Fashion Week has long been recognized as a hub for the hottest trends. But with the retail sector getting pounded by the economy, has sponsoring the event gone out of style?
Consumer Nation
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While 94 percent of the companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index have already reported quarterly earnings, this week remains a key week for the retail industry with 24 retailers reporting earnings—12 of which are S&P 500 components.
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Toys 'R Us Plans to Open 350 'Holiday Express' Stores
Posted By: Christina Cheddar Berk
At a time when many retailers are shutting store locations, Toys 'R Us is making a bold move of boosting its retail presence during its most critical selling season.
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Risky Business: Lingerie Makers Go Outside Their Comfort Zone
Posted By: Christina Cheddar Berk
Ahh…temptation. Isn’t that what shopping is supposed to be about?
Sometimes it’s hard in these tough times for retailers to think about anything survival, and stick to the safe and secure, but that’s not always going to be the right trick to woo the consumer. Sometimes, it pays to take a risk, especially when there’s a void to be filled.
Highlights From Frederick's 2009 Fall Collection
Posted By: Christina Cheddar Berk
Frederick's Lingerie Highlights
Photo: Frederick's of Hollywood / CNBC.com
Although consumers are still spending with restraint, Frederick's of Hollywood actually saw a pick up in sales of their fall collection during the month of August. CEO Linda LoRe attributes this trend to the "bright colors and fun fabrics" featured in the fall line-up. "The price points are so sharp," LoRe adds. According to LoRe, shoppers have a more limited budget, but they still want to be excited by the clothes they buy. "They want value. They want style," she says. Frederick's has been try
Although consumers are still spending with restraint, Frederick's of Hollywood actually saw a pick up in sales of their fall collection during the month of August. CEO Linda LoRe attributes this trend to the "bright colors and fun fabrics" featured in the fall line-up.
"The price points are so sharp," LoRe adds.
According to LoRe, shoppers have a more limited budget, but they still want to be excited by the clothes they buy. "They want value. They want style," she says. Frederick's has been trying to stand out from "same T's, tanks and pants."
Click ahead to see some items consumers are buying from Frederick's.
By Christina Cheddar Berk
Posted 14 Sept 2009
Fashion Business Tries to Alter Recession's 'Bad Fit'
Posted By: Cathy Horyn|The New York Times
The fabric in the hands of Thakoon Panichgul, one of Michelle Obama’s favorite designers, is exquisite. An Italian jacquard, woven from yarns of eight different colors, it costs $100 a yard. A dress that Mr. Panichgul plans to make from the cloth for his runway show next week will cost $2,000.
He lets it fall away. It troubles Mr. Panichgul that as much as people love beautiful clothes, they do not understand why they cost so much. “It’s becoming a losing battle,” he said.
What Does Wal-Mart's Marketplace Say About Online Shopping?
Posted By: Christina Cheddar Berk
Despite all its success, Wal-Mart Storeshas yet to conquer the online retail world. With its launch of the Wal-Mart Marketplace , the world's largest retailer may be hoping to change that.
Will KB Toys Live On After Liquidation?
Posted By: Christina Cheddar Berk
The stores may be shuttered, the company liquidated, but retail brands are increasingly living on long after the bankruptcy proceedings have ended.
Time to Get Classy: Picking A Winning Luxury Brand
Posted By: Krystina Gustafson
Now comes the tough part.
The latest batch of monthly retail sales reports showed steep sales declines for high-end retailers like Saks and Nordstrom , but with signs the economy is beginning to turn around, it will pay for luxury brands to hold their ground.
'Clunkers' Was An 'Ingenious' Way to Coax Spending
Posted By: Christina Cheddar Berk
The government's "Cash for Clunkers" program was "ingenious" because it coaxed wary consumers into re-leveraging their personal balance sheet, Doug Dachille, CEO of investment firm First Principles Capital Management told CNBC.
Give Up a Little Privacy, Get a Great Deal
Posted By: Christina Cheddar Berk
These days with folks posting their every move on social networking Web sites such as Facebook and Twitter, it's hard to know where the lines of privacy are drawn.
About Consumer Nation
From the products to the pitches to the people who buy them, we are a Consumer Nation. This blog focuses on all things consumer, taking the pulse of the attitudes that shape purchasing decisions, and providing insights that will help keep marketers, entrepreneurs and investors up-to-date on where trends are heading.
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Christina Cheddar Berk is editor of CNBC.com's Consumer Nation and chief trend spotter.
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