When COVID happened, a lot of people changed the way they were living their lives. People saw it as an opportunity to take a deeper look at their priorities and figure out what was truly important to them. But, like all things in life, COVID passed and I'm willing to bet that most people went back to business as usual. It's like making a New Year's resolution; did you know that only 9% of people who make a new year's resolution actually stick with it? Bleak.
Something I despise - loathe - about the retail industry? The fact that Halloween decorations are put out in July. Christmas decorations line the shelves before Halloween is over, and it seems to be happening earlier every year. Why? Is it just American consumerism at it's best?
I will not put a heavy sweater out on my sales floor in July. I will not put it out in August. Whatever the current season is, those are the clothes that I put out. The only exception? Perhaps a cardigan - or something similar - that can be worn transitionally all year round.
The retail seasons are as follows:
Pre-spring (isn't that winter?)
Spring
Pre-summer (isn't that spring?)
Summer
Pre-fall (isn't that summer?)
Fall
Pre-winter (isn't that fall?)
Winter
Holiday
Resort
Holiday is, well, exactly what you might think. Sparkly dresses (sequins everywhere), ugly Christmas sweaters, pretty Christmas sweaters, shirts with pictures of Santa, Flannel PJ sets, I could go on and on.
Resort comes after Holiday and before Pre-spring. It's for people going on vacation; that's why you see bathing suits in stores in February and March. I don't do resort. If a customer tells me they need something for vacation, I'll figure out a way to get it, but I don't buy resort.
I've always wondered why the retail industry does this. Do people really need to plan their wardrobe seasons in advance? I don't think so. There have been times that I have gone into a store and bought a sweater in July because I love it and can't pass it up. That sweater sits in my closet until it's cold enough to wear, taunting me. With all the "live in the moment" memes and conversations you would think the retail world would have gotten the message and made some changes.
I was reading an article in Vogue not so long ago.
It was published during COVID:
I was so excited when I read this! I was like, "O. M. G. I am brilliant! If someone on Balenciaga's team has the same thoughts that I have? (Or I have the same thoughts as her) I must be onto something!"
But of course, that's not the way things have unfolded. Because everything, including the retail industry's ridiculously ahead-of-season seasons, went back to business as usual.
Bleak.
What are your thoughts on the retail seasons? Do you buy in advance because the option to do so is there, or would you be bummed if you went into a store in July and didn't see sweaters? Leave an answer below, I would love to get some feedback on this!
