Although the appeal of a particular garment may vary from year to year and embellishments may be added to it, the basic military look continues to be a mainstay on high school and college campuses.
"Army/navy stores cannot stay in business selling mainly to soldiers and veterans," said John Abbasi of Armed Forces Outfitters in Gastonia, North Carolina. "We have to sell fashions."
Young people express their individuality in the clothing they wear, and army/navy stores give them the opportunity to create their own look.
"They don't want to wear something that they can buy in Wal-Mart. We offer them unique merchandise," said Abbasi.
He observes that summer is a particularly strong for youth sales when students are out of school.
"The army/navy store is one of their favorite places to go," he said.
Bright colored garments are among Abbasi's top selling items, especially to women, who buy T-shirts, tops and shorts in a variety of colors, including red and pink, as well as combinations of black and pink and pink and white.
T-shirts are perennially popular and give the retailer a good mark up. Teenagers are willing to spend $12 or $13 for a colorful T-shirt that may cost the retailer as little as three dollars.
Paintball players who come into Abbasi's store for equipment are often accompanied by their girlfriends, creating the opportunity for fashion sales.
"We want to attract women customers to our business," said Abbasi. "Once women wear our products, the men will follow."
Military styles have become dressier, said Rothco's John Ottaviano. Popular items include solid color shirts in khaki, black, and navy blue with epaulettes, to which pins and patches are added to make the garments still more attractive to youth.
"Army/navy stores cannot stay in business selling mainly to soldiers and veterans," said John Abbasi of Armed Forces Outfitters in Gastonia, North Carolina. "We have to sell fashions."
Young people express their individuality in the clothing they wear, and army/navy stores give them the opportunity to create their own look.
"They don't want to wear something that they can buy in Wal-Mart. We offer them unique merchandise," said Abbasi.
He observes that summer is a particularly strong for youth sales when students are out of school.
"The army/navy store is one of their favorite places to go," he said.
Bright colored garments are among Abbasi's top selling items, especially to women, who buy T-shirts, tops and shorts in a variety of colors, including red and pink, as well as combinations of black and pink and pink and white.
T-shirts are perennially popular and give the retailer a good mark up. Teenagers are willing to spend $12 or $13 for a colorful T-shirt that may cost the retailer as little as three dollars.
Paintball players who come into Abbasi's store for equipment are often accompanied by their girlfriends, creating the opportunity for fashion sales.
"We want to attract women customers to our business," said Abbasi. "Once women wear our products, the men will follow."
Military styles have become dressier, said Rothco's John Ottaviano. Popular items include solid color shirts in khaki, black, and navy blue with epaulettes, to which pins and patches are added to make the garments still more attractive to youth.
- added August 20, 2008
- flag
Login/Registration is required to add a response
