Learn how to guide profit and plan cash flow in this free webinar!

Blacks uses a powerful concept called Acid Analysis to look at the relationship between what a retailer buys and what he sells to gauge profitability. But Acid Analysis isn't just a trailing indicator - it can also be used to look forward.

In this webinar, you'll learn how to use Acid Analysis to:

* Plan future profitability by looking at planned sales and mid-season buys
* Guide future cash flow
* See where you're trending at a class level

During this 45-minute webinar, Blacks Senior Consultant Steve Pruitt will help you understand Acid Analysis, and field your questions. Steve is a well-respected retail consultant who has dedicated almost 30 years to helping retailers grow and improve their businesses. This will be a small group session so everyone comes away with winning strategies.

Reserve your spot today! Email: info@blksretail.com or call (415) 377-3170

Posted by Blacks at 03:31 PM   |   Comments (0)

Due to the success of our March OTB Webinar, we've added a new date!

Do you know how to manage your OTB in turbulent times? Learn how in our free Webinar:

Tuesday, April 28th at 1pm ET/10am PT

The current economic environment calls for a change in strategy and focus, particularly when it comes to open-to-buy (OTB). At Blacks, we are recommending that retailers maintain a monthly OTB of at least 10% to 20% of sales to:

• Increase cash flow
• Improve sales
• Increase margin
• Manage your financial liability

During this 45-minute Webinar, Blacks Senior Consultant Steve Pruitt will help you form a winning OTB strategy, and field your questions. Steve is a well respected retail consultant who has dedicated almost 30 years to helping retailers grow and improve their businesses. This will be a small group session so everyone comes away with winning strategies.

Reserve your spot today! Email: info@blksretail.com or call (415) 377-3170.

Posted by Blacks at 02:03 PM   |   Comments (0)

This past Saturday brought an inspirational light to the fashion industry, showing that even in a recession we still need to play in the world of the cool kid. Despite 30 degree weather and a line down Broadway, New York Fashion Week attendees were excited to see fashion at its best and this year’s shows didn’t disappoint.

As I walked into the Roseland ballroom, I could feel the effects of a new generation on the design world, mainly from the designs of Alexander Wang.

Wang’s 2009 approach to his fall collection included “tailoring” and “luxury”—ideas that confirmed his fame as a designer who has hit it right on point. His models evoked sex appeal and seriousness in their black trench coats with rivets, matching accessories, heavy knits, and foxtails.

Styles from his runway collection have also been streamed into his commercial goods, which are priced comparably to Helmut Lang and Rag & Bone. This just shows that fashion-priced goods in Barneys Coop and Bergdorf’s are having a larger effect on the industry than previously thought.

As a strong follower to Wang’s collection, his look and basic items have made me a firm believer that the contemporary world in New York has put the fedora and plaid shirt in the closet and has brought out the perfect boyfriend blazer and trench—items that are more about sophistication than trend.

Posted by Blacks at 06:22 PM   |   Comments (0)

For insight on how the current economic climate is affecting both stores and shoppers, listen to Blacks New York Analyst Ashley Pruitt on this week’s edition of A Fashionable Life radio program.

A Fashionable Life, on 1490 WGCH Radio, covers all aspects of the fashion world, from designers and runway shows, to how the industry is performing overall.

You can catch Ashley on the show this Wednesday at 9am ET by tuning into WGCH 1490 AM on the East Coast, or by listening to a live stream at www.wgch.com. If you miss it, the show will be archived on the site a few days after airing.

Posted by Blacks at 07:38 PM   |   Comments (0)

Blacks Senior Consultant and Founder Steve Pruitt will be appearing on CNBC's Power Lunch program Monday, Dec. 22.

Steve will be talking about holiday sales, retailers' markdown strategies and much more.

Catch him at 9:15am PT/12:15 pm ET on your local CNBC station!

Posted by Blacks at 04:01 AM   |   Comments (0)

Thanksgiving weekend ended on a positive note after a Black Friday sales spike put a little more revenue into retail coffers. Merchants in cities such as Boston and Manhattan were able to feed customers’ continued desire for trend and lux product by offering discounts of up to 70%.

Indeed, the slowing demand for full-priced luxury product was evident in the extent of retailers’ markdowns. Saks Fifth Avenue was showing Zegna at 50% off while Barney’s marked Lanvin dresses down by a third. The reduced demand has left fashion insiders wondering just what kind of products and promotions it will take to keep customers shopping.

There is a bright spot and that is that well-heeled shoppers still need and desire luxury product for the holidays and New Year and they could clear out the reduced amount of full-priced inventory. If that happens, 2009 could begin on a brighter note.

Posted by Blacks at 09:20 PM   |   Comments (0)

The Spring ’09 runway shows took Paris by storm last week, showing some of the best fashions we’ve seen for the season so far. This says a lot, given the overall high quality of merchandise that designers have been producing lately. Both the New York and Milan shows were impressive, but Paris took the prize. Here’s a rundown of our favorite shows, and their trends:

Balenciaga:

• Futuristic, sci-fi influence
• Use of paper-thin metallic apparel and accessories.
• Pale and crinkled fabrics mixed in with A-line structures and symmetric cuts

Balmain:

• ‘80s and rocker chic – a classic sexy Balmain attitude
• Crystallized and acid-ripped details mixed with a fresh shoulder and skinny cuts

Dries Van Noten:

• Inspired by “bold Russian paintings”
• Sportswear, creating a more wearable collection
• Modernist and graphic styles
• Optical illusions using black and white - boxes, grids and graphs
• Layering Prints
• Box prints
• Big, silver bauble necklaces

Mui Mui:

• Urban decay
• ‘80s- graffiti mix with Japanese details and pleating
• Distressed fabrics dotted with fraying holes
• Burlap and satin fabric
• Roman mosaic prints – classical references
• Old school art meets modern

Stella McCartney:

• Jumpsuits and functional wear
• Crochet, knits layers, sequins
• Blushes, pink, light blues
• Spring lace, simplicity, and plunging necklines
• Easy-to-wear realistic pieces

Yohji Yamamoto:

• Yohji at his coolest. Simple, master-tailored pieces
• Black and white boyish suits and slouchy paints
• Frayed and homespun feel
• Navy, black, and print strapless gowns

Yves Saint Laurent:

• East meets West theme. Asian-modernist mix came out in the towering lacquered chignons and soft, cocooning shapes that were derived from kimono wrapping
• Japanese fishermen's pants and Japanese austerity
• Kimono Wrapping, Bows, silk jackets.
• New shoes–latticework grids of leather with metal-mesh heels

Posted by Blacks at 07:21 PM   |   Comments (0)

Across the U.S., retailers and consumers alike have been feeling the strain from recent financial crises. However, in Manhattan we are still seeing a positive outlook from consumers thanks to the incredibly strong fall merchandise and stores operating at their peak performance. Confident New Yorkers and tourists, still streaming in on the strength of the euro, are keeping stores busy with a consistent flow of traffic.

Even though some high-end stores like Comme De Garçons have seen a decrease in new customers, regular customers can’t help but buy this season. The merchandise design is spot-on and want is taking place over need in luxury apparel.

Key fall items such as boots, lace, and leather have excited consumers. Revved-up sales teams have also allowed Manhattan retailers to really engage their customers. Take, for example, Phillip Lim downtown, which offered every customer – buying or not – a beverage of their choice. Small, reassuring gestures like these allow consumers to feel comfortable with cautious spending for fall.

During trying times like these, it’s important for the retailer and the consumer to connect and for the consumer to feel that there are some bright spots on the horizon.

Posted by Blacks at 01:32 AM   |   Comments (0)

Luca Luca brought a flock of industry elite and celebrity customers under the tent Monday to see its futuristic design concept for S/S ‘09. Since its inception, Luca Luca has created a wide variety of product for sophisticated clientele for whom money is no object. Its S/S collection feeds off of the brand’s chic variety but offers a more sportswear driven emphasis.

The line was stark, structured, and concentrated on a white pallet – the perfect setting for designer Melgoza’s architectural and modern inspirations. Slight vents, panels and slits gave contrast to each look on the runway but made the pieces seem less functional when compared to previous seasons. Many of the cocktail dresses offered the illusion that they were made of more than one piece, and there was not a single embellishment in sight.

Is this the beginning of a new space age era for some leading designers? And if so, will consumers buy it? I will watch to see if this trend continues as I analyze at the shows throughout the rest of New York fashion week.

Posted by Blacks at 09:54 PM   |   Comments (0)

Fashion Week is sweeping New York again with parties, runway shows and hobnobbing. Festivities have already begun but the onslaught of Spring ’09 runway shows start Monday.

Among the most anticipated shows are Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, Phillip Lim and Calvin Klein, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a top brand.

Blacks will continue to send reports as the shows begin, highlighting the best in designers and fashions.

Posted by Blacks at 11:39 PM   |   Comments (0)