This past Christmas, I decided I am going to get a Dittrich Fur. Rich in Detroit history at 136 years in business, and a family tannery line of work that goes back before the actual first shop opened in one of Detroits original trades before the automobile. It's most every Detroit socialites must have, real or quality faux. Detroit is a fashion scene to be reckoned with. The auto show charity preview is one example of how the fashion scene stole the show. I lost two days of productivity admiring the beautiful gowns and dapper suits, well that and the rabbit hole of the Beckham wedding video.
In less than two weeks after I declare my Dittrich goal, they announce they are going out of business. After 136 years and not even 10 days after I make my declaration? I had to find out why. Another rabbit hole. I read rent, retirement, demand, and each one in my mind had a solution. negotiate rent, buy a new location, pass on legacy or groom a new successor, and get another lady in a fur coat on a horse galloping in a new commercial. Detroiters are fabulously extra, furs will sell, just find the right marketing strategy. I am still suffering from the Henri Bendel closure, as more 19th century brands close, where is owning legacy pieces headed?
Lines wrapped outside in the cold of people waiting to own a piece of Dittrich. A friend tells me she waited and got a piece but the usual closeout ploy was used, huge markdowns on the 'msrp' and rarely is the suggested price used. So the savings were not that much less than regular operations sales. Yet, they announce, they sold out. Not only did they sell out, they are restocking. This of course led me to wonder, why are they restocking? It's what the people want they essentially declare. Noble or genius marketing ploy? I don't know. This led to more questions, where are they restocking from? Are they making a bulk purchase from a warehouse or is a team of hunters with traps on the loose? I thought a Dittrich was a crafted by Dittrich. Is it merely a label? Have we been had? A fur is still necessary so I'm still going to get one from somewhere.