President's Day Weekend- Sales Roundup

It's President's Day Weekend, and what better way to honor the leaders of our country than to go shopping! Some of our favorite retailers are having some great sales!

Gymboree- Take an extra 20% off already reduced items.

Crazy8- New markdowns taken, up to 50% off.

Janie&Jack- New markdowns taken, up to 60% off.

Gymboree Outlet- Further markdowns taken up to 60% off. Earn double Gymboree Rewards points on purchases made now through Monday.

The Children's Place- Selected items marked down. Click "Presidents Day Sale" at the bottom left of the site.

Old Navy- Semi-annual Kid's and Baby Sale going on now. Up to 40% off select baby, kids and maternity items and free shipping over $50.

Naartjie- Kids Kash earning period going on now, plus free shipping on domestic orders over $75.

The Gap- 15% off Adult merchandise purchased online with code GAPLOVE

The Disney Store- Free shipping on purchases $89 or more with code SHIP89; 10% off $65 or more/20% off $85 or more/25% off $95 or more with code PRESDAY.

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Happy Shopping!

-The FMC Team

Maternity Monday: It's Old Navy!

We're casting off our frills this week and heading to the mall to cover Old Navy's fall maternity line. Why do we love Old Navy? It's simple! Basic styles with a modern edge at a budget-friendly price! Perfection!

A quick check of new arrivals to the website show the typical fare- bright printed tanks and tops, pleats pleats pleats, and an array of cozy-looking knit pants...but then, we found this cute velour set.

The sweater is $20 and the pants are $15.50 and each comes in 4 colors- Sonya Begonia, Tortoise Shell, Goodnight Nora & Black Jack. We love this set because it gives the look like we're taking this whole pregnancy thing in stride! We're going to drop off our big kids at school, run a few errands, maybe do some shopping....who knows? We're busy and comfy!

We also really love this suggested look:

It's a bit college-looking, but it's all so preppy and we love that sometimes! The striped boat neck sweater is $17.70 and comes in 4 colors: Green, Heather Gray, Pink & Yellow. Maternity Low-Rise Boot-Cut Jeans are $27.50 (a bargain!). Studded leather moccasins are $20 and come in an assortment of colors from the natural (Earthy) to the shocking (Bronze). Long Layering Camis are a must have for any maternity wardrobe- they come in a wide assortment of colors and though they're regularly priced at $8.50 each, when you buy 2 or more, they're only $6 each! The finishing touch on this outfit is the floral burnout jersey scarf- available in 5 colors for only $10 each! That gives you this entire look for only $83.70- including shoes!

To talk about all things maternity, join our forum (it's free)! And to get FMC delivered straight to you, follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Happy Shopping!
-The FMC Team

Old Navy to remodel 50 stores...Gap opens outlets in UK

At the ultra-exclusive Piper Jaffray consumer conference this morning, officials for Gap announced that 50 of it's Old Navy stores will be remodeled this year in hopes of boosting sales. Old Navy has been rumored to be on the verge of closure for the last 5 years. The brand has tested the new store design in 2 California stores with good reviews.

Though FMC was unable to find either of the California test stores, we did find that the store in St. Petersburg, FL opened in November of 2007 with a sleek, new look, appearing more like a Banana Republic than a big box store. The "Old Navy" signs are replaced by "ON"- the newer logo. Art on the walls changes seasonally, rock gardens and faux bamboo accent the pink pedestal tables. The floors and ceilings are finished and all in all, it feels like a regular store.

It's a good step for Old Navy, whom analysts predict is poised for success in our new value-based economy. But it IS a first step and Old Navy has more hurdles to overcome. Hopefully the recent addition of Mark Breitbard as Chief Merchandising and Creative Officer is enough to bring Old Navy back from the brink.

In other news from the conference, Gap plans to expand to have 40 more stores worldwide as well as a bigger push to open Gap Outlets in the UK, Japan and Canada. Additionally, Piperlime has aquired agreements with approximately 50 new labels to carry their merchandise on their website.

Happy Shopping

-The FMC Team

The Big Sale Weekend...and some news about Janie & Jack Easter release date

As we've seen the last few months, tough economic times bring great deals for shoppers. The volume of fantastic sales this week is near overwhelming. There really is something from each brand and for every budget. Here is a quick rundown:

Gymboree is offering an extra 20% all previously reduced merchandise (not including Baby Sale items). Baby Sale is also still going on with price points of $10 and $20 for lines in Baby Girl, Baby Boy and Layette.

Crazy8 is also running a Baby Sale, but with lower price points ($4.99; $9.99 and $15.99). Their President's Day Sale boasts markdowns as low as $3.99 all weekend.

Janie & Jack is offering 20% off all sale items this weekend.

Gap is running a promotion of Buy 1 Get 1 Half Off on all denim. That sale is expected to last through next week.

Old Navy is running their Kids, Baby & Maternity sale with discounts up to 40% off. Maternity Sale is online only. Sweeten the deal with free shipping when you use the code: BABYMAT. Going in store? Ask at the registers for the Valentine cards for kids- When your child colors the one to Old Navy and returns it, they will be given a $5 off coupon!

Pumpkin Patch is promoting an additional 20% off clearance items as well as a Valentine Sweepstakes in store! Fill out the sweepstakes by February 16th for a chance to win a $100 gift card.

Naartjie is doing their Kid's Cash promotion- Purchase $50 worth of merchandise and get $20 off another $50 purchase during their redemption period. The online store has free shipping on orders over $75, but you should try a store if you have one close to you- They just did AMAZING markdowns on all clearanced Spring Transition items!

Jacadi stores are not having a President's Day Sale, but they are offering an additional 20% off of already half priced winter merchandise.

The Children's Place is in their last week of the Monster Sale where previously reduced merchandise has been priced at price points of $4.99 and $5.99. However, staff this weekend is packaging up the merchandise and sending it to the outlets, so if you're going to go, go now!

Speaking of Outlets, The Children's Place Outlet is offering a sale of $4.99 for selected big boy and big girl items and $2.99 and $3.99 on baby items.

Gap Outlet is still holding their $10, $15 and $20 sale through the weekend. Expect the Baby Sale next Friday, the 20th with discounts of 20-40% off baby merchandise.

Gymboree Outlet has done some new markdowns on Spring 1 and older. New lines are coming into store Monday and will be including Aviator and Ice Cream Social. These lines WILL be included in the current Baby Sale which ends on the 22nd.

Janie & Jack Outlet is not offering a President's Day Sale, but they still have Season Finale merchandise available.

Finally, we have a release date for the beautiful Janie & Jack Easter lines everyone's been checking out on FMC for weeks. Those lines will be in store on Monday, February 23rd.

Happy shopping!
-The FMC Team

Old Navy to Bring in New Designs

This article at TradingMarkets.com intrigued us. Old Navy, long time rumored to be in trouble is bringing Mark Breitbard back as Chief Merchandising and Creative Officer. He'll be leading the design and merchandising departments.

A bit about Breitbard from the article:

Breitbard joins Old Navy from Levi Strauss & Co, where he was President of the retail division since 2007. He was responsible for all aspects of Levi's retail division, including design, merchandising, marketing, stores and ecommerce. Previously, he was Senior Vice President and General Manager at Abercrombie and Fitch, where he had responsibility for all aspects of launching its RUEHL brand, from design concept through store presentation.

Hopefully this will be the boost Old Navy needs to dispell the rumours that have dogged them for so long.