Wal-mart has taken a very clear stand and is returning to its core business: Simple, staple basic items for the whole family…
In their stores at least!
Our recent trips to the several Wal-mart locations yielded a wildly different reaction this fall (versus last fall) as all of the fashion merchandise had essentially evaporated. Gone was the Metro 7 rack with silk skirts, gone were the hip jeans in every wash and gone were the frilly shirts, hip sweaters and wild accessories. Back in the mix were tons of licensed tees, licensed fleece tops and generic denim, outerwear and staple basic items. Wal-mart is going back to it’s core strengths and is offering only the most basic goods in all departments. In Juniors, we did still find some NoBo merchandise thought it was the licensed tee wall that was the most important. In men’s, girls and boys the pattern was repeated with licensed tees at the heart of the selection. In girl’s we still found some Mary Kate and Ashley as well as a rack of Hillary Duff’s Stuff line, but that was as fashionable as it got. Of note: The branded fashion merchandise was priced almost double what the Faded Glory coordinated sportswear was tagged at in girls! In toddlers and infants, George is still a featured name while Baby Connection keeps the core equation balanced out.
   

At Wal-mart online though, things are looking a little different! We found this new collection called Z.B.D. Design that Wal-mart is quietly launching exclusively online. Apparently, Wal-mart’s online customers are skewing a bit wealthier and can therefore afford the higher prices and can perhaps have use for the coordinated ‘up to the minute’ fashions that are offered. The looks are very ‘office’ with swing jackets, print dresses and trousers that are all mix and match-able. According to a report on the subject, Wal-mart will be taking a wait and see approach to this collection. If the feedback and sales are good, they will continue to offer fashion merchandise to their online clientele only.

Take a look at some of the category leaders at Wal-mart!
 
 
 
 
 

The woven shirt area featured our favorite item: A woven shirt layered over a hooded tee; talk about value! Pirates are a huge theme (whether they are from Disney or not) and Levis signature jeans bring some branded strength (and a heftier price tag) to the department.

Knit Tops
       
 

Woven Tops
       

Woven Bottoms
       

Sets
       
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