Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Target Struggles to Deal With Demand for Lilly Pulitzer Line
Time ^ | April 19, 2015 | Phil Wahba / Fortune

Posted on 04/19/2015 8:02:20 PM PDT by lulu16

Discount retailer’s web site crashed several times as fashionista's collection went on sale Target was hoping for a smooth launch for one of its most highly anticipated designer collaborations in years.

Instead, the discount retailer’s web site was overwhelmed in the early hours on Sunday as legions of fashionistas who had been up overnight tried to snap up Lilly Pulitzer’s fashions, only to encounter delays in the colorful beachwear line’s availability on Target.com and in many case, end up empty-handed. The incident has raised questions as to why the retailer wasn’t fully ready for the onslaught.

(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: lillypulitzer; sales; shopping; target
Heavy demand for the much-anticipated debut of Target's Lilly Pulitzer product line overloaded the retailer's website Sunday and left store racks and shelves bare.

The Lilly Pulitzer land rush recalled a similar retail meltdown four years ago when Target released another signature product line from Italian luxury knitwear designer Missoni. Target's website crashed repeatedly and in-store shoppers were met with lines and sellouts.

Even though empty-handed consumers heaped vitriol about Target on Twitter during the day, industry observers question whether any substantial backlash will register. Brian Sozzi, the CEO of Belus Capital Advisors, called the event "typical Target" for high-profile designer launches with "tight supply, done purposely to stoke demand and Internet chatter."

From USA Today

1 posted on 04/19/2015 8:02:20 PM PDT by lulu16
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: lulu16

I was there at my store 3 minutes after the opening at 8am. According to the store employees, there were 30 people waiting outside.

There was only one display for clothes by the aisle, two for toddlers and girls, two end caps in the bag area for cosmetic bags, cell phone covers and lipstick, etc. and in the patio department some towels, pillows and string lights.

They had limited choice. Not all the patterns were represented or all styles of clothing that they had advertised.

It was pretty much swept clean in the first 10 minutes.

I came away with a blue and white shift dress and a jumpsuit with tropical leaves. My husband, when I modeled them later that morning, did not express enthusiasm. I am returning them. The Target return policy for Lilly’s merchandise is no one month, but only two weeks.


2 posted on 04/19/2015 8:04:07 PM PDT by lulu16 (May the Good Lord take a liking to you!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lulu16

Lines began forming early at brick-and-mortar stores Sunday and many shoppers went home empty-handed as products sold out.

Not surprisingly, dresses and handbags quickly cropped up on eBay with more than 9,400 listings of Lilly Pulitzer Target products. “That’s really disappointing to us,” Thomas said.

Target is “not the first retailer that’s experienced its products being sold” for a profit on eBay, he said. Limited product lines “become like collectors’ items.”

He said Target does not plan to replenish supplies of the Pulitzer line, which had 250 different items.

USA Today


3 posted on 04/19/2015 8:05:50 PM PDT by lulu16 (May the Good Lord take a liking to you!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: lulu16

I went on website 7am PST & everything sold out.
There were few things I had my eye on but no luck!
Now everything on Ebay..crazy


4 posted on 04/19/2015 8:40:17 PM PDT by rainee (Her)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: lulu16

The Target designs aren’t as attractive as the original Lilly line.


5 posted on 04/19/2015 8:54:59 PM PDT by ottbmare (the OTTB mare, now a proud Marine Mom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rainee

Mostly it was women from the East coast who were shopping in my store in AZ. We traded clothes that did not fit and were very supportive in the dressing room.

The did too good a job of getting us worked up. I can understand the unpleasant feelings they generated.

I won’t sell my things on ebay. But I suggest to you that you swing by your store in the next two weeks when someone like myself returns things.

There were really some very pretty things available.


6 posted on 04/19/2015 8:55:48 PM PDT by lulu16 (May the Good Lord take a liking to you!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: ottbmare

I have never seen them in the original store. But I talked to women who have shopped at the Palm Beach store and they said they were comparable. My dress and jumpsuit were fully lined and had dressmaker darts.


7 posted on 04/19/2015 8:56:57 PM PDT by lulu16 (May the Good Lord take a liking to you!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: ottbmare

Never heard of Lilly Pulitzer.


8 posted on 04/19/2015 10:15:26 PM PDT by Salamander (Like acid and oil on a madman's face, reason tends to fly away.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Salamander

Souther prep designer, the company has been around for many years. It used to be the best in resort wear for women.


9 posted on 04/19/2015 10:38:35 PM PDT by kalee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: kalee

Does she make anything with studs and black leather?

;D


10 posted on 04/19/2015 10:41:00 PM PDT by Salamander (Like acid and oil on a madman's face, reason tends to fly away.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Salamander

No, lots of pink and green cotton. :)


11 posted on 04/19/2015 10:49:17 PM PDT by kalee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Salamander

She does use other colors but there is a lot of pink and green. ;) Fabrics are natural and designs are tropical.


12 posted on 04/19/2015 10:59:29 PM PDT by kalee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: kalee

{{{shudder}}}

Pass.

:D


13 posted on 04/19/2015 11:41:27 PM PDT by Salamander (Like acid and oil on a madman's face, reason tends to fly away.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Salamander

LOL


14 posted on 04/19/2015 11:43:19 PM PDT by kalee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: kalee

Lemme know when she puts out a pink and green tropical snake print.

*Maybe* then.

;)


15 posted on 04/19/2015 11:55:24 PM PDT by Salamander (Like acid and oil on a madman's face, reason tends to fly away.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: lulu16

Preppies rule, gangstas drool.


16 posted on 04/20/2015 12:13:58 AM PDT by kaehurowing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salamander

No, but Versaci does! Who needs all that pink and pastel anyway!


17 posted on 04/20/2015 12:24:11 AM PDT by poobear (Socialism in the minds of the elites is a con-game for the serfs, nothing more.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: poobear

As if I can afford Versace.

Doc Martens top me out.

:)


18 posted on 04/20/2015 2:30:55 AM PDT by Salamander (Like acid and oil on a madman's face, reason tends to fly away.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: lulu16

I don’t understand this rush for Target. Lilly Pulitzer has been around awhile and you can buy it online (they have their own website) and at other stores. I have seen it at some of the high end discount stores such as Saks Off Fifth. It’s not that expensive to start with.


19 posted on 04/20/2015 7:34:02 AM PDT by sheana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: lulu16

Too pink for me.

Kind of cute, better than slutwear, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it.


20 posted on 04/20/2015 7:53:16 AM PDT by KosmicKitty (Liberals claim to want to hear other views, but then are shocked to discover there are other views)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson