Pitch and Ship » USA

While They Still Can, West Hollywood Shops Show Off and Sell Fur

Walter Verfenstein — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:08:14 +0000

Rabbit fur vest at Arcade in West Hollywood (courtesy of NYT)

Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren have banned fur from their collections, and beginning in September 2013, those designers won’t be at a competitive disadvantage when offered for sale in West Hollywood, California. That’s when the city’s legal ban on selling fur is scheduled to take effect. Meanwhile, swanky boutiques along Melrose Avenue are upping the fur quotient in their windows to make a political statement. Apoplectic shop owners are considering moves outside the city limits and their personal shopper and stylist clients stand ready to steer their cars toward Robertson Boulevard (in Los Angeles) or Rodeo Drive (in Beverly Hills) when the time comes. The New York Times Nov. 30, 2011

Americans Spend More than Ever During 4-Day Thanksgiving Weekend

Walter Verfenstein — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:12:08 +0000

The Associated Press reports that Americans spent $52.4 billion over the four-day Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, the highest total ever recorded during the traditional start to the holiday shopping season. It took Midnight store openings and heavy discounts to do it. And analysts predict that retailers will have to keep the discounts coming in order turn in a successful second half of the shopping season.

Welsh Jewelry Manufacturer Glogau Gold Expands Partnership with QVC in U.S.

Walter Verfenstein — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:53:49 +0000

In a press release today, Wales-based jewelry maker Clogau Gold celebrates its growing business with QVC in the U.S. Clogau products were sold on QVC’s TV network in the spring and the company is readying product for QVC’s website ahead of the Holidays. Clogau’s head of global sales, David Butler, suggests in the news release that his company now has “…a platform to build a successful business partnership [with QVC].” Clogau (whose products contain “a touch of rare Welsh gold”) also anticipates greater consumer interest in 2012 due to Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.” Clogau Gold Press Release Nov. 16, 2011

It’s a Small World: Consumers Most Everywhere Have a Downcast View of the Economy

Walter Verfenstein — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:16:46 +0000

The Nielsen Company’s Global Consumer Confidence Index painted a picture of glum consumers in most parts of the world during the third quarter. The powerhouses of the global economy are especially downbeat. One in three North Americans say they have no spare cash. One in five Europeans feel similarly. And even China’s consumer confidence index dipped by a point. Most of the places where consumer confidence is on the rise are starting from a low base — India and the Baltic states, for example. Here is how Venkatesh Bala, chief economist at The Cambridge Group, a part of Nielsen, summed up the survey’s findings:

A recessionary mindset is growing among consumers as more than half say they are currently in a recession — up 4 percentage points from last quarter and 7 points from the start of the year. The result is continued spending restraint for discretionary expenses, which is expected to continue into next year.

Reuters Oct. 30, 2011

Iman and HSN Take a Step Up the Pricing Ladder with The Platinum Collection

Walter Verfenstein — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:04:58 +0000

Though she fretted over marketing higher-end apparal in the current economic environment, fashion Icon Iman decided to take the plunge. This fall, she launched Platinum Chic as an upscale companion to her Global Chic line, which has been the second most best-selling designer label for HSN in the past three years. The new line features luxe materials like faux fur and leather at prices that range from $40 to $300 for coats. Accessories average around $40 and leather bags will start at $180. This last bit of information is more critical than one might think. In an interview about her new collection, Iman said, “Accessories make the girl—and the boy, for that matter.” DrJays.com Nov. 1, 2011

TV Cabinet Maker Touchstone Touts Partnership with ShopNBC

Walter Verfenstein — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:55:10 +0000

Touchstone Home Products, which manufactures “lift” cabinets for flatscreen televisions, today announced a two-part agreement ShopNBC. Touchstone’s products will be available for sale through the retailer’s usual electronic channels and will also help spruce up its Eden Prairie, Minnesota, sets. Apparently Touchstone has already scored some good publicity on TV. Company Vice President Frank Quinlisk, said “Some of the best exposure Touchstone’s received has been on various home improvement and home fix-up shows, where our cabinets have been displayed. Now viewers who are excited about our cabinets have a direct connection to make their purchase. ” Touchstone Press Release Nov. 1, 2011

ShopNBC Lures Brooks Brothers into First TV Sales Appearance

Walter Verfenstein — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:35:15 +0000

Lou Amendola (photo courtesy of FORA.tv.)

The number three shopping network today announced that it has landed a decidedly top-tier, iconic, American brand. Brooks Brothers will make its first-ever TV Sales appearance on ShopNBC, November 8th, as part of the retailer’s All Star Event. During an hour-long premiere, the Brooks Brothers collection at ShopNBC will feature women’s accessories, including leather handbags, cashmere wraps, and silk scarves. Pricing and other product details were not made available.

In this morning’s announcement, Lou Amendola, chief merchandising officer at Brooks Brothers, characterized direct-response, network TV as “…a unique and modern way to reach women who are already drawn to our products or may be discovering them for the first time.” ShopNBC Press Release Oct. 25, 2011

Jersey Shore’s Snooki to Premiere New Fragrance on HSN, November 10th

Walter Verfenstein — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:07:10 +0000

Nicole Snooki Polizzi (Photo from LaLate Celebrity News Site)

The pint-size partier with the outsized personality will sell Snooki-branded handbags, slippers and sunglasses, in addition to her signature fragrance during a one-time-only, Holiday-giving-themed, 2-hour show, November 10th at 8 p.m. EST. Prices will range from $19.90 to $69.00. In an announcement from HSN about the program, the reality TV star says, “I can’t wait to appear on HSN and Snookifiy it!”

Brace yourself for more “Snookification.” The announcement details Ms. Polizzi’s still-growing popularity, as evidenced by 3 million Twitter Followers, 625,000 Facebook Fans, dozens of talk show appearances in the past year and extraordinary online traffic. (A recent Google Search of “Snooki” returned 18,000,000 Results.) The news release ends on this ominous note:

Major manufacturers are eagerly signing licenses for the new ”Snooki” brand, including for fragrance, beverages, indoor tanning salon products, social media and mobile Apps, live video online-sharing and celebrity voice messaging, with more licenses to be announced soon.

In a First, ShopNBC to Devote 24 Hours to Food

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:20:40 +0000

ValueVision Media is lifting the lid on its first-ever 24-Hour Holiday Cooking Event, which will debut Saturday, October 15, and employ a holiday entertaining theme to sell merchandise from Sur La Table and Cuisinart. The bulk of the press release appears after the jump.

ShopNBC’s 24-hour Holiday Cooking Event will kick-off at 12am ET on Saturday with the world television shopping premiere of the CBTL® Americano Single Serve Beverage System as one of two Today’s Top Value offers. Inspired by the specialty beverages found at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® stores, customers can now enjoy the espresso, coffee and tea they love at home with this easy-to-use beverage system. Viewers can take advantage of a second ShopNBC Today’s Top Value from premium kitchenware brand Sur La Table; an 8-quart French oven which is available in ShopNBC-exclusive colors just in time for holiday cooking, entertaining and gifting.

As part of the all-day holiday cooking event, expert chefs Bob Bowersox, Tom Woodbury, Gwen Goodman, Rick Tarantino, Tom Little, Joseph Sempravivo, Jacob Maurer and Amy Shipshock will also be in the kitchen, serving up entertaining tips and holiday cheer. ShopNBC viewers will also have a chance to outfit their entire kitchen with more than 20 new items and three new brand launches, including Westinghouse small kitchen appliances, Storebound kitchen storage and Kapoosh kitchen accessories. Ideal for getting a jump on holiday gift-giving, the event will feature ShopNBC customer favorites, including specialty kitchenware from Sur La Table and fine crystal from Waterford. ShopNBC will also celebrate the 8th anniversary of the much-loved colorful Cuisinart kitchen tools.

ShopNBC Facebook fans are invited to get into the holiday spirit by entering to win a $1,000 gift card to Sur La Table or one of three CBTL Americano Single Serve Beverage Systems. The winners will be announced live on ShopNBC at 12am ET Saturday, October 15. Fans can enter at www.Facebook.com/shopnbc.

“Entertaining this holiday season has never been easier on ShopNBC,” said Annette Repasch, Chief Merchandising Officer at ShopNBC. “We are excited to offer viewers a full day of cooking must-haves and entertaining tips from expert chefs. Customers will be delighted to find everything needed to step confidently into the kitchen and entertain friends and family.”

Top Holiday Cooking Must-Haves:

Cuisinart 10-Piece French Cookware Set — Beautifully designed stainless steel triple-ply constructed pans with elegant handles reflect the quality of the world’s best kitchens. Cuisinart’s heat surround technology allows heat to be distributed evenly along the bottom and side walls of the cookware.
Sur La Table Set of Two Skillets — Available in three new colors, this set features two of Sur La Table’s best nonstick skillets in versatile sizes perfect for any kitchen. The hard-anodization process makes the aluminum twice as hard as stainless steel for maximum strength and durability.
Cuisinart Immersion Blender — This handheld blender features a powerful 200-watt motor to blend and chop in bowls, pots, pitchers and more. The ergonomically designed grip offers comfortable hold and more control while blending.
Trinity Pressure Cooker — This low pressure cooker has a handle on top to help remove the lid from the pot and place it upright on a counter. Its non-stick interior helps to eliminate mess and the lid can be opened anytime during the cooking process to keep an eye on things.

September U.S. Consumer Confidence Barely Budges from August’s Low Mark

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:12:02 +0000

The Conference Board’s September consumer confidence index increased ever so slightly to 45.4 from a revised 45.2 reading in August that was the lowest since April 2009, when the economy was in a recession. In an announcement today, Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center, said, “The pessimism that shrouded consumers last month has spilled over into September. Consumer expectations, which had plummeted in August, posted a marginal gain. However, consumers expressed greater concern about their expected earnings, a sign that does not bode well for spending. In addition, consumers’ assessment of current conditions declined for the fifth consecutive month, a sign that the economic environment remains weak.” Conference Board Press Release (Sept. 27, 2011)