Bailey Street Triples Atlanta Showroom Space

Following a showroom move and expansion in High Point this past October, Bailey Street has announced the grand opening of a new, larger showroom at Atlanta’s AmericasMart. The new showroom is located on the 12^th Floor of Building 1, #12-A-5. The expanded showroom, where the company will introduce 30 new accent furniture pieces and fixed upholstery chairs, will open for The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, January 6-14.

NRF Pushes For National Sales Tax Holidays

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has asked President-Elect Barack Obama to incorporate a series of national sales tax holidays into upcoming economic stimulus legislation to rebuild consumer confidence, noting that short-term gains from consumer spending and long-term growth from job creation are both needed to achieve economic recovery.

In a letter signed by NRF Chairman Myron E. “Mike” Ullman III, NRF First Vice Chairman Philip L. Francis, NRF Second Vice Chairman Stephen I. Sadove, and NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin, the organization proposed that tax holidays be held during March, July and October 2009, each lasting 10 days, including two weekends. Tax-free treatment would apply to all tangible goods subject to a state sales tax ranging from apparel and home furnishings to restaurant dining and automobiles, but would exclude tobacco and alcohol. By temporarily lifting the sales tax for the three 10-day periods, NRF estimates that consumers could save nearly $20 billion.

Showplace Announces Rug Exhibitors

Capstone Showplace Management has announced the rug manufacturers exhibiting at Showplace West in High Point. The rug exhibitors include:

• Surya, #3233.
• Jaipur Rugs, Inc., #3415.
• Classic Home, #3326.
• Silkroute, #3417.
• Rizzy Rugs & Home, #3515.
• Lifestyles USA, Inc, #3609.
• DC Mills, #2130.
• B.S. Trading Rug, LLC, #3100.

New Creative Seeks Chapter 11 Protection

New Creative Enterprises (NCE), a designer and manufacturer of outdoor living décor and gift items, has announced plans to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an effort to maximize value for its creditors and restructure the company, or find a financial partner. The company noted the current global banking/credit crisis, coupled with a significant sales drop before new regional sales agencies were appointed as the main reasons behind its decision.

NCE has instituted an immediate cutback in its workforce that will not affect its customer fulfillment operations. The company plans to participate at the winter markets and will focus on fulfilling all customer orders from its inventory position going into 2009.

Woodstock Chimes Acquires Asli Arts

Woodstock Chimes has acquired Asli Arts, creator of hand-crafted bamboo products. The company will debut Asli Arts by Woodstock Chimes, a new line of bamboo and capiz chimes featuring Asli Arts’ signature designs, at the winter markets. Additionally, the new line will introduce bamboo curtains originally designed by Asli Arts. The acquisition comes as Woodstock Chimes celebrates its 30^th Anniversary.

The Asli Arts by Woodstock Chimes Collection debuts the winter markets.

Royal Crown Derby, Nikko Ceramics Renew 41 Madison Leases

41 Madison has announced that UK-based Royal Crown Derby has renewed its permanent showroom lease on the 3^rd Floor. The company has maintained a showroom at 41 Madison since 2005. Royal Crown Derby has been in business since 1750 and produces a range of figures, bone china tableware, gifts and collectibles.

Meanwhile, Nikko Ceramics, one of the earliest companies to open a showroom in the building in 1978, has renewed its permanent showroom at 41 Madison. The company will relocate to the 17^th Floor with a new floor plan to create a flowing, modern atmosphere. Nikko will participate in the January New York Gift Show at 41 Madison, January 25-29, 2009, with a display in the building’s lobby. The company will also host a soft showroom opening Janaury 26-27 and by appointment, with a formal ribbon cutting planned for the New York Tabletop Market, April 21-24, 2009.

Surya Awarded Niryat Shree Gold Trophy

Surya, Inc. was recognized by the Government of India and the Ministry of Commerce’s Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) for its excellence in exports.  During a ceremony held on December 16th in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Satya Tiwari, President of Surya, accepted the Niryat Shree Gold Trophy for 2005-2006 in the Residual Products–SSI Category from the President of India, Pratibha Devi Singh Patil. Also present to accept the award was Satya’s father, Surya, who founded the company in 1976.

Surya Founder Surya Tiwari (third left) and current President Satya Tiwari accept the Niryat Shree Gold Trophy for excellence in exporting.

The Chicago Market Announces Event Schedule

The Chicago Market: Living and Giving, January 15-21, 2009, at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, has announced the show’s event schedule. Additionally, Beckman’s Handcrafted Show will open in the temporary section January 17-20, 2009. The full schedule of events includes:

• “Store Window Display — Set-Up Live!,” 9 a.m., January 17-19, Floor 1, North Lobby.
• “The Wedding Book: The Big Book For Your Big Day,” Booksigning With Lisbeth Levine, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., January 17, #13-616.
• “Revitalizing Retail,” 12-1 p.m., January 17, #12-202. E-mail Carrie Schmitt at cschmitt@mmart.com to R.S.V.P.
• Shop Late Night Blowout, 6-8 p.m., January 17, Floors 13-15.
• “Speed Networking,” 12-1 p.m., January 18, #12-202. E-mail Carrie Schmitt at cschmitt@mmart.com to R.S.V.P.
• The Chicago Market Fashion Show, 3 p.m., January 18, 8^th Floor Atrium.
• “Eat.Shop Chicago” Booksigning With Anne H. Blessing, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., January 19, #8-9074A.
• “Host The Party!,” 12-1 p.m., January 19, #12-202. E-mail Carrie Schmitt at cschmitt@mmart.com to R.S.V.P.
• Domino Magazine Event, 1-2 p.m, January 19, #1510.
• “Trend/Countertrend — Can You Do Good And Make Money In Today’s Economy?,” presented by Robyn Waters, 3 p.m., January 19, #1520. R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, January 14^th, to Carrie Schmitt at cschmitt@mmart.com.

To register, visit www.shopchicagomarket.com.

Bella Rose Announces New Reps

Bella Rose by Chateau has partnered with the sales firms California Marketing Associates (CMA) for the Southern California area and with Style Connections for the Northeastern United States. The partnership with CMA gives Bella Rose a presence at the Los Angeles Market, January 13-9, 2009, in the firm’s 40,000 square foot California Market Center showroom.

Management Team Acquires Hickory Hardware

Michigan-based Belwith Products, LLC, formed by management personnel from Hickory Hardware, has completed its transaction to purchase the decorative, prime door and security product assets of Hickory Hardware from Melrose, plc. Belwith Products will design and market Hickory Hardware brand cabinet, door, security and builder’s hardware, as well as legacy brands Belwith, Belwith-Keeler, First Watch, Period Brass, Designer Collection and Keeler Brass in the United States and Canada.

New Initiatives From Rizzy

RizTex USA, Inc., producers of Rizzy Rugs and Rizzy Home, has announced that the company’s parent corporation, Sheikh Bhullan Carpets Ltd., has been awarded ISO 9001: 2000 certification for meeting all requirements associated with dyeing, manufacturing and exporting carpets and other floor coverage.

Meanwhile, Rizzy will introduce new designs in its Volare Collection during the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, January 6-14, 2009, in Building 1, #3-F-5, and The Winter Las Vegas Market, February 9-13, 2009, in Building C, #886. Volare, which had a soft launch during the Fall High Point Market, brings container pricing to dealers from an out-of-warehouse program.

Additionally, Roger Stringer has been promoted to Western Regional Sales for all Rizzy brands. Stringer, who joined Rizzy more than a year ago, is joined on the sales team by Sheila Altenstadter, who will serve as a Regional Sales Manager and Key Accounts Executive. 

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