Sean John Men's Sportswear Exclusively at Macy's Beginning Spring 2011

In a Macy's press release issued May 5, 2010, Macy's Incorporated announced starting spring 2011, Macy's will be the exclusive retailer for Sean John's men's sportswear. The exclusive deal will hopefully bring life to the retailer who has seen more than its fair share of financial and legal woes the last three years. For Sean "Diddy" Combs, this deal may help the average American see him as more than just a hip-hop mogul.

Sean Jean Exclusively at Macy's

On Wednesday May 5, 2010, Macy's became the exclusive domestic retailer of Sean John Men's Sportswear starting spring 2011. Macy's reports expectant merchandise shipments in October 2010 to be initially available online and in 400 of Macy's stores for spring 2011. The collection reportedly consists of knitwear, tees, denim, outerwear, sport coats/jackets, vests, shorts, pants and woven sport shirts.

This exclusive line will have in-shops within the following Macy's flagship stores - Herald Square, State Street, Union Square, South Coast Plaza and Dadeland. The stores will also carry other non-exclusive Sean John products. The label's tailored clothing, boy's, women's, leather, undergarments and fragrances will be profiled more often in Macy's stores.

What Diddy Can Gain From the Deal

Sean John is a recognized fashion label within the industry; however, the general public still views it as hip-hop clothing. Many fail to realize that in the 11 years Sean John existed it has sold annually over $525 million in the U.S. alone. In 2004, Sean Combs was the Council of Fashion Designers of America's Men's Wear Designer of the Year. Not to mention his fragrance, Unforgivable, is the highest selling men's fragrance in U.S. department stores. Even with all of these accomplishments, Sean Combs is still mainly recognized as a music mogul. However, the exclusive deal with Macy's may propel Sean Combs the fashion designer and Sean John the fashion label, into the forefront of the public's consciousness.

What This Could Mean for Macy's

Macy's chief merchandising officer, Jeff Gennette, is hopeful this deal can solidify and set apart Macy's menswear department from other retailers. It seems the goal for Macy's with this relationship and future ones is to provide a comprehensive menswear offering to meet the fashion and grooming needs of men. Such an offering will go a long way in repairing the tarnished relationship Macy's has had with the public over the last few years.

Macy's Legal and Financial Woes

In January 2009, Macy's along with Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and Dillard's were order to give away 175 million dollars worth of free makeup. This court order was the result of a class action settlement, which found that Macy's and others fixed the price of cosmetics from Guerlin, Estee Lauder, Chanel, Givenchy and more.

January 7, 2010 another class action lawsuit was filed against Macy's for misleading jewelry buyers. Macy's is accused of artificially enhancing gems and stones with lead to exaggerate their carat weight and hide flaws. Some claims state precious and semi-precious gems were in fact glass filled with lead. These lawsuits along with the economic crisis the world faced in 2008 brought down economic hardship for the retailer. Macy's is beginning to rebound and the Sean John collection can only serve the retailer to gain momentum.

Sean John's exclusive men's sportswear for Macy's stands to bring more recognition to Sean Combs and help repair Macy's image. Keep a look out for this exclusive collection to hit Macy's stores spring 2011. Until then, Sean John clothing lines can be found in many higher end retail stores and at the Sean John online store.

Sources

Class Action Lawsuits. (2010, March 12). Why is there a Class Action Lawsuit against Macys? Retrieved May 06, 2010, from Class Action Lawsuits.org: http://www.class-action-lawsuits.org/2010/03/why-is

Macy's. (2010, May 05). Press Release - Sean John Sportswear to be Sold Exclusively at Macy's. Retrieved May 06, 2010, from Macy's Inc.: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=84477&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1422839&highlight=

Marcial, G. (2010, February 15). Inside Wall Street: A Revived Macy's Is Priced Right. Retrieved May 06, 2010, from Daily Finance: http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/investing/inside-wall-street-a-revived-macys-is-priced-right/19356756/