Kohl’s to sell decor by star of ‘Cristina’

Retailer Kohl’s Corp. is teaming up with a top Spanish-language television star, hoping her lively home decor line will bring in Latino customers and appeal to all shoppers.

Bedding ensembles and towels created by talk show diva Cristina Saralegui will be available in limited release at about 220 stores and online next month, the company planned to announce today.

Many of Kohl’s stores are in areas with significant Latino populations such as the Southwest, said Kevin Mansell, president of the Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based retailer. A nationwide launch is planned for March with a fuller line of products, including table linens, he said.

Saralegui’s “The Cristina Show” on Univision is considered one of the top U.S.-produced programs on Spanish-language television. Now in its 17th season, the show has an estimated worldwide audience of 100 million.

The star has had her Cuba-inspired line of furniture and home furnishings at various stores for several years, Mansell said.

“She has rightfully earned a very important place in the Hispanic culture, and it’s a brand that people trust,” he said.

Saralegui, 58, said she looked forward to expanding her offerings and reaching a wider audience. She currently sells furniture through Pulaski Furniture Corp. and home furnishings at other retailers throughout the country.

“I think that certainly a lot of Latinos are going to come in, but I think it’s going to be a surprise for everybody else,” she said.

Kohl’s hopes Saralegui’s designs bring in more Latino customers but resonate with all shoppers, Mansell said.

Saralegui said her first four bedding ensembles included a black and white set and a Spanish-inspired set the color of red wine. She said she hoped to expand into other categories, such as pillows, rugs and flatware.

Kohl’s announcement is the latest in a long line of celebrity pairings for the mid-level retailer. The company announced last month that it would sell Food Network-branded pots, pans and kitchen gadgets starting next fall.

Kohl’s also plans to launch a new fashion and lifestyle brand created by high-end fashion designer Vera Wang in the fall of 2007.

The company is embarking on a major expansion across the country, adding 85 stores this year to bring its total to 817. The chain plans to expand to 932 stores next year.