Video Games

Though experts deemed the video game industry recession-proof in 2008, it finally began to show some weakness in 2009, as profits fell 14 percent in July from the same month last year. In efforts to counter this fall, publishers are shifting their priorities to promoting upcoming video game sequels. Call of Duty, Need for Speed and Assassin’s Creed are all games whose second or third chapter comes out this fall, though perhaps the most anticipated of them all, for gamers and analysts alike, is The Beatles: Rock Band. (Find out why at Newsday.)

Apparel

As their industry quickly became susceptible to economic decline, apparel retailers have begged designers since last year to create lines catering to today’s thrifty consumer. Designers have finally answered those prayers in their upcoming spring collections,  offering high-quality casual contemporary separates with a timeless feel.

“It’s creating a product that is buy-now, wear now,” said designer Peter Som to WWD. “At the end of the day, it’s a partnership with a retailer, and understanding what the customer is looking for, then taking that information and giving them that and something they didn’t know they were looking for. It’s the ultimate dance of commerce and creativity.” (Find out more at WWD.)

Movies

Re-releasing Disney’s cinematic classics is a selling strategy that Walt Disney created himself. But the upcoming theatrical showings of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are taking this marketing strategy to a  level beyond even 3-D, as they lay the groundwork for next year’s Toy Story 3.

A new line of consumer products, featuring Halloween costumes, DVD rereleases and toys, are set to follow the  theatrical releases.  As a result, the company hopes that Toy Story 3 will become one of Disney’s most profitable movies in years, with a level of success echoing that of its predecessors. (Find more information at the Wall Street Journal.)

Retailers, which of your tried-and-true products have carried you through the current economy? What do your customers like about them?

POOLTRADESHOW is also a community of art and design driven brands creating industry connections for creative visionaries that offers a distinct intimate environment that is conducive to doing business. A non-intimidating ambiance allows POOL exhibitors the opportunity to stand out and develop their brand.

• Retailers credit MAGIC as the #1 resource for discovering new vendors.
• Meet with more apparel and accessory brands here than at several smaller shows combined.
• 80% of specialty brands that show at MAGIC do not participate in smaller shows.
• MAGIC lets you shop over 20,000 product lines from around the world, all in one convenient location.

Cost Effective
Shop more brands in one location than at any other trade event or market. And our new 3-day format allows for a cost-efficient, time-sensitive and effective buying trip.

Retail Relations Team
MAGIC is the only trade event with a full-time Retail Relations department, whose mission is to make your MAGIC experience as productive as possible. Our category specialists are dedicated to helping you make the most of your time before and during the show.

Free Industry Seminars
Stay current on industry topics and trends. MAGIC offers over 40 complimentary seminars, presented by some of the most respected names in the business. Topics include: Color & Trend Forecasts, Open-to-Buy Planning, Marketing to Consumers, Advanced Selling Strategies, and Retail Sales in the Digital Age.

The boyfriend jean: Fashion and celebrity spotters can probably easily point out by now who is responsible for this fit’s resurgence: Katie Holmes. And she had actually borrowed her pair from husband Tom Cruise, designers have since made enough pairs for women so that sharing is no longer necessary. The modern twists are its narrowly rolled-up cuffs.

The skinny jean: A pair of these in a dark wash and little embellishments will always be considered chic, though this season’s pair is quite the opposite. Most are cropped directly to the ankle to show off sandals. Some come with ankle zippers, perhaps for easier removal during the hot months. And some more can be found in a solid, bold hue – try purple, yellow, or red, if not an acid wash.

The wide-leg jean: While more easily associated with casual looks, this season’s pairs take a sophisticated turn reminiscent of old Hollywood stars: the high waist. Designers have made them available in a variety of washes, but make sure that they otherwise remain simple. The fit alone should create enough visual interest for any outfit.

What denim trends have you been noticing lately?

Round vs. Square

John Lennon and Jackie O.: two 1960s American icons whose images would not be complete without a pair of statement-making sunglasses. Today, fashion magazines and blogs cannot stop buzzing over the comeback of the different frame shapes those two donned back then, ranging from Mary-Kate Olsen’s round shades spotted at last year’s Sundance Festival to Nina Ricci’s reissuing of the square model that the First Lady wore herself.

How to choose: In this case, opposites attract. Lennon’s round frames suits a square face best, since it will soften the chin’s and jaw’s strong, angular lines. A square pair on sunglasses looks best on an oval face, to maintain balance between a slightly wider forehead and a narrower chin.

Rims vs. Rimless

The bigger sunglasses have grown over the past few years, the more room designers found on their rims to make a statement, like a few gems or a pop or two of color. Taking such has made today’s rims suitable for the fashion risk-takers.

Designers have also made rimless glasses in mostly classic shapes colors, though their aviators sans rims are still a trendy option. Lately, such aviators have also been modernized with colored lenses, like Just Cavalli’s rimless options in brown or blue.

How to choose: The more angles to a face, the more that a pair of rimless sunglasses would suit that face, since today’s thick rims would otherwise overwhelm it. Today’s modern sunglasses especially flatter triangular faces, as their rounded tops and square bottoms balance out a narrow forehead and wider cheek and chin areas.

Retro vs. Modern

Today’s retro and modern styles tackle entirely different colors, shapes and frames.

Whether square or round, retro sunglasses are still being made with white frames, as seen over the past few years. Meanwhile, the shapes of modern sunglasses are much more sloped, whether wrap-around or shield. Nowadays, these can also typically be seen in metallic shades and rimless.

How to choose: This decision should be based on more than personal taste. More angular faces – the heart, square and triangular – look best with today’s modern shades, while oval and round faces will benefit from the current thicker-rimmed retro variety.

Their headlines all scream one thing: yes, the fashion industry is suffering. The industry knows this, and now everyone else knows it. But regardless, designers have new collections to put out and, just like nearly everybody else, they have a business to run.

While facing this reality, designers have come up with some creative and cost-efficient ways to make their collections known this year. Retailers, take their cues into consideration:

• Viktor & Rolf turned down a spot for Paris Fashion Week in September 2008, and instead used an online presentation to showcase their spring 2009 collection. The decision surprised many, though the math that the design duo made it all too clear. What they figured was, while a runway show can cost up to $1 million, an online presentation would cost them practically nothing.
  Consider: taking inspiration from Viktor & Rolf – and the designers that followed suit, like Alice Temperley – with an online presentation that still offers an up-close look of your products. Even consider listing more details, such as dimensions, materials, or anything else that makes them unique.
• Not all designers are foregoing the runway, though they still sought ways to cut costs. How Mara Hoffman, Nicholas K, and Sergio Davila did it: by sharing a runway stage, thus splitting rental costs that range from $28,000 to $58,000 an hour at Bryant Park.
  Consider: collaborating with other businesses that complement yours. Invite one or two businesses to co-host a promotional event, or figure out other ways in which you can promote each other’s. Make sure that this event gathers customers together with a focus on the products, not just food and drinks.
• Other designers who turned down their invitations are instead hosting their own events, while only inviting a select few. Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan both cut their guest lists of thousands by more than half, and Jacobs celebrities almost entirely. Vera Wang and Betsey Johnson opted for using their own boutiques to showcase their latest.
  Consider: remembering who your best customers are, then rewarding them with exclusive promotions and sneak previews of products. Invite not only those who buy the most products, but also those who refer the most customers to your business.

During these times, only those are realistic but creative at the same time will survive. Retailers, how have you been using in-store events to promote your business? What makes them effective?