 |
 Bloomingdale's
Flagship store was threatened by
a strike. This would the first time the store
was shut down due to a strike since 1965.
Bloomingdale’s and the Retail, Wholesale
and Department Store Union Local 3, which
represents workers at the store, have been
in talks since February. The discussions pertain
only to the 59th Street flagship. My question
is - does Bloomingdales really have any sales
people? But when compared to other stores,
I guess they do. |
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 The
Gucci brand hits turbulence. After
experiencing soaring growth over the past
few years, the Gucci saw sales slip in the
first quarter due to tough conditions in
the U.S. (and Europe) and the impact of
currency exchange.
The decline came even as the other brands
in the group went up.
Gucci's weakness contrasted with strong
showings by Europe's other big luxury players.
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton said
first-quarter sales grew 12 percent.
According to executives the brand will
“make more of a statement with its
double-G logo fabric, with more emphasis
on the motif on the fashion runway as well
as in advertisements.”
I knew that $3000 handbags would eventually
hit a snag – and I guess they have.
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 The
competition to brand and blend with your consumer
has motivated Tommy Hilfiger to launch
an online music channel with SonyBMG.
The station will be called Tommy TV, which
is quite endearing if you love the Tommy factor.
What this
tells me is that clothing companies are
desperate to appear “Cool and Hip”
and they realize the need to bond with their
customers. In these economic times you have
to sell more than fashion – you need
to sell self-esteem and a sense of understanding.
Freud would have a lot to say about that
I am sure.
Consumers want to be heard and they want
to feel that their favorite brands share
their interests and thought patterns. If
you don’t believe it, check out the
popularity of Christian Audigier at Ed Hardy.
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 Wal-Mart
Hires Executive to explore the Russian market.
Seeking to
widen its global reach, Wal-Mart Stores
named Stephan Fanderl as president of Wal-Mart
Emerging Markets - East. Wal-Mart said Fanderl
will lead the company's efforts to explore
retail business opportunities in Russia
and neighboring markets.
Fanderl was with the Rewe Group, a leading
German retailer specializing in supermarkets,
hypermarkets, home improvement centers and
travel agencies.
Besides the US, Wal-Mart operates stores
in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Brazil,
China, the U.K., Japan, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. |
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The Annual Conference for Catalog &
Multichannel Merchants (ACCM) will take
place from May 19 to 22 in Orlando, Florida.
The conference is for catalog, internet
and multi-channel merchants who want to
engage customers, battle costs and boost
profits. Keynote speaker will be Bill Bass,
CEO of Fair Indigo and Keith Wardell, author
of “Marketing Out Of Control.”
There will be Web Site Usability and Search
Engine Marketing Labs. “Learn what
your competitors are doing to get ahead
at the 2008 Annual Multichannel Merchant
Awards Luncheon & Ceremony.”
Save money by using the code E49 when
you register at www.accmshow.com |