Trendy, affordable accessories still best sellers

DSN Retailing Today, Feb 28, 2005 by Emily Scardino

By all retailer accounts, the accessories category continues outperforming most other areas of the store. The consumer keeps indicating with her wallet that she prefers to update her look with a handbag or scarf rather than invest in a new wardrobe, in both the mid-tier and mass channels.

"All accessories continue to trend strongly for us in both markets," said Eddie Azar, president of Fantasia. "There is a lot happening in color and finishes, and the apparel trends lend themselves strongly to lots of accessories."

Since there are numerous major sportswear trends running concurrently this spring, from bohemian to Palm Beach-polished, customers are primed to stock up on a variety of new accessories. In such a diverse category, ensuring that the right items are on the floor is a complicated task, but here are some anticipated bestsellers for spring and summer 2005.

* Hardlines: Variety is key to keeping this one of the best performing classifications. High-end trends including animal prints have found their way onto shelves at Kmart and Kohl's. So have metallic bags, which continue selling well and "have evolved from simple PVCs to metallic suedes, metallicized furs and metallic prints," added Azar. Small evening bags are finding their niche as are novelty cell phone cases--including a glare leopard number at Target. These flashy accent bags are proving to be hot impulse buys. For day-to-day use, customers are polarizing, seeking to buy either structured totes and framed satchels or slouchy hobos. Designer models from Cynthia Rowley and Kate Spade indicate that rattan is still hot. H&M's half-moon shaped basket bag sold out almost instantly in January, proving the trend has mass-market appeal.

* Fashion jewelry: After its sparkling comeback in 2003, fashion jewelry continues to perform. For 2005, the interest has shifted toward pendants. "We are anticipating a strong demand for the necklace category as this silhouette becomes a very important part of the consumers' jewelry wardrobe," said Abe Chehebar, chairman and ceo of Accessory Network. Bangles, either sets of multiples or larger cuffs, are also outstanding. At Accessory Network, the cuff is also one of the best-selling watch bodies. Across jewelry, items that look like they were plucked from the Far East are expected to drive sales, matched to 2005's key top: the gauze tunic.

* Headwear: Customers have gotten used to buying hats over the past few seasons, first Kangol-style caps, then visors and truckers. "I think hats are really becoming more important in most accessories presentations," stated Chehebar. "The fedora will be everywhere: by fall 2005, it will have crossed all markets."

The juniors market is taking new interest in scarves, especially the oblong sashes seen on celebrities including singer Alicia Keys. Ponchos and shrugs still have a fan base, with trendsetters including BCBG continuing to include them in their lines, but wraps are expected to take share.

* Footwear: Retailers that dabble in footwear, including H&M and Gap, are stepping beyond flip-flops and assorting more shoes "as accessories" in 2005. The key silhouette is the cork wedge; Old Navy has strappy numbers in a rainbow of colors and metallics hanging alongside its first spring apparel delivery. Moccasin flats remain hot, with the traditional kiltie upper or other embellishments--Gap's feature suede rosettes. The color palette is nontraditional, in brights that will add zing to customers' new khakis and white jeans.