Mike Osorio

America's Favorite Retail Imports

March 26, 2009

FROM RETAILWIRE:
As a piece on Forbes.com points out, consumers here are increasingly drawn to the high style and low prices of chains such as Sweden's H&M and Spain's Zara. What is it that makes Zara, H&M and other apparel retailers from outside the U.S. successful here?      [more...]

These retail stars were shining well before the current economics made their formula a darling of the media. Zara and H&M have been in the US for a while now and not only are their openings huge local 'events', but they seem to maintain their followings of teen to 40-something fans effortlessly as they consistently add small quantities of fun, cool fashions for cheap. Now Uniqlo and Mango are gaining traction with Topshop coming soon. American fashion fans are eating up this foreign feast as they have tired of the majority of American specialty and department stores' miles of boring overstocked sameness. Simple message: fun, fast, affordable fashion, constantly refreshed. Forever 21 is one exception to the rule, but most of American retail now buried in debt and teetering has to wake up to what the customer is looking for.