Distressing shrinking petite departments

Been meaning to start a discussion thread about this topic. When I have been shopping the last few weeks or so, I've noticed a distressing shrinking of petite departments compared to regular departments. I'm talking about new merch and not sale merch. I am hoping this is just my own fear and not a reality, so I wanted to get an objective check, and ask what everyone else is seeing?

For example, ATL's petite floor space was the same.... but had about 25% less items - maybe more. They'd moved around the racks to fill in space. BR and AT were similar - though not quite as drastic and noticeable as ATL.

And worse! - the petites they offered where all so boringly.... basic. Items that already hang in my closet, in basic colors. Nothing fun and different to make me want to part with my $.

Which is exactly what the "olden days" were like, when petite offerings first came out.... sigh.

As a marketing person, I can fully understand the financial calculations that go behind this, but as a petite shopper I'm terribly saddened and distressed.

If any marketing people are reading this: note this is why I am shopping consignment now!!!!! I might as well buy something gently worn for cheaper, and get it tailored to perfection.

17 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hi Shiny! I never shop in the petites department, so I'm afraid I can't really comment on what is happening as far as merchandise being offered. But, if there is something going on (which I suspect there is as you've brought up), I don't think it's just going to solely affect petite sizing. I've read in numerous places that people don't want to appear "conspicuously wealthy," and as a result of this, and the massive "fire sales" that have been happening lately, offerings for summer and fall are going to be very limited. Meaning, there won't be a lot of merchandise to choose from, and what there is will be pretty basic. Buyers don't want to take the risk of putting in orders for things that will just have to be marked down 80%. This is affecting small designers and fashion houses, who are going out of business. Anyway, I believe it's going to be slim pickings for all of us for a few seasons, which is why I'm taking advantage now.

taylor

Shiny, I must agree with you ,however I think it is less merchandise overall.

Ann Taylor is purchasing fewer items each month...fewer items both Petit and Missy. We are shuttering 117 out of 927 stores between 08 and 2010. Less stores because we have less shoppers...(the economy.)..equals less overall merchandise. In otherwords they want to sell out ALL their merchandise

We have 3 AT's in our area and they have closed our downtown AT store.

I work AT 2 days a week and let me tell you some days we have more returns than sales! downright scary.

I understand your worry about the Petit dept. because they generally have a smaller overall area in the stores anyway..about 1/4 representation of floor space.

I think people are doing alot of online purchasing for the very reason you state...they can't always find it in the store.

Laura

Shiny, I've also observed this. Our AT Loft looks like a ghost town, both in terms of merchandise and shoppers. And of course the already smaller petite department really looks even tinier now.

Scary what you're saying, Taylor, about the returns vs. sales at AT. Yikes.

I have a weird feeling whenever I go into a store these days. It feels a little sad.

Laura, I know what you mean! I feel the same way going into some stores.

Good news today, though - reports are saying retail sales are up. Let's hope it's a trend that continues. We need a bright spot among all the gloom and doom.

Red

Member

I've noticed this, too, and it's frustrating, especially when there so few places that even offer petite selections. Banana Republic especially frustrates me; it will offer a dress in misses in three colors, but the same dress in a petite style is almost always only offered in one: black. I don't need another black dress. It doesn't work for everything, but my solution (other than shopping online) has been to find misses pieces (and designers) that will fit me as a petite with limited tailoring (hemming, taking in the waist, etc.). It takes more effort and expense, but it gives me more variety.

I do agree with Ana and taylor in that these places seem to be offering less merch overall, but the petite departments seem especially limited/bleak lately.

shana

I've definitely noticed the difference at Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor loft. To me the quality at both of these stores has also dropped significantly in the past few years so I find myself shopping there less and less. Amazingly enough, my local BR has expanded their petite section and another one a little further away just added a small petites section so there's been some good news for me...

Nicole

Shiny, I noticed that men's departments are not carrying tall sizes in stores. I don't know if this is just specific to my area...but I was looking for some shirts for Jason the other day. I went to the Gap and Macys and neither had any tall sizes available. I ended up ordering some from the Gap online. It's definitely frustrating.

Chris

Active Member

When margins are tight, retailers tend to order more in sizes that are a "sure thing" sale. That means the tall, petite and plus sizes get edged out.
It is funny because especially at ATL I see nothing but petites on the clearance racks and I am always surprised.

April

Shiny -- I noticed the same thing in my local ATL on Monday. Only it seemed like the whole store was pretty spartan, which made me wonder if they are packing it in for that location. I read earlier this year that AT and a few other chains would be needing to take a hard look at all of their locations and to close the less profitable ones. It was a little depressing.

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