More apparel buyers choose U.S. brands |
|
| Wednesday, 27 August 2008 | |
 More and more U.S. retailers that used to stock European brands are now buying locally. The trend is a result of the increased costs of doing business internationally with a weak American dollar. Sellers attending the Magic Marketplace apparel trade show in Las Vegas told Reuters they had
 noticed more interest in home-grown labels from America from international buyers who once looked exclusively to Europe for their fashion. U.S. brand Comfy USA has seen an increase of 25 to 30 percent in the number of accounts that formerly bought only international brands, said marketing manager Yong Kim.
Whereas the price of basic clothing items has not changed much, the price of designer brands are up. Especially European designer fashion because of the disparity of the dollar and the euro. At the same time European retailers are looking to American brands as an affordable option. Foreign companies now find better value in American brands, and established U.S. retailers from Abercrombie & Fitch to upscale department stores even have reported robust sales in tourist sites from visitors on shopping sprees inspired by a weak dollar. Photo: Magic Las Vegas |
