TYU Opens for Enrollment

By Carole Sloan -- Home Textiles Today, 6/27/2005 12:00:00 AM

Hoffman Estates, Ill. — —

Hoffman Estates, Ill. — With its launch collection, Ty Pennington Style, beating plan, Sears this week is rolling out TYU, a three design collection targeting a back-to-school customer base.

“The new collection is fresher in its design perspective, younger in outlook, fun and kicky,” explained Steve Ryman, vice president, home brands for Sears. While it's meant for customers in the 10 to 21 year age bracket, “It also is for all those who are young at heart,” he added.

Three designs, all stripes for the comforters, offer a mix-and-match opportunity, Ryman said. The patterns are Horizon, a pink/orange combination; Lagoon, with fresher, brighter blues; and Loft, a more masculine interpretation in purple and navy.

The three distinct collections each include bedding, sheets, window, throws, decorative pillows, towels, shower curtains, area rugs, accent rugs, bath rugs, and accessory pieces like floor lounges.

Said Pennington, “The collection is easy on the eyes, casual, and adapts to changing decor and moods.”

All stores will get Horizon, while about 500 of the larger stores will get the other two patterns, including some Sears Essentials and Sears Grand units.

Sears will continue carrying the best of the launch collection in the stores — Caliente Stripe, Red Dragon and Bali Hai — until the next collection is introduced in October. Caliente Stripe in the queen size bed-in-a-bag was the featured in-store display and was the single largest selling sku of the more than 300 skus in the collection. The next collection will expand in product categories and scope, Ryman said.

For the back-to-school programs, the 200-count cotton sheets are $14.99 to $19.99 for the twin, twin extra long, full and queen; bed sets including the 180-count cotton comforter, sheet set and shams are $69.99 to $89.99 for the twin, full and queen; rugs from $39.99 to $79.99; bath rugs from $14.99 to $19.99; towels from $7.99 to $19.99, string curtains at $19.99 and a wide range of decorative pillows from $9.99 to $39.99.

The collection will be promoted through circulars and in-store signage. Much of the collection was supplied by Ellery as well as direct sourced by Sears.