Chairman of AWI, Ian McLachlan, said his Board had no hesitation in making funds available on a co-funding basis for this Test Marketing Project.
Saks Fifth Avenue is renowned for its superlative American and international designer collections, as well as its first-rate selling services and expertly edited assortment of handbags, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics and home furnishings.
Today, Saks operates 55 full-line stores in 26 states, 2 stores in the Middle East in Dubai and Riyadh, 52 OFF 5th Outlet Stores .
As a quality retailer based in the Southern States of the USA, Dillard's will play an important role in delivering volume sales for wool apparel.
Its broad reach across the US will ensure the TMP has the ability to deliver maximum fashion and value to America's middle-to-high income earners by providing a mix of national branded products and private labels. Dillard's will initially focus on woollen menswear in the southern US, which will help us reinforce that wool is a year-round fabric.
Ms McGahan said that both Saks and Dillard's met the TMP's very specific selection criteria:
- Leadership Positioning – Ability to position wool as a “must have” premium product;
- Wool Business Growth and Measurement – Commitment to new ranges and incremental wool sales;
- Marketing Investment – Matching TMP investment with retailers own vehicles and funds to create an €integrated campaign; and
-Education – Willingness to educate buyers, sales associates and consumers about the nature, uses and comparative benefits of wool.
The TMP was founded in April 2005 when three peak wool industry bodies – the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO), Australian Wool Innovation Ltd, and Australian Wool Services (AWS/Woolmark) – joined forces and contributed US$6.6 to the project.
International Wool Textile Organisation
marketing@alchempro.com
