I'd hate to be a manufacturer of woman's clothes these days because we consumers can be such a fickle, demanding bunch. One year we swarm all over a line because it tickles our fancy and the next year we yawn and call it boring. We want a full range of sizes and fits, at price points which acknowledge our budget woes and splurges. If the company operates at retail level, we want well-stocked stores, knowledgeable staff, and generous return polices, along with regular opportunities to snag items at half price. A good online site with free shipping and returns is also important. And, since we are concerned about ethical issues regarding our clothing, we want quality items that don't rely on disadvantaged workers in foreign countries or use techniques which pollute the environment.
I sometimes wonder how small market (and Canada is a small market compared to the US) manufacturers manage to keep their heads above water. One misstep and they are filing for bankruptcy protection. No solutions here, but I sometimes wonder if I'm being disingenuous in lamenting the closing of another Canadian company while ignoring how my shopping habits and expectations fit into the picture.
Goodbye Danier--it was fun while it lasted. And I hope Rudsak, Soia and Kyo, Pink Tartan, La Canadienne, and the rest of our great Canadian brands don't end up on the same road.
