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Moms Cut Personal Spending to Spend on Kids

November 26th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in Research, Trends, Forecasts

Maybe the answer to the DRTV challenge for the foreseeable future is this: stock more toys.  In September and October, sales of women’s apparel fell precipitously compared with the prior-year period, as women — and especially mothers — dramatically reigned in their personal consumption in advance of the Holiday shopping season.  “Some 61 percent of mothers said they would shop less for themselves this year, compared with 56 percent of all women and 45 percent of men.”  The last items to be cut from family budgets will be presents for the children.  As Kristen Hunt of Safety Harbor, Fla., (pictured above) said, “I want [my daughter] to be able to look back and say, ‘Even though they were tough times, my mom was still able to give me stuff.’”  The New York Times Nov. 25, 2008

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Gump’s San Francisco to Make QVC Premiere

November 26th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in DRTV Retailer, Suppliers

The famed San Francisco department store Gump’s will bring to QVC shoppers a collection of home decor, accessories and holiday gifts — including several items exclusive to the electronic retailer — during shows beginning this Thursday, November 27 at 1 PM (ET).  QVC Press Release on MarketWatch.com Nov. 25, 2008

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In Tough Times, ShopNBC Tries to Lift Mood with Fur Accessories

November 25th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in Apparel, DRTV Retailer

Cedric’s Luxe Collection today issued a press release detailing November and December appearances on ShopNBC by designer Cedric Kirchner.  The release also includes the company’s Top 5 Holiday Fur Accessories Trends, which manage to make fur seem like a remarkably sensible, versatile, outfit-stretching option.  Cedric’s Luxe Collection Press Release on MarketWatch.com Nov. 25, 2008

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Orient Watches Premiere on ShopNBC

November 24th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in DRTV Retailer, Watches

Orient Watches, Japan’s largest maker of mechanical watches, made its U.S. TV shopping premiere, November 17th on ShopNBC.  Orient entered the U.S. market earlier this year.  JCK Online Nov. 24, 2008

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ShopNBC’s 3Q Revenue Drops by a Third, Net Loss Triples

November 20th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in DRTV Retailer

ShopNBC reported a disasterous third quarter during a 30-minute conference call with investors yesterday.  Revenue plunged 32% to $124.8 million and net losses more than tripled to $20.8 million on a 27% decline in volume and a 12% decline in the average price of items sold.  CEO John Buck said, “As you can see from the results, ShopNBC experienced a very difficult third quarter … With our third quarter results and our stock price below $1, I can only imagine how frustrated and concerned you are, as we are.  This is unacceptable.  Buck also said that ShopNBC’s special committee to explore strategic opportunities had received offers to purchase all or parts of the company, and that management would provide details sometime before the end of the fiscal year on February 2nd.  Senior managers took no questions during the conference call. Multichannel News Nov. 19, 2008

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80’s Supermodel Carol Alt to Pitch “Raw” Beauty Products on HSN

November 17th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in Beauty products, Celebs & Stars
Carol Alt in a 2007 Photograph

Carol Alt in a 2007 Photograph

American actress and supermodel Carol Alt will premiere a new line of “raw” beauty products on HSN, December 11th and 12th.  Ms. Alt has written two books on raw nutrition and — presumably — will explain the health benefits of uncooked facial cremes and the like during her TV appearances.  HSN Press Release (via PR Newswire & CNNMoney.com)

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Jewelry Television Eliminates 30 IT Jobs

November 13th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in DRTV Retailer

The retailer informed 30 information technology staff members that their positions were being eliminated yesterday, as part of the company’s effort to contend with the challenging retail environment and slumping jewelry sales, in particular.  JTV laid off 150 staff members last spring, and said that additional workforce reductions may be necessary in the first quarter of 2009.  The cuts at JTV, combined with the far larger reduction at QVC, made yesterday something of a Black Wednesday for the direct response, network television business.  WBIR TV-10 (Knoxville, TN) Nov. 12, 2008

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HSN Hires New SVP, Investor Relations and Strategy

November 13th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in DRTV Retailer, Talent

Felise Glantz Kissell, senior vice president of investor relations and strategy at HSN

Felise Glantz Kissell comes to HSN from Maidenform Brands, Inc., where she served as vice president of investor relations and corporate development.  HSN Press Release Nov. 13, 2008  Financial Week Nov. 30, 2008  NOTE: This post was updated December 5th to include the photograph of Ms. Kissell that appeared in Financial Week.

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QVC to Cut 900 Mostly-Pennsylvania-Based Jobs

November 13th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in DRTV Retailer, Talent, USA

Yesterday, QVC announced plans to eliminate 900 U.S. positions over the next 14 months — a response to the slumping global economy meant to trim the retailer’s operating expenses by $30 to $40 million in 2009.  The move is part of a plan to wind down call center and warehousing operations in West Chester, Pennsylvania.  The company’s Florence, South Carolina, distibution center will benefit from an expected pick-up of 200 new positions, which will reduce the net loss of jobs to some 700 (or 5.8% of QVC’s U.S. workforce).  Call centers in Virginia, Florida and Texas will also see additional work, upon the closure of the West Chester call center next March.  Also announced was an expansion of the retailer’s work-from-home plan for call center employees.  Reuters Nov. 12, 2008  The Virginian-Pilot Nov. 13, 2008  QVC Press Release Nov. 12, 2008

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ShopNBC to Conduct Q3 Earnings Call November 19th

November 13th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in DRTV Retailer

The retailer will release its third quarter earnings after the stock market closes on Tuesday, November 18th, and hold a conference call at 11:00 a.m. the following morning.  Information on how to participate in the call — which will include an update on the company’s review of strategic alternatives — is available on the source link.  ShopNBC Press Release on Marketwatch.com Nov. 12, 2008

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