Ms. Poole: The focus of my coverage is teen and missy mall-based specialty retailers.
TWST: What's the difference between teen and missy?
Ms. Poole: A teen retailer would cater to basically high-school, college kids,
though it can always skew a little younger or a little older. Missy would be
more defined as their moms. Women typically in the age range of 40 to 65.
TWST: Let's start with teens. What's going on there this year from a business
point of view?
Ms. Poole: From a business point of view, teen retailers have not been immune to
the struggle in overall retail. Aside from the macro challenges, the biggest
challenge faced by the teen retailers has been the change in how the teenage
girl shops. The wardrobing needs of teenage girls have evolved and become more
complex. In the past, the teenage girl's uniform was pretty much a pair of jeans
and a tee or hoodie. Fast-fashion retailers such Forever 21 and H&M have
introduced girls to a whole new world of product, and they have liked having
more variety and dressing a little more feminine. It's been hard for some of the
core teen retail companies to react and figure out how to adapt their
assortments to better address the way the girl shops today.
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