Mid-Tier Retailers Try New Brands On for Size

Chains Look to Stand Out In Crowded Marketplace

Washington Post, August 28, 2008 — This back-to-school season will go down as the Battle of the Brands. Kohl's launched six new lines of clothing this summer with a star-studded advertising campaign featuring celebrities from Lenny Kravitz to Hayden Panettiere. JCPenney introduced another half-dozen labels, the department store's biggest crop of new brands, with looks including urban rock and all-American. And Dillard's is chasing soccer moms with a line designed by Sheryl Crow that hit stores this month.