Gottschalks Inc. (Fresno, Calif.) has announced the launch of GK, a new private label line of apparel for children.
The merchandise — shorts, skirts, tops, t-shirts, sleepwear, socks and underwear, for newborns, toddlers, boys to size 20 and girls to size 16 — debuted in Gottschalks stores at the end of March.
The retailer says it anticipates private label sales will grow by 15 percent in 2003. “The launch of our GK line is a key component of our more aggressive pursuit of private label opportunities this year,” said president and ceo Jim Famalette. “We have had considerable success with two of our other private label brands, Shaver Lake and Sarah Bentley, and look forward to a similar response to our new children's line.”
Gottschalks, a regional department store chain, operates 66 full department stores and 13 specialty apparel stores in six western states, including California (39), Washington (14), Alaska (six), Oregon (three) and Nevada and Idaho (two each).