Retail Briefs

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/13/2005 12:00:00 AM

Target to Debut O'Brien Line

Designer Thomas O'Brien's 500-sku collection for Target will debut in October, the retailer reported last week. As previously announced, the exclusive brand — Vintage Modern — will encompass bedding, bath, furniture, decorative accessories, lighting, dinnerware and stationery.

O'Brien is the founder of the design firm Aero Studios Ltd. and Manhattan's Aero home furnishings store. O'Brien is known for his extensive furniture collection at Hickory Chair as well as Simmons mattresses, Salton at Home tableware, Visual Comfort lighting, Groundworks decorative fabrics, Waterworks bathroom fittings and hardware, and an exclusive bed and bath textiles program for Marshall Field's.

Saks Sale Clears Regulatory Hurdle

Saks Incorporated has cleared the hurdle presented by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, and is now scheduled to complete its sale of Proffitt's and McRae's to Belk, Inc. on July 5.

On April 28, Belk agreed to acquire the Proffitt's and McRae's operations from Saks for $622 million. The deal includes 22 Proffitt's stores and 25 McRae's stores located throughout 11 Southeastern states. Those stores generated revenues of approximately $700 million in 2004.

Lowe's Heads North

Lowe's Companies will enter Canada with six to 10 stores in Toronto in 2007, and eventually may open up to 100. The home center chain will establish an office in the Toronto area later this year, which will be led by Doug Robinson, newly named president of the Canada operation.