BOXED UP: Byer California has a deal for young contemporary women on a budget looking to spiff up their professional wardrobe. For $98, they can get this box, filled with one pair of black pants, a matching black jacket, a black skirt, and a pink or white blouse.
MANUFACTURING
Byer California Launching Retail and Fast-Fashion Items
Byer California has been making juniors apparel for 50 years now for stores around the country, but it never had its own retail presence.
That is about to change. In December, the San Francisco–based company said it plans to open its first outlet store, which will be at the Outlets at Tejon in Tejon, Calif. The discount mall is a convenient stopping-off point for long-distance travelers driving north from Los Angeles through the San Joaquin Valley on Interstate 5.
Other outlet stores are planned soon in the Northern California towns of Napa and Livermore.
The retail expansion comes at the same time that Byer California is launching an e-commerce site dedicated exclusively to its Byer California label, geared to the young contemporary woman, ages 18 to 35.
Byer California will continue to provide private-label goods for department stores such as Kohl’s, Macy’s and J.C. Penney but wants to expand its own label, started in 1964 by Allan Byer, who is still the company’s chairman.
Now his children, Phillip Byer and Jan Byer, are leading the clothing cause. Phillip is the chief executive of the venture, which has revenues of more than $100 million a year, and Jan is the creative director.
“I’m proud of the wholesale business we have created,” Jan Byer said in a statement. “With more shoppers online, we feel it’s a good time to step out and curate our own branded collection. We’re adding layers to our core business that will allow us to reach our customers directly and incorporate their feedback into all of our products.”
Byer California will offer value-priced seasonal items including tops, skirts, pants and dresses along with essential pieces sold separately or as part of a package.
Taking a cue from fast-fashion stores around the country, Byer California’s clothing will be updated every month.
The company is also offering a concept that has been popular with online clothing subscription services. Byer California is selling a $98 wardrobe package that every young working woman can use: a basic black jacket, matching black pants a black skirt and a white or pink polyester blouse that is delivered in a bright yellow box.
