U.S. Apparel Sales Driven by Small Regional Markets

New York and Los Angeles are the largest U.S. markets for apparel sales — accounting for 8 and 5 percent of industry dollar sales, respectively — but smaller markets such as Orlando, Fla., and Washington, D.C., are the top markets driving both the growth rate and dollar volume increases for the industry, according to a new study released by The NPD Group. The two top markets had strong performances across in-store and online channels. For the year ended Feb. 28, Orlando’s dollar sales were up 23 percent, while Washington’s dollar sales gained 18 percent. Among the top 25 designated market areas in the U.S., online dollar sales of apparel increased for most, but only a few grew in-store sales. Total apparel industry dollar sales increased 2 percent in the 12-month period, but sales of apparel purchased in-store declined 2 percent. The decline of in-store sales was evident for most of the top 10 U.S. markets. Washington, D.C., is the only area with notable in-store sales growth, experiencing a 14 percent gain. “The big regions are no longer leading apparel industry sales growth,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at NPD. “When New York and Los Angeles don’t even make it into the top 10 list of

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Dee Hutton Launches Bridal Line

HERE COMES THE BRIDE: Dee Hutton, the made-to-order fashion label conceived by Nedenia “Dee” Hutton Craig and Stephanie Brag in 2013, is getting into the bridal business. “I was the 13-year-old who would go into bridal salons and say, ‘That’s pretty!’” Hutton Craig said of her decision to expand. “[Weddings] are the epitome of that beautiful ballgown moment.” Both Hutton Craig and Brag are engaged and planning their own weddings, so the debut spring 2016 collection — comprised of 12 looks, though custom designs are also available — is particularly timely. Each style can be purchased as-is or customized to a bride’s liking and be ready to wear in as soon as a month. “You can add sleeves, make each [dress] shorter or longer,” Hutton Craig said. “If you want to make a dress a little different for your body type, you can. I like to bring a different experience to the actual dress process….I don’t want it to be a stuffy, pretentious experience.” The collection, fully produced in at the brand’s headquarters in Manhattan’s Union Square neighborhood, will range from $1,500 for shorter looks up to $8,000, dependent on fabrics and other embellishments.

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New Production Hubs Emerging

WASHINGTON — Sourcing is truly becoming a worldwide adventure. Two areas are ripe for growth in apparel and footwear sourcing — Africa and India — but Asia is expected to maintain its foothold as the prime hub this year, while Western Hemisphere production will continue to expand. Sourcing executives attending the American Apparel & Footwear Association’s International Sourcing, Customs & Logistics Integration Conference here last week pinpointed the new growth areas for sourcing, which has been impacted by rising costs in Asia and the development of new middle-class economies abroad. Duncan Scott, vice president of external products at New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc., who gave a keynote speech, said he believes Asia and India will remain strong sourcing hubs despite rising labor costs. “I don’t expect major shifts beyond Asia that are going to alter the epicenter of manufacturing,” he said. The reason for that, he stressed, is that China is becoming a larger consumer market and India is following behind. “The scale of those markets in terms of available dollars to spend as discretionary income is going to dwarf what is seen in the U.S. and European Union,” he said. “That is definitely going to shape the way our sourcing has to evolve. You are

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Russia Topples France as Europe’s Mall Leader

PARIS — Russia has dislodged France as Europe’s largest shopping center market, even as a deep economic crisis prompts many retailers to suspend store openings, according to new research from real estate adviser Cushman & Wakefield. Russia accounted for more than half of all shopping center space added to the market in the second half of 2014, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s latest European Shopping Center Development report. However, much of this space is standing vacant as investors remain cautious about geopolitical tensions between Russia and neighboring Ukraine, which have given rise to European Union trade sanctions. “The Russian retail market has been under unprecedented pressure since March 2014,” said Maxim Karbasnikoff, Cushman & Wakefield’s head of retail services in Russia. “In addition to the Ukrainian crisis and following sanctions, ruble and oil depreciation, especially in the second half of last year, has placed occupiers into a near-panic situation. Unsurprisingly, the exceptional volume of new supply delivered remains partially vacant, with occupiers being more focused on the optimization of the existing network, rather than opening stores without economic visibility,” he added. “Nevertheless, stable retailer sales in Q1 2015, recent ruble appreciation, low vacancy in existing malls and a somewhat more limited pipeline of new projects

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Market Up on China Move, Oxford Soars on Target Deal

Stocks bounced back in midday trading from Friday’s washout on news from China that its regulators were cutting reserve requirements for banks in the hopes the move will free up cash and spark investments. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1.3 percent to 18,054 at 1 pm while the S&P 500 rose 0.98 percent to 2,101. A big mover in the retail and fashion apparel sector was Oxford Industries, which gained 7.7 percent to $78.70. At the bell, the Dow finished up 1.2 percent to 18,033.93. The S&P 500 closed up 0.92 percent to 2,100.36. Oxford Industries ended the day up 6.7 percent to $77.93. RELATED CONTENT: WWD Earnings Tracker >> Oxford Industries was riding high on the launch of its Lilly Pulitzer collection for Target. The highly anticipated collection rolled out on Sunday, with fans either lining up outside stores or anxiously sitting by their computers hoping to get a piece of the action. First announced back in January, Target said it would be featuring an exclusive, limited edition 250 piece collection including clothing, beauty products, and home goods from the Palm Beach-style designer, which is known for its bright, colorful, and floral prints. Many shoppers took to Twitter on Sunday, with consumers

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