Macy's Platinum Store Initiative

   Macy's has chosen 150 of their existing doors to be apart of their new Platinum initiative.  The idea is to create a more "lifestyled" shopping experience for customers and to encourage them to make immediate purchases rather then wait for sales or markdowns.  

   The select doors will be given monetary budgets to make nessesary renovations to create better sight lines, trend setup areas and even new fixturing.  When speaking to Ala Moana's assistant store manager he said their hope to create distinctive branded sections so customers will know they are walking from one brand into another.

  Merchandising standards will change as well.  Less product will be placed on the floor to encourage the sense of buying urgency.  

  Will this new initiative work since Macy's has trained their customers so well to shop sales and markdowns?

   

Foot Flops

This new company has a patent pending for heat moldable flip flops formed to fit your feet.

You put them in the oven for a short time and them wear them and they get the exact mold of your foot.

I found this on kickstarter.com

Here is the link to the site explaining their concept more.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/753891259/foot-flops-heat-moldable-flip-flops-formed-to-fit

Billabong Buildouts Popping up in Local Surf Shops

Last month Billabong installed new buildouts in HIC Surf locations; a local surf chain.  The brand was due for a revamp for some years now.  The installs look great; very clean and relevant to the times.

Stance Padres Collection

Just last week, Stance's Padres Collection debuted in Sun Diego shops! There are three different graphics and they retail for $16 each. Appropriately, I spotted them today at the Sun Diego shop in Petco Park. Go Padres!

Updated sneakers

   

Sneakers are the hottest footwear trend this Fall and there are all different styles to choose from. One of the newest versions is a high top slip on without your usual laces. They are available at low price points as well as higher designer price points

Jrs Flannels Trending for Fall

Flannel long sleeve button down shirts are all the rage for back to school. This is even trending in the SouthEast were it is still 100 degrees in places. 

Brands like Roxy, Billabong, ONeill, and Volcom have them on the action sport side and can be found at brand company stores or other retailers like Tilly's, PacSun, and Macy's. They range from $25 to $50.

YouTube is even sporting a promo from derailed.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLAXvrq-l_k&sns=em

Nike SB Cork Skate Shoes

The newest addition to the Sun Diego Fashion Valley shelves- the Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski Elite Cork Skate Shoes. Yes, cork! A sales associate shared that he likes to joke around with customers and tell them that since cork floats, these shoes allow you to walk on water. While they won't do that, they are sure to turn heads at the skate park.

They retail for $110 and more information can be found here: http://www.sundiego.com/blog/nike-stefan-janoski-elite-cork-2/