GLG News by Chico's FAS Experts: Retail Consultants

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Apparel and Footwear Shoppers About to Deal With Steep Price Increases

February 15, 2011

Analysis of:Apparel Prices Primed to Rise | www.wwd.com

Commodity cost increases in cotton, wool and leather will increase retail prices for basic items from 5% to 15% in the second half of 2011 into 2012.Many retailers and apparel manufacturers are planning to introduce innovative blends, using synthetics, to keep apparel prices at current levels and seeking out cheaper production facilities.

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Six Important Trends That Will Impact Apparel Retailing In 2010

February 2, 2010

Analysis of:Financial Sector: The Year Ahead | www.wwd.com

Six important trends have emerged as significant for apparel retailers in 2010: Department stores will aggressively grow the outlet retail channel.Consumers will continue seek out value, to the benefit of off price retailers, mass merchants and value priced specialty chains. Luxury online retailers will continue exponential growth.Department stores will increase exclusive brand portfolios.U.S. specialty global expansion in China will accelerate.Retail technology spend will increase.i

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Apparel and Textile Manufacturing Stimulus Can Put Millions Back To Work

November 30, 2009

Analysis of:China's Textile City Grows In Stature | www.wwd.com

A number of very successful apparel retailers, such as American Apparel and Forever 21, produce their garments almost exclusively in the U.S.Apparel manufacturers are being pressured by major retailers to replenish merchandise more quickly and speed up the product development cycle for new assortments.Major stimulus spending focused on reviving the U.S textile and apparel manufacturing sectors can put millions of unemployed citizens back to work and cut trade imbalances with China.

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Liz Claiborne Adds Licensing To Updated Business Model

November 20, 2009

Analysis of:Liz Claiborne Reports $90 Million in Qurater | www.wwd.com

The immediate benefit of licensing the Liz Claiborne and Claiborne men's to J C Penny - and LCNY to QVC signal's a broader strategic play ahead for Liz Claiborne Inc.Celebrity designer Isaac Mizrahi's failed attempt to revitalize the fortunes of the brand at major department stores like Macy's, forced the company to make a decision that will have long term strategic implications for the company.

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

As Isaac Mizrahi Builds His Design Empire, Liz Claiborne's Slump Continues

October 5, 2009

Analysis of:Isaac Mizrahi's First Shop | www.wwd.com

Is it possible for Isaac Mizrahi to return the Liz Claiborne NY brand to its former glory, while, at the same time work with QVC to design and hawk a mass appeal apparel line on television; build his own designer level brand (complete with with runway shows during fashion week) and open his first retail shop on New York's fashionable East Side?Liz Claiborne's CEO Bill McComb bet the farm that Isaac Misrahi would turn the brand around, but hasn't the celebrity designer spread himself too thin?

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Improved Gross Margin and Lower Costs Trump Same Store Sales For Holiday

September 23, 2009

Analysis of:Holiday Forecasts See Sales Down, Profits Up | www.wwd.com

Same store apparel sales for holiday 2009 will likely be flat or down but those retailers with improved gross margin and sharply reduced expenses are positioned to win big once consumer confidence returns.Improved product development strategies, sharper merchandising, greater speed to market and well managed inventory levels are the keys to greater gross margin in what will likely be another highly promotional holiday retail environment.

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Buyers Remorse at Abercrombie & Fitch?

January 15, 2009

Analysis of:Abercrombie full-price strategy proving hard - Guardian.co.uk | www.guardian.co.uk

While Investors at Abercrombie & Fitch have sounded the alarm about Chief Executive Michael Jeffries’ stubborn position not to run sales promotions in the midst of the worst retail environment in decades and the brands poor merchandising strategy, have contributed to the company’s disastrous performance in 2008.   The recent extension of Jeffries employment contract as CEO of the company for another five years has industry experts and stockholders scratching their heads in disbelief.

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Online and Moble Channels Strongly Infuence Brick-And-Mortar Shopping Decisions

October 2, 2008

Analysis of:Multchannel Consumers Favor Online-To-Store Shopping Experience | www.directmag.com

Multichannel retailers are driving shoppers for apparel, footwear and accessories to their stores after they find what they want online. This trend is so strong, that multiple electonic channels such as mobile and the Internet will influence 40% of retail sales by 2012.

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Department Stores Must Upgrade Their Total Shopping Experience

April 21, 2008

Analysis of:Department Stores focus on Style | www.courierpostonline.com

The entire department store segment is hurting right now, but those that improve their merchandising strategies , build their store brand though creative marketing and improve the shopping experience for their customers will emerge as market leaders once the economy turns around. Department stores must shop the market for fresh collections and new designers - and cut back on stale assortments form large manufacturers.

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

A Few Well Merchandised Specialty Chains Buck The Negative Retail Tide.

April 17, 2008

Analysis of:Fighting Off the Chill: Retailers get Inventive To Combat Recession. WWD. | www.wwd.com

Discount stores are not the only sector holding up well in what has been described as the worst retail apparel environment in the past twenty years.   Innovative specialty chains that know their customers well are moving forward with fresh assortments and new product categories that speak to their customer’s wants and needs.

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