Le Ritz Comptoir

and Holiday Books & Gap Inc Q3 Earnings

Nov 20, 2023

Clockwise from Top.

Fall/Winter Moments

There are a few upcoming books and films that we wanted to spotlight, now that we are spending a lot more time indoors and want to finish the year with a few more titles under out belts! :)

First, we mentioned her debut novel here, but Naoise Dolan has a new book out called The Happy Couple which will likely end up under our tree this year:

An intimate, sharply funny novel about a couple heading toward their wedding, and the three friends who may draw them apart. As the wedding approaches and these five lives intersect, each character will find themselves looking for a path to their happily ever after - but does it lie at the end of an aisle? In her wry, sprightly, and unmistakable voice, Naoise Dolan makes the marriage plot entirely her own in a sparkling ensemble novel that is both ferociously clever and supremely enjoyable.

Second, we are big fans of director Alexander Payne, especially Election and most dearly Sideways. He is teaming up with Paul Giamatti again, with a film set a New England boarding school over Christmas break. As mentioned, we ADORE Sideways and will always watch Giamatti as a grumpy, disillusioned high school teacher aka the role he was born to play.

And lastly, Raquel very much enjoyed reading Emma Cline’s The Guest and keeps asking if we are “fringe”. (I have not read this yet and don’t know what she means.) She also started reading her first novel The Girls but it is not the best thing to read in the cold of winter and is something she is saving for our next trip to LA.

Le Ritz Comptoir

After traveling to Paris every year for the past 8 or so years, we have yet to see the inside of the famous Ritz Hotel. Whenever I had appointments in Place Vendôme, I would always stroll by the entrance to the hotel to peek inside.

But for my last trip to Paris earlier this month, I finally made it to the bakery. The Comptoir is tucked into an alley on the backside of the hotel, a few doors down from Bar Hemingway.

The specialize in the quintessential Parisian treat - the famous Madeleine.

They come in many, many flavors, all delicious, but I brought back a sleeve of classic chocolate and vanilla for Raquel who almost forgave for leaving her with Noemi for a week! :)

Gap Inc Q3 Results

It seems that Gap Inc has found it’s savior, and it’s Barbie. At least that is the storyline in the business and fashion press, as its Q3 results showed unexpected resilience. Credit is being given to the new CEO who joined from Mattel and is responsible for shepherding the billion dollar Barbie movie into existence.

Below the top line numbers, Old Navy started growing again, after struggling for the past few years and laying off much of its design and production teams. As analysts noted, sales were so bad that it should be easy to show growth over the next few seasons.

Athleta, once the star of the Gap Inc group of brands, has seen growth slow considerably. And Banana Republic is still a tiny business trying to find its footing with a Peter Do capsule and launching a furniture collection.

The big challenge for Richard Dickson, who joined Gap Inc in July, will be re-animating Gap, the once iconic mall brand that has fallen out of favor with Gen Z. Maybe he needs to hire Greta Gerwig as Creative Director?