Wednesday, January 12, 2000
INDUSTRY NOTES: RETAIL
Hellos and goodbyes in Hyde Park
BY LISA BIANK FASIG
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The comings and goings continue at Hyde Park Square: Most recently, a women's apparel shop is closing, and frilly unmentionables have come in.
Referring here to J. Peck and Knickers of Hyde Park. J. Peck, formerly Alyson's, is advertising a “surprise closing.” According to the ads, owner Jan Peck is changing careers, and the store at 2719 Erie Ave. is liquidating at discount prices. Ms. Peck has been out of town and could not be reached, but workers confirmed the store will close at an unspecified date.
Moved in across the street is Knickers of Hyde Park lingerie shop, in the former Double Eagle golf store at 2726 Erie. Owner Jenalyn Schneider of Hyde Park said the store is a project that culminates years of experience in lingerie buying and selling.
“This is like a 15-year dream of mine,” she said. “I always wanted to open a store here. I always loved the Square.”
Ms. Schneider, 41, has spent several years in the lingerie business. Highlights include three years as a designer sleepwear buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue and several years as a lingerie manager at Nordstrom in Chicago. Most recently, she worked at retail start-up Knickers near Chicago. In this position, Ms. Schneider offered her lingerie expertise to the owner and in return got a few lessons in running a small business.
Her Knickers of Hyde Park specializes in intimate apparel, sleepwear, hosiery and foundations. “I try to target some vendors I don't see a lot around here,” Ms. Schneider said. “I'm trying to make it fun and comfortable without being intimidating for men.”
Roberds Inc. sales plummet in December
Roberds Inc., which late last month hired a firm to develop a turnaround plan that could involve selling the business or seeking bankruptcy protection, reported a near-21 percent decline in sales for December.
Sales for the month fell to $26.7 million from $33.7 million in the same month a year ago. For the year, sales declined 9.9 percent, to $287 million.
The furniture, appliances and electronics chain said sales decreased the most at its Ohio market, where it operates six stores in its hometown of Dayton and the Roberds Grand in Springdale. Ohio store sales declined 27.3 percent. Sales in Atlanta's nine stores were down 14.7 percent; and at Tampa's eight stores, down 14 percent.
Retail convention, expo in New York
The National Retail Federation is preparing for its annual convention and EXPO next week in New York, with sessions addressing online retail, the science of shopping and globalization.
Each year, thousands of people attend the four-day event to hear retail experts and analysts discuss the latest industry topics and trends.
The event runs Jan. 16-19. Information: Call the National Retail Federation at (202) 783-7971, or visit its Web site at www.nrf.com.
Mars Music in deal with SFX Entertainment
Mars Music Superstores has landed a major agreement that will expand its name from store fronts to arena halls, but not in the Queen City.
The chain, which operates a store near Tri-County Mall in Springdale, reached a multiyear agreement with SFX Entertainment that gives the retailer sponsorship privileges at 15 live-music sites. Those sites are in West Palm Beach, Fla.; Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Hartford, Conn.; Houston; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Mo.;Los Angeles; Nashville, Tenn; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Raleigh, N.C.; San Francisco; and St. Louis.
In the next three years, Mars can provide opening acts or bands at the centers, and let schools visit the venues and attend sound checks and rehearsals.
The agreement does not involve any venues in Greater Cincinnati. SFX last year agreed to buy interest in seven venues from the Nederlander family, entering the Cincinnati market for the first time.
Online store of the week
Marshalls, the sister discount chain of T.J. Maxx, has launched an online site that promotes discount shopping, without actually offering anything to buy online.
But the site works well as an online magazine. Marshallsonline.com features style tips, gift ideas, gift reminders and information about bargain shopping, in a magazine format. There also are style questions (What is the right length of skirt this season?) and surveys (What do you think will be this year's black?).
A separate site geared for teens is called teenmarshalls.com.
Kroger to put 'Cosmo' under wrap
AOL stock slide cuts value of Time Warner deal
Critics say merger will stifle diversity
Media getting feet wet on Net
Office Suites Plus geared to flexibility, convenience
Ameritech lowers telephone rates
Bank One earnings drop likely may drop
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