Hoodies with hole for ponytail

A number of activewear companies such as Nike and lululemon, to name a few, are now making hooded sweatshirts with a hole in the hood to pull your ponytail through. Avid sports enthusiasts with long hair are finding this option ingenious as well as fashionable and functional.

NAKED & FAMOUS SCRATCH-N-SNIFF MINT DENIM – JUST RELEASED

As Spring/Summer 2014 collections begin to hit retailer’s shelves, we see Naked & Famous unveil yet another what-will-they-think-of-next creation that is sure to raise eyebrows amongst new and seasoned denim heads alike. We’ve recently seen the brand release a pair of White/Black Selvedge Denim and Wax Coated Stretch Denim, and this time around we’re introduced to their Scratch-N-Sniff Mint Denim. Following up their past Scratch-N-Sniff Raspberry Denim model, the raspberry scent was so popular amongst fans that they decided to that iterate on their material and take on a more herbal smell.

Billabong x White Mike Spring Collection

• 

Billabong has teamed up once again with world-renowned photographer Michael Muller for an expanded range of pieces inspired by Michael's breathtaking photographs of not only sharks, but other wildlife. 

Muller visionary images involves a unique approach to underwater photography, where he uses professional studio lighting below the surface. The results have produced some of the most jaw dropping shark portraits seen to date, and have been used in everything from Red Hot Chilli Pepper album covers to successful gallery exhibits all round the world. These new images are now the basis for the Billabong x White Mike collection which boasts the Carnivorous and Wild boardshort and Jungle King and Freebird tee designs.

The Billabong collaboration has further highlight Muller’s charity's whitemike.org. This is a non profit organisation that brings awareness to the devastation created by commercial long line fishing that is decimating the shark population at a rate of seventy to ninety million sharks a year. "This is un-sustainable, unacceptable and unconscionable," said Muller.

As well as aiding White Mike, the collection will also raise funds for earthecho.org - EarthEcho International, a non-profit organization whose mission is "to empower youth to take action that restores and protects our water planet."  EarthEcho was founded by Philippe and Alexandra Cousteau, grandchildren of the great explorer Jacques Cousteau. 

Macys creates largest NFL shop in super bowl history at herald square

Macys herald square, nyc, transformed all their windows and their 4th floor if the broadway building into the latgest nfl sb shop ever. The shop was 36,000 square feet of super bowl XLVIII branded gear including exclusive NY/NJ themed product, customizable merchandise, home goods and NFL gear from all teams. They included great props and displays to truely enhance the experience.! At the end of the 2 week run they had done 5M in sales!!!

Macy's Future- RIDF

Macy's Ala Moana is moving into the future with the RIDF system.  RIDF stands for Radio identification Frequency.  This new system allows the operator to scan an entire fixture or area with a scanner picking up the radio frequency stamp located on hang tags.  According to store associates this new system helps with more efficient replenishment orders and inventory; pin pointing exact styles, colors and sizes.  The store will be able to not place replenishment order faster but they will also be able to adjust assortment buys according to what styles, color and sizes are selling the best. 

RIDF stamp can be seen on the left side of the tag.

Are You a Pinner, or a Doer?

    
        A perfect example of cross-promotional marketing; Michael’s Craft Stores are taking advantage of the pinning craze, and have teamed up with Pinterest.com to encourage customers to “not just pin it, but make it your own.”  The store has set aside prime floor space along the main aisles for the Pinterest displays, where the customer can pick up all supplies needed for featured DIY’s.  The customer is then encouraged to log onto Pinterest.com/MichealsStores to get the tutorial for completing the project. 

     For those not familiar with Pinterest.com, it is online tool for collecting and organizing images, crafts, recipes, etc. (think online inspiration boards).  The service is free, but does require creating an account.  As of July 2013, Pinterest has 70 million users with 80% of these are women.  The typical Michael's customers are also women and both businesses are built around the creative and craft industries, so it would seem it was only a matter of time before these two teamed up.

Jessica Simpson Swimwear: Inspired by L*SPACE?

Showing up this spring in swim shop in Macy's nationwide is the Jessica Simpson swimwear line.  Although this division of Jessica's line isn't new to her brand or Macy's the product has given their designs a revamp from the prior year and look to have taken a cue from designer swimwear brand, L*space in both their product styling but not in price. 

Flutter style tops by Jessica Simpson are similar to trends currently in the marketplace including L*space, retailing for around $64.00

Jessica Simpson is also offering a fringe top at $62.00 and tab side bottoms retailing for $42.00 as compared to L*Space who retails their tops for $86.00 and bottoms for $59.00