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On the home front: Variety Textiles market seeks unique, yet usable fashions NEW YORK -- Fabric converters agreed the home textiles market is hungry for exceptional design -- fashions that [...]

Styles run gamut: Traditional to new Linen looks top fabric debuts NEW YORK -- It's the first season of the new decade, and decorative fabric converters are presenting multifaceted lines [...]

SECAUCUS, N.J. - Although long recognized as offering the right looks at the right prices in dinnerware and crystal, Mikasa's reputation for service and delivery was less glowing. Many retailers [...]

TOLEDO, Ohio--The Libbey Glass booth at next week's International Housewares Exposition in Chicago promises to stand out among the rest with a virtual rainbow of colors decking its walls. No [...]

NEW YORK--In customary fashion, suppliers at this fall's Tabletop & Accessories Show here presented lines that followed an array of established trends--and even created some new ones. Based on what [...]

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y.--Thirteen executives huddled around a conference room table to pitch ideas at two white-collared commanders who carefully plotted an outline for a major market assault. Though the scene--observed [...]

YORK, Pa.--Looking for new ways to build the bridal business in the nation's leading department stores, registry directors are urging store management to take a more active role in expanding [...]

NEW YORK--It's been a year and a half since home textiles industry veterans Neil Zuber and John Panariello branched out to form their own company. And in Zuber's words: 'It's [...]

Getting to the Customer on Time Electronic Data Interchange, meticulous planning ease the delivery dilemma The prevailing response from retailers when asked about delivery is not printable. Many just make [...]

Lindt-Stymeist is continuing to support existing patterns by introducing accessories for its three dinnerware lines. Accessories for the company's Colorways, Yo-Han and Whiteways patterns will be featured at the Apr 1992 Gourmet Products Show in San Francisco, CA. The introduction is part of Lindt-Stymeist's plan to frequently offer new accessories to keep the company growing. Such plans have helped the company reach to about $5 million in annual sales., NEW YORK - Lindt-Stymeist executives believe future growth for Lindt-Stymeist lies in 'making the lines come alive.' John Stymeist and his consultant/partners, tabletop and housewares marketing, management and sales experts [...]

Industry says assortment, prices, brand name and marketing will make it a major force NEW YORK - Crown Corning Glassware will bring a broad product assortment, featuring competitive prices, a [...]

Swid Powell Designs Inc is planning to broaden its dinnerware products to appeal to the average householder, says consultant Richard Lapine. Founded by Nan Swid and Addie Powell, the company's products are now being sold in the traditional five-piece place settings instead of by the piece. Also, the company hopes to attract more buyers through magazine advertising and lower prices., NEW YORK--In a move designed to bring its products closer to the price level and taste of the average consumer, Swid Powell has completely revamped its line. Citing the change [...]

Many fine crystal and china vendors and retailers are holding back on their product introductions due to a sluggish economy and slow sales. Vendors have been spending less on product development efforts, and have instead been working on merchandising, marketing and service support in order to help retailers promote their products. A summary of top glassware and china manufacturers, including Lenox China & Crystal, Saint Louis Crystal and Sasaki, is provided., Despite campaign rhetoric to the contrary, vendors and retailers set to participate at this month's New York Tabletop & Accessories Show (April 25 to May 1) continue to show signals [...]

Waterford Crystal, the venerable Irish crystal maker, has taken a new approach in manufacturing and marketing its Marquis line. Waterford has moved its production into Europe and scaled down its price points, which start at $30 a piece. Marquis is being positioned in the $30 to $40 niche in order to compete more directly with other crystal suppliers such as Mikasa, Lenox, Miller Rogaska and Gorham., WALL, N.J.--When Waterford Crystal came to market last April with its 'most distinguished offspring'--the Marquis line of competitively priced non-Irish crystal--no one knew what to expect. The venerable crystal giant [...]

William 'Billy' George, marketing director of Block China, died suddenly of an undetermined illness after having won a trial race at a Michigan ice-boat regatta. George, who was a former chairman of Waterford Crystal USA, was remembered by his customers and competitors as a man of integrity with great personal charm., TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--William ('Billy') George, 51, former chairman of Waterford Crystal USA and a notable figure in the tabletop industry, died suddenly March 20 following an ice-boating race here. George, [...]

Orrefors/Kosta Boda, US division of the Swedish crystal glass manufacturers, has appointed Richard Kaplan as its head. The move has industry analysts predicting that the appointment is a sign that the parent company wants more control over its operations in the US. Kaplan brings to the company strong leadership credentials, based on expert knowledge in sales and marketing of crystal glass., BERLIN, N.J.--Capitalizing on what he sees as a 'substantial opportunity for growth with specialty stores' is a main focus for Richard Kaplan as he takes the helm of Orrefors/Kosta Boda [...]

Yule-Themed Goods Prove |Recessionproof' Christmas and holiday-themed merchandise is emerging as a clear winner despite the economic downturn, many retailers and suppliers say. While consumers tend to be tentative about [...]

Fina's Bridal FINESSE NEW YORK - Having built a reputation as one of the region's most competitively priced full-line tabletop, gift and jewelry retailers, Michael C. Fina refuses to become [...]

Tabletop and gift retailers reported late--and not great--sales for this past Christmas season. Certain promotions helped to generate sales from mostly tentative consumers, many of whom delayed their purchases until [...]

Major tableware firms headed to Ambiente in Frankfurt, Germany and MACEF in Milan, Italy this month are optimistic the emergence of the European Common Market will begin to produce exciting [...]

ATLANTA--The new Atlanta Gift Mart opened its doors this month to great fanfare during the Atlanta National Gift & Accessories Market. The new building, which more than doubled the space [...]

LANCASTER, Ohio--Although hesitant to predict renewed growth for many of its retailers, Anchor Hocking Glass Co. president William Berry expects significant increases for his operations this year. What makes Berry [...]

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.,--Experience in home furnishings retailing, a love for people and a need for a specialized curtain, drapery and accessories store in their area were what led Al Kanan and [...]

NEW YORK--Pfaltzgraff is targeting a new price range with this week's tabletop show introductions with the premiere of Imagery, a new line of transitional patterns on a white bone china [...]

NEW YORK--New dinnerware and flatware designed by Paloma Picasso are among the highlights of Villeroy & Boch's (V&B) introductions for the Tabletop & Accessories Show here this week. Bloomingdale's New [...]

NEW YORK--Noritake is introducing several new patterns at this week's tabletop show and making a point to 'continue to emphasize the bridal market by showing many new patterns in that [...]

Classy Catalog's 20 Million Magic |Touch' HUNTINGBURG, Ind.--She's come a long way from shoveling snow in her lengthy driveway in New Hampshire so UPS could pick up and deliver goods. [...]

Mass market glass beverageware suppliers are upgrading packaging--and in many cases, price points--to target a more sophisticated mass merchant consumer. At the same time, however, rock-bottom pricing continues to be [...]

NEW YORK--They're often called the 'show biz' home textiles category. Decorative pillows are fashion accessories for the home. They can razzle and dazzle a room, give it pizazz, style and [...]

LKHART, Ind.--Waterbeds have had a bad rap. Let's face it--the word probably conjures an image of some slick dude luring females to his 'pad.' But in spite of its image [...]

DETROIT--Australian retailer/manufacturer Sheridan opened three stores last month in the Detroit metropolitan area, marking its first venture into Michigan. The three new sites--Twelve Oaks in Novi, Lakeside Center in Sterling [...]

Today's babies are being treated more and more like adults--when it comes to their bedding, that is. Adult bedding elements--coordination, ready-to-wear colors, and upscale fabrics and designs-- are examples of [...]

New York -- Time was when husband-and-wife team Patty and Michael Sumergrade sat around the phone, waiting for it to ring. It rarely did. But over the past four years, [...]

NEW YORK--Further enhancing its position in the furniture store arena, Cameo Interiors will supply ready-made bedding to Drexel Heritage Furnishings' galleries. Cameo products have been placed in 20 to 25 [...]

CHICAGO--David Reiter, president and chief executive officer of Reiters Inc., is making it his business to ensure that his stores remain the dominant 'off-price' specialty window coverings stores in the [...]

Luxe Linens Strong Despite Slow Economy NEW YORK--The words 'less disposable income' and 'recession' may be heard nightly on the news, but retailers and manufacturers of luxury linens speak as [...]

FRANKFURT, Germany--Mayan and geometric figures, Southwest looks translated in a multitude of ways, Persian rug designs and Adirondack-inspired 'lodge' patterns were everywhere in fabric at Heimtextil, the world's largest home [...]

Rag Shops to Riches: '90s Goal 43-unit craft, apparel fabric chain targets decorative fabrics for home HAWTHORNE, N.J.--The Rag Shop--a 43-store chain based here--is making a firm commitment to decorative [...]

Fame Expanding at Upper End Fabric resource unveiling 16 upscale decorative print patterns at Showtime NEW YORK--Fame Fabrics Inc., best known as a volume fabric resource for readymade manufacturers, is [...]

U.S. Heimtextil Set For Atlanta, April '92 FRANKFURT, Germany--In a long-anticipated move into the American market, the organizer of Heimtextil here and in Tokyo will launch an international home textiles [...]

Gulf Crisis Tempers Heimtex The current worldwide economic climate and the crisis in the Persian Gulf has tempered the typically 'gung-ho' attitude of many about Heimtextil, the largest international home [...]

Steady Does It in Windows Sheers, top treatments, lace best performers in mostly flat curtain, drapery category Curtain and drapery sales for the second half of '90 are reported to [...]

Fabric, Textiles Exports Burgeoning As tough times take toll in U.S., American firms increase participation in overseas trade shows NEW YORK--Exporting fabric and home textiles products represents a strong growth [...]

Top Treatments Steal Show NEW YORK--There's no doubt about it. Top treatments stole the show during this month's curtain and drapery market week. The audience-the retail buying community--found an overwhelming [...]

Converters Target Kids' Market Kaleidoscope International and Cyrus Clark offer children's print collections NEW YORK-- This fall's fabric market introductions will include two distinct print collections for the 'under 10' [...]

Service, tenacity help U.S. fabric exporters grow Maybe it's a weak greenback, or slow business on the domestic front. Perhaps it's advances in communications--i.e. the fax machine--or a worldwide appetite [...]