NRF recognizes home furnishings retailers

-- Home Textiles Today, 12/18/2002 5:36:00 PM

New York — Farooq Kathwari and Jeffrey Seaman will receive the Gold Medal Award and the Retail Innovator of the Year Award, respectively, from the National Retail Federation at its annual luncheon on Jan. 14.

In an unusual move for the NRF, two home furnishings retailers are being cited at the NRF's retail industry luncheon, a major event of the 92nd convention, which runs from Jan. 12 to 15.

Kathwari, chairman, president and ceo of Ethan Allen, and Seaman, president and ceo of Rooms-to-Go, will be joined by a yet-unannounced International Retailer of the Year award winner.

Kathwari, a NRF board member, is being recognized for excellence and creative genius and vision in leading the company's retail business. Seaman's citation is for "setting the company apart from the pack through the use of new, innovative or imaginative techniques, formats or services."

The luncheon will be held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center here from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 pm.