AboutJames E. Dion Expertise Most questions about trends in specialty retail, how customers are changing both in the US and Europe. Demographics for all countries as they relate to retail trends and issues. Store Operations, Buying and Merchandising.
Experience
Past/Present clients Microsoft, Harley-Davidson, Ritz-Carlton, Hummer, Ace Hardware, Coleman Spas, Aldo, Intel, Dell, Safeway, New Balance, IBM, Kodak, Bata International, Nortel Networks, Honey Baked Ham Co., Man Alive, Highsmith
B.S Chicago State University
M.S. Chicago State University
PhD (abd) Illinois Institute of Technology
Expert: James E. Dion Date: 2/20/2008 Subject: Regarding the U.S and European markets
Question QUESTION: What are the different seasons for the U.S market and the European market? When do the goods hit the market (for every season)? When does a buyer (U.S and European buyer)usually place an order and when does production begin?
ANSWER: Sharon, There is very little difference between seasonality in Europe and the US. Both have northern and southern regions that have different Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter timings. Orders are generally placed from six to four months prior to the season and production occurs four to two months prior to the season. Spring begins in March, Summer in May, Fall in September and Winter in November. These can vary by country and climate by a month.
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QUESTION: I've heard that there are also holiday seasons that both countries very much follow apart from the four seasons. Can you help with that?? (what holiday and the time of its occurence in both countries)
Answer Sharon,
Holiday is generally the Christmas season and in fashion it is both special occasion as well as resort apparel. The idea is that people dress up over the Christmas season and higher income people take vacations to warmer climates, hence the resort apparel. This resort apparel is a very small market however and has only been a factor in very high end stores, while special occasion has also been slipping of late in the U.S. and not as much in Europe where fashion still means something! Also in Europe, the month of August is a vacation month that is very popular in France, Italy and Spain with a good portion of the population on vacation.
