Today's Flooring News

Keep up to date with the most recent news in the flooring industry. Today's News...As it happens! We update this news several times a day so you can stay connected.

IIDA Design Competition Winners Announced

Chicago, IL, March 21, 2006--The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) announced the winners of its 2006 interior design competitions, the 33rd Annual Interior Design Competition and the 14th Annual Will Ching Design Competition.

IICRC Launches Apprentice/Basic Skills Training

Vancouver, WA, March 21, 2006--The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) announced the launch of the Apprentice/Basic Skills Training Program at the semi-annual Certification Council meeting in Vancouver.

Pier 1 Imports Sells UK Unit

Fort Worth, TX, March 21, 2006--Shares of housewares retailer Pier 1 Imports Inc., fell Monday after the company said it has sold its U.K.-based subsidiary, Pier Retail Group Ltd., to Iceland's Palli Ltd., for about $15 million.

UK Retailer Leaps for His Life in Warehouse Fire

Cheshire, England, March 21, 2006--A terrified businessman had to leap off the office roof of his carpet warehouse, and an employee jumped through a ball of flames as a fire ripped through the building.

Green Store Opens in Scottsdale

Scottsdale, AZ, March 20, 2006--Mick Dalrymple and Jeffery Frost are trying to take environmentally safe building mainstream with the launch of their store in South Scottsdale and an upcoming PBS series.

Williams-Sonoma 4Q Earnings Up

San Francisco, CA March 20, 2006--Retailer Williams-Sonoma Inc., said quarterly profit rose as higher sales of its upscale housewares helped offset the impact of charges related to shutting down its chain of Hold Everything storage goods stores.

Sears Ups Sears Canada Stake, Extends Offer

Hoffman Estates, IL, March 20, 2006-- Sears Holdings Corp., said it had extended its offer to buy Sears Canada, and it had also taken up another 10.2 million shares of its target, giving it about 63.2 percent of outstanding shares of the Canadian retailer

Leading Index Off 0.2% in February

New York, NY, March 20, 2006--The Conference Board announced today that the U.S. leading index decreased 0.2 percent, the coincident index increased 0.3 percent and the lagging index increased 0.1 percent in February.