8/13/2006 Retail Notes
July sales came out and they were mixed, with a positive lean towards department stores. Second quarter results starting coming out, with very positive results from JC Penney and Kohl’s and strong results from Target. The bulk of the retail industry will be reporting their results this week. The Street has a great rundown on this week’s expected results (see: Coming Week: Attention Shoppers).
I am looking forward to seeing what the Second Quarter results look like this week. The numbers will be the tale of the tape in the battle of A&F vs. AE. Will there be anything positive in Gap’s results on Thursday? Did Limited Brands have a good quarter, July withstanding? Will Sears Holdings increase their bottom-line performance even though it appears that there sales haven’t? What is Home Depot doing to get them through the year? We’ll know everything this week.
Walking around the mall this week, I am very suprised at how well most retailers look. Everyone seems to be putting on a good face for the BTS season, plans are well underway, and now we’re all just hoping that the consumers will respond.
Denim, denim, denim.
PacSun’s got a big display of Levi’s 514 and 511 jeans for men. Hadn’t seen this before, so I’m assuming it is a fairly new relationship - but I think it’s a win. PacSun’s got a great brand and they’re riding the wave of the current trend with one of the harder to find styles of Levis. Credit goes to PacSun for getting it out there while Sears and JC Penney still have the 514 jean buried in the back of the department. Although it is a risky merchandising move, I think there will be a pay off for retailers like PacSun who are being so fashion-forward with this particular trend.
Came across a good story by Reuter’s today about denim marketing and BTS sales for retailers (see: Retailers step up marketing to hawk denim).
The Unlawyer talks about the effect this week’s terrorism threat has on duty-free sales and the retail enviroment in airports (see: No Liquids, No Duty-Free Sales).
Very detailed article in this month’s Apparel Magazine about Boscov’s Department store (see: Boscovs: In a League of Its Own). This Pennsylvania-based, regional department store is making strides to better compete against the national chains in an increasingly consolidated marketplace.
And finally, kudos to The Writing on the Wal for their coverage of the Wal-Mart wage cap announcement and the effect on & reaction from Wal-Mart employees. I talked about the initial announcement here, but as I pointed out here and here, The Writing on the Wal was one of the sites I was going to for coverage.
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Speaking of denim, how do you feel about the skinny jean craze? Clearly a lot of people are trying really hard to make this happen, but I’m not sold. I don’t think they look good on most people, and I never see anybody wearing them. Seems like maybe something that will only catch on with hipsters and not filter down to the mainstream to me. What’s your take?
I am a fan of this trend, in generaly. I like the trend going towards straight leg and more fitted jeans. I don’t think skinny/slim jeans look great on everybody, but then again, how many fashion trends are flattering to everybody? The skinny and straight leg jean caught on a long time ago with hipster kids, and wherever I go, I see the surburban skater kids wearing the most ridiculous slim jeans. I think we’re at the beginning of the trend, so retailers are being cautious with mainstream consumers, but with time the trend will catch on more. The skinny and slim jean is going to do phenomial with Women and Juniors this year, as we go into another winter where women will be tucking their jeans into huge oversized boots.
I think it’s a blatant attempt to control styles and get into the consumers pocket book. It’s like forget everything we told you about ’style’ last month, because NOW we’re telling you that this is what’s “in”. I don’t mind being trend conscious, but this is one style that’s not feeling like it’s coming off the streets, but from some Harvard MBA’s desk somewhere in retail capital usa. I just don’t like being manipulated - and this is what this one feels like to me..