Love them or hate them, Flannels are dominating the luxury clothing market, let’s face it, they own the fucking street! However could this lust for power from Mike Ashley’s Fraser Group be their eventual undoing?
This may seem like a bold statement but I honestly think they are heading for troubled times! I could be totally wrong on this, but they can’t seem to clear their rails these days, even with their almost never ending sales.
Take my favourite brand Stone Island for instance, Flannels grab anything they produce and stock it in large numbers, and with the now sky high prices of the brand (post Moncler takeover) the average punter is becoming a lot more savvy.
I used to be one of these geezers that bought the seasonal must haves as soon as they hit the stores, paying the full RRP, but not anymore, I’ve learned to play the long game, knowing full well that the prices will drop, and drop, and drop again!
When last summers seasonal collection landed I was itching to buy the Stone Island Marina Rip Stop Prismatico jacket, but I wasn’t gunna pay £925.00 for it! So I waited, and the price was eventually reduced to £469.00, however something told me to hang on a little bit longer. Then two weeks ago the Chairo colourway was reduced to just £279.00, needless to say I snatched their hand off!
And whilst loading it into my online basket I noticed the Mixed Hype TC Smock for just £299.00 (RRP £970.00), and promptly added it to my purchase, winner winner chicken dinner!
So it begs the question, how long can this continue, how long can they sustain such losses? Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining, but surely something has got to give!
In the meantime take my advice, don’t just jump in as soon as the new seasonal stock lands in the stores, wait, play the long game and reap the rewards. Don’t be afraid of missing out, because unless Liam Gallagher gets photographed wearing a particular piece, the chances are it won’t sell out.
