The Associated Press has an article previewing the July retail sales results (see: July Same-Store Sales Seen Improving). Most stores are releasing their July same store sales numbers on Thursday, August 3 and analysts are expecting solid results. Wal-Mart has already announced that their July same store sales increased 2.4%. Expect department stores and teen retailers to have good boosts in sales due to the BTS season.
Also, originally from the Sacramento Bee, Will back-to-school shoppers spend? Another good rundown of the sales figures to be released this week.
I just got back in from a long weekend in upstate New York, where I was camping. It was very nice and relaxing to get away for a few days. As a member of Generation Y, rarely do I have to opportunity to be so far removed from technology for even a brief moment. But a few days without cell phones, computers, or anything digital (ok ok – except for my iPod), was very nice.
The work/life balance is very important to me. Moments like this – where I get to sit back and enjoy time with my family and friends – are very invigorating.
No retail notes column this week. Since i just got in, I’m catching up and I’ll be back with things tomorrow.
Press release from businesswire.com:
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 27, 2006–Kuhlman Company, Inc. (AMEX: KUL), a fast growing provider of European-inspired, tailored clothing for men and women, today announced that the Company has been selected to be the exclusive supplier of The William Collection, a private label line of fashionable men’s shirts owned by Kuhlman Company, to Kohl’s Corporation. The line, which will be distributed in all doors for Kohl’s beginning with the Fall 2006 collection, is expected to be a material line of business for Kuhlman Company.
Scott Kuhlman, Chief Creative Officer, commented, “We are very pleased and proud to have been selected by Kohl’s for this important program. We will translate our contemporary design sensibility and utilize our proprietary sourcing network to bring to Kohl’s a high-value, compelling assortment of men’s shirts. We believe that this line will serve to further differentiate their already strong private label assortment and expect it to be a meaningful business that will help us as we continue to move our own business closer to profitability.”
Not a major move on anyone’s part, but an interesting one.
I don’t know much about Kuhlman Company, but from looking at their website, they seem to make dress shirts & tailored clothing, at a price range a bit higher than Kohl’s currently supports. Dress shirts on the website run at $65 vs. the Chaps by Ralph Lauren line at Kohl’s which retails for $42 but is more often on sale at $24.99 – $27.99. Even if Kuhlman Company produces a line at a lower tier than what they currently produce for their own stores, I would assume that this will still be a higher tier, or “best quality”, line for Kohl’s.
It may not be the biggest move or product launch Kohl’s will offer this year. But this small move marks a step forward in the Men’s fashion offerings at Kohl’s, which is always good to see.
As I talked about last week, JC Penney is looking forward to a strong BTS season. Now, Reuter’s is talking about the economic slowdown and how that may effect JC Penney (see: J.C. Penney Brushes Off Slowdown Signs, Keeps Bold Expansion Plans). Although retailers at large at worried about what may or may not be looming on the horizon, investors believe mid-tier retailers like JC Penney and Kohl’s have the most to gain in the coming months. The article talks a bit about the Sephora venture and JC Penney’s sponsorship of the MTV Video Music Awards.
Speaking of which, the commercials that they are showing on MTV for the JC Penney “VMA Insider” contest are pretty lousy. Not only do they not make much sense, but the fashion that they show in the commercial is just bad – not exactly the best foot forward that they could be going with.
The season is just getting underway now and it should be interesting to see what the early indications are when JC Penney and other retailers release their July sales next week.
Great post over at the Chain Store Age Blog discussing Wal-Mart’s new White Plain’s store (see: Wal-Mart’s Urban Tale). The post includes a good rundown about some of the history of White Plains which led Wal-Mart to select it as it’s next urban store. It also has some photos of the store. Although I am a fan of the escalator system, the rest of the store seems very bland and not very exciting. Not the look they are going for, I’m sure.
