Next Images

Following my trip to Marks and Spencers, I returned to Next to attempt taking a photo of thier denim section. I was successful! :)

Section of the wall display of jeans

Edge of wall display with style guide panel

Image of free standing rail with the main wall display, which holds other denim products.

Since it has been a week since my first visit to the store, I expected there may have been a change in the display, but the only difference I noticed was the new stand holding the shirts (above), previously this stand had held non-denim shirts.

Now I have uploaded these images, I realise that it may have been more worth while to have taken images of all the denim wear products, to allow comment on the section as a whole, as the section is bigger than the images above show. I did take two other photos, but due to moving they are very blury! This could been improved upon!

French Connection No More...

Today I went shopping!

Firstly I took a trip to French Connection, as planned in my previous post, and was expecting great things as I've never visited the Southampton store, but I have previously shopped in the Newcastle Metro Centre store. In Southampton I was disappointed.

The store was tiny and even in the small space was split equally between Women's and Men's wear. I didn't feel inspired in the store. There was only 2 different pairs of women's jeans, and no other denim products. I felt that for the success of my coursework, I needed to choose another store to be the competitor for my main store- Next.

So I took a walk around West Quay shopping centre and my attention was attracted into Marks and Spencers by a seemingly new (and quite good) display. Walking around I soon found the denim section, which appears to have had a revamp. I managed to take the following pictures on my camera phone:

This display highlights the different styles of jeans available

This stand was close by the display above, further educating the customer on the different shapes and styles available.

The rails feature tabs at the top, ensuring the customer find thier preferred style of jean easily.

Large wall display featuring the product. Aspirational for customers, and also appealing to a younger market.

Floor feature, displaying the denimwear with other products from casual wear, from the INDIGO Collection. Interestingly shaped mannequinn and way of hanging the jeans in the box-like rail (towards the back of the image).

Overall, I was suprised with what I found in Marks and Spencer; I didn't expect there to be the selection of denim wear that there was, nor did i expect the visual displays or the customer guidence in shape and style selection. Therefore, I have decided to change my competitor company, from French Connection, to Marks and Spencer.

What????

The beginning...

For this unit I am creating a Reflective Journal and Blog on Store Management. I have already decided that my chosen method of Journal writing is through a book with both writing and images, I chose this as I have written this way before and I enjoy this outlet as a way of expressing my thoughts.

My next obstacle was deciding which shop/ store to focus my work on. I knew I wanted to look at denim wear, as it is a product of interest to me and also very different to what I looked at for Fashion Cycle, but I wasn't sure which store to research.

Yesterday I took a walk around West Quay Shopping Centre walking around the stores, looking at how shops display their denim wear. A store that stood out to me was Next, which had a clear section for their denim wear, wall space taken up with jeans, and differently shaped racks for dresses, skirts, shirts, jeggings etc.

I felt that for Next, the way they hung their jeans was different for them: folded in half over the hanger then folded back and hung by the belt loop, and I liked the look as it was more interesting and eye catching than simply hanging them with a clip hanger, which I remember they generally do, as saw some other jeans in other sections of the store hung this way. I wanted to take a photograph with my camera phone, but a store assistant appeared to re-stock the section and created a slight atmosphere of tension through looking at me every few moments or so. I felt uncomfortable so didn't attempt the photo. I plan to return to the store to take my photo, but next time I may look for a store assistant who appears more approachable, and introduce myself before taking the photo.

Now I needed to choose a competitor. I was unsure of who to choose as a competitor as they have such a vast target market. So I asked the advice of Emma, who suggested French Connection. I have looked on their website, and like the look of their denim wear, and after only a brief look their website already looks much more interesting than Next's so I feel French Connection may be a good competitor for comparison.

My next step is to visit French Connection, and get those photos!!!!!!

Store Management

New Unit

Store Management

Reflective Journal and Blog

Trend Reflections....

In my research file I favoured the trends which reflected the 1930's/40's, classic tailoring, feminine shapes and chanel inspired ideas and designs. At www.elleuk.com i have come across outfit inspirations which reflect just this!

1) A Chanel Moment

http://www.elleuk.com/shopping/instant-outfit/%28section%29/instant-outfit-a-chanel-moment/%28offset%29/0/%28img%29/346862

By Nagar Ghahreman

Audrey Tatou stars in the new Coco Chanel biopic “Coco Avant Chanel”, out later this month. We can’t wait to see it, not least because Karl Lagerfeld himself personally supervised some of the costumes for the film, which include vintage pieces from the Chanel archives. Embrace the Chanel moment in Antonio Berardi’s black and white dress -a simple, minimal take on the classic Chanel monochrome look (plus it’s now at Browns for half price). Pair with Nanette Lepore’s black ribbon cardigan and black brogues to channel the masculine-feminine mix that epitomised Coco’s style and accessorise with lace tights (as seen on every model at the Chanel Haute Couture show last week.) A flash of red lipstick and a Chanel headband complete the tres chic look.

White camelia headband, £450, by Chanel (0207 493 5040 )

Perfect for my accessories research into this trend :)







Black lace tights, £10, by Jonathan Aston at Farfetch

Reflects the continuation of lace for AW10/11



2) Feminine Luxe

http://www.elleuk.com/shopping/instant-outfit/%28section%29/instant-outfit-feminine-luxe/%28offset%29/0/%28img%29/446655

By Alice Watt

Right now, we're witnessing a resurgence of 1940s dressing and allure. Last week, Scarlett Johansen stunned us with her Veronica Lake inspired glamour, while the graphic houndstooth at Alexander McQueen and velvet dresses at Prada have made womanly shapes and luxe fabrics a much-coveted look. Chanel personifies luxury but a stunning- and more affordable- alternative are these statement wedges from Topshop Boutique. Loose fitting fabrics like this draped sequinned skirt from Lipsy and an on-trend Jaeger London spotty print blouse compliment the velvet and ooze laid-back luxury. A much-lusted suede clutch from Miu Miu, feathered hair clip from Urban Outfitters and a bold Bex Rox ring adds unique glamour for a truly 1940s feminine luxe look.

Quilted suede clutch, £400, by Miu Miu at Net-a-Porter

Onyx stone ring, £165, by Bex Rox at Browns

Christmas Spending.....

Christmas spending expected to fall

17 November 2009 | By Lisa Berwin

Spending this Christmas could fall for the first time in twenty years according to retail research firm Verdict.

Verdict forecasts that total Christmas expenditure will shrink by 0.7% in the fourth quarter - the equivalent of a £535m drop.

Clothing and footwear sales are expected to fall 0.1% to £13.6bn - a £14m fall - during the fourth quarter against the same quarter the year before.

Verdict lead analyst Maureen Hinton said: “Though women are much more nervous about spending than men – mainly because they usually have greater control and visibility of the family budget – we believe they will cut back less on principle Christmas expenditure than on peripheral spending such as restaurants, entertainment and big ticket items.”

She added: “Temporary recession fatigue will set in over Christmas and though 41% of women intend to spend less overall they will want to ensure they and their families look and feel good, eat well and have a good time.”

Verdict said that it expects Debenhams, John Lewis and other department stores to fair well over the Christmas period due to their extensive offer while Primark, Matalan and TK Maxx will fair well as a result of value-led, seasonal ranges. Marks & Spencer and Next are expected to buck the trend as they are up against weak comparatives and are trusted brand names.

Despite the recent postal strikes shoppers are still expected to spend £6.8bn this Christmas online, an increase of £837m.

http://www.drapersonline.com/5008100.article

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Seen it before?

New Look Shoes & Accessories

Is it just me who can see some similarities between Monsoon and New Look? Just aimed at very different target markets....


I found this article online at http://www.drapersonline.com/news/multiples/shopwatch/new-look-shoes-and-accessories-bristol/5007046.article

It comprises a shop report of the recently opened New Look Shoes and Accessories store in Bristol, the first New Look store to focus on a particular product and views on the new opening.




After reading this, i went to http://www.monsoon.co.uk/page/accessorizehistory/ to find out how Accessorize began...

In the early 1980's Monsoon started to sell a small collection of accessories which became so popular that the idea for the innovative new store format Accessorize was born.....(article continues)

Will there be more New Look Shoes & Accessories popping up around the country? Adding to the Accessories specialist market, (along with Claires Accessories and Tie Rack) and filling the arguable gap in the market for an Accessories store aimed at teens and those with a lower income who possibly find Accessorize a little over thier budget.

Watch this space

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