U.K.’s Carpetright Reports Subdued Sales
Rainham, England, February 2—-U.K. Floor coverings group Carpetright reported a "tough" January sale in the UK and Ireland and said trading in all its markets had been subdued.
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Defendant Companies Oppose Draft Asbestos Bill
Washington, DC, February 2--A group of asbestos defendant companies and insurers has declared its opposition to a Senate proposal curbing asbestos claims, and warned that industry groups working on the plan do not necessarily represent them.
Mystery Buyer Bids for Stoddard
London, England, February 2--A mystery buyer has launched a last-minute bid to save Scotland's oldest carpet manufacturer, according to the Glasgow Evening Times.
Chain Store Sales Off 1.9% Last Week
New York, NY, February 1--The International Council of Shopping Centers-UBS Retail Chain Store Sales Index plunged by 1.9% in the week ended Jan. 29 from the week before, on a seasonally adjusted, comparable-store basis, according to data released Tuesday
Carpetright Same-Store Sales Decrease 3.8%
Rainham, England, February 1--Carpetright Plc, the U.K.'s largest carpet retailer, said same-store sales have dropped since its second half began as consumer spending has slackened. The shares fell as much as 4.3 percent.
Iranian Carpet Exports Up 140%
Tehran, Iran, February 1—-According to Iran's Customs Administration agency ILNA, machine-made carpets from March-December 2004 went up 140 percent to reach $41.1 million in the same period, while $22 million worth of yarns was exported.
J.C. Penney Closing Utah Call Center
Plano, TX, February 1--A decline in catalog orders made by telephone has led to the closure of a J.C. Penney call center in Bountiful, Utah. As a result, 375 employees are losing their jobs, the company announced Friday.
Report: May-Federated Talks Hit Snag
New York, February 1—-According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, price appears to be a prime sticking point in Federated Department Stores’ efforts to acquire May Department Stores.
Universal Forest 4Q Earnings Up 38%
Grand Rapids, MI, February 1--Universal Forest Products Inc. reported that its fourth-quarter profit rose 38 percent, helped by higher lumber and chemical prices, and the company expects results to improve in 2005.
Georgia-Pacific 4Q Earnings Off
Atlanta, GA, February 1--Georgia-Pacific reported its fourth-quarter net profit fell by almost half, after it increased funds to cover asbestos lawsuits.