Hello-Hello, and Happy Friday!
Spat: a brief, petty quarrel or disputeWar – noun, often attributive
b : a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end
We have updates to two previous stories today, beginning with that Martha Stewart and Macy’s spat war. Some may recall that Martha Stewart recently announced the sale of part of her company to Penney’s, despite the fact she sells her products at Macy’s, a Penney’s competitor.
Macy's
Of course, part of the deal is that Penney’s will sell Martha’s merchandise, the retailer has said it will open hundreds of mini Martha Stewart boutiques inside its stores. As one might expect, Macy’s is not amused. Here’s more from Business Week:
“Macy’s sued in January to stop New York-based Martha Stewart Living from executing an agreement to sell merchandise in J.C. Penney Co. stores.
Ouch. Then it really gets nasty, with Martha’s lawyers saying that Macy’s is “essentially holding Macy’s hostage,” alleging:
“…the retailer has stocked and priced Martha Stewart products in a manner that favors Macy’s own private-label brands.
Business Week has a good story on the dispute, including predictions this will be settled out of court.
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Our other business battle is also a followup, this one is about the new C. Wonder stores.
Via Design Wire
The first store opened in Soho, since our post three more stores have opened, in Westchester, Paramus and Garden City.
Via
The Post reports Ms. Burch isn’t happy about the new stores her husband has opened.
A source close to the situation told us, “She is demanding Chris Burch shut down C. Wonder. The famously calm ice queen has lost her cool. She is furious and claims he has directly copied her business plan.”
While no lawsuit has been filed as yet, the source adds, “They are negotiating through lawyers. While Chris set up Tory Burch, his new stuff is identical and a third of the price. She wants him off the board of her company and for C. Wonder to close.”
Below, jewelry at C. Wonder.
Deidre Schoo for The New York Times
“Now the Burch brand is facing a puzzling retail riposte from her ex-husband, J. Christopher Burch, a venture capitalist who helped found her company and is still a chairman of its board…. he is opening a series of stores named C. Wonder that mirror Tory’s preppy style: go-to-hell colors, nautical flourishes, trim but conservative cuts. It’s unclear whether this is an amicable homage or a hostile takeover.”
Here is a side-by-side look at the two logos:
Logos from Facebook via The Daily Mail
The couple was married for ten years, 1996-2006.
Wire Image via The Daily Mail
More from the Alexandra Jacobs Critical Shopper column:
Maybe it’s a sign that the former missus has arrived, since Mr. Burch is also cheerfully knocking off Chanel, Goyard and Kate Spade — and those were just the influences I clocked in the foremost right quadrant of his new flagship on Spring.
Even the Daily Mail has written about it:
The venture capitalist has chosen an emblem that some see as being almost identical to his ex-wife’s now famous mirror image T’s.
Others like PR guru Kelly Cutrone, who is working with Mr Burch on a collection, argues that a man who has helped launch nearly 50 brands is fashion savvy enough to take credit for his own look.
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The Preppy Princess 