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Articles Of Interest

52 Killed in Bangladesh Factory Fire
Page 1

CBP Hires Additional Personnel  to Enforce
 Textile Laws
Page 1

Fruit of the Loom to Close Plant
Page 1

U.S. & Columbia's 
Free Trade Agreement
Page 1

Textile Factory Collapsed
Page 2

EU's Shoe Tariffs
Page 2

Buyers' Best Sellers
Page 2

Ask Andy
Page 2

McPete Sez
Mailbag
Page 2

U.S. Retail Spending 
Still Strong in January
Page 3

Australia's New Tax Deduction
Page 3

Ask Kevin
Page 3

H&M Opens Hollywood Store
Page 4

United Retail's Catalogue Deal
Page 4

Eco Friendly Clothing
Page 4

Spellbound Pulls Live Models
Page 4

Retailers' Sales Review
Page 5

The Buzz
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Reps Corner
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Lane Bryant's Bridal Collection
Small-scale weddings are becoming a thing of the past in more ways than one – as retailer Lane Bryant introduces its online collection of bridal gowns for women's sizes 14-28.
The new collection features styles created specifically for the plus-size bride, including satin gowns in three silhouettes – floor-length, satin bodice gown with a flowing chiffon skirt and cocktail-length lace bodice dress. 
Lane Bryant president Lorna Nagler said: "Every bride deserves a dress that reflects her inner radiance and elegance. The new Lane Bryant bridal collection offers our plus-size brides a selection of figure-flattering styles designed with them in mind at prices that fit their budget." 
         
      
9/12
      US Retail Spending Still 
        Strong in January
Shaking off a middling holiday shopping season and fears of higher heating bills, Americans spent freely in January, the government reported, providing reassurance that the economy is beginning the new year with fresh strength. 
Buoyed by the unexpectedly robust spending data and a drop in oil prices, investors sent stocks higher across the board. The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index rose 1%, to 1,275.53, and the Dow Jones industrial average closed above the 11,000 level again, climbing 1.3%, to 11,028.39. Crude oil prices dipped below $60 for the first time since late December. 
While many economists expect spending increases to slow for the rest of the winter, the strong consumer spending and solid job gains helped overcome fears that economic growth was about to stagger under the weight of rising energy costs, higher interest rates and a slowing housing market. The jump in retail sales virtually assures that economic growth, which slowed to just 1.1% for the final quarter of 2005, will register a much stronger showing in the first quarter of 2006.
Retail sales jumped 2.3% in January, recovering from a modest 0.4% in December, to register their biggest monthly increase since May 2004. Americans, flush with year-end bonuses, took advantage of the warmest January on record, leftover gift cards and enticing discounts to shop avidly for clothes, furniture and cars.
There was little doubt that the unusually warm weather in January contributed to the strong start for the economy this year. Temperatures averaged 39 degrees for the country as a whole — the highest on record for January — and 8.5 degrees warmer than the average for the month, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Warmer weather helped bolster inventories of oil, natural gas and other energy sources, pushing down prices — at least for now — and leaving consumers more to spend on other things like food and clothes.
Sales at restaurants and bars, a measure some economists look to as a barometer of consumer sentiment, rose 3.2% in January.
The increasing use of gift cards, which stores count as sales when they are redeemed, appears to have pushed some holiday sales into January from December. The National Retail Federation had projected that gift card sales would increase 7%, to $18.5 billion, during the holiday shopping season. 
Many retailers, including Abercrombie & Fitch and Coach, introduced spring lines earlier than usual to entice consumers back into their stores, stocking polo shirts and floral-patterned handbags in midwinter.
Over all, sales at department stores rose 1.6% after a relatively weak holiday season.
January proved a strong month for a wide range of retailers, including chains like Gap and Kmart, which have struggled for much of the last year. 
Still, the role of the weather and gift cards — both seen as one-time benefits — suggest that January's economic gains are not likely to maintain their strength over the next few months.
Already, the weather has turned markedly cooler and the record snowfall in mid February in the Northeast forced some store closures in New York City and elsewhere.
Economists also noted that gasoline prices and other energy costs, in spite of the recent drop, could easily reverse course with a persistent cold snap.
"We will see much weaker sales in February," said Rosalind Wells, chief economist for the National Retail Federation. "I think consumers will be harder pressed to spend the way they have been spending."
But few analysts now fear that consumer spending will fall off a cliff. Job gains and wage growth, typically the leading factor in consumer behavior, appear to be on an upward trajectory after their post-Katrina sluggishness of last fall. The economy added 193,000 jobs in January; wages rose 0.4%; and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.7%, its lowest level in four and a half years.
With growth picking up again, economists now expect the Federal Reserve to increase its benchmark short-term interest rate, currently at 4.5%, at least once but possibly twice more over the next few months before it brings its tightening cycle to an close. 


13/24
Kohls 2005 Income Increases 20%
Kohl's Corporation has reported a 19.7% jump in full year net income as sales also experienced a double-digit increase.
For the 12 months ending January 28, 2006, net income increased to US$842.0m or $2.43 per diluted share, compared with $703.4m or $2.04 per diluted share a year ago. Net sales increased 14.5% to $13.4bn from $11.7bn a year ago. Comparable store sales increased 3.4% for the same period. 
For the final quarter the company reported a 17.6% increase in net income, compared to the same period last year, to $374.9m, or $1.08 per diluted share. Net sales increased to $4.7bn from $4.1bn a year ago, an increase of 14.1%. Comparable store sales increased 2.7% for the same period. 
During the year, Kohl's successfully opened 95 stores including entries into the Orlando and Jacksonville, FL markets and the Buffalo, NY market. 
The Company ended the year with 732 stores in 41 states, compared with 637 stores in 40 states at the end of 2004. 
Kohl's said it continues to target opening 500 additional stores over the next five years. The company plans to open approximately 80-85 stores in fiscal 2006 with approximately 17 stores opening during the first quarter, including its initial entry into the Pacific Northwest in the Portland, Oregon market.

            
Holly Reynolds models a cashmere shawl and The Tia by
Lucia Corvelli at the Lingerie Americas Show February 25
                        thru 27, in New York. 
Check out more pictures from the Lingerie Americas Show 
         in the March 15th issue of McPete Sez.


6/24
  "Ask Kevin"
           For all of your website questions...
Kevin and his wife have been retailing lingerie and adult products since 1988. They believe that a large portion of their business success came from the  addition of their websites to their retail store and that in today's fast paced market, internet marketing goes hand in hand with any business.
Kevin's personal site design experiences include all levels of internet marketing and design including secure server ordering processes, merchant account integration, HTML editing, photo editing, graphic design and banner advertisements. All of which are needed on a business style website.
Kevin also designs websites and consults clients who want to do more business online.
Kevin welcomes your questions and comments regarding website design, internet marketing, photo editing, domain registrations hosting and more. For serious website entrepreneurs, he recommends this course for complete Internet marketing training. Internet Marketing & Site Optimization Tips: http://www.marketingtips.com/t.cgi/848190
You can ask Kevin your questions at Kevin@mcpetesez.com

The "Ask Kevin" Column is an opinion Column and may not necessarily  reflect the views of  McPete Sez.          
The Considerate Husband
Please be aware that as your wives age, it is harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when they were younger.
When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive and there is nothing worse than an oversensitive woman. My name is Dave. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Martha.
When I was laid off from my consulting job and took early retirement in April, it became necessary for Martha to get a full-time job, both for extra income and for the health insurance benefits we needed.
Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginning to show her age. I usually get home from the golf course about the same time she gets home from work, and although she knows how hungry I am, she rests an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't yell at her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill at the club, so eating out is not reasonable. I'm ready for some home-cooked grub when I hit that door.
She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now, it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won't clean themselves. I know she appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.  I really think my old business as a consultant helps a lot. Telling people what they ought to do is one of my strong points.
Also, now that she has gotten older, she does seem to get tired so much more quickly. Our washer and dryer are in the basement, and sometimes she says she just can't make another trip down those steps.
I don't make a big issue of this, just as long as she finishes up the laundry the next evening. I'm willing to overlook her shortcomings in this area. Unless I need something ironed to wear to the Monday lodge meeting, or to the Wednesday and Saturday poker club, or to Tuesday's and Thursday's bowling, I'll tell her to wait until the next evening to do the ironing. This gives her a little more time to do some of those odds and ends like shampooing the dog, vacuuming or dusting.
If I had a really bad day on the course and it was wet and muddy, and my clubs are a mess, I let her clean them, you know, getting the grit off the grips and a little light Brillo on the club faces. Since my golf bag is heavy, I lift it out of the trunk for her. Women are delicate, have weak wrists and can't lift heavy stuff as good as men.
But I had to tell her that I don't like to be wakened during my after-golf nap, so rather than bother me, she can put them back in the trunk when she's finished.
Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think. For example, she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour. But boys, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or even three days. That way she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any (if you know what I mean). I like to think tact is one of my strong points.
When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of fresh squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me too, and then take her break by my hammock. That way we can talk until I fall asleep.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Martha, but I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult, some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older.
However, guys, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging wife because of this letter, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other.
Regards, Dave
EDITOR'S NOTE: Dave died suddenly Thursday, Sept 19th. He was found with a Calloway extra long 50-inch Big Bertha Golf Driver rammed up his rectum with only two inches of grip showing. His wife Martha was arrested, but after the jury read this letter, they accepted her defense that he accidentally sat on it. She was released from custody on Friday
Australia's New Tax Deductions
Strippers and prostitutes will be allowed to claim condoms, lingerie, oils and other "tools of the trade" as tax deductions under new rules issued by the Tax Office.
The Australian Taxation Office informs sex workers that they should also claim for their exotic dancing lessons.
Damaged bondage equipment and "adult novelties" are also listed as valid tax deductions.
Sex workers who keep a separate premises will also be able to claim a deduction on their accommodation costs - even if it is a room rented by the hour.
The ATO made provisions for sex workers for the first time after pressure from the adult industry to give their members the same tax breaks as other taxpayers.
The ATO fact sheet published in the middle of February - Tax Help for People Working in the Adult Industry - outlines in detail the plan to help strippers and prostitutes reclaim tax dollars on their work.
It advises sex workers to claim "consumable items like condoms, lubricants, gels, oils and tissues as a tax deduction".
In a significant departure from the ATO's usually sober memos, workers are also encouraged to claim repairs needed to their bondage equipment.
"You can claim the cost of replacing or repairing things like bondage equipment, adult novelties, and other apparatus used in your work," the ATO says.
While the scheme is generous in most respects, sex workers will have to meet the costs of keeping up their figure.
The Tax Office said in a statement the adult industry was no different to any other business when it came to collecting tax. 
           

      
Hey Sales Reps !!!
Would you like to write an article for this newsletter? we are looking for information for our readers and if you have anything to contribute  please e-mail me.  
            




                                                                       
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