Posts Tagged ‘irregular’
Company Spotlight: R.G. Riley
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
While flawed or slightly damaged garments may be kept out of retail store aisles, they retain a niche in the wholesale industry, thanks to off-price apparel companies like R.G. Riley. With its corporate headquarters in Tinley Park, Ill., and distribution centers in Los Angeles and Martinsville, Va., R.G. Riley ships to thousands of clients all over the United States.
Three generations of Rileys have contributed to the company’s success. “Go out and clean the warehouse,” and “Box that up,” were common commands that Mike Riley heard from his father while growing up. Mike still works for the company, though now with cousin John in its customer service department.
But while its familial support remains constant, R.G. Riley’s specialty and operations have changed since its founding. While the company’s first worked with sock and hosiery manufacturers in the 1920s, it now ships out irregular T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other activewear from brands like Hanes, Gildan, Fruit of the Loom and Russell.
With an average of 80 full-time employees, R.G. Riley has exhibited in the Off-Price Specialist Show and the ASD/AMD Trade Show since their inceptions, according to Mike. But while the company showcases its products just a few times a year, customers can order them online year-round.
The catalog, which launched in 2003 at www.rgriley.com , is dynamic, or continuously updated. It uses Ajax calls – a JavaScript and XML command that processes user requests seamlessly. This allows customers live to see how the company’s inventory is changing, at all times.
“It has created a lot of functionality at our Web site, and allows customers to put in the amount of time they want,” Mike said.
But with an inventory updated “by the nanosecond,” as Mike states, the company must also make sure that their prices are updated just as promptly.
“Small and medium-sized entrepreneurs know when a price is right and when a price is wrong,” Mike said. “It creates a lot of pressure on us to keep prices at market conditions.”
According to Mike, company survival – or “being the best at what you do” – is more than providing quality products and customer service. He, like his customers, know that keeping his eye on current market conditions is also crucial – and perhaps the only other strategy he needs.
“I’m still young enough that I don’t need to be thinking of our fourth generation,” Mike said.
Tags: apparel, christina lee, clothing, company profile, Company Spotlight, irregular, off-price products, R.G. Riley
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