Men's accessories - Indicator - Men's accessories retailers look forward to strong Christmas sales

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The men's accessories retailers polled for this week's Indicator reported mixed trading, with only a third of those reporting a year-on-year improvement compared with the same time last year. Despite this, many were in reasonably buoyant mood as they entered the final quarter of the year.

Christmas is traditionally a busy time for accessories sales, and 41% of those surveyed said the festive period was a driving force for their sales.

Leighton Davis, joint owner of Bruno Venezia in Leeds, said: "We are optimistic about autumn and looking forward to the Christmas selling season. In the four years since we've been trading, December has always been the best month for us."

Jeremy Waskett, owner of Bucciali in Chelmsford, Essex, agreed. "Christmas is even more important this year. After the poor weather and general slowdown in sales, we expect a bigger proportion of this year's turnover to take place during Christmas."

But not everyone is so sure about the festive season. Simon Hislop, managing director of Armstrongs in Worcester, said: "I don't think there is a Christmas trade any more. People just buy for themselves as and when they want to. Most people are trying to boost their trade with clearance Sales."

TOP 10

Name your best-selling brand of the week

1. Boss Black

2. Paul Smith

3. Duchamp

4. Boss Orange

5. Oliver Sweeney

6. Ted Baker

7. Gant

8. Armani Jeans

9. Prada

10. Pal Zileri

Top 5

Name your best-selling style of the week

1. Belts

2. Cufflinks

3. Ties

4. Wallets

5. Socks

Top 5

Name your best-selling tie brand of the week

1. Boss Black

2. Paul Smith

3. Armani Collezioni

4. Duchamp

5. Pal Zileri

What is the most expensive item you have sold in store this week?

£650 Mulberry bag at Limeys in Derby

Fashion in figures

How does your week's business compare with this time last year?

33% better

40% Same

27% Worse

Winter warmers

Which accessories category are you backing most heavily for autumn 07?

1. Scarves

2. Belts

3. Wallets

4. Ties

5. Cufflinks

Which brand has the best accessories offer for autumn 07?

1. Paul Smith

2. Boss Black

3. Boss Orange

Which do you think will be your most popular Christmas accessory?

1. Scarves

2. Wallets

3. Cufflinks

4. Socks

5. Belts

Which brand do you think will sell best for Christmas?

1. Paul Smith

2. Boss Black

3. Boss Orange

Quickfire questions

Do you sell luggage and bags?

Yes 68%

No 32%

If yes, by how much has your offer grown this year?

16%

What price bracket drives the highest volume of your accessories sales?

Up to £20 13%

£21 to £50 29%

£51 to £100 55%

£100 and above 3%

What percentage of your accessories sales come from Christmas?

41%

Outside of Christmas, which time of the year drives the most accessories sales?

1. No other peaks

2. Spring/summer

3. Father's day

4. Easter

5. Autumn

Which accessories brand is your most consistent seller?

1. Boss Black

2. Paul Smith

3. Duchamp

- Drapers spoke to 50 independents about their men's accessories business for the week ending August 18.

Brands and styles mentioned in the lists, including the Top 10 and Top 5, are ranked when mentioned by five or more retailers.