August 15 2009 Drapers 17

indicator

KIDSWEAR

Drapers spoke to 50 independents about their 8-13 year-old kidswear business for the week ending August 1. Brands and styles mentioned in the lists, including the Top 10 and Top 5, are ranked when mentioned by five or more retailers

8-13 year-oldsTrade was worse for more than half of the 8-13 year-old kidswear indies surveyed this week, but there were some bright spots. French Connection topped the best-selling brand list and had the best sell-through. Pepe Jeans won praise from the indies polled for its innovative approach to design.

Top 10 Best-selling brands of the week

1 French Connection2 Timberland3 pepe Jeans4 Catimini5 pJE 6 Joules7 Me Too8 polo Ralph Lauren9 o’Neill10 Mayoral

Top 5Best-selling categories of the week

1 T-shirts2 Shorts3 Dresses4 Skirts5 outerwear

Top 5Best-selling T-shirt brands of the week

1 Timberland2 Scotch & Soda3 o’Neill4 pepe Jeans5 Nolita pocket

To view the latest kidswear trends, go to www.drapersonline.com/trends

I’ve cut my show travel budget. I’ve found brands via word of mouthLyndsey pyatt, owner of HoneyBeez in Failsworth, Greater Manchester

At the pinnacle: French Connection

of 8-13 kidswear indies cut their show travel budgets this season

50%

We’re not visiting shows to find new labels because we have reduced our budgetTracey Hodges, owner of The Clothes Box in Lymm, Cheshire

of 8-13 kidswear indies also sell kids’ footwear

55%

00%Better

00% Same

00% Worse

Fashion in figures

28%Better

11% Same

61% Worse

Total week’s takings

Average spend

DATE:week ending August 1 2009

10% Year-on-year change

£3,912Average:

What were the total sales in your store this week?

What was the average spend per customer in your store this week?

Date:week ending August 1 2009

Average:

£44.68

How does your week’s business compare with this time last year?

Quickfire questions

Which has been the best-selling brand in your Sale?

1 pepe Jeans2 Timberland3 Catimini

Which brand had the best pre-Sale sell-through?

1 French Connection2 Joules3 Mayoral

Will you be putting your prices up for spring 10?

Yes 40%No 60%

Which kidswear brand is most innovative in terms of design?

1 pepe Jeans2 pJE3 Scotch & Soda

Making a leap: Joules was popular

A cut-price favourite: Timberland