Saturday, January 30, 1999
INDUSTRY NOTES: RETAIL
Web card company tops survey
BY LISA BIANK FASIG
The Cincinnati Enquirer
In at least one survey, Amazon.com did not rank as the most popular Web site of online shoppers.
Based on studies by Media Metrix, a research firm, online greeting card provider Bluemountainarts.com was ranked the top site in December. That site attracted 12.3 million unduplicated visits in December, compared with 9.1 million at Amazon.
The hits are what Media Metrix terms “unique visitors,” or single counts for every user in the month.
Also among the top 15: Ebay.com (5.5 million); Barnes & Noble (4.7 million); and Etoys.com (3.85 million).
Bluemountainarts.com, Amazon.com and Ebay.com also ranked first, second and third by growth from November to December. Also on that growth list: Macys.Com, No. 5, advancing to 1.3 million visits in December from 382,000 in November.
Nine West cuts 144 jobs in N.Y. corporate offices
The Nine West Group this week said it will cut 144 jobs in its White Plains, N.Y., corporate offices — another attempt to reduce costs and improve profitability.
The announcement comes two months after Nine West said it would eliminate 700 jobs, close two factories and reduce the number of shoes it makes annually. The total number of job cuts will represent a 6 percent reduction in Nine West's work force of 13,000.
Though Nine West figures that it sells about a fifth of all women's shoes sold in the United States, it has endured a difficult year. A softness in demand has forced it to reduce prices so it can unload backed-up inventory. Earlier this month, the shoe maker was named in a price-fixing lawsuit along with several retailers, including Federated Department Stores and Dillard's Inc.
Nine West's brands include Nine West, Easy Spirit, Enzo Angiolini, Bandolino, Calvin Klein, Westies and Pappagallo. It fits into a niche between designer shoes and discount shoes, with prices generally between $50 and $90.
Study: Well-off stock up when liquor prices fall
A recent university study shows that higher-income shoppers are more likely to bargain-shop than lower-income consumers, at least when it comes to alcohol.
The study, conducted over a four-year period, examined liquor sales of 35 stores — one chain — in one city. The research found that when prices dropped on specific brands, sales at stores serving high-income customers exceeded those of stores catering to low-income shoppers.
The researchers, from Ohio State University, Northwestern University and Pennsylvania State University, concluded that higher-income consumers are in a better position to buy large quantities of high-priced products such as liquor.
Though the survey was limited to liquor, the surveyors think that the stock-up theory can apply to other products.
Women's boutique opening Glendale store
Bella Donna, a boutique of fine women's apparel, is opening Monday at 1115 Congress Ave. in Glendale.
The apparel and accessories store carries bridge and designer lines from New York, including Marella, Riazee, Chris Kole and Votre Nom.
The selection ranges for all occasions. The store is targeted to style-conscious women in their 30s and older.
Bella Donna is owned by Donna Wesselman.
Super Bowl ads may steal the show
Apple's Super Bowl return is already creating talk
Go-go growth ends wild '98
Clermont County plant to close
Cincinnati Bell's earnings up 19%
Schwab Web site a hit with investors
Sanctions get world body's OK
StarKist sends tuna to victims
Automaker mergers gain speed
Fourth-quarter reports pleasing, surprising
INDUSTRY NOTES: RETAIL
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
TRISTATE BUSINESS SUMMARY
TRISTATE MARKET SPOTLIGHT
