retail

Retail Sector: On Road to Recovery?

YES we are in the midst of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week FW10 prep BUT that doesn’t mean the retail sector or the economy comes to a standstill. On Thursday I was on CNBC to talk about same store sales and whether or not the positive upswing was an indication the economy is recovering. My verdict: definitely not. January is typically the easiest month when it comes to comps and if you are doing a year over year comparison, most retailers reported horrible numbers this time last year therefore any positive numbers being reported will of course seem amazing. Also, retailers notoriously targeted the bottom line over the past months which means stores were closed, jobs were cut and inventories were slashed. This contributed to the incredible turnaround companies like Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) and Saks Fifth Ave (SAKS) experienced. Consumer spending has a direct correlation to jobless claims and the unemployment rate. Once both of those numbers come down significantly, we will see substantial numbers for these retailers. To check out the video click here.

Wal-Mart Reorganizes, Strikes Deal With Li & Fung:

Interesting… let’s see if Wal-Mart will be able to get it  right this time. But with a partnership with Li & Fung I have a feeling they will.

I’ve talked a lot about the dresses and how this company is doing over all, BUT I didn’t point out the incredible accessories which adorned the models. Check out these dazzlers:

GOD this is my kind of necklace! What I love most- you can wear it with a gorgeous gown (pictured here) or with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt!

Again- wearable art! Just awesome.

Five things I LOVE about MB fashion week:
1) The big post summer reunion with all of my fashion friends
2) Wearing all of my new fall clothes (MB Fashion Week = back to school for fashion peeps)
3) Spending so much time in Bryant Park
4) Watching the new assistants throw around ‘tude to make themselves seem more important
5) THE J. MENDEL PRESENTATION

Yes, Giles Mendel creates pieces that are unbelievebly out of my budget (an average dress costs upwards of $1500- fur coats starting price $5000), but what I love most about this brand is that it does not deviate from their core audience- wealthy women (read: NOT ME) who, despite a horrible recession and cutting back still indulge in a little slice of luxury. What I love even more is this brand has turned a profit (sales up 20%) over the last year while most luxury companies are experiencing sinking revenues. Also the CEO is amazing. Susan Sokol is the former president of Vera Wang, a cancer survivor and all around power woman.

This picture does not do this dress justice- WAY more gorgeous in person!

The signature J. Mendel fur.

I love the back of this dress.

The front of the dress is incredible too!

More gorgeous floor length gowns.

Cocktail dresses!!

This is wearable art.

This look makes me happy.

So does this one. Most of Rachel’s pieces sell in stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. (*Note NMGA’s same store sales were down by 27.3 % in July. I know- Yikes.)

Will be talking about how negociate your way into a good deal on the radio this morning. Here is a list of stations (more may be added, please check my twitter for any updates). Everyone tune in!!

KCOL Fort Collins, CO
0905AM ET
 
WDUN Gainesville, GA
0920AM ET
 
KOGO San Diego, CA
0940AM ET
 
KFBK Sacramento, CA
1038AM ET

Two more stations:

KCOL Fort Collins, CO
0935AM ET
 
KOGO San Diego, CA
1010AM ET

Hi all-

If you are up and shopping (and in the car or walk around listening to the radio) tune into the following stations to hear me give my expert advice and tips on Black Friday:

KTRH Houston, TX                         
0702AM ET
 
WSYR Syracuse, NY
0750AM ET
 
KOA Denver, CO
0835AM ET
 
WOAI San Antonio, TX
0910AM ET

“There are countries where there is growth, [and] we have a strategy of building up in emerging countries and reinforcement in mature markets.” – Sidney Toledano, head of Dior Couture on Dior’s strategy to deal with retail fall out.

Shame on you! Just kidding! I want to reiterate my point I made on air today that everyone is getting way too entrenched in this “doom and gloom” attitude about the holiday sales season. The consumer should and will be jumping for joy- the prices are going to be so slashed (because reatailers want to move out that inventory STAT) we (meaning me)  might want to re-think getting those Chloe heels for a 42 inch HD plasma. Yep you heard me correct- a gigantic plasma TV will be in the price range of $500- the same price as the shoes I am currently coveting.

As far as the retailers are concerned, I think they are gonna have to put in a lot of effort to make up some dismal same store retail sales numbers over the past year. But I wouldn’t write them off just yet- these major companies and the aren’t stupid. I bet we see some incredible promotions and creative advertising over the next couple months as part of a whole strategy to get shoppers in the door. Now, back to blogging about St. Lucia…