If
you are stopped
by a J.Crew store this past weekend
to see what's available (if
anything!) in the SALE, or to see some NEW ARRIVALS
{sigh!} in person, 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 noteworthy items
that are available, at what
prices, and potential sizes the
store is carrying (as well as the
store location)- that would be
fantastic!Also, please let us know if your local store was/ is carrying an additional percent off sale. Thanks in advance!!! :)
Unrelated, but thought it'd be interesting to the JCA community: http://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/articles/2015-12-04/j-crew-s-goodwill-writedown-latest-sign-of-trouble
ReplyDeleteThat is sad. I hope things will turn around for the company in 2016. They really need to stay focused and keep tweaking their stuff, go back to its roots, and make the clothes of good quality again, not just for collection but for all of its merchandise.
DeleteYikes - those are some tough stats. Too bad. Then again, this is the company that is still trying to sell 2015 calendars on December 7, 2015. I wonder if Mickey has checked the website recently. Does he even know what he's selling?
DeleteThe article mentions that older women are the only ones who can afford the price points but have aged out of the college-y styles. A very wealthy 50-something women that I know was rocking JC's $500 collarless coat last week - she looked amazing (I doubt she shops retail often). I think JC Collection still works for a lot of people, but not when they veer off into faux denim pajama shirt jackets. Mickey can turn this thing around if he makes beautiful and wearable fashion and leaves the stupid design behind. The 40-60 crowd has $ and wants better alternatives, whereas the 20-30 something crowd may prefer the fast fashion.
DeleteOops, I meant the sleeveless coat. Just like JC, I need to do better quality control!
DeleteI think it's lazy arguement to imply the young people only want fast fashion at H&M. While it's true when you're younger, 35 and under, making less money and still paying off tremendous student loans, your budget is smaller, but myself and plenty of people in my office want nice quality staples. We don't buy them as often, but when we do, we want them to be nice and we want them to last. Mickey seems to incapable of grasping that many people shop at different stores for different wardrobe needs. No, I'm not likely to buy a full price t-shirt at JCrew, no matter what the quality. The only thing that can make me pay more for a t-shirt is ethics, knowing it's not made in China and JCrew's ship sailed along time ago on that one.
DeleteJessica, I agree with everything you wrote. They've used the same tired argument for women's vs. men's offerings, too - that women want "candy" while men want classic, good-quality items. And yet, their numbers continue to decline.
DeleteSad. The ship is listing pretty severely. I hope it can be turned around. I became a more frequent/loyal jcrew shopper in 09/10. I don't remember the % off promos being as frequent back then, but, I have been so conditioned to it now that I never buy regular price. I feel like full price must mean they are ripping me off. I didn't feel like that a few years back. Now each week is a new promo.
DeleteDespite some gripes, I love the Jcrew brand. I don't log into other blogs about retailers to complain and then continue to shop there, lol. I just stop shopping there. I want them to survive this mess. It is probably time for Mickey to move on. From all these interviews I read, he just blathers the same thing over again. Some company heads excel at certain things only, and then move on once that is accomplished. Maybe this situation is just not Mickey's thing. They need an intervention and he isn't exactly quick on his feet or inspiring confidence. I never knew much about him before this site. I do know that other CEO's would certainly have been yanked by now.
Very old but interesting article about Drexler's arrival at JCrew. Some very interesting nuggets in it when viewed through the lens of the retailer's problems today.
Deletehttp://nymag.com/nymetro/news/bizfinance/biz/features/10489/
Oh, my.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that. It is not a good thing that the company is recognizing its brand is losing value among customers because it means they won't pay a premium price for its products.
ReplyDeleteThis is actually a bigger deal than even the quarterly losses and it makes me really sad.
Sorry that was supposed to be a reply to Phoebe and it didn't work ...
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletethe sale section is back to 40% off with a sub section for 50% off. this flip flop pricing is crazy. C
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the link, Phoebe. I agree with ruffles, that is sad news. I wonder what 2016 will bring for JC...
ReplyDeleteTotally OT, but in the season finale of HBO's "The Leftovers", Erica (played by Regina King) spent the episode in the J.Crew Chiffon Dress in Marble Print (E0709). That show, and the second season, was amazing! Regina King looked great in the dress too :-)
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I are going to start watching season 2 on HBO Go soon...I'm glad to hear it is a great season! And I look forward to seeing the marble print dress.
DeleteOT as well but pretty sure Savannah was wearing the Ladt Day Coat in yellow for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Looked great onscreen.
ReplyDeleteI went by my local store yesterday to make a return and had them check inventory on E5012, Brushed wool-blend sweater in plaid, navy/cardinal. This sweater was totally sold out last week online and in store. The returns must be rolling in because I found one. It is coming from a store in Chicago. The SA told me that it had been returned and they had just boxed it up to send back to online but would retrieve it and sell it to me. Number one, I don't see why they didn't have this in stores to begin with. It is an adorable sweater and great for the holiday and number two why are they wasting time sending it back, just put it out and I assure you someone will buy it. It seems like a waste of time to send stuff back to the warehouse, have someone deal with it there, wait for someone to order and reprocess for it to go back out again. Good grief Charlie Brown!!! No wonder people get stuff that looks worn, it has probably been around the world before it finds it way to you!
ReplyDeleteIt doesnt make s sense to just put out just one sweater.for once it doesnt have a "designated" place,for two it would be ordered faster than sold amd would have to be shipped anyway:)
DeleteI always wish they'd put all/most returns out on the floor. It would be fun to find an online-only treasure in the store. I understand it wouldn't have a designated spot and maybe they'd make the store look messier, which I guess is what the company doesn't want. And I guess there would be some irate customers wanting to know why there are no other sizes in such-and-such. But I think most customers would like it. Even if my size weren't the one that was returned, it would be nice to see fabric, color, etc before I'd order it.
DeleteYes, I agree. I love seeing items that are not in store. I think if this particular item had been a store item it would have gone through the roof. I can't wait to get mine. I know J.Crew has reasons why they do things but they aren't working out so well are they? As you all know, I love some J.Crew about 95% of the time but I do get frustrated. I do go to the clearance store a lot but I also spend a lot of money with retail as well. Wondering if they are sending out Christmas presents this year? I have gotten them in years past but haven't heard anyone say they got anything yet. Just curious.
DeleteI got a "A Donation has been made in your name" card over the weekend. Looks like no gifts this year. Which I think is disappointing. I love my little notebook gifts from previous years. A $20 gift card would have been preferable to this, I think. Maybe I'm just greedy.
DeleteI got the donation card too. Here is the text (don't read it if you want to be surprised!):
Delete"As a thank-you for being one of our best customers, we're making a donation in your name to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a Kenya-based charity we love that's been rescuing orphaned elephants and rhinos since 1977. It's our way of saying thanks a ton. Actually six tons, if you want to get technical. xo Jenna"
Is J. Crew unique in not showing so much of their offerings in their retail stores? I feel like most middle-tier retailers like J. Crew had the stuff in the stores at some point, if it is for sale on the web site. Lands End, for example. If I see it online or in the catalog, I can be pretty sure I can see it in the store (Sears).
DeleteI think it's a great charity, but it just seemed weird given their previous holiday gifts. But at least the elephants are getting something (and I do mean that) :)
DeleteThat's actually a brilliant idea. Instead of spending money on production to make notebooks, spend that budget and donate it to a wildlife trust! Best move J.Crew has done (that I've heard..) in a while.
DeleteImagine all those animals slaughtered for their ivory.
I agree, I think that the store selection is lacking this holiday season. I don't understand why they didn't include one of the brushed plaid sweaters in the store offerings...particularly the cardigan. My store is a sea of solid, crew-neck options...Holly, (Not so) Perfect Cable, and Tippi...and I feel like most of it isn't selling. The longer plaid cardigan would have been a nice alternative
DeleteI know. I keep peeking in for cardigans, too...
DeleteYea, if it's not on sale yet, I think it's an issue of where it would go. The sale section is the only catch all section. Also I don't think packing and shipping is the reason behind the worn look. JCrew products are now being made of such poor quality that they can't stand up to being tried on more than a few times and JCrew refuses to take responsibility for their inventory by discarding, donating, or sending these items to a clearance/outlet store.
ReplyDeleteI hit up the Lynchburg clearance store today on my way back home from a UVA visit. I was extremely disappointed in the inventory. I didn't go home empty-handed, though! Bought a black long-sleeved cashmere tee, the relaxed cashmere pullover in a cobalt blue, the relaxed merino wool pullover in lemon, a really cool pair of pull-on herringbone knit pants (say SAMPLE on the inside - but I think they would have done well had they made it to retail!), and a pair of Factory d'orsay suede pumps in a nude shade. Shoes were 35% off & everything else was 30% so my total came to $188. I also tried on the Martie pants in wool for the first time & found them to be TINY. I liked the silhouette, though, & might order them today (in the next size up!) with the 40% off in the brown colorway.
ReplyDeleteThere were a LOT of holey & pilled sweaters this time... I wonder if the eBay resellers had just made a sweep of the place.
I think the clearance stores get really picked over on the weekends. I have found that Friday afternoon is a great time to go or first thing Saturday morning when they have the store fully stocked for the weekend. If I can't get there right at 10:00 on Saturdays then I usually skip it. Where I have been going pretty frequently, I have seen some of the same people there along with me. There is one lady that is shopping for her daughter and she stays on the phone with her the entire time trying to describe things to her and asking if she wants them. I think they get their shipments mid week and it takes them until the end of the week to process and get it on the floor.
DeleteSo what you're saying is I should always schedule my son's neuro appts for Fri AM. Got it! ;)
DeleteI would say yes if that is possible. I know when you are seeing a specialist that can be difficult. I wish you and your son all the best and a Merry Christmas my fellow clearance store shopper.
DeleteThank you DD, you too!
DeleteJcrew factory is now offering 35% off and free shipping (40% off clearance) with code YULESHOP. You can get some great deals with the current prices but I'm sure they will be increased in the AM. I don't shope there much but I purchased the black watch scarf (E6357) and it is a nice, 100% wool scarf! The price now is less than $14 and it is definitely worth that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, I just got a small price adjustment on an order I placed last week.
DeleteFantastic-thanks! Also working (for now) on the vests... $38 is hard to pass up!
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