Meijer Launching Cannon in Bed and Bath
By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/15/2007
Grand Rapids, Mich. — Cannon Classic and Cannon Royal Family bedding and bath branded programs are coming to the home department at Midwest regional supercenter chain Meijer. This comes via a recently inked partnership with Li & Fung, which through its Homestead division is one of the licensed manufacturers of Cannon branded home textiles products — it makes fashion bedding, bath towels and decorative accessories.
Among the other licensed Cannon product manufacturers are Maples for bath rugs, Pacific Coast Feather for basic bedding, International Home Fashions for blankets, and Levinsohn Textile Co. for protective covers.
The Cannon family of brands is owned by Official Pillowtex LLC, which has just been acquired by New York-based Iconix Brand Group. The Pillowtex brand portfolio also includes Charisma, Fieldcrest and Royal Velvet.
Meijer, which sees the addition of its Cannon program brands as a means of "elevating" its home department, will carry the 500 skus in the two lines, comprising bath towels and accessories, sheeting, quilts, down comforters and decorative pillows.
This move represents the 181-unit retailer's largest-ever new product launch for its home area. Further, the debut of the new product lines — being introduced in stores this month — also marks the return 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.
"This will be the perfect complement to our own private label bedding and bath products," Atteberry said.
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."
