Home Textiles Today - June 2, 2003

Bounding back from earlier weakness, The Home Depot Inc. climbed back on track during the first quarter, recording gains in sales and profits, reversing declines during the fourth quarter of last year. Helped by improving sales and stronger margins, earnings rose by 6.0 percent, to $907 million from $856 million.

• Business Today
• Gottschalks reports lower numbers in Q1
• Weather doesn't dampen sales
• Starts down, rest of market sturdy
• As war fears fade, optimism returns
• Sales up, profits down in Williams-Sonoma Q1
• May Co. placed on credit watch by S&P
• Lowe's pushes profits in quarter
• Cone strikes deal to extend credit
• Costco boosts sales, profits in Q3
• S&P downgrades Penney to junk bond

• News
• Glass houses are good things
• Home Comfort inks licenses for July debuts
• Casali named svp at Dan River
• JCPenney honors home merchants with President's Award
• Pine Cone Hill debuts colorful lines
• Cotton Inc. forecasts palettes, trends
• Brazil looks north for trade growth
• Elrene promotes two execs to vp, sales
• Cotton Inc. taps new fashion mktg director
• Strouds creditors want answers
• FSN Home taps Bonini prez, gm
• Dick Fish says so long to Wal-Mart
• Member fees help BJ's post profit
• Retailers keep an eye on fatter inventories
• Retail briefs
• Dollar General profits surge in Q1
• Restoration Hardware gets boost
• McNeil heads Hollander fashion bedding unit
• Joe Boxer wakes things up at Kmart
• Massive makeover for KY Value City store
• Hudson's Bay adds Waverly decor
• New show in Lisbon

• Opinion Today
• Safer...and sorrier
• Rewriting the retail book