RUMBLE IN THE BLACKBOARD JUNGLE; WILL TEEN SPECIALTY RETAILERS CONTINUE THEIR REIGN THIS FALL, OR WILL DEPARTMENT STORES WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT FOR YOUNG MEN'S BACK-TO-SCHOOL DOLLARS?

Daily News Record, May, 2005 by Pallay, Jessica

Byline: Jessica Pallay

At some point this August, most young men will tuck away their swim trunks and embark on the perennial quest to find the perfect back-to-school wardrobe. And while that wardrobe is likely to be denim-based, preppie and brightly colored, where these young men will buy it is yet to be determined.

Department stores enjoyed many years as the beneficiaries of back-to-school splurges, particularly when mom was buying, but in recent years, teen specialty retailers have grabbed a larger percentage of back-to-school dollars. In fact, of the $5.75 million spent by young men on back-to-school purchases during 2004, 38 percent went to specialty shops such as Abercrombie & Fitch or Aeropostale, according to STS Market Research. In contrast,...