Talbots Quietly Launches Haven Well Within (2024)

Who launches a brand in the middle of a pandemic?

Talbots chief executive officer Lizanne Kindler asked that very question at the start of an interview Wednesday about the retailer’s new Haven Well Within business. The truth is the concept for this embrace-your-inner-homebody business was first hatched through last year. Recognizing how women were becoming increasingly focused on comfort, wellness and finding moments to take care of themselves, she said she saw an opportunity to meet those needs. After tapping Graj + Gustavsen to help build out the concept, the lean team had gotten to a good place by the beginning of 2020.

Once the pandemic struck, all those plans were put on ice until the end of April. Sitting in her backyard in Massachusetts one cold, sunny spring day, Kindler decided there could not be another moment when the Haven Well Within concept would resonate more strongly. Deciding to go full-steam-ahead, the site was launched in late October.

Undaunted by what had become an increasingly competitive field for loungewear, sleepwear and sweats in a difficult retail environment, Kindler said, “Obviously, I wasn’t the only one seeing this change in the macro-environment. The way that we were thinking about this as a brand and a concept really combines the idea that you go to one place for not just the products that make you feel good, but also expert advice, good tips and ideas that women can apply when using the products.”

The Haven Well Within site offers shoppers the option of browsing by experience — Awaken, Unwind, Rejuvenate and Nourish. Other experiences like “At Home,” which will encapsulate bedding, towels and the like, and “Studio at Home,” active-related accoutrements for yoga and other pursuits, are expected to be added in the future.

Talbots is designing and creating a good deal of the products such as sleepwear, loungewear and intimate apparel. But Haven Well Within sells a selection of beauty brands including Sunday Riley, Vertly, REN, Marvin and RMS Beauty. The curation also features home decor items from Etu Home.

There is a range of influencers and authorities who are offering up their favorite routines, rituals and tips. ThisThatBeauty’s Felicia Walker, nutritionist Mascha Davis, author and wellness educator Lauren Roxburgh and sleep expert Nerina Ramlakhan are currently spotlighted.

Consumers are meant to embrace their inner homebody, and take moments for themselves as a treat or a spa-like feeling. The idea is that “If you can take just one moment and do something good for yourself, you will feel so much better about the rest of your day or your night for that matter,” Kindler said.

Talbots, which is developing all of the apparel being sold via Haven Well Within, has created Haven Well Within concept shops in about 300 of its 417 freestanding stores in the U.S. Already planning for growth through 2021, the ceo said there is significant demand for the new brand. “This is going to be a fixture of stores and brick-and-mortar along with a very strong web presence, which is going to be the bulk of it,” she said. “We’re seeing great response. We have confidence that once we start to be able to put some of the noise of the pandemic behind us, we will roll out new ways of getting this concept to more customers.”

Haven Well Within aims to appeal to any woman with a busy life whether that be through work, community or social reasons, Kindler said. Designed to attract consumers beyond Talbots’ existing customers, the Haven Well Within site does not have the New England, preppy sensibility that Talbots does, she added. With more of a spa undertone, the aesthetic is meant to be more calming.

While many American marketers and brands have cottoned to the Danish concept of “hygge,” a quality of comfort and coziness, in recent years, the Copenhagen-born Kindler has long appreciated it and has used it for Haven Well Within. “That minimalistic uncluttered moment and that Scandinavian sensibility was an influence on how we thought about the product itself, the curation and the expression of the concept. In the very cluttered life that we all live in today, that sensibility feels good,” she said.

Given retail’s current ailing state of affairs, the Haven Well Within team is toying with ideas for pop-up stores. That will be the first segue into stand-alone stores, Kindler said. The 20-person team is made up of dedicated and shared Talbots employees. “Having the courage to launch the concept,” which bridged support from employees in e-commerce, IT, logistics and other areas, created “a feel-good moment” for all involved, due to the timing and the project’s relevance, she added.

In addition to being a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the ceo is the expert-in-residence at Babson College’s WIN (Women Innovating Now) Alan, an accelerator program for women entrepreneurs. As a big believer in supporting women entrepreneurs, Kindler said Tuesday night’s WIN meeting prompted a new possibility: One WIN participant may be featured in one of the 2021 stories that will be on the Haven Well Within site.

In a roundabout way, the starting point for her fashion career — Ann Taylor — has come full circle. Talbots’ parent company Sycamore Partners recently purchased the Ascena Retail Group Inc., which owns Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant and Lou & Grey, for $540 million. Kindler declined to comment about that recent deal and the potential for any consolidation other than to say, “Obviously, it’s very exciting for Sycamore.”

As for Haven Well Within, more partners will be added around wellness, beauty and other areas.

Talbots Quietly Launches Haven Well Within (2024)

FAQs

What has happened to Talbots? ›

Effective today, we've decided to temporarily close all of our stores in order to help protect our communities and contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Is Haven owned by Talbots? ›

Talbots-owned e-tailer Haven Well Within curates products suiting different everyday experiences that it calls Awaken, Nourish, Energize, Unwind and Rejuvenate.

Is Ann Taylor and Talbots the same company? ›

Talbots' parent company Sycamore Partners recently purchased the Ascena Retail Group Inc., which owns Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant and Lou & Grey, for $540 million.

What company owns Talbots? ›

Image of What company owns Talbots?
Sycamore Partners is a private equity firm based in New York specializing in retail and consumer investments. The firm has approximately $10 billion in aggregate committed capital.
Wikipedia

Why is Talbots going out of business? ›

Talbots, 2023

23, a spokesperson for Talbots told the outlet. According to the spokesperson, the clothing store's lease is up at the end of January, and the company has chosen not to renew it. The closure was "mutually agreed upon," the spokesperson told Providence Business News.

Can haven well within be returned to Talbots? ›

Easy Returns and Exchanges

Returns and exchanges are subject to our return policy [link]. The return portal can be used to ship your return using UPS or prepare your return for drop off at an approved location or a Talbots store.

Is Talbots an old lady brand? ›

I recall going to Talbot's with my grandmother as a youngster and even then it was categorized as 'the old lady store'. Yup, that is where all the older but fashionable women went before a night out a the jazz club with their husband's.

Is Talbots financially stable? ›

Talbots. Women's clothing store Talbots is among apparel retailers at risk. The company is facing sector challenges, as many consumers have turned away from malls amid the pandemic. Talbots doesn't have much cash on hand, and it's debt is coming due soon, analysts said.

Is Talbots losing money? ›

During the first three quarters of 2020, Talbots' revenue fell by 40 percent, the agency found, promoting the retailer to take “aggressive action” to preserve cash.

Is Talbots a luxury brand? ›

The reality of the fashion market is that very respectable, though not true 'luxury' brands like Talbots, Liz Claiborne and Ann Taylor are delivering an investment in fashion that is most highly regarded by affluent customers loyal to these brands.”

Why are so many Ann Taylor stores closing? ›

Ascena Retail Group, the conglomerate behind women's apparel brands Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant and Catherines, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Thursday and said it would close at least 877 - nearly a third - of its 2,800 stores after years of declining sales and ballooning debt.

When did Talbots buy J Jill? ›

J. Jill was founded in Great Barrington, Mass. In 1955, and was named after the owner's daughter Jill. It was sold to Talbots TLB 0.0% in 2006 who topped Liz Clayborne's bid for the brand by bidding $517 Million, In 2009 Gold Gate Capital acquired the company for a mere $63 million.

What is the target age group for Talbots? ›

Talbots is making great strides to become a cult brand for women between the ages of 45 to 65 years old and right now it is focusing on reclaiming its brand DNA and sense of style.

Is J. Jill owned by Talbots? ›

Wholly Owned Subsidiary of The Talbots, Inc. The J. Jill Group Inc., purchased by The Talbots, Inc., in 2006, is an upscale specialty marketer of women's apparel, accessories, and gifts under the J. Jill brand.

Who are Talbots top competitors? ›

Talbots competitors include Ann Taylor, Gap Inc. and ANN INC.. Talbots ranks 1st in CEO Score on Comparably vs its competitors. See below how Talbots compares to its competitors with CEO Rankings, Product & Services, NPS, Pricing, Customer Services, Overall Culture Score, eNPS, Gender and Diversity Scores.

What is the difference between Talbots and Talbots outlet? ›

Talbots is a leading retailer of classic apparel and accessories, known for providing gracious service and a quality selection of timeless wardrobe essentials. Talbots Outlet stores continue those traditions while offering a range of new styles designed exclusively for us in Misses, Petite and Woman sizes.

Where is the original Talbots? ›

Image of Where is the original Talbots?
Hingham is a town in metropolitan Greater Boston on the South Shore of the U.S. state of Massachusetts in northern Plymouth County. At the 2020 census, the population was 24,284. Hingham is known for its colonial history and location on Boston Harbor.
Wikipedia

Does General Mills still own Talbots? ›

General Mills acquired Talbots in 1973 and gave it the financial backing for a store expansion into 25 states. Japanese retailer AEON acquired Talbots in 1988 and continues to hold majority ownership.

Was Talbots bought out? ›

In 1948, the Talbots launched a direct mail business by distributing 3,000 fliers to names obtained from The New Yorker magazine. In 1973, they sold the company, consisting of a growing catalog enterprise and five stores, to General Mills.

Can I use Talbots gift card at Haven well within? ›

Talbots and Haven Well Within Gift Cards are for merchandise purchases only and are unable to be used to purchase other Talbots or Haven Well Within Gift Cards. Gift Cards can be redeemed at any Talbots store, online at talbots.com, or by calling 1.800. 825.2687.

What is Talbots financial condition? ›

After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found the following key financial metrics. Talbots has 8,737 employees, and the revenue per employee ratio is $152,340. Talbots peak revenue was $1.3B in 2022.

What age group is Chico's for? ›

Chico's core customer is 45 years and older. But the number of women in the 45-64 year age group will decline 3% from 2015 to 2025, while those over 65 years (i.e. Baby Boomers) will be the fastest-growing segment of women, expected to rise 36% by 2025, according to the latest Census projections.

What demographic is Talbots for? ›

The most common age range of Talbots employees is 20-30 years. 46% of Talbots employees are between the ages of 20-30 years.

What age group does Coldwater Creek target? ›

The retailer says its clothing is aimed at a 35-50 age range, but most women would probably scale that to an older range. As it seeks financing and works on paring down in hopes of turning itself around, Coldwater Creek may also want to revamp its advertising approach to match its true demographic, or vice versa.

Do Talbots employees get commission? ›

There is no commission.

What do Talbots employees wear? ›

Business Casual/Casual, most people wore jeans and sneakers on a daily basis.

How is Talbots business doing? ›

S&P Global downgraded Talbots deep into junk territory on Thursday as loan deadlines loom and its business faces persistent stress from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing troubles in the apparel sector. The ratings agency downgraded Talbots to CCC-, indicating a high risk of default.

What is Talbots known for? ›

In 1947, Nancy and Rudy Talbot, two entrepreneurial New Englanders, created a clothing catalog with a highly dedicated and passionate following—treasured for its spirited voice and modern classic style.

Is Talbots in Lakeville closing? ›

The Talbot's Distribution Center located in Lakeville will be permanently closing this November. On May 13, the company notified the state of the impending layoff of 277 people as a result of the closure. The plan is to close the distribution center in three phases, beginning on July 29 and concluding on November 11.

When did Talbots make clothes in USA? ›

Starting a Tradition in Hingham, Massachusetts in the 1940s

The couple stocked their store with classic women's apparel. In their first year in business, sales totaled $18,000. During their second year in business, the Talbots branched out from in-store retailing and launched a catalog operation.

Is Talbot fast fashion? ›

"We are a fast-fashion brand. That might seem like an oxymoron, but we've actually taken the things that are really innovative and help further sustainability from the fast-fashion model [such as] making limited collection runs and making more of something only after it performs," Talbot said.

What style is Talbots clothing? ›

Talbots was founded in Hingham in 1947, catering to a particularly New England sensibility that cofounder Nancy Talbot described as “simple but not contrived, gimmicky, or extreme, smart but not faddy, fashionable but not funky — chic and understated, the hallmarks of good taste.” And for a long time the company ...

What is the highest end luxury brand? ›

The Top 20 Most Popular Luxury Brands in 2023
Luxury Brand RankingCountryWebsite
1. HermèsFranceShop Now
2. ChanelFranceShop Now
3. Louis VuittonFranceShop Now
4. GucciItalyShop Now
16 more rows

What age group shops at Ann Taylor? ›

It's a relatively expensive brand and has a much sleeker product line as compared to other specialty retailers. Ann Taylor has a specific target market of affluent female buyers in the age group of 25-50 years, which justifies its small presence (in terms of stores) in the U.S.

Is Lou and GREY going out of business? ›

In July 2020, the decision was made to close all of the freestanding Lou & Grey stores after the parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Can Ann Taylor be returned to Ann Taylor Factory? ›

We will gladly accept your return of unwashed and unworn or defective merchandise under the following conditions: MERCHANDISE PURCHASED AT AN ANN TAYLOR STORE may only be returned to a Ann Taylor store. MERCHANDISE PURCHASED AT AN ANN TAYLOR FACTORY STORE may only be returned to an Ann Taylor Factory store.

Who models for Talbots? ›

Nicole Renee Taylor (born March 5, 1975) is an American model and television hostess.

What is Talbots legal name? ›

The Talbots, Inc.

Is J Jill a luxury brand? ›

While JILL may never be a top-tier luxury brand, too much discounting can make its brand seem less upscale. And finally, a lot of discounting, especially immediately, conditions customers to expect discounts, and to want more discounts.

What does PP size mean? ›

PP (double-petite) P (petite) R (regular) T (tall)

What is the difference between size 14W and 16? ›

Numerical sizes are often labeled as 14W, 16W, 18W, and so on. The W is for Women's, which is another way of saying plus size. The “W” sizes are fitted for plus size specifically, whereas sizes like 14 and 16 in the same brand were likely fitted on a straight-size fit model.

What does PL mean in size? ›

-Alpha sizing is a versatile lettering size range defined by letters such as XS, S, M, L, XL, etc. -Clothing sizing for specific target market groups (i.e., Petite, Plus size, Tall) are labeled as PS, PM, PL (for petite body size consumers) or Plus Sizes 1X, 2X, 3X, etc.

Does Talbots own Coldwater Creek? ›

In June 2014, Sycamore Partners, owner of brands including Talbots, Nine West, and Stuart Weitzman, purchased Coldwater Creek's intellectual property (use of the name, logo and customer list) through CWC Direct LLC, and opened new headquarters in Hingham, Massachusetts.

When did Talbots stop selling men's clothing? ›

(Hingham, Mass.) has announced it will discontinue its separate kids' and men's' retail operations, closing its 66 Talbots Kids and 12 Talbots Men's stores by September 2008, as part of a bid to focus more on its core, middle-aged female customer.

What is comparable to J Jill? ›

J. Jill's competitors and similar companies include JustFab, Fashion Nova, Torrid and QUIZ. J. Jill is a multichannel fashion retailer of women's apparel, accessories and footwear.

Who are Ralph Lauren's top competitors? ›

Ralph Lauren Corporation competitors include United By Blue, Calvin Klein, Armani, Hanesbrands and Donna Karan. Ralph Lauren Corporation ranks 2nd in Product Quality Score on Comparably vs its competitors.

Who are Nordstroms main competitors? ›

Nordstrom has notable competitors in the retail industry that offer high fashion in a similar department store format, like Macy's (M), Dillard's (DDS), Neiman Marcus, and Saks.

When did Talbots buy J. Jill? ›

J. Jill was founded in Great Barrington, Mass. In 1955, and was named after the owner's daughter Jill. It was sold to Talbots TLB 0.0% in 2006 who topped Liz Clayborne's bid for the brand by bidding $517 Million, In 2009 Gold Gate Capital acquired the company for a mere $63 million.

Who competes with Talbots? ›

Talbots vs competitors
CompanyFounding DateRevenue
Gap Inc.1969$15.6B
Forever 211984$4.0B
Lord & Taylor1826$1.4B
Neiman Marcus Group1907$4.9B
17 more rows

How much discount do Talbots employees get? ›

Generous Discount: 50%, 60% & 70% Merchandise Discount off Talbots and Haven Well Within. Other Perks: Referral Incentive Program, discounts on travel, shopping, concerts and more.

Where is Talbots based out of? ›

Soon they moved into a historic house in Hingham, Massachusetts, a quaint and picturesque town on the South Shore outside of Boston, where they painted the front door a welcoming red to signal hospitality.

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