Daily News Record back issues from September 1997:
Retailers wear out pencils at MAGIC; knitwear among the many hot categories at Vegas show.
Sep 01, 1997; ... Exhibitors are leaving Las Vegas with their bags chock-full of orders for immediate and spring goods.Skittish retailers who held back on initial second-half bookings searched for immediate fill-ins, beefed up their holiday orders and stepped up to the plate for next spring at the ...
At MAGIC, upcoming PGA, a golf glut creates new challenges; new mantra for resources, retailers: know thyself, differentiate thyself.
Sep 01, 1997; ... In a golf market glutted with competitors and merchandise, the unusual and distinct are now more than a means for doing business. They're a survival tac- tic.At the 10 x 20 booth of Miami-based Lord Daniel Sportswear, the knit shirts on display were different in several ways. They ...
Discounters are dressing up for spring; golf shirts and khakis are putting blues on the run. (MAGIC Show)
Sep 01, 1997; ... In the amazingly short space since the last MAGIC, mass market vendors are showing exactly the same khakis and knit golf shirts discount store customers had to travel to department stores to buy.Whether it's a giant jeans producer or a hip young men's operation, dressing up is the ...
Most young men's specialty stores find direction in Vegas. (MAGIC Show)
Sep 01, 1997; ... Young men's specialty retailers came to MAGIC seeking looks that would make their stores stand out against the competition -- and many found just what they wanted.After spending time walking the floor, some retailers left plenty of paper, while others chose to wait until they get ...
Tropical Sportswear plans IPO. (initial public offering)(Brief Article)
Sep 01, 1997 ... Tropical Sportswear International Corp., a manufacturer of dress and casual pants and shorts, plans to sell 4 million shares in an initial public offer- ing. The firm will sell 1.6 million shares, and two foreign-based venture cap- ital firms will sell the rest.At prices projected ...
County Seat reorganization plan: 100 more stores.(Brief Article)
Sep 03, 1997; ... County Seat Inc. is projecting significant gains in operating earnings going forward, largely through margin expansion and the opening of 100 stores over the next four years.The Dallas-based casual apparel retailer released its projections through 2001 in an amended bankruptcy ...
Weiner's Stores emerges from Chapter 11: pays unsecured creditors 79 cents on the dollar.(Brief Article)
Sep 03, 1997 ... Weiner's Stores Inc., the Houston-based family apparel chain, has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.Weiner's reorganization plan, which became effective on Aug. 26, pays unsecured creditors an estimated 79 cents on the dollar in stock and cash, according to Richard ...
J. Baker profits leap 28% in 2d quarter.(Brief Article)
Sep 03, 1997 ... J. Baker, parent company of Casual Male Big & Tall, reported second-quarter earnings jumped 28.1 percent to $1.9 million, or 14 cents a share, from $1.5 million, or 11 cents a year ago.Sales for the three months ended Aug. 2 were down 3.6 percent to $143.9 million from $149.2 ...
Bayer, Globe to expand spandex plants.(Brief Article)
Sep 03, 1997; ... Two fiber companies -- Bayer Corp. and Globe Mfg. Co. --will undertake major expansions of their spandex capacities in the U.S.Bayer said it is planning to expand its spandex production facilities in Bushy Park, S.C., from a 3,600-ton capacity to 6,400 tons by mid-1999. Within the ...
Stage Stores earns $6.2 million before charge.(Brief Article)
Sep 03, 1997; ... Powered by strong sales of brands such as Levi's and Dockers, Stage Stores reported second-quarter earnings of $6.2 million, or 25 cents a share, before a special charge.Results came in 3 cents above the average Wall Street analysts' estimate.In the second quarter ended ...
Chadsey resigns as CEO, president of Sunglass Hut.(Brief Article)
Sep 03, 1997 ... NEW YORK -- Jack Chadsey has resigned as president and CEO of Sunglass Hut International. James N. Hauslein, chairman, has added his duties on an acting basis. The company said it has formed a committee made up of company directors to search for a permanent replacement.Chadsey's ...
Volume-priced clothing getting better all the time; retailers pushing for 'upgraded everything' at out-the-door prices.
Sep 03, 1997; ... "Better fever" has hit the out-the-door (OTD) sale-price crowd.What once was a promotional tailored clothing market known for commodity two-button polyester/wool suits and wool cheviot sport coats has turned into a slick three- and four-button suit and sport coat business in super ...
N.Y.'s double dose of Dolce and Gabbana: design team launching Collection store uptown, D&G boutique downtown.
Sep 03, 1997; ... Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are heading both uptown and downtown, as they are poised to make a one-two punch entry into the New York retail market starting today, with the opening of two U.S. flagships. One to house their high-end Dolce & Gabbana collections and the ...
Ciba textile dyes division feeling new freedom: spinoff from Ciba-Geigy seen aiding R&D speed, flexibility.(Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp.)
Sep 03, 1997; ... Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp.'s (CSCC) Ciba Textile Dyes Division is poised to grab market share with a focus on research and development that is faster and more flexible, now that it's no longer part of giant Ciba-Geigy.Textile Dyes was one of Ciba-Geigy's five industrial ...
Sears to test tool for refining product assortment.
Sep 03, 1997; ... Sears, Roebuck, here, will flip the switch next month on an anxiously awaited new technology it developed to refine and localize product assortments and optimize individual store sales.Two years in development, the system is scheduled for its first test run in the second week of ...
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (to close some Bud's Discount City stores)(Brief Article)
Sep 03, 1997 ... Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will close 48 of its 61 Bud's Discount City stores because the no-frills, deep-discount outlets failed to meet sales and profit targets. As a result of the store ...
Celanese Canada Inc. (2nd quarter 1997 earnings)(Brief Article)
Sep 03, 1997 ... Citing soft market conditions, Celanese Canada Inc., Montreal, widened its operating loss in the polyester fiber business in the second quarter to $2.8 million ($3.9 million Canadian) from C$2.2 million a year ago. Net sales in the polyester business more than doubled to $40.3 million ...
Supreme International Corp. (stock split)(Brief Article)
Sep 03, 1997 ... Supreme International Corp., Miami, approved a three-for-two stock split to be distributed on Aug. 15 to shareholders of record on July 31. Supreme International currently has 4.3 million shares outstanding. "The stock split demonstrates our ...
Mossimo looking for a president.(Brief Article)
Sep 03, 1997 ... Mossimo Giannulli, chairman and CEO Irvine, Calif. -based Mossimo Inc.., has embarked on a search for a president for his company. "I am looking for a really good operational head who will be in partnership with me," said Giannulli, who started the search a few weeks ago. "I want someone who ...
Rose Marie Bravo leaving Saks for Burberrys: as CEO she will run chain's worldwide operations. (Saks Fifth Avenue president)
Sep 05, 1997; ... Rose Marie Bravo, Saks Fifth Avenue's president and one of the industry's fiercest competitors, is leaving the chain this month to become CEO of Burberrys.Reportedly, Bravo signed the deal Wednesday and broke the news to Saks colleagues on Thursday.She will run ...
Exley joins Courtaulds as Tencel market director. (Lesley Exley, Courtaulds Fibers Ltd.)(Brief Article)
Sep 05, 1997; ... Lesley Exley has joined Courtaulds Fibers, Ltd., in new position of marketing director of its Tencel fiber operation. The appointment is effective immediately.Exley will report to David Wilkinson, the company's main board director responsible for fibers. She will be responsible for ...
Nautica Enterprises to acquire golf apparel firm; E. Magrath Apparel, green-grass resource, will function as a separate division.
Sep 05, 1997 ... Nautica Enterprises Inc. has reached an agreement in principle to acquire The E. Magrath Apparel Co. When the purchase is completed, the golfwear firm will be a separate division and will not produce any Nautica merchandise. The purchase price was not disclosed.Harvey Sanders, ...
Specialty chains pace men's wear sales gains during August; many posted double-digit gains during back-to-school business.
Sep 05, 1997; ... Spurred by early back-to-school results at specialty retail chains, August same-store sales for men's wear retailers showed strong increases.Pacific Sunwear of California led the pack with a 19.5 percent gain in same-store sales. "Our fall merchandise offerings in young men's, ...
Thomaston Mills has $3.9M loss. (fourth quarter ended June 28, 1997)(Brief Article)
Sep 05, 1997 ... Citing low capacity and increased competition for denim and sales yarn, Thomaston Mills Inc. reported a fourth-quarter loss of $3.9 million against earnings of $1.5 million, or 23 cents a share, a year ago.Sales for the three months ended June 28 fell 4.2 percent to $78.1 million ...
Jos. A. Bank returns to black in 2d quarter. (Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, 1997)(Brief Article)
Sep 05, 1997 ... Citing strong sales across all men's categories, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers reported a profit of $200,000 or 3 cents a share, in the second quarter against a $600,000 loss in the year-ago period.The company said it was the first time it finished in the black in the second quarter, ...
Lenzing to restructure U.S. rayon operations: Austrian company blames weak market, reports bigger overall loss. (Lenzing Group)(Brief Article)
Sep 05, 1997; ... Lenzing Group said it will undertake further restructuring at its loss-making Lenzing Fibers Corp. in the U.S. as a result of continued weakness in the viscose fibers market in America. The unit will report a loss for the current financial year. Lenzing, based in Lenzing, Austria, did not ...
Kmart, UNITE negotiate new 3-year contract.(Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees)(Brief Article)
Sep 05, 1997 ... UNITE has settled its contract dispute with Kmart Corp., as 1,600 workers at the chain's four soft goods distribution centers ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement, the union said Wednesday.The agreement includes an average wage increase of 14.7 percent over ...
K&G net jumps in quarter, 6 mos. (K&G Men's Center Inc., second quarter 1997)(Brief Article)
Sep 05, 1997 ... K&G Men's Center Inc. reported second-quarter earnings climbed 50.8 percent to $1.1 million, or 11 cents ,from $720,000, or 8 cents, a year ago, beating Wall Street estimates of 9 cents. Sales for the three months ended July 28 gained 29.2 percent to $23.5 million from $18.2 million ....
Men's Wearhouse wants houses everywhere: CEO George Zimmer has big growth plans for core chain, new acquisitions.
Sep 05, 1997; ... George Zimmer stood up in front of a roomful of Men's Wearhouse employees at the summer training meeting, but instead of showing charts and monthly sales figures, he had a different agenda: motivation.The 48-year-old retailer talked about the successful integration of mind, body ...
The blueing of America: shirtmakers, retailers say blue is as much as a third of dress shirt business.
Sep 05, 1997; ... American men are getting blue. From the streets of New York and Los Angeles to the corridors of the recent MAGIC men's trade show in Las Vegas, the blue shirt has arrived on the scene with a vengeance.To consumers, blue is the new white. And to retailers, blue is the surest way to ...
Men's sales in dollars up only 2.8% in 1st half.
Sep 05, 1997; ... Consumer purchases of men's apparel in the first six months of this year showed gains but lacked the fire of last year's torrid performance. Sales were up 2.8 percent in dollars, but did not come near the 10.8 percent gain of the year-earlier period.Nevertheless, the increase means ...
Changing times: Claiborne takes casual concept on the road.(Liz Claiborne Inc. to promote men's casual fashions at department stores)(Brief Article)
Sep 05, 1997; ... Claiborne For Men, a division of Liz Claiborne Inc., is taking its "dressy casual" message on the road, via a 35-foot trailer that, when parked, becomes an interactive traveling attraction designed to educate men on how to dress for work and play. The multimillion-dollar marketing effort, ...
Dockers seeks independents: khakis brand links with independent films for promotion.(Brief Article)
Sep 05, 1997; ... Dockers Khakis is working on moving its image into more of a younger, hip brand while keeping the baby boomer customers who put the label on the map.Along with repositioning the new, smaller label on the product and making more stylish silhouettes, the company is linking with the ...
First-period print-cloth buying heats up.
Sep 05, 1997; ... More print-cloth buying for first quarter took place this week and there was growing interest from buyers for first-period heavy twills.At the same time, more converter resistance to higher quotations by mills began to surface. Bedding manufacturers were looking to place big-scale ...
Golf endorsements: way too many irons in the fire.(Editorial)
Sep 05, 1997; ... Several years ago I was standing in the gallery at an LPGA event. A young, anonymous professional golfer ascended to the tee. As she did, there were a few whispers about what she was wearing.She turned back to the crowd and quietly informed them that she was wearing Bogner. ...
Caesars' Forum Shops conquers new territory.
Sep 05, 1997; ... Retailers opening in the expanded Forum Shops at Caesars feel they have the closest thing to a sure bet in this city where life revolves around beating the odds."I would have to be catatonic not to do business in this center," David Salz, president and CEO of Alfred Dunhill USA, ...
Tommy taking department store jeans biz by storm; Hilfiger now top-selling status brand at many department stores.
Sep 08, 1997; ... After only a year on the retail floor, Tommy Jeans has become the top-selling status jeans brand in many department store chains, retailers say.Speaking on the condition of anonymity, executives at major department store groups and national chains confirmed the assertion of Tommy ...
New York's $100 tax-free cap limits men's sales gains; increases hale but not as hearty as during January's roll-back.
Sep 08, 1997; ... New York's latest apparel tax-free week boosted men's wear sales, but nowhere near as dramatically as it did the first time in January.The first tax exemption covered apparel up to $500, however, last week's only includes items selling for $100 or less. The latest action, designed ...
Michele Norsa joins Marzotto.(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Marzotto has named Michele Norsa, a former Benetton Sportsystem executive, as general director of its clothing division.Norsa, 49, who began work on Sept. 1, reports to Marzotto CEO Silvano Storer, a company spokesman said. Storer previously held the post of general director for ...
Barneys promotes Antee.(Joseph Antee)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Joseph Antee has been promoted to divisional merchandise manager of men's tailored clothing for Barneys New York. The former divisional merchandise manager of men's and ...
Creditors to assume control of BUM; company hired to manage BUM's licensing business.(B.U.M. International Inc.)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Creditors will take control of BUM International Inc., now that a plan to sell the firm to Tarrant Apparel Group Inc. has been rejected by a Los Angeles Bankruptcy Court.Under a new reorganization plan approved by the court, SOS Management, a partnership headed by Stephen Wayne and ...
Bravo's leaving will have little impact on Sak's men's div.; Philip Miller praises Wayne Meichner and his men's team.(Rose Marie Bravo of Saks Fifth Ave.)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997; ... The departure of Rose Marie Bravo as president and chief merchant of Saks Fifth Avenue is not expected to have any major impact on the men's division, according to Saks CEO Philip Miller."Honestly, Rose Marie's leaving will be less impactful on the men's division than it will be on ...
Labor, environment can still derail fast track; Clinton trying to placate both sides on key trade issues.(NAFTA issues)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997; ... With President Clinton expected to unveil details of his request for negotiating authority for future free trade pacts this week, a key House Republican reiterated his opposition to the inclusion of labor and environmental protections and indicated the White House agreed with his stance. ...
Fitzpatrick returns to Hills.(James P. Fitzpatrick, Hills Stores Co.)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... James P. Fitzpatrick has rejoined Hills Stores Co. as senior vice-president of merchandise planning and control. Fitzpatrick, 53, will report directly to C. Scott Litten, executive vice-president and CFO, and will be responsible for merchandise planning, allocation analysis and inventory ...
Woolworth promotes Slover.(Thomas J. Slover)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Thomas J. Slover has been promoted to vice-president, worldwide sourcing at Woolworth Corp. Slover will head the retailer's direct import-sourcing division based in Taiwan and Taipei. Slover succeeds Gary Fuller, who after 40 ...
Tuesday is new Barneys-Dickson deal deadline.(Barneys Inc., Dickson Concepts Ltd.)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Tuesday is the new deadline for the signing of an agreement for ong Kong-based Dickson Concepts to purchase control of Barneys Inc.On Aug. 3, the retailer announced it had entered into an interim agreement with Dickson for the purchase of Barneys for $247 million. A final agreement ...
Mondo names IMG exclusive licensing agent; seeks global growth, brand extension into variety of products.(International Management Group)
Sep 08, 1997; ... Eager to boost its global brand image and expand into women's wear, fragrance, home furnishings and other categories, Mondo Inc. has engaged International Management Group as its exclusive worldwide licensing agent.Ben Greszes, president and CEO of the $60-million men's sportswear ...
Stetson hitting the trail for more licensees; looking for men's and women's apparel, accessories tie-ins.(John B. Stetson Co.)
Sep 08, 1997; ... John B. Stetson is on a push to increase its stable of licensees.The venerable headwear company, which has been around since 1865, currently has licensees for hats, fragrances, eyeglasses and boots. However, Stetson Co. president Pierre Bessez is not content to stop there. He's ...
Amer. Indian College Fund adds neckwear.(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... The American Indian College Fund is selling its first tie collection.Designed by Laura Pearson in 100 percent Italian silk, the ties, which sell for $75 plus shipping and handling, come in two colors, cranberry and blue.The ties are based on "Wah-sha-she," a blanket ...
You can take it to the Bank; Jos. A. Bank CEO Tim Finley has strong growth plans.(Interview)
Sep 08, 1997; ... Fifty years after Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. began manufacturing men's suits in 1905, the company put its toe into the retail business by selling some of its wares on a pipe rack inside its factory. Now in its nineties, Hampstead, Md.-based Jos. A. Bank is on a roll: Last week, the company ...
Caldor implements plan for survival; financially troubled chain reduces emphasis on promotions.
Sep 08, 1997; ... "Check out the change" is one of Caldor's new advertising themes and its latest effort to reclaim its former niche as an upscale discounter by offering more fashionable apparel and fewer price promotions.In doing so, the Northeast chain, which is struggling to emerge from ...
Wide-leg jeans win top B-T-S honors; T-shirts also on best seller list for discounters.
Sep 08, 1997; ... Wide-leg, urban-styled denim jeans and T-shirts have led the early back-to-school buying at mass market stores, which is running at a better pace than last year.According to Steve Koster, president of the men's division, Burlington Coat Factory, Burlington, N.J., which operates 244 ...
Mazel Stores, Inc.(2nd qtr 1997 earnings)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Mazel Stores, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a closeout retailer and wholesaler, said second-quarter earnings inched ahead 1.1 percent to $2 million from $1.98 million, a year ago. Earnings per share were flat at 22 cents. Results were adjusted to reflect the company's 2.9 million share initial ...
Duckwall-Alco Stores, Inc.(2nd qtr 1997 earnings)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc., Abilene, Kan., second-quarter earnings rose 25.4 percent to $1.5 million, from $1.2 million a year ago. Earnings per share were flat at 30 cents, as a result of more shares outstanding in the latest period, following a secondary offering. Proceeds from the ...
Dollar General Corp.(2nd qtr 1997 earnings)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Dollar General Corp., Nashville, Tenn., said second-quarter earnings jumped 22.1 percent to $26.7 million, or 24 cents a share, from $21.9 million, or 20 cents, last year. Earnings per share were adjusted for the February five-for-four stock split. Sales for the three months ended Aug. 2 ...
DuPont aims to double CoolMax sales; slacks, polos, wovens, casual and career apparel are all targets in five-year plan.
Sep 08, 1997; ... DuPont has made no secret of the fact that it is putting its strongest marketing emphasis on its specialty branded fibers, and expects good bottom-line showings from them.The Lycra story is well known, and each recent quarter the company has credited revenues from this branded ...
Global polyester production keeps growing.(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Zimmer AG, the Frankfurt, Germany-based engineering company, that has created numerous polyester plants worldwide, has contracted to build three more -- one in Turkey and two in Indonesia.Zimmer has contracted with P.T. Polyfin Canggih of Indonesia to build two high-speed fiber ...
Special charge pushes Dominion into red.(Dominion Textile Inc.)
Sep 08, 1997 ... After a $15.1 million ($21 million Canadian) restructuring charge, Dominion Textile Inc. reported a fourth-quarter loss of $9.6 million (C$13.4 million) compared to earnings of C$5.3 million, or C15 cents a share, a year ago.The charge was for restructuring the Klopman ...
Edison has operating net of $5.3 million in quarter; retailer plans to exit Chapter 11 this fall.(Edison Brothers Inc., second quarter of 1997)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Edison Brothers Inc., which is planning to exit bankruptcy proceedings this fall, reported operating earnings of $5.3 million in the second quarter, turning around an operating loss of $7 million a year ago.Net earnings in the quarter ended Aug. 2 were $200,000 after a gain of ...
The world's your oyster, U.S. luxury goods retailers told; unique product, not price, key to success, Goldman Sachs analyst says.(Joseph H. Ellis)
Sep 08, 1997; ... Europe and Asia are ripe for expansion for smart U.S. retailers, according to Joseph H. Ellis, head retail analyst at Goldman Sachs."Does global retailing pay? Yes, if you're good enough at it," Ellis said at last week's Goldman Sachs' Global Retailing conference held at the Plaza ...
S&P downgrades outlook on Loehmann's.(Standard and Poor's Corp.)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Citing Loehmann's weaker-than-expected operating results and concerns that a lack of improvement at the retailer could hurt cash-flow protection, Standard & Poor's downgraded the retailer's outlook to negative from stable. However, S&P affirmed its single-B-plus corporate credit and single-B ...
Pamida Holdings Inc.(2nd qtr 1997 loss)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Pamida Holdings Inc., Omaha, Neb., reported second quarter-earnings of $398,000, or 8 cents a share, against a loss of $1.4 million a year ago. Sales for the three months ended Aug. 3 rose 4.7 percent to $163.2 million from $155.8 million. Same-store sales were up 3.5 percent. During the ...
Venture Stores.(August 1997 sales)(Brief Article)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Venture Stores, O'Fallon, Mo. said total August sales fell 5 percent to $101.6 million from $106.9 million last year. As previously reported, the company will not report same-store sales until it liquidates the 20 units it is selling to Kmart Corp. Decreasing activity at these stores ...
Corrections.(Correction to August 29, 1997, story on designer William Reid)(Correction Notice)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Due to inaccurate information received from Cipriani Accessories, Ian Shores' previous position was incorrect in a story that ran in DNR, Sept. 3. He was national sales manager of men's accessories for Fossil Inc. Also, Shores' new position at ...
Proffitt's net soars 51%.(second quarter of 1997)
Sep 08, 1997 ... Despite special charges related to the integration of the Younkers, Parisian and Herberger's chains, Proffitt's Inc.'s second-quarter earnings jumped 51.4 percent to $5.3 million, or 18 cents a share, from $3.5 million, or 14 cents, last year.The special charges totaled $2.4 ...