WHEN CAN RETAILERS EXPECT BETTER BUSINESS?

Q:  I keep hearing that better business is around the corner. We are doing okay, but still well down from 2019. What are you hearing?

Steve Pruitt: It is still a bit of a mixed bag, although sentiment has surely improved. We have accounts both in menswear and women’s that are doing 2019 numbers.

In men’s stores, the gains are coming from sportswear categories. We expected this trend and have prepared our merchant stores for the demand.

Not all stores have caught the upswing yet, but overall more stores have made or beat their sales plans for March.

I say to keep a positive point of view. There should be plenty of opportunity over the next six months. Early trends are as expected. Just be sure to land new sportswear assortments and have additional on-order ready to go.

Also, don’t forget about formal categories. The wedding season is around the corner and we are hearing positive chatter about demand for dressy looks.

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