It’s Monday, and I’m back from a weekend excursion to the States. While some of my esteemed associates were doing pub crawls and partaking in other local festivities, my entire family opted to head down to an outlet mall in Grove City, PA to acquire some inexpensive American merchandise. As Dave’s Canadian retailers post mentions, there is really no excuse for some of the pricing disparities between Ontario and a comparable state.
And yes, the title of this post is accurate: On most clothing, there is no state sales tax, which is otherwise 6%. When you buy a ridiculously overpriced (yet trendy) sweater from, say, Hollister – the exorbitant price on the tag is the exorbitant price on the receipt, and nothing else goes to the government.
I speak specifically about a retailer like Hollister as I had the opportunity to go into one of these stores (this is in a different mall, not the Grove City outlets) while in the States. For those unfamiliar with them, the store is constructed like a beachfront cabin:
The entire store’s construction is an overabundant exercise in target marketing to the 12-25 year old demographic. As soon as you walk on to the “deck”, there are two sides to the store – one for guys, one for girls. There’s also an immediate assault of their in-house scents, as well as overly obnoxious “surfer dude”-style music. If you’ve heard any pop/rock from Warped Tour – basically any new music produced by RIAA labels that isn’t screamo – that’s about what you’d hear. From memory – I heard songs from Halifax, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, and some group with a surfer-style remix of “Message in a Bottle”.
From a technical perspective, the music is customer-controllable by a touchscreen beside the cash register area, which would make an interesting programming project (think managed queues, plus audio output.) They also have the relevant CD’s for sale at the register, which is a good way to push merchandise from other categories. Hey, if you’ve heard the song in the store, why not pick up the entire album?
After nearly dropping my jaw at the prices of some of the shorts and jeans available there, I went to the clearance section (at the back of the store, obviously) and managed to pick up some decently priced items. I now own a new bathing suit, plus a few shirts that I haven’t gotten for free from software companies!
Next on the list of stores in the mall was a place called Steve & Barry’s, who specialize in incredibly inexpensive clothing, as well as hilariously inappropriate shirts. I purchased several of these items, which you will see in person over the next few weeks. Unfortunately one of the best shirts in the store wasn’t in stock at all: it was a map of the state, overlaid with an Amish buggy and a marker for the town of Intercourse. The caption on the shirt? “Intercourse, PA. Come again!”
The Grove City outlet mall is a haven for decent and cheap merchandise. The trick to the experience is shopping at stores that have “Outlet” or “Factory Store” in the title, and immediately going towards the back of the building towards the deals.
Possibly one of the best deals in the place, besides the ubiquitous clothing, was the Sony outlet store. A set of MDR-EX71SL earbuds that go for $60CDN are available, refurbished, for $19.99 US. The next model up (MDR-EX81SL) goes for $29.99 US. I’ve had the 71SL’s since last year’s trip, and the 81’s available this year are even better. I’d highly recommend these for anyone wanting a high-quality set of earbuds for their MP3 player.
Article Update, January 7, 2009
The Hollister depicted in the photo above is not the one in your mall. I guarantee it. All Hollister locations look the same in every mall; it’s part of their branding.
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Not to mention the guy that they pay to stand there all day going “Heyyyy suppp”, as you walk in and out.
I like the idea of selling the music that you play in the store. Starbucks has definitely capitalized on this idea, especially now with starting their own record label. I don’t think that the employees are too thrilled with the idea though. In most cases, the stores ONLY play the music they sell as well.
Surprisingly I didn’t get harassed by anyone when I was entering, in, or leaving the store.
They had some amazingly attractive girls in there, but I think it’d be one of the most boring jobs you could possibly have – folding shirts all summer, standing around and trying to pretend you’re in California.
Don’t say that too loud, you might offend Lisa.
Sounds like an interesting trip. You and your damned refurbs. Mind you, at that price you really can’t argue.
Both Hollister and Abercrombie have very intense hiring practices. I remember reading an article about it at one point. They basically just look for models and interview them that way. You won’t find any unattractive people working there. It’s how they build their brand.
Phil: These people weren’t actually helping anyone out, though. At least at Old Navy (which I also went into, and purchased about US$100 worth of stuff there) all the staff were really friendly and didn’t seem like they hated life. They actually made an effort to be decent salespeople – maybe the district manager was visiting, I don’t know.
At Hollister, they had the obligatory metrosexual guy leaning on a counter and the random girls folding shirts. None of them made an effort to sell anything. I guess they figured out that girls will come in and buy their stuff anyways.
I’ve also heard about the hiring practices. Maybe I should dig the reference up.
For reference, here is the site of a class action lawsuit that was won against Abercrombie for their hiring practices.
http://www.afjustice.com/
However, this clearly holds no water in Canada.
http://www.abercrombie.ca/anf/lifestyles/html/newfaces.html
The ad is very well done, though.
Sorry, another link. This is an interesting read. A better look into their marketing mix, and the mind behind Abercrombie.
http://www.adpulp.com/archives/2006/01/abercrombies_to.php
Interesting articles, Dave. Thanks for pointing them out.
That store front is the hollister at sherway gardends in toronto ontario canada :p
They all look exactly like that, so I wouldn’t be so sure (especially with that picture, which I picked up from Google Image Search and which people seem to be hotlinking from here for their MySpace profiles.) It’s their marketing strategy to have them identical.
i work for hollister. i have been working there for over a year. And yes we hire hot girls and hot girls only its what we r known for.and it is not a boring job it is actually a very fun environment to work in. And at my store we actually sell things we r really big on tag lines and customer service. So dont talk shit.
I wasn’t aware I was talking shit, but Nick’s textspeak seems to fit the description of the typical “surfer dude” that they like to employ.
i love hollister!
omg i absolutely adore Hollister! if you wait like one week, the “hottest trends” are in the clearance section.The music is really awesome, but they could lay off on spraying the perfume….
your guys clothes is really cute but its too small i would shop their more often but if you guys had bigger sizes
I work at Hollister also, and I daresay I’m not a great looking guy….Been at it for two months, and it definitely is one of the most boring jobs ever. Fold clothes, “Hey whats up!”, fold clothes, stand around, fold clothes, “Hey whats up!”, ad nauseum.
Only pays minimum wage, too….Old Navy pays $8/hour, I’ll probably end up working there instead.
Nick probably only enjoys it because all his preppy high school buddies are at work with him. I have to deal with those guys all day long, it grates on one’s brain functionality…
Wow, that’s possibly one of the best-written comments on this site, and on the Hollister post? Clearly something’s gone wrong.
i love holister they all look alike i would say thats the one in san diego but i guess they are all like that!!!!hahahah
I love hollister but there sweaters are wayy too pricey!
Like, im only 13 but yeah! Whatever!:P
I think that they should have more in waterloo/kitchener ON.CA.
In 2010 they are getting one in conastoga mall!
But thats in 2 years! Ahh!
Ummm, hollister is the best soo.. you shouldnt say its not
thanks
and if you say it again i will get mad cause its a good store
My friends and I shop there a lot!!! we do think it is a little exspencive but we are like the very many other who can afford it and money is rerlly not a problem with us. The closest mall around us would be the Erie mall and it is only like forty-five minutes from where we are here in little Linesville,Pennsylvania. Not everyone her can really afford things from like Hollister, Abercrombie and Fitch but a few of them do where things from like Aeropostale. My friends and I just crash with glamor and style! we are the best dressed girls around here! People shound not say negitive things about those stores just cuz you can not afford or they do not make sizes for you!!GET OVES IT!!!!! people also can not afford things from like Chanal and Coach and things by other famous designers!! We are the peple who can! we go by the names of Kelsey Gooding, Krissa Jaskolski, Lisa Flestcher, Alexis Alaubaugh and Chelsia Downing!!! we are known as the FAB FIVE!!!!!!
I really love HOLLISTER because their perfume smells soooooooo good and like their sweatshirts r sooooo pricey and i’m like only 11 but i just noticed that they have a hollister store in
St. Cloud, Minnesota so yeah but u know how the person o here named kelsey gooding, i mean like why would u just talk about like if you can aford hollister or american eagle outfitters or Abercrombie and Fitch i mean who cares if u can aford it or not it really doesn’t matter so anyway and i men their tanktops are like $19.99 no affense but what a rip off! but i still LOVE HOLLISTER cause my 2 friends Taylor And Leah shop there ALOT
Ok like ii love Hollister and everything but usually the girls working there look really bored.& unhappy. Like after ii was iin the store looking around ii had noticed the girl in front of the store folding some shirts. like a zombie. but anywayss ii LOVE the smell iin there & their clothes are perfect.
Even the bags smell great!! soo ii love that the lighting is a little dim, it gives the illusion of a beach housee in Hollister Cal. ii LOVE the atmosphere =] xoxo !
ummm hollister rocks asses… dats it. for all of u up there ^ lik the 11 year old… u most be rlly fat for hollister to actually fit u. o well im 16 and dnt have to worry bout that shizzles. by toodles. HOLLISTERCO rocks. plus the girl that says how she can afford it> who the fuk gives a shit, tell me rlly. ur a freakin beochhh bye bye my duty is done muaaaaa <3
Where do you people keep coming from?! This was written almost a full freakin’ year ago!
i love hollister, but since 2 expensive i shop at aeropostale. but no matter what i have more clothes from hollister than any other brand. luv yah. bye!!!!
i think the price is not high to bad not every one cant offored them but if you can its great just do it and look stupid walking aroun the mall with your little bag even though you have nothing in the fridge
ohemgee!!!dont diss hollister!!!!i love that store!!! that is the only place i shop!!!! that and abercombie! like kelsey gooding said just beacuse you cant afford it doesnt mean that you should diss it!geezzzz! and so what if there stuff is exspensive! there stuff is soooooo cute!!! and it is just an awsome store!!!
Wow
hollister is so hott
but yes very expensive ..i wwanted to get this shirt n it was lyk 40 bucks
…is that hollister in salinas??
I also work at Hollister and I actually enjoy it. I think it’s more about who you work with that makes a job exciting or, well, boring. I have grown to love the music and the aroma of the place. And while the hours aren’t very decent, the pay is reasonable for my taste and it’s a fun work environment. I love fashion too so being around all those clothes is heaven for me.
Oh, christ, so that’s where people are coming from. Apparently this site has been keyworded enough such that it’s the fourth Google Image Search result for “hollister”.
Kate: Interesting perspective, and I’d definitely agree with having approachable co-workers. One of my former jobs made getting up at 6am tolerable because there’d be three of my buddies on staff all doing the same thing.
That is the hollister in my mall! Its the south shore plaza in braintree, MA
OMG. how can anyone diss hollister its the best sotre eveer come on people get over it and stop complaining just cuz your too “poor” to afford it ya theres no such thing as too poor to afford cloths <3 xoxo
hollister is amazingg. its kinda expensive but what can you do. the clothes are so adorable. the only thing i dont like is that there sizes only go up to like a medium. and everybody wants brand named clothes i mean seriously there should be sizes up to xxxl. good thing im a size small. well thats all. and i only shop at hollister and abercrombie. they are expensive and if you cant afford it go to aeropostale. (: pacee
I love love hollister. it is spendy. i buy my own clothes from there since it’s so expensive. i am 12 and really really tall for my age i’m talking 5 “5 so i’ve fit in hollister since i was 11 but i am skinny, short friends who fit in hollister. so you dont have to be fat at all. but great blog and i loved reading it.
Omg! I luvv hollister…its like the only place i shop. the clothes can be kind of expensive, but they’re worth it..
anywayz that looks like the hollister at the king of prussia mall in pa
I love how all these people are saying “The picture looks like the Hollister at X mall in X location!”
News flash: they all look exactly alike.
I was randomly googling “Hollister” and this came up. I have to say that if I’m going to buy clothes anywhere, I’m going to buy them because:
a) They look good.
b) They’re comfortable and fit well.
Hollister clothes are really trendy and cute. Yeah, they’re expensive, but I view it this way – if someone has the money for it and that’s what they want, then why not? I’m not spending beyond my means when I buy there. Obviously alot of people like their clothes. I’m a 15 year old who, last year, could fit into a size 0 shorts. I’m not anorexic, just skinny. I’ve always been that way, so yeah. Some of the clothes at Hollister don’t even fit me, and that’s when I start to get worried. There’s a difference between skinny and abysmal, and Hollister is reaching the latter option. I fit into more A&F clothes, and American Eagle has really cute stuff too. I do recommend upping the sizes to at least normal human sizes. I’m seriously one of the skinniest girls in my class, and Hollister clothes are fitting a little tight. Not good. I guess it depends on your target audience. If their target group is toothpicks, then they’ll make a killing. As for normal sized (or even super skinny!) humans, I’m not so sure.
(Seriously, who fits into their X-Small? Come on, my 8 pound Rat Terrier puppy doesn’t even fit!)
I completely agree with chrsitina above. BUT WOW… there are some poeple on here who sound like complete air-heads.
i think that hollister is one of the best stores ever! i know it can be pricey but its worth it, Whenever i go shopping there i look at the clearence racks first to see if i like anything, then i look at all the rest of the clothes. im 13 and i just started shopping there when i was 11 or 12 and yeah btw the clothes do kinda run small but u know im a medium and my friend is a xs! i swear im obsessed with the store. for christmas im getting a $200 visa card and im going to spend half at pacsun and half at hollister! im soooooo excited
i love you hayleigh!!! Will u go out w/ mee???? <3
P.S. ur sooo hott.
hollister is pretty sweet.
Hollister isnt expensive if you buy clearence. that is all i get. clearence clothes are actually really cheap;like once i got a shirt for 6 bucks from there. i got a winter coat that was originally 100 for 70 and i looked later at the price in like two weeks and it was 50. so it's only really exspensive if you dont buy their clearance.
i heard that the people that work at hollister can only wear flipflops…even in winter but whatev…. lol.
HOLLISTER IS THE SHIZ!!
i personally love hollister and abercrombie and i wish i had enough money to go there like every day! i do agree that their prices are high, but i go therre like perhaps one every 3 weeks or something and get clothes from like hollister and abercrombie and american eagle/aerie. i work to get money to go there and its working finee. so dont diss hollister and abercrombie! let other people enjoy them!!
Well,, Hollister is my favorite store, and lately there all ive been wearing. But they are too expensive. There skinny jeans and ripped jeans are 50-70$, even though it takes alot less fabric to make them. Im not rich at all, but I buy from there at least once a week, and most of the time not off clearance either. Theyre sizes arent too bad i think. Because Im not too skinny, but im still an xs and 0, But im also only 5′. Some of the people working in there look really stuck up too. And if its your first time in their they act like your stupid and dont know where anything is. But sometimes when im in there they look happy and welcoming. Theyre clothes are really cute, but they are way over priced. There clothes arent just for the rich though, and i hate when people think that. You dont have to be completely stuck up to shop there.
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I had to add a disclaimer above starting with "Dear Christ" because people are just incompetent.
hollister is ok i go there evey once in a while but aeropostale&AE is what i wear
ive been working for hollister for about 3 years now and its not boring..we actually talk to each other all the time and we have fun,
I’m 14 and I really dont like how Hollister blasts their music and dims the light. I can afford the regular price clothes but I usually buy clearance so I can buy more stuff. When I’m in there or A&F, I feel like I’m being rushed and that I can’t even SEE what I’m buying. Everytime I go there I’m usually nervously in and out in less than 20 minutes. Get some lights and turn down the music. But I have to admit, that the prices are startign to lower. Expecially on clearance. I just got two decetn sweathshirts and two long sleeves shirts for $75 bucks. And $75 bucks at Hollister usually buys you a sweathsirt and a T-shirt on clearance.
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