Nordstrom

We know that even women who don nothing but designer labels and the season’s hottest trends love finding a good bargain on their duds. But now, it is   The New York Times writing about. They followed the footsteps of a handful of fashion savvy women who hunt product/clothing sales the way a hound hunts raccoons: ferociously and with determined, focused eyes. After all, an in season Alexander McQueen frock priced down 40 percent is like a trendy gift from the style gods. Only it’s not a gift that’s handed to them randomly. It takes real work — and plenty of time shifting through racks — to find these kinds of brag-worthy steals.

Says Annelise Peterson, a fashion consultant, “I fare-track for fashion.” However, instead of getting alerts in her e-box a la flash travel sales, she’s built a human network consisting of salesclerks who call and text her when the price and product are right. “It’s important to find a great source, a salesperson to point you to pieces that match your taste,” she noted.

The New York Times also interviewed affluent shopper and society figure Natalie Leeds Leventhal, who’s no stranger to Barneys sales racks. While inarguably wealthy, Leventhal still adheres to a strict set of buying rules when shopping. In fact, she says she refuses to pay full price on anything unless the item is so hard to come by it’ll disappear in the blink of an eye. Any other time, though, she scouts out a good bargain.

Like Peterson, Leventhal also has a network of salespeople who contact her if they get a product in she’ll appreciate. Read more about the steps fashionable women take when seeking designer goods at a fraction of their MSRP. We’ve said it for a long time, but now that The New York Times wrote it, you have to believe us.

By Wendy Rose Gould

Since mid 2008, consumers and retailers alike have heard and read nonstop prattle regarding the state of our national and global economy. From collapsed markets to inflation to increased costs of living paired with decreased salaries, times are certainly uncertain.

Naturally, consumers are wary of our economy’s current state and have resorted to more frugal tendencies. Even fashionistas who once splurged at Saks are bucking the urge to spend spend spend and are instead squirreling away their cash while wearing last year’s products.

To make money, or at least break even, retailers have had to get creative. Luxury brands like Saks, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom decided the best thing to do was to extend their brands and begin opening outlets. Their goal? To reach more people — including new demographics — in hopes of resurrecting clientele who appreciate the finer things in life.

The decision to branch out was undoubtedly an intrepid one since nobody knew for sure what would happen after investing in new outlet store fronts. Many were afraid that outlet stores could harm the brand’s name, but the plan has, so far, panned out successfully.

After other stores, including those listed above, tested the waters, Bloomingdales also decided to hop aboard this “branching out” outlet train. They plan to open a cluster of stores in the spring and fall of 2012.

According to Arnold Orlick, Bloomingdale’s senior Vice President of their outlet stores, they will focus on selling the brands of Bloomingdales instead of private labels. They hope that the new stores will draw in aspirational luxury shoppers who don’t want to — or simply can’t afford — the lofty price tags at the traditional stores.

By Mirela Gluck

The buzz today was about the new Nordstrom Rack opening in Union Square May 11^th, 2010. While this is just happy news for us, from a business point of view it signals the nation continues to be in the bargain mind-set.  What can you expect? Discounts up to 60 percent off original Nordstrom retail prices and some merchandise purchased specially for the Rack.  The retail big wigs are all optimistic that this is the way to go, with Sacks, Lord and Taylor, Neiman Marcus and Talbots all getting pretty aggressive in the outlet arena. The question is, with so many bargains in stores and the mailbox, who is still buying retail?