• June 10, 2003

Meredith Corp., parent company of Better Homes and Gardens and Ladies' Home Journal, has partnered with Home Interiors & Gifts to sell "The Better Homes and Gardens Collection," a line of home décor products. Home Interiors & Gifts, a Dallas-based manufacturer and direct seller of home decorative accessories, will sell the new line via its 80,000 independent sales reps, known as "displayers." The collection, set to debut in late 2003 or early 2004, will be a collaboration between BH&G's creative team and HI&G's product-development experts. In addition to selling the new product line, HI&G's sales reps will offer their customers BH&G subscriptions.

"Our joint research reveals that customers who attend Home Interiors & Gifts in-home decorating and gift shows recognize and associate quality with Better Homes and Gardens," said Meredith Publishing Group president Stephen Lacy in a press release. "Our alliance... offers us a unique opportunity to offer a collection of exclusive home décor products to a widely receptive and loyal customer base." Founded in 1957, Home Interiors & Gifts reported 2002 revenues of more than $570 million.