Do you think the traditional fashion calendars are hurting department stores?

[Pink Jazz]

With the traditional seasonal fashion calendar of spring/summer (January-June for most brands) and fall/winter (July-December for most brands), department stores typically stock what the fashion companies give them, regardless of region, since most fashion companies do not produce region-specific collections. However, with the proliferation of online shopping, those in warm climates can buy available stock of spring/summer clothes year-round, while those in very cold climates can buy fall/winter stock while it is still cold in the early part of the spring/summer selling cycle.

Does anyone think that with online shopping, the traditional fashion calendars are hurting department stores? I am pretty sure the polar vortex isn't helping the department stores sell the spring/summer clothes that are on shelves now, and I have read that some areas affected by the polar vortex are already facing a shortage of fall/winter clothes. I am pretty sure that many in Florida/Texas/Arizona/Hawaii probably would prefer to buy spring/summer clothes year-round if given the choice, while those in Minnesota/North Dakota would prefer to wait until it gets warmer to buy their spring/summer clothes instead of buying them in January or February.

 

[Judge]

It's been a forgone conclusion for some time that online sales come at the expense of major and traditional department stores, apart from many other "brick and mortar" retailers. Regardless of seasonal sales concerns.

Convenience shopping online seems to trump well....everything.

Sears, Macy's, and J.C. Penney's Pain Is Amazon.com's Gain -- The Motley Fool

 

[Mia]

Your right about that Pink Jazz, fashion has long been related to fashion house seasons and shows in europe that it's as if only the people who can afford designer clothing are the ones they cater to. People who spend their winters in warmer climates.

Yet most people buy during the seasons when they need the clothing, not ahead of time. It's minus fifteen celsius here, and if I wanted to go out and buy a pair of warm boots, I would have make the trek to a sports equipment/outdoor clothing store. As all the fashionable stores are selling boots with heels without linings for warmth. And dresses, skirts, pants, and blouses for the spring and summer now. Ludicrous.

 

[Pink Jazz]

Your right about that Pink Jazz, fashion has long been related to fashion house seasons and shows in europe that it's as if only the people who can afford designer clothing are the ones they cater to. People who spend their winters in warmer climates.

Yet most people buy during the seasons when they need the clothing, not ahead of time. It's minus fifteen celsius here, and if I wanted to go out and buy a pair of warm boots, I would have make the trek to a sports equipment/outdoor clothing store. As all the fashionable stores are selling boots with heels without linings for warmth. And dresses, skirts, pants, and blouses for the spring and summer now. Ludicrous.

It's not just the premium and luxury brands that have the spring clothes out now; even mid-range brands (including my favorite, IZOD) already have some of their spring clothes available now.

 

[Peter Morrison]

Aside from wanting or needing a warm coat after the temperature drops, online retail is killing the traditional department store and shopping mall businesses. I don't follow fashion, so I can't comment on the availability of current fashions, either in-store or online. Online shopping has strong support from consumers because you can get what you want from anywhere in the world. I still enjoy the brick and mortar shopping experience because you can try clothes on and examine quality up close. It is too expensive for retailers to stock items for all tastes in all of their stores, so they are like slowly sinking ships. Less traffic in shopping malls also robs the other, lesser-known stores from potential sales as well. Online shopping is taking over and its popularity will not diminish. It's too convenient, but we lose an important aspect of our consumer culture experience by making fewer trips to malls or the city center. That robs us of seeing other people and making a pleasurable experience out of recreational shopping.

There is a lot of junk available online. There are quality products as well. In my opinion, online shopping is like doing research. It's not as much fun as experiencing 100 different items all in the same place with varying prices, styles, colors, and sizes that you can touch and try. You get what you want today, and you don't have to wait for it, nor worry about porch pirates. Online options are good for almost everyone, especially those who live far from shopping venues and those who are house-bound. Online lets you buy a present for someone without having to wrap it and stand in line at the post office.

Both options are great, but I don't like watching an old cultural tradition die in the name of progress. Without shopping, you have fewer reasons to leave the house. That's not good for society.