The tug-of-war between tuxedo manufacturers and buyers continues as line launches and meetings set for the next 30 days approach. Both sides are digging their heels into the dirt, determined not to flinch, as the men’s formal wear business suffers the worst period in its history.
A statement released last week on eWedNews by the tuxedo business’ second largest buyer, Jim’s Formal Wear, was revisited today. Gary Davis of Jim’s stood by his statement saying new tuxedo fashion needs to be promoted as such to create demand and traffic to stores that support the product. Davis added that new styles shown and booked once the customer was “in the store” serves little purpose. "We need to get customers excited and motivate them to visit a tuxedo store in search of new items," feels Davis.
The information is being discussed with numerous formal wear stores across the country agreeing with Jim’s position. “It makes perfect sense,” according to Steve Petix, owner of Steve Petix Formal Wear in Michigan. Petrix’s business is comprised mainly of sub-renting formal wear to regional stores and has been doing so for decades. Like Jim’s, Petix and other sub-renters say they have seen a steep decline in advertising and promotions for new formal wear rental items. Many say it has been non-existent.
At the store level, rental specialists like Esposito's Tux Shop in Kingston, New York, say times are tough. Owner, Peter Esposito told eWN, “I don’t remember the last big success (style) we’ve had in the business; it’s been years.” Countless others say they agree, including Mike Gardner of Siegel's Tuxedos in San Francisco. “Manufacturers have not done a very good job of late; we no longer know what to buy or from who,” citing basic necessities like ivory shirts.
Concerns over the health of U.S manufacturers are now becoming global, as eWedNews is getting calls from across the sea. New formal wear suppliers are calling us to explore the possibility of delivering quality goods at a fair price… (yawn). However, one claims to believe in our reporting and is proposing some PROMOTION to CONSUMERS. A meeting is being explored and could happen in time for spring, 2011 delivery.
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2010
Posted on 07/28/2010
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