Early fall markdowns

Q: I’ve seen some of the big department stores marking down early fall merchandise. Is this a promotional trend, or will fall be softer than previously expected?

A: There are a few large retailers who ask customers to sign up to buy fall merchandise early for a discount. This is a regular planned promotion and not an indication that fall will be softer than we expect, or that we’ll have to start marking down earlier than usual.

Here it Blacks, we predict mid-single-digit growth for the fall season. My best advice is to move forward with your own planned promotions and make the most of the season, since spring ’12 may be soft.