The 2010 retail Holiday shopping season report....the numbers are good!

As we come to the end of the 2010 Holiday shopping season, I am filled with excitement at the news of the latest posted numbers from this years Christmas blowout in sales.  The retail figures are way up!  Consumers turned out in record numbers this year and were ready to purchase everything from high end luxury items to bargain basement deals.  

According to the National Retail Federation, November and December account for up to 40 percent of annual retail sales and an even greater percentage of annual profits.  It is no wonder the fashion community was breathing a much needed sigh of relief this season as things began to finally return to normal.  Now I know what some of you are thinking, " what improvement"?  Well, for all you doubting Tomas out there, I just so happen to have a copy of the latest figures to back it up.  Here is the complete comparison report for the 2010 retail Holiday shopping season.  Read em and weep....for joy that is!

Pre-Christmas Sales Totals

2010 pre-Christmas sales were $584.3 billion. Pre-recession 2007 pre-Christmas sales were $566.3 billion - MasterCard Advisors Spending Pulse
Pre-Christmas Spending Increases
Retail spending rose 5.5% in the 50 days before Christmas - MasterCard Advisors Spending Pulse
Pre-Christmas Sales Online
Online sales during the holiday season through Christmas Eve rose 15.4% year-over-year to $36.4 billion, according to MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse report.

Super Saturday Sales 2010 vs. Super Saturday Sales 2009
Super Saturday itself accounted for $7.58 billion in sales, a 10.1% increase over the $6.58 billion collected in 2009 (a comparison affected by a Super Saturday blizzard on the East Coast in 2009) - Shopper Trak

Super Saturday 2010 Weekend Sales

Retail sales over Super Saturday weekend (Dec. 17-19) rose 5.5% over the same weekend last year - ShopperTrak.

Super Saturday Foor Traffic in 2010
Foot traffic at the malls was up 3% on the Saturday before Christmas in 2010, compared to 2009 - Shopper Trak

Super Saturday's Significance to Holiday Shoppers in 2010

Nearly 75% of Americans completed their shopping by the end of Super Saturday in 2010 - ICSC
Ten Days Before Christmas - Shopping Statistics

31%-34% of shopping dollars generally change hands in the 10 days prior to Christmas - ShopperTrak

Free Shipping Day Online Increase in 2010
Free Shipping Day sales increased 61% in 2010, compared to the online sales on Free Shipping Day in 2009. - comScore

Free Shipping Day Total Sales 2010
$942 million was spent online on Free Shipping Day in 2010, compared to $586 million on Free Shipping Day 2010 - comScore

Free Shipping Marketing Strategy 2010 52.7% of online purchases included free shipping in the five days prior to Free Shipping Day, which is 12% more than 2009. - ComScore

Green Monday Sales 2010
$954 million was spent on Green Monday (December 13), which was a 12% increase compared to Green Monday, 2009. - comScore

Cyber Monday Sales Increases
Cyber Monday sales at online retail websites were 19.4% higher in 2010, compared to the online sales of Cybe Monday in 2009 - Coremetrics

Cyber Monday Total Sales
$1.028 billion was spent online on Cyber Monday in 2010, the first day in U.S. retail history to surpass the billion-dollar sales level. - comScore

Cyber Monday Mobile Sales
4% of all Cyber Monday shoppers used smartphones and mobile devices to make purchases. - Coremetrics

Total Number of Shoppers on Cyber Monday
9 million people made purchases online on Cyber Monday in 2010. - Comcast

Average Purchases Made Online on Cyber Monday 2010
The average online order on Cyber Monday 2010 was $194.89, which was 8.3% higher than the $180.03 average in 2009. - Coremetrics

Black Friday Sales Figures
$10.69 billion was spent on Black Friday in 2010 - ShopperTrak

Black Friday Weekend Sales
Black Friday weekend sales were $45 billion, compared to $41.2 billion in 2009 - NRF

Average Spent Per Consumer on Black Friday
The average amount spent per consumer on Black Friday, 2010 was $365.34, compared to $343.31 in 2009 - NRF

Total Number of Black Friday Shoppers
212 million shoppers visited stores and online websites on Black Friday, 2010, which was a 9% increase - NRF

Thanksgiving Day Retail Spending in 2010
Consumers spent $407 million on Thanksgiving Day 2010, a 28% increase compared to Thanksgiving Day in 2009. - ComScore

Mobile Commerce 2010
52% of U.S. smartphone users planned to use their phone to compare prices during the holiday season and 40% planned to use their phones to read product reviews. - Google Blog

Online Sales Records in 2010
Six days during the Christmas holiday shopping season saw more than $1 billion in sales - MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse

Total Online Holiday Season Sales
$36.4 billion was spent online by Thursday, the day before Christmas Eve, which was 15.4% more than 2009. - MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse

Fabulous Fashion in " Tron Legacy " the movie

Went to see the latest installment of TRON "Legacy" the movie.  I was stirred to declare a number of scenes in the movie " fashion moments" and quite fabulous from a costume design perspective.  This version soars above the original in special effects; dazzling the mind with a bombardment of high tech imagery.  The fact that I got to see the whole thing in 3D was icing on this futuristic cake.

The clothes remind me of the minimalistic, edgier costumes seen in movies like Gattaca,  The Fifth Element, Blade Runner and The Matrix. 

So make sure you go and see this movie; it is well worth it.  I hope the costume designer wins the Academy award next year. I also wouldn't be surprised if designer inspired " TRON" looks started showing up next season on the fashion runways; WELCOME TO THE FUTURE.

Christmas shopping deals...get in on the action!

sponsored by:  http://www.thedesignprinciples.com/


Happy Holidays!!!! Well, it's that magical time of year again when mass crowds of people flood into the shopping centers, retail stores and online websites to play Santa Clause to all those they hold near and dear; much to the delight of retailers everywhere. Want in on the action my savvy designers?  I don't blame you!  Here are a few tips:

The Holidays represent the largest selling season of the year for the fashion business.  If you are thinking of launching your clothing line, go for a fall season premiere instead of spring; you will stand a greater chance of success with retailers expecting major traffic and posting their highest sales records of the year during the last quarter.  They will need a lot of merchandise to sell and will be more willing to look at new lines to help fill their shelves. 

Headed to the crowded malls to shop?  Why not print up your own Holiday deal cards to pass out...aka, brightly colored sizzle cards with your holiday deals, website, or special discounts you can offer to many shoppers who are looking for special, one of a kind gifts for their loved ones.  Simply lay the colorful cards around as you go through the mall and watch people snatch them up right on the spot!  Becareful of mall security though....some shopping centers consider that soliciting.  Hey, if it works, you will get tons of eager shoppers going to your website looking for deals!  Can you say ca-$hing!

That brings me to my last tip.  Online sales during the Christmas and Holiday selling season have soared in recent years.  If you are just starting out, don't have alot of inventory but still want to make money during the holidays, try using this FREE TIP; use freelance artist websites like http://www.etsy.com/ to list your wares and sell them one at a time.  Once your items are listed, now post comments and links everywhere online in chat rooms, bulletin boards, blogs and even offline (see the last tip above) to promote your items and direct shoppers to your item(s) for sale.  In conclusion, you will have to think outside the box if you want to make it as a successful designer in the fashion business.  Hope these tips help my fashionista devotees....ho, ho, ho...Merrry Christmas!

The current State of Fashion

Business as usual has gone out the window...rather in today's business climate, we must adapt, compromise and negotiate to thrive in this current tough economy. Today's fashion consumer is looking for real value, maximum leverage and results for every dollar they commit.

Financing your Fashion Dream…using a private investor

Private Investors


 When launching your fashion business, you will have many concerns, especially when it comes to financing the enterprise. A private investor may be a wonderful option if you haven’t established much credit yet in your life. Private investors are likely to work closer with you and give you a chance at establishing credit. A private investor may be the way to go if you have a very specific and unique idea that traditional banks may reject, as fashion ventures tend to be regarded as very risky investments.


Private investors are more likely to be found among your family, friends or peers. Sometimes private investors are looking for talent and unique products to finance and can be found advertising online or in a business magazine. Some agencies provide listings of private investors and can help small businesses get hooked up with them. Private investors make excellent financial backers for fashion businesses.

This could be you!!! My Design Principles client, Bolche.com booth at Coterie show in New York

Congratulations Phyllis and Laura, You launched your luxury handbag collection!!!!! Who's Next? Thinking about starting/expanding your own clothing, accessories or jewelry line, but not sure?  Look at what we helped http://www.bolche.com/   to accomplish. Find out more information, go to: www.thedesignprinciples.com

Design Principles clients' Bolche Bags and Something Rebellious by Ben Massing go to New York Fashion Week!

Design Principles does Fsahion week New York! We are proud to have two of our clients, www.bolche.com and www.somethingrebellious.com in the Fall 2010 market week showing in New York City!

Financing your fashion dream Part 1

OK, are you having fabulous visions of cat walking divas dressed head to toe in your clothes dancing in your head? Are you ready to build that fashion House, go national, make a fortune and live like royalty? All you need is the cash to get it started, right? Here is an option that might help.

PERSONAL SAVINGS:  This is perhaps the most reliable, yet overlooked source for funding your fashion dream.  Why? most people think that they cannot afford to start their clothing line on a modest income or savings account.  Truth is, nothing could be further from the truth.  We have helped more housewives and student designers to start their clothing line by setting a budget and a monthly pay plan that allowed them to develop their line over time.  By developing one or two styles at a time, you spread your start up costs over time, allowing you to come up with the money as your line is being created. So, what have we learned?  You dont need tens of thousands of dollars in the bank to launch your fashion dream.   Will it help, sure and we have those clients too.  However, our average clients come to us with less than $5k to work with and pay deposits over time as their samples lines are created.   In fashion, it's not how you start, but how you finish that counts.

Financing your fashion dream...The pre-post

Have you ever wanted to launch or expand a clothing line in the fashion business but lacked signifigant capital to get it off the ground? Dont give up hope! There are several options to help you dear fashionista. This topic is perhaps the number one requested item for advice that people write me about. I have decided to devote the next several articles to this topic. I will go over a variety of finance options that could aid you in your pursuit to starting your clothing, accessories or Jewelry line.

So stay tuned, don't forget to click on the "SUBSCRIBE" button on right hand side so you dont miss any of these great tips I will be dishing out,all for you!

Designer Lance Gordon films short promo infomercial for The Design Principle's client, www.bolche.com

Boy am I tired! I have a new respect for Hollywood. But what an Amazing day! I just got back from a full day of filming at an exclusive production studio for a soon to be huge online shopping venture....shhhhh, mums the word! While I can't reveal all the details yet, what I can tell you is that yours truely was asked to promote www.thedesignpriciples.com and our newly launched client www.bolche.com , a luxury line of highend handbags that is attracting the attention of some of the biggest names in fashion in it's first season. I could not be more proud!

FASHION JOKE OF THE DAY...THE DRESS...warning, very funny!!!!!!!!

sponsored by: www.thedesignprinciples.com

A woman stopped by, unannounced, at her son's house.
...She knocked on the door and then immediately walked in. She was shocked to see her daughter-in-law lying on the couch, totally naked.
Soft music was playing, and the aroma of perfume filled the room.
"What are you doing?!" she asked.
"I'm waiting for John to come home from work," the daughter-in-law answered.
"But you're naked!" the mother-in-law exclaimed.
"This is my love dress," the daughter-in-law explained.
"Love dress? But you're naked!"
"John loves me and wants me to wear this dress," she explained.
"It excites him to no end. Every time he sees me in this dress,
he instantly becomes romantic and ravages me for hours on end. He can't get enough of me"

The mother-in-law left.
When she got home, she undressed, showered, put on her best perfume, dimmed the lights, put on a romantic CD, and laid on the couch, waiting for her husband to arrive.Finally, her husband came home.
He walked in and saw her laying there ever so provocatively.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"This is my love dress." she whispered sensually.
"Needs ironing," he said. "What's for dinner?

He never heard the gunshot