Multichannel Surfing

To working stiffs like us, the IKEA furnishings catalog is probably as exciting as the Christie’s art auction catalog is to a multibillionaire: It’s full of cool stuff to buy that you can actually afford. But now IKEA designs have inspired actual works of art from students at the University of Oregon.

Students were to model their furniture projects after a product in the auction catalog from catalog. The pieces had to be based on the Swedish furniture giant’s principals of simplicity, multifunction and affordability. more

Even before we got married my wife started buying her own Christmas gifts from me. I’d get her the wrong size, something too tacky, or something I was more interested in than her (I though chicks dug Sony Playstation… who knew?). So I let Ursula get herself something she really wants, and she tells me “I’ll act surprised.”

To make sure I’m going through the motions, I’ll get Ursula some stuff for a dollar store or a discount store that I know she regularly uses or needs. A lot of times, it’s even “clearance crap.” And this year, if a recent survey by the National Retail Federation is dead on, it looks like I won’t be the only person out there scavenging the bargain bins this season. more

Dismal retail numbers keep rolling in for most merchants. But one somehow continues to post strong sales growth and impressive profits.

Urban Outfitters recorded a 26% hike in revenue—to $478 million—for the fiscal third quarter ended Oct. 31. Better still, the apparel and home goods catalog/retailer, which in addition to its namesake brand includes Anthropologie and Free People, posted a 31% increase in net income for the quarter.

What’s more, direct-to-consumer sales jumped 41% for the quarter. And that’s with a 9% decrease in catalog circulation! more

You know you’re in trouble when a catalog costs $25! What catalog might cost this much, you ask?

The Claremont Rug Company’s catalog, which sells 19th Century Oriental carpets. For how much, you ask? Wait for it … starting at $20,000 and ending up in the six figures. Not a popular catalog, I’m sure, during this doleful economy. Perhaps Donald Trump, Madonna, and Alex Rodriguez chat about these catalog offerings over a light breakfast in Trump’s helicopter as they peruse the New York City skyline? more

Sometimes when things get so bad, you don’t even want to talk about them.

Last week I registered myself for a news conference sponsored by UPS in which the carrier was supposed to give an update on the level of volume it expects to see this holiday season.

The description for the event seemed pretty tasty to me, and I was looking forward to covering it for our Multichannel Merchant readers:

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Want to know how I spent my day Thursday, other than having some medical tests done and bringing the puppy to the vets for her latest shots? Sending this e-mail reply to at least a half a dozen people in the public relations field:

“Hi [name], I have not covered [the industry and/or beat] for at least three years now. Can you please remove me from your distribution list? Thank you.” more