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June 30, 2008
Brooks Bros. To Open Black Fleece Store
Brooks Bros. is raising the visibility of its Black Fleece line by launching its own freestanding store. The new 1,700-square foot store is due to open on New York’s Bleecker Street in mid-October.
Black Fleece is a high-end, fashion-forward line created by designer Thom Browne, who is known for his slim silhouette and shortened pants.
Brooks Bros. launched the line in fall of 2007 and currently distributes it in 30 of its U.S. locations, as well as in its international flagships.
Posted by Blacks at 08:50 AM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2008
Escada Posts Losses As Primera Division Declines
Escada Group’s profits fell dramatically in the second quarter of the year as the German firm reported a net loss of $6.6 million compared to the profit of $3.7 million it posted a year ago. Sales for the quarter ended April 30 dropped 16% to $236 million.
While the Escada brand saw an earnings increase of 6%, the company’s Primera division brought in losses. Primera includes the Cavita, Laurèl, and Apriori brands as well as the Biba retail chain. The company is now forecasting net losses for the full year.
Posted by Blacks at 08:49 AM | Comments (0)
June 26, 2008
Christian Francis Roth Returns With Women's Line
Eighties design darling Christian Francis Roth is returning next spring with a new high-end women’s wear collection dubbed Francis by Christian Francis Roth.
The collection, will which debut at New York Fashion Week in September will be Roth’s first independent venture since launching his own line in the early ‘90s. By 1995 he closed his business and began working as a corporate designer for firms such as Nordstrom.
Now Roth is back with a high-end contemporary line and has plans to eventually launch a designer label. The Francis line will retail at about $350 to $500 for dresses and $450 to $600 for jackets.
Posted by Blacks at 09:12 AM | Comments (0)
June 25, 2008
Tom Ford Opens New European Flagship In Milan
Tom Ford opened a new flagship in Milan this week, offering chic menswear to the fashion capital. The 12,000-square-foot store covers five floors on Via Verri.
The store offers ready-to-wear, made-to-measure, shirting, fragrances, sportswear and accessories.
Ford’s first retail store opened in New York last year but more are already in the works. The former Gucci designer plans to open 11 more stores in coming months, including doors in San Francisco, Moscow, Hong Kong and Dubai.
Posted by Blacks at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)
June 23, 2008
Furla Plans Retail Push As Sales Soar
Italian handbag maker Furla is on an aggressive growth path with plans to open 50 new stores around the world. At the same time, the company continues to develop a higher-end line, saying that price has not been a deterrent.
Furla has managed to shake off U.S. economic woes, posting a 60% earning increase last year on sales that rose 12%. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization came in at 24 million euros.
Now the brand is looking to increase its retail presence with new boutiques in the U.S., Russia and China, among other growth markets.
Posted by Blacks at 09:53 AM | Comments (0)
June 18, 2008
Report: Lanvin Looking For Minority Investor
Lanvin owner Shaw-Lan Wang is reportedly looking for a minority investor to give the French brand a capital infusion.
Lanvin has been selling well in recent seasons but it doesn’t have the range of product that some competing brands offer. Wang is reportedly looking for an investor to take 35% to 40% of the brand for 100 million euros to 200 million euros.
Posted by Blacks at 09:27 AM | Comments (0)
June 11, 2008
Topshop To Open On Broadway
Topshop is landing in New York in October with a 40,000-square foot, four-story flagship on Broadway. The famous U.K. retailer plans to duplicate its London flagship, offering a wide array of trendy clothes in a hip and modern setting.
Topshop is best known for its cheap chic London styles and the deal it sealed with Kate Moss to create a capsule collection. The new store is sure to be a hit with New York fashionistas. We’re curious to see if more U.S. locations will follow.
Posted by Blacks at 07:09 AM | Comments (0)
June 09, 2008
Bonwit Teller Plans A Comeback
High-end retailer Bonwit Teller is planning a comeback with two new flagships in New York and L.A. The store, first introduced at the turn of the 19th century, underwent some tough times in the 1980s and had retreated from the retail landscape. Now, Bonwit is back, hoping to offer a unique luxury experience.
New York and L.A. stores are planned for the end of the year, and could expand to 20 additional locations.
Posted by Blacks at 08:49 AM | Comments (0)
June 05, 2008
Neiman's Earnings Fall 7% On Slow Sales
Neiman Marcus is feeling the pinch from the U.S. economic slowdown. The department store’s earnings dropped 7% in the last quarter to $55.4 million while sales fell 1% to $1.06 billion.
Although the last quarter was rough, the retailer is holding out hope that early fall deliveries and light-colored spring goods will spur sales in the months ahead. Early fall goods generally sell well, and light colored merchandise offer something different for consumers whose closets are packed with dark-colored clothes.
Posted by Blacks at 09:45 AM | Comments (0)
June 04, 2008
Europe, Asia Boost Tiffany's Q1 Income
Tiffany & Co.’s first-quarter earnings surged 19% to $64 million, thanks to strong sales in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Total sales for the quarter ended April 30 increased by 12.2% to $668 million.
Although the jewelry retailer was affected by the slowing U.S. economy, it said that sales to tourist in its New York flagship helped it weather the storm.
Same-store sales in the Americas were constant from last year. However, overall same-store sales were up 3%.
Posted by Blacks at 11:41 AM | Comments (0)
June 03, 2008
Lululemon's sales, income soar on new stores
Lululemon Athletica’s first-quarter sales soared 75% to $78.2 million, driven by strong same-store sales and 27 new locations. Meanwhile, the Canadian company’s income for the period ended May 4th soared 139% to $8.5 million.
Despite the rosy results, the company lowered its forecasts for fiscal 2008, citing rising employee costs and spending on strategic initiatives.
Lululemon has seen substantial growth by tapping into the yoga and fitness markets. It plans to open 35 new stores annually and predicts that same-store sales growth will hit the high single-digits or low teens.
Posted by Blacks at 12:18 PM | Comments (0)
June 02, 2008
Louis Boston To Relocate Off Newbury St.
Louis Boston is moving off of Newbury Street due to the influx of more common brands to the area. The landmark Boston Specialty store could be moved to the South End or the Seaport District development once its lease expires in 2010.
Louis owner Debi Greenberg made the decision after watching Newbury flooded with stores such as H&M and Victoria’s Secret.
Louis is famous for its carefully selected luxe brands, occupying a distinctive 40,000 square-foot selling space. Greenberg hopes to recreate the store’s unique luxury experience is a new specialized location.
Posted by Blacks at 09:20 AM | Comments (0)
