DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Free Shipping and Free Returns From Online Shopping Are Dying. Good.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Emily Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Well, if you’ve ever bought stuff online and received free shipping or returns, you’ve also been a little bit of a jerk — and now it’s time to pay up. Fast, free shipping and easy, no-cost returns have become a baseline expectation in the modern online shopping experience. Instead of fighting for market share by offering free shipping and no-hassle returns, retailers are trying to squeeze more money out of every transaction. Free shipping is not actually free . Returns are a necessary and inevitable part of online shopping.

Persons: you’ve, —, ASOS, ” Neil Saunders, hasn’t, Emily Stewart Organizations: National Retail Federation, Appriss, Urban Outfitters, Saks, Amazon, Retailers, Business Locations: Zara, J.Crew, what’s

Fran Horowitz, Abercrombie & Fitch CEO: The future of retail is small, efficient, omni stores, and they're located where the customer tells us. I get really, really excited about what this means in the operations of the business, using predictive analytics to help us forecast demand. They're worldwide, a zillion stores, and their operations and execution, aside from their merchandising, I think they're always on top of the game. I think you're going to see an interaction with someone in a setting that doesn't look like retail, but looks like a fantastic experience. Nicholas of Sam's Club: Another retail standard that is really going to be important beyond the customer is energy.

Persons: Christina Locopo, Fran Horowitz, Abercrombie, Patrick MacLeod, WWD, Michelle Gass, Levi Strauss, they're, Jens Grede, Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Neiman Marcus, there'll, Trina, Patrick T, Fallon, Chris Nicholas, Kara Trent, Levi's Gass, Tom Ward, Erin Black, CNBC Abercrombie's Horowitz, Marc Lore, Mickey Drexler, TikTok, Adam Jeffery, Dave Kimbell, It's, Scott Mlyn, CNBC Neiman's van, you've, Yael Cosset, —, Ulta's, Arturo Holmes, Trent, That's, we've, Kroger's, Abercrombie's Horowitz, I've, Dia Dipasupil, Neiman's van, who's, Lulu, Drexler, Armour's, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Armour Levi's Gass, Emma Grede, Kardashian, Kim, Geoffroy van Raemdonck Patrick Mckleod, Nicholas of Organizations: CNBC, Abercrombie, Fitch, Abercrombie & Fitch Co, Penske Media, Getty, Milken Institute Global Conference, AFP, Sam's, Technology, Walmart U.S, Walmart, New York Times, Navy, WWD, Young, Nike, TJX, Zara, Armour's Trent, Americas, Nicholas of Sam's, Sam's Club Locations: they're, Beverly Hills , California, New York City, America, New York, U.S, Skims, Inditex, Kara, Walmart's

☆ The life and career of Jenna Lyons, Real Housewife and former J. Crew executive
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins | Haley Tenore | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Jenna Lyons began her career at J.Crew in 1990 and climbed the ranks to become creative director. Lyons is the first openly gay woman to star on Real Housewives of New York. The fashion designer and executive played a major role in reviving the preppy apparel brand J.Crew in the 2010s. She's moved on to other endeavors, including a fake lash business and joining the cast of Real Housewives of New York City. Here's everything we know about Lyons' life and career as a fashion designer and former creative director of J.

Persons: Jenna Lyons, Lyons, —, She's, J Organizations: J.Crew, Real Housewives, New, Service, J Locations: New York, New York City

☆ Ex-J.Crew exec says she used to work 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. without a break, followed by hours of phone meetings at home
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Haley Tenore | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Crew's former president Jenna Lyons recalled working over ten hours a day. Lyons spoke on a recent podcast, which was released Monday. Lyons said she worked 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with no breaks, then answered phone calls at home. In the podcast episode, Lyons spoke about her time leading J.Crew, during which she oversaw the J.Crew, Madewell, and Factory divisions. "When I left my job, my whole world sort of dismantled," Lyons told Time.

Persons: Crew's, Jenna Lyons, Lyons, —, She's, Lauryn Evarts, Michael Bosstick, Tim Cook's, J.Crew, Cass Bird Organizations: Service, Housewives, New, Apple, Time Magazine, Time Locations: New York, J.Crew

☆ Black Friday 'is a race to the bottom', says Alex Mill chairman Mickey Drexler
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBlack Friday 'is a race to the bottom', says Alex Mill chairman Mickey DrexlerMickey Drexler, Alex Mill chairman and former J.Crew CEO, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss this year's Black Friday and Cyber Monday spending, strength of the American consumer, holiday shopping season preview, and more.

Persons: Alex Mill, Mickey Drexler Mickey Drexler

☆ 180 Best Black Friday Deals 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Bellamy Richardson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Our list of the best deals live now features products we’ve tested or otherwise recommended. Plus, check out great deals on products that made our lists of the best wireless earbuds and best portable speakers. For even more apparel discounts, check out our list of the best Black Friday clothing and shoe deals. For more great electronics buys, see our best Black Friday tech and Apple deals. For more great deals on fitness trackers, exercise apparel and more, check out our list of the best Black Friday fitness deals.

Persons: Bellamy Richardson It’s, you’ve, Salomon, don’t, Neocutis Organizations: Black, Dyson, Cozy, Tech, Apple, Skinstore Locations: Wayfair, Brooklinen

☆ 174 Best Black Friday Deals 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Bellamy Richardson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Our list of the best deals live now features products we’ve tested or otherwise recommended. For even more apparel discounts, check out our list of the best Black Friday clothing and shoe deals. Make sure to check out our list of the best vacuum deals this Black Friday for more savings. For more great electronics buys, see our best Black Friday tech and Apple deals. For more great deals on fitness trackers, exercise apparel and more, check out our list of the best Black Friday fitness deals.

Persons: Bellamy Richardson It’s, you’ve, Salomon, don’t, Neocutis Organizations: Black, Dyson, Cozy, Tech, Apple, Skinstore Locations: Brooklinen

☆ The Best Black Friday Deals on Clothing and Shoes
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Madeline Diamond | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

By Madeline DiamondBlack Friday deals are already in full swing, and many of those markdowns are on clothing, shoes and accessories that we’ve tested and can recommend. Shop these items and a variety of active and loungewear made from recycled materials on sale now through Black Friday. NikeSave up to 60% on select clothing, shoes and accessories during Nike’s Black Friday sale. Black Friday handbag and accessories dealsCoachTake 25% off select full-price styles at Coach right now, and save even more on other sale items. Lo & SonsWe’ve recommended Lo & Sons’ travel bags in our stories on the best travel wallets and the best travel backpacks.

Persons: Madeline Diamond, Lo, Earth’s, loungewear, J.Crew J.Crew’s, Madewell, Nordstrom, REI, Cole Haan, Stuart Weitzman Stuart Weitzman, Zappos, it’s, We’ve Organizations: SCORE, Nike, Nordstrom, Vince, Black Locations: REI, men’s

☆ Jeans as Formalwear: How the Divisive Look Became a Style Power Move in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Tyler Mccall | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

THE BIGGEST SCANDAL on the set of the latest “Real Housewives of New York” reunion taping in September wasn’t a catty confessional interview or backstabbing dinner conversation. It was a pair of Levi’s. Jenna Lyons , one of the franchise’s new faces and the former creative director of J.Crew, broke with unspoken “Housewives” reunion protocol and eschewed frippery, instead wearing a blazer, sheer top and jeans. “The women normally go all out with rhinestones, feathers and gowns to the floor,” said Brian Moylan, author of 2021’s “The Housewives.” Lyons’s outfit triggered fan furor on social media. As Moylan explained, “For Jenna to wear jeans seemed like [she was] disrespecting the level of effort it takes to be a Housewife.”

Persons: Jenna Lyons, J.Crew, ”, Brian Moylan, Moylan, Jenna Organizations: THE, Housewives, New York

☆ Alex Mill chairman Mickey Drexler on state of the consumer, impact of inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAlex Mill chairman Mickey Drexler on state of the consumer, impact of inflationMickey Drexler, Alex Mill chairman and former J.Crew Group chairman and CEO, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the state of the consumer, the impact of inflation on consumer spending, retail outlook, and more.

Persons: Alex Mill, Mickey Drexler Organizations: J.Crew

☆ Aritzia's mirrorless dressing rooms cause outrage online, but they seem to be a brilliant sales tactic
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Grace Mayer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

On social media, though, the biggest issue seems to be the retailer's mirrorless fitting rooms. Aritzia's communal fitting rooms are part of the brand's DNASo why make customers go through this awkwardness? The mirrorless fitting rooms go against a growing trend in retail. Eugene Gologursky/Getty ImagesAritzia's mirrorless fitting rooms go against a growing trend in retail. For Aritzia, mirrorless rooms are part of its DNA.

Persons: Aritzia, Zers, Gen Zers, Becca Bastos, Bastos, commenter, There's, Manini, Madia, Bergdorf Goodman, Eugene Gologursky, we've, Aritzia's Organizations: Service, Columbia Business School, Abercrombie, Fitch Locations: Wall, Silicon, Aritzia

Eva Marie Uzcategui | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesIt's not your imagination: Companies are getting stingier with customer rewards. Raising the barSome of the biggest shifts in customer perks have come in the airline industry. At many retailers, customers must now pay a return fee if they want to ship back unwanted clothing, shoes or other items. "To drive that online demand, free shipping and free returns were put in place, but now we all know it costs significant money," he said. Both companies aim to make sure membership isn't shared with people who aren't paying, particularly as the companies chase new avenues of growth.

Persons: Eva Marie Uzcategui, Dunkin, Cowen, David Garfield, Yuping Liu, Stephanie Keith, Marshal Cohen, Circana, Nordstrom, Christopher Dilts, Kohl's, Macy's, they're, Amit Sharma, Heidi Isern, Levi Strauss, Ann Taylor, Crocs, Brooks, reining Organizations: Brickell City Centre, Bloomberg, Getty, Retailers, Ross, uptick, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Old Dominion, Strome School of Business, LaGuardia, American Express, American, IRI, NPD, Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie, Fitch, Nordstrom, Amazon, Foods, Netflix, Costco Locations: Brickell, Miami , Florida, Queens, New York, Delta, Schaumburg , Illinois

☆ The 14 Best Women’s Bathing Suits for Sun and Sand
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Erika Veurink | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +9 min

The brand’s Sidestroke one-piece style is a top pick for Tussey. High-waisted optionNana Castro, a fashion content creator who splits her time between New York and Florida, raves about the flattering silhouette of these full-coverage bikini bottoms from Aerie. The brand’s Balconette swim top style (which comes in bra sizes) is supportive with lightweight, flexible underwire. Vintage-inspired pickMadewell x OOKIOH Savannah One-Piece Swimsuit $125 at MadewellOne pieces don’t have to be boring—take this bold golden suit in a classic silhouette, for example. “I really love a vintage-inspired classic one-piece, maybe because I like the idea of wearing it with high-waisted pants as an everyday bodysuit,” she says.

Persons: Erika Veurink, we’ve, men’s swimsuits, Retta Leritz, ”, Tyler McCall, “, Nana Castro, Castro, Aemelia Madden, ” Madden, Madden, It’s, Taylor Hansen Hughes, Nordstrom, Hughes, Kelly Mittendorf, ain’t, Karen Blanchard, Blanchard, Christene Barberich, Apt, Madewell Organizations: Abercrombie, Fitch, Free, Mare, New, Refinery29 Locations: Louis, Brooklyn, New York, Florida, N.Y, New York City, Moonstone

☆ The Best Men’s Bathing Suits for Swimming and Sunning
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

There’s no shortage of options out there—that’s why we polled a handful of style pros on the best suits to shop. Stretch swim trunksKeep it classic with another favorite of Singh’s: These 6-inch inseam shorts from J.Crew. He considers these Banana Republic swim shorts worthy of water and land, given their zip fly and fade-proof fabric. Fun and flashyLet’s say you’re in the market for a playful bathing suit, something that feels as liberating as a summer Friday. And at $50 a pair, there’s no harm if you want to get a second suit that’s a little less leggy.

Persons: Erika Veurink, Steve Cole, Arjan Singh, Jolie, Singh, ”, “, Leo Chan, Chan, Chris Xaviar, Xavier, Carrie Birdwell Mann, Cole Habersham, Vilebrequin, Cole, Xaviar, Habersham Organizations: XXL, Banana, Newport, Abercrombie, Nike Locations: New York City, Los Angeles, oxford, Newport Beach, Calif, California, Toronto

☆ Get ready to pay up to $10 for making a return, as more companies charge fees for shipping an item back
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Sindhu Sundar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

More retailers are charging customers for shipping and related fees for mailing back returns. Roughly 41% of companies charged such fees in 2022, an increase from 33% in 2021, according to a survey. It's becoming more common for customers returning products to shoulder shipping fees. Several major retailers have referenced shipping fees for returns, including H&M, which states that "Shipping and handling costs are not refundable." J.Crew notes on its website that customers shipping gift returns will see a $7.50 charge in their refund, while JCPenney states that shipping returns cost $8.

☆ Amazon is cracking down on returns
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Amazon is attempting new measures to get customers to return fewer of their online orders, including charging a fee to return items to UPS stores. So, Amazon will start charging customers a $1 fee if they return items to a UPS store when there is a Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh grocery store or Kohl’s closer to their delivery address. Shoppers have become accustomed to endless free returns in recent years, but Amazon and other companies are trying to curb this customer habit. Amazon also recently started flagging “frequently returned” products on its website. More often, returned products can end up in liquidation warehouses or even landfills, which are an environmental threat.

Organizations: & $

☆ Starbucks new CEO wants senior leaders to work in stores. Every leader should follow suit.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Avery Hartmans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Former Walmart CEO Greg Foran used to visit stores every week to observe factors like customer service, inventory levels, in-stock levels, and assortment. Fewer retail CEOs got their start working in storesLowe's CEO Marvin Ellison started his retail career as a Target security guard. Others went through management-training programs operated by department stores. As department stores started facing stiff competition from specialty stores, they scrambled to cut costs. These days, finding a qualified retail CEO seems like one of the hardest jobs to fill, with many companies looking outside the retail industry.

☆ Senators ask 27 CEOs to make sure their companies comply with child labor laws
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Laura Strickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The company entered into an agreement with the agency pledging compliance with child labor laws and consented to third-party oversight. This is the second Senate inquiry citing NBC News reporting on child labor. JBS has zero tolerance for child labor, discrimination or unsafe working conditions for anyone working in our facilities. In a local newspaper editorial, Hearthside CEO Darlene Nicosia wrote the revelation of child labor was "a shock and major disappointment to us." Hearthside is in the midst of a 60-day independent review of child labor practices by an outside law firm, according to a spokesperson.

☆ Starbucks' new CEO plans to spend time working at his company's coffee shops. Here's why every retail leader should take a shift on the sales floor.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Avery Hartmans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Former Walmart CEO Greg Foran used to visit stores every week to observe factors like customer service, inventory levels, in-stock levels, and assortment. Fewer retail CEOs got their start working in storesLowe's CEO Marvin Ellison started his retail career as a Target security guard. David Swanson/ReutersOf course, times have changed — in the past, many retail CEOs got their start at the store level. As department stores started facing stiff competition from specialty stores, they scrambled to cut costs. These days, finding a qualified retail CEO seems like one of the hardest jobs to fill, with many companies looking outside the retail industry.

☆ Retailers see a tough year ahead, so they're rolling out the recession playbook
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Melissa Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Now, major retailers are dusting off their playbook for a recession — or at least for a period of slower sales. Target shoppers can soon get a Starbucks coffee, make a return and retrieve an online purchases without leaving their cars. Some retailers are rethinking their approach to discounts while questioning other costs, such as giving away free shipping or deliveries without strings attached. Some retailers have also turned free shipping into a perk for only engaged or higher spending customers. Nike , for instance, offers free shipping for shoppers – if they share their personal data by joining its membership program.

☆ TikTokers can't stop talking about the style of J.Crew's new womenswear design chief, and it's boosting brand image
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Mary Hanbury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

J.Crew's new womenswear and kids design chief has gained a large fan base online. These images are being shared widely on TikTok, helping to boost the brand image. A spokesperson for J.Crew told Harpers Bazaar that its women's business has seen consistent growth since Gayot shared her collections and a boost in sales from her posts. Gayot told Harpers that when she joined in September 2020, a few months pregnant, she was apprehensive. New CEO Libby Wadle told The Wall Street Journal in the summer of 2022 that the company is now profitable.

The sportswear staple known for its crisp collar and clean cut, has been revamped in ways that boggle the mind and energize the wardrobe. Witness the bounty of surreal white shirts in the resort 2023 collection from New York brand the Row, including the version shown at left, which would be standard if not for its detachable, puffy white shawl. “That was my Catholic school uniform!” said Megan Bugey, 46, an Austin, Texas, paralegal, of the shirt’s standard form. “But now, it’s trippy.”This season has seen an abundance of white collared shirts—and they’re anything but uniform. “I love the utility [button-up shirts] have in my wardrobe,” said New York stylist Pamela Shepard, 39, who owns “countless” iterations, including oversize and dip-dyed riffs from Ralph Lauren and J.Crew.

☆ Prince Harry said he loves shopping annual discounts at TK Maxx, but the retailer says it doesn't 'do sales'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Prince Harry expressed a fondness for discounted clothes in his new memoir, "Spare." In it, he said he would shop the "once-a-year sale" at TK Maxx, the UK equivalent of T.J. Maxx in the US. But parent company TJX said it doesn't "do sales," instead offering "savings all year round." "We don't actually do sales," a TJX spokesperson told Express, though the company is "delighted" that the Duke of Sussex is a fan of the brand. Still another problem with Prince Harry's story is that neither Gap nor J.Crew appear to be carried at TK Maxx — searches for each on the company's website yield no results, and Insider has asked for clarification from all three brands.

☆ Don’t want that item? Returning it could cost you
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

It could cost you to return it online. Shoppers have become accustomed to free shipping and free returns in recent years, but Zara, H&M, J.Crew, Anthropologie, Abercrombie & Fitch and other chains are now slapping on fees of up to $7 to return items online. That’s a strain on retailers: For every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer incurs $165 million in merchandise returns, according to the NRF. Charging customers for online returns is just one of the ways retailers are trying to crack down on the cost of returns and prevent clothes from piling up in warehouses. Others are mulling a “returnless refund” policy, where they hand customers their money back and let them keep or donate items they don’t want.

Organizations: & $

☆ Retail sales fell 0.6% in November as consumers feel the pressure from inflation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Retail sales for the month declined 0.6%, even worse than the Dow Jones estimate for a 0.3% drop. Stock market futures added to losses following the report, with futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average off about 350 points. On a year-over-year basis, retail sales increased 6.5%, compared to a CPI inflation rate of 7.1%. In other economic news Thursday, the Labor Department said weekly jobless claims fell to 211,000, a decline of 20,000 from the previous period and well below the Dow Jones estimate for 232,000. Also, separate surveys from regional Federal Reserve districts showed contraction in manufacturing activity in December.

Search resuls for: "J.Crew"

25 mentions found