Apparel Sales Got Off To a Great Start This Holiday Season

According to a report by Coremetrics, both department stores and intimate apparel sites saw strong initial sales figures in the beginning of the holiday season; on the flip side, they report that home-oriented sites and apparel sites were not living up to expectations.  In their report, they have listed sales figures, percentage of change up or down and average checkout dollar value.  However, I tend to disagree slightly with their forcast of a bleak holiday season for apparel sales.

Reason being?  Because while they're reporting a 37% increase in department store sales, and only a 13% increase in apparel sales, I think they are forgetting that major department stores also sell apparel.  In addition, specialty apparel like sporting goods and intimate wear had strong increases.  Overall, yes, specialty apparel seems to have gotten a strong sales start than generic apparel, I think if figures were broken down within the department store sales, generic apparel would have gotten a much more fair shake.

Sales number for the holiday season will be out soon, and we'll see how apparel sales fared overall.  I think they'll have done quite well, even in the face of the general economy.