Home Textiles Today - December 23, 2002

John Shepherd, ceo 828 International Trading Co. A: "A healthy new grandchild, due in January." Alan Gladstone, president Anna's Linens A: "The most important thing is for family and friends to be in good health, and that Anna's continues on the same pace it was on for 2002 in 2003." Marty Dollenmaier, vp, sales Anichini A: "Our hotel division just landed a huge account in Los Angeles, so that'...

• Business Today
• Retail sales gains fall short of target
• Industrial output up for first time in 6 mos.
• Smaller stores reflect more regional focus
• WestPoint pays off portion of debt load
• Kmart delisting sends stock spiraling down
• Sunbeam out of Ch. 11 with new name, structure

• News
• Dupont exec to retire
• Perfect Fit focuses on safety with less voltage
• Elrene helps expand designer Adler lineup
• Franco inks deal with Crayola
• Sears veteran Rogers retires
• Crown, Eddie Bauer team up on infant line
• Mahdavi's adds to SE coverage
• Retail briefs
• Goss tapped by TGI as sr. merchant
• P'tex sees covenants waived
• Finneran departs Cone
• IKEA uncovers a new promotion
• Peking shifts to new moniker, logo
• WPS grows Del Pozo duties
• Pier One's expansion plan remains on course
• Glass half full for first half of '03
• American Dawn ups commitment to bath towels
• Wal-Mart.com taps Fleming for president
• Jo-Ann names Sachs to executive vp post
• Bedding takes on more importance at Newport

• Opinion Today
• Visions of sugarplums
• Government intervention

• People Today
• Hunter Douglas adds regional program mgrs.
• NRF hires Hogan as new sr. vp, chief info officer
• Colonial Williamsburg shifts marketing dept.
• Two home furnishing retailers recognized by NRF
• Liebenow named to Advisory Committee
• Bardwil Linens taps McDonald as designer

• Quarterly Results
• featured
• Pier 1 drives 3Q profits up 24.2%
• Family Dollar finds 1Q profits up
• BB&B surpasses 3Q forecasts