Retail briefs

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 4/19/2004 12:00:00 AM

Part of reorg, Macy's names cadre of VPs

Nine vice presidents have been named to the new Macy's Home Store executive ranks.

In home textiles, Kris Deaton, formerly vice president with Macy's West, has been named vice president, luxury bedding. Ron Ota has been named vice president, utility, home decor and windows.

Other vice presidents joining the Macy's Home Store lineup include Priscilla Cipollini, china and trim; Hank Reinhart, silver and gifts; Peter Cassidy, mattresses; Fitz Read, upholstery; Shawn Austin, cookware; and Greg Nash, gadgets, cutlery, food and candy.

Lowe's to open Pensacola office

Lowe's Companies, Inc. is planning to open a regional office in Pensacola. Lowe's Region 23 office will house approximately 13 employees and occupy office space on South Palafox Street.

"Florida will continue to play a key part in Lowe's aggressive expansion plans over the next several years," said Lowe's Regional Vice President Debbie Singletary. "As our store base grows, so does the need for our corporate staff to support those regional operations. We are delighted to be locating this new office in an area and state that share in our vision and goals for economic growth in which we can all benefit."

Lowe's Region 23 offices will support the company's store base in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. As part of its expansion plan, Lowe's will open 140 new stores nationwide this year and 150 new stores in fiscal 2005.

In Florida, Lowe's operates 61 stores and employs more than 9,700 people. In addition, the company has seven stores and a distribution center under construction in the state.

Sears name top Partners in Progress

Nine home textiles suppliers were among the winners of the annual Sears' Partners in Progress awards.

The awards, presented last week at an event hosted by Alan Lacy, Sears chairman and CEO, recognizes suppliers of products and services among the more than 10,000 companies supplying the company. The awards are based on quality, proving superior merchandise and dependable service.

The nine are: Antique Drapery Rod Co., Direct Marketing Services Inc., Feizy Import and Export, Karastan, Regal Home Collections, Revere Mills, Richloom Home Fashions, Royale Linens, and WestPoint Stevens.

Karastan and WestPoint Stevens additionally were cited as category supplier of the year.

IKEA producing home textiles for pets

IKEA Home Furnishings is launching its new "Pets & People" range, a variety of accessories and products for pets.

The range is tailored to modern interiors and divided into three product categories: Sleep & Care, which includes rugs, baskets, and cushions for sleeping on or in blankets, bath towels and pawcloths; Eat & Store, which includes pet food storage containers, bowls, placemats and hooks to hang things on; and Walk & Play, which includes Frisbees, bite-rope, soft toys and scratching figures.

The Pets & People range can be found in IKEA Marketplace and is available in all U.S. stores, except Houston.