B&M Shopping at Ann Taylor (sad news for me)

Thistle

The only Ann Taylor within an hour of me cut their retail space by more than half, and they are reducing their already limited selection of sizes

Basically, I won't be able to shop their B&M store even when I do get to the mall (which, yes I did this weekend, even if only for an hour )

Only bright news is we are finally getting the long promised Nordies in my state. It will be in place in time for Christmas this year.

11 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from Thistle

Astrid

Veteran

That's too bad. Will the Nordies be near you?

11 years ago

jackiec

Veteran

Aw bad luck. Hopefully the Nordies will be close and good. Crossing my fingers for you!

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Aw, Thistle -- it's really becoming harder and harder to shop in person, isn't it? I have the same issues...I will cross fingers that your Nordies (and mine, coming to a city two hours away!!!) will be full of goodies for us.

11 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

The Nordies will be about a 30 minute drive from my house (less than 7 miles, but still a solid 30 minute drive). So, there is that.

I sort of feel like B&M stores in my area are becoming more and more just a way to return items rather than a shopping experience. I would actually buy more from AT if they offered me free shipping and returns, especially for sizes they don't offer in the store (all GAP brands offer free returns now via mail).

They haven't offered my size of skirts and pants in forever in the store (they only go up to a size 12 in the store). I know nothing of retail, so I have often wondered if they stock stores with a preselected number of each size or if they use statistical modeling to determine what sizes each store needs.

I wonder this because they never seem to have "larger" sizes available. My sister can wear a size 12 (and she was with me), but they had nothing left in the store over a size medium, even in most full priced styles. So she walked away with nothing when there had been a few full priced pieces she had wanted to try on.

11 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

The Ann Taylor closest to me closed last weekend. There is another one in the area it is just further away. One thing I have noticed in the brick and mortar stores including our Nordstrom's is the selection is very limited. I loved to shop the stores but have noticed the selection is just not there.

11 years ago

Peri

Veteran

I wonder what's going on with the company. Someone else...besides Debbie...also said theirs closed recently. Personally I haven't found a single thing I like there for more than a year, and last Fall I shopped there a lot.

I'm also getting mad about their online though. Recently I ordered and returned two things and was out over $20 for nothing. If the chances aree so low that I'm going to like something from there it really is too much of a gamble to order online.

11 years ago

Nebraskim

Veteran

The inability to find sizes over 12 is maddening. I don't know whether they aren't stocked or whether the 14s they stock get snapped up instantly. I have better luck with Ann Taylor's outlet stores (different division of Ann Inc. My niece works at Ann Inc. in NYC for AT Outlet and Loft Outlet, so she has told me a bit about how they source different products for these divisions.) Next time I chat with her, I'll ask about those sizing decisions. Our GAP seems to rarely carry larger sizes (like above 32), and this is in Nebraska, home of bigger-butted people (kind of a joke, but oh-too-true.) The sales racks here are filled with tiny sizes, but the larger sizes are always picked over.

11 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I live in Wisconsin, so yes, we have a similar demographic. Which is why I was so surprised that they didn't carry over a size 12. It does explain why there was nothing over a medium on their racks, though.

Their $175 hurdle for free shipping also makes it hard for me to order a piece or two to try. I really like the $50 limit at GAP or the no limit at Nordies and Amazon

11 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Ugh, I'm sorry, Thistle. Even though a good portion of my wardrobe is AT and Loft, I rarely go into my nearest AT store. The size 14s and XLs are hardly ever there (the Loft store seems a bit better, varying by location; the closest one to my new place is pretty decent and actually carries a lot of AT-ish workwear, not just weekend stuff). Everything else was bought online, secondhand, or at the Factory Store (outlet).

11 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

I so hear you, Thistle. "Department" stores like Macy's and Nordies seem to stock broader size ranges than the smaller, specialty stores. I often feel, perhaps irrationally, that I'm really not welcome there --- that their executives are all like the one from Lululemon. Even when I find stuff that fits, it colors my feeling in the store.

I'm about 20 minutes from the outlets in Kenosha. I find good luck at the Banana Republic outlet and the Loft Outlet. I also usually hit WHBM, Eddie Bauer and J. Crew. Of course, even these outlets cap at at a 14, although it's a bit more generous in cut than the "mainstream" variety.

I propose a new specialty store. I shall call it "Goldilocks:" for those of us who like things that fit "just right!"

11 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I would totally shop there.

11 years ago

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