Say What?

Monday, November 06, 2023

I’ve been trying to become self-educated in the marketing and selling of retail clothing. The industry is extremely competitive. Its phases include design, sewing, importing/exporting, and online and in-store marketing and sales. Predictions in the future of clothing sales suggest that today’s in-store sites might evolve into merchandise pick-up sites staffed by humans and robots.

I’ve begun pointing my working interests toward retail clothing sales. So, the industry’s current realities and future predictions are interesting, challenging me to gain more insight into its struggles and evolving realities.

This weekend, I visited several local discount clothing stores and checked the types of merchandise being displayed to learn “what’s hot and what’s not” in local styles. I keep wondering how Macy’s positions itself against deep discounters. Today, while working at Macy’s, I will compare the styles I perceived as “cheap n’ chic” to those the large upscale store is marketing.

I must do more research. For example, instrumental in keeping alive the local Macy’s is this city’s growing population. Retirees moving here with wealth are familiar with and shop in Macy’s. Another consideration is Macy’s extensive nonclothing specialty areas. It offers wide-ranging choices in the makeup and jewelry departments. Moreover, it carries housewares and (I think) a beauty shop.

Of course, Macy’s has a very active online presence. After checking its site for a few articles, I keep receiving reminders of my interest and notices of dropping prices.

Dear Friends: The world of commerce is brain-boggling-complicated. Diana