Holiday Favorites and Popular New Brands Shine Brightly At Mervyn's

Business Wire, Oct 21, 2002

Business Editors & Retail/Fashion Writers

HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2002

Faux-fur trims. Velvet bedding. Stiffel lamps. Chenille gloves. Whatever you're wishing for this holiday season, Mervyn's, a family-favorite shopping destination, is the place to find the hottest holiday fashions at great prices.

"With Mervyn's great selection of holiday must-haves, busy moms can decorate the home, outfit the kids, and find something for everyone on their holiday shopping lists - all in one place," says Kate Rice, Mervyn's style expert. "This season, Mervyn's offers sought-after toile holiday decorations, popular hand-painted dinnerware, and fashionable clothes for the whole family."

Baby, it's cold outside

Feel-good fabrics such as velour and velvet top this season's holiday styles for women, and faux-fur will appear on everything from women's apparel to accessories. Other popular looks for women include blazers, novelty sweaters, and romantic, vintage-inspired blouses featuring ruffles and lace from axcess by Liz Claiborne and Gloria Vanderbilt. Women will warm up to soft hats and scarves in such fabrics as velvet, angora, fleece, and wool. And cozy chenille gloves by Hillard & Hanson(R) or leather gloves by Nine & Company are stocking-stuffer must-haves.

For men, textured and patterned sweaters in chenille and cotton are favorites, as are bomber jackets, track suits, and corduroy pieces. Dad will keep warm in a reversible winter jacket by Cheetah(R), and young men will get in the holiday spirit with novelty loungewear that features festive prints and characters such as Dr. Seuss(TM) and SpongeBob SquarePants.

Sparkle cardigans and holiday sweaters by Sprockets(R) and High Sierra(TM) are popular with toddler girls. Velour leggings and shimmer velveteen flared bottoms are on every girl's wish list. Boys will wear striped rugby shirts and sweaters paired with carpenter and cargo-style bottoms in corduroy and denim. Comfy clothes for children and toddlers include Reebok fleece sets and Sideout(R) hooded sweatshirts. High Sierra flannel pajamas in fun patterns and prints will keep the kids cozy.

Home for the holidays

This holiday season, Mervyn's is adding Stiffel and Henckels(R) to its offering of big brands. Guests can brighten up their holidays with Stiffel lamps, clocks, and frames. Henckels knives will make preparing holiday meals a cinch!

Mervyn's guests will bundle up this winter in Sierra Home Collections(TM) 'Country' bedding in rich holiday hues such as taupe, aubergine, sage, and muted red. Velvet comforters and vintage beaded pillows provide richness and warmth to any bedroom, while a great selection of colorful quilts adds a taste of country charm.

All the trimmings

Accessories will add sparkle and flair this holiday season. Vintage and estate jewelry from 1928(R), Trifari(R), and Villager, as well as beaded handbags, add a classy touch to holiday outfits and provide a great way to transition from work to festive holiday parties. Other dazzling accessories for the holidays include diamond stud earrings, sapphire and ruby rings, and gold children's jewelry.

Charm bracelets by Charming featuring inspirational messages such as "Follow Your Heart" are sure to be hits, as will watches with interchangeable charms that include a snowflake, heart, four-leaf clover, and American flag. Strap watches from Guess(TM), Nine & Company, and Anne Klein II(R) are also ones to "watch" this season.

About Mervyn's

Mervyn's, headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a family-friendly neighborhood department store with 264 locations in 14 states. Known for its big brands at small prices, Mervyn's has a well-earned reputation for its extensive selection of national and owned-brand fashions and housewares. With hundreds of top national brands such as adidas(R), Cuisinart(R), Dockers(R), Fieldcrest(R), Gloria Vanderbilt, Haggar(R), KitchenAid(TM), Lee(R), Levi's(R), Nike(R), Nine & Company, Samsonite(R), Sideout(R), and Unionbay(R), Mervyn's offers trend-right fashions for the entire family and the home. With a focus on improving the lives of children and families, Mervyn's together with parent company Target Corporation, annually contributes more than $2 million a week to communities where the company operates.