"Thanks!" to Kristin who was kind in sharing with us some news told to her by a J.Crew associate (when she visited her local store last week). :)First, Kristin was told that J.Crew is most likely to take new markdowns (early) this week. (She was even advised to come back, to her local J.Crew store, on Wednesday to see the new sale items.)
Second, she was also told that most J.Crew stores will not carry an "additional percent off" sale until after the holidays. (Items with the "additional percent off" tend to be "final sale", which may not "mix well" with holiday gift returns.)
I am looking forward to seeing some additional markdowns! :) I am also happy to hear that J.Crew is considering eliminating the "final sale" until the holidays are over. (Which makes complete sense as it may avoid problems with customers trying to return or exchange holiday gifts. Although, I do like those "additional percent off" sales very much!) :)
I guess they want to feel the burn come first quarter, 2009. That's cool, I'll be buying a boatload of their stock when it come crashing to the ground...
ReplyDeletei went to my local store today and saw that unsurprisingly the sale section was pretty much the same -some of the sweaters ie) bow-necklace cardigan were even still full price.
ReplyDeleteso i just managed to get some cords in some very bright colors because they were so cheap and i loved my other ones - chocolate, faded cement, deep indigo...so i got the dark kelly (green), rhubarb, and a golden yellow...
does anyone have any tips on what colors to wear for tops...i didn't realize it would be so hard, esp the kelly green! =(
I think I have been spoiled by the extra percent off sales. When I was at a B&M today (El Segundo, CA), I hesitated to buy anything b/c I thought... this would have been an extra 20, 30 or 50% off a few weeks ago. Other retailers seem to be pulling out all the stops due to the economy.
ReplyDeleteHere are a few observations during my shopping experience this weekend:
Ann Taylor Loft - 20% off all purchases.
BR/GAP/Old Navy - 30% off with their F&F.
BCBG - 30% off everything in their store. Sale items 50% off.
Origins - everything minus their holiday gifts sets were 25% off.
Harry and David - 30% everything in the store as well.
BTW, I've shopped at a lot of stores where they have extra % off sales. They do not make it a final sale. J.Crew can do the same thing. For example, instead of making final sales non-returnable, how about changing it returns only for store credit?
AT/ATL is having F&F this week--30% off everything. Online code is FRIENDS. I think it starts Fri through weekend.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that there will be a few more reductions and some new items in the sale area this week. I was in a few stores this weekend and noticed that the ones that were offering some serious promos (ie Gap Kids & Gap 30% off- were insane and I almost didn't buy anything because the lines were so long) But J Crew was pretty mello and NO lines at the checkout:( Not sure what J Crew's strategy is, but I sure spent a lot with the 20% off of a $175 code earlier this Fall. I did notice a 30% off all scarves, hats & gloves and picked up a cute gift for a friend so 30% was a bonus!
ReplyDeleteTwiga
I went to the first e-mail BR/Gap/Old Navy F&F 30% in Canada since they've started marketing the upcoming web shopping site. The stores were a zoo...no signs of recession, lineups at the register as if it was all given out for free. On sunday the BR store I went to looked they are out of half of the holiday stock - I bet the response took them by surprise. I so wish JCrew would realize the potential.
ReplyDeleteAnn Taylor is also having a friends and family sale for 30% off from Nov 20 - 23. I just got an email from them.
ReplyDeleteI'd really like to see how this year's Black Friday goes. I wonder if it will be better than expected or in stride with the forecasts.
I finally made it to a JCrew outlet store this weekend (Seattle). I hadnt been to one in years. I have to say I was disappointed. They had beautiful coats but most were still over $200 and only 20% off. I saw some sweaters I got on sale after Christmas last year. The outlet store was more expense than the price I paid after Christmas! I guess that was to be expected, but we are talking $75-$80 for argyle and I got it on sale last year for $35 or so. I was also kinda disappointed with the jewelry. They had some bangles, which were on sale. Other bracelets were still $30 and they werent like the ones in store, lower quality. No necklaces. They had the cute tartan ear muffs from last year but they were $45. I picked up a 50% off argyle sweater for my husband, a mini flask from last year (too cute) and a wallet. I was hoping for more deals, but the prices were still pretty high for me. Lots of blazers, still $80. :(
ReplyDeleteSounds like I won't be shopping at JCRew until after the holidays...that was my plan to begin with and this "news" just reinforces my plan...
ReplyDeleteI don't have lots of Christmas shopping to do anymore...we cut back to just the kids this year (not b/c of the economy but b/c we adults don't need anything!) It comes to a point in ones adult life that if you need or really want something you go buy it yourself! For the first time in 16 years my hubby and I aren't exchanging either! :) Much less pressure and more time for fun!
I don't understand why J.Crew doesn't offer the additional percentage but remove the final sale restrictions, as they used to do. I remember the first time I saw the additional percentage signs, around Christmas time a couple of years back--you should've seen the lines at the mall near me when that first happened. It was bedlam! With other retailers already pulling out the stops on sales (it's pretty scary, isn't it?) J.Crew may need to step up to the plate, too.
ReplyDeleteDo you see!! JC is offering 25% off all their over priced, poorly made shoes!!! Hurry and gets your today!!
ReplyDeleteRemember when all JC shoes had leather soles and were made in Italy and were half the price! Those were the days.
JCrew needs to get with it again.
ReplyDeleteThey used to offer additional percent off sale items and the items were not final sale...this was when the econonmy was good too...I know they did this for many years b/c I lived right next to the mall of america for 3 1/2 years and I would check out JCrew and their big sales all the time.
Why are they cutting back when the economy is worse and making things final sale (after Christmas again) or not offering additional percent off b/c of the holidays?
I bet it will be final sale on the website the day after Christmas and I hate final sale!
It sound like other retailers are pulling in people.
I was in a BR in Canada this weekend and there was no sales, and the recession is starting to hit here, a lot of people are in denial thinking that it won't happen, in fact 2 good friends of mine just lost their jobs in different industries.
ReplyDeleteThe 25% off full price shoe link on the home page takes you to sweaters instead of the shoes! Someone forgot to update the link or they're still updating the site :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this 411 on sale wed., I'll check out the B/M, altho agree w/ others ~ Major sales at Banana ~ I bought a fab dress that was an addl 30% off of sale price there, not a final sale; JC can absolutely do this, most retailers DO right now. Lol, they must wanna 'feel the burn' as anonymous 12:25 said!
ReplyDeleteDoes JCREW have any serious sale on BLACK FRI??? Please advise, I did not enter the jc zone until recently.
ReplyDeleteEven Channel is forced to put their clothing on sale because of the economy (saw this on NBC news). J Crew are cutting back on sales because they lost so much on the computer fiasco, and trying to wait until the last possible moment to reduce prices.
ReplyDeleteI think we all got too used the % off over the last few months. I can't imagine JC keeping this up. I heard they will not have another % off until after the holidays. I think they want to get as much $ as possible right now when gifts are being purchased. That may leave alot more merhcandise for after x-mas. Works for me!
ReplyDeletethey CAN have additional % off and not be final sale they just aren't being smart by choosing not to. They even could deny full return and just give store credit. They would sell a lot more this way. Sale priced as well because it will get people into the stores in the first place
ReplyDeleteWhile I appreciate the comments of what our fellow reader heard in the store -- I think everyone should remember that I doubt the SA who delivered the info knew the whole holiday sale strategy.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Wednesday markdown news, is not really "news". J Crew always does their markdowns then. While I agree that final sale and extra % off should not go hand in hand -- I would think they will have some serious holiday markdowns like all other retailers.
markdowns happen Tuesday or Wednesday almost every week.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely won't be buying until after Christmas, if then. I have had so many problems with orders that haven't been resolved that I'm hesitant to continue supporting a company that has such customer unfriendly policies. That said, if there's deep discounts after the holiday I probably won't be able to resist!
ReplyDeletemy local store was still doing the 30% off all outerwear which makes the peacoat down to 133.87 for me with extra 15% with the student discount...i'm really hesitant on what color to get though...i have the madeline in the poppy, harriet in the heather acorn? the camel color...the lady day in chocolate, and a purple br coat,...so im thinking black, navy, or the new heather charcoal. what do you guys have?
ReplyDeletei'd get navy or heather charocal.
ReplyDeletethere will always be black. the navy is especially sailorish so keep that in mind if you go for a navy peacoat. so if you don't want that look the heather charocal is a gorgeous color that isn't offered all of the time
I'm sure JCrew wants us to believe that they won't be having any additional % off sales until after the holidays, but I seriously doubt that's true. I'll bet by December 5 we'll see at least an additional 30% off of sale stuff (and there will be alot of it!).
ReplyDeleteAnon at 7:12 am - Two years ago, I went to a J.Crew on Black Friday and they had an extra 40% off their sale items. The line was insane. Last year, no special sales.
ReplyDeleteI was at a B&M last week and was told that the next % off would be on Black Friday. However, this is not confirmed so I would call ahead to check.
I had contacted a J Crew store over the weekend and they advised that they "might" be having another discounted promotion this coming weekend. But when I pressed her for more info, she said "Maybe - call us closer towards the weekend". In my opinion, I think that the discounts / promotions are all speculative right now. I don't think that the stores really know what their promotion will be until they receive an email from corporate... and I was told that they received emails the morning of.
ReplyDeleteThat said, can anyone shed some light on this?
Traditionally, are J Crew's Black Friday Sales better than their after Christmas Sales?
I am planning a trip to my nearest J Crew (a 4 hour drive one way) either on Black Friday or for the day after Christmas. I can't decide when I should go (but I can't go twice) and would truly appreciate your expertise.
Thank you! :)
crew girl in canada -- i used to work at jcrew and typically (obviously i have no idea what is planned for this year) there was no significant sale on black friday. I used to actually look at people funny when they rushed in the door at 6am because they were getting no better deal than they would at a more normal hour of ohh noon or so. I am sure they will have items on promotion, but there are items every week on promotion. to my knowledge there has never been any sort of "doorbuster" "early bird" special other than perhaps the 6am shopping rush, ha!
ReplyDeletehope that helps!
Go the day AFTER Christmas or better yet on the 27th (after all the returns have been made!) THat is when I find stuff:)
ReplyDeleteJ Crew Girl in Canada:
ReplyDeleteGo after Christmas- I’ve always, always gotten really good deals after Christmas @ J Crew; esp. on cashmere.
my experience has been that J Crew doesn't really do Black Friday.... this year might be an exception but i highly doubt it given the way pricing has been the last few months.
Personally, I feel like they wouldn't have done 50% FS at the B&Ms the other week if they were going to do a mega Black Friday sale.
However, J Crew's sale’s strategy doesn't seem to be very logical.
Anon at 4:26 -- makes the best point -- the returns after christmas brings out sooo many items that were purchased at gifts, likely weeks/ months ago at full price but have since been marked -- it is like a big size/style replenishment of great items!
ReplyDeleteThe lines last year I recall were ridiculously long, however moved quickly and was worth the wait!
I love all the Christmas shopping tips as I've never shopped b&m around the holidays.
ReplyDeleteOkay, stupid question: what is B&M. I'm from Arizona if that helps explain the ignorance...
ReplyDelete