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.

$149.5 Billion for Home Improvements in 2005

Cambridge, MA, January 14--Home improvement spending by homeowners edged up in 2005, ending the year growing 4.3% over the 2004 levels, according to the Remodeling Activity Indicator (RAI) devised by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

Pakistan Predicts Higher Carpet Sales

Slamabad, Pakistan, January 16--Pakistan hopes to secure some $3.39 million in orders in 2005-2006, according to the chairman of the Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

Pier 1 Could be Buyout Target

New York, January 15, 2006--Pier 1 Imports Inc., may become a buyout target because its share price has fallen 50 percent in ten months, according to the business weekly, Barron's.

Godfrey Hirst's Feltex Buy Doesn't Signal

Wellington, New Zealand, January 13, 2006--Australian carpet maker Godfrey Hirst said its move to increase its stake in New Zealand's Feltex Carpets Ltd., doesn't signal a fresh takeover bid, according to the Business Herald.

Kathy Ireland Visits Troops in Germany

Wiesbaden, Germany, January 13, 2006--U.S. military personnel stationed at Wiesbaden Army Air Field were got a surprise visit from Lifestyle Designer Kathy Ireland, who is the namesake for Shaw Industries' Kathy Ireland Home collection of flooring, wh

Producer Prices Up 0.9%

Washington, DC, January 13, 2006--Producer prices rose 0.9% in December, according a Labor Department report. It was the largest gain since September.

Coverings Announces Speakers for Architect and Des

Alexandria, VA, January 13, 2006--Color guru Leatrice Eiseman, award-winning interior designer Clodagh, and acclaimed community planner and environmental architect Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk are among the renowned experts headlining more than a dozen archite

Retail Sales Up 0.7%

Washington, DC, January 13, 2006--Retail sales rose a seasonally adjusted 0.7% in December as auto and gasoline sales strengthened, according to a Commerce Department report.

CEO Confidence Improves

New York, NY, January 13, 2006--According to The Conference Board's latest survey of CEOs, chief executives’ confidence, which had declined to 50 in the third quarter, improved to 56 in the final quarter of 2005.