Semi-Annual Retail Rant

[Meganator]

I don't shop for clothes in stores all that much - I much prefer mail order when I can get away with it. One of the reasons I hate retail store is that they put out next season's clothes so early. For example, by September (when it can easily be 100 degrees here), you can't just walk into your average store and buy a bathing suit - but you can buy courduroy clothes. :rolleyes:

So we are getting ready to go skiing this weekend, and visit our local sporting goods store to buy some new goggles for DH. The same place that had tons of ski stuff a month ago now is completely stocked with bathing suits and shorts. Puh-leeze. It is February. So then as I was packing my ski jacket last night, the zipper broke (in a way that makes it completely unusable without replacing the zipper). :mad: I have another coat I can wear if I can't locate a more suitable one today, but I'm just reminded that I am annoyed at the retail behemoth that is unlikely to change just because I don't shop there.

End of vent (until September).

[funniegrrl]

You are talking not about a particular store, a particular chain, or whatever. This is how the clothing industry -- in fact, the entire retail industry -- works. I understand the frustration, but the same is true for catalogs, fabric stores, etc. as well. Yes, you can pickup up the Winter catalog you got in November and still order from it, but didn't you get a Spring or a Spring preview catalog in the last few weeks? If you go into a fabric store and look at the fabrics and patterns, the focus is on early spring. Etc.

I have a part-time job in a women's clothing store. As soon as we started getting early spring wear in January, the sales of heavy, obviously winter items fell off the map. The only reason some of it has sold -- despite the fact that we here in the mid-South still have had some bitter cold snaps -- is that it has been deeeeeeeeply discounted.

The truth is that, while most people like to buy things they can wear now, as opposed to 2 months from now, they are also loathe to invest in things they can only wear for another month or so. There are always exceptions, but retail has to go with what the majority does and wants. I'm not defending it heartily, but there is a logic behind it.

[mbrogier]

Go check out a sporting goods store like REI or Dicks. They usually carry ski gear later in the season since people are still going on ski vacations.

If y'all think that is annoying in the South, think about it up here. It's still 20 degrees. No one's wearing short sleeves, and that's all you see. I do enjoy all the sales.

[funniegrrl]

As I said, there are always exceptions, especially when serving a niche market.

[Valerie226]

I agree with micah, try mail order like LLBean, REI, Patagonia,Marmot, maybe Lands End, Athleta, Title9. just because they're not advertising winter stuff doesn't mean nothing is available, and the prices might be terrific.
all the local ski stores have their winter stuff on sale and we will be skiing here until June at least, so I look for stuff on sale now because there's lots of skiing to be done yet. Try Patagonia, just got a sale notice from them.

[Meganator]

I agree with micah, try mail order like LLBean, REI, Patagonia,Marmot, maybe Lands End, Athleta, Title9. just because they're not advertising winter stuff doesn't mean nothing is available, and the prices might be terrific.
all the local ski stores have their winter stuff on sale and we will be skiing here until June at least, so I look for stuff on sale now because there's lots of skiing to be done yet. Try Patagonia, just got a sale notice from them.

Yeah, we have an REI and Sports Authority here that I haven't checked. Unfortunately, since this happened 2 days before we leave, I don't have time to mail order it - if it had happened earlier, I definitely would have ordered one from LL Bean or Lands End, as I know they have exactly what I need.

[tbb113]

I would also think that the shops at the ski resort will still have ski wear available. Yes, it will be pricey...but you will be warm ;) Also, you can probably have the zipper replaced in your jacket by an alterations place while you wait if you explain why you need it NOW

[Kay Henderson]

Having worked in retail in another life, I understand what Funnygrrl is saying. The stores have a responsibility to earn the best return for their stockholders. If it had proven to be more profitable to keep seasonal clothes longer that would be the pattern.

Nevertheless, I understand your frustration. I was trying to buy a particular brand of women's gloves a couple of weeks ago. All the stores had put them on sale and sold them out. After all, it IS February!

I must say that business as usual may not work as well as it did in the days before the internet. I was checking this morning and just because gloves are not available retail in Sacramento no longer means that a person can't get them through other channels.

Kay

[ChristineVA]

I feel your pain. Shortly after the New Year holiday, my DD and I went into Target and they had brought out their swimsuit line--and this was NOT their "cruisewear". They have been out ever since. Ridiculous. But of course, when all the DDs swim suits have ripped, or she's grown out of them in July, she won't be able to get one--we'll be buying the sweaters then!!

I think they always used to "rush" the season a bit, but it really has gotten out of control. I'm old enough to remember when you actually had to wait until after April for the swimsuits to come out and there was still a great supply of them before your June beach trip. Those days are gone.

I tried to buy a long wool winter coat right after the holidays hoping to get some deal. They were ALL gone. I did end up finding one at Burlington Coat Factory and that's only because they carry them all year round.

[barbara-cook]

I have always found this crazy. The Target here had girls summer clothes out BEFORE Christmas. About TWO WEEKS BEFORE! And in this part of the country, you're lucky if you can actually wear your new Easter dress on Easter - you might just freeze to death if you try it.

On Valentines Day, our local Wegmans was putting out the Easter Candy - when is Easter this year - the middle of April? I made a comment to one of the young ladies stocking the shelves. She just shrugged and said "that's retail, I guess."

Maybe if we all ranted to the powers that be (corporate America) (when do they do their shopping?), the seasons might be a little better lined up. But I doubt it.

I find it amusing and confusing when we refer to corporate America and the stock holders as being sort of "in charge" of things like this. Aren't they just every day people like us? I don't tell the retails stores listed in my mutual funds that they have to winter coats in stock by July 1st, do you? So who ARE these people?

[tbb113]

I used to work for a major outdoor retail clothing and equipment company. Part of the reason that stores get the merchandise so early is because they ORDER it that way. They can take a small initial order, see what are the 'hot sellers' and then re-order to fill in the line closer to the actual season. Given that most (if not all) of the clothes that you buy are produced overseas, there is a long delivery time involved (you've heard about the slow boat from China, right? ;) ).

I agree that it makes NO sense to not have winter clothes available during winter. I think it is STUPID that I have to make sure I buy sweatshirts in the fall since they aren't available in the stores now (or in the summer when my kids need them for sleepover camps). I also agree that the seasons are being pushed earlier (but also, many manufacturers now have 6 seasons instead of 4). Think of Chico's for example, they must have new clothes coming out every two months.

So, I guess the moral of the story is plan ahead and hope for the best. I have found for some things (sweatshirts) online shopping is my friend :)

[hollysmom]

You might try a resale shop for the ski coat - probably save some $$ too - that you can use on a after-ski massage :D I'm sure there are several good ones somewhere near campus - college students are supposed to be broke and looking for a bargain.

SSM

[KimberlyS]

I always thought this was caused by the retailers, instead of in response to consumer demand.

A store introduces a fall clothing line and it doesn't sell well, so it has to be discounted. (Or consumers are waiting to buy because they KNOW it will be discounted.) When that product gets discounted, retailers rush to bring in the next line, maybe a fall2, but maybe a winter line. But consumers aren't buying that new line because they can get the original fall merchandise at discount and wear it immediately! And since they are expediting the new merchandise (rushing the slow boat from China!) they are incurring additional expense!

It seems like a circular process to me, and once the cycle starts, it really perpetuates itself. I don't think it benefits either the retailers or the consumers.

[Robyn1007]

Meganator,

Where are you guys going? I was at Keystone today and happened to stop into Christy Sports and they have everything on sale. You might have some luck at whatever area you are going to. Good luck and have fun!

Robyn

[Meganator]

Meganator,

Where are you guys going? I was at Keystone today and happened to stop into Christy Sports and they have everything on sale. You might have some luck at whatever area you are going to. Good luck and have fun!

Robyn

We went to Tahoe for a couple of days. I looked a little in shops around there, but there wasn't anything I really liked in a price range I really liked...I think I will just repair the zipper on my old one now, so it is ready for next time. We only ended up skiing one day anyway - Sunday was great, but it poured rain all day Monday.

Thanks for the commiseration and advice!

Megan