Mr. Allan Zwerner

GLG News by Mr. Allan Zwerner, Independent Consultant

It is Time for Abercrombe and American Eagle to be Focused........

March 31, 2009

Analysis of:Abercrombie, American Eagle May Close Concept Stores | www.bloomberg.com

Time has come for both AnF and AE to focus on what they ar eboth successful at, that is the young Juniors and Mens businesses.These Retailers have  both a strong status and fashion image among the teen markets, therefore they should stay focued on max. both the sales and gross margin potentials.Lastly by being the best they can be in this zone they will make it difficult forothers toenter( aeropostale is at the opening price zone).

Is There a Major Opportunity for Dillards To position Themselves Between Macys and the Upscale Retailers?

February 27, 2008

Analysis of:Makeover at Dillard's: Store Moving Upscale Adding More Fashion | www.wwd.com

Will Dillards put themselves in both a less profitable position, as well another year of sales declines?The positioning that Dillards plans to go to seems to have a small opportunity to grow sales and profits. Dillards cannot just put better goods on the floor to be successful, they need a total change in their service concept, which will add expenses.

American Eagle Will Have plus Comp Store growth in 4th QT.

November 6, 2007

Analysis of:Aerie Expands Offering With f.i.t. | www.wwd.com

American Eagle once again introduces a concept to max. sales productivity , by introducing f.i.t. line in a total of 45 plus doors for holiday.AEO has proven their ability to shift space to grow plus sales.Expanding in this category will also improve gross margins since it is a hot trend that will be on every young females list for xmas.

NO question close D.e.m.o,it's the only option

October 31, 2007

Analysis of:Aerie Expands Offering With f.i.t. | www.wwd.com

PacSun needs to focus it's organization as well as it's capital. PacSun needs to grow comp stores and it is a must that they expand the brands lifestyle vs go after a business that was not working well when Urban was strong.

HilfigerMacy's partnership is a WIN WIN

October 31, 2007

Analysis of:MACY'S AND TOMMY HILFIGER SIGN STRATEGIC ALLIANCE AGREEMENT | www.retail-merchandiser.com

Macy's win, is the exclusive with a brand that has a proven track record.Furthermore, with this exclusive there will be opportunities to improve Gross Margin performance.Hilfiger's win will benefit from the long term sales growth, as well as, reduce their sku count and sample lines etc, yes major expense savings will be had.

Where should Ann Taylor management intensify their focus?

August 27, 2007

Analysis of:Ann Taylor Plans To Cozy Up To Boomer Broads | publications.mediapost.com

Ann Taylor strategy to open a new concept before fixing their existing business can further hurt their total profitable growth. There are issues that need to be fixed today in the A.T and Loft stores which can bring plus profits and growth.The answer is not a new concept, note Gap found this out with their venture that closed down.

How PVH can both Max. CK Brand to ensure long term growth and profits.

August 27, 2007

Analysis of:PVH Q2 Net Soars 35% on Calvin Klein Growth | www.just-style.com

PVH needs to take total control over the CK Brand, not as a licensor, but as an owner of the brand.For PVH to grow domestically and max international growth PVH must buy back the CK Brand.CK Brands future lies in developing own retail stores and to build a profitable model the stores must have both Sportswear as well as Denim.

The Sleeping Jewel in Ralph's arsenal for future growth.

July 18, 2007

Analysis of:Aerie Expands Offering With f.i.t. | www.wwd.com

Growth opportunity for RL Corp. The product has a reason for being and can take market share from AnF. note todate AnF brand has little competition in th elook and prise zone.Everytime I visit a Rugby Store, I say to myself, "when will RL roll out the concept as a major vertical retail business"? Rugby would compete withAnF brand for the 20-30 year old male and female consumer in feeling as well as pricepoints.I also feel that Rugby can attract an older 30plus conmsumer. Yes the line can take some market share out of the POLO Brand as well.The mens consumer needs a hip fun updated traditional  brand to get the consumer to spend vs. the strong off price business that is going on at the malls today( excluding AnF). RL has spent a few yaers developing and learning what this consumer wants, my gut RL is close to spreading it's wings with Rugby and if it works at Colette get ready for European doors.

Macys divisions are not max. the new hot upscale brands could be another reason for lack of sales growth.

June 11, 2007

Analysis of:Federated revamps marketing plan | www.retailingtoday.com

Macys buyers need to get more aggressive in finding and max. the new brands and or concepts.How will Macys pay for the introduction of Martha Stewart , who and what comes off the floor to make room for the M.S. brand, does Macys have MD dollars allocate for this transition?

Federated(FDS) is good on talk, but not on action results when it comes to the product assortments..

May 25, 2007

Analysis of:Federated revamps marketing plan | www.retailingtoday.com

Overall the article has merit, however, there are bigger issues that are not being recognized and or a plan to improve both sales and profits. Three years ago the home store at Macy's was consolidated into a central buying team, great for expenses, but the sales growth has not been there.( gut down trend every year), so it should have been in the merger plan, that the May Doors would experience some of the same negativesales results.The centralization of Home is still a question mark( in relation to a success or failure), to believe that the use of the Martha Stewart name will improve sales is a big question mark.

The Great Balancing Act

March 26, 2007

Analysis of:Premium Store Brands | www.marketingprofs.com

Own brands are a absolute in the total mix of a retailers store's assortments.However, retailers need to keep the balance and look inward to determine i fhtey have the team to create brands as well as the execution from a marketing,ie advertising , product placement and instore presentation .
The number merchandising focus of the Dept. Stores and Mass Retailers has been on finding, selecting, planning and negotiating how to max. the items and or lines.Now Management is asking the merchants to wear another hat as well, key is management willing to bring in the necessary talent ie form specialty own brand stores to execute the idea profitably.

JCPenney, is it too much to soon?

March 26, 2007

Analysis of:JCPenney, Chip & Pepper launch new line | www.retailingtoday.com

The success of Branded Dept. stores is  the delicate balance of brands vs. private labels.
How do you keep the balance, what factors need to be considered.

AnF's model will make thier expansion into europs an easy transition

March 15, 2007

Analysis of:A&F posts negative comps across brands | www.retailingtoday.com

AnF has proven over time that their focus on "product right" vs. promotions and fast MDs, is best way to high sales per sq. foot and high margins
Europe does not promote off-price until end of season, therefore the AnF culture of product right  will be an easy transition as long as they keep in mind fit and cultural differences
In the 70's and early 80's  Polo and LaCoste did not take MDs until end of season , however as they over expanded in the USA they found they were forced to take MDs sooner and in the end hurt their respective brands

Kohl's needs to take product to a higher creative level...........

March 6, 2007

Analysis of:Kohl's ceo 'very pleased' with results | www.retailingtoday.com

Kohl's must continue to separate itself from the promotional retail environment, promotions are key and cannot get lost; however , key vendors and or product that are exclusive and wanted by consumers,( not because of price only, but the place to shop) needs to be a part of the mix, key is balance.

Kohl's should continue to take advantage of the repositioning at macy's stores through spring 07.

Where's Kenneth Cole Going?

March 6, 2007

Analysis of:Aerie Expands Offering With f.i.t. | www.wwd.com

Decline in licensing revenue can be an indicator of soft business ahead.

There was no mention of how Kenneth Cole plans to make the upscale label work at retail, seems the upscale strategy has not happened at retail.

How long will it take and at what cost to turn the apparel trend around at regular price retail?

Polo's short and long term profits will benefit from Penney's launch of American Living Brand.

February 9, 2007

Analysis of:JCPenney to launch exclusive Polo Ralph Lauren line | www.retailingtoday.com

Polo's approach to building its own brand business for Penney's is unique and will bring early profits vs. the normal 2-3 yrs to see rewards. By having the commitment to the brand, both space and OTB dollars further confirms Penney's will in fact market the brand both in advertising and at point of sale. Polo will further benefit by teaming up with a retailer in the product development process, by knowing what sells and how to tweak the assortments to maximize sales, turns and margins.

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