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whwytriright 32 Overstock Avenue
listens to customer concerns and
is committ ed to fi ne tuning their
operations to best suit the needs
of their customers.
Betsy Breen, director of
operations, notes several key
areas in which Overstock Avenue
is making enhancements. “One
of our biggest short term goals
is to diversify more in several
diff erent directions,” she says.
“We’re working with new part-
ners and gett ing ready to bring in
some new product lines. In addi-
tion to adding new lines, we’re
also gett ing a litt le more vertical
in each of the lines we already
“Consumers are still
carry. We’ll be providing more options at diff erent price
points, which will allow us to serve customers looking for continuing to shop and
price points at both ends of the spectrum, and in between.”
purchase new clothing,
Increased Customization
but they’re more bargain
One thing that has worked to the advantage of wholesalers conscious now.”
recently is an increase in the number of liquidation off erings.
Katie Glodowski, Sales Manager
“Over the past two or three seasons or so, we have been able to
take advantage of more opportunities than ever,” says Sperow.
She credits overbuying by department stores, as well as an
increased need for some companies to liquidate products at become available, from one of the many distribution centers
a loss, in order to quickly generate capital. As a result, Over- they work with.
stock Avenue has been able to receive more inventory than For customers who are choosier and able to visit the
ever before, and can oft en put together very customized lots company’s warehouse in Charlott e, North Carolina, Over-
for their customers. stock Avenue also off ers what they simply call their “Pick
“It hasn’t always been like this,” admits Sperow. “We and Choose” option. Rather than having to meet minimum
used to receive very limited quantities of certain categories, order requirements by category (example: buying 48 suits
and a high degree of customization wasn’t always possible. or 100 pieces of children’s clothing, standard lot sizes for the
Now, since we have more product lines plus greater access to company), customers can hand pick merchandise from the
available inventory, we can work with customers more to put warehouse. Th ey must meet a minimum wholesale purchase
together shipments with the mix of products that best suits requirement of $500, but can otherwise mix and match from
their needs.” Th e company says that the degree to which they all of the diff erent categories of merchandise carried at the
can customize shipments is always dependent on available warehouse facility.
inventory. Glodowski says that in addition to helping cus- Th is option has been immensely popular with custom-
tomers with immediate needs, she also keeps “wish lists” on ers, says Pamela Robinson, Warehouse Manager. Robin-
fi le, and notifi es buyers when items of interest are received or son regularly assists customers at the warehouse and says,
Continued On 36 whwytriright
34 August 2009
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