SALES REFLECT HEALTHY GROWTH IN LEATHER GOODS DEMAND

Michael D. Edwards is enthusiastic when he discusses the market for leather in Missouri.

"We had skyrocketing sales in July and August," said Edwards, owner of Warehouse of Leathers in Cape Girardeau. "Our sales were up 50 percent in July, 40 percent in August, and were very healthy in September."

Edwards was discussing the leather market for Leather Today magazine's October issue.

Since then, sales have still been good for Warehouse of Leathers, one of the largest outlets for leather goods between St. Louis and Memphis.

"October was warm this year," said Edwards last week. "Our sales were down a bit but they rebounded in November, and we're looking at a 35 percent increase."

"Waist-length jackets in all styles have been a hit in Cape Girardeau," said Edwards. "Another popular item is the stadium coat, which features finger-tip lengths."

Edwards cited a couple of reasons for increased sales in 1991.

"Last winter when manufacturers were starting to buy leather supplies for this year's coats, prices were down as much as 25 percent," he said. "Those lower prices are showing up on the retail rack."

He said that many leather coats are retailing for $200 this year. "A year ago, these coats were going for more than $300," he said.

Another reason for healthy sales is "getting the new styles in early," said Edwards, who also compliments his resources for continually updating styles.

"The popularity of women's leather apparel has soared in 1991," said Edwards. He said that women's styles were the hottest category in leather goods.

"Some new and different designs have come into women's fashion this fall," said Edwards. "We're seeing new types of embossed designs in blazers, car coats and trench coats. And color blocking has emerged as a major trend."

Color blocking, which has been big for men's motorcycle jackets in many areas, offers a variety of colors for women and men.

"Some fashion cycle jackets are appearing in Vogue and Cosmopolitan magazines," said Edwards. "But what we're selling in the immediate area are just plain, basic cycle jackets."

The leather industry is much bigger than it used to be," said Edwards. "There's a lot more interest and excitement in leather coats, and here at Warehouse of Leathers we have thousands of items to pick from."

Warehouse of Leathers is in West Park Mall. The store opened in August 1981 as an outlet operation of Ralph Edwards Sportswear Inc., which manufactured leatherwear.

The manufacturing plant phased out and Warehouse of Leathers moved to 250 Silver Springs Road. It moved to West Park Mall in 1987.

Edwards' enthusiasm in leather is shared by others in the industry.

"Leather manufacturers have reported strong sales for 1991," said Richard Harrow, publisher of Leather Today. "Some of them are reporting this to be their best year ever. Leather's appeal to consumers appears to be at an all-time high."

"Business has gotten better," said Joe Fried, an executive with Phillipe Monet in New York, which manufactures men's leather fashions. "Stores ordered earlier and have been successful."