Random Fashion Thoughts (Part 3: Style farmer strikes back) - our general discussion thread

[gdl203]

It’s been a very difficult season for retail. Everyone has been holding back on spending, most of our stock needs discounts to sell, and even then so many customers have buyers remorse and returns are through the roof. Tough times

 

[Budd]

Worked when I entered the code...

Bryceland’s excluded too it would appear :/

 

[jaaz16]

Heard this from the owner of my local multi-brand store too. I’m trying to remember the timeline but I think he said last year was pretty good—fall especially—but then everything just ground to a halt around June. This was also in the context of brands holding back their shipments and/or releasing on their own site first this fall, undercutting their stockists because they were nervous about their own sales.

 

[jmiller123]

I’m sure inflation doesn’t help, cutting into discretionary spending. Everything has gotten more expensive this year, so unfortunately it’s not surprising that people cut back on nonessential purchases. The biggest issue in my industry is production delays, which has been a serious killer in terms of getting $$ through the door. In menswear/retail I would imagine getting in shipments later in the season and the customer expectation of sales immediately following the holidays (which really never made sense considering the need for cold weather gear for several more months) would lead to a short period to sell at full price.

 

[schraiber]

I feel like I'm on crazy pills because (at least according to my credit card statements) I just haven't been seeing inflation in my daily life. My monthly grocery spending is basically flat, if anything there's a (likely not statistically significant) decrease over last year

 

[whorishconsumer]

Merry Holidaze, you band of reprobates.

 

[Rookoobay]

I feel like I'm on crazy pills because (at least according to my credit card statements) I just haven't been seeing inflation in my daily life. My monthly grocery spending is basically flat, if anything there's a (likely not statistically significant) decrease over last year

a sample size of 1, on the other hand, is quite insignificant statistically

 

[sood]

It’s been a very difficult season for retail. Everyone has been holding back on spending, most of our stock needs discounts to sell, and even then so many customers have buyers remorse and returns are through the roof. Tough times

Every all hands meeting that we attend, the constant theme is, there's a lot of uncertainly about future which percolates to your everyday choices!

 

[gdl203]

I feel like I'm on crazy pills because (at least according to my credit card statements) I just haven't been seeing inflation in my daily life. My monthly grocery spending is basically flat, if anything there's a (likely not statistically significant) decrease over last year

Every all hands meeting that we attend, the constant theme is, there's a lot of uncertainly about future which percolates to your everyday choices!

Yes, both are true. For people who shop with us, and have the income and discretionary spending to buy nice clothes, I don’t think that the increase in the price of eggs (or overall inflation) has had much effect on their clothes budget yet. BUT, all the talk of inflation and possible recession has a clear impact on our confidence and whether we feel good or OK spending on nice (not necessary) purchases. It’s a matter of consumer confidence more than actual purchasing power, I believe.

in any case, the pullback in spending is noticeable in all areas: conversion (less % of visits result in an order), average order value (each order has less items/$) and returns are higher, often because of a change of mind/remorse.

I know it’s not just us because we see all the early and deep promotion activity. And as @jaaz16 mentioned, we also see some brands acting very defensively by throwing away all decency and releasing their products weeks before shipping to retailers, discounting early etc…. That kind of behavior is typically short term survival because I can tell you that retailers will not continue to support brands who do that long term.

and what an absolute bummer because it’s been one of the best seasons on record for us, when it comes to the assortment. I’ve been so happy with what we picked up, and it pains me to either see it sit around or have to discount it to minimal margin to sell it. I guess it’s good for y’all to get a better price on everything and save some $ so there’s a silver lining !

 

[LA Guy]

Merry Holidaze, you band of reprobates.

Thanks to all of you all - our community, our sponsors, and everyone reading - for making this not only possible, but really enjoyable (for the most part).

I know that 2023 is going to start stormy. We are going to be here with you all and for you all

 

[RegisDB9]

@RegisDB9 I was going to come and gloat on how the entire continent can suffer in the cold with us for once, and take solace in wearing SF-guy giant overcoats.

I googled Miami's temperature and it's only 51F as a low. It's -26F here with the wind, and that's just a normal late-december temperature.

One day I'll make it out to a humid paradise for vacation.

Edit: oh you're palm beach. close enough

Man that 51 (actually got down to 43) was horrible for me bro. I need dat hot and humid 93 asap. At least next week it will be back up to the low 80’s. Come on down bro this time of year you see more out of state plates than Fl ones haha

-26…..?

 

[LA Guy]

Man that 51 (actually got down to 43) was horrible for me bro. I need dat hot and humid 93 asap. At least next week it will be back up to the low 80’s. Come on down bro this time of year you see more out of state plates than Fl ones haha

-26…..?

View attachment 1871752

I literally melt at 93.

 

[FlyingHorker]

Man that 51 (actually got down to 43) was horrible for me bro. I need dat hot and humid 93 asap. At least next week it will be back up to the low 80’s. Come on down bro this time of year you see more out of state plates than Fl ones haha

-26…..?

View attachment 1871752

43-51 is an awkward temperature. No one here really knows what to wear in that temperature. I'll see people out in shorts and t-shirts, others in full winter coats and scarves. I live in the Canadian prairies, most people try and escape this place ASAP and live in places like Vancouver or Toronto.

We have retired snowbirds that go down to Florida during the winter usually. I don't have the $$$ yet, but going down there during the winter is on the bucket list.

My sister visited Orlando a couple years ago and had culture shock. Everyone looked Indian to her, but everyone spoke Spanish. We've barely any Latino people here, so there is not as much familiarity. She didn't know how to respond either, because I think most people assumed she was Latino as well.

 

[RegisDB9]

I literally melt at 93.

When you’ve been it all your life you barely sweat anymore I have to be running around to sweat…but man I def prefer to sweat than feel cold. I say this with a pool at the ready and the beach 5 min away though

 

[RegisDB9]

43-51 is an awkward temperature. No one here really knows what to wear in that temperature. I'll see people out in shorts and t-shirts, others in full winter coats and scarves. I live in the Canadian prairies, most people try and escape this place ASAP and live in places like Vancouver or Toronto.

We have retired snowbirds that go down to Florida during the winter usually. I don't have the $$$ yet, but going down there during the winter is on the bucket list.

My sister visited Orlando a couple years ago and had culture shock. Everyone looked Indian to her, but everyone spoke Spanish. We've barely any Latino people here, so there is not as much familiarity. She didn't know how to respond either, because I think most people assumed she was Latino as well.

43 is time for my “winter clothes” bro haha. It’s a nice change though I won’t lie (even though I don’t like it) it gives me the chance to buy outerwear and actually wear it. As a person who’s tired of going to Orlando …and now more than ever with a toddler you aren’t missing much there unless you like the parks. Funny enough my lady has been bothering me for years for an authentic Christmas up north with snow the fireplace the bear rug…etc etc

That last paragraph was the funniest thing I’ve read all day thanks for the good laugh haha. When you’re down here just asume everyone can speak spanish haha. My mom looks like a German blonde lady with green eyes…from Cuba but there’s been so many times that she’s had trash talk thrown her way only for the person to be pikachud face when she responds