Shares of teen apparel retailers are getting hit particularly hard Thursday in the wake of October same-store sales results. American Eagle Outfitters and Aeropostale are both down more than 10 percent after missing expectations and other teen retailers, including Hot Topic and Zumiez are not that far behind.
(Berk, C. C., 2009, October 5, par.1-2)
It's not surprising. This sector is facing some tough challenges. Teen unemployment has been at historically high levels. This means teens have less money to spend on jeans and T-shirts. According to Thomson Reuters, analysts were expecting teen apparel retailers to post a same-store sales decline of 3.2 percent, but sales actually were much worse, declining 5.8 percent last months.
(Berk, C. C., 2009, October 5, par.3-4)
Hip clothing maker American Apparel Inc. will lay off more than a quarter of its factory work force in Los Angeles amid a probe by U.S. immigration authorities -- an early indication of how the Obama administration crackdown on employers of illegal immigrants could play out.
In early July, the company announced that it had been notified by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, that 1,600 of it is 5,600 factory employees, who are largely Hispanic immigrants, might be in the U.S. illegally. An American Apparel spokeswoman said that about 1,500 workers would be terminated in coming weeks.
In a letter to employees in English and Spanish, Chief Executive Dov Charney said he was "deeply saddened" that the company has to shed workers who have been at the company for several years.
Mr. Charney, a champion of immigration reform, promised to give the workers priority for jobs when "you are able to get your immigration papers in order."
Virginia Kice, an ICE spokeswoman, declined to comment on the American Apparel dismissals. She said that whenever the agency conducts an audit, "we get back to the company with specific documents about individuals working without employment authorization. It is incumbent upon the employer to determine the appropriate next steps."
On July 1, Department of Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano announced that ICE, a unit of her agency, had begun audits of 652 companies as part of a new strategy to focus immigration enforcement on employers. That number has since grown, according to ICE officials. By specifically targeting employers, the agency is reversing its tactics during the Bush administration, when it relied on high-profile raids at factories. The raids rounded up hundreds of workers but rarely resulted in penalties for the companies.
American Apparel is likely to face thousands of dollars in penalties for hiring workers who weren't eligible to be employed. The government has said fines may exceed $800 per employee.
Companies that employ low-skilled workers in agriculture, manufacturing and hospitality have been bracing for the crackdown, saying they have no way to ascertain whether the identification presented by workers to secure jobs is authentic.
As of Sept. 8, all federal contractors will need to use an electronic system known as E-verify to determine the employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers. Critics say the system is imperfect and encourages racial profiling.Hip clothing maker American Apparel Inc. will lay off more than a quarter of its... more
Our homies over at Jugrnaut have always put together a nice collection of tee's every season. This season, which is the 4th collection includes several different designs such as, the standard Jugrnaut bolt, GI Joe, Jugrnaut by Nature, and many others.Our homies over at Jugrnaut have always put together a nice collection of tee's every... more
Made in Beijing labels are proudly printed on the T shirts here. Retro Mao era sneakers are considered a style of its own. Even newspapers can be turned into stylish designer bags.
Take a peek at NLGX, a growing designer and apparel store in Beijing.Made in Beijing labels are proudly printed on the T shirts here. Retro Mao era... more
In the retail world, the market is divided into quarters when measuring profit. Now in the second quarter, Timberland Co. has lost $19.2 million in both footwear and apparel. In footwear sales alone, the decline is 11%, and apparel and accessories revenue dropped 25%. I know that where many of us are from, Tims are a staple... but dang, Timberland, that's a heck of a loss.In the retail world, the market is divided into quarters when measuring profit. Now... more
NSW has invaded Chicago with an opening of a new store named AKIN. Though not much information is given about this particular spot, it is confirmed that it will be carrying NSW Sportswear apparel and sneakers.NSW has invaded Chicago with an opening of a new store named AKIN. Though not much... more
origina!. the little robin is made from the words "batman" and the heart is made from the words "hate"origina!. the little robin is made from the words "batman" and the heart is made from... more
It is always fun when you come across someone or something that gets your mind working in overdrive and that is exactly what happened when we came across a website called Lovemore. Angela and Andrea Crossman simply believe that if we love more, things will change.
Keep reading this great story at Bitten and Bound...It is always fun when you come across someone or something that gets your mind working... more
Watch Part 3 of Mark Johnson journey along the famous Pipeline snowmobile trail that runs between St-Joseph-de-Mekinac and Latuque Quebec. It is minus 20 degrees celsius at Beaulieu's Auberge in St-Jean-de-Mekinac north of Gran-Mere, (2.5 hours NE of Montreal) but -30 C on top of the pipeline, then add 35 mph winds, that equals darn cold. We ride a total of about 140 kilometers, but scrap the additional loop to Lac Edouard, because the trail was ungroomed. The last 15 miles that you ride on the Lake, was frozen solid, but had no snow on it. Next trip out, I will wear my down Choko vest and stay warm. Being over dressed is better than freezing.Watch Part 3 of Mark Johnson journey along the famous Pipeline snowmobile trail that... more
Boldly modern with a playful watch face, the Invicta Lupah stainless steel men's chronograph watch (model 9816) offers a perfect accessory match to today's contemporary casual dress. This precise Swiss-made chronograph timepiece has a rectangular, brightly polished silver stainless steel case that measures 46mm wide (1.81 inches), and it features a globule mineral crystal as well as large, globule chronograph pushers.Boldly modern with a playful watch face, the Invicta Lupah stainless steel men's... more
(Reuters) - The world's largest sportswear and shoe company Nike Inc has pulled some advertisements that appeared to send out anti-gay messages, according to the online edition of The Oregonian newspaper.
The newspaper said controversy arose last week over some advertisements for Nike's new Hyperdunk basketball shoes. The ads were dubbed homophobic by bloggers and critics, the paper said.
Concerns were first raised by the weblog, www.gawker.com, the Oregonian said. The blog post can be seen here.
Under a post titled "Does Nike Hate Gays? Or Do Gays Hate Basketball?" the blog said the ads showed a basketball player's face in the groin area of another player seemingly dunking a ball. Gawker also carried a picture of the ad on the blog.
The picture was accompanied by slogans like "This ain't right" and the blog said the ads appeared offensive to African-Americans too. The two players featured in the picture looked African-American
Credit: Reuters.(Reuters) - The world's largest sportswear and shoe company Nike Inc has pulled some... more
Dov Charney is most likely one of the WORST businessmen in the world. In my opinion, he has little/no morals and even less class. "American Apparel" must be a huge misnomer as neither his clothing nor his behavior reflect American (or even any) social standards.
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"American Apparel operates nearly 200 stores around the world, and Montreal-born founder and CEO Dov Charney is enjoying his company's success. "It's sickening money, man," he told YoungEntrepreneur.com (he's 39). "We're minting money."
On a May 13th conference call, Charney said first-quarter sales were at $111.6 million, up 52% from the previous year. Interesting, considering that American Apparel manufactures their goods exclusively in the United States - unlike most U.S. companies.
But Charney was happy to discuss American Apparel's business forecast for the coming year during a face-to-face interview with Claudine Ko from the now-defunct Jane magazine - but only while masturbating. The writer also reported that Charney demanded, and received, oral sex from an employee while she looked on.
Not altogether surprisingly, Charney is now facing his fifth lawsuit in three years: Jeneleen Floyd, who worked in the product-placement department at the firm's Los Angeles headquarters, alleges that Charney stormed into her office and demanded that she pretend to masturbate for him. When she refused, a (male) colleague happily complied; not to be outdone, Charney joined him."
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PLEASE, after reading the entire article, tell the world what you think!
-ENRDov Charney is most likely one of the WORST businessmen in the world. In my opinion,... more
This designer has been a great asset to the Urban Design genre. Stern Rockwell has been working on brands such as Rocawear, Ecko Unlimited, Enyce, Phat Farm and Akademiks. After working with brands such as these, it is great to see that he has branched out on his own and is now doing something that is a bit different than what other designers are up to. Keep rockin' on Rockwell!
This designer has been a great asset to the Urban Design genre. Stern Rockwell has... more
Afghans, Bags, Berets, Bikinis, Blankets, Camisoles, Caps, Fingerless Gloves, Hats, Scarfs, Shawls, Sun Dresses and more.
New designs weekly.
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Alpaca, Angora, Buffalo, Cashmere, Cashmerino, Cotton, Hemp, Lambswool, Linen, Merino Wool, Mohair, Navajo Churro Wool, Qivuik, Silk, Suri and other fine and rare fibres.
I have created culturallycool.com to try and give people from all cultures a place to show their pride in who they are. We should all be proud of who we are and show it. This is a place for us to celebrate all the things that bring us together and how our unique backgrounds make us so interesting. Clothing is one way of how we express ourselves and show the world who we are.
We are not just about culturallycool t-shirts and gifts. My main goal is to bring all cultures together to let the world know that we are very proud of our culture, I have made a blog to try and get that message across. http://culturallycool.wordpress.comI have created culturallycool.com to try and give people from all cultures a place to... more
How would I have turned out if my mother has dressed me in t-shirts saying 'I enjoy a good spanking' - perhaps in diamond-encrusted lettering? I present: the 25 most offensive children's t-shirts. How would I have turned out if my mother has dressed me in t-shirts saying 'I enjoy a... more
What are you wearing? Seriously! Have you ever stopped to think about what's in your pants? If not, there is a company that wants to turn your crank (get you thinking).
This pod is about a company that is changing the way people should think about their clothes - and their purchasing decisions in general.
It's all about NAU.What are you wearing? Seriously! Have you ever stopped to think about what's in your... more
by now, everyone is bored with nike's. even your little sister's shoe game is competing with yours, and you need to step your game up with a new shoe nobody's really ready for. enter stage left: the supra (click link above to see the shoe!). that's right. these crazy sneaks, created by professional skateboarder Erik Ellington in 2005, are the newest phenomenon! these skytops, reminiscent of a basketball shoe from back in the day, could easily make you the coolest kid on the block. shoot...even rappers in new york city have full songs dedicated to these shoes! check out mickey factz' "the supra song (i like your supra's daddy)" right here: http://www.zshare.net/audio/44455979015d55/
you thought i was joking!? no sir. supra's are here to stay. so go to your nearest sneaker boutique or mom and pop store and scoop a pair. if they don't carry them, tell 'em that these are the power move of 2008. yzr.by now, everyone is bored with nike's. even your little sister's shoe game is... more
