October 2009

Opportunities for new Labels and Small Brands. What, Exactly, Should You Do?

Branding, Retail

I’ve been chanting for the last few months, and maybe longer, that our current economic environment represents a great opportunity for new and smaller brands. At an ASR seminar in September, somebody actually, finally, asked me, “What do you mean by that exactly?” My answer was that if you were a specialty retailer, and were still […]

Opportunities for new Labels and Small Brands. What, Exactly, Should You Do? Read More »

Inventory Risk and Inventory Management; Our Own Version of Musical Chairs?

Financial Management

Janet Freeman, owner of the small but well established women’s snowboard apparel brand Betty Rides, has a problem. On October 17th, she told me, “It’s weird but Betty Rides has ALREADY been getting lots of re-orders for snowboard jackets and pants. We cut to order, and are sold out on most things.” Naturally, I was sympathetic to

Inventory Risk and Inventory Management; Our Own Version of Musical Chairs? Read More »

Zumiez’s Fireside Chat

Zumiez

Rick Brooks, Zumiez’s CEO and CFO Trevor Lang held a half hour question and answer session today at the Thomas Weisel Partners Consumer Conference in New York. Previously, Zumiez had announced on September 2nd that “…total net sales for the four-week period ended August 29, 2009 decreased 2.9% to $51.7 million, compared to $53.2 million for

Zumiez’s Fireside Chat Read More »