Meijer launches Cannon Classic, Royal Family as exclusives

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/3/2007 12:30:00 PM

Grand Rapids, Mich. – Cannon Classic and Cannon Royal Family bedding and bath branded programs are set to soon hit the home department at Midwest regional department store Meijer via a recently inked partnership with Homestead, a division of Li & Fung that is a licensed producer of Cannon bedding and bath goods.

Meijer, which sees the addition of these brands as means of “elevating” its home department, will carry the brands’ 500 skus, comprising bath towels and accessories, sheeting, quilts, down comforters and decorative pillows.

This move represents the 181-unit retailer’s largest new product launch for its home area, and the debut of the new product lines – scheduled for roll-out this month -- also marks the re-introduction of the traditional “white sale” at Meijer.

“This exclusive deal will certainly energize our home section,” said Robert Atteberry, vp, home and electronics. “It’s a big step in bringing our soft-goods offerings to a new level. These products will catapult the rest of the department, as they help make us a true destination for home needs… This will be the perfect complement to our own private label bedding and bath products.”

The Cannon Royal Family line features comforter sets, decorative pillows and 300-count Pima cotton sheets. The bath items, made to coordinate with the bedding, include 100% combed Pima cotton towels, bath rugs in 10 solid colors, and bath accessories. There are also oversized --30-by-58 -- bath towels available.

Cannon Classic comprises 220-count sheets in solid and patterns looks as well as comforters, shams, bed skirts, quilts and other matching items. Its bath towels, made of 100% ring spun cotton, coordinate with all of the bedding products.

Price points for the Cannon Classic program include: $5.99 for bath towels; $3.99 for hand towels; and $7.99 to $16.99 for bath rugs.

The Cannon Royal Family bath program’s prices include: $9.99 for bath towels; $7.99 for hand towels; $19.99 for oversized bath sheets; and $9.99 to $19.99 for bath rugs.

The company described the new brand additions as aids to targeting “a new and younger consumer” as well as shoppers “who have long trusted the Cannon name.”

The Cannon product launch, the company added, is hoped to be the first of a series of new introductions to its home department.

Cannon is part of the Official Pillowtex portfolio of brands, which also includes Charisma, Fieldcrest, and Royal Velvet. Official Pillowtex was recently acquired by Iconix Brand Group, a licensing and marketing agency.