Wednesday, September 10, 2008

J.Crew + HSN = Say What? {so confused}



I did not know that J.Crew clothes were ever offered on the Home Shopping Network. Two separate points are running through my mind. First, HSN really? I just never expected HSN to sell private labels like J.Crew and I never expected J.Crew to let HSN openly sell their clothes. (In all fairness, I don't watch HSN so I don't really know too much about what they offer in terms of brand name items.)

Second, I do think it is pretty cool that you can see how J.Crew clothes "fall" on a model (who will walk and twirl the actual clothes as oppose to viewing some photos on a website shot at certain angles).

Incidentally, Gap's website use to have videos of models twirling around to show how some of their pants looked from all angles. I really like that idea and hope that J.Crew considers something similar for their site. (Of course, after the current website issues have all been resolved first). ;)

Is (or was) J.Crew clothes on HSN a regular feature and I just never knew about it? Have you bought J.Crew clothes through HSN? Do you think the brand reputation of J.Crew fits well with HSN?

26 comments:

  1. What in the world!?! So is this what all "high-end" retailers do??? Do they sell Gucci and Prada on HSN too? I think the crew really needs to figure out what they want to be. They can't be everything to everyone. You know the cliche, "jack of all traits..."

    ReplyDelete
  2. The only thing I can think of is maybe they are trying to unload some overstocked items from last summer???

    Although HSN and QVC are offering higher-end items lately, I don't think J. Crew's brand image fits with home shopping networks at all. Weird.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I didn't know J Crew was selling on HSN. This company is all over the place! Are you selling $1k python bags through an esteemed Collection or are you hawking to all of America through HSN? Make up your mind. I don't think you can have it both ways.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, interesting. How did you even find the video clip, Alexis?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Maybe I should pick up some j.crew the next time I reload on my mineral make up??? Come on j.crew, I'm sure business isn't THAT bad.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Boy, this was sure a surprise to wake up too! I don't watch any shopping channels b/c I think they are just horrible and annoying...I am a little disappointed in JCrew! HSN to me is lower end- not higher!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Why's everyone so angry? Does their selling their products on HSN really matter that much? It's just another way of marketing if you think about it. I don't think I have to explain how it works.

    I only know HSN as a wide ranged cable channel retailer though. Am I missing something that makes marketing an item on HSN such a spiteful thing?

    Oh, I've never watched the HSN by the way. I've heard that they are trying to reinvent themselves or something along those lines.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I don't think anyone is angry...just surprised...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Selling clothes on HSN just cheapens the J Crew name. I don't think those high end customers that JC are trying to appeal to are going to want to purchase clothes from HSN, ...just my 2 cents

    ReplyDelete
  11. I always though HSN was really tacky and not a place JCrew would want to be seen. What kind or audience are they aiming for with HSN? Don't most people, I mean other than a few select grandparents use the internet (and even they are starting to use it now)? This is weird

    ReplyDelete
  12. Well, HSN has been reinventing themselves as high quality retailers in the past year, so it wouldn't really come as a surprise. J.Crew is just trying to reach out to new audiences . . . But if you ask me, I wouldn't have marketed on HSN either.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Melanie: I randomly found the video in a search for the J.Crew Paris video. :)

    Jeff T: I don't think we are expressing anger but confusion and surprise. Most of us wouldn't expect J.Crew to be selling items (openly) through HSN. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Really?! That is really surprising!

    ReplyDelete
  15. J.Crew is included in HSN's *SCOOP* style, which showcases designers outside of the normal HSN market. J.Crew is being sold on HSN alongside Michael Kors, 7 For All Mankind, and Vera Wang, to name a few.

    ReplyDelete
  16. They've always featured high-end makeup brands like Bliss and Philosophy, so I'm not all that surprised. The background in the video is the logo for Scoop - a very expensive NYC boutique; it must be in connection with them.

    As long as they are not discounting the clothes to offer them on HSN then I'm okay with it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. From what I've been able to tell from Googling, this is old--like from last year. However, the reasoning between the J. Crew/HSN connection may be more logical than you may think....J. Crew is headquartered out of Lynchburg, VA and HSN has a major fulfillment center in Roanoke, VA (about 45 minutes to an hour away). It may have just been an easy and convenient partnership to test the waters and move a few items quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  18. FFM & Pink Maple: Thanks for clearing up how JCrew got on HSN. I didn't realize that they could sell outside labels. :)

    Stunning Styles: You are right, the video was from 2007. :) But that is still relatively recent. (Considering J.Crew had the Collection line in 2007 as well). :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Actually, J Crew ships out of Roanoke, so it is even closer than that!

    I think it's tacky, but whatever. I know HSN sells some nice stuff, but I can't get past the weird stuff they sell (Marie Osmond dolls, etc) and my mental picture of some older lady with hoarding issues speed dialing madly.

    Yes, I know I am going to burn in hell. I've already got my ticket.

    ReplyDelete
  20. JCrew can sell through whatever means they want. But I am just very surprised that they would select HSN to partner with.

    With all their recent focus on "Collection" items and stores carrying exclusive items, I was led to believe that they wanted a more upmarket clientele.

    Maybe they didnt expect any of us regular customers to catch up with this venture. But Alexis and her sleuthing ways caught up with them.

    I wonder what else they are up to?????

    ReplyDelete
  21. lou you are cracking me up with the marie osmond dolls! I knew HSN had been selling higher end makeup, but am still surprised about jcrew. But as FFM helpfully pointed out, they are also selling 7 for mankind and michael kors so - it makes a little more sense as this is the market jcrew seems to appeal to...

    ReplyDelete
  22. Um, no. J.Crew should definitely not be offered on HSN. Big no. It just dilutes the brand's image to me.

    ReplyDelete
  23. All in all, I don't think this should have been so many complaints in their image and so forth. This is the time where you should be asking yourself, "Am I buying J.Crew's products because I like their products, or because of the brand name"?

    Everyone should check out some indie boutiques when they get a chance to by the way. You could find much more unique designs at times.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Maybe they should utilize HSN because their website is breathing its last gasp. I think a new poll should be "do you think the website and ordering system is ever going to work?". Still loads of problems (I am now getting free items and "2 for one" deals due to the cancellations) that has to be costing them boatloads. I got 2 duplicate shoes for free because of goof and told to just keep them!? Great, I guess I have spares no, but it seems so wasteful. I would rather just want to place an order and be confident I will get it without a hassle! Sale page is all crazy again. I cannot add items to cart today either, at least now I can view them so that is a step!!! Lordy, after over 2 months, they should just give up and go back to old system already. It was fine. This is not!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Does HSN buy up clearance merchandise to resale? Because I remember these dresses being extremely cheap a few months ago. Maybe they are not exactly partnering, HSN is just reselling the overstocks

    ReplyDelete
  26. Alexis did mention the video is from last year so perhaps they're not even doing it anymore. :) Their new trend towards "collection" could be after they stopped HSN'ing.

    ReplyDelete

Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)