Home Textiles Today - June 22, 2009

Home décor, outdoor home accessories and furniture were among the merchandise category highlights during Pier 1 Imports Inc.’s first quarter – a period which produced results “that were better than we planned, and naturally, we are pleased about this,” noted president and ceo Alex Smith during the retailer’s earnings call last week.

• Business Today
• Duckwall-ALCO Reports First-Quarter Results
• Polymer Group to Shut Down Arkansas Plant, Consolidate Others
• U.S. Commerce Department Reports Slight Sales Increase
• Sales Slump in Second Week of June

• News
• Industry Veteran Angelica Allen Remembered
• Foreign Accents Partners with HGTV’s Michael Payne for Rug Collection
• Newport Layton Closes Minneapolis Office
• NYIGF to Launch Eco Choice Awards
• Sunbury Launches Decorative Fabric Collection
• Manual Woodworkers Launches Baby and Children’s Brand
• Longtime Executive Al Paul Passes
• Jellybean Expands into Non-Traditional Markets
• Sunbury Adds Bedding Collection
• High Point Market Ads Promote 'Connecting’
• Swavelle Opens Chinese Operation
• AmericasMart Renews Leases
• Celebrity Designers to Present at the AmericasMart During July Markets
• Thorndike Mills Connects Retailers Directly to Consumers
• Surtex Attendance up 29%
• Retail Briefs
• Capel, Jane Seymour Designs Partner for Rug collection
• Big Lots Looks Ahead
• Home Textiles Grow Online
• Williams-Sonoma’s Pottery Barn Makes Plans for Holiday
• Protect-A-Bed Lands in JCPenney Outlets, Online
• Veteran Supplier Cwirko Switches Roles
• Riegel adds Aprons to Product Assortment
• FIT Students Opening Pop-up Shop at 7W
• Ross Stores Gains Traction
• GHTA Launches “Independent Retailer Resource Center”
• Walmart Recognizes Suppliers
• WestPoint Home, Allstar Products Team up for Snuggie
• J.C. Penney Wins Award for Viral Marketing Campaign
• Creative Touch, Amadi Carpets Expand Showrooms
• Eddie Bauer to be Purchased in Ch. 11
• Ralph Lauren Home Opening Lighting Showroom
• Town & Country Living Teams up with Farberware for Kitchen, Table
• Pacific Coast Feather Honors Longtime Employees
• Showtime Exhibitors Report Optimistic Event
• KarmaKraft.com Creates Custom Cloths
• Shaw Celebrates 10th Anniversary of its EcoWorx Carpet Backing Recycling System
• Australia’s Living Textiles Baby Launches Line in United States
• Retailers Honored at ADL Annual Awards

• Opinion Today
• Hanging onto Market Share
• It's Win, Place or Show at Walmart

• The Facts
• Window Treatments Look to Rally Back From 2008 Slump