|
November 2008 People:
Editor's Letter: Step It Up!
When waiting around is not an option...
There’s nothing like going to Philadelphia to write an upbeat feature on MR’s 2008 Retailer of the Year (page 24) on a day that the market dropped 504 points. And then writing the story on a day it dropped 770…
Still, talking to Ken, Jeff and Ralph, Boyds’ exuberant and talented management team, is always inspiring. Despite Ken Gushner’s self-procla
Read more
|
| |
November 2008 Retailer of the Year:
Retailer of the Year: Boyd's
 The bouncer checks your name as you approach the velvet ropes, and the Who’s Who of Philadelphia eye yo
Read more
|
| |
Crossover Kid: Ken Gushner
 We’re discussing a recent New York Times fashion feature on women’s high-heeled gladiator-inspired sa
Read more
|
| |
The Fixer: Ralph Yaffe
 “The customer is my domain,” says Ralph Yaffe about his responsibilities at Boyds. Ralph is on the floo
Read more
|
| |
Merchant at Heart: Mike Cutone
After running his own upscale store (Allure) for many years, Mike Cutone is now buying sportswear and furnishings for Boyds. “In general, luxury is selling in both traditional and contemporary: names like Paul Smith, Isaia, Etro, Zegna, Loro Piana. We’re lucky to have a great clientele, great sellers, and to be the only game in town.”
 Read more
|
| |
Tricks of the Trade: Howard Eisenberg
Ralph Yaffe describes him as Mr. Unassuming, adding that “in his own quiet way, Howard Eisenberg probably sells more tailored clothing than anyone else in America.”
 Read more
|
| |
Factotum: Jeff Glass
Jeff Glass is the eye-in-the-sky guy.
 Jeff Glass joined the family business from real estate, an
Read more
|
| |
Agent of Change: Al Schaeffer
After 17 years of commuting from Philly to Manhattan (where he was VP of HR at Bergdorf), Al Schaeffer is thrilled to be working at Boyds. His job sounds simpler than it is: building organizational structure into what was an instinctively managed (albeit highly profitable) family business. “I hope to position Boyds for growth through the training and education of the sales and management teams. I
Read more
|
| |
November 2008 Features:
Retail Strategy
Everyone's mettle is tested in these trying economic times. Here, we ask industry execs about their recession strategy.
We don’t comment on such matters other than when financials come out quarterly (the next date being November 12th ). But as a general response to your question, we’re certainl
Read more
|
| |
Contemporary Retail: Talking Shop
Melissa Austria, Gotstyle, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 “I am being much more price conscious
Read more
|
| |
Editor's Scrapbook: Karen Alberg Grossman
  Read more
|
| |
Editor's Scrapbook: Elise M. Diamantini
 Light jackets are the way to prepare for spring’s uncertain weather and windbreakers and nylon jackets
Read more
|
| |
Editor's Scrapbook: Alex Féthière
Know Shows
Robert Valdes-Rodriguez may be conspicuously integrating silver and gold thread into his ties, but metal can also be a stealthier enhancement. Both Vince and Barbour are showing products knitted or woven with stainless-steel fibers. It’s hard to tell how much stainless is in ther
Read more
|
| |
Trouser Report
 You should sit down before you read this: Thanks to flat-front, slim fit with stretch, color, pattern, and t
Read more
|
| |
November 2008 Departments:
Letters
Mind your own business.
Having traveled the Southeast as a sales representative for over 30 years, I could see how some thought me foolish to open a clothing store in my small hometown in Tennessee. I prefer to view it as my “retirement” program. The life of a traveling salesman had become more expensive and less rewarding. I chose to “cross the fence” and become a risk- taking, entreprene
Read more
|
| |
Notebook
New and Noteworthy: Casa Moda and Venti
You might not think you need another woven shirt line in your store, but when you see these collections, both upscale and value-priced, you might change your mind.
Casa Moda is a lifestyle brand from Europe that’s being re-launched in the States this season. The shirts have a rugby/sailing look to them and feature various high-tech fabrics (Dow XLA
Read more
|
| |
Guest Editorial: Holiday Survival Strategies
There’s no doubt about it—the recent financial sector fallout has dealt retailers a tough hand. Merchants, particularly in the Northeast, face losing some of their best Wall Street customers (not to mention their hefty year-end bonuses), while others must cope with general market uncertainty. What’s more, the market collapse comes at the end of a weak retail cycle that has been challenging retaile
Read more
|
| |
Luxe Redux
New and noteworthy--along with the occasional observation--from the world of luxury menswear.
...tick tock...tick tock...I’m sitting here on the eve of my 50th birthday watching the time go by and wondering if in 5 years, when I’ve met the age requirement, I will be invited to join Old Friends....tick tock...tick tock. I’ve already met the other three crucial rules for entry: I’m a 30-year
Read more
|
| |
Lunch With Les
Retail legend Les Schwartzberg on starting a business.
 A little background: How did you first
Read more
|
| |
FOR PAST ISSUES
|
