THE DONEGER GROUP SWALLOWS UP ANOTHER BUYING OFFICE

Los Angeles-based Directives West will become an independent division of The Doneger Group (in NYC) this week.

Directive’s West founder and President Sandy Richmond will remain with the company and continue with her staff of 20 employees. They cover the West Coast apparel and accessories market for department stores, specialty chains and boutiques.

The deal joins two businesses described as “friendly competitors,” by Doneger President, Abbey Doneger and will merge The Doneger Group’s existing West Coast office into Directives West.

“Sandy and I have known each other for a long time,” said Doneger, who said the two had discussed the possibility of merging over the years.

“Abbey has been courting me for 20 years,” said Richmond. “The retail community has gotten smaller and the merger will help me strengthen my organization.”

As an independent division within The Doneger Group, Directives West will retain its customer base, staff and core services.

“Directives West is going to be Directives West. Period, It’s really not changing,” said Richmond. “Our focus is exactly the same as what it was when we started 25 years ago—the best of the West.”

The deal will give Directives access to The Doneger Group’s resources, including back-end support such as technology, administration, production and accounting, Doneger noted.

For The Doneger Group, the merger gives the New York company greater visibility on the West Coast—and the company will now have access to Directive West’s reservoir of industry knowledge.

The Doneger Group currently operates a West Coast office in the California Market Center under the direction of Janine Blain.

By expanding its West Coast operations, The Doneger Group is providing added value for its customers and gaining a more-global take on the apparel industry.