22 Drapers August 1 2009 INDICATOR WOMENSWEAR Drapers spoke to 50 independents about their women’s young fashion business for the week ending July 18. Brands and styles mentioned in the lists, including the Top 10 and Top 5, are ranked when mentioned by five or more retailers YOUNG FASHION Despite plenty of press coverage, light denim failed to take off this season among women’s young fashion indies. Trade last week was tough for most, with 46% of those polled reporting falling sales. Those surveyed said they planned to buy into new brands for spring 10 to boost sales. TOP 10 Best-selling brands of the week 1 G-Star 2 Superdry 3 Lipsy 4 Firetrap 5 Miss Sixty 6 Yumi 7 Fullcircle 8 Religion 9 French Connection 10 Ted Baker TOP 5 Best-selling categories of the week 1 Dresses 2 Tops 3 Jeans 4 T-shirts 5 Shorts TOP 5 Best-selling T-shirt dress brands of the week 1 Miss Sixty 2 Firetrap 3 Religion 4 Yumi 5 Lipsy Quickfire questions How many new brands will you take on for spring10? Average 1.3 Which denim shape do you think will sell best this autumn? 1 Bootcut 2 Straight 3 Skinny fit What brand do you and your staff wear most in store? 1 G-Star 2 French Connection 3 Diesel Which spring outerwear style did you have most of in your Sale? 1 Lightweight jackets 2 Macintoshes 3 Long trench coats To read the latest womenswear news, go to www.drapersonline.com/ news/womenswear For us, it’s more the over-35s market that wants light denim Audrey Cleeve, owner of Stepping Out in Midhurst, West Sussex Flower power: Yumi proved popular of young fashion indies will up their accessories budgets for spring 10 47 % If we can find interesting brands we’ll definitely increase our accessories budget Narin Ibrahin, co-owner of Inocencia in Shrewsbury, Shropshire of indies said light denim did not sell as well as expected this season 71 % 00% Better 00% Same 00% Worse Fashion in figures 18% Better 36% Same 46% Worse Total week’s takings Average spend DATE:week ending july 18 2009 9.5% Year-on-year change £11,176 Average: What were the total sales in your store this week? What was the average spend per customer in your store this week? Date:week ending july 18 2009 Average: £69.11 How does your week’s business compare with this time last year? Skin tight: denim from Fullcircle