Consumer's Buying Habits and Fast Fashion

How will the apparel industry respond to this major change in the consumer’s buying habits. If the consumer buys only based upon need because of both economic and sustainability influences, will it mean “fast fashion” for everyone? (Professor Rosenau)

“The Great Depression replaced a spendthrift culture with a generation of frugal savers. The recent recession, too, has left in its wake a deeply changed shopper: the just-in-time consumer."Consumers are saying, 'I'm going to buy what I need for a specific period of time,' rather than loading up and buying two or three extra units just because they can get a good price on it," says Richard Wolford, CEO of Del Monte Foods Co. He calls the phenomenon "need it now." (WSJ)

I believe the fashion Industry is confronting innumerable new faces due to a new consumer mindset. The apparel industry in the U.S has to consider all these faces when planning a successful business model. The questions is indeed, if “Fast Fashion” will last and become the rule, when the economy is still in a deep transformation.

Please Click Link to read the whole article

The Wall Street Journal

Another Example of Today’s Apparel Industry Harnessing the Power of Technology

I really like technology and I am a Google enthusiast, so I am very pleased Google has entered into the apparel world.

This Wednesday, Google will set a new fashion Web site and virtual designer boutiques.

"The fashion world is abuzz with talk about the venture, according to sources who have been briefed on the search giant’s plans.

Anyone will be able to create and share their own personalized shop by selecting style preferences and the looks, brands and items they love — in the end making it easier and more stylish to buy fashion on the Web.

The search company has tapped Sarah Jessica Parker to set up her own personalized shop and is reportedly wooing Katie Holmes to do the same."

Click on the Link to read the article, I really recommend it

(DWW)

Technology-the Global Enabler of Fashion

"Technology is enabling the Global World of Fashion to have immediate access to important information. This article describes another example of how far our industry has come in embracing technology." Professor Rosenau

Please click on the link to read article

Technology

Next Generation of Leaders in the Apparel Industry

" It is important to understand what skill sets are needed for the next generation of leaders in the apparel industry, Since they are very similar to those that are required in the retail industry, this article in WWD can be very helpful when selecting your areas of study and preparing for your future"' (Commends by Professor Rosenau)

Read the article at:

http://ezproxy.philau.edu:2118/business-news/future-retail-leaders-need-different-skillset-3364086?

Masstige Gains Power

"Masstige"
Are you aware of this Term? I wans't, but it seems that it has been around for a while.
In a article published by WWD, the term Masstige refers to the new trend that high end designers are adopting when participating actively in the low-price but stylish clothing market.
I think that high-end designers who have decided to participate in the lower price fashion market are doing the right thing. What do you think?

Vera Wang idea of Empire

"For many years apparel companies would not pursue a multi channel method of distribution. This approach is changing as more and more designers are pursuing this approach to reaching a broader audience. This article about Vera Wang decribes her startegy of "selling through luxury, mid priced and discoun stores".
Comment on the article by Professor Rosenau

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703597204575483643246884082.html?KEYWORDS=vera+wang

Exclusivity: Greg Norman and Macy's

Macy's joins forces with Greg Norman for another exclusive arrangement. I also read an article in a recent Wall Street Journal that private brands and exclusive collections represent 40 percent of Macy's sales. With other retailers following the same strategies,what then is the future for national brands? As a manufacturer of a national brand, how would you respond?
http://www.wwd.com/wwd-publications/wwd/2010-08-31?id=3232157&date=today&module=tn/today#/article/menswear-news/macy-s-to-offer-greg-norman-collection-3232203?navSection=issues&navId=3232157

Polo's Success Story

Nothing happens by itself. What be learned from Polo's road to global
success?

http://www.wwd.com/business-news/polo-an-american-icon-adopts-a-global-perspective-3205493#/article/business-news/polo-an-american-icon-adopts-a-global-perspective-3205493?full=true

New lines

These are just further examples of companies looking for ways to grow their businesses. As a consumer, would you be interested in buying these new products? How important are brand names when purchasing apparel?

http://www.wwd.com/wwd-publications/wwd/2010-08-02?id=3199704&date=today&module=tn/today#/article/markets-news/carole-hochman-jumps-into-men-s-3200228?navSection=issues&navId=3199704
http://www.wwd.com/wwd-publications/wwd/2010-08-02?id=3199704&date=today&module=tn/today#/article/markets-news/hilfiger-launches-eyewear-with-safilo-3200040?navSection=issues&navId=3199704

US Files Labor Rights Against Guatemala

Do you agree with our government's action or should we stay away from such a strong response? How will this affect our country's relationship with Central America?




http://www.wwd.com/business-news/ppr-net-leaps-1133-percent-in-first-half-3199262?module=today#/article/business-news/us-files-labor-rights-case-against-guatemala-3199295?navSection=business-news

new semester

With the beginning of our new semester, I invite all alumni and current students to participate in our FAS blog. It is a wonderful way to have a dialogue about the many events and trends that are affecting the global apparel industry.We will also post exciting news about Philadelphia University and the Fashion Apparel Studies Program. I look forward to sharing your thoughts and ideas.
Professor Rosenau

The Hong Kong-based company Li & Fung announced a partnership with Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

The Hong Kong-based company Li & Fung announced a partnership with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Among others, this company provides merchandise to Kohl's ( KSS - news -people ), Target ( TGT - news -people ), Marks and Spencer (MASPY.PK - news - people ) andTalbots ( TLB - news - people ). Moreover, last year took over Liz Claiborne Inc. ( LIZ - news - people)'s sourcing arm, and bought U.S.-based Wear Me Apparel's clothing and accessories operations, whose products are sold at retailers like Macy's. The Wal-Mart’s deal would let this company become a global sourcing giant. I recommend a close follow up.

Source: Forbes

Discovering how to meet the needs of the marketplace is also the driving force for apparel companies

Keep eyes and ears open. When you see a need don’t let it pass. Look for solutions, execute and deliver. There are needs that seem impossible to supply because the conditions of the market sometimes are extreme. Fortunately, when there is clear understanding of a need, impossible things become possible. In the presentation: A warm embrace that saves lives, Jane Chen the CEO of a social enterprise shows how thousands of premature babies in India are saved thanks to an innovate sleeping bag. This social enterprise, with the help of technology and the understanding of the local needs could create, execute and deliver a sleeping bag that keeps premature babies at the needed temperature to survive. I highly recommend this video posted by TED.

Never is too Late

When is the right time to launch your product? This question has been made millions of times. Perhaps the answer is that there is always a good time. If you thought that Adidas and Nike had no worries, look twice. Founded thirteen years ago, Under Armour has been able to do the impossible. Not long ago Under Armour’s Brand was able to enter one of the most competitive markets,: Sport-wear. The fact is that Under Armour was able to find a space among the big ones. This brand found a segment that Nike and Adidas haven’t been able to see before, high school teenagers. These teenagers couldn’t afford Nike or Adidas’ apparel, but needed a good athletic performance apparel brand for their everyday practices. Under Armours captured this segment with a fresh product with the right price. Today this company is very promising, has big plans and is considered competition for Adidas and Nike.

Watch the video posted.

Exciting Workshops With Career Services For Spring 2010

Career Services is very excited about the semester ahead and they have created some programs that I want to share with you. I encourage you to attend these events. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call Career Services. Each event will be individually promoted as the dates approach but I thought this overview might be helpful.

Job Search Prep Session: Tuesday, January 19th, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Career Services Center Kanbar 314
Learn how to search for a job in a down economy. Students will be taught how to research companies, expand their network and organize their search for successful results. Students seeking full-time and internship jobs are encouraged to attend. Space is limited; pre-register on CareerLink.

NEW! Internship Action Plans: January 20th, 25th and 26th, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Career Services, Kanbar 313
Sophomore and junior level students, preparing for an internship search, are encouraged to schedule a 1:1, half-hour appointment with the Career Services staff. Students will walk away with an individualized plan to get their search started. Students should call the Career Services Center at 215.951.2930 to schedule an appointment.

NEW! Career Services Meet & Greet: Are you a Lucky Duck?: Thursday, January 21st, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Kanbar Living Room
Learn more about Career Services including getting started on a full-time job search, finding an internship and learning about programs, events and resources to start making career decisions. Students can test their luck to find out if they’re a Lucky Duck!

NEW! Interview Preparation and a LIVE Mock Interview: Tuesday, February 9th, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tuttleman 108
Learn about interviewing from an employer named by Fortune Magazine as “Most Admired” general merchandiser. Following the instruction, the employer will conduct a LIVE interview with a Philadelphia University senior and critique the interview for the audience. Space is limited; pre-register on CareerLink.

NEW! The Breakfast Club: Alumni Chat Sessions: 2/10, 2/17, 3/3, 3/10, 8:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m. Kanbar 314
Students are invited to meet alumni from various industries to learn about their careers while building their professional network. Alumni attending each session will be posted on CareerLink – students are strongly encouraged to pre-register.

Interview Prep Sessions: 2/19, 2/26 and 3/5, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. locations posted on CareerLink
Don’t wait until you have an interview to learn how to interview! If your future includes interviews, get your preparation out of the way now and attend one of these sessions. Pre-register on CareerLink.

Internship Spring Training: February 2nd – 18th
Warm-Up: Employer Panel, February 2nd 11:15 – 12:15 Tuttleman Auditorium
Hear from employers from various industries talk about how to find an internship and stand out as an intern

Opening Day, February 4th 11:30 – 12:30 Kanbar Performance Space
Meet interns in your major and learn from Faculty Internship Advisors how to can earn credit for your internship

Resume Workouts, February 5th, 12th & 15th 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Career Services Center
Update your resume to include your summer experience. Make sure your resume is as strong as it can be to attract the attention of the employers you’re targeting. Spend 10-15 minutes for a 1:1 review of your resume before giving a single one to an employer!

Open Workouts, February 9th & 16th Career Services Center
Walk-ins with a counselor for answers to your internship questions

Conditioning: Internship Info Sessions February 10th 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. Kanbar 314 February 11th 11:00 – 12:00, Kanbar 314
Learn specific details of taking an internship for academic credit. All students welcome to
attend.

Scouting Report: Internship Search & Career Fair Prep: February 16th 11:15 – 12:30 Kanbar Performance Space
Students will learn how to conduct an effective internship search and get ready to introduce themselves to employers at the job fair. Sign up on CareerLink.

Career & Internship Fair: Spring Into Your Future: February 18th 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Kanbar Performance Space
Meet over 35 employers recruiting students for full-time and internship positions; great networking and recruiting opportunity. Dress for your industry and bring resumes. Pre-register on CareerLink

It is Possible to Reinvent the Retail Industry and Create a Positive Impact

The retail industry is facing difficult times, but there is still a lot to do. In a review of the annual NFR meeting, published in January 15 by WWD, companies made clear that there still space to grow and make money. Speakers were convinced that there is a big opportunity to improve the conditions of the industry through wise implementation of sustainability, technology and consumer psychographics analysis. These three aspects have proved in retailers like Wal-Mart to be the beginning of the reinvention of the industry.
Source: WWD

Global Markets

Think outside of the box and become global. Keep in mind that creativity is not enough when expanding brands into new markets.

In an article published by The New York Times in January 1, 2010, the importance of understanding global markets in the apparel industry is highlighted. The Japanese fashion is highly admired and copied by western countries, but the lack of experience bringing brands to foreign markets has become a limitation when growing business globally.

Source: New York Times

What does the apparel industry need to come back to the game?

There isn’t a secret that we are going through difficult times. The New York Times published a review from 2009 December sales. Some sectors like electronics and jewelry were able to raise their sales compared with the period a year earlier. Sales of electronics rose 7.3 percent and jewelry increased 6.9 percent while sales of clothing declined 1.8 percent.

Should we keep inventories down and take the 1.8 percent down as the new market pattern? Or should we do something?

Source: New York Times