HFI's pet bed business far from "ruff"

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 2/9/2006 11:44:00 AM

New York -- Just four months after adding the pet bed category to its offerings, Home Fashions International is expanding its category assortment, based on "more than triple" the requests from retailers.

"Interest from retailers has really ramped up -- quickly," said HFI vp Amy Bell. Added executive vp Neil Zuber, "We're getting it from all levels of retail: high end, catalogs, dotcom, mass, big box stores, everywhere."

HFI is seeing the category evolve from utilitarian to decorative; the offering now includes embossed suedes, printed suedes, faux furs "and even formal damask looks, which are getting a very nice response," Bell said. Trims are also being requested more and more.

Sizes have gone from just three basic dimensions to a range of smaller and larger sizes, running from 20-inch rounds to 36"-x-45". Particularly popular sizes include extra-small beds for teacup-size pets. Retail price points are set to average from $29.99 to $79.99 for these pet beds.