GLG News by Women's Apparel Experts: Retail Consultants

Robert MetzPresidentRobert Metz & Associates

Consumer Recognition of Jewelry Brands

July 3, 2008

Analysis of:The JCK-Harrison Group Consumer Jewelry Study | www.jckonline.com

Consumers know RETAIL brands because ONLY retail brands promote consistently and sufficiently to become ingrained in the minds of consumers. Manufacturers of even the most successful jewelry brands spend relatively little in advertising to promote their brand due to low gross margins for this product.  They simple do NOT have sufficient profit to justify higher ad spending.  Only low cost brands with higher margins can afford national advertising and for the most part even those that do advertise spend relatively little in comparison to their retail counterparts. Retailers for the most part do not and will not promote a manufacturer's brand. Their advertising expenditures are used to sell mostly specific product they own or to promote their store image

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.

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Department Stores Are Giving Up Market Share to Discounters and Off-Price Retailers

March 7, 2008

Analysis of:Shares Slump as February Comps Disappoint | www.wwd.com

Middle income consumers are trading down from department stores such as Kohl's,  Bon-Ton and Macy's to off-price retailers and discounters like TJX and Ross Stores, Wal-Mart and Costco.  Missy apparel retailers and brands targeting "boomers" are suffering more than most in this economic downturn. Aeropostale, Urban Outfitter's, J. Crew and H&M are thriving at a time most specialty retailers, catering to younger shoppers, are reporting negative comps.

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Sailing In Rough Waters, Old Navy Charts a New Merchandising Course

January 31, 2008

Analysis of:Makeover at Old Navy: Faster Fashion a Key to Monthly Collections | www.wwd.com

In moving  from a key item merchandizing strategy to monthly "wardrobe building collections," will Old Navy  alienate of many of its core customers? Does Old Navy have the sourcing and logistics structure in place to execute a fast fashion delivery initiative without severe disruption of its supply chain? With no apparel retail experience in his resume, can Glenn Murphy, CEO of Gap Inc.,  properly evaluate the risks to customer loyalty,  inherent to radical merchandizing strategy shifts?

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Upper and Lower Apparel Retail Segments Will Survive A Rough Holiday Season

November 12, 2007

Analysis of:Bernanke on Holiday: Wait and See | www.wwd.com

While the very upper retail segment continues to perform well, off-price retailers and mass merchants will benefit most from a deteriorating economic outlook. Department Stores and Specialty Retailers must manage inventories skillfuly, in order to suvive the tough season ahead.

Martin BrillManaging PartnerSweetwater Consulting LLC

Vera Wang's New Line Is The Most Expensive Apparel Brand At Kohl's

August 27, 2007

Analysis of:Vera Wang Set to Dress Up Kohl's | online.wsj.com

1.In department stores, it is very rare that the most expensive line in a department ever does well. 2. It is unlikely that the typical Kohl's customer ever heard of Vera Wang. 3. Kohl's advertising campaign on this brand does not speak to their moderate customer base. 4. Vera Wang's designer line will not suffer and she will make some very nice short term money until Kohl's management recognizes its strategic mistake.

Paula PetersonPresidentCrown Luxury Consulting

Tiffany Makeover Better Than Takeover

July 30, 2007

Analysis of:Tiffany shares jump on takeover speculation | today.reuters.com

1.  Tiffany & Co. is one of the global leaders in the luxury jewelry space; the strategic direction in merchandising, marketing and store operations have proven the company has a strong and viable- business platform  2.  LVMH is a global leader in the luxury apparel/accessory space, but has not proven to understand or add shareholder value to pure players in the jewelry space ( eg: DeBeers retail stores)

Paula PetersonPresidentCrown Luxury Consulting

Keeping it Real: fake goods do not have to be ingested to be lethal

July 26, 2007

Analysis of:Counterfeits Causing Real Damage in Human Terms | www.retailwire.com

1.    Counterfeit goods have been a virus on the global economy by fueling the gray market 2.    Counterfeit goods give rise to substandard working conditions and the employment of child labor 3.    The lack of consumer concern and willingness to purchase counterfeit luxury goods may have contributed to the recent surge of counterfeiting across multiple categories.

Paula PetersonPresidentCrown Luxury Consulting

Tiffany blue box is red hot among the investment community

July 19, 2007

Analysis of:Tiffany shares jump on takeover speculation | today.reuters.com

1 - Tiffany may need new management to fuel growth.
2 - Tiffany investments in Little Switzerland & others have not increased shareholder value.                             

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