farpitzs.

for the past few weeks, i’ve experimented with “truth thursday” and discussed a brand that did well and a brand that highlights other brands; this week, i’d like to bring up a handful of things i’ve learned this week about some of our favorite companies.

• gap is now giving customers the option to receive an email-friendly receipt. this is something that urban outfitters has been doing for some time and cuts down on the amount of paper used by the company. personally, i dig it. nameishi-san also reminded me that club monaco does this as well. save the trees!
• speaking of the gap, it joined tumblr. when it is not original content (which is stellar, by the way), expect re-blogs of cool kids wearing gap clothes.
• we should also welcome betsey johnson’s main social media girl, jen, to the tumblr community. she said her site will focus on what it is like to work for one of the most bad-ass designers in the fashion industry. #instafollow
• ideeli recently launched a new feature on its site. “inside ideeli - office style” highlights its fashionable employees and their diverse style, also giving visitors the opportunity to purchase pieces that fit into any of the displayed categories.

let’s continue the conversation: email me at sarazucker@gmail.com.

i’ve focused on brands that need a bit of help in the online sphere for the past mess of weeks, but this week will highlight a fun new awards ceremony that rewards the best of social media. the shorty awards is celebrating its fourth year in service, “recognizing the people and organizations producing real-time short form content across twitter, facebook, tumblr, youtube, foursquare, and the rest of the social web.”

for the second year in a row, industry professionals will be honored.

normally, i’d talk about a company that’s been killing or being killed in the e-game, but it is extremely important to give credit where credit is due in the form of more public recognition. the shorty awards do just that. cool news for me? glamour was nominated for a shorty. all it takes to support your favorite brand is one tweet.

now that “truth thursday” has become a staple, of course i will reiterate that the opinions that i publish on my blog are not that of my employer, they are my own. maybe i’m a little bitter because i can’t justify spending $300 on a quilted bomber (though i really, really want to), but i have a bone to pick with topshop.

• for what you charge, one would think your clothes would last longer than a few wears. nope. with quality equal to forever21 and prices higher than zara, i’m perplexed as to what exactly it is that shoppers are paying for. here’s a funny story: when i was in london, i bought a tee. what i didn’t realize until i had gotten back to my hotel and put it on was that it already had a hole in it. as in, i wasn’t even given the chance to break it in—topshop already did it for me. thanks?
• on the other hand, your clothes are on-point. each season at london fashion week, topshop unique debuts an awesome runway show complete with an awesome collection. i have yet to see photos afterward and think “meh”; the way the pieces are styled provide me with such inspiration and i look forward to seeing them in-person…that is, if my wallet can handle the pressure.
• do i really need to discuss how often you rip off small designers? this isn’t like urban outfitters, who at least makes an attempt to support them; you blatantly copy the work of an independent artist for profit. it’s extremely disappointing, especially considering the awesome work that comes from your in-house designers. it isn’t like the company is lacking in creativity.
• i’m told that your customer service needs work. according to a close friend, you no longer accept in-store returns for online purchases. sup with that? apparently, returns must be sent to a warehouse space in new jersey and the person returning the item must pay for shipping. after waiting all those years for a united states-savvy website, we still can’t return purchases in-store? i don’t know of any other major retailer that has such a selfish policy.
• despite all those other bullet points, your tumblr and blog are awesome.

as i’ve said in past editions, “truth thursday” does not exist to tear brands down. believe me when i say that! it merely brings to light issues that the company may not realize existed because they drink the corporate kool aid. don’t think that i won’t be clicking over to topshop.com at some point today. oh, wait, i already did…twice.

let’s continue the conversation: email me at sarazucker@gmail.com.

are you really surprised that i’m conquering the retail giant that is kate spade? you shouldn’t be. but there is a twist: kate spade did it right, nay, does it right. as you well know by now, each thursday i tackle the issues i have with companies and how they can potentially fix them. per mariel’s request, this week’s edition of “truth thursday” focuses on a brand that is owning the industry when it comes to its e-presence.

• what’s so great about the kate spade twitter? engagement, engagement, engagement. this means a mix of content from instagram photos (no shock that the brand is a leader on that platform) to direct answers to customer inquiries to giving followers behind-the-scenes sneak peeks.
• upon liking the kate spade page on facebook, fans are automatically entered into a world of exclusive content including a feed of photos, relevant youtube videos, and a livestream of tumblr posts. want to become a k.s. employee? you can do that on facebook, too! that’s some smart business right there.
• major: there is a difference between the content on its tumblr and blog.
• what was once a brand known for conservative preppiness has now become a modern mix of cuteness and quirk. i mean, have you seen this bag? and is anyone else as obsessed as i am with the ‘live colorfully’ campaign? each month cleverly highlights a new color and the kate products that feature it.
• to be honest, a whole bunch of my awesome friends (at least three) have worked there, making kate spade awesome by default. boom.

so there you have it, people. here is a major force to be reckoned with across the board. let’s continue the conversation: email me at sarazucker@gmail.com.

i’m taking the week off from “truth thursday,” mainly because i stayed out too late last night (wine) and i’d rather eat this grilled cheese with bacon than think about what companies are doing wrong. hope you don’t mind. in the meantime, feel free to suggest brands for future weeks so that we can keep this discussion going.

it’s official: “truth thursday” is now a weekly staple, whether i had initially intended it to be or not (i did). before i continue, please note that the opinions i publish on my blog are not that of my employer, they are my own. it’s just me and my big mouth.

• i should hope that you wouldn’t shop at old navy for the quality, because…well…it’s poor at best. add to that the fact that most of its clothing is made in sweatshops and you have a wardrobe waiting to fall apart.  don’t get me wrong, there are many pieces worth buying to stay on-trend for a season—but for a season, not seasons. 
• note that the allegations of old navy employing child labor are nothing new. discussions about this particular issue have been published as early as 1999 (warning: that link contains nipples), continuing into 2004 and 2007.
• do i really need to discuss this commercial?
• and this commercial?
• and this commercial?
• don’t even get my started about the talking mannequins. are you kidding me? i won’t even inflict torture on you by linking to those commercials because they are just that painful and, i swear, i’m too nice of a person. no, but seriously, after all of that poor advertising year after year, you’d think that such a big brand with so much money behind it would get new representation. it is appalling. i am positive that if the store had better campaigns, i’d be more inclined to shop there or at least walk in and take a look around. the deals at your local old navy are too good to resist and there really are some stellar pieces in stock.
• keeping in mind the online-based holiday campaigns of its competitors, i have yet to see one from old navy. the internet is not an untapped resource. it’s been tapped, time and time again. i hate to keep saying each week that brands need to focus more on e-commerce because they should know that by now. target is the perfect example of a competitor with a solid online strategy. its facebook page is continually updated with new and engaging sources of entertainment. must be why the retailer has ~7 million fans compared with old navy’s ~2 million. just surmisin’. target also has some questionable television ads, but you learn to ignore them because they toe the line between irritating and purposeful. not to say that target is without fault because we all know it’s not.
• on the other hand, i love this part of the old navy facebook page; it is a great way to engage with fans and show appreciate for having them as shoppers.

i’m disappointed that old navy has strayed from its heritage roots, but i’ve shopped at the store for years. and what can you do? change happens. now that i got that out of my system, it is important to note that the purpose of “truth thursday” is not to tear a brand down. rather, it was created to raise concerns that the company may not have realized because they drink the corporate kool aid. 

let’s continue the conversation: email me at sarazucker@gmail.com.

now that “truth thursday” has become a staple, of course i will reiterate that the opinions that i publish on my blog are not that of my employer, they are my own.

i’m a little girl with a lot of thoughts. admittedly, urbn inc has had a rough year with the general public. while i don’t mean to add to that, it’s important that we not ignore the issues at hand…instead, let’s tackle them head-on and discuss potential solutions:

• i understand that with mass retail comes poor quality—that’s just the name of the game—but it still must be said that a majority of the shirts i’ve bought at urban outfitters have fallen apart after a few wears. that also happens with pieces purchased from forever21. the main difference is the price-point; urban outfitters is not as low-cost as forever21. maybe it should be.
• why do free people models always look like they are about to eat my soul?
• urban outfitters has one of the most long-standing branded blogs on the internet…only problem is that hardly anyone knows about it. they would do well to promote it farther than a random newsletter or tweet. what’s the harm in self-promoting great content? the effort is there. highlight it!
• bhldn, i love almost everything you do, but what in the world is this thing?
• if you’ve been to an anthropologie/urban outfitters store and looked around, you’ll quickly realize that in-house designs are few and far between; rather, both stock a wide range of talented indie designers. were you aware? why not profile one of them in the next issue of your catalog? because i will admit, urbn inc still, today, in 2011, churns out catalogs that i read from back to front. 
• speaking of which, urban outfitters, maybe you should do some research before bragging about all those quirky little items you have in-stock. if you had, there’s a chance you could’ve avoided that whole etsy debacle.
• and the whole use-of-politically-incorrect-cultural-references thing? don’t worry, i won’t add fuel to the fire, but really? have a little sensitivity. and maybe selling this sweater isn’t such a classy idea either. i’m just saying.
• julia also noted the corp’s public republican stance on gay marriage and gay rights. this should not go unmentioned. thanks for highlighting it, julia!

as i’ve said in past editions, “truth thursday” does not exist to tear brands down. believe me when i say that! it merely brings to light issues that the company may not realize existed because they drink the corporate kool aid. don’t think that i won’t be stopping into the nearest anthro this weekend (have you seen this dress? yum.).

let’s continue the conversation: email me at sarazucker@gmail.com.

now that i’m on to my third week of “truth thursday,” i thought i made this clear, but i’ll write it again just in case it wasn’t: the opinions that i publish on my blog are not that of my employer, they are my own. it’s as simple as that. i only have myself to blame for my ramblings. but anyway, back to the reason we’re all here.

first, you should all know that 90% of my wardrobe was bought at the gap. my jeans collection is almost entirely gap. i have been a loyal customer since childhood and am always fond of declaring my love for the mass retailer. that being said, i am saddened by its lack of continuity shown on all fronts. let me explain:

• patrick robinson? really? you chose a designer best known for bohemian-esque prints and an overall island aesthetic to head a brand that, up until then, had been a go-to for denim and lived-in tees. (at this very moment, it can be quoted that there is not one style of chambray shirt available in-store or online.)
• …and now that robinson’s been canned, where will your strategy lean? when he was hired in late 2007, the question of “can gap be saved?” was raised but currently, your sales have dropped lower than american apparel. #facepalm
• while we’re on topic, are you a trend-driven brand or one focused on the staples? make up your mind because i think it’s clear that you can’t be both.
• your online mag is so awesome. does anyone know it exists?
• the exchange rate of your product in america vs. europe perplexes me. i bought a sweater in paris years ago for €40 and came home to discover it being sold in new york stores for $40. am i dumb or does that make no sense?

as i’ve said in past editions, “truth thursday” does not exist to tear brands down. believe me when i say that! it merely brings to light issues that the company may not realize existed because they drink the corporate kool aid. but seriously, believe me when i say that the gap is my jam. in fact, i shopped there just yesterday!

next week, i will tackle the behemoth that is urban outfitters corp. yes, corp, so i will discuss anthropologie, urban outfitters, and bhldn. feel free to send discussion topics or talking points over to me at sarazucker@gmail.com.

are you a budget shopper looking for a modern-yet-affordable piece? if so, zara has become a go-to for many, including myself. though i am not as avid a visitor of the high street retailer as i’d like, i keep abreast of new collections and in-store developments (namely, sales). zara is one of the only stores to supply both on-trend and classic pieces. unfortunately, the store has its flaws. many flaws, in fact.

• it has been brought to my attention that zara’s customer service is lacking. okay, i’m being polite—apparently, its customer service is appalling and all sorts of disrespectful. brands sometimes, all too often, forget that the customer is always right. this cliche was born out of truth because would a brand exist without its consumer? no. upon repeatedly inquiring about the potential of an upcoming store opening in her hometown, angela was basically blown off. nadia was left with a flat-out “we don’t care.” where are your representatives to fan the flames of complaint? who is responding to legitimate inquiries?
• this brings me to my next point: what in the world took you so long to jump on the e-commerce train? do you have any idea the many millions of dollars you’ve lost on patiently waiting for this trendy internet thing to blow over? i am thoroughly embarrassed on your behalf.
• i won’t even touch the issue of your poor quality.
• aside from finally going e-commerce, the biggest thing to happen to zara in the past year was its sequin clutch. how in the world did it slip you by that this is street style gold? literally! and all those purses were coincidentally bought by stylish gals. you could have jumped on that and gotten a “c/o” for yourself. in the end, this becomes yet another missed opportunity.
• do you even have a blog? #imean
• meredith reminded me: who in the hell is your fit model? that 6 is not a 6.

all of that being said, i don’t plan to stop shopping at zara anytime soon. a girl’s gotta be on-trend on a budget, am i right? as i said last week, the purpose of “truth thursday” is not to tear down a brand and say how much they suck, but rather point out issues they didn’t realize existed from the outside. these are some of my favorite companies, ones that i shop at on the regular. nevertheless, i know that i’m not alone in having these feelings of frustration and considering my relationship with the store is not as tight as you may have, i’d love to hear what you have to say. next week? the gap.

let’s continue the conversation: email me at sarazucker@gmail.com.

as i mentioned yesterday, this feature is not meant to bash or insult a company; these are brands that i have been shopping at for years and will continue to do so. merely, its purpose is to bring to light issues that might not be realized internally. i received a response to my first edition, focused on madewell, from a former employee that i have been given permission to publish as it supports my discussion:

Sara,

My name is (former Madewell employee) and I had the pleasure of interacting with you during the Madewell Blogger breakfast. Can I just say this entry pulled at my heartstrings in more ways then one. Let me start by saying I have worked at Madewell 1 + yr. Truth be told I started there as way to make money while I interned post graduating from college. To my chagrin I have stayed there while I continue to look for a job. As I got to know the brand I developed how shall we say a true soft spot for it.

         Here in lies the problem, as someone who studied photography and marketing I made it well known to my hire ups that I was interested in the corporate level all of the things you spoke of in your post (HAVING ACTUAL BLOGGERS WRITE FOR THE BLOG and using them as a tool of sorts, starting a blog (I started in September 2010), as well as having a blog that is well constructed and not just mismatches of random stuff were things I have suggested). But as time wears on and my soft spot gradually begins to vanish, I have realized Madewell and its parent company JCrew don’t really care about as you so aptly phrased it its devastatingly chic employees. A sad sad truth but reading this made me happy on so many levels.

 Thanks again for this it truly truly spoke to me in so so so many ways

 All the Best,

(former Madewell employee)

i’ll admit that this email made me feel a bit vindicated, but as i said, it isn’t that we’re disgusted by madewell’s behavior thus far, merely disappointed. (if you agree/disagree with this post, let us continue the conversation at sarazucker@gmail.com.)