BPW Acquisition Corp. a publicly held special purpose acquisition company, announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which it will be acquired by The Talbots, Inc a specialty retailer of women’s apparel. Upon closing the combined company will retain Talbots’ ticker symbol and will trade on the New York Stock Exchange.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, the proceeds of BPW’s cash-in-trust of approximately $350 million, in conjunction with additional financing obtained by Talbots, including a new $200 million revolving credit facility for which a commitment has been received from GE Capital, will be used to retire all of Talbots’ existing debt. In addition, Talbots will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Talbots common stock held by AEON (U.S.A.), Inc., which represents a more than 54% stake currently. BPW common shares will be exchanged for the equivalent of $11.25 per BPW share in Talbots’ common shares within a floating exchange ratio range of between 0.9000 – 1.3235 Talbots shares per BPW share, based on the trading prices of Talbots common stock prior to the BPW stockholders meeting. Pro forma for the merger, BPW’s shareholders will own between approximately 60-69% of Talbots’ common shares.
As part of the transaction, the Sponsors and certain directors of BPW will surrender an aggregate of 1,852,941 shares of BPW common stock, or approximately 30% of the shares held by the Sponsors and such directors, for no consideration.
The transaction also contemplates that, following receipt of BPW stockholder approval, Talbots will undertake an exchange offer for existing BPW warrants held by public warrantholders. The exchange offer will provide that 50% of the BPW warrants held by public warrantholders will be exchanged for the equivalent of $1.125 per BPW warrant in Talbots common shares through a floating exchange ratio of between .09000 - .13235 Talbots shares per BPW warrant, based on the trading prices of Talbots common stock prior to the BPW stockholders meeting, that the balance of BPW warrants held by public warrantholders would be exchanged for new Talbots warrants with new terms, including a term of 5 years and a strike price set at a premium of 30% to the closing valuation of Talbots’ common stock as determined under the merger agreement. The Sponsors and certain directors of BPW have agreed to exchange all of their warrants for Talbots common stock at the same floating exchange ratio of between .09000 - .13235 Talbots shares per BPW warrant.
Trudy Sullivan will remain President and Chief Executive Officer of Talbots, and will continue to lead the current management team, which is successfully implementing a turnaround of the company.
Gary S. Barancik, Chief Executive Officer of BPW said, “This is an outstanding opportunity for both BPW and Talbots. BPW is extremely pleased to be partnering with Talbots and its management team led by Trudy Sullivan. The merger of BPW and Talbots provides Talbots with the strategic capital necessary to strengthen its balance sheet, the working capital necessary to support future growth and the financial flexibility necessary to complete the operational improvements and strategic repositioning now well underway as demonstrated by the third quarter results. Furthermore, the merger provides BPW stockholders and warrant holders with immediate and significant value and the opportunity to participate in the future growth of Talbots, one of the country’s best known specialty retailers of women’s apparel.”
Trudy F. Sullivan, Talbots President and Chief Executive Officer said, “Over the past two years we reinvigorated the Talbots brand, re-engineered our supply chain, divested non-core businesses, and streamlined our cost structure to address both competitive and market pressures, putting in place a strong foundation for our future. We are now beginning to realize the benefits of this hard work, and we are delighted to have the support of BPW stockholders as we begin the next chapter of growth at Talbots. By joining with BPW, Talbots will have a stronger and more flexible balance sheet and capital structure and be well positioned for future value creation for all of our stakeholders. This is an exciting time for Talbots as this transaction will create a stronger company with significantly enhanced ability to execute on our strategic plans and opportunities.”
The proposed transaction is subject to limited customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, receipt of necessary financing by Talbots, including as contemplated by a commitment letter from GE Capital, BPW stockholder approval and the completion of the BPW warrant exchange offer on the terms described in the merger agreement. Aeon, as majority stockholder of Talbots, has approved the issuance of Talbots stock in the transaction and no further vote of Talbots stockholders will be required to complete the transaction.
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP acted as legal advisors to BPW in connection with the transaction.
Financo Securities, LLC provided a fairness opinion to BPW Acquisition Corp. in connection with the transaction.
SOURCE
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Apparel News : Talbot sets in financial deal
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Choosing wholesale products online
As the fast development of the Internet and E-Commerce, more and more people begin to move to E-business. This is a profitable business venture. Meanwhile, it is a project full of risks. The benefits will outweigh the risks as long as you can choose the right wholesale products and the reliable partners.
So many wholesale products rush to you when you searching on internet. It is important to analyze, estimate carefully. In fact, there are numerous wholesale products for choice.
You may choose wholesale accessories shoes. There's a large variety of accessories and shoes on some bigger websites which are specialized in b2b business, such as Tradetang.com. This kind of wholesale items enjoy a broad worldwide market.
Wholesale apparel has a huge market with big potential and wide prospect. You need to find out reliable wholesale clothing suppliers who can guarantee the high quality and the low prices. Lots of rising b2b websites make wholesale business more convenient and profitable.
Wedding industry has been powerful and flourishing recently. At the same time there is fierce competition in this business. People who plan to invest in this area can purchase Wholesale Wedding Formal Apparel from China. As we know, China has numerous clothing factories and cheap labor power, which can decrease cost of production and improve competitiveness.
SOURCE
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Online women’s shoes, apparel, and accessories store MakeMeChic.com
Online women’s shoes, apparel, and accessories store MakeMeChic.com is on Facebook! To kick things off, MakeMeChic.com will send new Facebook fans a free $10 coupon for their next purchase. Become a fan and enjoy free $10 coupon courtesy of MakeMeChic.com.
City of Industry, CA (PRWEB) December 9, 2009 –- Enjoy Facebook? So does online women’s shoes and apparel store MakeMeChic.com. The best place for the latest trends in women’s shoes, dresses, and accessories is now on Facebook. To kick things off right, MakeMeChic.com is offering a free $10 coupon to new Facebook fans for their next purchase. To take advantage of this great offer, new Facebook fans should email facebook(at)makemechic(dot)com with their Facebook profile name. MakeMeChic.com will send them a one-time $10 coupon code valid for their next purchase through MakeMeChic.com! Google Checkout and eBay purchases do not qualify. One promotion per order, coupon code not retroactive. Hurry now, because gift coupon codes will expire December 15, 2009.
MakeMeChic.com has a great inventory of sexy club dresses, including tastefully sexy, one-shoulder dress for as low as $16. Complete a clubbing outfit with fashionable women's shoes, women's boots, women's pumps, or women's sandals and get ready to paint the town red in style. To get warm for the holiday season, MakeMeChic.com also has a fabulous collection of trendy crochet women's boots, starting at only $15 a pair. Whatever taste and budget, MakeMeChic has the right women’s shoes, apparel, and accessories for all women.
MakeMeChic.com truly understands a woman's need to have the best fashion pieces without breaking the bank. MakeMeChic.com constantly updates all women's shoes lovers on the latest trends, deals, and steals on women's shoes. Sign up with the company's newsletter and walk the streets in style all year round.
About MakeMeChic.com: Based in the City of Industry, CA, MakeMeChic.com is an online store that specializes in trendy women's shoes and apparel. MakeMeChic.com is every woman's partner when it comes to fashionable finds. With over 50 latest styles arriving weekly, a woman will never be out of style. Press release produced by Cybertegic.com - an Internet marketing services agency that specializes in search engine optimized press release marketing (SEO marketing).
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Holiday party fashion advice from experts
By Bronwyn Turner
Correspondent
Want to make Santa’s best-dressed list this year? Don the right apparel before you head for decked halls and you’ll be a hit at the holiday parties, area experts said. Here is a look at their Top 10 list of holiday fashion must-haves.
The Little Black Dress
“It’s more of a must this year because people are watching their pockets a little bit more, and it’s easy to make the black dress look different twice,” Jesse Conrad, owner of The Firm in Galveston, said.
Diana Montes, who co-owns Jill’s Fashions and Bridals with her husband in League City, is seeing dresses with one shoulder — “they call it the cold shoulder look.” Backs of dresses are a fashion statement as well, with cutouts and low backs.
Monica Barry, owner of ha.ba.’s in Galveston, advises going with color in holiday fashions, or if you have to wear the black dress, pull out the bling. “Really pump it up with large accessories and bright colors,” she said.
Sequins
Sequin dresses are back in again, with the large paillettes (sequin spangles used to detail and trim, sometimes of different shapes), Montes said. Conrad is seeing a lot of sequined shoes as well.
Glitz And Bling
“If you watch what’s going on with all of the MTV and teenage girls, bling everywhere is in — big bangle bracelets, big chunky necklaces, the big rings with lots of rhinestones on them,” Montes advised. Conrad sees glitz and gold in hair clips and bags as well.
Clutch Bags
Look for the bangle bracelet clutch bag. “You put it on your wrist instead of carrying it under your arm,” Dina Austin, store manager for Rainbow Apparel in the Mainland Crossing Shopping Center in Texas City, said.
Montes likes the “little bitty sequined handbag that can hold your cell phone, camera, compact and lipstick. ... For parties, clutches are hugely in.”
Shoes That Make A Statement
“Stiletto heels are still in, much to our chagrin — the higher the better, especially if it’s on a platform, like a 5-inch heel on an inch platform,” Montes said. Ankle and tall boots are part of the holiday fashion this year as well, the women said.
Barry noted the new shoe décor — open-bottomed leather bangle boots or high leather boots that attach to high heels. “Shoes are another way to dress up,” she said. “Nothing is just a simple pump any more.”
Leggings
Leggings in lace, fishnet and gold or silver lamé are fashionable this holiday season. Look for leggings worn under sequin dresses, with lots of color.
Faux Fur
Jackets, shawls, and capes with fur trim are in fashion. Watch for marabou, with small, fine fluffy feathers, in jackets and shawls. For the Interfaith Caring Ministries holiday style show last week in League City, Montes dressed a model in a form-fitted dress with an animal print top and faux fur jacket.
Shawls And Wraps
Shawls with sequins, knitted shawls, marabou feather shawls and psychedelic-colored shawls are all in fashion. Montes also likes a small marabou shrug (cropped garment that covers less than a vest worn over a shirt).
Vivid Colors And Prints
Animal and abstract prints are right for the party scene. Montes advises the color purple.
Makeup
Look for purples and pinks in eye shadow, and a little sparkle on the shoulders.
+++
Five Fashion Follies
• Trying to look older or younger. “Remember, our minds don’t age as quickly as our bodies do,” Diana Montes, who co-owns Jill’s Fashions and Bridals with her husband in League City, said. Teenage fashions are for teenagers.
• Clashing colors. Coordinate lipstick with your outfit. Stay within the same color palette.
• Poor fits. “Sometimes people can wear something that’s ill fitting and look disheveled,” Montes said.
• Rouge is not in. The more natural look is in.
• Embarrassingly form-fitting clothes. “You always want to accent the positive,” Montes said. “We all come in all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t matter if you’re a size 0 or size 32, you still want to look beautiful.”
SOURCE: Experts offer holiday party fashion must-haves
Aamir Khan t-shirts, shoes and accessories
Good news for Aamir and Kareena fans. Now you can have what your favorite actors wore on screen. We are talking about the t-shirts, shoes and accessories used by Aamir, Kareena and others in their upcoming flick “3 Idiot”.
Vinod Chopra Films and fashion retailer Pantaloons have collaborated to launch the 3 Idiots apparel and accessories collection at a gala event in Mumbai. The collection includes 10 Doodle t-shirts designed by Aamir for the film, some more t-shirts that Aamir, Madhavan and Sharman wore in the movie and also the apparels and accessories flaunted by the leading lady Kareena. Not only this, fans will have converse shoes of the movie available at the store Planet Sports which is a part of Future Group.
Aamir Khan walked the ramp at the launch in one of his self-designed doodle t-shirts. He naturally seemed to be very happy about the release of his own creation and said, “I hope people like my doodles”.
Mr. Sanjeev Agrawal, CEO, Pantaloons too was very happy to be associated with the movie and said, “It is very exciting for Pantaloons to associate with a movie like 3 Idiots and an actor of the calibre of Aamir Khan. Such a unique film required a new approach to replicate its irrepressible spirit.”
The “3 Idiots” apparels reflect the moods and characteristics of the movie. It has mainly three basic ranges of apparels worn by Aamir and seven others designed by the actor which he named Doodle!
Thanks Aamir and thanks to Pantaloons… with these merchandise available in the stores, “Aal Izz surely gonna be Well”!
SOURCE
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Holiday shopping suggesetions from clothing to jewelry
In 2009, after 63 years in business, St. Pete Beach Hardware closed its doors for good. Customers were stunned when they heard the news. "You just don't get the same service at the big stores," one regular said at the time.
Plenty of shoppers would agree. Independently owned shops offer touches that chains and bigger stores often don't, from personal service to whimsical goods you'll never find at the mall.
Sadly, in an economy that each day seems to invent new ways to pummel the little guy, it's independents like St. Pete Beach Hardware who suffer the most.
That's why this holiday season, we're turning the spotlight on local businesses for this Independent Shopping Guide. We surveyed Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties to find 60 of our favorite locally owned businesses. Our goal: To offer holiday shopping suggestions for anyone who wants to support the local economy. From clothing and jewelry to home decor, from gifts for foodies to gear for weekend warriors, we're confident you'll be able to find something for everyone on your list.
We couldn't list every independent business in Tampa Bay — for every shop we visited, there were probably five more we wish we could have included. But we think that's okay. Our hope is that once you check out the wares at these shops, you'll be encouraged to visit the locally owned businesses shops in your own neighborhood.
You'll never know what you might find. And you'll never know what you might miss when they're gone.
Clothing and jewelry
Reborn Couture
Before you party like a rock star, stop here for the perfect outfit. Reborn carries clothing, shoes and accessories for men and women who realize the Ed Hardy look is so over. Find a sequin dress for your sorority sister, a cool T-shirt for your kid brother or the perfect jeans for yourself. With hip music pumped in and a swanky sitting area in the back, the whole place feels very Vegas. 701 S Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 254-4400; reborncouture.com.
Bernie's & Son Jewelers
Family-owned and operated for 33 years, this jewelry institution on Beach Drive sells a slew of baubles both pricey and affordable, with intricate and creative designs incorporating many styles of gemstones. If you want to hear a gasp on Christmas morning, go here. 154 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. (727) 823-2000, berniesandson.net.
DKM
Every woman on your list would find plenty to fancy at this fun, fashionable accessories store. This South Tampa favorite is a treasure trove for glittery Gasparilla, Florida Gators and Tampa Bay Bucs gear. The handbags, jewelry and watches are surprisingly affordable and stylish. Its Valentino-inspired purses look straight out of Neiman Marcus but sell for a fraction of the cost. Two Tampa locations: 3104 Palmira Ave., (813) 902-0044; and 4017 Henderson Blvd., (813) 281-8917; dkmaccessories.com.
Keys Country
This country and western apparel boutique proves that hip and country can go together. Keys Country declares itself to have a heart of country and a soul of rock 'n' roll. Its collection of clothing, cowboy boots and accessories caters to cool cowboys and cowgirls with attitude. Think Keith Urban, not the Hee Haw crowd. 1910 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 253-5397; keyscountry.com.
Marion's
Owner Marion Mitchell's shop offers an array of jewelry, purses and home accessories in the Vera Bradley and Brighton mold, along with a number of Christian-inspired bangles and trinkets. The staff is more than happy to help male shoppers with ideas, too. 1301 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg; (727) 821-2345, marionsonline.com
In Search of Balance
Steve and Julie Meyer brought their relaxed outdoor-lifestyle ethic from St. Thomas to St. Petersburg in 2007. The shop is all about Colorado comfort, with labels like Patagonia, Prana, Horny Toad and their own eponymous line of Life Is Good-style T-shirts (check the $5 bin for some good deals). The recycled rice bag totes and hiking sandals are good sellers. 300 Beach Drive, Suite 135, St. Petersburg. (727) 823-0320, insearchofbalance.com.
Kit's Well Heeled & Well-Dressed
Ladies, this is one of those rare stores where you can find an outfit for yourself, your mom and your grandmother, and you'll all come out stylish. The boutique emphasizes feminine flair with flowery blouses, blinged-out heels, evening gowns and leopard-print everything. It also carries basis like jeans, exercise clothes, shapewear and even luggage. 714 S Village Circle, Tampa, (813) 250-125; kitswelldressed.com.
Love That!
This boutique is stocked with everything a girlie-girl needs. You'll find basics like jeans and tank tops, but also party dresses, lingerie and an assortment of jewelry, including trendy cuffs. There's also sassy stuff like painted wine and martini glasses, blinged-out Gators and Bulls accessories and aprons that read "My next house won't have a kitchen. Just vending machines." 4109 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, (813) 902-0500; lovethatonline.com.
Owen Sweet Design Studio and Gallery
"To my mind a piece of jewelry is a sculpture in miniature against a human background," says North Redington Beach art jewelry designer Owen Sweet, whose curving, modern bracelets and necklaces bring to mind Frank Gehry's architecture. Sweet, who owns the store with his wife, incorporates inspiration from his new home in Florida with his South African roots, creating whimsical gecko or shell pendants as well as stunning cuffs fit for ancient Egyptian queens. 16701 Gulf Blvd., North Redington Beach. (727) 392-6936; ohsosweet.com.
Zoey Bloom
If you hear someone at this boutique say SoHo, assume they're talking about New York City, not Tampa's South Howard Avenue. Zoey Bloom sells jewelry, handbags and shoes for the fashion-forward buyer looking for big-city names without going to a big city. Its purses by Hammitt Los Angeles have been spotted on Angelina Jolie, Paris Hilton and Kelly Ripa. 1710 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 251-1706, zoeybloom.net.
SOURCE: The Independent Shopping Guide: 60 cool Tampa Bay stores worth checking out this Christmas
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: "Freedom and Fashion" by Bonnie Kim of UCLA
LOS ANGELES—UCLA graduate student Bonnie Kim's vision finally came into reality at the first "Freedom and Fashion" event on Thursday, Nov. 19, at UCLA. The event used a fashion show to raise awareness about modern-day slavery and human trafficking.
Last year, Kim visited Bangkok with a program called NightLight that works to help get women out of prostitution. At one of the strip bars, she saw a woman her age performing. They locked eyes and, feeling the connection, Kim started crying. After that, she was inspired to start a fashion show that would educate people about sex trafficking.
Kim had always been interested in fashion, but when she was younger, she was drawn to teaching. She felt that her life was a blessing. "I live in West LA. I drive a car. I have food to eat," she said. She wanted to give back, inspired by her religious faith to "love others."
Adam Edgerly is the pastor at New Song LA in Culver City, the church Kim attends. Seeing this event happen was like "watching someone give birth," he said. He feels that social justice is a core part of Christian teachings, noting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an example, and he feels it has been lost.
In UCLA's Ackerman Ballroom, it came to life with a fashion show of fair trade clothing including six brands on the runway and 16 exhibitors in total.
There were pajamas made in India via the International Princess Project, designer women's clothing from Stewart+Brown, stylish Shanghai street shoes from The People's Shoes, handbags made from license plates by Tag Bags, embroidered pillows from Raven + Lily, fair trade coffee by True Bean, and stuffed toys with a cause called Kauzebots.
The show opened with a performance by Mr. J. Medeiros who had performed alongside the likes of Run DMC. He sang a song called "Constance," which also had been featured on CBS evening news, about a girl named Constance from the Philippines who was forced into prostitution.
Medeiros composed the song to reveal how people don't think about where the pornography they see comes from. He felt that when you "create a standard for yourself," you have to live up to it; otherwise, you would "feel shame." He thought that if other high-profile performers had children, their songs might also have more of a conscience.
For Rebecca Barlow, one of the models at the show, having a child moved her to help other people's children who don't have a voice. She would often go to skid row in Los Angeles to feed the homeless.
In the ballroom, the designers had their booths as well.
Raven + Lily is a nonprofit studio that works with women in developing countries. It provides the women with designs at the co-ops for things like home décor and jewelry. The materials are also locally sourced so they are eco-friendly. The company would like to get into apparel, but “apparel is a tricky industry,” because of the changing fashions, co-founder Sophia Lin said.
Meeshee Scherrei, owner of Tag Bags, said she went to South Africa "begrudgingly." There, she saw backpacks made out of license plates and inner tubes—and a business was born, creating handbags while helping the people in Kayamandi, South Africa.
When Anton Brandt was in Shanghai, he noticed the construction workers wearing a cool striped sneaker. He tracked down the manufacturer, and before you know it, he had started his own shoe line called The People's Shoe. The shoes were even worn by a band member featured in Rolling Stone.
Kim said at the end of the show, "If we did all this and saved only one person, would it be worth it?" The audience applauded in agreement. Yet, it seems that Freedom and Fashion may have saved many more.
SOURCE:Fashion and Freedom Unite in Los Angeles
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Plato's Closet in Orem, Utah
Ally Peet recently hauled a garbage bag full of clothing to a resale store called Plato's Closet in Orem, Utah, hoping to get some extra money from the chain that pays cash for used apparel and accessories.
Selective Buying
The 21-year-old Brigham Young University college student watched a sales clerk sift through the items, including an ultra-trendy Dior T-shirt and a Juicy Couture hooded sweatshirt. Then, the buyer rejected them, thinking the high-end labels would turn off low-budget shoppers.
"Even the really, really great stuff that's in really great condition, they didn't even accept it," Ms. Peet says. "They said [the brands] wouldn't sell well here."
In the latest wrinkle in discount shopping, resale clothing stores—places that are super hot among teens and twentysomethings on a tight budget—are getting picky. The growing number of people looking to cash in on their closets means the stores can be more selective about the brands they take and the condition of the items.
These aren't traditional thrift stores, which rely on merchandise donations, or consignment shops, which pay a seller only when an item finds a buyer. Instead, resale shops pay cash for used clothing, giving the seller typically between 30% and 45% of what the item will be priced on the rack. Many offer a greater percentage, upwards of 50%, if the seller takes the payment in the form of a store credit.
Plato's Closet, with 261 franchisees, is one of the largest teen-centric resale chains that purchase clothing on the spot. It's owned by Winmark Corp., a franchise operator with royalties last year of $21.8 million, up slightly over 2007. (Royalties are a percentage of gross sales paid to Winmark by franchisees.) The company attributes gains, in part, to "higher franchisee retail sales" at Plato's Closet and Once Upon A Child, its children's concept.
Buffalo Exchange Ltd. is another clothing reseller, with 39 locations. The company has increased revenue to $56.3 million last year from $40.4 million in 2005. There are smaller chains, such as Crossroads Trading Co., with 24 outlets, primarily in the West, as well as independent shops scattered throughout urban areas and college towns, where cash-strapped youth abound.
Shoppers flock to these destinations because of the low-priced clothing, but also because the green theme—recycled clothing—resonates with them. Many sellers—young and old— flock to them, too, because they need the money more than the clothes. Others are on a quest to simplify, the result of buyers' remorse after a years-long shopping binge.
"People are bringing in a lot more stuff, like huge amounts of stuff," says Kerstin Block, the president of Buffalo Exchange. What used to be one bag of merchandise is now seven or more, Ms. Block says. "They bring everything from used socks to fancy Fendi designer purses."
Indeed, the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops says more than three-quarters of its members reported in an October survey that sales were up from a year earlier. The number of sellers to resale shops, and the amount of goods sold per seller, have also increased, the association says.
Still, not everything that's brought in will make the cut. The refusals sting—and not just because the person doesn't get the money he or she wants.
"I associate my clothes with my personality," says Indiana Adams, a 30-year-old Austin-based actress who has had mixed success selling clothes to resale shops. "If they don't buy my clothes, they don't like my clothes—and they don't like me."
Even if a shop wants to buy an item, some sellers are insulted by the price. Moya Luckett, a film professor at New York University, took a $400 pair of unworn, half-size-too-small Sigerson Morrison shoes last fall to a trendy, independent resale shop in Brooklyn. She got less than $10. "It basically made me resolve I wouldn't be selling to them again," she says, adding she opted against store credit because the place "looked like it had bedbugs."
If the price isn't right, you can refuse—something Andie Savoie, of Metairie, La., realized too late. The administrative assistant with a penchant for buying the same item in multiple colors sold six items to Plato's Closet in September for a total of $19.95. She took the money at the time but had second thoughts on her drive home. "I'm like, 'Wait a minute, half that stuff had tags on it,' " Ms. Savoie, 32 years old, says. "They gave me $1.50 for something I paid $20."
Clearly, things can get emotional. At the Buffalo Exchange in Las Vegas, tears at the selling counter have become commonplace, says Nicole Wentworth, an associate manager who has to comfort sellers parting with sentimental items or pleading for higher prices.
The desperate reasons for wanting to sell goods run the gamut from a lost job or a sick family member to a hungry child. More than once, someone has sold something in order to post bail for a friend.
Ms. Wentworth once had a woman threaten to kill her if she didn't buy all of her things. "Are you serious ma'am?" Ms. Wentworth says she responded. "It's just clothing."
Resale-shop employees say they select merchandise based on what they think they will be able to re-sell. They also take into consideration the age range and styles of their customer base. It's admittedly subjective, but there are a few tips that can leave both sides happy.
For starters, research a store before trying to sell items there. Scan the racks to get a sense of the merchandise and ask for a list of desirable brands. Chains that cater to teens, like Plato's Closet, put a premium on inexpensive labels, such as Forever 21 or H&M, that they sell at an even lower price. Other shops, like Threads in St. Cloud, Minn., take higher-end brands, like Marc Jacobs or Theory. Premium-denim labels, including 7 for all Mankind or True Religion, are in demand at most places.
The label on the item is important, but style trumps all. Bring in items that are trendy now. "If you know you're not going to wear it, try to sell it right away," says Fabian Lam, the associate manager at one Buffalo Exchange in San Francisco. "Don't wait two years when it's not in style any more."
It also helps to sell clothing that matches the time of year. "Clothing has to be in season," says Hanna Alkaf, a 24-year-old copywriter in Chicago who has successfully sold clothes to several local resale shops. Sweaters, not shorts, are in demand now. If you've got a great spring dress, hold on to it until February.
Also, put your clothes through the wash cycle before they hit the selling table. "Make sure it's freshly laundered," says Rene Tirado, the co-owner of four Plato's Closet locations in Florida.
It also helps to press or neatly fold the clothing, says Carrie Hosmer, manager of the Purple Cow, a children's and maternity clothing resale shop in St. Louis, Mo. "Wadded in a ball in a garbage bag—not a good way to bring things in," she says. Ms. Hosmer reiterates that the decision to buy is not a personal one. "It's never like we don't like your clothes or we don't like you," she says.
Write to Elizabeth Holmes at elizabeth.holmes@wsj.com
This article is from Are Your Old Clothes Good Enough?
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Black Friday Deals
(Gap Outlet will take up to 60 percent off all merchandise and have $10 zip fleeces for its first customers. The Banana Republic Factory Store is offering 40 percent off all items and $10 men’s and women’s track jackets. Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory Store are both at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, 508-384-0870 and 508-384-5320, respectively. (These stores kick off their Black Friday sales at midnight tonight.) Gap Outlet is also at the Arsenal Mall, Watertown, 617-926-4032. (This location opens at 5 a.m.) www.gap.com
This article is from Bargain Bin
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: King's Men's Wear is back at 11 S. Market St.
A retail name remembered by many Fredericktonians will be seen again downtown.
King's Men's Wear is back at 11 S. Market St. offering quality men's apparel, shoes, accessories and tuxedo rentals.
Ron Namendorf, who has operated Paolo Vista Menswear at the location since 2004, will be part-owner and will operate the new King's Men's Wear shop.
The return of the name is due to Mark and Donna Gaver of Middletown . Through their company, Gaver Holdings, the couple invested in the retail business.
"King's Men's Wear played an integral part in the Downtown Frederick community for so many years," said Mark Gaver in a prepared statement. "We're going to bring it back to that same level of distinction, with more of the clothing that Frederick men are used to, more of what today's fashion-forward men are looking for."
Mark Gaver is a longtime customer of both King's Men's Wear and Paolo Vista and consulted with Richard Kessler, the store's previous owner, about restoring the business to its original name.
Kessler closed King's Men's Wear when he retired in January 2004. As owner of the building, he leased the space in November of that year to Namendorf, who opened Paolo Vista Menswear.
"I was the third generation of my family to run the business at 11 South Market," Kessler said. His grandmother and father opened the store as Harry's Dependable Shop in 1928. Kessler's father died and his mother remarried, running the business with the help of her second husband, Melvin King. The store was renamed King's Men's Wear in the 1960s.
At that time the store carried not only dress clothing, but sportswear and work clothes. Kessler said King's was the first store in the area to carry Levi jeans.
In a time without shopping malls and the myriad of retailers today, downtown Frederick was crowded Friday and Saturday nights, with customers doing their banking, grocery shopping, clothes shopping and dining out.
For information call 301-620-2070.
This article is from King's Men's Wear name returns to downtown
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Cyber Monday 2009
Cyber monday deals 2009: Discounted running gear on-line: Move over Black Friday 2009, you just might be overshadowed by the next big holiday shopping frenzy on-line.
Cyber Monday 2009 is expected to be rival one of the biggest known shopping days, Black Friday which is the day after Thanksgiving.
Cyber Monday, as the word "Cyber" implies allows shoppers to shop for holiday discounts on-line from the comfort of their own home without the 4:00am alarm wake-up call, the waiting lines, bruised elbows, and it is friendlier to the environment.
This article is from http://www.examiner.com
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. partners with GLOBE International Limited for Splatterhouse Co-op limited series shoe
November 24, 2009 - NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. is pleased to announce an exclusive partnership with GLOBE International Limited to produce an exclusive Splatterhouse Co-op limited series shoe based off GLOBE's premium Superfly model. Designed as a testament to Splatterhouse's gory, intense, and horror movie-like tone, the Splatterhouse Co-op limited series features the Splatterhouse logo splayed across the vulcanized outsole siding in blood red, along with faux splattered blood detail all over and a Skull icon hit - all to tie in the game's iconography in a moody yet playful way. Splatterhouse Co-op limited series is available now at selected online retailers.
Additionally, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today released new screens and art for Splatterhouse, an all new installment of the landmark 1988 arcade hit classic. This new set of assets highlights the gruesome dynamic combat system which enables you to punch, kick, tear, and dismember other-worldly monstrosities barring your way in the most gruesome manner imaginable.
Splatterhouse follows college student Rick Taylor as he tries to rescue his girlfriend, Jennifer, who has disappeared after entering the mysterious and run-down West Mansion. Confronted by horrific creatures, Rick comes across a mystical sentient mask that promises to give him the power to find Jennifer. Full of desperation and rage, Rick puts on the "Terror Mask" and is transformed into a juggernaut of pure violence and destruction. Splatterhouse will be available in Q3 2010 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.
Globe International, a leading creator of Action Sports products and entertainment for youth, was established in 1994. Globe markets footwear, apparel, accessories, skateboards and entertainment features, and is a youthful, attitude driven collaboration between people - including some of the biggest names in skateboarding and surfing - who have gathered together to innovate through a shared passion of Action Sports.
For more information on the Splatterhouse Co-op limited series, please visit: http://www.globe.tv and http://www.clubnamco.com.
For more information on Splatterhouse, please visit http://splatterhousegame.com and www.namcobandaigames.com
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Sales Roundup
AMERICAN APPAREL
Nothing is over $50 at this weekend rummage sale, where the clothes are up to 85 per cent off. Nov. 27 to 29. 590 King St. W., americanapparel.net/whatsnew/Index.aspx?p=914.
CROCS
For all secret Croc lovers out there, this is the company’s first warehouse sale. Prices start at $5. Nov. 25 to 29. International Centre, Hall 4, 6900 Airport Rd., styledemocracy.com/?p=442.
FGI SAMPLE SALE
Fashion Group International’s sample sale includes deals on such Canadian clothing and accessories designers as David Dixon, Philip Sparks, Jessica Jensen and Jenny Bird. Nov. 26 and 27. 11–8. Liberty Market Building, 171 East Liberty St., Ste. 118.
FRESH COLLECTIVE
Laura-Jean Bernhardson has been designing the geek-chic line Fresh Baked Goods for 15 years. In celebration of the anniversary, all regular-price items from the label—cute dresses and knit sweaters galore—are 15 to 50 per cent off. 692 Queen St. W., 416-594-1313.
GEORGE C.
The Yorkville boutique’s private sale is on for only a few more days. Head over for up to 40 per cent off designer togs. Until Nov. 26. 21 Hazelton Ave., 416-962-1991, georgec.ca.
GOTSTYLE
Women looking to do some early holiday shopping for the sartorially minded men in their lives should consider attending one of Gotstyle’s four evening Ladies Only events. There’ll be champagne, “hot male models,” gift wrapping and discounts. Nov. 25, 26, Dec. 9 and 10. 6–9. 489 King St. W., 416-260-9696, gsmen.com.
NINE WEST
Take a pair of old shoes or a handbag to Nine West (items will be donated to Goodwill) and receive $20 off any purchase of $100 or more. Until Dec. 13. Eaton Centre, 220 Yonge St., 416-977-8126.
…OF THINGS PAST
The consignment showroom’s pre-holiday sale includes discounts on all vintage, costume and fine jewellery. Nov. 27 to Dec. 6. 185 Bridgeland Ave., 416-256-9256, ofthingspast.com.
PAUL FRANK
Need to find a cute gift for a tween this year? Check out the Paul Frank warehouse sale with big savings on monkey-logoed hoodies, T-shirts and accessories. Nov. 26 to 29. 1500 Birchmount Rd., styledemocracy.com/?p=463.
SYDNEY’S
The high-style menswear shop has marked down some items by 50 per cent, including pieces from Rick Owens, Dries Van Noten and Nom de Guerre. 795 Queen St. W., 416-603-3369, shopsydneys.com.
WAREHOUSE SALE
Get 60 to 90 per cent off Guess, Marciano and G-Star denim, outerwear, accessories and footwear. Nov. 26 to 29. International Centre, Hall 4, 6900 Airport Rd., premiumretailgroup.com.
This article is from http://www.torontolife.com
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Saucony ProGrid™ Guide 2 wins "Shoe of the Year"
LEXINGTON, MA (November 24, 2009) – For the second time in three years, Saucony, Inc., a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel, has been recognized with the competitive “Shoe of the Year” award by the Independent Running Retailers Association (IRRA) for the Saucony ProGrid™ Guide 2 – the brand’s flagship light stability trainer. The award was presented to Saucony at The Running Event, an annual running conference and expo that brings together the major players in running – running specialty retailers, vendors, race directors and training groups – recently held in Austin, Texas.
“The entire Saucony team is extremely proud to be recognized by the IRRA,” said Patrick O’Malley, Saucony’s vice president of global product for Saucony. “At Saucony, we’re intently focused on providing runners with the best-in-class innovation, style and performance throughout our entire product line. Our business and passion is to inspire runners. The Guide 2 reflects that, and it’s gratifying to see this recognition honor our passion and focus. We hope that runners everywhere will enjoy the supportive, smooth ride of this great shoe,” said O’Malley.
Designed to slow down mild overpronation, the ProGrid Guide 2 is a light stability shoe featuring a Dual Density Impulse EVA midsole for greater durability and responsiveness under the arch. The ProGrid technology in the heel combines seamlessly with the SRC XTRA forefoot cushioning to ensure an efficient transition and a smooth ride. The ultra-plush Comfortride sockliner is constructed from an exclusive material to offer both wicking and antimicrobial properties, while providing responsive cushioning and additional comfort. (Sizes: men’s 7-13, 14 and 15, and women’s 5-12; MSRP: $95.00)
This is the second time that a Saucony product has been recognized by the IRRA with this award. In 2007, the Saucony ProGrid Omni 6 took the title, based on its reputation as the ‘go-to’ shoe for retailers.
Also at The Running Event, industry veteran Fred Doyle, Saucony’s vice president of field sales, was inducted into the IRRA Running Specialty Hall of Fame. Doyle was selected as a Vendor/Influencer inductee based on the major impact he has had throughout his career in growing the specialty running business as an athlete and business person.
“We are so pleased and proud that the industry has recognized Fred in such a meaningful way,” said Richie Woodworth, president of Saucony.
“The IRRA is an integral part of our running community and is dedicated to the growth and health of our sport,” said Woodworth. “Their standards and expectations are high, and we will continue to strive to exceed them with great products, excellent service and a team dedicated to the specialty running business,” added Woodworth.
About Saucony, Inc.: Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands, is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.
About Collective Brands, Inc.: Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units focused on multiple price points and selling channels. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain; Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and high-quality children’s footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit. Information about each of the Collective Brand’s units can be found at
http://www.collectivebrands.com.
This article is from http://running.competitor.com
Apparel + Shoes + Accessories: Billabong buys Swell.com
SURFWEAR and leisure clothing group Billabong has moved to take an online presence in the US, buying swell.com, an internet clothing retailer.
Swell, established in 1999, sells a wide variety of leisure apparel for men and women, as well as shoes and accessories, including Billabong, Volcom, O'Neill, Hurley, Rusty, Quiksilver, Insight, Rip Curl, RVCA, Roxy and Swell, its own brand.
Billabong declined yesterday to reveal the price it paid for Swell, which is California-based, but said it was not material to the group's balance sheet.
And the Gold Coast-based group said its acquisition would initially contribute less than 1 per cent to its revenue.
But the company said its purchase would be "slightly" earnings-per-share-positive in its first full year as part of Billabong - and, with online shopping sites garnering more of the retail dollar, it will be hoping to see Swell grow.
In a statement, Billabong USA president Paul Naude said the acquisition would allow Billabong to manage its brands in the growing online market.
"We look forward to growing the Swell business and further developing it as a showcase online platform for the US boardsports industry," Mr Naude said.
"The internet plays a significant role in the recreational habits of the youth market so it is important for our group to ensure we provide them with a premium brand experience when shopping online."
According to Apparel News, San Clemente-based Swell was founded by partners Nicholas Nathanson - a former e-commerce analyst at investment bank Salomon Smith Barney - and Jeffrey A. Berg, who is a finance and new media executive.
Last month, Billabong reaffirmed its guidance of 5 per cent net profit growth for the 2010 financial year, but has warned that recent strength in the Australian dollar could erode its profits.
The company said it had survived a difficult 2009 financial year in good structural and financial shape and was optimistic for a productive year ahead as stability returned to the apparel market in key regions.
Billabong shares rose 7c to $10.17 yesterday.
This article is from http://www.news.com.au
Monday, November 23, 2009
H&M launched the highly anticipated Jimmy Choo by H&M collection of shoes, apparel and accessories at select stores around the world
On Saturday, Nov. 14, H&M launched the highly anticipated Jimmy Choo by H&M collection of shoes, apparel and accessories at select stores around the world, and Footwear News was on hand to take in the enthusiasm and, in some cases, chaos that surrounded the retailer’s most highly publicized designer collaboration to date.
For his part, Choo CEO Joshua Schulman said the H&M experiment was a terrific success. “We were so delighted with the phenomenal consumer response to the Jimmy Choo for H&M flash collection,” he said. “I heard stories of women camping out in sleeping bags in London, Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong. The project accomplished exactly what we set out to do: expose our brand to a younger audience for a moment in time and capture the hearts of women around the world. This was a fun exercise, which shows how many people are yearning to be part of the Jimmy Choo world.”
NEW YORK: Around 1 p.m., at the H&M location on the corner of 34th Street and 8th Avenue, more than two-dozen female shoppers, most of them in their 20s and 30s, were lined up outside the sectioned-off shoe area. An H&M staffer said that a line of more than 100 people started forming outside the store at 9 p.m. the night before. He wasn't sure whether the Choo shoes would sell out that day, but said supplies were definitely dwindling and the launch had been as strongly received as H&M's previous designer collaborations. Shoppers had a limit of 10 minutes to peruse the special shoe area and were only allowed to buy one pair of each style.
Hannah, a twentysomething New Yorker, said she came with a friend to check out the scene on Saturday, even though she had already snagged three pairs during a special preview at the Fifth Avenue location the night before. "They're all so cute," she said of the sandals, heels and over-the-knee boots, before snatching up another pair.
Down the street, at the Herald Square H&M, about 75 shoppers were lined up on the second floor, waiting to enter the shoe area. Two sisters, Nina and Tina — both in their twenties — left the store with almost 20 pairs between them, after lining up at 6 a.m. They were pleased with how smoothly the morning went, but were not crazy about the prices. “It’s cheap relative to [Choo’s retail], but still expensive relative to H&M,” said Tina. “But we got a lot of leather, so you know you’re getting some quality.”
Another shopper, Kaylee, boarded a bus from Washington, D.C., at 5:30 a.m., to arrive in the city an hour later. There were close to 400 people in line by the 10 a.m. opening, some who had shown up as early as 10 p.m. the night before. Kaylee, also in her twenties, did her online research two months prior to the launch, to optimize the short, 10-minute shopping limit. When she arrived, she already had a pair of boots and heels in mind. “All the merchandise is really, really nice,” she said. “For most people, it’s the first opportunity to get an affordable [Choo] shoe.” There were just a few pairs left on the floor around 1:30 p.m., and staffers said the stock was expected to sell out soon. "We aren't replenishing. This is it," said one saleswoman.
This article is from http://www.wwd.com
Lifestyle has launched its AW 09 collection
Lifestyle has launched its AW 09 collection which has edgy fashion, chic designs, bold hues and more. There are six exciting ranges of diverse fashion. The brand has also introduced a diverse, eclectic, and trendy array of accessories complimenting the apparel line. The range offers bracelets, ear rings, necklace, hair accessories, rings and baby accessories.
The Landmark Group, founded in 1973 with a single store in Bahrain, has grown into one of the largest retail conglomerates in the Middle East and is expanding rapidly in India.
Collection Highlights:
Ginger: Calls out to the young, sprightly and flirty women with super cool fashion that says 'I belong'. Hot, seductive and bold, best describe this collection which has specs of modern, retro, floral and artistic graphics in its line of tops, denims, leggings, jackets and footwear.
Code: Presents the cosmopolitan Indian male or female the choice of dressing offering a definitive edge in the corporate jungle.The collection comprises of a range of formal and casual wear, inspired by colour stories, unique styling and global trends, in vibrant and youthful colours with a dash of class to it. The women wear line comprises evening dresses, night wear and fashion accessories while the men's wear comprises shirts, trousers, jackets, footwear, belts, ties.
Club Hoppers: Specially designed for urban males. This collection has just the perfect touch of bling which can be worn all through the day and works perfectly for the night as well. Comprises of ties, shirt, trousers, t-shirts, waist coats, belts and shoes.
Fame Forever: This one has a youthful spirit to it and consist of trendy, colourful and funky casual clothes for men and woman. Comprises of t-shirts and Denims.
Forca: The collection is inspired from new technologies, alternate sports and music and a well defined adaptation of the latest in street fashion, comfortable, easy to wear and in touch with their surroundings. The collection comprises of t-shirts, shirts, denims, footwear, belts and fashion accessories.
Melange: This collection comprises of an exclusive line of ethnic wear for women with a modern and contemporary look. The collection entails a combination of hand block printing and exquisite hand embroideries with the use of pure fabrics like silks, chiffons, georgettes etc in vibrant-to-soothing shades.
This article is from http://www.domain-b.com
Unique Uniforms by Sandy Austin
The idea was to start a small, manageable business in Albany. The hope was it would be something that Sandy Austin and her sister Peggy Schaeffer would find fulfilling.
They got what they wanted, opening Unique Uniforms last year.
Austin and husband, Tim, are now sole owners, although Peggy still works at the store three days a week.
“We were retired and wanted something to do beyond normal retirement activities. This is a good fit,” said Austin.
The sisters pooled their resources and found a niche in the specialized clothing store providing uniforms for a variety of professions.
“To my knowledge it’s the only store of its kind in the valley outside of a few chain stores in Salem,” said Austin.
The emphasis is on medical attire, but culinary apparel, coveralls for auto mechanics and other specialized uniforms are available. Still, major sales are to the medical community. Scrubs, lab coats, nurses shoes, even stethoscopes and other accessories are in supply.
“We intentionally geared it to nurses,” said Austin.
The word spread quickly. Despite getting involved just as the economy started to slide, Unique Uniforms has seen steady growth. Even before the doors opened customers were waiting to buy.
“We were bringing in boxes and getting set up and people wanted to order,” smiled Austin. “Each month it gets better. Our product got noticed.”
Austin said the store is stocked with major company brands like Cherokee, Landon and White Swan. There are 13 suppliers in all.
“The nurses know the names,” said Austin.
Unique Uniforms also offers the little extras to bring people through the doors. Custom embroidering on uniforms, name tag engraving and special ordering of uniforms in smaller or larger sizes are all offered.
“It’s not possible to have enough inventory for everyone’s needs,” said Austin.
She said one of the best parts of the business is helping young nurses get started.
“Getting them into the core colors and showing them there are a lot of ways to build a uniform that won’t cost them an arm and a leg is important,” said Austin.
The variety of colors and patterns offer nurses choices Austin says she wouldn’t have imagined 30 years ago.
Making uniforms look good to customers is important with such a wide selection. Every uniform in the store was individually ironed when they opened.
“We had four ironing boards going,” said Austin.
An online presence will be up running at www.uniqueuniforms
online.com within days. Browsers will be able to pick out a uniform, order it from a supplier on the phone, and once it is delivered come in and try it on.
“Sometimes when you order online you find out nothing fits. We want people to find what they want there and still come in for a fitting,” said Austin.
The shop although less than 1,000-square-feet provides just enough room.
“It looked huge when it was empty but now we’re pretty packed. We haven’t been able to stop it from growing,” Austin said. “But we love this location and we love what we do.”
Unique Uniforms, which is located at 3111 Santiam Hwy. S.E., is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The phone number is (541) 791-1152.
“There has been an overwhelming positive response,” acknowledged Austin. “But the best thing about this business is it makes me feel like I’m really helping the nurses.”
This article is from www.democratherald.com
Kiki's Closet opens at The Atrium
Fashion and comfort are the words that entered my mind upon seeing the items found inside Kiki’s Closet, a newly opened ladies’ apparel, accessories and shoes store at the third level of The Atrium. The store was named after Kiki, the nickname of Nadine, granddaughter of shop owner Suzette Acosta Griebsch. “The apo is as kikay (fashion-conscious) as the lola,” said store manager and Kiki’s mother Atty. Brianna Kay Tenefrancia de los Santos.
“You can find the latest trends on fashion at Kiki’s Closet. Affordable, too,” said Griebsch, who looked really fabulous in white during the opening. She is updated on fashion because of her travels to China and Germany. In fact, she personally shops for the items available at Kiki’s Closet. One will also notice that even the kids’ clothes and shoes are stylish and comfortable as well,” she added.
Soon, Kiki’s Closet will make available some good T-shirt brands like Billabong and Quicksilver.
Enter Kiki’s Closet and come out with your best fashionable buy ever.
This article is from www.thenewstoday.info
In contrast with electronics, women's apparel sales fell 3.3% in the first half of November
Consumers are generally cautious heading into the critical holiday shopping season, with preseason trends suggesting that electronics sales may be solid while sales of apparel, particularly women's styles, could get pummeled.
Spurred by the release of a hot videogame and earlier-than-usual promotions on televisions, U.S. shoppers spent 6.1% more on electronics in the first half of November the month, through Nov. 14, than a year ago, according to a recent analysis from MasterCard SpendingPulse, a unit of MasterCard Advisors.
The new data, based on MasterCard SpendingPulse data, which reflect estimates on all payment forms, including cash and checks, comes days before Thanksgiving, the traditional kickoff to the holiday selling season, when consumers traditionally spend several hundred billion of dollars. Retailers count on holiday sales for as much as 40% of their annual sales and half their annual profits.
In contrast with electronics, women's apparel sales fell 3.3% in the first half of November. Sales in the category have fallen for more than a year, with nine months of double-digit declines from the year-earlier period since October 2008, according to SpendingPulse.
Spending on luxury goods showed the largest drop, with a 9.2% year-to-year decline, after posting an increase in October, MasterCard SpendingPulse said.
Overall, U.S. households are expected to spend about 7% less on gifts this season, shelling out an average of $390, according to a report released Monday by the Conference Board. This year, 39% of households are planning to spend less than $200, up from 35%. The Conference Board survey covers a sample of 5,000 U.S. households.
Sales of electronics in the preseason were aided by the hottest videogame of the season, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The game came out early this month and shattered records, likely boosting sales for the category overall. Call of Duty made $550 million in its first five days of release, according to developer Activision Blizzard Inc., which said that was an entertainment industry record The results surpassed all videogame, movie box office and book sales records for five days after release.
In addition, retailers such as Best Buy Co., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. have begun earlier-than-usual promotions on TVs and videogames. And many people are buying laptops and netbooks loaded with Microsoft Corp.'s new Windows 7 operating system.
Preseason Internet sales of a range of merchandise were up 19.4% over the first two weeks of November 2008. Mark Snyder, chief marketing officer for Kmart, part of Sears Holdings Corp., said he has seen evidence that shoppers are plotting purchases. Kmart's layaway program, which expanded to online this year, is proving popular.
"The thing that is most different this season is the preparedness of our shopper," Mr. Snyder said. "Last year, the economy hit her right between the eyes. This year, instead of being defensive, she is being offensive and really scouring for bargains early, realizing the power is with her."
Journal Community
Vote: Will you buy personal electronics this holiday season?
Mr. Snyder said Kmart has also witnessed a trend toward gifts of lasting value, which is why the company is planning to sell 100% cashmere gloves and scarves, for $9.99, and down comforters, for $19.99, on Black Friday—the day after Thanksgiving and the biggest shopping day of the year for many retailers.
"Retailers have to dig deep and pull out their A-game right now, because it is a very competitive environment," Mr. Snyder said. "Whereas you might have given something more trendy in the past, a down comforter is relevant to what is happening right now."
For the first two weeks of November, sales within the specialty apparel category were down 5% from a year earlier. The decline was a sharp turnabout from October, when spending on specialty apparel rose 3.4%, providing a short-lived glimmer of hope before the Christmas shopping season. Men's clothing fell by 1% in early November. Sales of shoes, which had shown two consecutive months of year-to-year increases in September and October, fell by 1.5% in the first two weeks of the month.
The National Retail Federation said earlier this fall that it expects U.S. retail sales to fall to 2005 levels in the 2009 holiday season, though the expected decline of 1% isn't as deep as the 3.4% plunge of the 2008 holiday season.
According to a preliminary Black Friday shopping survey conducted for the National Retail Federation by BIGresearch, up to 134 million people plan to shop this Friday, Saturday or Sunday, up from 128 million who planned to last year. According to the survey, 57 million people say they will definitely hit the stores, while another 77 million are waiting to see what retailers are planning before heading out the door.
Discount and department stores will be the biggest attractions for consumers this weekend, with 66% and 62%, respectively, planning to head to their favorite big-box store; 41% said they would shop at electronics stores; 36% planned to visit a clothing or clothing accessories store.
Write to Vanessa O'Connell at vanessa.o'connell@wsj.com
This article is from online.wsj.com
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Black Friday - one of the biggest shopping days of the year - rolls around
By Marian Accardi
Times Business Writer marian.accardi@htimes.com
Stores face challenges with slow economy, football rivalry
Black Friday - one of the biggest shopping days of the year - rolls around as the county's jobless rate remains at 7.5 percent and the average price of a gallon of gas in Huntsville is about a dime higher than a month ago.
Merchants have yet another challenge this year - the Iron Bowl football game starts at 1:30 p.m. on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, cutting into prime shopping time.
Retailers are fighting back with expanded hours, deals on popular merchandise and rewards for early-bird shoppers.
"We'll have more than 200 door-busters across the store - in accessories, apparel, shoes and in the home store," said Janet Brown, the manager of Belk's Parkway Place store. "We have lots of great items specially priced for that morning." The first 250 shoppers will also get gift cards in amounts from $5 to $1,000.
Belk stores open at 4 a.m. on Friday, an hour earlier than in previous years.
"This gives shoppers an extra hour to shop before the big game," said Brown. The Iron Bowl schedule, she said, did play a role in the retailer's decision to open earlier. "They realize what an important game this is, particularly in Alabama."
German Pardo, a manager at the Target store at Valley Bend at Jones Farm shopping center, promises very competitive discounts. And Target stores are opening Friday at 5 a.m., an hour earlier than in past years, and staying open until 11 p.m.
Even though the Iron Bowl falls on Friday afternoon, Pardo still expects a good turnout.
"I think it'll be a huge day for us," he said
This article is from www.al.com
Six great shop-local holiday events
With three young boys to raise, a fashion blog to keep up and a new e-tail business to run, Dawn Miller is hardly your average soccer mom. In fact, you're more likely to find Miller organizing a fashion show fundraiser instead of a bake sale, or coaching a game sporting a pair of city shorts and 4-inch stack-heeled penny loafers, not sneakers and sweats.
It's that love for fashion - and being involved in her community - that led Miller, a former personal shopper, to launch Alice andIsa.com, an online fashion boutique dedicated to Bay Area designers.
"I had this little 'aha' moment, " said Miller, 33, recalling a fruitless search for locally made belts for a former client nearly a year ago. "I knew there were some boutiques in the city that focused on local designers, but a lot of times they carry avant-garde stuff. There was really no one place you could go to buy clothing and accessories you could wear every day and that were made in San Francisco."
Named after two distinct, fictional style personalities who encapsulate the range of San Francisco style, the Web site features a range of designs and price points. Shoppers who dig the refined and retro-inspired Alice aesthetic might go for a leather Kerouac satchel in chocolate brown by 49 Square Miles ($600), a vintage barkcloth jacket by Sourdough ($300) or a delicate pair of glass bead-trimmed hoops by Jennifer Tuton ($95).
Those who gravitate toward the edgy and modern Isa vibe, on the other hand, might snatch up a pair of leather and chain-link spats by Ashes and Empires ($157), cozy, striped knit Cho-Cho arm warmers ($25), or a leather screen-printed belt by Project TransAction ($65).
Since its launch in June, the e-tail site, which Miller operates out of a tiny first-floor studio in her Outer Richmond District home, has increased from 30 unique visitors per day to an average of 300 to 600 unique visitors daily. Adding to the collection of about 25 mostly San Francisco designers, Miller has begun introducing interior design goods to the mix. She also plans to upgrade the site in the coming months with detailed biographies as well as video interviews of the designers working in their studios.
As a one-woman operation, traffic has slowly increased through Miller's own publicity efforts on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, and the occasional coverage on fashion blogs such as SF Indie Fashion and Polyvore. Miller also plugs Alice and Isa on her own personal style blog, Mom Wore This (momworethis.tumblr.com), where she posts daily photos of herself in her decidedly non-soccer-mom outfits. "It's fun but silly!" Miller said. "My kids take my photos."
Emerging designer Annie Wilson, 32, has found the Web site to be a helpful platform for getting the word out about Sourdough, her new line of handmade jackets, and connecting with other local designers.
"There are sites out there like Thrillist and Daily Candy about the local goings-on, and you can shop local on Etsy," said Wilson, a Laurel Heights resident, "but the designers you find on Alice and Isa are all really well-branded and of higher quality than ones you find in the craft world - some of whom I've only discovered after getting involved."
Although Alice and Isa has a ways to go before matching the popularity of Daily Candy, Miller seems happy to be keeping it manageable enough to still have that personal connection to her shoppers. She's even been known to fulfill same-day order requests by showing up on customers' doorsteps free of charge, something she jokingly refers to as Alice and Isa's word-of-mouth-only "white glove service."
"This city has always been a place where people want to know the owner of their local coffee shop or who their grocer is down the street, but the recession has brought that idea of knowing where your products come from even more into focus," said Miller, who donates 10 percent of sales toward the San Francisco environmental organization For the Bayou.
"The point of Alice and Isa is to be that place you can go to find something special that's locally made, so that the money stays within our community and you're supporting designers who live here."
Six great shop-local holiday events
If you're looking for additional places to find locally made gifts for the holidays, check out these upcoming sales and events:
Accessories in Action Fashion Fundraiser
What: Hobnob with local fashion industry professionals over cocktails and art while supporting Soles4Souls, a nonprofit organization that donates footwear to those in need in more than 125 countries.
Don't miss: '70s-inspired Love, Melody handbags, Frolick jewelry, and feather and leather accessories by Serina Coscina.
Info: Fri., noon-6 p.m. 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna St., S.F; (415) 974-1719; 21 and over. General admission is $8, $5 for those who donate a pair of new or gently worn shoes.
S.F. Design Center 27th Annual Holiday Sample Sale
What: More than 150 exhibitors will offer deep discounts on jewelry, paper and leather goods, beauty products, home accessories, toys and apparel.
Don't miss: Hobo International leather accessories, womenswear by Margaret O'Leary and whimsical PJs by the Cat's Pajamas.
Info: Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; next Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 635 Eighth St. S.F.; (415) 490-5800. Admission is $6 per person at the door; discount admission using ad from The Chronicle's Nov. 22 Datebook.
Chillin' Productions
What: Soak up music by local DJs, live painting, photography, art and video installations - all while you mingle and shop.
Don't miss: Hand-forged, geometric jewelry designs by Elizabeth Lass, men's shirting by Saaz Designs and one-of-a-kind clothing by Momoca.
Info: Dec. 5, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Mezzanine, 444 Jessie St., S.F.; 21 and over. Admission is $8 at the door. chillinproductions.com.
Appel & Frank Stockings & Stilettos
What: Enjoy complimentary drinks, hand massages and skin consultations while you peruse clothing, accessories, home accessories, beauty and baby products from more than 70 independent vendors.
Don't miss: Womenswear by Effie's Heart, Helena de Natalio's leather handbags and a colorful assortment of Stella & Dot jewelry.
Info: Dec. 10, 5-9 p.m. The Regency Center, 1270 Sutter St., S.F.; RSVP in advance for free general admission or $10 VIP tickets that include a gift bag; $10 general admission at the door. appelandfrank.com.
The Crucible's Holiday Art Sale and Open House
What: Observe more than 70 Bay Area artisans in their natural habitat as they blow glass, cast metal and throw pottery at this kid-friendly event.
Don't miss: Handmade headwear by O'Lover Hats, streetwear by Fiftyseven-Thirtythree, soldered metal jewelry by Shaya Durbin and a rare visit from Santa.
Info: Dec. 12-13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Crucible, 1260 Seventh St., Oakland; (510) 444-0919. Free admission. thecrucible.org.
Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale
What: The DIY movement goes big time at this expo of more than 150 indie craft designers selling everything from ceramics and posters to onesies and tea towels, all under one roof.
Don't miss: Free raffle prizes from Chronicle Books, Jenny Hart's Sublime Stitching and Faythe Levine's Handmade Nation.
Info: Dec. 19-20, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Fort Mason Center Herbst Pavilion, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F. Free admission and one hour free parking. renegadecraft.com.
Style Cinema S.F.
What: Hosted by local fashion bloggers Annie Wilson and Catie Nienaber and Dawn Miller of online boutique Alice and Isa, this monthly fashion film screening delivers free movies, a smattering of shopping and plenty of socializing.
When: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 14
Don't miss: The double feature, which includes documentaries "Unzipped" and "Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton." Swing by the designer table to pick up a few accessories by 49 Square Miles, Vivi Dot and Jennifer Tuton after the show.
Info: Free. Velo Rouge Cafe, 798 Arguello Blvd., S.F. (415) 752-7799 or facebook.com/stylecinemasf.
Nerissa Pacio is a contributing fashion and beauty editor at 7x7 magazine. E-mail comments to style@sfchronicle.com.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/22/LV6C1AK7H9.DTL#ixzz0XeMQ8QNO
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Toby Claudio to open Runnr Cebu on December 1 at Ayala
I had the chance to sit beside Toby Claudio last week at Bigby’s in SM. Toby is the scion of the Claudio clan, owner of Toby’s Sports, the country’s leading sporting goods retailer.
Toby was in town to finalize the opening of Runnr Cebu on December 1 at Ayala, the first store outside of Metro Manila. The first branch is in Bonifacio High Street in Taguig, a relatively new store but already the watering hole of runners.
Putting up a branch in Cebu wasn’t such a no-brainer but then Toby insisted that Cebu is a major city, thus Runnr has to be present in Cebu, and “to be the authority for running, gears, books, or everything needed for running.”
And for good measure.
Cebu is agog with running events. Too many races - that for example on November 29 - there are three events firing off almost simultaneously. The running bug has beaten almost all Cebuanos and often the road teems with runners.
Unlike Toby’s that is sort of a general sporting goods store, Runnr is a specialty store.
When it opens, Cebuanos will get the chance to scrutinize the latest running shoes in Runnr’s inventory that include Adidas, Asics, Fuelbert, Hammer, Nathan, New Balance, Nike, Polar and Newton.
It will also offer apparel, accessories, arch support and insoles, watches and eyewear, nutrition and even running books.
What would entice a runner to check out the place is the Footworx Fitting process that uses three state-of-the-art technologies: Foot Disc, High-Speed Video Gait Analysis and Custom Insole Molding.
Through Foot Disc, the runner’s true foot type is determined. Then the runner runs through a treadmill while a digital camera captures the gait (or the bearing or carriage while in motion) to determine pronation or Gait Analysis. The runner could try different shoes to find out the model that suits him or her best.
Insoles or arch support could be produced in minutes while the runner waits, thanks to the technology that Runnr will be bringing to Cebu.
As I listened to Toby discuss all these, what tickled my fancy was the man himself.
Toby has bad knees, had slipped discs, and LBP. Essentially, he should not be doing any running at all although he played college baseball, for UP in the NCAA.
Thanks to technology, Toby is back on the road and has completed a half marathon, so far, and is contemplating on joining the Cebu Marathon in January 2010. “As long you stick to it, you could do it,” he said.
That’s what Toby has envisioned Runnr to become. In his words, “to be an authority for running” in Cebu City. Matter of fact, he said, when a customer comes in the door, anybody at Runnr should already know what he or she needs!
When Toby was asked what he would recommend to a new runner who may wander at Runnr his curt reply was, “I’d recommend a good book about running.”
So watch out for the opening of Runnr Cebu. To know more about what the store will be offering, please visit www. runnr.com.ph.
By the way, I tested a Runnr pair of socks last Sunday. The soft, moist absorbent fabric pampered my feet. I never felt so comfortable in a while.
For comments, please write rabai_o@yahoo.com
This artile is from www.philstar.com
Amer Sports opens factory outlet in Ogden
Ogden » At the new Amer Sports factory outlet store on Saturday, Genevie Noriega and her husband John walked among the racks of coats and other outdoor wear, pausing occasionally to check the prices on merchandise with brand names like Atomic and Salomon.
As she let a price tag on a coat slip from her hand, Noriega, who now lives in Clearfield, said she is encouraged to see the outlet store opening in her and her husband's old neighborhood.
"We both grew up only a couple of blocks from here -- me on 21st street and him on 22nd," she said. "It's nice to see so much development going on around here. It sure does beat seeing boarded up windows."
The store is the first for the Finland-based Amer Sports Corp., which in 2007 opened its North American headquarters in Ogden's historic American Can Building, a structure that had been vacant for nearly 30 years.
Teresa Leavitt of Amer Sports Winter & Outdoor Americas said the company decided to open its outlet store, which is also in the American Can building, after members of the community expressed interest. The company typically sells its products to retailers.
"This is an entirely new concept for us," she said.
The outlet store informally opened at the end of August but Saturday marked its grand opening. Hundreds flocked in throughout the day. At times, customers were lined up six to eight deep in several lines as they waited to pay for their selections of shoes, shirts and other softgoods.
For Ogden, the Amer Sports factory outlet store represents far more than a new business that has opened its doors, said John Patterson, the city's chief operating officer. It also is another indication that Ogden's long-running effort to establish itself as a hub for the outdoor recreation industry is continuing to pay off.
Amer Sports is among the largest of nearly a dozen outdoor companies that now call the Ogden area home.
"Ogden has done a good job of going after the outdoor products companies and making this an outdoor sports town," said Jared Talbot as he walked out of the store carrying his 22-month-old daughter Mallary, who happily clutched a blue balloon she had received inside.
Talbot, a crusher operator for Geneva Rock Products, said he bought shorts during his first visit to the store. "It's a little cold for them now, but I saved $30. I'll be wearing them next summer," he said.
This article is from www.sltrib.com
Marche International Foundation's Bazaar on Nov 21 to 22 at the Makati Sports Club
MANILA, Philippines - Now in its fifth year, Marché Bazaar will be held on Nov. 21 and 22 at the Makati Sports Club in Salcedo Village. Marché International Foundation offers the unique Finds Fair boasting a variety of goods from the finest handcrafted jewelry pieces to the best food and household giftware.
Marché International Foundation is a civic, non-profit organization that partners with other associations that share the goal of civic work and social uplift.
In the food division, you’ll find Trappist preserves made by the monks of Guimaras, Iloilo; baked turkey, relleno, meat loaf and baked ensaimadas alongside heirloom recipes; special ham by chef Raffy Valero; gourmet dips, sauces and dressings by chef Toby; chef Bichara’s culinary magique, authentic Chinese lumpia and other goodies; the famous dulce leche pastillas and the traditional San Nicholas cookies from Pampanga.
For non-edibles, there will be Bon Schuck table and garden water fountains that were carved from rocks found in the mountains of Zambales, quality leather goods from Brossman, kitchen equipment from NRP Products, and stunning footwear from the Pink Chocolate New York collection. There will also be handcrafted jewelry pieces from Italian, Indian and local designers. Featured as well are CITEM exporters, organic cosmetics, export overruns, stuffed toys, apparel and accessories for men, ladies and children. In addition, there will also be Christmas decor, imported home decor, bags and footwear, novelty items, handicrafts, wines and homemade food products.
The bazaar is a wonderful hunting ground for anyone looking for eco-friendly beauty products like Colore Science and Dr. Susan Lin’s MD 101 eyelash grower and conditioner.
Most worthy of praise is the partnership between Marché and Nasaru Ntoyie of Kenya. Nasaru’s mission is to rescue young Maasai girls, and they raise funds by making and selling Maasai handicrafts in an effort to support and rescue these vulnerable children.
Moreover, one of the key goals this year is to promote the livelihood projects of Husay Pinay, a group organized by Joy Belmonte-Alimurung, which develops the skills and provides livelihood opportunities to the women of Quezon City.
Marché International Foundation is also involved in other community projects to benefit those who are marginally strapped and those who are rebuilding their lives after surviving the typhoons. Marché International Foundation has joined hands with the following organizations in their various civic and community projects: the Rotary Clubs of Makati East and Makati Urdaneta, Fraternal Order of Utopia, Rising Phoenix Foundation, U! Happy Events Foundation and the National Council of Women of the Philippines (NCWP)
Marché president Yu Ming Chin and vice president Myrna N. Alimurung invite you to the lively Marché International Foundation Bazaar 2009, which includes the auction of surprise items, discounted prices and promotions of sponsors Banco de Oro, RFM Corp., Tagaytay Highlands-Belle Corporation, PGA Cars, RJ Guitars and Del Monte Philippines. Media partners are Focus Media, XFM 92.3 and The Philippine Star.
Major credit cards are accepted. For inquiries, call 637-5639, 0917-5096983, 0917-5368413, or log on to www.marchebazaar.com.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Consumers will have more access to high-end clothing brands
Luxury dressing got a little less luxurious this week.
First came Jimmy Choo, the maker of $795 python stilettos. On Saturday, the company debuted a line of clothing, shoes and accessories at 10 H&M stores in the U.S. Next up: Badgley Mischka, a design label favored by Hollywood starlets headed for the red carpet. On Tuesday, the firm premiered its American Glamour line – a more affordable collection of its apparel and accessories – exclusive to HSN at 9:00 p.m. Eastern on the channel and on hsn.com. (The extended line will be available in March 2010.)
What is going on here? With the sales of luxury goods on the skids, high end designers are on the lookout for ways to make up their margins--and are following the money. These days, that means moving to the value sector – or discount stores – where sales are on the rise. The TJX Companies (TJX: 39.10, -0.04, -0.10%), which includes TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, posted a 10% increase in same-store sales for the third quarter of 2009 compared to a year ago. Ross Stores (ROST: 44.85, -1.22, -2.64%) reported a 9% increase during the same period. By contrast, Saks (SKS) posted just a 0.7% sales increase and Neiman Marcus saw a 6% drop.
“High-end luxury is going to be in a tailspin for many years because the way people spend will be impacted for a long time even after a recovery,” says Jeff Green, the president of Mill Valley, Calif.-based Jeff Green Partners, a retail consulting firm. Exclusive designers have “started to align with off-price and mass merchants to sell a more affordable, yet stylish product in an attempt to address consumers’ shift toward value,” he adds.
The trend of course isn’t new. Back in the early part of the decade, designers like Isaac Mizrahi and Karl Lagerfeld helped pave the way for such partnerships by teaming up with Target and H&M, respectively. The trend though has accelerated in the last two years, with a handful of big names announcing deals. Most recently, that includes Dana Buchman and famed wedding designer Vera Wang who both have lower priced lines at Kohls.
What does high-end clothing at discounted prices mean for retailers—and consumers?
How do high-end designers lower their prices with these collaborations?
Jimmy Choo items at H&M are priced from $25 for a bracelet to $300 for over-the-knee leather boots, says Jennifer Uglialoro, a spokeswoman for H&M. Clothing ranges between $69.95 and $249. That’s a huge price difference from Jimmy Choo women’s shoes that sell for $350 to $1,295.
One of the reasons for the big price difference is that H&M buys its own fabrics for the merchandise, and it buys the fabrics in bulk, says Uglialoro. That helps bring down the price points, as does the fact that H&M uses its own production offices for these collections. The designers provide the sketches and the designs. (A Jimmy Choo spokesperson wasn’t available for comment.)
Each agreement between a designer and retailer will vary. Bill Brand, a vice president at HSN, says that materials in Badgley Mischka’s American Glamour collection come from the designers – not HSN. Meanwhile, the price points in the American Glamour collection will be lower than the regular Badgley Mischka apparel, wrote Rod Caldwell, a spokesman for Badgley Mishcka, in an email. “A couture handbag of ours could be a couple of thousand dollars and the fantastic bags we are doing for HSN, the customer can get for a few hundred.”
What should consumers know?
Consumers will have more access to high-end clothing brands since they’re in more stores and they’ll be able to afford designer clothing that used to be out of their budget.
But the more affordable designer versions may have some differences, like the types of fabrics that are used. “Sometimes it will be a lower-grade fabric – not that rare fabric in the designer’s store – that can be pumped out in a factory,” says Claudia Sagan, a San Francisco-based retail consultant who works with retailers, including William Sonoma and Ann Taylor, and shopping center developers.
What are the perks and risks for retailers?
Typically, the retailer assumes most of the risk regarding the costs of production, but in the best of cases, such collaborations help to boost the retailer’s store sales and brings in new customers who might not otherwise shop at the store.
That’s especially the case when the retailer rolls out a limited collection that doesn’t get replenished--H&M’s tactic with the Jimmy Choo line. “Once it’s sold out, it’s gone forever,” says Uglialoro. In the past, with designers like Stella McCartney, Viktor & Rolf and Roberto Cavalli, some lines sold out within the day while others took a couple of days. Limited supply creates demand that will likely spur sales beyond normal sales projection for that time period, says Sagan.
Meanwhile, as the economy continues to falter, HSN has seen an increase in its relationships with high-end designers. (Another reason is that during the past two to three years, HSN has rebranded its fashion business to focus more on designers and lifestyle brands, says HSN’s Brand.)
“Designers look at HSN as a very powerful platform through to either relaunch or showcase brands or maybe meet a lower price-point consumer without diluting what they might have at Saks [Fifth Avenue], “ says Nancy Hull, a senior vice president of equity research who tracks HSN at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., an investment services firm.
HSN’s TV platform and web site sales dropped by less than 1% in the third quarter to $467 million from the third quarter of 2008. This relatively small decline resulted from layoffs, improved customer service and inventory that HSN decreased by 15% compared to third quarter 2008, says Hull.
What are perks for designers?
In this economy, such collaborations help high-end designers, especially because they can avoid the financial headache that they risk incurring when they sell at department stores, says Howard Davidowitz, founder of a Manhattan-based retail consultant and investment banking firm. At a department store, it will take a longer time for a designer’s items to sell, particularly now when most of those stores’ sales are down. And should the apparel not sell, designers might have to pay the department stores for markdowns.
“There is no question it is a different world today, and women are shopping differently than they used to,” says Badgley Mischka’s Caldwell. With American Glamour on HSN, the designers are diversifying their product offerings and the people they’re reaching, he says.
In fact, designers often see an increase in sales and consumer interest that coincides with their debut on HSN, says Hull.
What are their risks?
High-end designers could face a brand risk by commoditizing their brands and making them accessible to more consumers, says Sagan.
“Much of marketing is designed around brand elevation, but this is almost the opposite,” she says. In the short term, their collaborations with discount retailers will result in greater brand awareness and it’ll help increase their sales. “But is the long-term ramification that it erodes your brand and what it stands for? It might.”
This article is from www.smartmoney.com