Saturday, April 25, 2020

Store reopenings in Germany and Austria indicate what awaits UK and US retailers

Store reopenings in Germany and Austria indicate what awaits UK and US retailers

The first stores in Vienna and Berlin are open again, after they were forced to close about a month ago due to Covid-19. Now, fashion retailers are mainly concerned with how sales and footfall will develop over the coming weeks and months. Here are the impressions from the first days of the shop reopenings.

The green shop concept Glore

“In terms of sales, it was almost like a normal Monday for us,” said Glore founder Bernd Hausmann over the phone on Tuesday. “People are excited that we’re open again, but many are also more reserved than usual and asked if they could come in.” The stores in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Heidelberg have ropened since Monday, while the two in Bavaria and Switzerland remain closed.

Store reopenings in Germany and Austria indicate what awaits UK and US retailers
Bild: Glore store

Hausmann only had a few days to deal with the hygiene regulations of each federal state: In Baden-Württemberg, it is necessary to install a protective shield at checkout, which was not the case in Hesse or Hamburg. Meanwhile, all German states opted to require people to wear face masks while shopping. Masks are given to all Glore customers and hand sanitizers are available at the door. Card devices and clothes hangers are disinfected after use. At the beginning, employees were slightly nervous about how customers would respond to the new measures, which, two months ago, would have seemed extreme. But they have accepted everything well, said Hausmann.

”The big, exciting question that drives every fashion retailer is what the sales will be like. Yesterday, we were relieved when we realized that for the time being everything seemed just like normal - because we were all afraid that hardly anyone would come into the store,” he said. In the upcoming week, he is excited to see whether sales and usual high-turnover days, like Friday or Saturday, will be the same. “We are assuming that it will be a little less. Procedure-wise, it’s not even possible to generate the same sales as before. A Saturday where the store is completely full and people are queuing in front of the dressing rooms is not possible anymore, since not that many customers are allowed in.”

What can be done about the systemic issues in the fashion industry raised by the coronavirus pandemic? Aside from not cancelling any deliveries, Glore has joined the Green Alliance, a movement that wants to decelerate the fashion industry. Though Hausmann believes that, at this moment, it’s not possible to say whether this will actually happen. “The situation is so dynamic right now. You have to reassess it daily and then make decisions.”

Sustainable fashion retailer Glore was founded in 2006 and now has more than 35 employees. Currently, there are nine locations in Germany and Switzerland.

Store reopenings in Germany and Austria indicate what awaits UK and US retailers
Photo: Glore store with tape on the floor

Modehaus Kutsam

In neighboring Austria, shops up to 400 square meters were allowed to reopen after Easter. Therefore in Sierning, Modehaus Kutsam and its 300 square meter store has had more time to gain experience with the new changes. “We are now in our second week and 50 percent below target,” said managing director Johannes Behr-Kutsam. “Normally we would have a turnover of about 2,500 euros per day and currently it’s only about 1,000 to 1,200 euros. But we also only have one employee working, the others are still at home. So at least the result won’t be worse when we reopen.” Companies in Austria can also apply for the so-called 'Kurzarbeit', under which the government subsidizes part of the pay of workers who would face lay-offs otherwise.

Additionally, the store has shortened its opening hours and now sells face masks, which must be worn in Austria. “One of the first people who waited by the door when the store opened was a man who tore his pants while working from home,” said Behr-Kutsam. “Then, little by little, the regular customers came in, already starting to look for summer clothes.”

Store reopenings in Germany and Austria indicate what awaits UK and US retailers
Photo: Fashion house Kutsam

The retailer’s other branches are larger than 400 square meters and have to remain closed. But going off of the developments in Austria, Behr-Kutsam expects the other four stores to reopen on May 4, however with fewer employees. As there are fewer reasons to go out these days, demand will remain modest. In Austria, meeting friends is not yet allowed, but shopping is. So the situation is still a bit absurd, but the demand will increase once the restaurants reopen,” he said. “But by the end of the year I don’t expect us to reach the same figures as last year.”

Founded in 1959, the family owned Modehaus Kutsam operates five stores in Bad Hall, Kirchdorf, Sierning, Schwertberg and St. Valentin. The Austrian fashion retailer has a total of 65 employees.

Fashion group Esprit

This week, fashion group Esprit reopened around 50 of its self-managed stores in Germany. As regulations vary from region to region, the company is checking store by store to see which ones could be opened again.

”We expect the customer sentiment to be less than before the crisis. And indeed, yesterday and today’s traffic in our stores is less than before the lockdown. We will be watching carefully to see how the coming days and weeks develop,” wrote a spokeswoman of Esprit in an email on Tuesday.

Store reopenings in Germany and Austria indicate what awaits UK and US retailers
Photo: Esprit store in Dusseldorf

In the past few days, the employees worked hard to implement the security measures required by the various federal states, according to the company. All in all, customers are also respecting Esprit’s new shopping guidelines, which include masks, increased cleaning personnel and disinfectants, as well as employee training.

“We expect customer sentiment to be different post Covid-19 but we are pleased to re-open stores,” said Esprit. “With our 360° oriented "happy to #reconnect" campaign, which we will launch at the beginning of May, we will highlight the comprehensive hygiene measures in our stores. We want our customers to feel comfortable when they return to the stores to shop after this difficult time.”

Founded in 1968, Esprit employs about 4,900 people worldwide. The fashion group, with headquarters in Ratingen and Hong Kong, operates 389 stores and has around 4,800 points of sale in more than 40 countries.

This article was originally published on FashionUnited.DE, translated and edited.

Photo credit: David Visnjic / Andolu Agency via AFP



* This article was originally published here

Friday, April 24, 2020

New retail technology tracks real-time in-store occupancy

Checkpoint unveils new system that tracks real-time in-store occupancy

London, April 2020 – Checkpoint Systems, a global leader in source-to-shopper solutions, has launched a new system to help retailers view in-store occupancy levels and receive alerts in real-time. The SmartOccupancy solution is designed for stores with an occupancy limit or those with high shrink rates. It helps retail associates or security guards view the number of shoppers currently in a store in real-time, while helping managers deploy staff efficiently, combating risk and deterring theft more effectively.


SmartOccupancy accurately counts the number of people entering and exiting a store, and sends an alert to staff when the store is close to maximum capacity. Managers can set and change threshold levels, and create different zones with distinct entry/exits, as well as concession areas or toilets. This way, SmartOccupancy gives a clear view of multiple areas with the overall store capacity included.

Employees and managers can access the information online or via an in-store tablet and react in real-time to live occupancy numbers. Visual color indicators on the tablet enable staff to instantly recognize when a breach in the occupancy threshold is about to occur. Red indicates that the store has met its capacity, yellow highlights that occupancy is almost met, and grey means that no occupancy alerts are required. An additional alert is sent to store staff so they can respond appropriately.

SmartOccupancy uses the most accurate overhead people counting sensor in the Checkpoint range - Visiplus 3D, which connects to Checkpoint’s cloud-based software portal HALO. This enables retailers to access reports on occupancy levels in stores across a region, monitor store compliance to maintain or amend the threshold set.

Until now, retailers had to control the occupancy of their stores manually and, in some cases, hire additional staff or guarding. SmartOccupancy helps retailers make decisions based on data trends in the cloud, allowing them to adjust staffing levels and guarding hours. Saving retailers not only money but human resources and time.

Mike French, UK Business Unit Director at Checkpoint Systems commented: “As the only vertically integrated solution provider, we have a comprehensive understanding of the complex challenges retailers face. We aim to help retailers around the world deliver the best consumer experience possible, while improving their financial performance. Our new SmartOccupancy solution is a step forward in that direction.”



* This article was originally published here

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Covid-19 t-shirt collaboration for charity


As a response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, five Danish brands have collaborated to release a t-shirt for charity.

The ‘together’ graphic featured on the t-shirt was designed by Wood Wood’s Brian SS Jensen and is intended to spread a message of unity, with all proceeds being donated to Hus Forbi, an organization that supports the homeless in Denmark. The t-shirts are available in five colors, representing each of the five Copen-hagen based brands: Wood Wood, Mads Nørgaard, Norse Projects, Soulland and Le Fix.


“Although everybody is at home feeling isolated these days, I think there’s also a strong sense of connection to the rest of the world,” Jensen, co-founder of Wood Wood said in a statement. “I guess this t-shirt is an expression of that. Now feels like the perfect time to spread a message of unity, and I've thought about doing something together with these guys for some time. We all share a connection both as brands and humans, which I think is quite unique for Copenhagen. Friendly competition for sure."

Connected by their mutual interest in art, design and skateboarding, Wood Wood, Norse Projects, Soulland and Le Fix all met in the late-1990s, with Mads Nørgaard offering support and collaboration during the brands’ early years. All five aim to provide exposure for Copenhagen through fashion and culture.

The t-shirts retail for 300DKK (about 35 pounds) and can be purchased on the brands’ websites.

Denmark is taking slow steps towards normalcy by easing lockdown measures and partly reopening retail stores.

Photo credit: Wood Wood



* This article was originally published here

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Lululemon apologizes after t-shirt design causes backlash In China

Sportswear company Lululemon apologized after an employee promoted a T-shirt design that created an outrage in China for its reference to the origin of coronavirus, multiple reports said.

Lululemon apologizes after t-shirt design causes backlash In ChinaLululemon apologizes after t-shirt design causes backlash In ChinaLululemon apologizes after t-shirt design causes backlash In China

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The design, which showed a Chinese takeaway box of 'bat fried rice' with images of chopsticks and bat wings, was created by California-based artist Jess Sluder, while Lululemon's art director Trevor Fleming posted a picture of the design on Instagram.

Even though Instagram is not available in China, the image reached the Chinese social media platform Weibo, reaching millions there with the hashtag 'Lululemon insults China.' Many of them demanded a boycott of the brand.

The design was seen with a racist reference to coronavirus, which was first identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan last year, and thought to have originated in bats.

Following the incident, Lululemon said the design was "inappropriate and inexcusable," and that it has dismissed the employee.(DPA)



* This article was originally published here

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Paige Denim & SESSÙN Coronavirus Relief - Charity Initiative inclusion



Parisian fashion brand Sessún will be doing its part to help the Coronavirus relief effort by donating 10% of its sales to the Covid-19 emergency aid fund set up by the FHF (French Hospitals Foundation)

Paige Denim & SESSÙN Coronavirus Relief - Charity Initiative inclusion


Fashion brand Paige, will donate 20% of their entire sales to St.Vincents Meals on Wheels.



* This article was originally published here

Monday, April 20, 2020

Podcast: The impact of COVID-19 on the garment

How does the corona crisis factory workers in the fashion industry? And what are the long-term prospects for a sustainable fashion industry?
In the podcast fashion industry are called upon to take responsibility. Speaking includes Ayesha Barenblat, founder Remake - a storytelling platform that is committed to building a conscious consumer movement, and Mostafiz Uddin, owner of denim manufacturer and exporter Denim Expert Ltd from Bangladesh and founder of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity.

Source: WARDROBE CRISIS with Clare Press
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* This article was originally published here

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Womenwear accessorie trends for Fall Winter 2020-21





Trendstop gives FashionUnited readers a first look at the key accessory directions from the womenswear Fall Winter 2020-21 season.

Trendstop’s catwalk experts bring you the essential themes inspiring accessory design into Fall Winter 20-21 and beyond. Across the international designer collections, new levels of elevation and refinement was brought to the biggest fashion stories to have emerged in recent times with a focus on bringing everyday influences and cross-category references into the luxury sector. Our comprehensive catwalk coverage, dedicated accessory galleries and reports, evaluate each trend’s commercial value and longevity, giving you the best possible basis for your decision making.


Love this ?- View it on Website for more detail, Size, Color and Design Variety

This week FashionUnited readers get an exclusive look at three accessory trends that will be crucial to informing the basis of your next collection. Hyper-Elevated Outdoor transform formally rugged motifs into fashion must-haves while still retaining their performance credentials. The Evolved Weave and Vintage Childhood Nostalgia illustrate the high-end spin being applied to homely and crafted aesthetics.

Hyper-Elevated Outdoor

Outdoor themes continue to inform accessory design, evolving to further complement the luxury market. Padded backpack and holdalls come in premium quilted nylon, finished with a satinised sheen whilst functional, detachable multi-pockets are adorned with fashion detailing. Practical accompaniments such as water bottle holders in performance perf are trimmed with leather and rendered in directional colour ways.

Womenwear accessorie trends for Fall Winter 2020-21



Images courtesy of Trendstop, left to right: Moncler, Kenzo, Toga, all Fall Winter 2020-21.

The Evolved Weave

Handcrafting moves away from rustic naivety and into the realms of the atelier. Intricate woven designs are amplified via a mixing of contrasting techniques, statement fringing and exaggerated proportions. Sumptuous leathers highlight the new premium feel with applications ranging from tactile bags and elaborate belts, to re-imaginings of luxe jewellery pieces.


Vintage Childhood Nostalgia

Fall winter accessories reignite childhood memories with sweet nostalgic references and vintage inspirations. Miniature, boxy bags use slotted constructions to reference school lunch packs, decorated with child-like doodles. A soft palette of retro tones and heirloom agate trims channel the luxury feel of the past.

Exclusive Offer

FashionUnited readers can get free access to Trendstop’s Women’s SS20 Key Bags & Belts Directions, a curated overview of the essential accessory directions from the season’s catwalk collections. Simply click here to receive your free report.


Trendstop.com is one of the world's leading trend forecasting agencies for fashion and creative professionals, renowned for its insightful trend analysis and forecasts. Clients include H&M, Primark, Forever 21, Zalando, Geox, Evisu, Hugo Boss, L'Oreal and MTV.


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* This article was originally published here

100 Women Casual Outfits Summer

Women Causal Outfits Summer , As Summer of 2020 is already Started as Heat Wave begins from 15 April in some part of the world, though in some of the world is still cold, But as they are also getting warmer with every passing day, I am have brought an idean of latest Women Casual Outfits Summer for women age 21 to 30 , As Golden age, Very Choosy age, but still this age group never accept they are choosey in  their dresses, They say we wear what we find in front of the wordrob.

Well, do not forget the Women Casual Outfits Summer Over 30 and Women Casual Outfits Summer over 40 & over 50, Well all of us always in search of relax dress, weather friendly dress and comfortable and no mention added to beauty is always of the reason to look at dresses. 

Well, for summer Loan and lillian and Cotton are the ideal cloth to make dress out of it. Well to be any of your help , I have invest some time and study the market and want to share it with you.