Home Textiles Today - December 4, 2006

The broad U.S. housing market continued to lose steam during October, hobbled by falling home prices and buyer and builder skittishness. The big market for existing homes, which accounts for more than 70% of all housing activity, saw sales barely budge, up 0.5% to a seasonally adjusted 6.

• Business Today
• Department Stores Widen Comp Advantage
• Chain Sales Falter
• Consumers Hedge on Confidence

• News
• Trading Up Test at Family Dollar
• Restoration Hardware Looking Up
• Dollar General: New President, Strategic Changes
• Studio Area Fills Up for Showtime
• Blair Consolidating Returns Operations
• Revman Promotes Kartus
• Images wanted from Heimtextil Exhibitors
• American Trim Promotes Paust
• Indian Fair Boasts 1,800 Exhibitors
• New Show for Luxury Market
• Sale Promotes Sure Fit Site
• Charlie Chinni Checks Out
• Craftex Plans Collection
• Court Approves Foamex Plan
• Domay Debuts Better Line
• NRF: Macy's vs. Wal-Mart Shopper
• Bon-Ton Operating Metrics Improve
• Springs Global Sales Down 15%
• New Fibers, Fabrications Broaden Lines
• Showtime Events Planned
• Valdese Fetes Designer Mancini
• Retail Briefs
• HTT Welcomes Sara Orlando to Sales Team
• Simple Elegance to Seduce at Showtime
• Gottschalks Sees Marketing Results

• Opinion Today
• One Size Fits All ... Not
• Lots of Pop in Department Stores

• People Today
• Dalyn Rug Announces Hires
• Hasper Joins Soft-Tex
• Valdese Weavers Launches VM Textiles
• TMS/Menagerie Hires Wilde
• Lane Sales Taps Cascio for New Jersey
• Sunbrella Expands Rosendale's Duties
• Safavieh Names Kraus to Northeast Post