DDI - September 2010 - (Page 10)

10 | Newsworthy | Headlining Retailers tie the bridal knot The untapped mid-tier wedding market is luring in retailers like J.Crew, which recently debuted its first bridal boutique in Manhattan. I t’s no secret that the U.S. apparel industry is one of the most crowded and competitive retail channels. Mix that with the poor economy, and retailers have had little room, or chance, to grow. Enter the mid-tier wedding market, an untapped arena offering savvy apparel retailers the opportunity to expand, and where several standouts have already begun to explore. Ann Taylor and J.Crew were the pioneer apparel retailers that first catered to the mid-tier wedding market with their off-the-rack wedding attire. Back in 2004, J.Crew debuted its first Weddings and Parties collection, followed by Ann Taylor’s Celebrations Collection in 2005. Expected to reach $49.3 billion— yes, billion—in 2011 (excluding honeymoons), the wedding market is poised for growth, and retailers are taking note. This past May, J.Crew unveiled its first bridal store, the J.Crew Bridal Boutique at 769 Madison Ave. in Manhattan. Modeled after a classic French salon, the boutique interiors are punctuated with 1930s Parisian Art Deco and modern elements. Simple and elegant materials, such as lucite, unlacquered brass, shagreen and reclaimed hickory herringbone floors, create a sophisticated, luxurious space. The main floor of the boutique carries the 769 collection of select evening pieces, as well as curated accessories, including Miriam Haskell necklaces, Albertus Swanepoel headpieces, Cosabella lingerie, and J.Crew’s own shoes and clutches. The sous-terre, by-appointment-only atelier houses four private bridal suites. White House Black Market, a division of Chico’s FAS Inc., unveiled a bridal collection this year, along with “The Wedding Boutique,” a website offering affordable bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, accessories and gifts. Select bricksand-mortar locations offer in-store wedding specialists. Recently, Urban Outfitters Inc. announced plans to launch a new retail brand targeting the wedding industry next year. The new wedding brand, whose name has not yet been revealed, is expected to launch online by Valentine’s Day 2011, followed by a bricks-and-mortar store later. The wedding brand will feature heirloom gowns, accessories, intimate apparel, décor and gifts. “In 2010, the wedding industry will remain a difficult market with high unemployment and continued discomfort coming out of the worst recession in many years,” explains Toon van Beeck, senior analyst with IBISWorld. “Couples will continue to put off wedding plans this year, | September 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DDI - September 2010

DDI - September 2010
Table of Contents
From the Editor
Newsworthy
Shopper Insights
Greentailing
Editor’s Choice
Portfolio Awards 2010
Retail Design Luminaries
Retail Design Influencers
Design Firms of the Year
Best Visual Merchandising Programs
Retailer of the Year
Best-Designed Stores of the Year
Retail Standouts
Calendar
Advertisers
Classifieds
Think Tank

DDI - September 2010