Home Textiles Today - August 22, 2005

After suffering through a slower-than-normal spring/summer selling season, Hancock Fabrics expects to pick up steam starting this fall through two major milestones — the launch of its “extreme makeover” re-fixturing and merchandise enhancement project at stores, and the opening of a new and larger prototype store in Tupelo, Miss.

• Business Today
• Sales, Comps Suffer At Hancock
• Retail Sales Fall Short of Plan
• Loss Widens At Crown Crafts
• Wal-Mart Improves Comps Across Board
• Penney Posts Strong Quarter
• TJX: HomeGoods Sales Up, Comps Flat

• News
• TJX Hopes Marketing Can Offset Competition
• Ross Notes Challenges, Posts Strong Quarter
• Pier 1 Kids Enters Bath
• Gas Prices Have Wal-Mart Worried
• Lowe's Works on Merchandising
• Kohl's To Expand Apparel Brands Into Home
• Retailers Work to Improve Importing
• Retail Briefs
• JCP Hits Back-to-School With New Ad Campaign
• Port Tracker: Congestion Outlook Low
• Jo-Ann Says Soft Home Hurt Sales
• College Kids To Spend $3.6 Billion On Dorm/Apt. Furnishings
• Capitalizing On The Gift Market

• Opinion Today
• Off The Mark
• Eyeing October

• People Today
• Scully Resigns From Saks
• GLM Taps English For Marketing
• Leggett & Platt Names EVP of Consumer Products Unit
• Brunton International Names Jennings VP Sales
• Garden Ridge Restructures Merchandising Group