Home Textiles Today - March 19, 2001

NEW YORK -Still limping along, but well beneath plan, retail sales edged up by 2.2 percent during the first week of March, but still lagged far behind a target of 3.2 percent growth as consumers, spooked by widespread layoffs, continued to hold on tight to their wallets.

• Business Today
• Weather, economy lead to dropoff in February
• Jo-Ann records 4Q loss after shutting stores
• The top and the bottom

• News
• Park B. Smith extends tufted bath
• Pillowtex has it in the bag
• Trans-Ocean breaks ground on new VA facility
• Kmart remains positive despite 4Q earnings drop
• Perception is reality for Kmart
• Martha Garden hits customers
• GLM unveils Surtex 2001 student awards
• HD website honored for marketing
• Sonoma stock soars despite 4Q profit slide
• Springs antes up with 400-count Sateen line
• Lillian Vernon lays off workers
• Ames to open 5 new stores
• Jeff Stroud resigns as iHome.com vp, merch.
• Kohl's goes Southwest with expansion plans
• Friedman out as coo of Williams-Sonoma
• Springs, Owen share blanket
• annise spices up home with feel, color
• Textrade debuts new technology
• Macy's West shifts merchandise mix

• Opinion Today
• Getting the message
• Making a positive impression
• Missing the Target

• People Today
• Schwartz takes over as Kmart pres., coo
• Springs adds new design team leader
• Louisville/Saydah names Jacobs as creative dir.

• Retailing Today
• Luxury retailers remain a cut above the rest

• Special Report: Solid Color
• Solid color introductions reflect market's caution