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Women face a difficult casual wear environment in business, with some industries being conservative and others very lax. There are also various regional and job level dress standards for every industry and company. Executives, both men and women, are required to wear formal attire in about one-third of the companies surveyed by NPD Group of Port Washington, NY, with casual dress allowed by another third., NEW YORK--Dress up? Dress down? Dress somewhere in between? Big changes in what's considered appropriate office attire are sweeping through many businesses. It's a revolution welcomed by many workers, who [...]

TORONTO I don't know how other women find the time to browse cosmetics counters, but it's been at least three months since I'd bought a new lipstick. I figured it [...]

Estee Lauder counters at a number of department stores around the US, Paris, France and London, England were visited in order to evaluate the sales techniques of the fragrance staff. Some sales peoples ignored the customer unless she was well-dressed. Other sales people did not have a good understanding of the scents they were selling or the way in which to offer customer service. A salesperson in Harvey Nichols in London, England, not only knew her products but was also enthusiastic about them., NEW YORK - Estee Lauder keeps its lengthy roster of fragrances - the first, Youth Dew, was launched in 1953 - away from the fragrance bar. And to this day, [...]

Bread & Circus Inc's new store, which opened in Washington, D.C. about three weeks prior to Feb 19, 1996, has generally met or slightly exceeded sales projections. The upscale supermarket retailer is planning to open a second store in Arlington, VA, towards the later part of Feb 1996, and plans to open a third store in Vienna, VA, in fall 1996. Bread & Circus places a heavy emphasis on the presentation of fresh foods., WASHINGTON (FNS) -- Bread & Circus has exported its first natural foods supermarket outside New England to a posh location here -- and is happy with the early performance of [...]

The retail industry in successfully marketing footwear needs to focus more effectively on various age groups. The demographic makeup of the population will require greater focus on each segment which includes baby boomers, children of baby boomers, the 50-plus generation, Generation X, and immigrant groups. Two particularly important segments of the population are the 40-49 age group, which is increasing 32.7% during the years 1990-2000, and the 50-59 age group, which is increasing 35.9% over the same period., WASHINGTON (FNS) - Changing consumer priorities and a shifting demographic base can be blamed for at least part of the retail malaise felt over the last five years. But profits [...]

Wal-Mart Stores Inc is tailoring its produce offerings to the consumption profiles of different stores to compete better with Super K and other supercenter operators. The aim is better inventory management, not better quality, which the retailer says is superior. To track inventory, Wal-Mart will make better use of existing data instead of installing a new system. Ninety-two to 97 new Wal-Mart supercenters are planned for 1995., Fayetteville, Ark. (FNS) - Wal-Mart Stores is redoubling its efforts to improve supercenter fresh food sections. The giant retailer is attempting to lure more supercenter shoppers into the supermarket section [...]

Home textile manufacturers are intensifying their efforts in the war against design piracy by becoming more politically vocal. Such piracy is difficult to stop because foreign countries often do not have a way to deal with counterfeits. In addition, such trade often takes place outside the US jurisdiction, especially in Latin American, Middle Eastern or Asian countries. Piracy is big business, and it takes an estimated $25 million to $50 million per year from US textile businesses., WASHINGTON (FNS)--Computer software, compact disks and video cassettes command most of the limelight when it comes to intellectual-property-rights protection. But home textile companies and their hired guns in Washington have [...]

US sportswear has become extremely popular with Japanese consumers. Domestic apparel companies who have been able to adapt to the complex Japanese distribution system have seen strong growth in sales of jeans, sweaters and outerwear. Columbia Sportswear Co reports that its Japanese sales increased by 60% between 1989 and 1993. Commerce Department statistics show that Japanese demand for US men's apparel is stronger than for women's clothing., WASHINGTON (FNS) -- Made-in-America casualwear has taken Japan by storm, defying the notion that U.S. products are unpopular in the notoriously picky Asian country or that U.S. companies are unable [...]

WASHINGTON (FNS)--John Hechinger Jr., chairman and chief executive of Hechinger Co., reported that home decor is a key element of the company's strategy to distinguish itself from competitors and boost [...]

Wal-Mart Stores Inc's market share of the $425 billion food industry 'is growing very, very rapidly,' according to CFO John Menzer. In 1995, Wal-Mart held a 3.16% dollar share of the food retail sector, which is predicted to reach 8.67% by the year 2000. The company plans to continue increasing its market share in this sector by converting its discount stores to supercenters., FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (FNS) -- Wal-Mart Stores aims to snare the market penetration in food that it has achieved in hard- and soft-line goods, John Menzer, chief financial officer, told about [...]

The Kathie Lee apparel line had its best sales month in May 1996 at Wal-Mart Stores Inc, in spite of negative publicity over the clothing's manufacture in Honduran sweatshops. Wal-Mart also announced steps to prevent the purchase of illegally-made merchandise at its annual shareholders' meeting, along with plans to open from 25 to 30 new stores in Latin America and Asia in 1996. Sales for 1996 are expected to be range from $107 billion to $108 billion, with cash flow covering expenditures., FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Despite all the negative publicity about some goods being sewn by children in a Honduran sweatshop Wal-Mart's Kathie Lee apparel line had its best month ever in [...]

Off-price retailer Loehmann's Inc announced Apr 9, 1996, that it will go public. The 71-unit chain has filed with the SEC to offer 3.57 million shares at $13-$15 per share. In Sep 1995 Loehmann's announced similar plans, but in Oct the company shelved those plans, primarily because of the weak retail environment. Loehmann's was previously a public company, but it was taken private in 1981., WASHINGTON -- Following fashion's rush to Wall Street, Loehmann's Inc. said Tuesday it is going public again. The off-pricer has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an offering [...]

WASHINGTON -- UNITE and the Teamsters union are asking Kmart shareholders to press the retailer to consider putting itself on the block. 'Kmart should explore the sale or merger of [...]

Giant Food Inc is launching a co-branded credit card, which offers various rebates. Customers shopping at Giant Food and using the card will earn a 3% rebate, whereas when shopping elsewhere and using the card they will only earn a 1% rebate, with an overall rebate limit of $500 per year. The supermarket retailer has entered into an agreement with Visa USA Inc and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Co in order to offer the new service., WASHINGTON (FNS) -- Giant Food, Landover, Md., is the latest chain to offer a co-branded credit card featuring substantial rebates for customers using the card. With the co-branded card, customers [...]

Designer Holdings Ltd. is planning to go public with an initial offering of 5 million shares that could generate $68.4 million. The Calvin Klein's Jeans manufacturer has produced a 600% increase in jeans volume since receiving its manufacturing license from Calvin Klein in Aug 1994. Designer's Calvin Klein business generated $361.4 million in revenues in 1995, compared with $59 million generated by Calvin Klein Jeans itself from the line in 1993., Washington - Calvin Klein Jeans are going public. Designer Holdings Ltd., which holds the license to make the jeans and which has increased the volume of Calvin Klein Jeans six-fold [...]

WASHINGTON -- Two Republican members of Congress introduced legislation Thursday to replace the federal income tax system with a 15 percent retail sales tax, an idea that is anathema to [...]

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is developing a strategy to counter protectionist rhetoric such as that of presidential candidate Pat Buchanan. NRF president Tracy Mullin said that the group does not want to directly challenge any candidate on the issue. The group is instead likely to focus on steps such as encouraging leading executives to author opinion pieces. Political contributions made by leading retail, apparel, and textile executives are detailed., WASHINGTON -- As part of an effort to increase retailer's clout in Washington the National Retail Federation is working on a public relations strategy to counter the antitrade rhetoric of [...]

Clothing retailers increasing are using The Internet as an advertising vehicle. Major clothing retailers using the Internet include Eddie Bauer's, which has an on-line shopping service. Eddie, which also offers CD-ROM-based shopping, expects its electronic shopping 'stores' to break even by 1998. Forrester Research Inc estimates that on-line shopping via The Internet was a $350 million dollar business in 1995, up from $240 million in 1994. Forrester Research forecasts on-line sales at $500 million in 1996 and $6.9 billion by 2000., WASHINGTON - Barbara Rackes, who until recently ran three women's apparel boutiques in South Carolina, gave up her leases last year and launched a company selling custom-made women's clothing over [...]

The tax plans that are under consideration in the US Congress are consumption taxes and would be extremely costly for retailers. Under the current tax plan, retailers pay 12.4% of their income in taxes on the average. Under a flat tax plan, retailers would pay 21.2% and under the United Savings Allowance tax plan, retailers would pay 23.5%., WASHINGTON (FNS)--As contenders in the Republican primaries snipe at each other's ideas on taxes, two major tax reform plans have actually made it to Congress, and both promise to take [...]

Specialty chain retailer Merry-Go-Round Enterprises Inc is proceeding with filing for Chapter 11 liquidation after failing to find sufficient financing or trade support. The chain, which once had over 1,400 stores nationwide and employed 6,700 people as of Friday, February 2, 1996, is planning to sell its remaining 536 stores and its 1-million-sq-ft headquarters and distribution center., WASHINGTON - Merry-Go-Round Enterprises Inc., which once ruled the trendy youth apparel market with more than 1,400 stores nationwide, will liquidate all of its assets, putting 536 more store leases [...]

WASHINGTON (FNS) - Diane White used to regard the dearth of African-American home furnishings, baby dolls and holiday cards on the U.S. market as a simple annoyance. But after two [...]

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers is planning to develop fire prevention training materials based on data from a 10-city survey of kitchen fires. The first stage of the study, co-sponsored by the National Association of State Fire Marshalls, collected data from 807 kitchen fires between Aug 1, 1995, and Nov 7, 1995. Information collected included the following: 75.3% of the fires started while stoves were left unattended and 70% were started by people between 19 and 49 years old., WASHINGTON (FNS)--The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers is using information from a 10-city survey of kitchen fires to develop a fire-prevention educational campaign for rollout next year, AHAM president Bob [...]

The Federal Reserve's latest 'beige book' report on the retail industry reported that retail sales overall were down in Oct and Nov 1995, with Southern and Midwestern stores faring slightly better than their counterparts. New York, NY stores reported overall declines in sales during the period, although some were happy with a 5% gain. Most Northern retailers were helped by the eventual arrival of winter weather, while Cleveland, OH, and Atlanta, GA, reported healthy Thanksgiving weekend sales., WASHINGTON - The latest Federal Reserve survey of regional business conditions does little to break the monotony of the recent downbeat reports on retail activity. While merchants in sections of [...]

Consumers will probably increase their spending for the 1995 Christmas shopping season, according to polls of consumer confidence. The Conference Board found the consumer confidence index for November 1995 was 101.4, up from 100.4 in 1994. The small increase contrasts with more gloomy economic forecasts. A separate survey found that shoppers expect to spend about 2% more than in 1994, and a University of Georgia forecaster predicted retail sales gains of 5.8% for the 1995 season., WASHINGTON - The Conference Board's latest consumer confidence index, released Tuesday, should bolster retailers' hopes for the holiday season. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index in November jumped to [...]

WASHINGTON (FNS) - The Federal Trade Commission has tentatively approved a new fiber classification called lyocell, a washable fiber related to rayon. The FTC is asking for public comment on [...]

WASHINGTON - Due to the government shutdown, the Labor Department has postponed until Dec. 5 issuing its retail and apparel manufacturers 'Trendsetters List,' seen as a key weapon in its [...]

Merry-Go-Round Enterprises Inc (MGRE) will close its chain of Chess King stores and close 375 additional MGRE stores. The company plans to convert 40 of the 180 remaining Chess King stores to other formats and close the other 140 units. MGRE filed for bankruptcy protection in Jan 1994 and the latest closings will reduce the number of locations operated by the company from a high of 1,450 in 1993 to 575. One industry source reported that the additional store closings will delay MGRE's plans to emerge from bankruptcy protection., WASHINGTON (FNS) - Merry-Go-Round Enterprises Inc., the once-hot young men's retailer whose performance has been spiraling downward since it filed for bankruptcy protection in January 1994, will close an additional [...]

WASHINGTON - Wholesale Prices of U.S.-produced women's apparel in October continued, for the most part, to defy upward Pressure from raw material costs, rising just 0.3 percent against a year [...]

The Stop and Shop Companies reached agreement with the Massachusetts' attorney general's office and the Federal Trade Commission to complete its acquisition of Purity Supreme. The company will divest 17 of its stores to allay concerns that merging with Purity would create a monopoly in certain areas. The agreement will allow Stop and Shop to keep many of its strongest performing units. Investment firm Furman Selz has been retained by Stop and Shop to coordinate the bidding process for the 17 stores., QUINCY, Mass. (FNS) - Stop & Shop Cos. here last week completed its acquisition of Purity Supreme, North Billerica, Mass., by agreeing with regulators to divest 17 Massachusetts stores. Now, [...]

Speakers at the Agriculture Dept's Access to Food conference indicated that success in opening supermarkets in distressed urban or rural areas can depend on the strength of partnerships that include local officials, federal agencies, banks, and other individuals and organizations. Covington, IN's Covington Foods, for example, obtained a Agriculture Dept loan guarantee that enabled the family-owned firm to rebuild its original store., WASHINGTON (FNS) - Strong public-private partnerships are the key to successfully launching supermarkets in distressed areas, according to industry experts speaking at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Conference on Access [...]

The new CEO of Merry-Go-Round Department Stores, Richard Crystal, left many in his stockholders audience wondering about the direction of the company after the company's annual meeting. Crystal refused to answer specific questions from stockholders concerning future store closings and product lines. Crystal did say that the company would attempt to focus on its core consumers in the future. Merry-Go-Round's stock has fallen from $28 per share to 50 cents per share since 1990., WASHINGTON (FNS) - Richard Crystal, the newly appointed president and CEO of Merry-Go-Round Enterprises Inc., few specifics about changes he is making at the company despite roomful of angry investors [...]

Giant Food Inc has stepped up its expansion program, adding three stores to the 18 originally scheduled to open by late-1996. Another 20 to 30 existing stores will be expanded afterward. Giant has signed leases for stores in Carroll County, MD, and Prince George's County, MD. The third store is the company's 12th in its new service area, the Delaware Valley. Half of the stores slated for expansion are in this region., LANDOVER, Md. (FNS) -- Giant Food here is accelerating expansion plans. The operator has added three more stores to the 18 it had said it would open by the end [...]

Shoppers approached sales associates at department store fragrance counters to ask their suggestions for a new scent for fall. The shoppers met with a wide variety of responses from the salespeople, ranging from reluctant and uninformative help to courteous, knowledgable and very helpful assistance. The stores shopped were located in Chicago, IL; New Orleans, LA; Los Angeles, CA; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, GA; and London, England., NEW YORK -- While summer is not quite a memory, many women are already making their necessary autumn wardrobe and accessories purchases. Many fragrance-minded consumers make the transition by trading [...]

Male shoppers will have to seek other retail avenues now that the John Wanamaker and Woodward and Lothrop department stores have been sold in Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC. J.C. Penney and May Co acquired the stores. Philadelphia shoppers can shop at Macy's and Strawbridge and Clothier until the Wanamaker stores become Hecht's and the Woodward and Lothrop stores become Penney's. Washington shoppers can shop at Today's Man and Jos. A. Bank., WASHINGTON (FNS) -- As the dust settles following the auction of the Woodward & Lothrop and John Wanamaker department store chains last week, retail watchers in Washington and Philadelphia are [...]

WASHINGTON (FNS)--Richard Crystal, the new CEO of Merry-Go-Round Enterprises, made his first major move Monday, restructuring the merchandising staff of the company's five chains. The reasoning behind the shift was [...]

The innerwear departments of important discount stores are stocked with a number of different low-priced brands, even if all sizes are not available. Also, shoppers looking for some specialty products might come away disappointed, although sport bras are in generous supply. A survey of offerings in Dallas, Washington DC and Los Angeles stores is provided., Innerwear departments in major discounters may not always win prizes for ambience, but they're packed with an array of value-priced brands, with bras in particular getting the spotlight. Vendors have [...]

CULPEPER, Va. (FNS) -- Shoppers interviewed at the six-month-old Wal-Mart Supercenter here had mixed but mostly positive reviews for the megastore. But, to varying degrees, they also continue to rely [...]

Industry sources say that more companies may bid for Woodward & Lothrop locations following the decision by Federated Department Store to acquire about 11 Woodward stores. The sources note that the Federated proposal presented a price which would serve as a bidding starting point for other retailers interested in acquiring Lothrop stores. Companies that have decided to bid for the Woodward stores include Boscov's Department Stores and Strawbridge & Clothier., NEW YORK - The Federated Department Store Inc. deal to purchase at least 11 Woodward & Lothrop Inc. stores is expected to bring additional bids for the bankrupt chain, sources [...]

Female shoppers in Washington D.C. prefer the convenient locations, the variety of cosmetic products and the lower prices at Cosmetics Center and CVS drugstores. Cosmetic Center's service is good, according to those surveyed. In Seattle, WA, female shoppers surveyed reported that Drug Emporium, PayLess and Target are among their preferred stores to buy cosmetics, along with The Bon Marche and Nordstrom., Low prices and good selections have created a loyal following for the Cosmetics Center discount stores and CVS drugstores in the Washington area. A dozen women interviewed in downtown D.C. [...]

Woodward & Lothrop Inc. will present to the bankruptcy court a bid from Federated Department Stores Inc for the purchase of at least 11 W&L stores. Sources say that the knowledge that W&L is willing to break up its holdings is likely to bring in other bids as well. W&L's attempt at reorganization was not successful, and it decided to sell to the highest bidder., NEW YORK - The Federated Department Stores Inc. deal to purchase at least 11 Woodward & Lothrop Inc. units is expected to bring additional bids for the bankrupt chain, sources [...]

Deloitte & Touche partner Harvey Braun told apparel manufacturers attending a meeting of the International Apparel Federation that the retail market is likely to be 50% controlled by the world's 50 largest retailers by the year 2000. Braun says that fast pace of retail consolidation means that apparel makers must be able to deal with huge retail companies. VF COO Mackey McDonald told the audience that retailers must market to foreign consumers who are demanding low priced, quality goods., WASHINGTON -- If apparel manufacturers are unhappy about retail consolidation now, wait until 2000. As the pace of consolidations continues, the International Apparel Federation annual meeting here was told Wednesday, [...]

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will probably take longer than analysts expected to reach $100 billion in annual sales. The world's largest retailer successfully launched the Kathie Lee Gifford women's clothing line in 1995, but will not reach the $100 billion mark until 1996. The Gifford line has performed up to 50% better than expected, and will be expanded to include eyewear, hosiery and footwear but Wal-Mart's growth has slowed, with plans for expansion in Mexico stalled by that country's economic crisis., FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Despite the blockbuster launch of its Kathie Lee Gifford women's line, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. won't break the $100 billion sales mark expected by some financial analysts this [...]

The expiration on Jul 31, 1995 of a federal duty-free trade program will cause tariff rates as high as 25% to be paid by frozen-vegetable importers if it is not renewed. The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) allowed 2.5 million kilograms of frozen vegetables to be imported to the US in 1994. If the GSP is renewed by Washington it will cost the US Treasury $2.3 billion in tariff revenues through the year 2000., WASHINGTON (FNS) - Frozen-vegetable importers will have to pay regular tariff rates, as high as 25%, if a federal duty-free trade program scheduled to expire July 31 is not renewed. [...]

WASHINGTON (FNS) - 'Green' issues may not be the galvanizing force they once were among consumers, but Earth-friendly initiatives continue to pay off for retailers. That was the consensus among [...]

The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) may not be renewed by the Jul 31, 1995, deadline, leading to sizable duties on imported goods. The GSP has to be renewed every year, and some $18.4 billion in duty-free merchandise entered the country under the GSP in 1994. The Republican-controlled Congress is unlikely to make GSP renewal a priority, or be sympathetic to the five year renewal proposed by lobbyists and supported by the Clinton administration., Washington (FNS) - Retailers are watching the days slip away for this year's renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences. The GSP is a trade program that allowed $18.4 billion [...]

The clothing industry will experience rough economic times during spring 1995, but growth is expected to continue throughout the remainder of the year. Inventories are high from 1994 production levels, when consumer demand suddenly grew weak again. Retail sales are also weak during 2nd qtr 1995, with sales increasing a mere .2% in Mar. Economists are predicting that consumers are ready to buy apparel, after having bought fewer bigger items during 1995., WASHINGTON - The economy is in the midst of what's expected to be the toughest quarter of the year, but spring should be only a slight bump in the economic [...]

WASHINGTON - According to seasonally adjusted figures released Thursday by the Commerce Department, sales at apparel specialty stores rebounded last month from a February slump, while improvement was also seen [...]

Apparel imports increased 13% in Jan 1995, compared to Jan 1994 figures. The increase was largely due to the 89.2% increase in apparel imports from Mexico, due to the decline in the peso's worth and the lower cost of labor. Apparel imports also increased from the Caribbean Basin Initiative countries. In comparison, apparel imports from China dropped dramatically in Jan 1995, due to the new quotas. However, industry observers report that it is too early to predict a trend., WASHINGTON - With the bargain-basement peso kicking in, apparel imports from Mexico jumped 89.2 percent in January against a year ago, according to Commerce Department data released Wednesday The Mexican [...]

The US Federal Reserve Board's Survey of Current Economic Conditions found that retail sales decreased in most of the US during early 1995. The devalued peso affected sales in the southern US and the warm weather affected winter clothing sales in eastern and middle western US. The New York metropolitan area was the only region that had sales growth, which reached 2% to 11% for early 1995., WASHINGTON - Although the New York area was a significant exception, retail sales softened in most of the country in the early part of the year, according to the Federal [...]

Retailers believe that they can convince the Clinton administration to expedite the removal of apparel quotas outlined in the recent Uruguay round of trade negotiations. Retail lobbyists have complained that the current timetable of phasing out 11% of all trade barriers by 2005 is too slow. They have suggested a 50% reduction in export trade barriers by 2002, with much being done in 1998. Retailers said that a recent trip to the White House was fruitful, and that the Administration seemed receptive to the idea of hastened change., WASHINGTON - Several top retail executives said Monday, after meeting with Commerce Secretary Ronald Brown, that they were optimistic the Clinton administration would quicken the pace of quota elimination on [...]