Home Textiles Today - June 16, 2003

Feeling better about the economy and an improving jobs outlook, American consumers pulled out their plastic and started shopping once again during May, pushing retail sales up by 0.1 percent from April, when sales fell by 0.3 percent, the Commerce Department reported. And the retail picture is actually stronger than it looks on the surface.

• Business Today
• Culp sales slump, but profits rebound
• Value City struggles in first quarter
• Business briefs
• Summer breeze cools same-stores

• Fabrics Today
• Swatches
• Bloomcraft lands Kinkade
• Much to choose from at this year's Showtime

• News
• Family Dollar to revamp approach to textiles
• Likely new owners bide their time
• Supima forecast sees bright future
• Friedman leaves name with Audrey
• Ralph, left holding bag, still supportive of WPS
• Value City's new message
• A purr-fect fit for home textiles?
• Maternity brand may enter textiles
• Trade associations battle for future of industry
• Still interested in P'tex
• Execs re-pack their bags for Asia
• Big Lots: Look at us!
• Neuburger moving into new home categories
• House in order, ShopKo updates and remodels
• Kate Spade ready for home
• Sputtering sales prompt Dan River plant closings
• WPS will emerge 'stronger'
• Wal-Mart creeping closer to New York
• Mervyn's, Engelbreit birth new baby line
• Retail Briefs
• Retail briefs

• Opinion Today
• Who's next?

• People Today
• Elrene creates new posts
• Stein Mart elects board members
• Newport taps Rogers
• Hollander selects vp, sales execs
• Mohawk Home names sales vp
• Achim picks new prez

• Special Report
• Numbers 2003
• Shifting channels nudge rug sales
• HTT refines facts survey
• Market share shifts amid growing sales
• Multi-packs soak up towel sales
• Tug-of-war leads to share standoff
• All the numbers
• Towels, discounters dominate
• Mid-line stores win bigger share