So, so sad. There's just nothing else out there like Kate Spade right now, especially in terms of accessories. Such a loss! 
Kate Spade Kate Spade May Merge With Coach Or Be Sold To Highest Bidder
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I don't like it all. Kate Spade's quality was the same in the store, the department stores, and her outlets. The same cannot be said of Coach.
If they leave the brand as is, I'll be fine with that.
I don't find that to be true at all. I have had many non outlet bags that were perfect, but I returned two outlet bags recently.
One the handle came unsewed and the other had so much dye in the lining it ruined everything in my bag.
I totally agree with the bolded part, I like the aesthetic of KS bags.
Not sure if you're talking about Coach or KS but I agree that for many contemporary designers their outlet pieces aren't always on par with boutique products when it comes to quality.
Hi all!
I'm new to the Kate spade board. I use to really love coach, but about 7 years ago they hired a new designer and I think a new head person and the style drastically changed and the prices shot up. I haven't seen a bag since that I've just had to have. The problem with contemporary brands is that they over expand themselves. A brand becomes extremely popular and they open too many stores and make their brand to readily available. I don't think they should have outlets. Not that I don't like or shop at them. But outlets and over expanding boutiques are killing them. The more excess able a brand is the less of a demand there is. I think that is Coach, Kate spade and Michael kors all closed half of there stores. (And by half I mean if a state has 4 close 2) by closing half the stores your sales will increase. Because now there isn't a store in every mall. These stores will become destination stores. It will only draw serious buyers. If I know I have to travel to purchase a bag. Then I've already decided in my head that I'm buying a bag.
I'm new to the Kate spade board. I use to really love coach, but about 7 years ago they hired a new designer and I think a new head person and the style drastically changed and the prices shot up. I haven't seen a bag since that I've just had to have. The problem with contemporary brands is that they over expand themselves. A brand becomes extremely popular and they open too many stores and make their brand to readily available. I don't think they should have outlets. Not that I don't like or shop at them. But outlets and over expanding boutiques are killing them. The more excess able a brand is the less of a demand there is. I think that is Coach, Kate spade and Michael kors all closed half of there stores. (And by half I mean if a state has 4 close 2) by closing half the stores your sales will increase. Because now there isn't a store in every mall. These stores will become destination stores. It will only draw serious buyers. If I know I have to travel to purchase a bag. Then I've already decided in my head that I'm buying a bag.
The CEO of Coach was interviewed by CNBC reporter earlier today. Just like their purchase of Stuart Weitzman last year, Coach is supposedly leaving the brand alone. KS and Coach have only a 10% market/customer overlap. They said that KS caters to Millennial shoppers. Trendy, whimsical, and often buys multiple items. Coach client is older and buys a more expensive classic yet on-trend handbag. They bought KS so they could appeal to more age groups of customers. I'm mainly a Coach customer. I think it's a great move.
The quality of Coach is way up in the past two years in their new prestigious 1941 line. Go look at a Coach Rogue bag.
Most people don't even know Coach owns Stuart Weitzman. That's what they are talking about re: KS. Here's some cute Coach stuff:
The quality of Coach is way up in the past two years in their new prestigious 1941 line. Go look at a Coach Rogue bag.
Most people don't even know Coach owns Stuart Weitzman. That's what they are talking about re: KS. Here's some cute Coach stuff:
Here is the interview link.
Analyst: Coach is buying status with Kate Spade
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000616717
There is also a similar discussion on the Coach side.
"Coach and Kate Spade May Be Merging..."
Analyst: Coach is buying status with Kate Spade
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000616717
There is also a similar discussion on the Coach side.
"Coach and Kate Spade May Be Merging..."
Another:
AAFA CEO: Coach-Kate Spade deal 'beyond brilliant'
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000616662
AAFA CEO: Coach-Kate Spade deal 'beyond brilliant'
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000616662
Hopefully that remains the case. I love Kate Spade designs and especially their accessories. Dont wanna see them vanish
Correct to the past few posts --this sale is an ACQUISITION, it is NOT a merger.
Coach intends to form a USA Luxury Conglomerate (a la LVMH). LVMH may own Dior and Vuittion, but each operates independently from each other in the retail landscape. They tie together on the back end financially, operationally, and logistics-wise, but many consumers don't even know that these are "sister companies."
So far, Coach Inc. (which is the holding company made up of Coach and Stuart Weitzman) has said that it intends to pull back KS's online flash sales, discounting, and wholesale.
I imagine that Kate Spade will soon:
Coach intends to form a USA Luxury Conglomerate (a la LVMH). LVMH may own Dior and Vuittion, but each operates independently from each other in the retail landscape. They tie together on the back end financially, operationally, and logistics-wise, but many consumers don't even know that these are "sister companies."
So far, Coach Inc. (which is the holding company made up of Coach and Stuart Weitzman) has said that it intends to pull back KS's online flash sales, discounting, and wholesale.
I imagine that Kate Spade will soon:
- Appoint a seasoned creative director. I wouldn't be surprised if they wait until Jenna Lyons's non-compete with J.Crew ends in December 2017 and leverage her to bring some more "Fashion with a capital F" to KS. She very much fits the aesthetic, and the fashion community respects her. Would be a credible appointment, and many shoppers would pivot their loyalty to KS from J.Crew.
- Stage seasonal runway shows at NYFW. Right now, KS shows as a "presentation" (meaning that models stand around from 2-3 hours while editors and buyers come to view the new collection at their leisure based on individual schedules). A big runway show would help make KS seem more luxury and would allow for stronger PR during NYFW.
- Announce closures of poorly performing stores. Like Coach, their stores will need to be evaluated. Better to have less stores with a stronger performance than a bunch of middle-performance stores. I don't foresee many outlets closing, though.
Sorry previous post came out as a quote...My comment is in the gray box in it's entirety.
I'm actually looking forward to this. If I can have the whimsy of Kate Spade with the quality of the 1941 line, I'll be a happy camper.
I'm concerned. I was a Coach customer until they brought on the designer from Louis Vuitton and their designs became more dark and overdone (I was a fan of their Poppy line and the products they had out around that same time). I really hope they leave KS alone, I love the products and would hate to see the whimsy and fun designs go. It'll be a bummer to see the flash sales go, I'm a big fan of taking advantage of those to get the novelty pieces that are more just collector's items than functional.