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Wal-Mart Sales Up 10.4 Per Cent, Signs B2B Deal With IBM
Wal-Mart Stores, the world's number one retailer, has reported a 3.3 per cent increase in September same-store sales and says it is sticking with its earnings guidance of 40 to 41 cents for the(third quarter, and $1.76 to $1.78 for the year. Net sales at all outlets grew 10.4 per cent year-on-year to $21.9 billion.
However, the company said: "Sales for both the Wal-Mart division and Sam's Club were below plan for the month."
The retailer set a modest target for October. Wal-Mart forecast October same-store sales growth of 2-4 per cent and said it was disappointed with Halloween sales so far.
In an attempt to trim costs, Wal-Mart has inked a deal with IBM to help build a standardised Internet-based system to help suppliers exchange purchase orders, invoices and shipping notices with the retail giant.
Visit us by Clicking on our Ad11/12
Apparel giant Gap Inc on
Friday announced former president and CEO, Millard "Mickey"
Drexler, has resigned from the company's board, effectively immediately,
completing his retirement from the retailer.
The San Francisco-based company said in a statement that Drexler wants to
focus his full attention on other priorities now that he has retired from
the company and the CEO transition is complete.
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7/12
Vatican denounces what it calls attempts to discredit
Roman
Catholic Church in Russia
An Oct. 7 article in the daily Komsomolskaya Pravda
featured a photograph showing a woman lounging in an armchair in a nun's
habit and a skimpy bra and panties, a man in a hooded monk's robe praying
and the headline, "A Moscow monastery turned out to be a
bordello."
5/6
Maxim Debuts in Asia with New Korean Edition
Readers in Asia can now be a part of "the best thing to happen to men since women," with the launch of a Korean edition of the men's lifestyle magazine Maxim.
The Asian version of Maxim marks its 13th international edition launched in six years. Its 80,000 circulation is expected to triple that of its rivals in Korea, Conde Nast's GQ and Hearst Corp.'s Esquire.
The license for Maxim's Korean edition was given to Seoul-based DMZ Media, a publishing enterprise for magazines, books and on-line games in Korea.
Notorious for its impudent approach to sports, sex, beer and of course plenty of skin, Maxim has risen to the top of the ranks among young male readers who enjoy pictures of scantily clad women and a lot of bathroom humor. The magazine has experienced tremendous success in both the U.S. and Europe.
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The Latest Bridal Trends
This fall's bridal fashion week in New York was "just as crazy as ready-to-wear," we heard one wearied photographer lamenting as he joined a stream of Madison Avenue ladies pouring into the Vera Wang showroom.
As the number of designers branching into bridal grows, not only is the show calendar becoming increasingly packed, but -- with major names like Oscar de la Renta and John Galliano joining the fray -- bridal fashion is gaining new respect as just that: fashion.
Elegant Bride editor Deborah Moses, for one, couldn't be happier with the hectic schedule. In revamping the quarterly title earlier this year, Moses has taken an entirely fresh, fashion-forward approach to the traditionally taffeta-and-tiaras business of putting out a bridal magazine. And she knows she's succeeded when she sees her handiwork next to titles like Harper's Bazaar and Vogue on newsstands.
"It's probably the most exciting time for bridal right now," she said during a brief breather, towards the end of the recent bridal fashion week. "There are so many new entries, really big name designers, and people are working harder on their presentations." This month, Elegant Bride snagged exclusive photos of the new Galliano bridal collection for Dior as well as Oscar's new offerings and Lacroix's extended bridal series.
In terms of specific trends to come out of this latest round of bridal madness in New York, Moses points to delicate details and interesting treatments. "There were a lot of lace appliqués. I saw that across the line - from medium-priced to over-the-top priced." De la Renta's debut bridal collection included duchess satin gowns layered with lace and several of Wang's lingerie-inspired pieces featured lace insets. Michelle Roth showed a delicate lace gown with silver-threaded detail and cap sleeves.
1/6
In Park Slope, A 'Pussycat' That Is No Pet Store . .
.
To the regret of some, the Pink Pussycat, across the street from Middle School 51 in Park Slope, is not a pet store. The cat in the window is plaster, and any fur inside the store comes attached to sheer nightgowns in red and black.
The store outraged parents and school officials after it opened in August. City officials say it can legally operate across from the school, because most of its wares do not qualify as pornographic, but opponents argue that selling sex-related novelty items opposite a middle school is a bad idea, if not actually illegal.
''It's right in front of a bus stop where many students get dropped off and picked up every day, so it could not be more visible,'' said Jonathan Willens, co-president of M.S. 51's P.T.A. ''It's become an object of some curiosity for the kids. They're a sophisticated group of Brooklyn kids who've seen more than kids who live elsewhere might have. But we feel that it's a slap in the face to the students and the community to locate it where kids are going to look at it every day.''
A spokeswoman for the Department of City Planning, which regulates zoning, said a store must carry at least 60 percent pornographic items to be restricted from operating near a school. The Pink Pussycat, which carries party games, massage oils and lingerie as well as more hard-core fare, does not exceed the limit.
Opponents plan to meet on Tuesday with the store's manager to discuss the problem, but there may be little room for negotiation. ''I feel the only fair solution is for the store to just move,'' said City Councilman Bill de Blasio, who represents the area.
Most customers are local women in their 20's and 30's, says Laura Wilson, the store manager, who adds that they have been enthusiastic. ''People are glad that there's a shop where you can get toys in Brooklyn.''
Some students have peeked through the door, she reported, but none have tried to come in: a sign says no one under 18 can enter. ''One of them said, 'Why did you open right across from our school?' '' she said. ''I said, 'Well, to be honest with you, people are having sex, and we sell things that spice up their sex lives.' '' TARA BAHRAMPOUR
6/6
A model displays a creation as part of the Roberto Cavalli
underwear Spring/Summer women's collection for 2003, in Milan September
26, 2002. (Milan's fashion week.)
Ritika's Corner...
by Ritika Ramtri Kumar
STOCK UP!
To put your best foot forward you not only need great looking shoes but
also the right stockings. Indeed stockings can make or break an outfit and
choosing the right ones is as personal and important as choosing lingerie.
You could also plan on going au natural.
No hose is often the best hose of all. If it's warm enough, go for it. But
most occasions demand that you wear stockings.
So how do you choose the right ones? First consider whether you want
pantyhose or stockings. Wear pantyhose with short dresses and skirts, and
with anything clingy. Stockings, especially the kind that stay up on their
own, can be fun, sexy and more comfortable than pantyhose.
Next consider colour. When in doubt, go with nude or black. Nude stockings
are neutral and almost always correct.
Usually
the right choice in stockings means no one will notice them.
Occasionally, stockings can make a dramatic statement - a pattern or a
seam up the back, for example. Use these judiciously as they can easily
overwhelm an outfit. There are many ways to match your stockings to
conjure up the right look. You could start with matching your hemline. If
your dress is dark, dark hose is best. Go with black, navy or charcoal. If
your shoes are dark, your hose should be, too. If your shoes are dark and
your hem is light (or vice versa), go with hose that match the color of
your skin. To match your skin you could try flesh-colored hose, which is
fairly safe with all outfits. Strive for sheerness and invisibility. All
sheer hose, however, will snag, run and stretch out with wear. When it
comes to sheer hose, you are paying for a very delicate weave and smooth
texture, not necessarily strength. Avoid a tan shade unless you have the
skin to match.
If you want to be different woven stockings, such as black or beige
fishnets, can provide a nice solution to a challenging outfit. These offer
coverage without masking your legs completely. You could also make a bold
statement with a wacky pattern or bright colour. Just be aware of the
message you are sending, though. Job interviews, weddings and first dates
might not be the best times to try out a new look. Go for silk, nylon,
thin cotton or hose with business shoes.
Wear socks or hose that closely match them.
Before you buy however do consider the following: colour, texture,
opacity, durability and price. Good hose can be very expensive, but worth
it. Sheer hose is generally considered sexier and more elegant. It is best
for evening, higher heals, and summer outfits, and has the added benefit
of slimming the leg. Opaque hose is heavier and warmer, so good for
winter. It is also more durable.
To make your hose last longer treat it gently. Hand wash all hose, and put
lotion on your hands before you reach for it to avoid snags. Boots usually
rub snags and marks into the shins of even top-quality hose. Avoid wearing
your best new stockings with boots.
So there you are now that you have the lowdown on stockings and hose go
right ahead and stock up.
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