Furniture Today - April 8, 2002

New exhibitors American Collectables 3-443 Artistic Creations C-757 Artsorce 3-748 Benchmark of Oxford C-539 Berengaria 3-750 Biltmore Cast Stone C-609 Boca Ratten 4-435 Brass and Glass Art 2-219 Bruce Hirschautt 4-751 Cadeau berbere 4-427 Cape Cod Hammock Co. C-610 CCDC 2-753 Chateau Couture 3-310 Citywide 1-733 Classic Furniture 3-559 Coast Wholesale Florist 3-341 Cottage Frames 2-670 A Count...

• Bedding Today
• Wild West still lives in specialty sleep arena

• Business Today
• Consumer confidence skyrockets
• Cost Plus sales up 11.2% in quarter
• Masco expects 1Q earnings increase
• Mattress Discounters posts loss as '01 sales drop 11.3%
• Hooker 1Q sales rise 8.9%, net income leaps 32.2%
• Chromcraft buys out Court Square
• Flexsteel foresees better quarter

• International
• Materials take stage in Asian offerings
• Brazilian moves to penetrate U.S. create opportunities at home
• U.S. brands work to build Brazilian business
• Gramado limits visitors, attracts more retailers
• Producer Sierra opening more stores, galleries
• Movelsul exhibitors look to build U.S. ties
• Brazilian manufacturers believe collaboration can boost exports
• Cebu X: A show of bold independence
• Singapore show much like High Point
• Lim has Ikea-size plans
• Thailand seeks strategy for China

• News
• Shepherd market seminar series to focus on best retailer practices
• WithIt will host events, fund-raisers at market
• Kopke heads Marinelli's move into U.S.
• Feinblum to help market House2Home store leases
• Zenith Freight launches Web site
• Weco offering quick-ship program in U.S.
• Lang named March of Dimes Dallas Division chairman
• Hellenic Rug creates India arm
• Bay building sixth and largest Chicago-area store
• American Home nears completion of distribution center expansion
• Ex-Levitz employees launch retailer software resource
• Riccio new La-Z-Boy controller
• LifeStyle wraps up Sunbury, Robert Allen sales
• Trevira bringing flame-resistant fiber back in U.S.
• Forecast: Heavier traffic
• NHFA, IHFRA honor 4
• Corrections & amplifications
• Magnussen breaks ground on Calif. distribution center
• Paladin leases plant, readies upholstery line
• Obituaries
• Obituaries

• Opinion Today
• Observations of a novice Asian furniture showgoer
• SoHo Today conference brings the pieces together
• Media putting spotlight on industry

• Special Report
• Motion upholstery business brisk
• Home Entertainment
• New at market: home entertainment
• Market Showrooms
• International Home Furnishings Center
• Stationary Upholstery
• New at market: stationary upholstery

• Up Front
• Robert Allen will preview colorful Sargent fabric line
• Beckmann-led manager group acquires Emerald Home Furnishings from Ritchies
• Southeastern Adhesives executives buy company
• DuPont's Lycra will allow upholstery covers to stretch
• Berkline, BenchCraft deal done
• HickoryMark taps Maddrey
• Clark leads Distinctive's U.S. sales
• Bob's promotes Lee Goodman
• Founder Rouse back in charge at HomePortfolio
• Bombay's Bailey Street set for Vegas