GeorgJensen

Brands Share Space To Save Money, Boost Sales

Everywhere I go I see signs that stores are going out of business. Part of the problem is that declining sales make it harder and harder to pay the rent. One of the solutions that some brands might be embracing in 2009 is the concept of sharing space. It's hardly a new concept but it's one that has fallen out of vogue recently as stores each mounted their own massive flagship enterprises. Mike Duff of BNET reported recently on two such collaborations. Danish silver seller, Georg Jensen recently refurbished its Manhattan store and asked 25 Danish companies to distribute their products through its store in a barter arrangement. The store was outfitted with the products, which are not sold in the store but Georg Jensen showcases the brands such as Bang & Olufsen and provides details how to buy them.

Another closer arrangement involves Macy's and FAO Schwarz. Macy's is adding FAO Schwarz shops to more of its department stores. All the stores that have space will get one of the new toy stores, a full 675 stores. The arrangement works well for Macy's which gets the prestige of the FAO Schwarz name and the distinctive traditional toys FAO Schwarz develops for its stores like giant stuffed animals. The Macy's selection includes a mix of private-label toys with "some of the best-sellers" from other sources that customers would find at the New York FAO Schwarz store.

I anticipate that we will be seeing more deals like these as well as other arrangements in the coming months as stores try to find ways to boost sales and trim the bottom line.

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Tags: fao schwarz, FaoSchwarz, georg jensen, GeorgJensen, macys

Vivianna Torun Bangle Watches

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Designed by Vivianna Torun for Georg Jensen these bangle watches are sleek, elegant, and classic. Intended to "free people from the slavery of time," Vivianna Torun made these watches extremely simple -- featuring a plain face with no numbers and simple hands. In addition the open bangle design symbolizes that "time should not bind us" while the mirrored face serves as a reminder that "life is now."

Very dramatic sentiment but it works in this case as the watches themselves are certainly dramatic. Available in gold, silver, and black stainless steel, the simplest designs sell for $2,200 while the limited edition version (that includes 173ct of pavé diamonds) is priced at $28,500.

Gallery: Vivianna Torun Watches