Kohl’s introducing The William Collection by Kuhlman Company
Press release from businesswire.com:
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 27, 2006–Kuhlman Company, Inc. (AMEX: KUL), a fast growing provider of European-inspired, tailored clothing for men and women, today announced that the Company has been selected to be the exclusive supplier of The William Collection, a private label line of fashionable men’s shirts owned by Kuhlman Company, to Kohl’s Corporation. The line, which will be distributed in all doors for Kohl’s beginning with the Fall 2006 collection, is expected to be a material line of business for Kuhlman Company.
Scott Kuhlman, Chief Creative Officer, commented, “We are very pleased and proud to have been selected by Kohl’s for this important program. We will translate our contemporary design sensibility and utilize our proprietary sourcing network to bring to Kohl’s a high-value, compelling assortment of men’s shirts. We believe that this line will serve to further differentiate their already strong private label assortment and expect it to be a meaningful business that will help us as we continue to move our own business closer to profitability.”
Not a major move on anyone’s part, but an interesting one.
I don’t know much about Kuhlman Company, but from looking at their website, they seem to make dress shirts & tailored clothing, at a price range a bit higher than Kohl’s currently supports. Dress shirts on the website run at $65 vs. the Chaps by Ralph Lauren line at Kohl’s which retails for $42 but is more often on sale at $24.99 - $27.99. Even if Kuhlman Company produces a line at a lower tier than what they currently produce for their own stores, I would assume that this will still be a higher tier, or “best quality”, line for Kohl’s.
It may not be the biggest move or product launch Kohl’s will offer this year. But this small move marks a step forward in the Men’s fashion offerings at Kohl’s, which is always good to see.
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It’s definitely an interesting move by both Kuhlman and Kohls. The Kuhlman shirt quality is remarkably good and priced much lower than other high-end clothing lines by Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic and Kenneth Cole. Kuhlman has been trying to expand their current business across the US by adding small shops like a Starbucks for clothing. This new avenue for revenue will help both companies because, personally, I don’t like shopping for clothes at Kohl’s but this will expand their clothing quality at a higher level and Kuhlman will benefit from new exposure to their brand name.
Thanks for the insight. Like I said, I don’t know much about the Kuhlman Company but it appears that this could be an interesting step for Kohl’s. High(er) quality shirts at a value (even if that price point may appear higher than what Kohl’s currently offers) could be a good strategy. I guess we will see in the Fall.