standards. The suits blew it again. And by the way, did you no-tice that MasterCard’s Michael McNamara had replaced Marshall Cohen of NPD as the most overquoted-to-death expert out there?

2. Reports of the Death of the American Consumer Have Been Largely Exaggerated. We don’t know about you, but we’re getting pretty sick and tired of everyone saying the American shopper has changed and they will never start spending again. Remember when they said the same thing after 9/11? Remember the decade of un-paralleled excess and exuberance that followed? The American con-sumer is just that: A consumer. If she knows she’s not going to lose her job and she’s adjusted her expectations on what both her house and her 401k are worth, she is going to buy stuff. And she did.

3. Inventory Management Works. Imagine that? One of the most basic principles of retailing — controlling your stock levels and adhering to the philosophy that the occasional stock outage is better than the frequent overstock — actually turns out to be true. We still think the consumer has caught on to this faster than most retailers, but no matter, the message is fi nally getting through.

4. Luxury Lives. Remember when everyone said Neiman’s and Nordstrom’s and all that crowd were endangered species? Turns out that was another colossal miscalculation, and the better goods seg-ment of the marketplace is doing just fi ne. Yes, maybe some of the more obscene extravagances of the past decade have faded away, but the federal government has made sure that we won’t be needing to run any benefi t lunches for the rich and famous anytime soon.

5. Sales Still Work But They Aren’t the Only Thing That Does. We saw just as many sales, promotions and events as ever and they were effective, but lots of stores did very nicely with other strategies too, be it limited inventory, in-store activities or “gotta-have” items. In fact, the latter continues to be the secret weapon of smart stores. Whether it’s Tickle-Me-Elmo or the latest Apple fruit-of-the-day, con-sumers have shown they will buy something they really want … and they will pay just about whatever it takes. If only the home textiles in-dustry could ever fi nd a sheet set that people just had to have.

6. Maybe This Online Thing is Going to Stick Around. OK, so this is not exactly a new lesson, but for those die-hards who keep thinking that the Internet is just going to be a small factor when it comes to consumer spending, this Christmas should fi nally have been the proof to see how wrong they really are. There will always be stores. They are as much a social experience as a functional ac-tivity. But get used to online as perhaps the single most important factor in the entire shopping process. That’s maybe the single big-gest lesson to be learned from Christmas 2010

That and, oh yeah, you can regift something monogrammed, can’t you? HTT

The Lessons of Christmas 2010

WarrenShoulberg

PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

January 10, 2011

BY JENNIFER MARKS

NEW YORK — In what is surely a product of years of globalization, price defl ation and the atomiza-tion of the home textiles indus-try, this year’s Top 15 suppli-er ranking is remarkable for what’s happen-ing at the top of the chart.

Last year’s Supplier Giants report marked the first time in more than 20 years in which the lead supplier generated less than a billion in sales. Just 10 years ago, the top three suppliers all generated well over a billion in volume.

This year, Mohawk moves into the top spot with just $620 million in sales.

Also notable — and per-haps unexpected — Springs and WestPoint both held onto the ranking each claimed last year, No. 2 and No. 4, respec-tively. Their results for the year, however, couldn’t be more dif-ferent.

Springs Global’s U.S. sales tumbled mightily – down 45%. WestPoint Home, on the other hand, had a good year – on the

top line, at least – with sales up 12%.

But neither fi gure should be taken on its face as a sign of tra-jectory. Springs Global invest-

ed heavily last year in the U.S. brand division, un-veiling an ambitious pro-gram under license from Diane Von Furtsenberg that includes hard home as well as Spring’s traditional home textiles products. The company inked addi-

tional licenses as well, near-ly all of them, like DVF, multi-category (including hard goods), intended to be distributed inter-nationally as well as domestically — and with retail fl agship stores on the board in some cases.

WestPoint late in the year received some bad news: After 29 years of working with West-Point for its bedding and bath programs, Ralph Lauren Home announced last month it is tak-ing production in-house. West-Point hangs on to the utility bed-ding piece of the program, and executives there say some Lau-ren production will take place at WestPoint’s offshore plants. But the extent to which that will play out is uncertain, and WestPoint will have to scramble to replace

the business.Welspun USA continued to

amass more market share, but with its corporate parent in India devoting energy to expansion elsewhere (not to mention the U.S. economy), growth came at a slower pace. Given the invest-ments the company has made in capacities for manufacturing fash-ion bedding, bath rugs and utility bedding, as well as a recent foray into decorative pillows, it’s like-ly Welspun will become a top 5 supplier in multiple categories in the coming years.

Rapidly diversifying Alok US makes it debut appearance on this year’s ranking at No. 5. The company in recent years has di-versified beyond sheets and is making a bid to become a leader in fashion bedding, blankets and decorative pillows. Alok is also growing its bath towel business.

Also new to the Top 15 is 1888 Mills, the U.S.-based man-ufacturer that also has produc-tion in Pakistan and Bangladesh. But towels were the catalyst for growth last year, bedding was, and 1888 Mills is also branching into apparel for the healthcare and service industries through its new cut-and-sew facility in Ghana. HTT

Supplier Giants:Less Gigantic Than Before

RICHMOND, VA. — A music video commissioned by Car-penter Co. and its SleepBetter.org consumer website has been named by Time.com as one of the top ten “Talented Web Vid-eos” for 2010.

Creative team Rhett & Link created a rock ballad titled “My Favorite Pillow” for a video enti-tled “2 men and 600 pillows.”

Since its Sept. 14 release, the video went viral, with nearly four million hits on either the video it-self, the “making of” video or the bonus footage. Total visitors to SleepBetter.org since the launch have reached more than 266,000. SleepBetter’s Facebook page has added more than 9,000 since the project debuted. HTT

CARLSTADT, N.J. – After more than 35 years of developing hand-knotted, hand-tufted and power-loomed area rugs to the home textiles industry, family-run Momeni Inc. is expanding into broadloom.

Set to soft-launch this month during the upcoming Atlanta International Area Rug market, Momeni’s new broadloom col-lection features “cutting-edge designs as well as the classics in beautiful color palettes and tones,” the company said.

Each grouping is made from high-quality wool, many of them carrying the Wools of New Zea-

land brand and featuring hand finished edges and carved de-tails.

“We are also a proud partner to Wools of New Zealand and have been named as one of their 150 premier partners in broad-loom,” Momeni said.

True to Momeni’s signature style, design options include soft contemporary, transitional and relaxed patterns in sophisticated color palettes.

The line’s official launch is set for late January in Las Vegas at the Surfaces and the Las Vegas World Market events. HTT

Carpenter Video Makes Time’s

10 Best ListMomeni

Expands into Broadloom

htt110101_004_005 5htt110101_004_005 5 1/7/2011 3:28:34 PM1/7/2011 3:28:34 PM

6 Home Textiles Today Top 15

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Up against what it described as another tough year, Mohawk Home trad-ed a steady rate of unit volume sold at retail for a decrease in dollars as retailers downshifted to lower price points. Consumers traded down from higher-end wovens to cheaper-priced goods, such as tufted and printed constructions, that they could afford. As a result, the company said its market suffered a 15% to 20% price erosion in the rug business. Mohawk’s tufted and printed rug segments, which carry $49 to $99 retail-priced pieces, grew by about 5% while wovens and other better goods within the $149 to $199 bracket struggled. Bath rugs kept the pace, but the highlight for Mohawk in the year was its doormat segment, which grew 16.3% to $64 million. New placements at retail for existing and new product introductions like its Chrome-rubber mats pushed numbers upward by double digits.

1

33 (’09)

69 (’09)

44(’09)

2 (’09)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS While its corporate parent, Welspun India, is generating strong growth from Europe, the UK, the domestic market in India and other parts of the globe, the US divi-sion was able to capitalize on China’s woes despite higher raw material pricing. Welspun USA unveiled a new label with designer Tom Felicia, struck an agreement with Louisville Bedding for distribution in Canada and forged an alliance with Kojo Worldwide to step up its global reach in the hospitality arena. The biggest news of the year came in the form of a corporate restructuring just ahead of the fall market which brought in US industry veteran Barry Leonard as president and ceo after more than eight years at the helm of Glenoit/Excell/Croscill.

75 (’09)

(sales in $millions)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Anyone who hadn’t been paying attention would be surprised at the strong sales growth at WestPoint Home, now a division of billionaire investor Carl Icahn’s Icahn Enterprises Inc. But after a truly miserable 2009, WestPoint was able to leverage its production facilities in Bahrain and Pakistan to take advantage of the retailer-direct flight from China in the face of higher labor costs. New introductions included the launch of Caribbean Joe and Hanes in bed and bath. But the company faces a formidable challenge in 2011 as Ralph Lauren Home, its longtime upstairs license, takes some production in-house. WestPoint retains the utility bedding business and says it has assurances that some of the fasion bedding and bath production will take place at its off-shore plants.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Working in the better end of the market, Carpenter responded to higher raw material costs by raising its prices. It also experienced growth with its drop-ship program for internet retailers — an especially strong channel for bed pillows. In addition, Carpenter stepped up its consumer marketing and commissioned a music video — “2 men and 600 pillows” — that went viral with some four million hits.

Mohawk Home Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$620 $629 -1.43

21 (’09)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS The US division of Brazil-based Springs Global is in transition mode as major accounts took the volume private label business that was long a mainstay of its sales directly to off-shore manufacturers. For the Springs Global Corporation, the good news is that a robust Brazilian market now accounts for 44% of sales. The US operation pivoted last year by going after big brands that can offer international distribution as well as sub-branded mass distribution opportunities at home. New licenses include Diane Von Furstenberg, Sami Hayek and Water Works as well as the reintroduction of Springmaid as a Target exclusive and Cindy Crawford Home at JCP.

Springs Global USA Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$542 $996 -45

Welspun USA Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$498 $444 12

WestPoint Home Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$423 $375 12

Carpenter Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$308 $261 18

HTT’s Top 15 Supplier Giants

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS It was a year of transition for Sleep Innovations, which brought in a new executive team led by Michael Thompson, ceo. In addition to new gel bead technology infused into memory foam to take its core pillow and topper business to a new level, Sleep Innovations expanded into foam furniture pieces and products aimed at college-dorm dwellers, senior citizens, pregnant women and new mothers to expand its distribution options.

Sleep Innovations Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$275 $300 -8

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Making its first appearance on the Top 15, Alok Industries’ US division, Alok expanded its U.S. customer base with a company-owned U.S. distribution facility. Proprietary/ trademark features like Sheersoft, Optifit and Alpha Cotton were well received and helped in growth. Towels, a relatively recent addition for the sheet manufacturer, gained firm footing – and the company expects huge growth in the category going into 2012. Alok also expanded into sev-eral new categories, including blankets, decorative pillows, and tote bags.

Alok US Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$396 NA NA

5NA (’09)

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SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Shaw continued to focus on its eco initiatives while revamping its ap-proach to the rug business through the consolidation of its production distribution domesti-cally, the launch of new selling tools for retail partners and the marrying of some of its success-ful broadloom programs with a healthy assortment of coordinating area rugs. Shaw sought to improve efficiencies by embarking on the first phase of the consolidation of its rug distribution facility at Ringgold, Ga., for machine-made woven and tufted rugs. Finally, Shaw created syn-ergy between its broadloom business and its area rugs by forging the two with a special new program dubbed Woven Expressions.

Shaw Living Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$274 $274 0

97 (’09)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Hollander saw an increase in sales across all categories for 2010. According to the company, new merchandising and marketing initiatives as well as increased market share in a variety of distribution channels paved the way for an increase. The company also added sev-eral licenses to its portfolio, including Waverly and Homedics.

Hollander HomeFashions

Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$272 $246 11

1011 (’09)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Even though Maples Rugs had a good year in bath rugs, the company took some hits in its rug division in 2010. In the end, it left the company’s total sales unchanged from 2009 at $260 million. Maples’ bath rugs experienced an 8% growth – to $130 million from $120 mil-lion in 2009 — thanks to placement gains with discounters and mid-tier department stores for its Invista-branded performance products. Encouraged, the company added in the fall a higher-ticket collection to the licensed program – Invista Luxura – which is a 990-denier nylon microfiber that for Maples represents its “top-of-the-line” bath rug. Offsetting that increase was the 7% decline in sales of area and accent rugs, to $130 million from $140 million the prior year, despite the compa-ny’s efforts to bring eco-friendly PET-fiber-made assortments in shag and other constructions.

Maples Rugs Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$260 $260 0

118 (’09)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS The table linens and kitchen textiles categories for Town and Country Living continued to be anchor businesses for this longtime supplier of multiple products, including bath, fashion top-of-bed and decorative pillows. Armed with an ever-growing catalog of licenses spanning juvenile through adult markets, Town and Country kept its business even with 2009. Both the table linens and kitchen textiles business posted flat sales for the year, with $174 million and $73 million again, respectively. It overcame raw material and production- and distribution-related price increases via strong product development and new product introductions as well as in-roads at retail with additional placements and new business. The company’s list of licenses includes KitchenAid, Farberware, Paula Dean, Debbie Mumm, Ralph Lauren, and Disney.

Town and Country Living


$247 $247 0

1210 (’09)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Revamped and expanded its value-oriented assortment by developing a new category of rugs that hit a more promotional price bracket than previously offered by the company. The new line targeted national mass accounts, and it worked out, helping boost OW/Sphinx’s 2010 sales by double digits. Also aiding the company last year were other factors. The Cairo, Egypt-based parent restructured it corporate operation, benefitting the U.S. segment. New Axminster product offerings and middle-price goods were also a highlight at retail for OW/Sphinx. And finally, Oriental Weavers Group’s reorganized and rebranded its hospitality carpet and rug company, Cambridge Weavers Ltd.

Oriental Weavers/ Sphinx


$242 $218 11%

1313 (’09)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Moving to break free from the maw of no-name private label production, CHF over the past few years has focused on national brand programs, which constitute 75% to 80% of its business. The company brought Kate Spade back into bed and bath through a licens-ing deal and continues to be one of the innovative suppliers in the juvenile bedding area.

CHF Industries Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$224 $215 4

1512 (’09)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS The towel manufacturer still produces in the United States — although the bulk of its volume is done through international partnerships. 1888 Mills continued to build out its kitchen towel business while racking up solid sales gains in its core bath towel line. The company’s total sales (not refected here) also include commercial and retail bedding as well as commercial apparel.

1888 Mills Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$240 NA NA

14NA (’09)

86 (’09)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS PCF completed plant consolidations into its new facility in Henderson, N.C., and also opened its first production plant in Europe. The company saw slight increases in mattress pads and pillows, but did well in the comforter category. A key factor now and mov-ing forward: managing margins and focusing on in-store productivity, the company reported.

Pacifi c Coast Feather Est. ‘10 Sales ‘09 Sales % Change

$289 $284 -3


(revised)

Top 15


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Bath Accessories Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil

’09 Sales$mil % Chg. Comments

As was the case with a sister category, shower curtains, bath accessories top fi ve players struggled in 2010.Basics in promotional price brackets were the preferred route shoppers took throughout most of the year.Suppliers responded with simple free-standing styles priced affordably.The result was a status quo year for most of this list, and some declines for others.

1. Allure Home CreationBoonton, N.J.

$80 $80 0%In light of the struggling economy, Allure turned its focus to building up its basics business, creating more free-standing options, and developing more value-oriented promotions..

2. Creative Bath ProductsCentral Islip, N.Y. 48 53 -9

Unit sales were up signifi cantly thanks to new free-standing opening price point USA-made plastic ensem-ble sets that sold well at major discount stores; on the fl ip side, imported coordinated ensembles sales were less strong.

3. Croscill HomeNew York

35 35 0The company maintained fl at sales despite multiple cost increases thanks to strategic planning efforts in managing its business.

4. Springs Global USANew York.

11 19 -42Springs has begun putting more emphasis on higher-mar-gin, nationally branded programs that can deliver better margins.

5. Ex-Cell Home FashionsNew York

12 12 0The company maintained fl at sales despite multiple cost increases thanks to strategic planning efforts in manag-ing its business.

Supplier Giants

Bath Rugs Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


For the top fi ve bath rug suppliers, 2010 was a respectable year with acceptable fl at sales for some and much appreciated gains for others.Pricing pressure affected all the major players, but for the most part they were able to overcome hurdles in the year. Maples and Faze Three were most successful, producing signifi cant gains in light of the still-challenging economy.Category suppliers are now bracing for steeper obstacles in 2011, when they will have to battle shortages and steep price increases for cotton as well as for oil-based fi bers, all of which ultimately intensify pricing pressures.

1. Mohawk HomeSugar Valley, Ga.

$196 $196 0%The company managed to hold sales in line with last year by churning incremental gains in market share.

2. MaplesRugsScottsboro, Ala. 130 120 8%

Maples saw its bath rug volume increase in the year as the company picked up additional placement with its discount and mid-tier retail customers.

3. Shaw LivingDalton, Ga.

54 54 0Shaw’s bath business remained fairly static over the year, as price points and distribution remaining solid.


27 51 -47Sales in this category continue to fall victim to retail-direct programs from large accounts.

5. Faze Three Ltd. Columbus, Ind.

17 16 6%Faze Three gained some additional placements and experienced a mild recovery of some current programs that had suffered slightly.

Bath Towels Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


It was a good year to have towel production located outside of China, where the rising labor costs combined with sharply higher cotton costs to make what is almost always a 100% cotton product more expensive. Towel manufacturers also rolled out “quick dry” towels – lighter-weight products that sought to avoid higher retails as much as possible by using an eco-friendly spin.

1. Welspun USANew York

$284 $261 9%Despite higher cotton prices, Welspun expanded its vol-ume in a category where it already has a heavy penetra-tion.

2. 1888 Mills Griffi n, Ga.

180 173 41888 Mills used its production capabilities in the United States, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to hold the line on costs as much as possible.

3. TridentNew Delhi, India

157 145 8Trident/Abhishek Industries recently completed the expan-sion of its terry towel capacity to 374 looms, adding 24 new looms and upgrading 18.

4. WestPoint Home New Yorkk

114 110 10Innovations like its bleach-resistant caught fi re last year and helped move the category out of a me-too com-modity posture.

5. Springs Global USANew York. 91 130 -30

Strong demand from Brazil consumers more of the par-ent company’s resources, Springs embarked on an ambi-tious brand-building strategy this year.


Source for all chart information: Home Textiles Today market research.

Top 5


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Blankets Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


Overall, the category had a good 2010, with Mother Nature providing the cold weather and an improving economy providing the cash. Price pressures abound, but many found new channels to focus on, including increasing their online presence. New companies continued to enter the category, especially fashion bedding producers seeking ways to expand their total volume.

1. SunbeamBoca Raton, Fla.

$121 $118 -2%Dollar volume hampered by price depression and expanded number of companies playing in the electric blanket cate-gory.

2. BerkshireSugar Valley, Ga.

77 73 5Price pressures continue to loom large, but company credits creative supply management and adding new accounts for its good performance.

3. WestPoint HomeNew York 58 56 4

WestPoint added some branding muscle to the category with the launch of Carrebbean Joe and debut of Hanes, building on the Izod franchise it unveiled in 2009.


32 39 -18Higher raw material prices and major accounts’ emphasis on going direct impacted the category.

5. Pendleton Woolen MillsPortland, Ore. 27 23 18

Pendleton credited a multi-channel approach and a diverse customer base with the increase. The company also benefi ted from locking in a supply of lower cost wool.

Curtains/Draperies Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


Black-out and energy-saving constructions created a lot of buzz, with several companies jumping into the fray after the watching Ellery Homestyles’ Eclipse curtain explode off shelves. Cotton constructions fell to poly, but many suppliers managed to step up the hand of synthetic goods. Another notable entry in the fi eld in 2010 was Louis Hornick’s introduction of Firefend, the fi rst fi re-retardant fashion window covers for residential use.

1. S. LichtenbergNew York $159 153 4%

The consumer shift to value products boosted Lichtenberg, which does a big mass market business. The company also mourned the passing of president Herbert Lichtenberg, who passed away after more than 40 decades at the helm.

2. CHF IndustriesNew York

97 90 8A focus on coordinates for its national branded business at key retailers as well as a stepped presentation of fashion-forward energy-saving constructions helped push sales.

3. Ellery HomestylesNew York

95 85 12The company had its best year in the category, with its Eclipse brand and overall offerings gaining shape at retail.

4. Croscill HomeNew York

34 38 -10The company is looking to tap its design background in this area to revitalize sales in what had once been its core strength.


22 38 -42As Springs has shifted its emphasis to branded fashion textiles with better margins, its role in the curtain sector continues to dwindle.


Supplier Giants

> hometextilestoday.com

Comforters Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


In an abrupt turn from the heady days of globalization, the number of pieces stuffed into a bag dropped as manufacturers and buyers look for ways to hold the line on retail pricing – as much as possible. Blends became a bigger factor to offset higher cotton pricing, while textural prints swung into action along with embellishments to offer better perceived value.

1. Springs Global USANew York $124 $174 -29%

Springs is looking to rebuild the fashion bedding busi-ness with the creation of diffusion lines – more com-monly know as sub-brands – for some of its new mar-quee brands, especially DVF by Diane Von Furstenberg.

2. Royale Linens/YunusKearney, N.J.

85 77 10Pricing pressures were a problem, but the company responded with more blended product.

3. WestPoint HomeNew York

69 65 6After a soft 2009, WestPoint Home began regaining placements..


46 30 53Production in Mexico as well as India helped give Wel-spun a major cost advantage in a year characterized by price increases.

5. Croscill Home New York 45 58 -22

The Croscill brand – now a part of the aggregated Cro-scill/ExCell/Glenoit company – is still looking for a pur-chase in a category now dominated by retail house brands and exclusive licenses.

Top 5



Decorative Pillows Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


The decorative pillow category proved “recession proof” for the top players, as retailers across the board – from discounters to department stores – had success with these affordable accessories for the home.As a result, three Top 5 suppliers posted sales gains and the remaining two managed to stay fl at over 2009. For Brentwood and Newport, the outdoor living segment of the business was a sales driver in the year. For the others, it was a matter of shifting placements, losing space in some cases but offsetting that with new business elsewhere. Also supporting category growth was the pet cushion segment.

1. Brentwood OriginalsCarson, Calif.

$138 $138 0%Margin pressure caused by the volatile raw material markets was partially offset by strong growth in the company’s outdoor cushion business.

2. Spencer N. EnterprisesEl Monte, Calif.

63 61 3%Business remained steady as the company lost some place-ment with a few customers but recovered that business by gaining new placements with other major retailers.

3. Arlee Home Fashions New York

52 52 0%Refocused design direction to expand product mix with new basic and embellished looks for broader appeal.

4. Home Fashions International New York 34 31 10%

Despite losing some placement at a major discount depart-ment store, the company gained signifi cant additional busi-ness with new and existing retail customers.

5. Newport/Layton HomePortland, Ore.

24 22 9%The company’s retail customers moved the merchandise as shoppers picked up their spending in the category; continued successes with the outdoor cushion business.

Supplier Giants

Down (& Down Alt.) Comforters Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


Brands led the category, which overall showed a signifi cant drop in units sold. Raw materials costs took their toll as well. Companies that were able to manage or pass along increases saw better results.

1. DownliteMason, Ohio $88 $83 6%

Modest growth came from existing and new custom-ers in the retail and hospitality sectors. Cost pressures resulted in lower unit sales at some retailers, but Down-lite was still able to grow business overall.

2. Pacifi c Coast Feather Seattle

86 78 10A solid year for PCF in this category, the company cred-its its branded goods and its value-added offerings for the uptick.

3. Blue Ridge Home FashionsIrwindale, Calif.

70 73 -4Unprecedented costs in everything from labor, freight and materials made it a challenging year for the company.

4. Phoenix DownTotowa, N.J. 49 54 -9

Phoenix sold fewer items in higher price points, ending down for the year. Its staple products did better, according to the company.

5. Hollander Home FashionsBoca Raton, Fla. 41 37 11

Hollander reported it gained share through product develop-ment initiatives as well as through brand offerings to end the year on an upswing.

Foam Pillows/Toppers Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


The category is still heavy on new technologies and promises of better sleep. Cooling gels were a big trend in 2010, as companies continued to develop products that produced comfort nirvana for recession-weary consumers. So far, the category has remained largely immune to the direct-sourcing trend among big box retailers. But like every other cate-gory, foam got hit with higher raw material prices.

1. CarpenterRichmond, Va.

$299 $251 19%Carpenter introduced Avena, a new memory foam tech-nology, and combined several of its solutions technolo-gies into new items.

2. Sleep InnovationsWest Long Branch, N.J. 234 255 -8

With a new executive team on board, Sleep Innovations put its efforts into the developing foam products beyond its core pil-low and pad business to reach other channels of distribution.

3. Sleep StudioNew York 60 50 8

Growth came from an expansion of its customer base for its ViscoFresh memory foam toppers and pillows.

4. Hudson IndustriesNew York

57 50 14Hudson reports that volume growth cam from new Polar Foam line, a major uptick in e-commerce placement and overall category growth.

5. Louisville BeddingLouisville, Ky.

22 25 -12Sales were down for Louisville, which continues to concen-trate on benefi ts and solutions based products in all its bed-ding categories.


> hometextilestoday.comTop 5Top 5


Trident_revise.indd 1Trident_revise.indd 1 12/13/2010 11:08:52 AM12/13/2010 11:08:52 AM


Kitchen Textiles Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


The slow economy kept people at home and cooking in their own kitchens, away from restaurants, sparking sales of kitchen textiles.Utility products were a driver, not surprisingly, and 1888 Mills stood to gain with new placements and strong category sales.Basic goods, such as solid-colored looks, were also a hit in 2010, as were pre-packaged sets and ensembles that could retail at more promotional price brackets.

1. Town and Country LivingNew York

$73 $73 0%The company continued to develop new products and make in-roads at all levels of retail; the company also saw success with its roster of licenses.

2. Franco ManufacturingMetuchen, N.J.

72 72 0Franco Mfg. continued to make strides in its kitchen tex-tiles business by maintaining placements and expanding its licensed offerings.

3. The John Ritzenthaler Co.West Conshohocken, Pa.

62 60 3.3The company’s overall business stabilized, and new prod-uct introductions were well received at retail.

4. 1888 MillsGriffi n, Ga.

32 27 18.5New placements and business was gained for the compa-ny’s utility products, increasing sales steadily another year.

5. Elrene Home FashionsNew York 29 27 5

Elrene maintained its core placements at retail as well as expanded its seasonal offerings. Additionally, the company added two new solid-colored kitchen towel-oven mitt-pot holder set programs.

Supplier Giants

Mattress Pads Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


A diffi cult year for mattress pads. Taking a cue from other utility categories, mattress pads were outfi tted with new features and benefi ts.


$69 $69 0%Still a leader in this category, the company got kudos for its patented Expand-A-Grip feature in a year with fl at year to year results.

2. Perfect FitCharlotte, N.C.

40 44 -9Business remained flat, and inched down in mattress pads, mostly driven by direct import placements according to the company.

3. Pacifi c Coast FeatherSeattle

39 38 2A soft category in the last few years, PCF held its own with an emphasis on protection capabilities as well as comfort.

4. Hollander Home FashionsBoca Raton, Fla.

34 29 17Increased market share by growing our better mattress pad business, reacting to consumer’s needs that concen-trated on added features and benefi ts.

5. Springs Global USA New York

11 23 -52Commodities businesses were hard-hit last year, especially as production shifted out of China to other countries.

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MesseFrankfurt_Jan10th.indd 1MesseFrankfurt_Jan10th.indd 1 12/23/2010 5:18:54 PM12/23/2010 5:18:54 PM


Rugs Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


Just as it did last year, price defl ation hit rug suppliers again in 2010. But this time, category suppliers were more prepared to tackle it – somewhat. Low-end through upscale rug players on this list came out en force with sharper priced products, largely in the synthetic machine-made category but also in hand-tufted categories, to drive sales. The tactic helped OW/Sphinx earn a low double-digit increase, Nourison rise a couple of points and Shaw maintain fl at sales. And even though synthetic rug manufacturers Maples and Mohawk suffered declines, their efforts to ante their value-driven assortment prevented them from suffering steeper losses.

1. Mohawk HomeSugar Valley, Ga. $360 $377 -4.5%

Top line sales were slightly down due to industry-wide price compression, but the company maintained its retail place-ment and overall units shipped.

2. Shaw LivingDalton, Ga.

220 220 0Units were up slightly but dollars were fl at due to consum-ers’ increasing demand for lower price point rugs at the expense of higher-end products.

3. Oriental Weavers/SphinxDalton, Ga. 242 218 11

The company expanded market share in the promotionally priced category as retailers sought value to attract cus-tomers; the Axmisnter product lines and mid-priced prod-ucts also helped drive sales; and rug pad sales jumped.

4. Nourison RugSaddle Brook, N.J. 148 145 2

The company expanded its more affordable price point assortments by manufacturing new machine-made varieties and moving them at the discounters.

5. Maples RugsScottsboro, Ala..

130 140 -7Maples Rugs increased placement with existing retail cus-tomer base, but was hit as some of those chains shut units.

Supplier Giants

Sheets & Pillowcases Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


Indian mills got a big boost this year as higher costs in China combined with higher cotton costs to send buyers scrambling for cost savings wherever they could fi nd them. Sheet manufactures responded by amping up blended products.

1. Alok Industries USNew York

$243 NA NAAlok’s core category management to power away even as the company has moved into fashion bedding, dec pillows, blankets and towels.


178 287 -38Although Springs sources from around the world, rising costs in China and tough currency exchange from its parent company’s production base in Brazil impacted business.

3. DivatexNew York 175 165 12

Solid growth for the company, which prides itself on running at maximum efficiency.


171 143 20Welspun continues to gain traction, focusing on solutions placements.

5. WestPoint HomeNew York. 103 100 3

WestPoint Home began to build back business using new brands and a host of solutions-oriented products. Its produc-tion on Bahrain gave it a cost advantage as cotton prices were shooting up globally.

Shower Curtains Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


Similar to its bath accessories counterpart, shower curtain sales in 2010 proved a mixed bag of results among the top suppliers, as only Maytex Mills posted a gain – and signifi cant, at that.As consumers largely held off on redecorating their bathrooms with new looks, category players focused on the basics and sharp price points.The second half of 2010 saw sales pick up but only slightly, leaving suppliers with fl at to negative results for the year.

1. Maytex Mills Yonkers, N.Y.

$109 $91 19.5%The double-digit increase was driven by placement gains at most major retail customers’ stores for Maytex’s new and innovative product introductions.

2. Ex-Cell Home FashionsNew York 75 75 0

The company maintained fl at sales despite multiple cost increases thanks to strategic planning efforts in manag-ing its business.

3. Allure Home FashionsBoonton, N.J. 72 72 0

In light of the struggling economy, Allure turned its focus to building up its basics business, creating more free-standing options, and developing more value-oriented promotions.

4. Creative Bath ProductsCentral Islip, N.Y.

29 32 -9Customer orders were sluggish in the fi rst half of the year and then picked in the back half, but not enough to offset earlier losses; sales of liners increase over fashion goods.

5. Springs Global USANew York

16 25 -36In what was a diffi cult year for many in the category over-all, Springs devoted more of its energies to categories where fashion and branding lead.



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Sleep Pillows Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


Still the workhorse category of utility bedding, pillows stood fi rm in 2010. Features and benefi ts touted everything from pillows designed for side sleepers to those that can help with snoring.

1. Hollander Home FashionsBoca Raton, Fla.

$197 $180 9%Growth for Hollander came from market share gains (new and existing retailers) and new placements from an expanded brand portfolio.

2. Pacifi c Coast FeatherSeattle

134 133 1Pillows were a mixed bag for PCF, with its upper tier offer-ings faring better.


82 73 12Offering body pillows, dust-mite and allergen reduction items and other benefi t-specifi c products, Louisville con-tinues to market itself as a solutions-based company.

4. Perfect Fit IndustriesCharlotte, N.C.

50 50 0Pillows remained fl at pace to the year before, with the company reporting sales were good on better pillows.


30 52 -42During the year, responsbility for much of the company’s business shifted to the New York offi ce, with utility bedding left in compay’s traditional headquarters in Fort Mill, S.C.

Supplier Giants

Table Linens Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


As the nesting trend persisted among cash-strapped consumers, table linens suppliers stood to gain in 2010.Consumers still too cautious to spend on restaurant dining opted to eat in and entertain at home, giving them cause to spend their limited discretionary dollars on new fashions for their tables, especially evergreen looks like solids.The result: A healthy year for top category players in an otherwise still-challenged economy.Top fi ve list newcomer Homewear Linens/Sam Hedaya Linens staked fourth place, bumping Windham Weavers down a notch.

1. Town and CountryNew York

$174 $174 0%The company continues to develop new products and make in-roads at all levels of retail; the company also saw success with its roster of licenses.

2. Elrene Home FashionsNew York

82 76 8Elrene enjoyed organic growth with its programs at major mass merchants, and the company also saw its retailer-sup-ported ecommerce business rise considerably.

3. Bardwil LinensNew York 64 61 5

Bardwil’s growth continues to stem from its solid-col-ored tablecloth and placemat business, as well as from successful sell-throughs for its licensed brands — Lenox, Tommy Bahama and Vera.

4. Homewear LinensNew York

30 NA NAMarket share gains helped the company continue on its annual trend of sales increases, as did successes with its private label and Homewear-branded products at retail.

5.Windham Weavers New York

17 17 0Windham maintained all of its placement programs with its existing roster of retail customers.

Throws Wrap-Up

’10 Sales$mil


The biggest event in this category was the shuttering in late 2009 of longtime power player Biederlack of America, which was brought down when a major customer shifted the business into direct sourcing. The German parent company has been putting some programs into the market at the higher-end niche sector. Overall, licensing remains the key component in this category. Trends such as faux fur also gave the category a lift.

1. The Northwest CompanyBoca Raton, Fla. $109 $93 17%

Northwest reported its strongest year ever due to its profi table licensing partnerships. Evergreen properties such as the NFL allow the company to play at virtually every retail tier.

2. Manual WoodworkersHendersonville, N.C.

53 50 6The family-owned company, now in its third generation, jumped on the bird motif trend while continuing to offer a broad assortment of styles.

3. Ellery HomestylesNew York

30 28 7Ellery “held its own” in this category, reporting solid results across its customer base.

4. Berkshire BlanketSugar Valley, Ga.

21 20 5New fabrications and designs helped create interest in the category, which managed an increase at the end of the year.

5. Downlite Mason, Ohio

10 NA NADownlite’s growth in this category continues to be fueled largely by its exclusive licensed brands. (Company includes fi lled blankets and throws in the category.)


> hometextilestoday.comJanuary 10, 2010 Top 5



BY CECILE B. CORRAL

NE W YO R K — Impacted by pricing pressures, the area and accent rug industry’s distribu-tion shifted somewhat in favor of discounters and other value-minded mass merchants in 2010.

As consumers focused on lower-priced goods at afford-able retail stores, unit volume remained relatively even, but total dollar volumes fell.

As a result, according to research by Home Textiles Todaythe accent and area rug industry took a 5.3% sales hit in 2010, tak-ing volumes down to $3.55 bil-lion from $3.75 billion the prior year, when the industry has just suffered the much harder blow of an 18.5% sales decline.

By distribution channel, dis-count department stores con-tinued to lead the pack with a 35.2% share of total sales, or $1.25 billion. In a faraway sec-ond place were direct-to-con-sumer retailers, who took 16.8%, translating to $600 million.

Mid-price chains occupied third place with an 8.4% share, or $300 million of total sales, fol-

lowed closely by home improve-ment chains’ 7.5% share, or $270 million.

Ending the year with the smallest piece of the rug pie were department stores at $30 million, or 0.9% of total sales.

“Lower price points have caused some markets to shrink dramatically. Most retailers have been focused in the area of $149 or less for a 5-by-8,” said Wade Maples, co-owner of Scottsboro, Ala.-based Maples Rugs. The company has long been among the top fi ve category suppliers, reporting $130 million in sales for 2010.

“Retail price points have come down, and that takes it to where you need to sell a lot more units to do the same in dollars that you had been doing,” he added. “And that is the big change in the market.”

Maples said he considers himself “lucky” to have reported a single-digit decline — 7.1% — in sales in his area/accent rug business for 2010 from last year’s $140 million in sales.

“Our business was good but not great and it was because of the decline in average price per

unit at retail,” he explained.Also down was Sugar Val-

ley, Ga.-based Mohawk Home. Sales for the company, which is the longtime leading area/accent rug supplier, saw its sales decline by 5% to $360 million from $377 million last year.

To blame: Pricing pressures, noted general manager Bart Hill.

“We maintain shelf space and retail placement, but like every-one else, we were hurt by retail compression,” he said. “And this was against another pretty tough year [2009].”

Hill said consumers shopped over the year for soft fl oor cover-ings, but traded down from bet-ter goods like wovens to cheaper price point tufted constructions, among other more affordable goods like polypropylene, that retail.

“About the same amount of units was sold as last year, but we saw a 15% to 20% price erosion,” he estimated.

Reflecting the year’s pric-ing shifts was the 5% growth in Mohawk Home’s tufted and printed rug business, Hill said. Its $49 to $99 retails “held up fi ne last year.”

However, the company’s higher-end wovens in the $149 to $199 range “struggled,” he said.

On the other end of the sales spectrum last year was the smaller and younger yet rap-idly growing Surya Inc. rug company, which churned 47% increases.

Seth King, vp sales and mar-keting, said the company’s growth stemmed mostly from its empha-sis on serving furniture stores — big and small — and design firms. “We turned our focus to providing them with the right price points and styles and ser-vices on them,” he explained.

But like its more large-scale competitors, Surya was forced to create “a more promotional pro-gram” that for the first time in the company’s history included $99 5-by-8 rugs, which include machine-made heat-set polypro-pylenes.

“Our core has always been mid-tier to high-end, but this year we went more promotional. Now our prices include $99,

$129, $149, $179 and $199.”This new pricing strategy

landed Surya a new set of cus-tomers, King said: lower-end fur-niture stores and mom-and-pop retailers.

Still, the mid-tier market is Surya’s strongest sector, despite pricing shifts at retail. “The $299 to $699 price bracket is still the bulk of what we do,” he noted, “with $299 to $399 being our most popular price point range.”

After overcoming two chal-lenging years, suppliers surveyed by HTT said they were eager to quickly turn their attention to the New Year, which most are facing with some hope but much appreciation, understandably.

Greenville, S.C.-based 828 International Trading Co. pres-ident, John Shepherd, cited “manufacturing costs, shipping costs, and currency exchange are [three] big areas to watch” in 2011.

Raw material price hikes pose one of the biggest sources of stress, they agree, even though in the long run they could have positive effects — namely, higher retail price points.

“With inflation from raw materials, we have got to get retails back up or the industry is really going to suffer,” warned Hill. “We feel with raw material prices continuing to go up, that retails have got to go up, too. And we see this across the board, not just in rugs.”

Shaw Living, in Dalton, Ga., expects to “continue to see increase in units sold, but decreases in selling price as consumers continue to look for value,” said brand manager Kim Barta, as well as a “continued diffi cult economic climate and conservative consumer shop-ping.”

For this reason, Shaw is forced to “continue to fi nd new ways to create value for the con-sumer,” Barta said.

Allen Robertson, vp of sales for Troy, N.C.-based family-run Capel Inc., said the com-pany is anticipating a 3% to 5% sales increase, “and we feel cer-tain that prices will have to be increased as raw materials con-tinue to increase in price. The price of wool and cotton are

going to be volatile for the fore-seeable future. The middle class market in both China and India are growing rapidly and demand-ing higher quality. Our clients are looking for upgraded rugs while at the same time request-ing low price high volume loss leaders. We are working to sup-ply both needs.”

On the same vein, Robertson said another “significant chal-lenge” in 2011 will be “keeping costs in balance with demand. Hand-knotted rugs will con-tinue to be in limited supply. The trend toward Soft Con-temporary and Transitional styl-ing should translate into higher average sales for the mid price levels.”

Dallas-based Feizy Imports & Exports has managed “for some time now to keep from passing [raw material price] increases on to our clients due to our strong relationships,” said Leah Feizy, assistant to the ceo.

She did not say if Feizy would continue that strategy this year. Rather, she said the hous-ing market’s “slow recovery” recently is giving the company cause to be hopeful for “some growth within the industry. We have already seen an upswing from our year-to-date 2009 fi g-ures, and defi nitely expect this trend to continue across all of the home furnishings and acces-sories categories.”

Still, she admitted the coun-try’s economic recovery remains slow, posing a danger for many rug suppliers.

“Another stall in the recovery could really be the nail in the coffin for some of the smaller home furnishing and fl oor cov-ering stores that have been hang-ing on with all their might for some time now,” she continued. “On the other hand, all of the tougher competition has forced retailers and manufacturers alike to become more creative and inventive with their marketing techniques and product devel-opment. We’re seeing some of the most exciting new prod-ucts in years and are coming up with amazing ways in which we can market them with very little investment.”

Also being creative with prod-

Rug Suppliers Struggle to Overcome a Second Year of Setbacks

2009 total retail sales: $3.55 billionDown 5.3% from $3.75 billion in 2009 2010 2009 % CHANGE

Discount department stores $1.25 $1.28 -2.3%Home improvement centers 0.27 0.28 -5.3%Furniture stores 0.16 0.17 -9.4%Mid-price chains 0.30 0.31 -4.2%Direct-to-consumer 0.60 0.63 -5.3%Carpet/floorcovering stores 0.18 0.21 -12.1%Home textiles specialty chains 0.19 0.21 -12.0%Department stores 0.03 0.03 -5.3%Off-price chains 0.13 0.14 -2.7%Warehouse clubs 0.11 0.12 -5.3%Variety/closeout 0.13 0.13 -2.6%Gift/home accent stores andsingle-unit specialty textile stores 0.16 0.18 -13.2%Other 0.05 0.06 -5.3%

Total $3.55 $3.75 -5.3%Discount department stores include Kmart, Shopko Stores, Target and Wal-Mart. Home improvement centers include Home Depot and Lowes as well as regional and local home improvement centers. Mid-price chains include JCPenney, Kohl’s, Mervyn’s, Meijer, Fred Meyer, Sears, TJMaxx/Marshalls, Stein Mart and Ross Stores. Direct-to-consumer includes television shopping channels, Internet and catalog salesVariety/Closeout includes stores such as Dollar General, Family Dollar, Freds, Value City, Tuesday Morning and Big Lots. Other includes interior designers and military exchanges

Source: Home Textiles Today market research

Area RugsDistribution Channels (billions)

21 Home Textiles TodayRug Facts January 10, 2010

SEE FACTS PAGE 24

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“Raw material prices have increased in China and as a result the dollar is weakening there,” Yaraghi continued. “We forecast that prices will continue to increase in 2011, so we are

reducing costs to compensate. Safavieh is doing this by using new materials, new construc-tions and techniques that pro-vide the values consumers want without sacrifi cing quality.”

Carlstadt, N.J.-based Momeni sees price “on everyone’s minds as we get ready for the upcoming markets” and as such is launch-ing “a great selection of beautiful

machine-made collections that won’t break the bank,” said Marlys Giordano, director of marketing and new product development.

Examples inc lude : the Dream collection, a group that features a drop-stitch technique for textural looks; Belmont, an assortment of elegant traditional designs made in a dense poly-propylene construction; and sev-

eral design additions to the Syd-ney, Sensations, Delhi, ’Lil Mo, Spencer and Veranda.

Safavieh is launching its latest designer license — Ralph Lau-ren — which targets a higher retail set.

“We see cross-merchandising opportunities with Ralph Lau-ren licensing partners as a new avenue for added exposure to an

January 10, 2010

entire new category of custom-ers,” Yaraghi said. “The partner-ship gets us into new retail cat-egories like furniture stores and international export. We’re seeing tremendous interest from Europe, Asia and even the Middle East because the Ralph Lauren brand is so strong overseas. That’s plus-business for Safavieh.”

While lower priced prod-ucts have been churning sales at retail, suppliers are hoping to bring retailers and shoppers back to the mid- and even in some cases high-end brackets.

“It’s good to offer a variety of products that appeal to a lot of different retails, and the lower price points are what kept us afl oat in 2010. We made it a big emphasis of our last year,” he said. “But now we’re starting to push back to the middle because the problem with lower prices is that even though we sell lots of units, it is hard to keep up in dollars.”

For Atlanta’s market, Nouri-son is bringing rugs “that fall in all price categories,” Peykar noted, “including some more exciting product that retail for $299 to $1,499 for a 5-by-8.”

Surya Inc., based in Calhoun, Ga., last year ramped up its offer-ing of more aggressive rugs to help along sales even though the crux of its business — mid-tier $299 to $399 hand-crafted pieces and better machine-mades — was largely credited with help-ing Surya increase total sales by 47% in 2010.

“That is where we are really strong, and these rugs we focus on furniture stores,” said Seth King, vp of sales and marketing.

Dallas-based Feizy Import & Export is making several adjust-ments in its backend to accom-modate business shifts and over-come hurdles caused by price hikes in 2011, noted Leah Feizy, assistant to the ceo.

“We are assessing our inter-nal systems for upgrades that will help us improve our effi ciency both domestically and interna-tionally, and we’re also revamp-ing our marketing/advertis-ing themes, which we do every year,” she explained.

Addi t ional ly, Feizy has “refined” its palettes for the many new collections the com-pany is presenting at market.

“Really excited” about the new year is Steve Mazarakis,

Atlanta Rug Market

ATLANTA FROM PAGE 1

SEE ATLANTA PAGE 24

Rugs

Newmark.indd 1 1/3/2011 5:20:37 PMhtt110101_021_026 22htt110101_021_026 22 1/6/2011 10:29:16 AM1/6/2011 10:29:16 AM

Zhejiang_Jinhan_New File for Jan1 1Zhejiang_Jinhan_New File for Jan1 1 12/27/2010 9:38:54 AM12/27/2010 9:38:54 AM


who heads the rug division of Linon Home Décor Products.

“We are introducing what I believe to be great products for this economy,” he said. “2010 was still very tough, but I got a good read on what our custom-ers can sell, and the ones that survived are selling good look-ing low-priced goods.”

A l s o g oi n g t h e w a y o f designer licenses is family-owned-and-operated Capel Rugs in Troy, N.C., with is new line of Kevin O’Brien-branded rugs.

“New textile designer Kevin O’Brien is bringing some excit-ing, creative new looks, some of which are targeted specifi cally at bedrooms since Kevin has been successful with top-of-bed prod-ucts as well,” said Allen Robert-son, vp of sales.

Capel also plans to announce in the early spring some new pro-motional events for its dealers, he added. HTT

828 INTERNATIONAL TRADING CO.Greenville, S.C. (800) 733-0828New to the company’s roster is the Sienna collection of fl oral designs interpreted on a two-toned back-ground for a space-dyed effect. Sienna rugs are made of 100% polyester and are hand-hooked in China. Available sizes range from accent through room sizes.

cmiPawtucket, R.I. (800) 343-9339The longtime braided rug com-pany is showing seven new col-lections.

Allure features sleek lines and fashionable hues in a trend-right heathered look. The construction is 65% polyester and 35% wool and colorways are juniper, spar-row, polo blue, misted green, mauve-berry, and haystack.

Montego is a 100% polypro-pylene outdoor style in vibrant colors — tangerine, sundance, blue burst, lime twist, bonfire, and bright brown.

Renaissance is a Sunbrella-branded group for indoor and outdoor use. Made of 100% Sun-brella acylic, this reversible and stain resistant collection comes in mink, mushroom, graphite, pa-pyrus, wheat and alpaca.

Portico is a 100% polypropyl-ene outdoor collection made of 100% polypropylene. Its color-ways include sharp black, nau-tical, edamame, chile, espresso and sand.

Parkview spans contemporary designs paired with tradition-al colors made for use in pati-os and kitchens for their easy-cleaning 100% polypropylene construction.

Blokburst is a grouping of soft chenille rugs blended with a hint of ticking fabric for a look fi t for a playroom or bedroom. Made of 60% polypropylene, 35% poly-ester, and 5% cotton, the rugs come in six pastel colors.

And Olivera is cmi’s “home-sweet-home” introduction, with its Thimbleberries-branded fab-ric colors and durable alternating braid construction of 70% poly-ester and 30% cotton.

CAPEL RUGSTroy, N.C. (800) 334-3711Convertibles is a new collection that offers a dual-sided tufted construction for a two-for-one

price look. Made in the black, sky blue, red, cream, taupe, chocolate and mocha colorways, these rugs feature varying textures of loop and cut pile. There are 14 patterns spanning transitional, traditional and modern styles on these hand tufted in India woolen rugs.

A new collection with Kev-in O’Brien is in Capel’s spotlight. Made to match with the design-er’s other home textiles collec-tions, namely bedding, these rugs depict a variety of modern spring-inspired patterns. The rugs are made in India, where they are hand tufted from pure wool.

COURISTANFort Lee, N.J. (800) 223-6186The Five Seasons Collection an-swers to Couristan’s growing indoor/outdoor rug selection. Made of 100% Courtron poly-propylene, the company’s propri-etary synthetic fi ber, these pow-er-loomed rugs from Turkey are now available in several new de-signs. Among them is Sundial, an intricate tile motif on a fl at-wo-ven face. These rugs are set to re-tail for $109 for a 5-by-8.

Hitting a higher price bracket — $199 — is the power-loomed 100% heat-set Courtron polypro-pylene Moonwalk collection. De-signs include the whimsical shag Spindle Leaf design, which is Wil-ton woven. Moonwalk rugs are made in Belgium.

EBSIONS HAROUNIAN RUGSNew York (212) 686-4262The hand-made rug importer of Middle and Far Eastern products is launching its new Urth collec-tion. Comprised of seven antique central Persian and Anatolian de-signs, the collection is available in four color combinations. The rugs are made of natural fi bers and come in accent through room-size dimensions.

HAROUNIAN RUGS INTERNATIONALNew York (212) 213-3330The company is expanding its pri-vate label program with several new additions — all handcrafted in India and made of wool and/or synthetic fi bers. These skus are made to order according to re-tailers’ specifi cations. HRI is able to make custom sizes, colors, and qualities to accommodate retail-ers’ varied price point brackets.

KARASTANDalton, Ga. (800) 234-1120Karastan is bringing back its Heritage Kirman, a “70-year-old beauty,” the company said, with a “revitalized” look.

Heritage Kirman Crimson is based on a classic rug that Karas-tan originally introduced in 1941. It draws its inspiration from an-tique textiles of Persia with its curvilinear and graceful floral designs, rich color, the intricate use of multiple borders and a fi eld featuring blooms and ara-besques.

Karastan is adding it to its Original Karastan Collection, and is offering it in three colorations: a traditional palette featuring crimson and neutral browns and tans with blue accents; and two updated palettes focusing on fresh, fashion-forward shades.

Heritage Kirman Crimson is woven on an Axminster loom of New Zealand wool.

KAS RUGSSomerset, N.J. (732) 545-1900Kas is adding several new fl oral designs to its 100% wool Cha-teau collection of hand-tufted and hand-carved rugs from Chi-na. The suggested retail is $499 for a 5-by-8. There are seven available sizes from scatter to room size as well as runners and rounds. Colroways include taupe, buttercup, and midnight.

ORIENTAL WEAVERS/SPHINXDalton, Ga. (800) 832-8020Odyssey is a new collection of cross-woven rugs, each offer-ing the look of a handmade piece but in a more affordable and family-friendly fiber and construction. The cross-weav-ing technique utilizes various shades of each of the 36 colors giving patterns depth and tex-ture. Colors include azure blue,

citrus green, deep plum, bright copper, slate gray, dark brown, champagne and warm camel, and designs span casual transi-tional and modern contempo-rary styles that showcase over-sized medallion motifs, organic geometrics and fresh new flo-rals. Machine woven of 100% polypropylene in Egypt, a 5-by-8 Odyssey rug is set to retail for $399.

Montego is another new col-lection, this one donning col-ors inspired by the fresh and bright hues of nature such as citron green, clean terracotta, bright mineral blue, fresh ivory and deep cocoa brown. The col-lection aims to offer a modern twist on classic design and help update traditional outdoor de-cor. This indoor/outdoor collec-tion is machine-made of 100% polypropylene in Egypt.

SAFAVIEHPort Washington, N.Y. (516) 945-1900At the forefront of Safavieh’s new product debuts is the new Ralph Lauren Home and Lauren By Ralph Lauren collection.

Also new for market from the company is a slew of new collec-tions and additions to existing lines.

Florida shag contemporary patterned rugs are in the queue for Safavieh, which developed a proprietary collection called Flor-ida Shag. It includes abstract in-terpretations of landscapes and animal prints made on Wilton machines in Turkey of 100% polypropylene.

Safavieh is also showing a new hand-tufted ikat collection using designer-quality Peshawar wool for vibrant color and the unique Peshawar abrash tech-nique. The collection encompass-es eight patterns that are hand-tufted in India.

The South Hampton collection is being enhanced with fi ve new designs in multiple color ways. These rugs are hand-loomed of a blend of polyester, wool and cot-ton and feature a palette of om-bre tones, solid neutrals and sub-tle touches of metallic sparkle.Still going strong is Safavieh’s Martha Stewart collection, which for market is being expanded with several new options. The

Atlanta Rug Introductions

uct development and streamlin-ing business operations to over-come raw material price hikes — now and later — is Port Wash-ington, N.Y.-based Safavieh – a high-end designer rug house.

“Raw material prices have increased in China and as a result the dollar is weakening there. We forecast that prices will continue to increase in 2011, so we are reducing costs to compensate,” said Arash Yaraghi, principal. “Safavieh is doing this by using new materi-als, new constructions and tech-niques that provide the values consumer’s want without sacri-fi cing quality.”

Social media will be Somer-set, N.J.-based Kas Rugs’ tactic in 2011 to stir customer interest – and ultimately, sales, said key account manager of sales and marketing Wendy Reiss.

“We have a new catalog launching now, a new Face-book page just launched with a contest for a free iPad with buy-ers who ‘friend’ us between now and Jan. 17, and also a new web-site which will be launching just prior to January market.” HTT

FACTS FROM PAGE 21

Rug Facts

Atlanta Rug Market

ATLANTA FROM PAGE 22

SEE INTROS PAGE 26

Couristan’s Moonwalk

January 10, 2010 Rugs

htt110101_021_026 24htt110101_021_026 24 1/4/2011 6:08:48 PM1/4/2011 6:08:48 PM

Introducing four new “Scattegories” of designs - part of the ACCENTuate collection

of scatter rugs from Oriental Weavers. From apples to zebra prints. . .

Scattegories has a l itt le something for everyone.

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MSLO design team has created a comprehensive collection that includes hand-knotted Nepal-ese and Tibetan rugs, high qual-ity hand-tufted designs made in India to replicate the expensive hand-knotted look, and dense micro-hook petit-point rugs cre-ated in China to simulate the vintage looks in fresh new col-ors. Among the rugs in this new collection are: Autumn Woods, a free-fl owing fl ower-and-vine mo-tif evoking images of meticulous crewelwork embroidery; Chev-ron Leaves, which is inspired by a vintage printed paper and de-

picts a foliage design dramatical-ly increased in scale to create an elegant stripe; and Colorweave Plaid, which depicts the endur-ing beauty of Scottish tartan fabrics but takes on a new look with Colorweave Plaid, a graph-ic pattern that puts a fresh spin on tradition with original color combinations and high-quality hand-tufting.

SHAW LIVINGDalton, Ga. (706) 965-0954To its Tommy Bahama Home col-lection, Shaw Living is adding new designs in golds, neutrals and ocean-inspired color combi-nations for a modern look that coordinates with current accents and fabrics. The rugs are machine woven in the United States with Shaw’s own EverTouch-proprie-

tary recyclable nylon.The Angela Adams collection

is also being enhanced within the Modern Comfort grouping with organic modern designs institut-ing an earthy palette that com-pliments the marriage of con-temporary and casual. These rugs are machine woven in the United States with EverTouch nylon.

Two new shag programs are Bravo and Watercolors.

Bravo is produced with Shaw Living’s soft and dura-ble ClearTouch reclycled PET fi -ber, which is certifi ed to contain 25% post-consumer content and is also treated with Shaw’s pat-ented R2X stain and soil resis-tant system. Available in six siz-es from scatter to room size, its varying palette featuring 12 col-or options.

Watercolors is made with Shaw’s BCF nylon 6 fi ber, which is soft and recyclable. Its marbleized look stems from variations in color depth like those found in nature.

SURYA INC.Calhoun, Ga. (706) 625-4823With Hoffman, Surya said it bringing back the psychedel-ic 1960s with this new collec-tion of tie-dyed rugs from India. Hand-loomed from 100% wool, these rugs are made to make a bold statement in any room. The striking color palette ranges from crimson to charcoal.

Organic Moderne wears a contemporary design and a vi-brant color palette for an edgy rug collection. Hand-tufted from 100% New Zealand wool, these rugs are made in India.

With fashionista Bob Mackie, Surya has created the Moderne collection based on the legend-ary fashion and costume design-er’s costume and formalwear de-signs. The rugs are hand tufted 100% New Zealand wool rugs are highlighted with art silk add-ing to the glamour of the collec-tion

And with lifestyle guru B. Smith, Surya has developed a new rug collection of 100% New Zealand wool hand-tufted pieces that are made in India.

Finally, the Zuna collection of lattice-pattern rugs uses col-ors specifi cally chosen to coordi-nate with contemporary home furnishings trends. Designed by Jill Rosenwald, a ceramics artist, Zuna uses a hard-twist texture and hand-carved details.

January 10, 2011 Rugs

Rug Introductions

INTROS FROM PAGE 24

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Winter 2011 Rug Preview

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1. Surya Inc. is launching the new Moderne collection with designer Bob Mackie. Inspired by his costume and formalwear designs, these hand-tufted New Zealand wool rugs feature faux silk highlights. Moderne rugs are made in India.

2. Mohawk Home is expanding its licensed collection with Woolrich with several new designs, including this one titled Cedar Run.

3. Ebisons Harounian Imports is launching its new Urth collection, which spans seven antique Persian and Anatolian designs in four color combinations.

4. Rizzy Rugs is showing Avant Garde, a Tibetan hand-knotted and hand-spun semi-worsted rug made in a New Zealand wool and viscose blend. Designed for the high-end market, a 5-by-8 is set to retail for $1,799.

5. Oriental Weavers/Sphinx’s new Montego collection from Egypt uses a palette of citron green, terra cotta, bright mineral blue, fresh ivory and deep cocoa brown. Giving a modern twist to classical design, these 100% polypropylene machine-made rugs are made to complement outdoor living areas.

6. F.J. Kashanian Rugs new Indo-Peshawar collection of handmade rugs from India comes in a variety of designs, like this one titled Maharaja in the aqua-and-ivory colorway.

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Encouraged by an improved sales pace in the back half of 2010, area rug suppliers are march-ing into the New Year with a bevy of fresh looks set to roll out at the various winter markets kick-ing off in January.

Suppliers said they are rapidly fi lling their appointment books for the markets, giving them cause to feel assured that buyers are returning to their showrooms to write orders and stock their shelves with new products in the coming months.

Whether traditional or modern, new looks are meeting somewhere in the middle with many nature-inspired palettes and organic design elements dominating the season’s trends.

“We are seeing big trends in tonal and textured looks,” explained Steven Peykar, principal, Saddle Brook, NJ-based Nourison. “So we have developed a number of new lines that utilize multiple textures, whether by using different yarns or different constructions like hand-made with cut-and-loop textures or others.”

Here is a sampling of some major rug suppliers’ latest product introductions for winter 2011. HTT

RugsJanuary 10, 2011

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1. Nourison’s Lake rug is hand tufted in the company’s heaviest dense wool pile. Made in India, its construction is 75% New Zealand wool and 25% viscose. Designs are transitional and abstract.

2. cmi is launching seven new collections, including Olivera. These pieces employ Thimbleberries fabric colors and durable alternating braid construction. Made of 70% polyester and 30% cotton, Olivera reversible rugs come in dusty shale, soft black, vintage blue, light parsley, cranberry blend, and warm chestnut.

3. Company C’s new Mayfield rug, seen here in the cream colorway, is part of the Summer Brights collection of painterly floral hooked rugs made of 100% wool.

4. 828 International Trading Co. is introducing the Ellington collection of traditional and transitional styles. Made in India, these 60-count wool-and-silk rugs are hand-tufted and acid washed and feature some hand-carved details.

5. Shaw Living’s designer collection with Angela Adams grows this market with the addition of Modern Comfort, a grouping of machine-woven U.S.A.-made rugs constructed of the company’s “EverTouch” nylon fiber.

Rugs

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Winter 2011 Rug Preview

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1. The Rug Market’s new Expressions collection comprises designs that are “all things trendy, hip and sophisticated” with looks like this one titled Whirl. These synthetic fiber rugs are being added to the company’s Ecconox line of value-priced products.

2. Capel Rugs’ new Daisy Climber Vine is one example of several rugs by designer Kevin O’Brien. Made in India, this collection is hand tufted from pure wool.

3. Harounian Rugs International is adding various new designs to its growing private label program of hand-crafted rugs made from wool and/or synthetic fibers. These skus are made to order to retailers’ specifications, including custom sizes, colors, and qualities.

4. Creative Home Ideas’ Figaro is a two-color cut and loop accent rug. It features a latex non-skid back, and is machine washable.

5. C & F Enterprises Inc. is introducing the Parfait collection of hand-hooked washable rugs and matching decorative pillows. Designs are seasonal, like this seashell pattern.

6. Momeni is expanding its machine-made offerings with several new collections as well as design additions to some existing, including the Sensations collection.

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PEOPLETodaY

Cartisano, Solivan Join BCP Home

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. — Nouri-son has appointed 20-year home furnishings industry vet-eran Sabrina Roberts to the position of director of national accounts.

She comes to the company from J.C.Penney, where she managed the startup and early growth of its jcp.com home division as well as served as the retailer’s senior buyer of area

and accent rugs.In her new job, Roberts is

responsible for opening and development of key national accounts and as s i s t s wi th expanding business among pres-ent national retailers.

She splits her time between her home in Dallas and Nouri-son’s headquarters here, where she will help expand placement for Nourison’s extensive prod-

uct collections.“We are very exci ted to

have such valuable execu-tive. Sabrina knows the indus-try well and brings with her proven creative merchandising experience,” said Steven Pey-kar, principal. “We know she will make an immediate and lasting impact for Nourison across our many product divi-sions.” HTT

Nourison Hires Roberts

ATLANTA — Kleber & Associates (K&A), an integrated marketing agency specializing in home and building products, has opened a new furniture and home fashion division and has tapped Jordan Barkin as account executive for the division.

Barkin is a former associate editor at Hearst Magazines who produced articles about furni-ture, home fashion and kitch-ens for the shelter magazine Veranda. He recently inter-viewed design icon Bunny Wil-liams and Jim Thompson, silk’s North American vice president, for a new K&A blog, furniture-andhomefashion.com.

Barkin’s primary responsibil-ity will be to launch K&A’s new division, expanding its “Right at Home” mantra.

“For years, I have wanted to focus holistically on the home, not just installed build-ing products,” said agency pres-ident Steve Kleber. “Draperies, sofas, decorative tile and floor treatments make a home just as much as the foundation and walls do. I see our furniture and home fashion division as com-ing full circle, and Jordan will be instrumental in that shift, as he has exceptional experience tailoring messages to desired demographics.” HTT

NEW YORK — BCP Home has hired Nancy Cartisano to the newly created position of coo. BCP Home is the parent com-pany of Sander Sales, Arrow Home Fashions and W-C Home Fashions.

Cartisano will report directly to Peter Weintraub, ceo, and is located at the company’s New

York offi ce. She was most recently with

Sure Fit as senior vp of sourcing and product development.

Also joining BCP Home is Jackie Solivan, as executive coor-dinator. Jackie had been work-ing at P/Kaufmann and joined the fi rm in September. She will report to Cartisano. HTT

January 10, 2011

K&A Hires Barkin for New Home

Division

EDISON, N.J. — Fine linens producer Sferra has promoted a number of executives to new positions.

The appointments follow the departure of creative director Aaron Stewart, who has joined Martha Stewart Living Omni-media as head of home prod-ucts development.

Susanne Martinez has been promoted to vp of design and product development. Marti-nez has been with Sferra for eight years as director of product development and has taken on

this larger role overseeing design of all products Sferra offers.

Tara Frazier has been pro-moted to director of product development. Frazier has been with Sferra for six years and will now lead all of Sferra’s product development activities.

Elyse Taormina has been promoted to product develop-ment associate, working with Martinez and Frazier in all fac-ets of product development. Taormina has been with Sferra for three years.

Liz Rapelye has been pro-

moted to director of marketing and public relations. Overseeing all advertising, branding activi-ties, marketing and press rela-tions, Rapelye has been with Sferra for four years.

Sferra has also made Jen-nifer Nowakowski an exclu-sive sales representative for the Midwest. She previously was regional sales executive for Scandia Down covering states west of the Mississippi. Prior to that, Nowakowski worked with Anne De Solene and Peacock Alley. HTT

Sferra Promotes Within Product Development Team

WASHINGTON — The National R e t a i l Fe d e r a t i o n h a s announced the recipients of its annual retailer awards, and this year’s honors will go to Nord-strom, The Container Store, Urban Outfi tters and Sir Philip Green of Arcadia Group (which includes Topshop, Wallis and Burton).

Executives from these com-panies will accept their awards dur ing the NRF’s Annual Retail Industry Luncheon on

January 11 at the organiza-tion’s Annual Convention and EXPO. The event is scheduled during NRF’s BIG Show, which is scheduled January 9 to 12 at New York City’s Jacob Javits Center.

“In this highly competitive industry, it’s important for retail-ers to break away from the mold and push their company to new heights,” said Matthew Shay, NRF president and ceo. “Every year we search to fi nd those who

continue to do just that. We applaud each of this year’s win-ners and are thrilled to honor them in front of their peers.”The Gold Medal Award will go to Kip Tindell, chairman and ceo of The Container Store. At the helm of this store since it fi rst opened its doors in Dal-las in 1978, Tindell is cred-ited with creating the fi rst-ever retailer devoted solely to storage and organization products.

Glen Senk, ceo of Urban

Outfi tters Inc. will receive the Retail Innovator of the Year award. At his post since May 2007, Senk’s career with the company began in April 1994 when he joined Anthropologie as president of what was then a single store prototype.

International Retailer of the Year will go to Sir Philip Green of Arcadia Group.

And the Silver Plaque goes to Sheryl Garland, vp, senior counsel, risk management, Nor-

dstrom.NRF’s Annual Convention

and EXPO brings together 18,000 retail executives and vendors from more than 60 countries together for educa-tional and networking opportu-nities. NRF’s EXPO fl oor, open on Monday and Tuesday of the Convention, hosts more than 600 exhibiting companies and features one-of-a-kind pavilions displaying the latest in retail technology. HTT

NRF Announces Winners of Annual Retailer Awards

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation’s associate member advisory council has elected two retail industry pro-fessionals to join its members-only committee.

They are: Dean Hillier, a partner with the consult-ing firm A.T. Kearney, where he serves as the global leader for the firm’s Retail Center of Excellence; and Tom Ritt-

man, vp of marketing for The Retail Equation, responsible for branding, demand genera-tion, product marketing, and marketing research and com-munications. HTT

NRF Elects Members to Advisory Council

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BY JILL ROWEN

Independent retailers across the country reported very happy holidays, as shoppers returned to stores in solid numbers. Beyond selling gift items for the season, retailers reported good traffic, and a return to spending on lux-ury items — from custom lin-ens to furnishings for vacation homes.

“[The holiday] was a turning point for our company in both profi ts and sales,” said Richard Smith-Allen, owner of Warm Things in San Rafael, Calif. “People were having fun shop-ping.”

According to Smith-Allen, over the years the store was con-sistently visited by shoppers out-fi tting their vacation mountain homes. That business disap-peared with the recession, but it’s now back, he noted. Best sell-ers for Warm Things included down comforters, throws and pillows.

“We had a great holiday sea-son, and were up quite a bit from last year,” said Vickie Blanchard, co-owner of Fraiche on the Ave-nues, Richmond, Va. The store has a thriving bridal registry and did well with custom linens from Matouk. Custom shoppers typically spent between $150 to $300.

“People that want qual-ity were definitely inspired to spend,” noted Pearl Fitzgerald, owner of Classic Home Inc., in Lake Como, N.J. Throws, as well as sheets and bedding from Home Treasures were all doing well. The store also sells baby bedding and accessories, which is a strong year-round seller.

Mrs. Howard, a chain of stores servicing interior design-ers, found its customers purchas-ing more than last year, as peo-ple were more spirited about decorating for Christmas. Owner Phoebe Howard, a designer her-self, noted that small design accessories, including decora-tive pillows were a hot item.

“People were investing in quality,” noted Laura Colangelo, manager of The Brass Bed of

Denver. Upscale SDH linens as well as robes and throws were big sellers for the stores: “Everything for updating the master bed-room and getting the guest room ready for the mother-in-law,” she noted. Colangelo also noticed more color, with customers buy-ing outside the neutral box.

“Things are going well for us, even as the January white sale is going on,” said Penny Murphy, owner, Pioneer Linens, West Palm Beach, Fla. “We’re very fortunate to be in a seasonal area, so we get a lot of people fi xing up their homes.”

Offerings from Sferra and Home Treasures were among Pioneer Linens’ better perform-ers. Pioneer Linens will be cel-ebrating its 100th anniversary in 2012. The store was founded by Max Greenburg and run by industry veteran George Green-berg before daughter Penny Murphy took the helm.

“We were busier than I expected,” said Jenny Mutter, owner of Hestia Luxury Linens, Covington, La. Though her cus-tomers had money to spend even during the worst of the econ-omy, Mutter noted that every-one still wants to make sure they are getting a good deal. Bamboo sheets are currently her biggest seller, with other “green” items also sparking interest.

Location, location, location is a prime consideration for inde-pendent retailers and was also a factor both before and after the Christmas holiday.

Jeff Mulert, owner of Feath-ers, said the trendy Pittsburgh, Pa., street where his store is located saw good traffic, but it didn’t quite compare to stronger regional malls. Still, the retailer saw people buying “better goods and merchandise that is exclu-sive and not available at the chain stores.”

Stores in the Northeast also lost traffic due to the huge snow storm that hit. Classic Homes had its store closed for four and half days post Christ-mas. “Because of our location on the Jersey shore, our stron-gest months are actually in sum-

mer,” noted owner Pearl Fitzger-ald, who reported that sales for December were up about 11% compared to the previous year.

Online sales also impacted the independents, which are in various stages of online growth — from getting their toes wet to running a thriving website.

“The strength of the season really showed online,” reported Smith-Allen of Warm Things, which boasts an extensive website as well as a mail order catalog.

At Bedside Manor Ltd. — a four-unit boutique in the Chi-cago area — results were mixed according to owner Meg Car-roll. Two stores did very well, while the other two saw less traf-fi c. However, there was no mis-taking the internet results. “Our website was down for about two months this year as we updated it. Even with that, our internet sales are up about 30%. We stay on top of it,” said Carroll.

Brass Bed of Denver has an informational site, but is looking to expand it.

Fraiche on the Avenues lets shoppers look at its bridal regis-tries online, but doesn’t have a fully operating e-commerce site yet. “It’s a project for 2011; we want to expand the site so peo-ple can shop the bridal registry and then we’ll work on it fur-ther,” said Blanchard.

At Hestia Luxury Linens, start-up costs in designing and

launching an e-commerce web-site are significant issues, but Mutter is working to develop an ecommerce site in 2011. “We currently have an informational site and it generates a lot of calls; so does our Facebook page. The website is the next step,” she said.

Advertising and promotion to lure people to the stores var-ied signifi cantly from retailer to retailer, as well for the season.

Mulert of Feathers said he increased his advertising bud-get by about 20% for Novem-ber and December, using direct mail, billboards and local mag-azines.

“We actually did a little less advertising this year,” reported Smith-Allen of Warm Things. “We felt like we wasted money last year, so this year used our

mail order cat alog and we increased the number of per-centage off coupons, which we gave people at check out for a next visit.”

Fraiche on the Avenues was one of four stores on its street which sponsored a “Martini and Mistletoe” evening, giving visitors a free martini. The com-pany has accumulated a good sized e-mail roster and also sent out promotional emails. Accord-ing to Blanchard, digital mar-keting (the store is also on Face-book) worked better compared to nearby stores using traditional promotional postcards.

Across the board, the mood was upbeat. “People are less afraid and more comfortable buying,” noted Smith-Allen of Warm Things. “It’s not a fl ood gate, but it’s steady.” HTT

Independent Retailers Report Healthy Holiday Sales

January 10, 2011

First Monday: Specialty Retailing

Warm Things, San Rafael, Calif.

Classic Home Inc., in Lake Como, N.J.

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BUSINESSTodaY

NEW YORK — The Christmas weekend blizzard may have knocked nationwide travel off course but it didn’t derail shoppers, according to the Johnson Redbook.

Aggregate comps for December rose 3.6%, outpacing a projected 3.2% gain. During the final week of the month, comps were up a smart 4.7% at department stores and 2.8% at discounters.

“Clearance sales of season-al inventory were certainly a factor in post Christmas buy-ing. There were reports of sig-nifi cant upside performance

at some department stores, which tend to be more promotional than discount stores this time of year,” said Catlin Levis, Redbook analyst.

Redbook’s preliminary target for January is a 2.8% gain over January 2010, which would mark a 0.5% decline from December. HTT

Same-store sales

December Comps Exceeded Expectations

UNION, N.J. — With double-digit gains in both net earnings and net sales plus a high single-digit comp increase, Bed Bath & Beyond’s third quarter proved “pleasing” – and yet not quite as good as it might have been in better economic times.

Leonard Feinstein, co-chair-man, noted during the home textiles specialty chain’s confer-ence call that “while the eco-nomic environment appears to have stabilized and is perhaps improving, it looks as if the con-sumer continues to face chal-lenges resulting from the macro-economic environment, such as historically high unemployment rates. However, we are cautious-ly optimistic about the remain-der of fi scal 2010.”

For the quarter, ended Nov. 27, BBB reported a 28% in-crease in net earnings to $188.6 million, or 74 cents per diluted share, versus the year ago peri-od’s $151.3 million, or 58 cents per diluted share.

Net sales were up 11.1% to $2.194 billion, compared to $1.975 billion in the 2009 third quarter. Comparable store sales increased by about 7.0%, slight-ly down from last year’s 7.3% gain.

As of quarter-end, the retail-er operates 1,127 stores, includ-ing: 976 Bed Bath & Beyonds in 50 states, the District of Colum-bia, Puerto Rico and Canada; 66 Christmas Tree Shops stores; 40 buybuy BABY units; and 45 stores under the names of Har-

mon or Harmon Face Values. In addition, the company is a part-ner in a joint venture which op-erates two stores in the Mexi-co City market under the name “Home & More.”

Year-to-date results includ-ed: a 35% net earnings jump to $507.9 million, or $1.95 per di-luted share, versus $374.0 mil-lion, or $1.44 per diluted share; net sales that grew 12.0% to $6.254 billion compared to $5.585 billion last year; and a 7.6% increase in comps.

BBB updated its fourth quar-ter and fiscal 2010 guidance, now modeling net earnings per diluted share to be approxi-mately $.91 to $.95 for the quar-ter and approximately $2.86 to $2.90 for the year. HTT

BBB Boasts Double-Digit Net Earnings and Sales, High

Single-Digit Comp Gains in 3Q

Jo-Ann Stores Set to be Acquired by Affiliate of

Leonard Green & Partners

January 10, 2011

Johnson Redbook IndexFifth week of December, year-over-year % change

WEEK ENDED 12/4 12/11 12/18 12/25 1/1 MONTH TARGET

Department stores* 3.4 1.8 4.7 5.5 4.7 4.0 2.9Discounters 4.0 3.2 3.2 4.0 2.8 3.4 3.4Redbook Index 3.8 2.5 3.8 4.6 3.5 3.6 3.2*Including chain stores and traditional department storesSource: Johnson Redbook Index

HUDSON, OHIO — Longtime fab-rics and crafts retailer Jo-Ann Stores Inc. is set to be acquired by an affi liate of the private eq-uity fi rm Leonard Green & Part-ners L.P.

The retailer has entered into a defi nitive agreement for its pur-chase for a total price of about $1.6 billion, or $61.00 per share in cash. The offer price repre-sents a 34% premium to the closing price of Jo-Ann’s shares on Dec. 22.

“We are excited about the prospect of working with Leon-ard Green & Partners as we fur-ther capitalize on opportunities to accelerate the expansion and upgrade of our stores and pursue market share gains,” said Darrell Webb, chairman and ceo. “With the help of our talented and ded-icated team, we will continue to offer our customers a superi-or shopping experience for all of their fabric and craft needs.”

On the recommendation of a special committee comprised en-tirely of independent directors, Jo-Ann Stores’ board of directors approved the merger agreement by a unanimous vote of the non-employee directors and recom-mends that the company’s share-holders adopt the agreement.

Todd Purdy of Leonard Green & Partners, described Jo-Ann Stores as a “clear leader” among fabric and crafts retailers.

“We are excited to part-ner with Jo-Ann Stores’ talent-ed management team and look forward to the next phase of the company’s growth,” he said.

If the acquisition is approved by holders of a majority of Jo-Ann Stores’ shares of common stock, the transaction is expected to close in the fi rst half of calen-dar 2011. It is subject to custom-ary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approv-als, but is not subject to any condition with regard to the fi-nancing of the transaction. In ac-cordance with the merger agree-ment, the board of directors will

also be permitted to solicit alter-native proposals through Febru-ary 14, 2011, to ensure the trans-action is the best available for its shareholders.

J.P. Morgan, Bank of Amer-ica Merrill Lynch and TCW/Crescent Mezzanine have pro-vided committed financing for the transaction.

Jo-Ann Stores’ special com-mittee lead director and chair-man, Scott Cowen, said that “after a thorough assessment,” his committee and the retailer’s board concluded that the propos-al put forth by Leonard Green & Partners “is the best way to maxi-mize value for shareholders, who will receive a substantial and im-mediate cash premium for their shares. While the company was not actively seeking this transac-tion, once the offer was received and negotiated, the special com-mittee determined that it was in the best interest of the company’s shareholders, as well as its em-ployees and other partners.”

Cowen also noted that Leon-ard Green & Partners has “sig-nificant expertise in the retail space” and is “dedicated to culti-vating and supporting the growth of Jo-Ann’s business.”

With more than $9 billion in equity capital under manage-ment, Los Angeles-based Leonard Green & Partners invests in com-panies across a range of indus-tries, including retail with Whole Foods Market, PETCO Ani-mal Supplies, Leslie’s Poolmart, Sports Authority, The Contain-er Store, Tourneau, David’s Brid-al, Neiman Marcus Group, Jetro Cash & Carry and Tire Rack.

Jo-Ann Stores will fi le a pre-liminary proxy statement with the SEC which will contain detailed information about the transaction and the board and special com-mittee process. Once the SEC completes its review of the pre-liminary proxy statement, Jo-Ann Stores will fi le the defi nitive proxy statement with the SEC and dis-tribute it to shareholders. HTT

RESTON, VA. — E-commerce sales in the first 56 days of the November-December holiday shopping period rose 13% to $30.8 billion, with online sales for the week ended Dec. 26 up 17% to $2.45 billion, according to the comScore ratings agency.

The two strongest days were Thanksgiving (Nov. 25), with sales up 28% year-over-year to $318 million; and “Free Ship-ping Day” (Dec. 17), with sales up 61% to $586 million.

“For at least this holiday sea-son, the American consumer

has been able to shrug off the continuing economic challeng-es of high unemployment rates and depressed housing prices and spend at a rate that has been slightly stronger than we had ex-pected,” said comScore chair-man Gian Fulgoni. HTT

Online Holiday Spending Jumped 13%

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40 Home Textiles Today > hometextilestoday.comJanuary 10, 2011

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EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS IN SELLING MAJOR RETAILERS. PLEASE SEND RESUMES TO: [email protected]

Director of R&D for Home Bedding Products – San Francisco Area Hands-on position responsible for all detailed R&D work including:

research new technologies & product designs worldwide, collect ideas from clients & sales team on what unmet needs exist in marketplace, create new product/performance designs that add value & conduct tests on products

with new technologies to prove efficacy. Interested & qualified applicants, forward your resume and salary history to: [email protected]

Product Development Manager / Sr. StylistMajor New Jersey importer with joint venture with Chinese factories

seeks “PDM”/Sr. Stylist for Decorative Pillows & Pet Beds. Responsible for market research, styling, int’l sourcing and taking product from concept

to line. F/T or P/T position or consulting.Email: [email protected]

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Calendar

January12 – 15HeimtextilFrankfurt Fair & Exhibition CenterFranfurt am Main, Germany (770) 984-8016heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com

12 – 19Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings MarketAmericasMart, Atlanta(404) 220-3000www.americasmart.com

13 – 16The Atlanta International Area Rug MarketAmericasMart, Atlanta(404) 220-3000www.americasmart.com

15 – 18The Canadian Home Furnishings Market (TCHFM)The International CentreMississauga, Ontario, Canada (514) 866-3631www.tchfm.com

15 – 18

DOMOTEX HannoverHannover Fairgrounds, Hannover, Germany (609) 987-1202www.domotex.de

18 – 20Texworld USA Jacob Javits Center, New York(770) 984-8016www.texworldusa.com

18 – 23imm cologneThe Exhibition CenterCologne, Germany www.imm-cologne.com(773) 326-9920 or +49 221 821-0www.imm-cologne.com

19 – 25Dallas Holiday & Home ExpoDallas Market Center, Dallas(214) 655-6100www.dmcfinds.com

19 – 25 Dallas Total Home & Gift MarketDallas Market Center, Dallas(214) 655-6100

www.dallasmarketcenter.com

21 – 24F!NDS Dallas Temp ShowWorld Trade Center, Market Hall, Dallas(214) 655-6100www.dmcfinds.com

21 – 25Maison & ObjectParc des Expositions, Paris-Nord Villepinte, Paris, France(888) 522-5001www.maison-objet.com

23 – 26Interiors BirminghamThe National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, UK+44 (0) 20 7921 8408www.interiorsbirmingham.com

24 – 28Las Vegas MarketWorld Market Center, Las Vegas (702) 599-9621www.lasvegasmarket.com

25 – 27Surfaces

Mandalay Bay Convention CenterLas Vegas(866) 860-1975, www.surfaces.com

29 – February 3 New York Home Textiles Market Week 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) 272-7469www.nyhometextilesmarketweek.com

29– February 3New York International Gift FairJacob K. Javits Convention Center, Pas-senger Ship Terminal Piers, New York(800) 272-7469www.nyigf.com

30 – February 3CGTA Gift ShowToronto International Centre; Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, Canada(416) 679-0170www.cgta.org/Assoc/Home.aspx

30 – February 2IntirioFlanders Expo, Gent, Belgium

+32 09/24 38 450www.intirio.be

February2 —4Tex Trends IndiaPragati Maidan New Delhi, India+91-124-2708082textrendsindia2011.com

6 – 10Spring FairThe National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, UK(609) 921-0222www.springfair.com

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

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

htt110101_038_040 40htt110101_038_040 40 1/7/2011 3:35:37 PM1/7/2011 3:35:37 PM

Textiles is our Middle Name

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