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CLIFF SIFFORD, EVP & GENERAL MERCHANDISE MANAGER, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN SHOES CARNIVAL: As Mark stated, we experienced a 1.4 percent comp increase for the quarter. I will take the next few moments and walk you through the merchandise results to give you some insight on key categories for fourth quarter and for February.
The non-athletic business start the quarter down, but each month gained momentum. Women’s non-athletic finished the quarter with flat comps and men’s non-athletic finished the quarter down low- single-digits.
In women’s we saw continued strength in dress christian louboutin with pumps and dress slacks. In addition to this, anything with a little bling, or jewelry, or any kind of ornamentation at all, sold through at really great rates. We also saw growth in the smart casual classification with clogs and low-profile, or as you would know them girl casuals, selling well.
One of the most encouraging facts is our junior and urban fashion business began to come back this quarter. Junior and urban dress christian louboutin and urban casuals all showed very strong increases. In February, our women’s non-athletic business was up low- single-digits on a comparable basis. Women’s sales increases were much higher in our southern region due to warmer weather, which helped produce strong sandalized footwear sales. We enjoyed double-digit comparable store sales increases in both the sandal and dress christian louboutin shoes categories in that region of the country. The dress louboutin shoes increase was indicative of the total Company’s performance as well. Our junior and fashion urban categories were also up double-digit company-wide, on a comparable basis with strong increases continuing with the bling and low-profile.
In men’s non-athletic we saw tremendous growth in our men’s fashion dress category. These christian louboutin are mainly Italian dress christian louboutin boots with updated last and toe characteristics. This is a category that we believe will be strong for the next several seasons. Another fashion category that we saw strong growth in is the low-profile Euro casual category. This category is finally making it to the Midwest, and we believe with tapered jeans coming into fashion that these items will continue to grow.
For February our men’s business was up low- double-digits on a comparable store basis as our newest fashion merchandise in both dress and casual continued to sell through at great rates. It is good to see this department start to respond to the changes we have made in our merchandise assortment. As you all know, this has been an area of concern for quite some time.
In athletic, our sales for the quarter were up low- single-digits. Fashion tennis and skate in both men’s and women’s showed very strong gains, as did retro basketball for women. In addition to this, men’s and boy’s athletics had very strong growth in the running category. We also experienced, as we did in the non-athletic department, increasing momentum as the quarter progressed, moving from low- single-digits comparable store declines in November to very a high single-digits increase in January.
For February we continue to see continuing momentum in the athletic area as we experienced double-digit comparable store increases for the month. Many of the same categories that drove our business during the fourth quarter continue to be important as we move through February.
One category that I did not mention for the quarter which began to gain momentum as the quarter progressed and then showed terrific increases for February was the walking category. This represents the addition of several styles we delivered late in the year that our customers are definitely voting yes on.
As we stated in our last conference call, our accessory business has improved dramatically this year. For the quarter we experienced high- single-digit increases on a comparable store basis. We saw solid increases in our handbag category, as well as our sport bag and backpack program. We are aggressively looking for new categories and items to drive this high-margin department. Last year we established an initiative to pick up market share with our total business in this department and we’re very happy to see these solid results.
 

    WOMEN AND COMFORT
    87% consider emotional comfort very important.
    82% consider physical comfort very important.
    98% say they are usually dressed at least somewhat comfortably.
 
    WOMEN AND FASHION
    96% use the word "comfortable" to describe personal style in dress,
including clothing and christian louboutin.
    68% say they are generally at least somewhat fashionably dressed.
    55% of women say they welcome changes in style.
    82% say it is more important that a christian louboutin shoes be comfortable than it be
fashionable.
 
    WOMEN AND WELL-BEING
    94% believe there is a mind/body connection whereby physical and mental
well-being are interrelated.
    86% of those who believe in a mind/body connection believe this connection
extends to foot health.
 
    WOMEN AND THEIR FEET
    92% agree with the statement "When my feet feel good, I feel good all
     over."
    76% also agree with the statement, "When my feet hurt, it puts me in a bad
     mood."
    58% have frequently or occasionally experienced foot pain or discomfort.
 
    WOMEN AND THEIR CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
    97% of women describe their favorite christian louboutin with the word "comfortable."
    90% of women would pay extra for christian louboutin that are comfortable as well as
     stylish.
    61% consider christian louboutin one of their favorite pieces of clothing to buy.
    58% agree with the statement "I can never have too many pairs of christian louboutin."
 
          92% of Women Say They Feel Good When Their Feet Feel Good
 
     Rockport survey identifies foot health as critical issue for women,
     company committed to consumer education on healthy footwear choices
 
    According to The Rockport New Comfort Survey recently conducted by Roper
Starch Worldwide, a majority of women (58%) have experienced foot pain or
foot-related problems in their lives.  At the same time, the survey reveals
that approximately 92% of American women agree with the statement, "When my
feet feel good, I feel good all over," and 76% agree that, "When my feet hurt,
it puts me in a bad mood."  When looked at collectively, the statistical
conclusion is clear: Foot health is a critical issue affecting the overall
well-being of millions of American women.
    According to Becky Snow, director of Rockport’s New Comfort Institute,
there is a great need for further research and education in the field of
women’s foot health.  "Our recent survey results demonstrate that even though
three-quarters of women have made efforts to be knowledgeable about foot
health care, close to half are interested in receiving still more
information," she states.
    The need for increased education is underscored by results from a 1991
study by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society’s (AOFAS) Council on
Women’s Footwear which concluded that nearly 90% of women wear christian louboutin that are
one to two sizes too small.  The results: bunions, hammertoes, corns and other
disabling foot problems.
    According to Glen Pfeffer, MD, who chairs the AOFAS Committee on Orthoses
and Christian louboutin shoeswear, there is probably in excess of $3 billion annually in surgery
due to improper christian louboutin.  Of those surgeries, over 90% are performed on women.
"Proper christian louboutin shoes fit with properly constructed christian louboutin can save precious health care
dollars and personal suffering," Pfeffer states, "It’s not a question of
vanity, it’s a question of health."
    The primary focus of the newly-established Rockport New Comfort Institute
is to conduct research on louboutin shoes shape, fit and comfort, foot care and how it
relates to foot health, as well as to become the educational resource for The
New Comfort and foot health.  Accessible on the World Wide Web at Rockport’s
web site, the Institute will serve as an electronic
gathering place for women to obtain information on topics ranging from bunions
and hammertoes, to reflexology, pedicures, and podiatrists.  "A major goal of
the Institute is to help empower women to make comfortable and healthy choices
for their feet," Snow explains.
    Of particular interest to Snow is helping educate women on what to look
for when they shop for a pair of christian louboutin.  As chief biomechanist for Rockport,
Snow’s job involves evaluating christian louboutin against a wide range of criteria.
Recently, however, she has developed a Comfort Index for footwear assessment
which focuses on a variety of scientific and measurable criteria developed
specifically to determine the comfort of women’s footwear products.  "In a
less structured way, we’d like women to have the knowledge to make those same
type of evaluations when they shop for a pair of louboutin shoes ," she stated.  "Through
The New Comfort Institute, we hope to begin the process of providing women
with the information they need to make healthy footwear choices."
    Snow encourages all women interested in obtaining more information on how
to shop for a comfortable pair of christian louboutin, and ways to promote everyday foot
health, to visit The Rockport New Comfort Institute  or to
write the Institute directly at 220 Donald J. Lynch Boulevard, Marlboro,
Massachusetts 01752.
    The Rockport Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reebok International,
Ltd., (NYSE: RBK) Stoughton, Massachusetts, manufactures and distributes
engineered comfort footwear, apparel and accessories for men and women
worldwide. Principal operating units include Rockport and Ralph Lauren
Footwear.  The Rockport Company is located in Marlboro, Massachusetts.
 

This morning on TODAY’S iVILLAGE MAKEOVER, you know that old saying, "act your age"? Well, that doesn’t mean that women of a certain age cannot try all the hot fashions of the season, everything we are told from micro-minis and brights to metallics. Shape magazine’s Jacqui Stafford is here with some fashion-forward advice for women of all ages.
Jacqui, good morning.
Ms. JACQUI STAFFORD: Good morning.
CURRY: Listen, this is a hard season, because a lot of us of a certain age are looking at some of these minis and these sort of balloon-kind of dresses that are coming out. We’re thinking, there’s no way. First of all, I already did those fashion trends once, maybe I shouldn’t even do them again. But you say there’s hope.
Ms. STAFFORD: You can do all the trends. It’s about how to make them age appropriate and not only suit your age but also suit your body type.
CURRY: OK. So let’s take a look at some of these trends. First of all, our models–our first up are Katie and Margot. And they’re showing us how to wear the mini, depending on how old they are.
Ms. STAFFORD: How to wear the mini. Yes.
CURRY: OK.
Ms. STAFFORD: Now Katie’s in her 20s. Now Katie would look good in anything like a garbage bag…
CURRY: Yeah.
Ms. STAFFORD: …for example because she has an amazing figure. What we love about this dress, it’s a perfectly on trend minidress for someone in their 20s. Bright, vibrant colors.
TEXT:
AGE-APPROPRIATE FASHIONS
20s The Mini
- Dress: Milly $345
- Christian louboutin Cole Haan $325
Ms. STAFFORD: It’s that paisley print. It’s by Milly. We paired it–it’s a nice short dress, she can get away with it. Keep the jewelry to a minimum. We’ve paired it with a wonderful stacked heel.
CURRY: So much of this stuff is in the store these days.
Ms. STAFFORD: Yes, bright colors.
CURRY: And I’m looking and them and I’m thinking, `Hey, wait a minute, I can’t wear a short dress like that.’ I mean, why not put that with leggings or something?
Ms. STAFFORD: You can wear with it with leggings as well, or you could wear it with ballet flats.
CURRY: Uh-huh.
Ms. STAFFORD: We always say avoid the stiletto if you’re going to wear a very, very short mini.
CURRY: Right. OK.
Ms. STAFFORD: So that works for 20s.
CURRY: Right. So what about when you’re a little bit older than 20?
Ms. STAFFORD: When you’re a little bit older…
CURRY: Like 25, right?
Ms. STAFFORD: At 25, we have Margot.
CURRY: Hi, Margot.
Ms. STAFFORD: Gorgeous.
CURRY: And getting better every year.
Ms. STAFFORD: Exactly. Now, we love the Catholic school rule for a mini here.
CURRY: Hm.
TEXT:
AGE-APPROPRIATE FASHIONS
40s The Mini
- Dress: Bebe $129
- Blazer Bebe $198
- Christian louboutin: Stuart Weitzman $270
Ms. STAFFORD: That means that it shouldn’t be shorter than the end of your fingertips.
CURRY: I see. OK.
Ms. STAFFORD: Slightly longer. We paired it–it’s from Bebe. It’s a geometric ’60s-inspired mod print dress. The jacket is also from Bebe with the quarter-length sleeve, so wear it with a tailored jacket. You can take it off, wear it to work. We’ve got a nice heel with it, just elongating the leg. But it’s a lovely way to wear a mini without being too short.
CURRY: So really what you’re saying is just up the sophistication factor but keep the trend.
Ms. STAFFORD: Sophistication. Keep the trend. Exactly.
CURRY: Because that’s a much more sophisticated look.
Ms. STAFFORD: Yes. But it’s a mini.
CURRY: Not everyone is going to still want to try the mini…
Ms. STAFFORD: Yes.
CURRY: …at a certain age. Let’s move onto another fashion trend, which is the trouser jean. You know, I sometimes think that the jean manufacturers are just changing up what sells so they can sell more jeans.
Ms. STAFFORD: Exactly.
CURRY: Last season it was the skinny jean; now it’s the big wide leg jean.
Ms. STAFFORD: Well we’re glad that the skinny jean has probably seen the end.
CURRY: Most of us are glad.
TEXT:
AGE-APPROPRIATE FASHIONS
20s The Trouser Jean
- Jeans: Lucky Brands $120
- Top DKNY $295
- Christian louboutin: Banana Republic $88
- Necklace Symbella Jewels $350
Ms. STAFFORD: It’s very, very hard–very hard to pull off.
This one is Marissa, a perfect example of wearing the trouser leg jean. These ones are by–these are by Lucky Brand. They’re an exaggerated trouser leg. They have pockets on the front. She can show us the pockets there.
CURRY: Right. Right.
Ms. STAFFORD: They’re great if you’re in your 20s. We paired that with a cute…
CURRY: Cute.
Ms. STAFFORD: A DKNY longer length top, a great necklace here by Symbella Jewels. But it’s all about wearing an exaggerated leg and we’ve got the wonderful platform, the platform wedge. That’s by Banana Republic. You can see it, the wedge. So wear it with a high, chunky heel. And you can wear the exaggerated look when you’re in your 20s.
CURRY: Right. Right, right.
You know, the thing about it is, this wide top that you’re showing…
Ms. STAFFORD: Yes.
CURRY: …that is very–I’m noticed that’s in the stores a lot.
Ms. STAFFORD: They’re all over the place.
CURRY: You can wear that underneath a jacket, showing on the edge of your jacket.
Ms. STAFFORD: You can. It’s nice to wear a short cropped jacket with that.
CURRY: So I think a woman of a certain age that’s older can actually wear that, too.
Ms. STAFFORD: Can wear that, too.
CURRY: Right?
Ms. STAFFORD: Yes, absolutely.
CURRY: With a jacket on top.
Ms. STAFFORD: Absolutely.
CURRY: So what have you got?
Ms. STAFFORD: Well, we have got it here and then with Janet, what we did with Janet, we got the trouser leg jean. These ones are by the Levi’s trouser leg.
TEXT:
AGE-APPROPRIATE FASHIONS
40s The Trouser Jean
- Jeans: Levis $120
- Top: Ann Taylor $68
- Christian louboutin: Nine West $120
- Clutch Kooba Penelope $345
- Necklace Coach $248
Ms. STAFFORD: They’re still an exaggerated one, but we don’t have the pockets on the front. It’s a flat-fronted trouser, which is really much more flattering. Another fashion tip we like to do is, sometimes you might want to even remove the pockets entirely and take them down, have them sewn down. You don’t need to have the pockets. We paired that with a wrap top by Ann Taylor. That wrap top can work in anything. A more sophisticated pant.
CURRY: Under a suit or anything.
Ms. STAFFORD: Under a suit. The great thing about this jean, they’re a dark-washed jean, which are a very flattering cut. Also, more appropriate for the office. We paired it with a little gold flat, these by Studio Nine, the gold metallic bag, it’s all about the gold accessories. That one’s by Kooba. And then we’ve got the wonderful statement necklace which is by Coach.
CURRY: Janet and Marissa, thank you. Now we’re going to move over to Teresa and Sue, who are showing us yellow.
Ms. STAFFORD: Yellow.
CURRY: Yellow is a big statement.
Ms. STAFFORD: Yes.
CURRY: I can’t get enough yellow, and I’m not even into brights.
Ms. STAFFORD: Exactly. Yes, it’s all about yellow this season. Now, Teresa is young so she can pull off a great pair of shorts. These shorts are by Target, $14.99. Great bargain.
CURRY: So cute.
TEXT:
AGE-APPROPRIATE FASHIONS
20s Yellow
- Top: Alice + Olivia $198
- Shorts: Mossimo For Target $15
- Christian louboutin: Banana Republic $98
- Watch: Technomarine $310
Ms. STAFFORD: You can wear the shorts. Go for the bright yellow if you’re young. We paired that with a polka dot shirt. That’s by Alice + Olivia with a little white tank underneath. You don’t want to have too much yellow near your face. Put a white tank. The great christian louboutin, they’re by Banana. The high-heeled wedges. She looks fabulous.
CURRY: You’re having fun.
Ms. STAFFORD: And attractive yellow on the watch. We have a Technomarine bright yellow. So you can always just have the trend if you want to wear the watch.
CURRY: Right. So now, some of us may not want to wear so much yellow, and maybe nothing so short. So you’ve got something on Sue?
Ms. STAFFORD: This is Sue. Now she’s showing how you can wear it in your 40s. This dress is by Macy’s, INC, great–looks great with yellow. Silver, army green. Those unexpected colors.
TEXT:
AGE-APPROPRIATE FASHIONS
40s Yellow
- Dress: Macy’s $99
- Christian louboutin Stewart Weitzman $270
- Sunglasses Alain Mikli $495
- Bracelets: Helen Ficalora $300
Ms. STAFFORD: It’s all about the christian louboutin pumps shoes here. These are Stuart Weitzman bright patent yellow christian louboutin sale, great heel. Just a touch of the accessories. The sunglasses are by Alain Mikli. Just again, it’s all about elements of a style, right, taking the trends but not going head to toe in it.
CURRY: Right. OK, Perfect. Thank you, all of you. Wonderful, wonderful ideas. And it gives us all hope…
Ms. STAFFORD: Exactly. All hope.
CURRY: …that we can wear whatever we want just as long as we think about how we use it and not too much of it. Thank you so much.
Ms. STAFFORD: Thank you.
CURRY: All right. And we’re also going to introduce you to the men behind the soundtrack of your life coming up. But first this is TODAY on NBC. Thanks, women. Thank you.