Home Textiles Today - February 23, 2004

Time for a break from all those "heavier than anyone should have to contemplate" subjects day in and day out. Time for a rundown on what the folks across the small "big water" are doing vis-a-vis home furnishings. While on the January European show marathon, I did a tour, albeit during the legendary sale period, to see how some of the French retailers treat their home departments.

• Business Today
• Sam's Club sales help Wal-Mart
• The quarter drove old Dixie down
• Retailers love Valentine's Day
• Target charges ahead of competition
• Trident adds looms to meet demand
• Cuts help Quaker triple profits
• WPS charge makes tough 4th quarter
• Business briefs

• News
• Whiting Mfg. shuts its doors
• Stewart's brand weathering bad press storm
• Kohl's signs exclusive with Laura Ashley
• Deflation to continue at Target
• Ross goes downstream in search of gold
• Esprit returns to home at Bed Bath
• Revman and Dean Miller bring the beach into the bedroom
• Richloom to launch Liz at Jo-Ann
• Dan River, Mohawk & Baby Boom nab Astro Boy license
• Crabtree & Evelyn signs with Springs
• Hall signs on to help revive Royal Velvet
• Daniadown enters the U.S. market
• WCMA launches Web site to inform industry
• Retail briefs
• Karsten set to tell Shark Tale
• Dohler has big plans for the U.S.

• Opinion Today
• Toy story

• People Today
• Louisville Bedding making changes
• Tinsley honors wife with scholarship
• Saks realigns responsibilities, adds new executive
• Gilmartin to head home at new concept by Ross
• Mohawk hires Sandy as design director
• Pantone gives China a little color