RETAILERS EXPAND AND MAKE ROOM FOR ACCESSORY COLLECTIONS

Apparently the accessory market is poised to make a comeback, why else would large chain stores be adding accessory departments?

The reason I tell you this is because some of you may want to contact these stores to sell them hats - either your label or private label.

One of the stores to add size and space for accessories is Forever 21, the Los Angeles-based Junior retailer that copies designer fashion trends with precision at down and dirty prices. We have mentioned this store in the past (and are very impressed with their ability to copy the best and brightest for a song).

The 12-year-old company just opened a 40,000-square-foot store in Pasadena California’s historic district. The two-level Forever 21 (formally occupied by Saks Fifth Avenue) has integrated the company's one-year old accessory store, For Love 21.

"By virtue of the square footage, it's a mini department store," said Larry Meyer, senior vice president of privately owned Forever 21. "This is the first concept that incorporates all the various merchandise initiatives we have to date."

Their first store was in the Highland Park area of downtown Los Angeles in 1984. The company now operates 260 Forever 21 and Forever XXI stores, ten For Love 21 accessory stores and 120 Gadzooks stores - they bought Gadzooks last year.

PAYLESS ALSO UPS THE ANTE FOR ACCESSORIES:
PayLess’s new store concept is part of a push to position itself as a fashion-forward accessory retailer. Not content to just sell shoes, the $2.6 billion chain store wants to build a lifestyle brand from the foot up. They are currently adding handbags, belts, fashion jewelry, watches and sunglasses.

They have not said anything about hats, but why not contact them and try to sell them HATS?

Payless is opening up six new stores with accessories. The new CEO, Matthew Rubel, was formally CEO of Cole Haan. That means Payless is paving the way for a more upbeat and upscale (if not hipper) fashion stance. We hear that the Topeka, Kansas based firm is hiring a design team for its corporate headquarters.

“We will create original designs around trends. We see this as a tool to democratize accessories, creating great design at a compelling price point."

Payless recently acquired American Eagle brand footwear and accessories and is hooking up with the American Ballet Theatre to do a line of dance shoes and accessories to be sold at Payless stores.

”Redefining Payless as an accessory resource was central to the project,” said Paula Stafford, of Callison, a Seattle architecture firm that worked on the new store concept." Part of this whole thing is the evolution of the business to being more of an accessories business. For women, accessorization has become so important, they often shop for footwear and handbags in tandem."

LILLY PULITZER ALSO ADDING ACCESSORIES TO THEIR DESIGN MIX:
Apparently the powers that be at Pulitzer want to make this Palm Beach label more of a lifestyle brand and less of a vacation afterthought. That’s why they have added a design team and accessory designers to make more of the Pulitzer label.

They have said nothing about hats, but if you know this flowery brand you know that their customers are withering away in the sun (using Botox to keep their husbands and cache on the social circuit). With that said: THIS IS A BRAND THAT COULD USE A HEADWEAR LICENSE.

They are licensing eyewear, watches, furniture and fragrance (and have added a collection of menswear, accessories and footwear).