Laurie Hopkins Menswear Blog

As we approach the Spring Summer 2009 season here at Laurie Hopkins Menswear, I am happy to say that sales have held up quite well both Pre Christmas and during our Winter Sale despite the credit crunch.

We put this down to the weather as much as anything (although quality buying and a great sales technique obviously help!!!), this Winter season has on the whole been dry and cold - ideal conditions for a Menswear Shop.

We have virtually sold out of Winter Coats - obviously the weather plays a significant role in this but also we have seen coat sales increase steadily since the introduction of the smoking ban because people who previously have never owned a coat never mind worn one - now find themselves stood outside in the cold having a cigarette!

Knitwear has also been a good seller this season, again this we feel is down to the weather as much as anything else.

Leather coats, made to measure suits and other ‘large ticket’ priced items have also sold through well - maybe the consumer is realising that he is getting so little these days in terms of interest in the bank that they might as well spend.

So here’s looking forward to a good Spring Summer 2009.

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First, let me apologise for not posting on the blog for a while, its been very busy time here at Laurie Hopkins Menswear.

Last week saw the arrival of many reps and agents with their Spring Summer 2009 collections (I will post later about these ranges), many of these agents carry more than one companies ranges and as you can imagine, it can get quite hectic when you are looking at 3-4 ranges on a morning and then others in the afternoon.

However, not content with looking at ranges last week we also were a member of staff down as Jayne took a few (Very well earned) days off. We were also busy in the shop as our sale is coming to an end and the New Autumn/Winter 08/09 ranges flood in.

One day last week, we took delivery of over 100 pairs of trousers, 120 shirts and knitwear as well as over 50 Suits, Jackets and Overcoats - that was a busy day I can tell you.

I have taken a few photos of the new ranges along with the buying etc and I will post them later this week, so keep coming back and having a look at our blog.

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WOW, today was busy for us, not only were we busy in the shop but we were also busy buying product for our Spring Summer 2009 collections.

First thing this morning saw the arrival of Frank who represents Douglas & Grahame. We have been dealing with both Douglas & Grahame as well as Frank for over 15 years now, although not always together, Frank used to represent Farah.

As usual, we bought a wide range of garments from him, including Sports Jackets, Casual Jackets, Trousers and knitwear.

This afternoon, Jayne and I (Michael) had to go to Leeds to visit another agent who we have dealt with for many years, Andrew Howie. Andrew now represents Claudio Campione, Digel Menswear and Milestone Leather Jackets amongst other products (don’t mention the Herbal Life!).

We started with Claudio Campione last year and the product went down well with our customers, their use of colour and fabrics is outstanding and their range of Linen Shirts is without doubt on of the best we have seen in a long time.

Jayne and Claudio Campione

Summer 2009 looks to be following on from 2008 and we are expecting good results from their garments.

Jayne buying Claudio Campione in Leeds

Sorry for the quality of the images, they were taken using my Mobile Phone.

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When you spend most of your life in a Menswear shop, you can be forgiven for losing track of not only the seasons but also years!

Last week saw not only the first week of August but also the first of our many appointments with the various reps and agents who come to see us with their Menswear collections for SPRING SUMMER 09!

Yes, we really do have to order garments so far in advance - infact, the ‘buying season’ here in the UK is getting earlier and earlier every year. We never used to see agents or reps until the beginning of September yet here we are now, a full month earlier and were wishing our current Summer away.

On Monday, Jayne and I are traveling down too the NEC (Birmingham) to visit the Moda Menswear show, this will give us an insight into what is available for next year from all our existing suppliers and hopefully one or two new ones - we will keep you posted.

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