Wal-Mart Canada launches line for smaller women

[writergal28]

It'll be available in 16 stores in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. The line targets women 5'3" or shorter with an "Asian figure." I guess this means boy-shaped.

News Release

[ellesea]

that is so SOO cool! i hope the items will at last be half decently. i find some of their junior basics wearable (camisoles, basic tees, hoodies) but the rest of the stuff seems to be styles from years ago.

as much as everyone (somtimes me included) hates on walmart for various reasons, this is REALLY smart. in my mum's suburb, half the people that shop at the local walmart are chinese, they even have chinese signs, etc. and that store is always INSANELY busy even during the weekdays

[writergal28]

Originally Posted by ellesea

that is so SOO cool! i hope the items will at last be half decently. i find some of their junior basics wearable (camisoles, basic tees, hoodies) but the rest of the stuff seems to be styles from years ago.

as much as everyone (somtimes me included) hates on walmart for various reasons, this is REALLY smart. in my mum's suburb, half the people that shop at the local walmart are chinese, they even have chinese signs, etc. and that store is always INSANELY busy even during the weekdays

While I like what they're doing, I'm not sure if using the term "Asian type figures" was such a good idea. Maybe I'm just a little too sensitive though.

[ellesea]

Originally Posted by writergal28

While I like what they're doing, I'm not sure if using the term "Asian type figures" was such a good idea. Maybe I'm just a little too sensitive though.

In context, it is very appropriate IMO. I'm almost certain of at least a few stores where they would roll this out to and in those areas, sometimes you wonder if you're now back in China. It's smart of Wal-Mart to recognize that in order to gain more business from one of its largest demographics, it needs to cater to them. They've already done the bilingual signs (English/Chinese) and stocking Chinese import goods in their stores. I don't think many of the Chinese shoppers would see it as an insult, but rather a compliment that a big chain store is recognizing THEM as shoppers.

Edited to say: I know my mother and a lot of her friends complain that the pants in regular stores are often too large in the hips, more of an American silhouette. And that the styles are too plain. (You can tell the difference just by going to Pacific Mall rather than the Eaton Centre for example). Of course, not all Chinese people look the same or have the same tastes but then again, business is often based on generalizations...what the biggest target group is.

[writergal28]

Originally Posted by ellesea

In context, it is very appropriate IMO. I'm almost certain of at least a few stores where they would roll this out to and in those areas, sometimes you wonder if you're now back in China. It's smart of Wal-Mart to recognize that in order to gain more business from one of its largest demographics, it needs to cater to them. They've already done the bilingual signs (English/Chinese) and stocking Chinese import goods in their stores. I don't think many of the Chinese shoppers would see it as an insult, but rather a compliment that a big chain store is recognizing THEM as shoppers.

Edited to say: I know my mother and a lot of her friends complain that the pants in regular stores are often too large in the hips, more of an American silhouette. And that the styles are too plain. (You can tell the difference just by going to Pacific Mall rather than the Eaton Centre for example). Of course, not all Chinese people look the same or have the same tastes but then again, business is often based on generalizations...what the biggest target group is.

Yeah, but the Chinese signs mean that they're targeting an immigrant population. While I appreciate Chinese foods, I cannot read a word of Chinese, and frankly, neither can most of my CBC peers. Also, does half an inch really make much of a difference? The XS at Black Koi fits a 24" waist and 33" hip, while a Banana 0P (which is really fits more of a size 2P...darn vanity sizing) is 24" waist and 33 1/2" hips.

[ellesea]

Originally Posted by writergal28

Yeah, but the Chinese signs mean that they're targeting an immigrant population. While I appreciate Chinese foods, I cannot read a word of Chinese, and frankly, neither can most of my CBC peers. Also, does half an inch really make much of a difference? The XS at Black Koi fits a 24" waist and 33" hip, while a Banana 0P (which is really fits more of a size 2P...darn vanity sizing) is 24" waist and 33 1/2" hips.

But they aren't TRYING to target you and your peers. Why would they? You're comfortable enough with "Western" retailers as they are. If you look at the Wal-Marts where there is a high concentration of South Asian, East Asian, etc. populations it is very obvious that they are targeting the NEW immigrants or those who have chosen to stay within their communities mainly.

You're comparing Banana Republic to Wal-Mart...price point, marketing, and style are so different between the two. Not even the same type of store. The difference is not in the actual inches but in the whole aspect of the product. Of course, I can't predict how well this will do, but I just think it is a smart concept regardless of what the actual product will be once it hits th e stores. You have to look not from the perspective of you and I, but of the market they are actually trying to target.

[writergal28]

Originally Posted by ellesea

But they aren't TRYING to target you and your peers. Why would they? You're comfortable enough with "Western" retailers as they are. If you look at the Wal-Marts where there is a high concentration of South Asian, East Asian, etc. populations it is very obvious that they are targeting the NEW immigrants or those who have chosen to stay within their communities mainly.

You're comparing Banana Republic to Wal-Mart...price point, marketing, and style are so different between the two. Not even the same type of store. The difference is not in the actual inches but in the whole aspect of the product. Of course, I can't predict how well this will do, but I just think it is a smart concept regardless of what the actual product will be once it hits th e stores. You have to look not from the perspective of you and I, but of the market they are actually trying to target.

But the marketing targets "Asian type figures." If we ignore the price point and style, but look at garment measurement only, then Banana and Black Koi aren't really that different.

[ellesea]

I don't agree and I also don't think you're getting what I'm saying but that's okay.

We'll agree to disagree.

[Meg]

ellesea, you make some excellent points and I agree 100% with what you say. Not only does BC have a huge Asian population (and they aren't all immigrants either, many have lived in Canada since the 19th century due to our deplorable hiring practices) as does Alberta now and obviously Ontario. This just makes sense. I agree that Wal-Mart, in this instance, doesn't really care whether anyone else thinks it's racist to specifically say 'asian figures' because as ellesea points out, most shoppers will be flattered that they have been taken into consideration. And quite frankly, this statement is not racist. Are many Asian women shorter than European women? Yes. There is reliable empirical information to support this and it's not negative. It's a combination of environment, diet, and lifestyle conditions. The ever reliable Wikipedia has given me some information to throw your way:
Avg. height of Canadian woman : 5'3.4 (very tiny! I was surprised by this)
Avg. height of a PRC woman: 5'2
Avg. height of an Indonesian woman: 4'10
Avg. height of a Dutch woman: 5'6.4

And my me and my mum are also not Asian but petite and it's not just about waist size that makes a difference. I don't usually shop in petite sections because my issue isn't with inseams and waist, but rather shoulders and sleeve length and the distance between my shoulders and chest.

[BerlinBabe]

FINALLY

Now everyone else has to start doing it. Not just for Asian women, but for all young, petite woman. I'm 5'2" and it's so hard to find anything that fits that isn't made for old ladies. I know lots of other tiny girls, even here in Germany (it's even worse here than when I lived in Canada...all clothes are made for giants). There are lots of petites in Southern Germany (where my family is from) and southern Europe as well so it's not like everyone is tall here. I hope other stores in other countries follow the example!

[BerlinBabe]

Originally Posted by writergal28

Yeah, but the Chinese signs mean that they're targeting an immigrant population. While I appreciate Chinese foods, I cannot read a word of Chinese, and frankly, neither can most of my CBC peers. Also, does half an inch really make much of a difference? The XS at Black Koi fits a 24" waist and 33" hip, while a Banana 0P (which is really fits more of a size 2P...darn vanity sizing) is 24" waist and 33 1/2" hips.

It's the lengths of the clothes that make a difference. Ya, you can always hem pants, but if the waist comes up to your chest Urkel-style, there's not much you can do. The thing about petites is that they are cut shorter, so the waist is shorter in pants and skirts and the arm pit sits higher in jackets.

[Meg]

I know - the armpit thing is a must. Though like I said, I'm not petite strictly in terms of sizing, this is the biggest issue I have. I have very small shoulders (about 15 - 16 inches) and while I'm actually a couple sizes bigger than my mum, I can easily fit into all her blazers. All my clothes pretty much have too much length in the distance from shoulder to chest. Even bra's - I get them on the shortest length possible and still they are too long, often with strappy things like that I've just taken to sewing them myself.

That said, I don't plan on shopping at Wal-Mart anytime soon

[writergal28]

Originally Posted by BerlinBabe

It's the lengths of the clothes that make a difference. Ya, you can always hem pants, but if the waist comes up to your chest Urkel-style, there's not much you can do. The thing about petites is that they are cut shorter, so the waist is shorter in pants and skirts and the arm pit sits higher in jackets.

I was actually comparing Black Koi to Banana Republic's PETITE clothes. Banana's pants also have a 30" inseam (with a shorter rise, etc). The only difference I can think of between Banana and Black Koi (other than price point) is that Banana uses 5'4" or shorter for their petite line, while Black Koi says it's 5'3" or less. I'd gather that the fit models for both lines are around 5'2".

[BerlinBabe]

Originally Posted by writergal28

I was actually comparing Black Koi to Banana Republic's PETITE clothes. Banana's pants also have a 30" inseam (with a shorter rise, etc). The only difference I can think of between Banana and Black Koi (other than price point) is that Banana uses 5'4" or shorter for their petite line, while Black Koi says it's 5'3" or less. I'd gather that the fit models for both lines are around 5'2".

Ah ok...wasn't clear on that Sorry!

[Meg]

writergal - hope I didn't come off as attacking you before

At the end of the day however, there is clearly a market for CHEAP petite clothing. I don't buy BR petite, the only place I shop for that sort of thing is Gap and Old Navy jeans (because of the multiple inseam lengths) which quite frankly I have found superior to any other high end denim brand. Never heard of Black Koi.