Slim Pickings at Once-Robust Outlets Offer a Clue to the 2009 Holidays

13.11.09

CLOSTER, N.J., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The line of work between outlet stores and mainstream retail is blurring this feast season as even upscale and luxury chains ratchet back their inventories and scar prices. The success or failure of these value-focused strategies will choose whether some operators manage to stay afloat in 2010, according to Alan Cohen, Chairman of Abacus Advisors, a Closter, N.J.-based turnaround and restructuring jargon CIA.

"You can learn a lot simply by walking into stores and observing," said Cohen, who has more than 30 years of sagacity working with distressed businesses in all aspects of management and operations. "Throughout the summer and use, stores at outlet malls like Woodbury Common [in Inner Valley, N.Y.] typically are full of great stuff. However, this year inventories appeared to be beacon at the likes of Neiman Marcus' Last Call or Saks' Off 5th. Since these and other better retailers were discounting heavily in their mainline stores, they didn't have as much dissipation inventory to send to their outlet locations."

Source: PR Newswire (press release)