TALBOTS CANADIANIZES ITS CATALOGUE
By Adnews Staff
Women's clothing retailer Talbots of Hingham, Massachusetts is trying to increase its catalogue business in Canada. The company introduced a catalogue for the Canadian market this week featuring fall clothing, a selection of shoes and fashion accessories. The catalogue was mailed out to Talbots' Canadian customers who already receive the company's U.S. catalogue. But unlike the U.S. catalogue, the Canadian version prices the products in Canadian currency, the duty has already been paid when merchandise is delivered and the prices are the same as in the stores. In the U.S., Talbots' main advertising vehicle has become its catalogue. The retailer is hoping this happens in Canada as well, PR manager Betsy Thompson told Adnews yesterday. In addition to the catalogue, Talbots is bringing its Red Line phone to its Canadian stores. This phone connnects customers to the catalogue order centre, which helps generate additional catalogue sales by enabling store customers to order merchandise from the catalogue that may not be available in the store. Canadian advertising for Talbot is handled in-house in the U.S. with the help of BBDO Canada of Toronto. Talbots has 20 stores across Canada and plans to open another five by the end of the year 2000.