Jane Seymour re-launches, plans stores

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 7/28/2006 12:55:00 PM

Birmingham, Ala. – A new Jane Seymour Home Collection is being launched in a partnership with the Sommerset Group here in a three-pronged marketing/distribution strategy that launches with direct-to-consumer sales and evolves into Jane Seymour Home retail stores.

The original Jane Seymour Collection was exclusive to the Saks Department Store Group (SDSG), which has been sold in two segments:

the southern division to Belk’s and the northern division to The Bon Ton.

Sommerset is a joint venture headed by Howard Winkler, the former senior vp, home at SDSG who spearheaded the original program; Tom Lamberton, who worked in product design at SDSG and is now heading design for Sommerset; actress, artist and designer Jane Seymour and her husband and business partner, James Keach.

The collection will first be offered on a direct-to-consumer basis late this year via the soon to be launched website, www.janeseymourhome.com. The second distribution phase will kick off in spring 2007 with four of five Jane Seymour Home stores that will be franchises. The third distribution channel will be "limited to a select number of better retailers," Winkler said.