Retail Roundup: Private Labels Could Boom in 2009, Frugal Shoppers Become Procrastinators, More

Private labels could boom in 2009 — Amid economic troubles, big apparel retailers are abandoning designers, opting instead to make garments themselves — and sew their own labels inside. Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom all have namesake labels they plan to promote in the coming year. “Consumers aren’t making the distinction between private labels and other labels, but the retailers and manufacturers are: It’s theirs so they are controlling costs, and they have higher margins,” says Robert Passikoff, president of Brand Keys Inc. “There are advantages to doing business this way.” [Source: The Canadian Press]

Frugal shoppers turning into procrastinators — Roughly 41 million Americans haven’t yet started shopping for the holidays, according to the National Retail Federation, which reports consumers are procrastinating more than ever before. The average person had completed 47 percent of his or her shopping by the second week of December, about 10 percent less than most consumers completed at the same time last year. The biggest procrastinators are men — specifically those aged 35 to 44 years old. [Source: NRF]

Moss renews contract with Topshop — Supermodel Kate Moss inked a three-year contract with U.K. retail powerhouse Topshop, extending her partnership with the chain that’s become popular in 22 countries and is available worldwide via topshop.com. Moss’ spring 2009 collection will be available at the much-anticipated March launch of Topshop’s flagship store in New York’s Soho district. [Source: telegraph.co.uk]