Fashion, Apparel, Trends & Tips

Inflation, Recession, High Gas prices- This is all we hear! I don’t know about you, but I am sick and tired of hearing and reading about this.

All this focus on negativity, breeds more negativity. Look back over the last 30 years and you will see that we are always faced with adversity. Inflation or Recession, Stagflation, or a Stock Market Crash, High Interest Rates or a Natural Disaster that affects the economy – we’ve seen it all, and bounced right back.

The real question we are faced with now, as sellers of women’s apparel, is how we can not only survive, but how we can THRIVE in this economy. It’s far from impossible!

We have to face the fact that in tough times you have no choice but to be TOUGH, and fight harder, and smarter. Let the other guy cry over the Headlines. Let the other guy use the “Economy” as an excuse for failure. A business with a good plan and solid marketing strategy won’t need excuses, because even in the roughest times, a loyal customer base will keep them going.

We can’t do anything about high gas prices or commodity inflation in the short run, but we CAN adapt ourselves to the current economic climate.

In the coming weeks we are going to focus a section of our Wholesale Apparel Blog on Retail Tips, Marketing Ideas, and other tips on How to prosper in this Economy.Let’s make our own News, and Let it be Good News at that! By the way, did you see the previous post about Ann Taylor? The good news is rolling in already!

AnnTaylor Stores Corp.’s first quarter profit will exceed its previous forecast because of stronger results at its Loft apparel chain as well as better expense and inventory control, the company said Monday. The women’s clothing retailer also said it’s decided not to pursue its new concept targeting older women at this time.

AnnTaylor had said last August that it planned to launch this fall a chain that targets what it identified as the “modern boomer” segment, which it said at the time was “significantly underserved.” Read related commentary.
Shares of AnnTaylor Stores shot up 9.8% in late morning trading. They’ve lost more than one fourth of their value in the past year.
First-quarter profit, excluding restructuring costs, is expected to be 45 cents to 47 cents a share, the New York-based company said, outpacing management’s previous projection of as much as 40 cents

Sales in the quarter ended May 3 rose 2% to about $592 million.

AnnTaylor will release final first-quarter results on May 22.

Management also said it’s dropping the idea behind its new concept in light of significant changes in the retail landscape and consumer environment in the past year. Women’s clothing retailers that target so-called baby boomers such as Chico’s FAS Inc. and Talbots InC. have struggled amid lack of fashions and consumer worries about the economy, analysts said.

While dropping the new concept, AnnTaylor said it’s still moving aggressively forward with the launch of Loft Outlet this summer.

Retailers such as rival Talbots are expanding into the outlet segment, which has becoming another source of profit for designer labels such as Coach Inc. While first-quarter comparable-store sales at the Ann Taylor chain dropped 12%, they rose 0.7% at Loft, which stocks on average a more casual assortment and lower-priced merchandise than its sister chain. The company also has lowered inventory per-square foot by about 15% at the end of the quarter, helping to bolster profit.

Even though the company’s confident in its business strategy, AnnTaylor, a 929-store chain, said it’s sticking with its previous per-share profit forecast of $1.80 to $1.90, excluding restructuring costs, for the year.

Source Google.com by Andria Cheng

Well, it’s almost time to buy Mother’s Day gifts, so in order to make your life a little easier in preparing for it, we’re offering a last minute deal. From now until next Tuesday, shipping is FREE on all domestic wholesale clothing orders of $199 or more. Hurry and stock up soon for all those last minute shoppers! Use the coupon code FREESHIPMAY.

But we’re not leaving out our international customers, either! For those of you outside the USA, we’re offering a special deal in order to help you take advantage of the great exchange rates on the Dollar. If you order online before next Tuesday, international customers can receive an extra 15% off of the best wholesale women’s clothing in the US! Use the coupon code INTERNATIONAL.

Buying and selling wholesale apparel is not very difficult, with enough planning and foresight. Here are five great tips to help get your business moving when you sell wholesale clothing.

Tip 1 Open a brick and mortar store. Selling online is great, but on the net you have millions of competitors. Opening a physical store will bring your merchandise to general people – some of whom mistrust online sellers, or don’t like to buy clothing without seeing it, and trying it on.

Tip 2 Don’t skimp on marketing. Marketing is the single most important tool you have for getting your product out there. However, you have to be willing to make an investment in it. Open a registry online or in your store, and gather some information on your customers. Send out a few postcards every month to tell them about sales, thank them, or offer special deals. Your customers will appreciate the extra effort. It will also give them an incentive to shop with you, rather than at your competitor, or go to a large chain in the mall.

Tip 3 Rent a flea market booth. Most flea market vendors are still dealing with local suppliers and are not shopping online. This means that if you buy your wholesale merchandise online you will have much better pricing, and possibly a better selection. You should have little competition at the flea market if you buy right. (Credit, Donny Lowy)

Tip 4 Look at your customers. What are they wearing (aside from your great items, of course)? Follow the latest trends, and know your demographic. If you’re selling to the wrong crowd, sales will lag.

Tip 5 Always stock the essentials. Cheaply. It’s all right to take less of a markup on staples like camisoles, and basic solid tees. People always need those, and if you can, it doesn’t hurt to sell them for a comparable price to the big chains like Wal-Mart. Customers will come to you for these, and then stay in the store to spend on pricier items that they can’t get elsewhere.

Tania Nardi is one of our hottest new designers, and to promote these amazing tops, we’ve set up a special discount just for you.  This really is a great deal for discount designer clothing.

All our merchandise by this designer is fully reversible, making it a cinch to mix and match. Pair the u-neck shell with the reversible jacket, or combine it with the hook and eye blazer. Display the prints above or below! Turn up the sleeves! There are endless possibilities with these versatile pieces. All for wholesale prices!

The good stuff just keeps rolling in! We recently got these amazing new plus size tops from Jason Maxwell. In addition to that, the most awesome promotion we’ve ever had has been extended another two days! From now until Friday, you can save $200 off an order of $499 or more! Just check the best wholesale clothing website for more details on this amazing deal.

We just keep getting more and more great things! This week, we were delighted to see these sequined jackets by Sandy Starkman. These are practically a whole outfit all on their own! Many shoppers will be out looking for Mothers Day gifts, and we think these might be just the ticket for getting Mom a fabulous present this year.

We really have a rainbow of colors this season, and these colorful knit jackets are no exception. Great for early spring, or even fall, these jackets are sure to please anyone who likes to add a bit of flair to their usual look. These jackets are full of intricate details, like beading, ribbon, and extravagant knitwork.

Hi, everyone. Wow, two posts in one day! We couldn’t help it though, because we just started this great new promotion. It’s running for three days only, so don’t miss it! This is the best deal on wholesale clothing we’ve done in a long time. Now you can get $200 off your order!

Here are the details on how to get this hot deal…
Just go to Julie-Ann Apparel, and place an order of $499 or more. Make sure you use the coupon code JAA200. Then, within the next 30 days, place another order of any items totaling $499 or more. Your credit will be applied to this order, and you’ll get an awesome $200 discount! It’s better than a tax rebate!

Just remember, you have only three days to qualify for this amazing deal, so don’t snooze. The clock is ticking.

Everyone is a tiny bit weight conscious these days, but if you have customers who are looking for flattering shapes for summer, you might want to check out some of the great new arrivals we have in plus size and Missy tops. Soft stretchy fabrics, and light, comfortable cottons are in stock.

Take for instance, these Cable and Gauge Missy tops. We have them in a gorgeous purple and blue, and the fabric moves to accommodate any figure by hugging the curves, without accentuating them. The deep V neck brings all the attention right where it should be.

We also have some new Unique Spectrum tops, such as this Plus size top, which is also available in Missy sizes. The gathering in the back assures that it will draw in neatly at the waist, and let out again to give the perfect hourglass figure effect. In addition, we also have this great Unique Spectrum tunic top, which is sure to please, with a lovely summer palette.

New spring shipments are in, and this season is full of bright colors and airy cotton fabrics. Our new Mlle Gabrielle sundresses are sure to capture the attention of the fashion forward and color conscious customer. These missy, and plus size dresses are available in four vibrant hues.

We’ve also got some great tunic tops from Unique. Flattering on every body type, these sleeveless tunic tops will keep you cool and comfortable well into summer. Select styles are available in plus sizes, so be sure to check our website to see all the varieties we have to choose from.

If you need some classy, comfortable stretch tops, be sure to add some of these Cable and Gauge stretch tops. Available in both a deep purple, and a royal blue, these luxurious jewel toned fabrics are a definite must.