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Textile biz sales slowing, costs rising

Portfolio: textlies and rugs

By Tanya K. Merritte -- Kids Today, 6/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

Amity Homes’ Cynthia features on-trend stripes in multiple shades of pink in a classic patchwork pattern. The 100% cotton set is offered in twin, full/queen and king sizes, www.amityhome.com.

The downturn in the U.S. economy has affected nearly every sector of the home furnishings business, and the infant and youth bedding and rug category is no exception. Manufacturers say higher shipping costs, higher manufacturing costs in general and slowing sales are all issues they’ve dealt with in some form or another.

Risa Popkin, president of infant bedding manufacturer Bananafish, said sales for this year are running about the same as last year, but the economy has definitely had an impact on her business, which is a division of The Betesh Group.

“Our costs have gone up,” she said. “My customers are skittish.”

Popkin said even if some of her customers haven’t felt the economic ramifications yet, they are bracing for it and are being more careful.

Melanie Bass, owner of Davenport Home Furnishings, which produces youth and adult top of bed, said that sales are up over this point last year, but she has still seen the effect of the downturn.

“The (sales) percentage grew at a slower pace,” she said.

The all-cotton Chesapeake from Bebe Chic is a crisp red, white and blue crib set that is at home in a nautical or Americana-themed nursery, www.bebechic.com

Davenport’s products are manufactured in India, and Bass said her shipping costs have increased and in turn, she’s had to pass those costs on to her retailers, which include specialty stores, department stores and mainline furniture stores. She said shoppers are still buying, but are putting a premium on getting quality at a good value.

“The consumer really wants their dollar to be stretched,” she explained.

Upscale bedding and accessories manufacturer Doodlefish Kids has bucked the trend a bit with owner Christine Senkiewicz noting that the company is achieving “significant growth” over 2007. But even with that growth, Senkiewicz said she and her partner, Regina Nouvel, are in the process of redirecting their bedding and wall art lines, getting out of the gift and lighting categories and ramping up their customization business.

“We’re focusing on our core business,” she said. “We are going to do what we do best.”

Crown Crafts Infant Products’ licensed Cars collection includes Burning Up the Track, a colorful four-piece set designed for toddler beds, www.ccipinc.com

Senkiewicz said Doodlefish, which is made domestically, is able to set itself apart from other infant and youth bedding in part because it has a unique look. That’s a plus because customers are still willing to spend, but they are looking to get exactly what they want, which is where customization comes into play, she said.

“Originality and customization go hand in hand,” Senkiewicz said. “We don’t have to compete with Pottery Barn and Babies “R” Us. Customers see the difference.”

While customized bedding is the key style focus for Doodlefish this year, Bass said the Davenport Home Furnishings’ bread and butter continues to be tween/teen styles with an eye toward fashion hues. “Hot pink and lime green are it for us,” she said of the company’s top-selling colors.

Wendy Reiss, key account manager with Kas Rugs, said that its consumes are looking for rugs in a variety shades that she described as “colors of the earth” — rust, grass green, slate blue, natural, earth brown, etc.

Popkin said Bananafish continues to be fashion-forward in its designs, with plans to introduce several groups at the ABC Expo later this year. But while it aims for modern and contemporary looks, Popkin said in the end, she has found tradition wins out. “Baby bedding is still blue for boys and pink for girls,” she said. “At the core of the purchase, it remains traditional.”

	Go mod with Picci’s Hippy Ball bedding and accessories set. The mix of swirls in shades of lime green, beige, turquoise, white on an aqua background make it a solid gender-neutral choice, www.picci.com
Urban Pad from Catfish Bite is well-suited for tween or teen boys, a tough category to buy for. The color pattern includes mocha, retro teal, khaki, eggshell and black, www.catfishbite.com
	Kas Rugs takes a whimsical, colorful approach to peppermint candy with this 100% wool rug from its Kidding Around collection, www.kasrugs.com.
The Zany Dots collection from Little Miss Matched features a reversible comforter and pillowcases and multiple patterns on the sheets, allowing girls to create dozens of looks from a bed-in-a-bag set, www.littlemissmatched.com
	Black and white is becoming a popular color combination in the juvenile market. Maddie Boo’s offering, Amanda, features bold prints paired with soft mint green accents, www.maddieboobedding.com.
Artist Sherri Blum branches out into crib bedding with the Happiness is a Full Nest pattern in pink, chocolate and white. The four-piece set is made of 100% cotton and is machine wash and dry, www.sherriblumdesigns.com.
	Farm Friends set by bayá mixes a traditional theme and primary colors. The comforter and accessories are made of cotton velour with embroideries and appliqués, www.artsyblucorp.com
CoCaLo’s Regal blankets feature printed Sherpa on one side and satin on the reverse. A flat satin ruffle finishes the look, www.cocalo.com

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