Home Textiles Today - June 3, 2002

Less clutter. Shopping convenience. Easier shopping environments. Express checkouts, also known as central checkout counters and — gasp — shopping carts. What radical concepts these are for general merchandise retailing. But finally some of the folks who used to lead the way are now beginning to follow the route of those who are eating their lunch — and breakfast and dinner too.

• Business Today
• Linens 'n Things looks to pay down short-term debt
• Housing starts soften in April
• Cotton prices expected to increase
• Consumers still not real confident
• Same-store sales still slow in May
• Pottery Barn helps mold Sonoma profits
• Sales growth drives profits at Ross

• News
• Burlington House sells fabric business to Tietex
• Panache moves to larger showroom
• Bed Bath boxes in retail competition
• Bed Bath grows beyond expectations
• Designer Starck lineup hits Target shelves
• Izod readies home lineup for fall
• Vanderbilt Home still seeking partner
• Leaner Pillowtex exits Ch. 11
• Strouds raises profile with BSN deal
• DuPont to up prices
• Ikea ads target lower-income customers
• Retail briefs
• Fred's grabs its share
• Karastan marks 75 years
• PDK shifts showroom site to 261 5th Ave.
• Korhani opens facility
• Area rugs take new shape for Kalaty
• 828 Int'l expands rug collection

• Opinion Today
• Flying under the radar

• People Today
• Tomechko tapped as executive vp
• Brylane bolsters marketing
• Burdines names new vp
• LFI adds marketing dir.
• Retail association adds to board