Peking Handicraft moves into top-of-bed

By Marvin Lazaro -- Home Textiles Today, 10/7/2002 12:00:00 AM

SAN FRANCISCO —

In an effort to complement its lineup of middle- to high-end quilts and companion accessories, Peking Handicraft is getting into top-of-bed with a wide range of new product this market.

In addition to the quilts, which remain a mainstay for the company, coordinating ensembles from comforters to decorative pillows to window treatments will be available. And in another first, sheets are also scheduled to be unveiled, with thread counts ranging from 200 to 800 and in a variety of constructions, including sateen, dobbys, jacquards and yarn dyes.

"It's really a very large expansion for us," Janie Leonard, national sales manager, told Home Textiles Today. "We had been known for so long just for one thing, and now we can be known as a source for so much more."

The majority of the new products are offered as comforter sets in the bag, as open stock and in various configurations depending on the retailer, Leonard said. Retail price ranges are planned from $199 to $249 for a queen, depending on the items included and their fabrication. "We saw a void in the market at that particular price point, so we thought we would give it a shot," Leonard said.

Leonard said the introductions are aimed at three different retail levels — specialty stores, department stores and discounters.

Twelve patterns are among the initial comforter offerings with a variety of embellished looks including "lots of cut-and-sew," some embroideries and some jacquards. Color coordinating sheets are offered as well, but Leonard said Peking Handicraft has no plans to enter an already crowded bed-in-a-bag landscape.

The window treatments are color-coordinated but do not necessarily mirror the pattern on the top-of-bed. A variety of textures is also planned, including micro-suede, velvets, pique, embroideries and sheers. Scarves, valances and panels are all included.

Keeping in touch with its core quilt customers, Peking Handicraft is also introducing a quilt-in-a-bag, which includes a quilt, two shams, bed ruffle and coordinating 205-count sheet. Retail price points are expected to be set at $179.

The sheets, also from a company-owned facility, are available in a wide range of colors and counts. Leonard believes the 310- and 400-counts will be the mainstays of the line.

"Everybody loved the fabrications," Leonard said. "The retailers who previewed them thought they were good, and we think they're good."

The new items are scheduled for shipment early in the first quarter of '03.