Home Textiles Today - January 7, 2002

Springs IndustriesSIGNIFICANT EVENTS: Holding its own in a punishing retail environment, Springs takes over as the nation's largest supplier of home fashions products. In a profound change that will alter the company's course, the major mill went private, and the controlling Close family joined forces with financier David Stockman, signaling a more aggressive management style.

• Business Today
• Promotions boost same-store sales
• 2001 sets new record for job cuts
• Housing sales improve in November
• Pillowtex plan includes unloading massive debt
• $120M in Dan River debt downgraded
• Confidence slowly climbing back

• Fabrics Today
• Showtime
• Looks to look for
• More than just the show
• Showtime colors come alive

• News
• Chris Stone 'widens' fabric program
• Eddie Bauer chief retires
• Kmart's stock not 'holding' its own
• Online Christmas season a success
• Crayola to put name on bedding
• Big Lots plans new DC in OK
• Sell! Sell! Sell!
• Retail briefs
• For the record
• 828 Int'l doubles size of Atlanta showroom
• Help Wanted Index slips to lowest point in 40 years
• Teijin to sell only Celanese acetate
• Hancock happy with holiday sales
• TeleCheck: Dec. same-store sales grew 2.1%
• American Textiles gets new 295 showroom
• Sears to exit installed floor coverings
• Claire Murray into laminated fabric
• Neiman-Marcus sees sales drop
• Polymer Group defaults on loan payments
• Chandler looks to broaden appeal
• Mohawk Home has Coke and a smile
• Top 15 plummets with 5.1% decline

• Opinion Today
• The survey says …
• Getting an edge

• People Today
• Meredith Home co-founder Chace dead at 48
• Susan Sargent shifts HQ to Pawlet, VT
• Retail ad conference slated for Feb. 6 to 8
• ShopKo promotes Wurl
• Elder-Beerman names interim president
• EA Int'l shows global emphasis
• S. Shamash president to step down

• Special Report
• Manufacturing Giants
• Trying times for Top 5 with small sales gains