Q&A with Kathy Clampitt, key buyer
Number of stores: 1
Locations: Sarasota, Fla.
Square footage: 4,000
Year opened: 1986
Ted Vayos, BODY: Describe your store.
Kathy: We are a free-standing store that carries sexy gowns, clubwear, dancewear, sportswear, swimwear, bachelorette and birthday party supplies, costumes, adult novelties and fun greeting cards.
Ted: What makes your store special?
Kathy: Excellent customer service and unique quality merchandise at reasonable prices. We want to give our customers an enjoyable experience.
Ted: What are you looking for in a brand and a vendor?
Kathy: Quality that matches the price. Companies that send merchandise promptly when they say they will. Problems seldom come up, but when they do, I appreciate prompt service to accommodate the issue.
Ted: What brands are important to your store?
Kathy: Dreamgirl, BodyZone, René Rofé and Eldorado are very special and extremely important to our store. Other excellent brands are Pleaser Shoes, J Valentine, Music Legs, Empire, Burleska, Silver Stop, Escante and Hot Sauce. Raveware is a new brand that is getting better all the time. The Floodline is a great line that makes the most exquisite gowns.
Ted: Describe popular styles in your store.
Kathy: Anything exotic-looking; anything with feathers.
Ted: Describe your price points and size ranges.
Kathy: We try to keep prices affordable for our target market. We carry XS through 3X/4X.
Ted: What is your average customer size?
Kathy: They all believe that they are extra-small, but we carry all sizes. We sell mostly smalls and some mediums.
Ted: What does the average customer spend per visit to your store?
Kathy: Around $50 to $70.
Ted: Describe your customer base.
Kathy: We have a mix of customers age 18 to 108 and every nationality is represented. More female, but lots of men, including men who want to look like women.
Ted: Who are your favorite sales representatives in the intimate apparel business?
Kathy: Sue Dressler is awesome — she is always the top in customer service and she always listens. Robyn Diamond is also very accommodating. I can call her, tell her want I need and at what price points, and she’ll respond ASAP. Also, Cherise Romero at Eldorado always goes out of her way to be helpful and fast.
Ted: Is there any other information you wish to share?
Kathy: We enjoy working at our store every day and have wonderful staff members. Our customers seem to enjoy coming back!