Jos. A. Bank is targeting outlet centers for its new locations. Black said of its seven (outlet) stores open now, just one — Leesburg (Va.) Corner Premium Outlets — is located in a “true” outlet center.
In July, Jos. A. Bank plans to open a store in the Pottstown (Pa.) Factory Outlets mall and another in the Tanger Outlets in Riverhead, N.Y. Three more outlets — in Maryland, New Jersey and Texas — are slated to open by the end of the year. Black declined to be specific about their locations. Jos. A. Bank plans to open 50 to 75 outlet stores nationwide.
SOURCE: mddailyrecord
Vera Bradley Outlet Store Opens in Wrentham
According to the Facebook page announcing the grand opening, the store will feature items marked 25% to 60% off the original prices. In addition to handbags and totes, the store will also carry accessories and stationary.
The first store opened in November 2009 at the Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora, Illinois.
Joes Jeans also recently opened in Wrentham.
SOURCE: Discountfabrichandbags
Tulalip Police Make Arrest In Coach Store Robbery
TULALIP, Wash. -- A man was arrested in connection with a robbery at the Coach outlet in Tulalip, police said.
According to the police report, officers had surveillance video from a gas station near the Seattle Premium Outlets mall showing a white Honda with two men leaving around the same time the Coach store was robbed on May 27.On Tuesday, the police chief was near the mall when he saw the car from the video and followed the driver home.The owner gave officer permission to search the house, Tulalip police said. Once inside, police said they found almost $5,000.The suspect allegedly admitted he was one of two men who committed the robbery and showed officers the sunglasses he wore and the zip ties used to tie up two employees, police said.According to the report, he said he and his partner scouted the business out three weeks before the robbery.
SOURCE: KIROTV
According to the police report, officers had surveillance video from a gas station near the Seattle Premium Outlets mall showing a white Honda with two men leaving around the same time the Coach store was robbed on May 27.On Tuesday, the police chief was near the mall when he saw the car from the video and followed the driver home.The owner gave officer permission to search the house, Tulalip police said. Once inside, police said they found almost $5,000.The suspect allegedly admitted he was one of two men who committed the robbery and showed officers the sunglasses he wore and the zip ties used to tie up two employees, police said.According to the report, he said he and his partner scouted the business out three weeks before the robbery.
SOURCE: KIROTV
Top Designers Leave New York & Co.
The departures compound the challenges confronting the $1 billion specialty chain. Due to inventory buildups and some fashion misses, the company expects to report a second-quarter loss surpassing the year-ago second-quarter loss of $4.8 million. The performance has also been pulling down the stock price, which closed down 6.7 percent Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange to $2.65. Its 52-week high is $6.53.
It won’t be easy to find someone of the caliber of Holman-Rao, who was with New York & Co. for about two years and previously served as president of Limited Design Services, a unit of Limited Brands Inc., and president of Banana Republic.
Last month, another design executive at New York & Co., Sofie Pavitt, left to join the Gap
Rising labor costs in China
Rising labor costs in China are forcing U.S. apparel and accessories retailers, such as AnnTaylor Stores Corp. and Coach Inc., to consider relocating at least some of their production to countries with cheaper work forces. But doing so could risk increasing other expenses, such as shipping.
"We are looking to move production into lower-cost geographies, most notably Vietnam and India," Mike Devine, Coach's chief financial officer, said at a conference last week. The luxury-handbag retailer already produces goods in those countries, but plans to increase its presence in both of them.
Guess Inc. is thinking along similar lines. Dennis Secor, the fashion brand's chief financial officer, said in an interview that Guess is looking to build its production capabilities in Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.
Recent minimum-wage increases have pushed up Chinese labor costs by 5% to 15% on average this year, said Rick Darling, president of LF USA, a unit of Hong Kong-based Li & Fung Ltd., which acts as a go-between for retailers and their webs of suppliers. In the southern coastal province of Guangdong, one of a handful of hubs for apparel and accessories makers, the monthly minimum wage rose on average by more than 20%, effective May 1, the firm said.
The gains come as Chinese workers more broadly have been securing wage increases, partly through labor disputes. In addition, their government has sought to steer manufacturing away from labor-intensive, low-technology industries, such as textiles, into more-sophisticated products, such as electronics devices.
The higher pay has boosted the purchasing power of Chinese consumers, but is pressuring U.S. apparel chains and others that rely on low-cost labor. Along with rising prices of cotton and transportation, the wage increases could push apparel retailers' costs in China up 2% to 5% a year, said Mr. Darling.
That prospect has sent retailers scrambling to find new ways to reduce production costs. If they fail, they will have to absorb the higher costs, battering their margins, which have just begun to recover from the recession. Or, they could pass the costs along to consumers, a risky move at a time when shoppers are beginning to regain some of their appetite for spending.
"It is a really bad time for labor costs to be rising," said Jeremy Rubman, retail strategist at consulting firm Kurt Salmon Associates. "Nobody wants to alienate the consumer that's finally coming back."
J.C. Penney Co. said recently that its apparel makers have been leaving China for Indonesia, Vietnam, India and Bangladesh for the past five years. Those countries "have a better cost base from a labor standpoint," said Jim Kenney, Penney's senior vice president of corporate strategy.
AnnTaylor Chief Financial Officer Michael Nicholson said his company has been working with its top 15 suppliers, which manufacture about 60% to 65% of its products, to relocate to lower-cost countries. But Mr. Nicholson added a caveat: the moves will only happen "once they prove that the quality is there."
Indeed, for the money, the quality of Chinese-made goods is tough to match, and labor is just one of the costs of production. Others include the costs of raw materials like textiles, production facilities, transportation and quality control and training.
The skills of China's labor force and its familiarity with the ways and expectations of U.S. companies, exceed that of any other Asian country, said Mr. Rubman, the retail strategist.
Guangdong province is known for its footwear and handbag work, which is difficult to replicate. Moreover, labor typically accounts for between 15% and 22% of the total cost of a garment, while fabric and logistics can account for as much as 60%, according to Hana Ben-Shabat, a partner in the retail practice of consulting firm A.T. Kearney.
Moving production to Bangladesh to take advantage of that nation's lower labor costs could raise transportation costs, in part because the country is off the beaten path for shipping lines, said Ms. Ben-Shabat.
Vietnam has a big labor pool, but textiles aren't as available there as in China, meaning retailers would have to ship in fabrics, said Andrew Jassin, managing director of fashion consulting firm Jassin Consulting Group.
"The only replacement for China is China," said Li & Fung's Mr. Darling, adding that his firm is scouting production possibilities in northern and western China. Since those areas have played only a minor role in the country's manufacturing boom, wages there remain relatively low.
SOURCE: The Wall Street Journal
ALSO SEE: Production Costs Rise - Who will pay in this tough economy?
"We are looking to move production into lower-cost geographies, most notably Vietnam and India," Mike Devine, Coach's chief financial officer, said at a conference last week. The luxury-handbag retailer already produces goods in those countries, but plans to increase its presence in both of them.
Recent minimum-wage increases have pushed up Chinese labor costs by 5% to 15% on average this year, said Rick Darling, president of LF USA, a unit of Hong Kong-based Li & Fung Ltd., which acts as a go-between for retailers and their webs of suppliers. In the southern coastal province of Guangdong, one of a handful of hubs for apparel and accessories makers, the monthly minimum wage rose on average by more than 20%, effective May 1, the firm said.
The gains come as Chinese workers more broadly have been securing wage increases, partly through labor disputes. In addition, their government has sought to steer manufacturing away from labor-intensive, low-technology industries, such as textiles, into more-sophisticated products, such as electronics devices.
The higher pay has boosted the purchasing power of Chinese consumers, but is pressuring U.S. apparel chains and others that rely on low-cost labor. Along with rising prices of cotton and transportation, the wage increases could push apparel retailers' costs in China up 2% to 5% a year, said Mr. Darling.
"It is a really bad time for labor costs to be rising," said Jeremy Rubman, retail strategist at consulting firm Kurt Salmon Associates. "Nobody wants to alienate the consumer that's finally coming back."
J.C. Penney Co. said recently that its apparel makers have been leaving China for Indonesia, Vietnam, India and Bangladesh for the past five years. Those countries "have a better cost base from a labor standpoint," said Jim Kenney, Penney's senior vice president of corporate strategy.
AnnTaylor Chief Financial Officer Michael Nicholson said his company has been working with its top 15 suppliers, which manufacture about 60% to 65% of its products, to relocate to lower-cost countries. But Mr. Nicholson added a caveat: the moves will only happen "once they prove that the quality is there."
Indeed, for the money, the quality of Chinese-made goods is tough to match, and labor is just one of the costs of production. Others include the costs of raw materials like textiles, production facilities, transportation and quality control and training.
The skills of China's labor force and its familiarity with the ways and expectations of U.S. companies, exceed that of any other Asian country, said Mr. Rubman, the retail strategist.
Guangdong province is known for its footwear and handbag work, which is difficult to replicate. Moreover, labor typically accounts for between 15% and 22% of the total cost of a garment, while fabric and logistics can account for as much as 60%, according to Hana Ben-Shabat, a partner in the retail practice of consulting firm A.T. Kearney.
Moving production to Bangladesh to take advantage of that nation's lower labor costs could raise transportation costs, in part because the country is off the beaten path for shipping lines, said Ms. Ben-Shabat.
Vietnam has a big labor pool, but textiles aren't as available there as in China, meaning retailers would have to ship in fabrics, said Andrew Jassin, managing director of fashion consulting firm Jassin Consulting Group.
"The only replacement for China is China," said Li & Fung's Mr. Darling, adding that his firm is scouting production possibilities in northern and western China. Since those areas have played only a minor role in the country's manufacturing boom, wages there remain relatively low.
SOURCE: The Wall Street Journal
ALSO SEE: Production Costs Rise - Who will pay in this tough economy?
Patton on Leadership
"Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way." General George S. Patton
Are you tired of leadership books written by people who have never led anyone in their life? General George S. Patton was a brilliant tactician and a terrific motivator. We have to lead people in business; he had to lead men in war. This is by far my favorite book on leadership. I refer to it all the time.
This is not a war or history book. This book takes the leadership and wisdom of one of America's greatest and most colorful combat generals and applies it to contemporary civilian corporate organizations.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from General Patton. You can easily see how these principles can be applied to your organization.
"Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory."
"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."
"Better to fight for something than live for nothing."
"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week."
"Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results."
"Nobody ever defended anything successfully, there is only attack and attack and attack some more."
"Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash."
If you only ever buy one book on leadership this is the one.
CLICK HERE TO BROWSE THE OUTLET INSIDERS BOOK STORE
Mark Libell
Are you tired of leadership books written by people who have never led anyone in their life? General George S. Patton was a brilliant tactician and a terrific motivator. We have to lead people in business; he had to lead men in war. This is by far my favorite book on leadership. I refer to it all the time.
This is not a war or history book. This book takes the leadership and wisdom of one of America's greatest and most colorful combat generals and applies it to contemporary civilian corporate organizations.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from General Patton. You can easily see how these principles can be applied to your organization.
"Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory."
"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."
"Better to fight for something than live for nothing."
"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week."
"Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results."
"Nobody ever defended anything successfully, there is only attack and attack and attack some more."
"Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash."
If you only ever buy one book on leadership this is the one.
CLICK HERE TO BROWSE THE OUTLET INSIDERS BOOK STORE
Mark Libell
New Tanger center names general manager
The Wake Forest University graduate previously worked as the corporate asset manager for JTS Management Co. in Baton Rouge, La. and brings more than a dozen years of experience to her new position with Tanger.
Hackshaw oversaw the opening of the North Georgia Premium Outlets and the Orlando Premium Outlets and won national awards in marketing and customer service. She served as a former board member of the International Facility Management Association and the Orlando/Orange County Visitors Bureau.
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. is a publicly-traded company that operates, owns or has an ownership interest in 33 outlet shopping centers in 22 states.
SOURCE: The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area
Top 10 insider tips to outlet shopping
ShopSmart Divulges Outlet Shopping Secrets
How to Find High-Quality Items for Rock-Bottom Prices
The July 2010 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports had a great article on outlet shopping.
TOP 10 TIPS TO OUTLET SHOPPING
BEFORE YOU GO…
1. Have a plan of attack: Check the outlet mall’s website for maps, printable coupons and special promotions.
2. Time it right: Outlets have similar schedules to retails stores; extra savings can be found around the holidays, though they will be much more crowded at those times.
3. Get the Coupons: Major outlet malls offer coupon books at a cost, so check outlet websites as some will have a voucher to get the book for free if you sign up for their membership club.
4. Log on: Check outlets’ Facebook accounts. Also type in the name of the individual stores and the word “outlet” into a search engine and you may pull up additional savings.
ONCE YOU’RE THERE…
5. Spot the good stuff: Some outlets sell garments that were previously at retail stores while others sell lower-priced clothing made specifically for the outlet. If you are uncertain, ask a salesperson.
6. Don’t go crazy: Just because it’s in an outlet center doesn’t mean deep discounts. The item could be the same price as regular full-price stores, so use your Web-enabled phone to go to a price-comparison site.
7. Chat up the salesperson: You can find out little-known details, like when new shipments will arrive and that prices ending in certain numbers can indicate a clearance or limited quantity item.
8. Join the club: Many outlet stores have frequent-shopper programs that offer additional savings, such as coupons after you spend a set amount or bonus savings on your birthday.
9. Understand the return policy: They are often stricter at outlets than at retail stores of the same name.
10. Have a great time.
Additionally, KFSN-TV Fresno, CA did a great story on this. You can see the video here.
SOURCE: Consumer Reports
Police search for suspects in outlet mall robbery
TULALIP — A reward of up to $3,500 is being offered for information about a May 27 robbery at the Seattle Premium Outlets and police today released information about the suspects.
The robbery happened about 7 a.m. at the Coach store before it opened, Tulalip Tribal Deputy Police Chief Carlos Echevarria said. Someone rang the bell for the delivery door at the back of the store.
When the manager opened the door, two masked and armed men rushed in, according to police. One had a handgun and the other had a rifle.
The robbers used plastic ties to bind the two employee’s hands, grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash and fled.
One woman was able to free her hands after about 10 minutes and called 911, Echevarria said. No one was injured.
The first suspect is described as white, in his late teens to early 20s. He is about 5 foot, 7 inches, to 5 foot, 10 inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing blue jeans with a dark coat that may have had a hood. His face was covered with a mask. Police believe the man was armed with a silver-and-black semi-automatic handgun.
The second suspect also is described as white and about the same age. He is believed to be taller and thinner and was wearing a tan or beige-colored trench coat with dark pants or jeans and black boots. He also wore a mask and was armed with a rifle.
Tulalip Police detectives are trying to identify and locate a white 1998-2000 Honda Accord sedan that was seen in the area at the time of the robbery.
The cash reward is being offered in exchange for information that leads to an arrest. Call the Tulalip Police Department at 360-716-5961 or 360-651-4608.
SOURCE: HeraldNet by Jackson Holtz
The robbery happened about 7 a.m. at the Coach store before it opened, Tulalip Tribal Deputy Police Chief Carlos Echevarria said. Someone rang the bell for the delivery door at the back of the store.
When the manager opened the door, two masked and armed men rushed in, according to police. One had a handgun and the other had a rifle.
The robbers used plastic ties to bind the two employee’s hands, grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash and fled.
One woman was able to free her hands after about 10 minutes and called 911, Echevarria said. No one was injured.
The first suspect is described as white, in his late teens to early 20s. He is about 5 foot, 7 inches, to 5 foot, 10 inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing blue jeans with a dark coat that may have had a hood. His face was covered with a mask. Police believe the man was armed with a silver-and-black semi-automatic handgun.
The second suspect also is described as white and about the same age. He is believed to be taller and thinner and was wearing a tan or beige-colored trench coat with dark pants or jeans and black boots. He also wore a mask and was armed with a rifle.
The cash reward is being offered in exchange for information that leads to an arrest. Call the Tulalip Police Department at 360-716-5961 or 360-651-4608.
SOURCE: HeraldNet by Jackson Holtz
Paris: 1, Sarah: 0 Part 1
Now that my French and Italian Jellymoon was at a close, I felt spending an afternoon shopping in Paris would be the perfect sendoff.
I drove myself to the Tours railway station, lugged my suitcase full of wine (I also had my laptop/backpack with three bottles of wine), dropped off the car (and ran really fast in case we had speeding tickets), bought my ticket and hopped on the first train out.
I decided to splurge on the TGV as not only did I want to get to Paris in less than an hour, but I wanted to see what a big deal this fast train was. Let's just note here that the train I got from this rail station was only 6 minutes and it was taking me to the station where the TGV was.
Seated comfortably next to a window, with my arm slung around my wine-filled backpack, I congratulated myself on doing such a good job without the Engineer. I didn't get lost, I didn't have to pay for unknown speeding tickets, and I had arrived in plenty of time. I wanted to reflect on my journey so I decided to look at the pictures on my camera.
And that's when the problems started.
I had left the camera in the car. With 30-seconds to spare I jumped out of the train (with 70lb suitcase and backpack), ran to Hertz and hurriedly explained problem. If I could retrieve my camera, jump in a cab, I could still make the TGV for which I held a non-refundable ticket. Only problem being that the car was already at the car wash.
Luckily for me, I had seen the car wash the day before and it was on the way to the train! Woohoo!
Dashing outside, I grabbed the first cab, explained where I needed to get and that there was a stop and we had to vite vite! He clearly understood as he whipped my suitcase in the trunk (and when I say 'whipped' I mean he picked it up, said 'oeff' and with my help pushed it over the lip of the trunk). Speeding down the street, he honked, swerved and came to a halt as I pointed out the car wash where Mr. Hertz was standing with my camera.
Success!
I then kept my eyes on the clock as we sped through Tours. Seven minutes, 5 minutes -Vite Vite! My pulse was racing and I could feel the sweat dripping down my back. I chucked 10 Euros at him (4 of which were a tip for speeding) and, with super human strength, yanked the suitcase out and ran through the station.
TWO MINUTES!
Staring at the screens I found my platform, ran as fast as my aching legs could carry me and sprang up the 10 steps to the platform. Again, when you read 'sprang' think more like I dragged a dead elephant while making 'ugh ugh' noises as French people stared on.
But I had made it! ON TIME! With 30 seconds to spare. So much so that the train hadn't even pulled in yet.
Ummmmm.
It did arrive, and on it I got, throwing my back out as I lifted my case up the steps. Some very nice French men behind me watched the whole display, never once offering to help. I am using the term 'nice' loosely.
I was so freaking relieved that I plopped down in my seat with a great sigh. The guy across from me moved.
So much for arriving in Paris dressed beautifully, relaxed and sweat free. Instead, I had to remove my shirt, let my back dry, and clip my hair back because it was plastered to my neck.
Then, to add insult to injury, when we arrived in Paris, I once again had an all-out battle with the suitcase that had become my enemy (again while two able-bodied French men watched me), dropped it on my foot and broke my shoe! Well, the floral jewels broke off my shoe. The French guys said 'oeff' and picked up the scattered jewels. Thanks guys, now is the time to be helpful.
So that was my arrival in Paris. If it was any indication of the day ahead I refused to believe it. I was in Paris, and everything was going to be perfect.
I drove myself to the Tours railway station, lugged my suitcase full of wine (I also had my laptop/backpack with three bottles of wine), dropped off the car (and ran really fast in case we had speeding tickets), bought my ticket and hopped on the first train out.
I decided to splurge on the TGV as not only did I want to get to Paris in less than an hour, but I wanted to see what a big deal this fast train was. Let's just note here that the train I got from this rail station was only 6 minutes and it was taking me to the station where the TGV was.
Seated comfortably next to a window, with my arm slung around my wine-filled backpack, I congratulated myself on doing such a good job without the Engineer. I didn't get lost, I didn't have to pay for unknown speeding tickets, and I had arrived in plenty of time. I wanted to reflect on my journey so I decided to look at the pictures on my camera.
And that's when the problems started.
I had left the camera in the car. With 30-seconds to spare I jumped out of the train (with 70lb suitcase and backpack), ran to Hertz and hurriedly explained problem. If I could retrieve my camera, jump in a cab, I could still make the TGV for which I held a non-refundable ticket. Only problem being that the car was already at the car wash.
Luckily for me, I had seen the car wash the day before and it was on the way to the train! Woohoo!
Dashing outside, I grabbed the first cab, explained where I needed to get and that there was a stop and we had to vite vite! He clearly understood as he whipped my suitcase in the trunk (and when I say 'whipped' I mean he picked it up, said 'oeff' and with my help pushed it over the lip of the trunk). Speeding down the street, he honked, swerved and came to a halt as I pointed out the car wash where Mr. Hertz was standing with my camera.
Success!
I then kept my eyes on the clock as we sped through Tours. Seven minutes, 5 minutes -Vite Vite! My pulse was racing and I could feel the sweat dripping down my back. I chucked 10 Euros at him (4 of which were a tip for speeding) and, with super human strength, yanked the suitcase out and ran through the station.
TWO MINUTES!
Staring at the screens I found my platform, ran as fast as my aching legs could carry me and sprang up the 10 steps to the platform. Again, when you read 'sprang' think more like I dragged a dead elephant while making 'ugh ugh' noises as French people stared on.
But I had made it! ON TIME! With 30 seconds to spare. So much so that the train hadn't even pulled in yet.
Ummmmm.
It did arrive, and on it I got, throwing my back out as I lifted my case up the steps. Some very nice French men behind me watched the whole display, never once offering to help. I am using the term 'nice' loosely.
I was so freaking relieved that I plopped down in my seat with a great sigh. The guy across from me moved.
So much for arriving in Paris dressed beautifully, relaxed and sweat free. Instead, I had to remove my shirt, let my back dry, and clip my hair back because it was plastered to my neck.
Then, to add insult to injury, when we arrived in Paris, I once again had an all-out battle with the suitcase that had become my enemy (again while two able-bodied French men watched me), dropped it on my foot and broke my shoe! Well, the floral jewels broke off my shoe. The French guys said 'oeff' and picked up the scattered jewels. Thanks guys, now is the time to be helpful.
So that was my arrival in Paris. If it was any indication of the day ahead I refused to believe it. I was in Paris, and everything was going to be perfect.
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