Home Textiles Today - March 15, 2004

As branded sheet and towel suppliers increasingly tailor their programs to specific retail customers, the number of open line introductions continues to dwindle. However, brand producers this market will nonetheless expand colorways, and in some cases, constructions in solid color sheets and towels.

• Business Today
• Acquisition lifts Bon Ton numbers
• Jo-Ann Stores profits up by 7.1 percent
• ShopKo profits drop 3.5 percent
• Unifi to cut workers, plants
• Housing market has tough month
• Solid results for same-store sales
• Strong auto sales prop retail numbers

• News
• Amazon swings into textiles jungle
• Dan River expands better bedding lines
• CHF shows harder side in collection
• Women's group to hold discussion
• Retail briefs
• Jo-Ann to reduce promotions
• Sure Fit files for bankruptcy
• ShopKo working to position products better
• Mischen Glabman to represent La France
• Dan River signs licensing deal
• STRC annual meeting planned for May
• New owners have big plans for 261
• P'tex assets on the block
• Bardwil and Lenox tackle towels

• Opinion Today
• Color is nothing to fear
• Dance cards are definitely full

• People Today
• Matouk and Sferra relocate showrooms for market
• Hellenic grows market showroom
• Kmart hires new marketing chief
• Blonder hires Kantor
• WPS realigns utility bedding roles
• Mohawk inks license with Puerto Rican designer
• Anchor Home taps sales manager

• Special Report
• Color Trends
• The shifting spectrum of color