Home > Mini Snoops > News & Tools: Los Angeles Retail Buzz (June 2004) Los Angeles Retail Buzz! June 09, 2004 Los Angeles is in full spring and summer mode with the western department stores rolling out their sassiest sellers yet. There are some surprise hold overs such as camouflage prints in all sizes and a few different color combos. Denim is still hot in all sizes with styling ranging from hot to humble workman and everything in between. Punkish details, plaids and very visible belts and tchotchkes are still very much a part of the what is selling scene in all sizes and colors once again. We hit the main retailers that represent the west coast ‘mall’ shopping experience and found the hot sellers. Most retailers experienced a stellar start to spring with surprising upturns in sales despite the fact that Memorial day sales figures will actually carry over into June’s reporting period for this year. That makes the month of May’s gains even more impressive and is the reason for the sudden boost in optimism across the retail board. Below you’ll find some facts and figures as well as a quick glimpse of the key sellers from the Los Angeles major retailers! Take a closer look at the best sellers from Los Angeles! Macy's Mervyn's Robinson's May Macy's Federated Department Stores Inc. increased its second-quarter sales outlook after reporting May sales advanced a better-than-expected 2.9 percent at stores open at least a year. Total sales for the month rose by 3.3 percent, to $1.72 billion, from almost $1.14 billion in the same month last year. That compares to a decline of 1.2 percent in that year-ago period. As a result of the strong numbers, Federated increased its May-to-July same-store sales guidance to a range of between 4 percent and 5 percent, from 2 percent to 4 percent. Sales were strongest in women's ready-to-wear, accessories, shoes, cosmetics, men's sportswear and luggage, said Carol Sanger, vice president of corporate communications at Federated. Hot Sellers Sets rule, in fact, the more pieces you can tack onto the set, the better! Rompers that are blowing out include a matching panty and a hat. The best selling soft plaid dress by Polo is also paired with a panty. The heart embroidered gauze top paired with the crochet trimmed pant has been blowing out, we are told. Lastly, Polo’s piped mini and Carters’ dot and flower shell have also been doing well we are told. Click on the photos below to enlarge! Top Mervyn's While most U.S. retailers experienced strong sales in May, Mervyn's posted negative sales numbers for the second straight month. Hayward-based Mervyn's, owned by Target Corp., saw same-store sales decrease 6.5 percent from the prior year's period. Same-store sales are now down 2.7 percent for the year. Hot Sellers At Mervyn’s, florals are hot according to the associate. The big and bold floral screened mod dress has been blowing out while the tie dye and discrete floral embroidered dress has been doing very well. Also on the hot list are embroidered short sets, all over printed floral tees and soft pink fleece cardigans with rounded fronts. Click on the photos below to enlarge! Top Robinson's May The May Department Stores Company reported preliminary net sales of $978 million for the four-week period ended May 29, 2004, a 2.7% decrease from $1.01 billion in the similar period last year. Store-for-store sales decreased 3.8%. Store-for-store sales for the month of May decreased 3.1%, excluding the remaining 18 stores that May previously announced it will divest. Hot Sellers Here, like at Macy’s, sets rule. Hats are important add ons that customers respond to, we are told. Also hot are ready for giving sets that are wrapped in netting and include shoes, a hat and a hanger! Most of the hot sellers here are still on the pastel side with pinks and powder denims doing best but some nautical styling and colorations are selling well too. Click on the photos below to enlarge! Top