Reads on Shopping Trends & Shopping the Trends
This Will Be Quick - Tuesday send with a few articles I'm diving into (and enjoying) and shopping trends that are catching my attention.
Images via all the sources linked below.
Less than one month out from the first Monday in May!
What I’m reading…📰
- wrote a beautiful piece of fashion history with the “Ghana Must Go: A Bag with Baggage” I’m sure many recognize the bag, print and material as it has been used in fashion collections over the years. Rory Satran had also shared this TikTok with the French history of the bag.
Vogue Business produced a lot of content around the Future of Shopping. I’m most intrigued by “Why Consumers don’t Shop Their Values - and How to Change That.”
Ahead of her first Dior presentation in NYC Maria Grazia Chiuri spoke with Vogue magazine. ““The Idea of Freedom in New York is Very Strong”—Maria Grazia Chiuri On Her “Dior New York” Inspirations” and the recap of the event from Vogue “Maria Grazia Chiuri Brings Pre-Fall to New York, Retracing Christian Dior’s Footsteps.”
For a laugh, from Coveteur, written by Brinley Knopf “What Your Favorite Substack Newsletter Says About You.” All our favorites are included like
andTwo interesting Walmart related reads:
Follow a Walmart Store Manager around for a day shift in “A Day in the Life of a Walmart Manager Who Makes $240,000 a Year” from the WSJ. (gift link to read behind paywall.) It is a showcase of how Walmart is using data and technology in stores (where they have improvements to be done as well) and how they put themselves in the customers shoes. It is also interesting to read about how they make decisions for placement on the floor (*I’ll note there are other methods too, like vendor relationships) but they also make decisions to drive margin and based on local trends.
Retail Dive reveals that Fly by Jing is slashing prices as it enters over 2,000 Walmart stores - which is a swing from the trend of many CPG brands raising retails. This strategic move was interesting after reading the WSJ article above highlighting another CPG product's sluggish sales, attributed to its high price point (just under $15.) Fly by Jing's adjustment may stem from hitting better factory minimums by scaling up orders or opting for more cost-effective packaging. We should also consider that Walmart could have push hard and negotiated for lower costs and improved margins to work with them, and it is hard to pass up the opportunity to get that large of POs1. This is a major growth opportunity for FbJ in terms of revenue and brand awareness. Fly by Jing would have wanted the market to reflect similar manufactured suggested retail, or they could have created a new SKU2 to only be sold at Walmart. Think smaller size and/or less elevated packaging. Also brilliant, they announced on Tax Day smart and relevant marketing.
Trends and Packing for Travel…🛍️
Curious on the Capri trend, I posted about it over the weekend on Instagram (are you following Retail Diary on Instagram??) and based on the poll: 20% ❤️, 37% meh, 5% already wearing (thank you for your service trend setters) and 39% 👎. If you are interested in trying Vogue has a few suggestions for styling advice (many styles of items I bet you already have in your closet.) An easy way to test the trend is to try these. To dip your toe in, go easy with workout capris. This is what I’ll try (although I’m petite so they will probably be ankle length on me until I get hemmed…)
Not every trend has to be major and viral, I’m spying stores with a sprinkling of Gingham (all products linked here) and I love that it feels new and fresh in the icy blue shade, neutral in black and white and even original in innovative ruffles and new color pairings (see styled perfection by
here.) None of these feels picnic-y, but if that is what you like in a sophisticated way, try this gorgeous skirt or this subtle tablecloth.Net Gets - I spotted some great new goodies at Net-a-Porter and added to a round-up. This would be lovely for spring events (weddings, showers, etc), this dress is so “me” and I could wear again and again, year after year. If you have a rodeo, Kacey Musgraves concert or just looking to dance to Cowboy Carter some more, there are a bunch of Paris Texas boots (many exclusive) now on net-a-porter (see more in the Net Gets link.)
Love this piece for the Washington Post on how Fashion Editor Rachel Tashjian packs for Fashion Weeks. A simple formula of black and navy. (I’m also obsessed with the Illustration of Tashjian by Min Heo in the header image.) “A Fashion Writer’s Secret to Packing? It’s Black and Blue.” (gift link to read behind paywall.)
I picked up that Tashjian recommends this Uniqlo tshirt and I also listened to Nikki Ogunnaike on a favorite podcast listen “A Thing or Two with Claire and Erica” and Ogunnaike recommends this Uniqlo tshirt. After the recap I did last week on Uniqlo’s new US strategy I’m paying attention to Uniqlo even more…
What’s Next 🗓️
Another Deep Dive Thursday, I’m visiting Marin Country Mart on Friday and plan to highlight stores in the Sunday Style Scoop. I’m also working on Retail 101 part 3 on negotiations and getting inside a merchant’s mind. Let me know if you have any questions.
Recent posts to catch up on:
Thursday’s Deep Dive - Week of April 8th 2024 - Store visits, Uniqlo & Beauty Strategy
Sunday Scoop - Sunday Scoop - Larroudé, Beauty, Trends & Substacks to Scroll
Fashion 🌀 Spirals: Stripes here, Kick Flares here, Trench Coats here, American Sportswear here
Last Tuesday: This Will Be Quick 4.9.24 - Novelty Jewelry, Podcasts I'm loving, White Overalls and Shopping Notes
Retail 101: Math & Financials and Retail 101: Math & Financials Part Deux - Markdowns
FYI: I use affiliate links where applicable which means I may get a small commission from things you buy (at no cost to you.) Thank you for supporting my work and trusting me. Love that we can enjoy Fashion & Retail together in this space.
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POs = Purchase Orders. The agreement from a retailer to buy goods and the amount of inventory needed. Also includes negotiated costs and terms (aka payment date - ex. 30 days upon receipt of goods.)
SKU = Stock Keeping Unit. Ex. different sizes of products have different SKU#s with unique UPCs (Universal Product Codes.) If you sell one SKU to Costco in a 100 count size, you could sell a 20 count size into Target at a different cost/retail without causing problems in the marketplace because in one retailer you are requiring the customer to buy a larger size.
Just here to say that my local Target was clearancing Fly By Jing and I didn't know they had carried it in the first place! Admittedly, I wasn't looking to add this type of condiment to my rotation, but I did buy it once it was on sale. Maybe they are getting out because Wal Mart is going in?
Obsessed with capris and so glad they're back in the sun. A workout fabric capri is the answer to everything. With a blazer and brogue. Or with a shoulder pad tee and then an open button up. Big fan of the Tom Ford iteration -- so soft and luxe! https://www.ssense.com/en-us/women/product/tom-ford/black-cropped-leggings/13634311?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5v2wBhBrEiwAXDDoJSPjJUY6QSPZBUmPnEMIjgK1URbbLnVwZB3XrT_nLAEl4N7JIllzhhoCLMEQAvD_BwE