Luxury recovery, Macy’s brand hunt, Search engines serve up luxury, Mainland Chinese spend less, Shirt details

Luxury Goods Will Regroup as Economy Recovers (Apparel News)
"Discounters and off-price stores were the real winners in 2009 as bargain-hungry shoppers gobbled up inexpensive clothing and sale items. Meanwhile, luxury goods were pariahs, stuck on shelves as well-to-do consumers re-evaluated their stock portfolios and played it conservative. But that scenario could be turned upside down this year."

Macy's on the hunt for more fashion brands (Crain's NY Business)
''Department store Macy's is taking a fashion cue from its upscale sister Bloomingdale's. Next month, the famous department store will host its first Open Call event, where fashion houses not currently selling at Macy's can showcase their wares for a possible slot on the selling floor."

Search Engines Deliver Wealthy Consumers (Earth Times)
"More than three-fourths of wealthy consumers use search engines when shopping for luxury goods and services. They perform an average of 14 daily searches, and 89% report that they made an online purchase as a direct result of a search."

Mainland rich spend 15 percent less in 2009 (Shanghai Daily)
"Millionaires on the Chinese mainland spent 15 percent less last year than in 2008 and this lower spending caused luxury brands to target second- and third-tier cities for further expansion."

A Shirt's Tale: From cuff to collar and yoke to gusset; devil is in the details (WSJ)
"A lifetime connoisseur of shirts... [Brian Clarke] is also passionate consumer. Most customers don't understand about 75% of the elements that go into making a high-quality shirt, he says."