Italian cookware manufacturer Ballarini SpA, in a joint venture with Italian glassware company Luigi Bormioli, has formed the Ballarini North American subsidiary. Housewares veteran Steve Schalk, vp/sales and marketing, is managing the North American Ballarini business, which shares its headquarters with Luigi Bormioli Corp. in Horsham, PA.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. has announced the expansion of its Keurig Single Cup Brewers with the addition of the Keurig Vue, a new platform designed to brew stronger, bigger and hotter beverages. The new Vue brewer, paired with new Vue packs, adds customizable features to the Keurig K-Cup system so consumers have control over the strength, size and temperature of their beverages.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf announced today that three new retailers will offer the CBTL system to their customers: Target, Macy's and Dillard's. The launch at Target also marks the debut of the new CBTL Briosa model machine.

Multi-channel retailer HSN and food lifestyle brand Bon Appetit have partnered to launch a new Bon Appetit Collection on HSN. According to HSN, the debut was, "one of the most successful culinary launches,"ť in the retailer's history, with the debut of the new line of cookware, small appliances and kitchen tools resulting in more than 20,000 units being sold in one day.

Consumer and retail market research firm NPD Group, Inc., has reached an agreement with Walmart to receive and analyze its point-of-sale information. According to NPD, it currently receives information from over 900 retailers representing 150,000 retail doors worldwide.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., today announced 102% net sales gains for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 on sales of $1.158 billion. For the quarter, ended December 24, 2011, the company reported net income $104.4 million compared to first quarter fiscal year 2011 net income of $2.4 million. The company also reported operating income of $145.8 million compared to first quarter fiscal year 2011 operating income of $23.3 million.

Macy's, Inc. today announced a series of changes to its senior executive leadership team that included the retirement of long-time industry veteran Ron Klein. After 36 years with the company Klein will retire as the company’s chief stores officer effective March 31st. He will be succeeded by Peter Sachse, Macy's chief marketing officer and chairman of macys.com, effective February 13.

A ceramic heater, flexible silicone beakers, and a paper bakeware line were honored as the “Best of the Best” during the 2012 Housewares Design Awards gala luncheon and ceremony, held at New York City’s Marriott Marquis overlooking Times Square. The “Best of the Best” honorees were among the 12 “Best in Category” award winners presented during the awards ceremony. The ceremony also honored the 2012 Green House Award winner for eco-responsible housewares design.

Jon Huntsman Jr., former ambassador to China, governor of Utah and recent presidential candidate, will be the featured speaker during the annual Industry Breakfast at the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show. The breakfast begins at 7:15 a.m. March 13 in the South Building, Level 1, Room S100/Grand Ballroom.

At a luncheon today, J.C. Penney Co., Inc. detailed its plans to become what it aspires to be under CEO Ron Johnson’s leadership: America's favorite store. In a presentation entitled "In Praise of Fresh Air," Johnson and Michael Francis, J.C. Penney president, detailed initiatives designed, as the company put it, to transform the shopping experience offered in store by fundamentally re-imagining every aspect of business and boldly pursuing change.

Macy's Inc. is suing Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., accusing MSLO of breach of contract for entering into an agreement to sell certain products at J.C. Penney Co. Inc., according to published reports.

Chef’n Corp. has named Linda Graebner the company's executive chairman as part of an effort to significantly grow awareness and sales in the company’s core brands, Chef’n and Vibe. Graebner’s appointment was effective January 1.

Housewares vendors are preparing their responses to a letter from Target senior management challenging suppliers for solutions to help keep online-only retailers from undercutting Target pricing. HomeWorld Business obtained a copy of the recent letter, signed by Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president and CEO of Target Corp. and Kathee Tesija, the company’s executive vp/merchandising.

The International Housewares Association held its International Home + Housewares Sneak Preview event at the Hilton New York this week and, by every indication, a colorful new product season is at hand. Vivid colors were evident in new kitchen products such as Bistro gadgets from Bodum, which was among those companies living up to hue-full reputations, but across category lines as well, in, for example, VIOlight portable electric toothbrushes, KeepCup travel mugs and Candle Warmers crocks.

Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. today announced plans to move its world headquarters, several North American divisional operations and its technology center, in all totaling more than 500 full-time employees, to a more economical and energy-efficient facility in the Discovery Springs area of Middleton, WI. The headquarters will move to the Madison, WI suburb by the end of 2013.

De’Longhi America, Inc. today announced the appointment of Mike Prager as president and CEO effective January 16. Before joining De’Longhi, Prager served as president of Oregon Scientific, a personal electronics company based in Portland, OR.

When it comes to customer service, consumers rate Amazon.com as the best among major retailers, according to the National Retail Foundation/American Express Customers’ Choice survey conducted by BIGinsight. Amazon.com pushed into the number one spot this year, up from second place in the year earlier.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has tapped someone with diverse Internet experience to head up its Global eCommerce division, suggesting that the retailer will become more diverse in what it offers on the web and how it communicates to consumers. The company has announced that Neil Ashe was appointed the new president and CEO of its Global eCommerce business.

Lifetime Brands has signed an agreement with Food Network celebrity Guy Fieri to produce lines of cookware, kitchen gadgets, cutting boards, pantryware and tabletop items under the high-energy chef’s brand. Fieri, winner of Food Network’s second season of The Next Food Network Star competition broadcast in 2006, is currently host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy’s Big Bite and the co-host of the new Food Network show Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off.

Target Corp. is introducing a new design program that includes the debut of a home furnishings and housewares collection. The Shops at Target program will partner directly with specialty store and boutique owners to co-create affordable, limited-edition product collections, the company stated.

The Homer Laughlin China Co., the maker of Fiesta Dinnerware, has announced that it has inked a licensing agreement with The Cookware Co. to expand the Fiesta brand into the cookware category. The Cookware Co. Ltd, which also sells Greenpan cookware, will feature the new Fiesta collection at the International Home + Housewares Show this March.

John Goodman, executive vp/apparel and home, has left Sears Holdings Corp. Goodman oversaw changes to the apparel and home business designed to make the business more relevant to Sears and Kmart shoppers and more attractive to younger consumers.

The Housewares Charity Foundation has announced its honorees for 2012. John Tighe, senior vp/home for J.C. Penney, will receive the Lifetime Humanitarian Award, Vincent Naccarato, chairman, Molto Capital LLC, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Jane and Neil Golub, owners of Price Chopper supermarkets, will receive the Lifetime Philanthropy Award.

CIT Group has ceased backing transactions between suppliers and Sears Holdings Co., according to published reports. The reported move comes after Sears suffered significant sales declines in the just-passed holiday season.

Tabletop and kitchenware kitchenware designer and marketer Tabletops Unlimited Inc. is partnering with kitchen electrics developer and marketer Sensio Inc. to launch non-electric housewares collections under Sensio’s Bella brand. TTU plans to introduce Bella collections at the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago.

J.C. Penney Company, Inc. has announced the appointment of Thomas J. Engibous to chairman of its Board of Directors, effective January 28, 2012. Engibous was named to the board in 1999 and has served in presiding director and lead independent director roles since 2008. He will assume the Chairman's role from Myron E. (Mike) Ullman, III, J.C. Penney's former chief executive officer, who will step down as executive chairman.

Whalen Furniture Manufacturing, Inc. has initiated patent infringement lawsuits against Z-Line Designs, Inc., Bell’O International Corp., Walker Edison Furniture Co. LLC and TechCraft Manufacturing, Inc. The suits were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California during the week of December 19, 2011.

AmericasMart will unveil a Made In America category at the upcoming Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market on January 11 to 18. The Made in America category is part of The Temporaries— the Market within the Market— where more than 2,500 temporary exhibiting companies, are staged in Buildings 1, 2WW and 3. For the January Market, The Temporaries will introduce five new categories besides Made in America: Emerging Artists, Modern Baby and Contemporary Kid, Luggage & Travel Accessories, Paper Boutique and High Design Luxe.

Macy's, Inc. comparable store sales were up 6.2% in a December, a month when some major retailers, including Target, J.C. Penney and Kohl’s, stumbled but it, Nordstrom and Costco prevailed. Macy’s comparable store sales for the combined November/December holiday selling period were up 5.7%, Macy's stated.

Shopko Stores and Pamida have announced they will merge to create a 350-store chain aimed at serving smaller and rural communities. Financial details of the merger, which is expected to close in mid-February, were not disclosed.

Amazon.com, Inc. has released its Best of 2011 lists, which include the best-selling, most wished for, most gifted, and most loved products of 2011 as determined by Amazon.com customers. On the home side, the retailer included two categories: Home & Kitchen and Health & Personal Care, where some broadly established names did well but where a couple of less well known brands emerged, too.

In a boost to its health care/home environment business, Helen of Troy has announced the December 30, 2011, closing of its previously announced agreement to acquire the PUR water purification products business from The Procter & Gamble Co. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Lowe's Cos. Inc. has acquired ATG Stores, an online retailer of home improvement and lifestyle products based in Kirkland, WA. Although it carries plumbing and other hardware-related product categories, the majority of departments listed on the ATG Stores home page fall under the home furnishings umbrella and include furniture, lighting, appliances, décor, linens, cooking and dining as well as outdoor.

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has reported net earnings of $228.5 million, or 95 cents per diluted share, in the fiscal third quarter ended November 26 versus $188.6 million, or 74 cents per diluted share, in the period a year ago. Net sales for the quarter were $2.34 billion, an increase of 6.8% from the year-ago period, while comparable store sales increased by 4.1%.

The oneCARE Co. today announced that Robert Kay will join its newly formed management leadership as executive chairman, teaming with Thomas Penner, president, David Stover, CFO, and Tim Simmone, COO. Kay most recently served as executive chairman of Kaz, Inc., a manufacturer of health care and home environment consumer solutions with annual sales of $400 million.

Whalen Furniture Inc. has launched a consumer branding campaign to build on the recognition the retail placement of its products has generated with consumers. At the same time, the company continues to roll out product innovations that can only boost, and gain profile from, the branding initiative.

Sears Holdings Corp. has spun off its interest in Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp., the parent company announced today. Orchard, in addition to hardware and do-it-yourself supplies, offers customers an assortment of portable lighting, storage and organization, and cleaning products including vacuums.

Chef’n has entered into an investment partnership with Indianapolis-based CID Capital. The deal will better equip the kitchenware company to expand via financial and managerial resources from CID.

Nostalgia Electrics has inked a deal with Coca-Cola that will allow the company to create a range of specialty electrics bearing the iconic logo and design language. The line, which according to Nostalgia president Greg Bond will embody, “old fashioned fun with Coke,” will be available in North America and will include popcorn, hot dog and snow cone makers, blenders and fridges.

Lifetime Brands, Inc. has announced that it has acquired a 40% equity interest in GS Internacional S/A, a wholesale distributor of branded housewares products in Brazil. The company markets dinnerware, glassware, home décor, kitchenware and barware to over 7,000 customers including major department stores, housewares retailers and independent shops throughout Brazil.

Costco continued to make solid sales gains in the first quarter of its fiscal 2012, although margins retreated slightly. Despite the margin pressure, Costco managed to meet a Thomson Reuter's analyst composite earnings estimate.

In an addition to its roster of brand-name personal care, health care, home environment and household consumer products, Helen of Troy announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Procter & Gamble Co. to acquire all of the assets related to the manufacturing and selling of products marketed under the PUR trademark, including all of the outstanding stock of PUR Water Purification Products, Inc. The acquisition includes the worldwide PUR trademark, its current and future product line, assets related to the operations of the PUR business, manufacturing equipment and more than 200 patents.

J.C. Penney Co., Inc. has hitched itself to the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia bandwagon in a move that's already shaking the brand operator's relationship with Macy's. J.C. Penney is taking an almost 17% MSLO stake and entering into a 10-year agreement that will place boutique departments featuring Martha Stewart products and advice in the retailer's stores and website, the companies said as part of a joint statement.

Market research firm comScore has reported that retail e-commerce spending for the first 32 days of the November/December holiday season increased 15% over the timeframe last year to $18.7 billion. The week ended December 3 included three individual days when sales surpassed $1 billion, led by Cyber Monday.

Rep group á la carte will unveil a new showroom in the AmericasMart Building’s Building 2 West Wing during The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market, January 11-18. The 2,678-square foot space is adjacent to the demo cooking area.

Jim Joseph, president and CEO of Oneida Ltd., announced Thursday that he will relinquish these roles as of February 1, 2012. He will take the role of executive in residence at Lemoyne College in Syracuse, NY, where he will lecture and mentor future business leaders, Joseph stated.

The finalists are in for the 2012 Housewares Design Awards. Five product finalists in each of 12 core awards categories were selected from more than 300 entries representing Cookware & Bakeware; Countertop Cooking & Beverage Appliances; Countertop Food Prep Appliances; Countertop Kitchenware; Cutlery; Floor Care & Cleaning Appliances; Gadgets & Kitchen Tools; Home Environment Appliances; Home Organization, Laundry Care & Non-Electric Cleaning; Home & Outdoor Décor; Personal, Health & Garment Care; and Tableware, Serveware & Beverageware.