RUGBY GOES E-TAIL/3 the SUPERGIRL TRIO/8 Top Vendorwwd Pay Women’S Wear Daily • the Retailers’ Daily Newspaper • July 31, 2008 • $2.00 WWDTHURSDAY List Sportswear
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The Inside: Pg. 18 RUGBY GOES E-TAIL/3 THE SUPERGIRL TRIO/8 Top VendorWWD Pay Women’s Wear Daily • The Retailers’ Daily Newspaper • July 31, 2008 • $2.00 WWDTHURSDAY List Sportswear Case Studies Bookworms know their classics, whether you’re talking about Shakespeare or sheaths. And both will always be in style. AY Here, A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz’s polyester bow dress and Rag & Bone’s cashmere sweater. Burberry glasses and Vans shoes. For more, see pages 4 and 5. As Industry Digests Mervyns Bankruptcy, Could Boscov’s Be Next? By WWD Staff Sources told WWD that to prevent a bankruptcy filing, ven as the industry digested Boscov’s could file for bankruptcy but after making a nearly $30 Ethe news of a bankrupt as early as Monday, depending million contribution within the last Mervyns, rumblings grew of on whether it is able to secure month, there’s a greater chance another potential Chapter 11 a cash transfusion. Sources also that additional capital might not filing by a major retailer: Boscov’s said the owning families might be forthcoming. Department Stores. inject more cash into the chain See Industry, Page 20 PHOTO BY GEORGE CHINSEE; MODEL: MELINA HUETTNER/TRUMP; HAIR AND MAKEUP BY VANESSA EVELYN AT PETRA ALEXANDRA; STYLED BY KIM FRID ALEXANDRA; STYLED BY PETRA AT VANESSA EVELYN GEORGE CHINSEE; MODEL: MELINA HUETTNER/TRUMP; HAIR AND MAKEUP BY PHOTO BY WWD.COM WWDTHURSDAY Sportswear ™ FASHION A weekly update on consumer attitudes and behavior based Geek mythology: Crisp shirting and strong graphics make the perfect on ongoing research from Cotton Incorporated 4 combo for a charming fusion of nerdy and cool. GENERAL AHEAD OF THE CLASS Even as the industry digested the news of a bankrupt Mervyns, Back-to-School Shoppers Hit the Stores Early For Value 1 rumblings grew of another potential Chapter 11 fi ling: Boscov’s. Jones Apparel Group said shares rose 11.7 percent after it posted second- Subject: Economics 101. Assignment 1: Get be flat (at $234.52, compared with $234.51 in 3 quarter results that beat estimates and unveiled a new retail concept. the most stylish back-to-school apparel for a limited 2007), as will footwear, at about 17% ($109.75, DENIM: Rachel and James Rose, owners of the premium label 18th amount of money. compared with $108.42). That increase of about 6 Amendment, are launching a diffusion line, The Beautiful and Damned. That’s the task at hand for parents this back-to- $30 expected by the NRF this year will be spent on LETTERS: As the fastest-growing U.S. metropolitan region, Dallas school season, and many appear computers and cell phones. 10 continues an aggressive retail, fashion and economic expansion. ready and willing to start their According to the Monitor, 83% homework right now, despite the of parents agree that clothing Tod’s SpA reported a 9.7 percent increase in fi rst-half revenues, with leisurely summer days still left on prices have increased from 16 momentum in its core category of shoes and its main market, Italy. the calendar. last year: 60% say denim jeans Ralph Lauren was the highest paid apparel vendor executive for the According to tracking data prices are up, 45% see increases 18 fourth straight year at $34.2 million, up 32 percent from last year. from the Cotton Incorporated in T-shirts, 52% see it in casual Diane von Furstenberg and the late Liz Claiborne now have a permanent Lifestyle Monitor™, 86% of back- slacks and 44% in woven shirts. 21 place on Seventh Avenue, stars along the Fashion Walk of Fame. to-school shoppers say they start Increasing apparel prices have buying their wardrobes before 68% of parents saying they Diane von Furstenberg, who was reelected Wednesday, will continue in her role as president of the CFDA for a second two-year term. the first day of school. These will not be able to buy as much 21 early birds should rejoice, since clothing as they did last year, one retailers are nudging the season reason apparel expenditures are EYE forward each year, and 2008 may “Back to school campaigns have estimated to remain the same. Jemma Kidd and Sarah Woodhead were among the quests at Cartier be the earliest yet. launched earlier in recent years as Styles this back-to-school 24 International Polo at Windsor Great Park, a fi xture of summer in England. “Back-to-school campaigns retailers look to extend the season season reflect the current political Classifi ed Advertisements.............................................................22-23 have launched earlier in recent and create a greater window for and economic climate reminiscent To e-mail reporters and editors at WWD, the address is fi rstname. of the early ’90s, asserts Abigail years as retailers look to extend repeat shopping trips.” [email protected], using the individual’s name. the season and create a greater —Casey Chroust, Cook, a Product Trend Analyst SVP, Retail Operations, Retail with Cotton Incorporated. Says WWD IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ADVANCE MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS INC. COPYRIGHT window for repeat shopping ©2008 FAIRCHILD FASHION GROUP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. trips,” says Casey Chroust, Industry Leaders Association Cook, “We are seeing grunge VOLUME 196, NO. 22. WWD (ISSN 0149–5380) is published daily (except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with Senior Vice President of Retail looks with flannel shirts and biker one additional issue in January, October and December, two additional issues in March, April, May, June, August and style jackets.” She also believes these new pieces November, and three additional issues in February and September) by Fairchild Fashion Group, which is a division of Operations for the Retail Industry Leaders Advance Magazine Publishers Inc. PRINCIPAL OFFICE: 750 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. Shared Services provided Association. “This year, retailers will be carrying work well with items many already have in their by Condé Nast Publications: S. I. Newhouse, Jr., Chairman; Charles H. Townsend, President/CEO; John W. Bellando, leaner inventories. They’re looking to create an closets. “It all comes down to maximizing value Executive Vice President/COO; Debi Chirichella Sabino, Senior Vice President/CFO; Jill Bright, Executive Vice President/ this season, so the garments that will do well will Human Resources. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and at additional mailing offi ces. Canada Post Publications early demand and capture the fewer dollars out Mail Agreement No. 40644503. Canadian Goods and Services Tax Registration No. 886549096-RT0001. Canada Post: there. It’s all about creating mind-share followed be key pieces that can be layered and changed return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: P.O. Box 503, RPO West Beaver Cre, Rich-Hill, ON L4B 4R6 POSTMASTER: by wallet-share.” around, like a cropped jacket, flannel shirt, soft SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY, P.O. Box 15008, North Hollywood, CA tees and updated denim.” 91615–5008. FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS, ADDRESS CHANGES, ADJUSTMENTS, OR BACK ISSUE “I wish I could identify the retailer that inched INQUIRIES: Please write to WWD, P.O. Box 15008, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5008, call 800-289-0273, or visit the back-to-school season up sooner and sooner, “It is all about great fashion and value for kids www.subnow.com/wd. Please give both new and old addresses as printed on most recent label. First copy of new but that’s irrelevant as it’s now commonplace with two-for items, layered looks, fresh plaid subscription will be mailed within four weeks after receipt of order. Address all editorial, business, and production bottoms, great polos in new colors and bold stripes, correspondence to WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY, 750 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. For permissions and reprint requests, among all retailers,” says Kathi O’Neil, Publisher please call 212-630-4274 or fax requests to 212-630-4280. Visit us online at www.wwd.com. To subscribe to other of The City Picks Group, a series of online weekly tunics and leggings,” affirms Kathy Douglas, Vice Fairchild magazines on the World Wide Web, visit www.fairchildpub.com. Occasionally, we make our subscriber list publications dedicated to shopping. “And they are President and General Merchandising Manager, available to carefully screened companies that offer products and services that we believe would interest our readers. all promoting the concept of value by shopping Kids for Kmart. If you do not want to receive these offers and/or information, please advise us at P.O. Box 15008, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5008 or call 800-289-0273. WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RETURN OR LOSS OF, back-to-school right now.” Embracing the traditional doesn’t mean you OR FOR DAMAGE OR ANY OTHER INJURY TO, UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS, UNSOLICITED ART WORK (INCLUDING, For Karen, a mother of three in Westchester, can’t have a little fun, encourages Kate Parkhouse, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DRAWINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND TRANSPARENCIES), OR ANY OTHER UNSOLICITED New York, shopping early means shopping smart. spokesperson for JCPenney. “Don’t be afraid to mix MATERIALS. THOSE SUBMITTING MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, ART WORK, OR OTHER MATERIALS FOR CONSIDERATION SHOULD NOT SEND ORIGINALS, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED TO DO SO BY WOMEN’S WEAR “Right now, I can take advantage of the deep tees, tanks and camisoles in a variety of vivid colors DAILY IN WRITING. MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND OTHER MATERIALS SUBMITTED MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY clearance prices on summer basics like tees, khakis and rule the hallways in a pleated plaid mini or A SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE. and light sweaters while also shopping the special high-waisted jean. Polos, hoodies and cardigans are promotions for back-to-school.