Meet Jack and Ava; Loehmann’s Discount Designer Buyers

Coming in June to the Loehmann’s Blog:  Buyers LoehDown!

We are so pleased to announce  new authors to our blog here at Loehmann’s. Beginning in June, we shall have postings from our head men’s and women’s clothing buyers.

Jack and Ava shall be authoring blog posts that will give Loehmann’s shoppers greater insight on new and upcoming collections coming into Loehmann’s locations.  With information coming directly from them as they wander through the inner sanctums of the designers’ fashion world, these reports are sure to become tantalizing peeks into upcoming Loehmann’s merchandise. 

Ladies Clothing Buyers, Men’s Clothing Buyers:

At Loehmann’s, our buyers work hard finding the best quality fashion merchandise at the best prices for you.  Jack is head of the men’s division and will be bringing you the latest news on men’s fashions and sportswear coming into Loehmann’s.  Ava handles the women’s designer clothing and will be reporting on the hot new trends and fashion must haves to look out for.

As Loehmann’s buyers, Jack and Ava go directly to the source, negotiating discounts, so you don’t have to. Before the email flyers get printed, before information gets on our “what’s new page”, they will be able to let you know what coming up as the deals are made. While they cannot tell you the names of all the designers directly, both Jack and Ava will be dropping tempting hints and arrival periods so you can plan your shopping accordingly.  It will be like having your own personal shopper, but budget minded to boot!

How does this discount magic happen?

Jack, Ava and their crew of Loehmann’s buyers are extremely conscience of three very important factors that need to all be in place; the label, the price and the actual product. They are looking for a synergy of the elements that make the purchase more than just a great deal; it has to be a Loehmann’s quality deal.

If we are looking at a designer wrap dress, for instance, and the designer label is in high demand, it won’t work if the price is not in line.  In the same vein, if the price is fine, but the label is not in demand at all, then that dress won’t make it to the Loehmann’s selling floor either.  Or it could be a preferred label, at a good price, but either a low quality or just undesirable product and that won’t make it pass Ava’s muster either.

Jack and Ava read the same fashion magazines that you do!

Religious is the word used to describe how Ava subscribes to fashion culture though Jack has a pretty impressive collection of magazines as well. The fashion magazines and celebrity fashion favorites are key elements in making sure that the products that make it to the Loehmann’s floor will be fashion finds and what our customers want to buy.

Local demographics also play a part in the initial purchases; so the Beverly Connection Loehmann’s in trendy LA might have different products than Troy, Michigan just based on the customer’s needs, their attention to image and trends, and the seasonal weather differences.  A Chicago winter is very different than a Phoenix winter and stock is decided on accordingly as well.

The purchases on key items and what has been moving on the floor are also factored in. If, say, a certain name brand of designer jeans are sold out within a few days, then Ava makes sure that stock is replaced if at all possible. We know what Loehmann’s customers want and the buyers do their best to get it.

The same designer labels as department stores at the same time:

Jack and Ava’s goals are to get the same exact designer fashion clothing as your local department stores and speciality stores.  Yes, that is really the same labels with no restrictions. It is not unusual for an item to be in a well known department store at the suggested retail price at the same time the item is at Loehmann’s at a minimum of 40% off the ticketed price.

Direct contact with the various manufacturers also provides “exclusive” access to many labels and products. Loehmann’s cleans them out of overstocks and then has control of the entire off price distribution of that label.

How does fashion apparel become an “Overstock”?

An overstock is not a bad thing at all, though it might sound as like “unwanted” merchandise.

After a designer shows a collection, the buyers form the various department stores and boutiques place their orders.  Then the line goes into production.  Frequently the fabric must be ordered from one manufacturer at a certain standard bulk quantity for pricing and the actual construction of the garment is also ordered by quantity as well. 

So, for instance, if a certain blouse has garnished 800 orders after the initial showing, and it takes one yard of fabric to make each blouse, the design house might still find it in their best interest to order 1200 yards of fabric. Then, when the blouse goes into production, the designer gets better pricing on the manufacturing of 1000 blouses, rather than the needed 800.  The 200 blouses that were not slated for a particular store’s distribution become the overstocks.

Both the original ordered blouses and the overstocks are made in the same place out of the same material at the same time. Instead of the designers trying to find a store to purchase the extra 200 blouses, they sell them to Loehmann’s and then the Loehmann’s buyers deliver them to the selling floor as quickly as possible.

 And you benefit!

Jack, Ava and their legion of buyers comb the designers’ haunts to find you the best deals on current designer fashion.  With the introduction of their voices on this blog, you will have an even greater chance to benefit from their labors, so stay tuned for their insight and fashion tips.

Welcome Jack and Ava!  Let the Buyer’s LoehDown begin!

Tags: Ava's Loehdown, Fashion News, Jack's Buying Hints, Special Deals // 3 Comments »