Darlings, is it time for a J.Crew coupon code?

"Thanks!" to Lesley, Marika , LaDolceVita (in this post), GigiOfCA & Marietta (in this post) and others who let us know that J.Crew is offering free shipping on orders of $150+ with promo code HARVEST. This offer expires 10/8/08.
Also, "thanks!" to Enigmatic (in this post), and Kathleen (in this post) who let us know that J.Crew is offering free shipping on orders of $100+ with promo code ACORN. This offer expires 10/8/08.

And "thanks!" again goes to Crew_Girl_In_Canada (in this post), who let us know that J.Crew is offering free shipping on Canadian orders of $150+ with promo code CANADA. This offer expires 10/8/08.

The Great (Weekly) Exchange

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who want to swap/sell/share among yourselves. This post is where you can mention your items and outside listing/ auction site (like eBay and eCrater & the corresponding user ID). Please note: this posting is not for resellers.

Individual members can also request in this post, items that they are looking for and interested in buying. :)

Please note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Do you have any items you would like to swap/sell/share among yourselves through your outside listing/auction site? Is there an item (or items) that you are looking for and interested in purchasing?

Article On J.Crew Attracting "Shoppers With Cupcakes and Jeans"

There is another interesting article (click here) over at Crain's New York about J.Crew's marketing tactics to get customers shopping.J. Crew lures shoppers with cupcakes and jeans
By Adrianne Pasquarelli
October 3, 2008

Retailer J. Crew is pulling out all of the stops as analysts predict the worst holiday shopping season in years. To get shoppers through the door, Madewell, J. Crew’s casualwear shop, hosted a “Denim After Dark” party Thursday evening. Boasting a mojito bar, disc jockey and desserts, the party also offered “fit consultants” and discounts on denim and other items.

On a previous visit, shopper Shelby Donovan found a pair of jeans she liked but could not afford the $115 price-tag. Last night, lured by the promise of free drinks and cupcakes, along with a $25-off discount, she returned to Madewell’s Soho location to purchase the pants. “I probably wouldn’t have bought them otherwise,” she said.

The monthly event is the latest strategy implemented by the retailer to increase spending on its higher priced clothing as the economy craters and experts warn that deep discounting is no longer enough to motivate consumers.

Retailers, the experts say, need to step up marketing and promotions. Candace Corlett, president of WSL Strategic Retail, said that many apparel and design companies need to uplift shoppers’ moods by using humor and wit to prompt buying. Such a tool has been effectively utilized before by New York retailers such as Kenneth Cole, which is now employing political election witticisms to connect with shoppers.

Madewell’s parent company, J. Crew, can use all of the help it can get. Friedman Billings Ramsey analyst Adrienne Tennant initiated coverage of the retailer’s stock with a “market perform” rating, and its share price suffered a sharp 7% decline Thursday as a result. “We believe that the deteriorating consumer environment will next affect higher-income households, which we believe J. Crew primarily targets,” wrote Ms. Tennant in a note. In Friday morning trading, the company’s stock was flat at $25.36.

What do you think about the article? Do you think these marketing tactics will attract customers during the holiday season?

Seek & Find: Will you visit J.Crew this Weekend?

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale items at our various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If you are stopping by a J.Crew store this weekend to take advantage of the "secret sales", the additional 20%-50% off final sale items (percentage ranges from store to store), or to see the additional Fall arrivals, maybe you might be willing to share that with us in this post. In particular, if you could share with us a few of the sale items that are available, at what prices, and potential sizes the store is carrying (as well as the store location)- that would be fantastic! Thanks in advance!!! :)

P.S. I noticed that many of you have already been reporting sale items (and in which stores) in other posts which by the way "thank you!" :) For example, Anonymous at 5:49PM (in the post "Love It Or Leave It: Timex Watch For J.Crew") let us know that her local store was carrying an additional 40% off final sale, and was able to purchase the velvet ecole jacket for $78. She also let us know about a secret sale on cashmere tees for $99. I really love how helpful we are for each other!

Article On J.Crew's Performance

The following is an article from Forbes (click here) on J.Crew's financial performance.

Analyst initiates J. Crew at 'Market Perform'
Associated Press
October 2, 2008

Shares of J.Crew Group Inc. sagged Thursday, after an analyst initiated coverage of the apparel retailer with a "Market Perform" rating amid a difficult environment. Shares fell $2.06, or 7.5 percent, to $25.43. The stock has traded between $23.97 and $51.96 during the past 52 weeks.

Friedman Billings Ramsey analyst Adrienne Tennant wrote in a note late Wednesday that the economic environment will continue to weaken at the high end, which hurts retailers such as J.Crew. As consumers cut back on spending amid financial-market turmoil, rising food and gas prices and a prolonged housing slump, retailers that focus on low cost and discounts have been faring better than those sticking to higher price-points.

"We believe that the deteriorating consumer environment will next affect higher-income households, which we believe J.Crew primarily targets," Tennant wrote. Tennant added that channel checks show J.Crew has been increasing its promotional activity because of high inventory going into the third quarter.

"We believe inventory growth may continue to outpace sales trends, and this could result in margin pressure and, therefore, margin contraction in the near term," Tennant wrote. She also expects same-store sales, or sales in stores open at least one year, could slide for several quarters amid week sector-wide traffic trends. "We are cautious given the overall negative headwinds the company-and our entire specialty apparel sector-faces over the coming 12 to 18 months," Tennant wrote. She put a $25 price target on the retailer's shares.

I found the line about J.Crew increasing promotional activity interesting as it explains all those additional emails we have been receiving. (Like multiple emails announcing the same sale or all the additional emails being sent to card members.) I am curious to see how the economy's current condition will impact J.Crew in the next few months.

What are your thoughts on the article? What actions do you think J.Crew should pursue in order to maintain sales levels?

J.Crew's Personal Shopper Offer Is Back: Free Style Advice & 20% Off Your Order

A big "thanks!" to Janice who let us know that J.Crew is having another personal shopper offer. If you schedule an appointment with a J.Crew personal shopper by Monday, October 13, 2008, you can receive 20% off all the (regular priced) items you purchase in addition to receiving style advice. There is a $175 merchandise minimum in order to take advantage of the 20% off. (The minimum threshold has increased from the last personal shoppers offer, which had a $100 minimum.)

Do you think you will take advantage of this latest promotion? Is this a good incentive on J.Crew's part to get their customers more accustomed to using a personal shopper at J.Crew?

J.Crew's Final Sale.... Here to Stay?

We have all been wondering if J.Crew's sale will permanently remain "final" or will expire eventually. An associate at J.Crew (Anonymous at 4:02PM in the post "Love It Or Leave It: Timex Watch For J.Crew") was kind enough to share with us the following:

"I'm an associate, and I have been told that the final sale policy is more or less going to be a permanent thing. I believe (and sincerely hope) that it will be suspended for holiday, as obviously gifts + final sale doesn't work very well. I can't speak for the website, but I would imagine that after holiday, both the stores and website will keep this policy for awhile, if not permanently. Disclaimer: this is what I have been told my management, but I (and they) could always be wrong. And before you ask, I'm not sure why they do it. It is an annoyance to us also because people get upset at us all day when we break the news to them. Just know that most of us aren't fans, either."

First, "thanks!" again to the associate- I always appreciate hearing from J.Crew associates and find their insights valuable (and I am grateful whenever they post). :) Second, I am a bit bummed to see the "final sale" will be sticking around. Although, I have to admit that I am use to seeing final sale at this point so I am not as deterred from shopping as I once was. ;)

What are your thoughts about the "final sale" remaining? Do you think that J.Crew should lift the "final sale" for the holiday season? Has the "final sale" deterred your shopping of sale items at J.Crew?

J.Crew's Book: Rules Of Engagement

There is an interesting article (click here) over at GQ about J.Crew's latest offering.

The Rules of Engagement
By Johnathan Durbin
October 01, 2008

As reported earlier, J.Crew's first book is finally available. (And nope, it's not the latest masterwork from Mitch Albom.) Written by Max Blagg and illustrated by Hugo Guinness, What a Man Should Know is a collection of 50 (very) whimsical tips for the modern male. So what should you know? Chess, wine, and figure-drawing, yes, but also:

- Where Jackson Pollock is buried: "Jackson lies beneath an enormous rock in Green River Cemetery, East Hampton, NY. Also interred in the same graveyard are several other great Americans, including Frank O'Hara, Lee Krasner, and the divine muse Patsy Southgate. Take an afternoon off from the beach to pay your respects."

- How to properly fold a newspaper (broadsheet, not tabloid): "And under extreme or life-threatening conditions, be prepared to fashion it into a weapon on the lines of the so-called 'Millwall Brick' favored by certain English soccer hooligans."

- When to ignore certain rules of clothing etiquette: "For instance, the canard that he should not bedeck himself in shades of white or linen fabrics once Labor Day has come and gone. Refuse such orthodoxy! You're a big boy now. You can dress yourself."

$20, available at jcrew.com, and at the J.Crew Tribeca Men's Shop at the Liquor Store, 235 W. Broadway, NYC, (212) 226-5476

I am not sure I would spend $20 for a book about whimsical tips. Although I find the topics interesting, I am certain that if I gave this book to my husband or my brother, they would not read it. Also, considering the book's cover says "Volume I", should we be expecting J.Crew to create additional volumes?

What are your thoughts about this book? Do you think it is a smart move on J.Crew's part to offer this? Do you think you will purchase this book?

Product Review: Metallic Giraffe Day Coat

Metallic giraffe day coat
Click here for product page
Item 96171
Regular: $425.00
Now: $129.99

When I first saw this jacket being offered, I did not think much of it. I neither liked or loathed it. However, (like so many of you,) when I saw this coat marked down from $425 to $129, I just had to give this coat a second look. ;) After the application of an additional 40% off (in addition to the educator's 15% off), the coat was a "must have" for me to get at $66.

Now that I have received the coat, I am happy with it (although I don't "love it"). The fabric (described as "Korean cotton/metallic thread cloque jacquard exclusively woven for J.Crew") is actually a lot lighter than I expected it to be. The sleeves could also be an inch or two longer. A Winter coat it is not. A cold Fall day coat it is not either. The metallic thread fabric itself, really does "pop" on this coat too. If the sun hits you just right, you will be glowing while walking anywhere. :)

When it comes to sizing I would stick to your normal size. For example, I am typically a 0-2 in jackets and a size 2 in coats. I got this coat in a size 2 and I am happy that I did. Although the body of the coat is loose, the shoulders are quite narrow. Also, the back of the coat could really use a slit on the bottom of the coat (which unfortunately it does not). Without a slit, the jacket looks slightly awkward from the side, when your hands are in the coat's pockets.

As for the "Mandarin collar with perfectly tied ribbon at neck", it is beautiful. The bow is exceptionally adorable when the collar is closed. However the bow looks a bit "out of place" when the collar is un-button. Thankfully, the buttons are super easy to use (they are snap buttons). (Very much unlike the Katie sweater's buttons!)

Moreover, the fully lined interior of the jacket is lovely with its "interior contrast piping" alongside the "grosgrain trim at interior waistband" (which I think is one of J.Crew's signature moves).

Lastly, would I recommend others to buy this coat? For $425, I would definitely not. This is not a coat that I find exceptional in its quality, warmth, or style. I think Aficionadas would be better off with a Stadium-cloth Bridget coat or a Wool-cashmere plaza coat, in terms of warmth and ability to be used for any occasion and for multiple years. However, for $120 (or in my case $66), I would purchase this coat to wear (alongside my other coats) during this Fall season.

What are your thoughts on the Metallic giraffe day coat? Would you buy it or leave it? If you already own this coat, please let us know what you think. :)

J.Crew Email: Final sale. New styles. In store & online.

J.Crew sent an email announcing that new styles have been added to their final sale both online and in-stores.

Also, "thanks!" to Julie, Victoria, and others who let me know about this email- I really appreciate it! :)

Did you find there were lots of new styles added to the final sale? Were you able to purchase any new items online or in stores? If so, please let us know! :)