French fashion retailer La Redoute has discontinued its U.S. site, according to their website (http://www.us.redoute.com/). I'm kinda saddened by this news, even though I've only ordered from them once before (read my review). Call me crazy but I'd guess the economy is to blame. Are you bummed by this news or indifferent?
UPDATE: La Redoute Resurrected for U.S. Shoppers
WHEN I MOVED TO THE STATES I WAS REALL CHUFFED TO SEE THEY WERE HERE. BUT, WHAT THEY HAD TO OFFER WAS SUCH A TINY VARIETY OF THEIR AVERAGE INVENTORY. I WAS BEYOND DISAPPOINTED. I'VE HAD TO CONTINUE PURCHASING MY ITEMS FROM HOME AND HAVING THEM SHIPPED OVER BY MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND OFFER EVERYTHING THEY DO IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
MAYBE IT WAS A FRANCHISE TYPE OF THING, AND THE VP'S INVOLVED HERE HAD VERY LITTLE BUSINESS SENSE AND MASSIVELY POOR JUDGEMENT WITH THE SLIM SELECTION OF ITEMS.
ANYWAY, I WILL FOREVER BE A FAN OF THE UK SITE. IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN, PLEASE LOOK THROUGH THEIR ITEMS, FABULOUS VARIETY. IT'S JUST A PITY THEY AREN'T ABLE TO SHIP DIRECTLY TO THE U.S.
SORRY THE AMERICANS NEVER GOT A FAIR CHANCE AT WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FANTASTIC ALTERNATIVE TO THE USUAL FASHION HERE.
Thanks for your note. Unfortunately, LR items from other countries can't be directly sent from their sites to the US. They only ship within their region.
The only way to get LR items is to go directly to one of the designer's websites, such as Renee Derhy or Laura Clement and see about getting them shipped to the US.
Even if you don't speak a foreign language, you can still leave an email and they will more than likely reply back in English.
The reason I am able to get my items is because I go online and have a look, then ask my aunt or best friend to get the items for me and post them to me. I send them the money through my Paypal account, so that they are not out of pocket and I don't have pay international conversion fees.
If you plan to shop in the UK or Europe, whatever the price is, be sure to double that if paying in US dollars. The British Pound is almost twice as strong as the Dollar and the Euro is not quite double.
Example: If something costs 48.00 BP, it will actually cost you just under $96.00. But, you can't actually pay in American dollars, it has to be British Pounds or Euros if shopping in France, Spain, Italy. Other countries don't accept American dollars just as the States will not accept international money.
Paypal is the easiest and safest way to go because Paypal will automatically convert your American dollars for you into whatever currency needed.
If you use a credit card, you will have to pay international conversion fees and sometimes they can be a bit pricey. You can check with your credit card company for their fees and surcharges.
The best suggestion I can offer, is look through Ebay UK, France, Spain, etc.. and see if any of the items you like are being offered. Many items are listed to be sent globally. Say there is a particular item you like on Ebay France and the seller isn't showing that they ship to the States, you can write them (Ebay converts English into French or whatever language needed automatically). Most of the time they will happily say yes because it helps them get a sale.
Sorry that I don't have better news for you. I hope some of this info helps.
Good Luck in finding your goodies,
Katie
I just sought out the site tonight to update my wardrobe with some new pieces to go with some boots I just bought. Too bad for sure.
Regards,
Marie Clerveaux
I think a lot has to do with the Commerce Dept. Hey...I'd gladly buy Made in USA, but it's hard to find and the quality is never as good as in the past. America needs quality goods again.
Wish me luck ladies. Desperate times call for desperate measures! I put an order in for "maillots de bain" with Google Language by my side all the way on www.laredoute.fr
Let's hope I translated everything correctly and my order goes through!
Boo!
It does look like you can choose shipping to the US from the French site.
But the one problem with that would be exchanging sizes. The shopping cart shows a price reduction to the US (I'm guessing it's the removal of the VAT) but my French is weak enough that I didn't read to see if there would be customs charges.
stuck when it comes to the "post code" we have
a "zip code" in the US with 5 numbers. I am so
sad...I loved to order from them...havent found
anything to replace them...
Au revoire
I really miss them here in the U.S. I was hoping that at some point they would return. I am searching for a substitute, but so far can't find any with the style, variety AND PRICE!
I'd take suggestions from anyone if they've found anything, or a way to get to La Redoute in another country. The UK site told me they do not ship to the US. I'm still not sure why they left the U.S. market, however however I adhere to the conspiracy theory!!
Come back La Redoute!
Jane
Good Luck,
Cheryl
La Redoute U.S. website has been discontinued. I found out last year. Hopefully, they will bring the U.S. La Redoute website back. Sooner than later, I prefer.
So if your French is good, there is still a chance to have Laredoute in US!
PS. I used http://translation2.paralink.com/ for translation. Worked well for my needs
I loved La Redoute because you could get cheaper versions of high fashion from certain French Design Houses like Comptoir de Contonniers. I have been using them since 2000 and I thought I would pop on today to check out their Fall line and I couldn't figure out what happened to the US link. Thanks for the update, and I guess now I will have to rely on the store Zara until La Redoute decides to sell to us again.
I went to their site today just to randomly browse, wondering why I couldn't access their US page. I did a Google search which led me to your blog, and now I know why. This is disappointing because I love their stuff.
I can somewhat navigate through the French page with the little French I remember from high school way back when, but it's a futile task since they no longer ship to the US.
I hoping that they come back!
Good ol' La Redoute. As a Francophone American, it saddens me to see them leave our shores. Their left-of-center look and style will certainly be missed.
Tu me manqueras toujours...
Hopefully someone has an idea where a curvy size 14 lady can get some great linen pants?
I last shopped La Redoute in fall '04 and bought many of my honeymoon fashions. The clothes were all chic and stunning; namely an ivory kimono-top pantsuit that I wore on our departing flight.
The only reason I didn't shop La Redoute after that, was, as a full-figured woman, I had ordered from their 'La Femme' line. I was bummed, (and a little ticked!) when they discontinued 'La Femme' at the end of 2004! At that time, it was put as they "had no IMMEDIATE plans" to sell plus sizes anymore! So, I had myself removed from their mailing list, and shopped other Redcats brands with current plus-sizing. (But NOT ROAMANS! NEVER again!)
Fast forward: 5 years and 3 kids later, (twins plus one!) and now I'm in the market for apparel that doesn't have nursing slits or belly panels! So I google "La Redoute", hoping they've done an about face on the 'plus' clothing; only to be majorly disappointed.
The Catch 22: Yes, they have a plus line, but no retailing in the states! (DANG!DARN!... and other assorted curses, that you'll just have to imagine!)
Oh well. C'est la vie!
I keep wishing they would reopen or at the very least mail to the US from France...
Cherylmcmurray@hotmail.com
Lane Bryant, Avenue or any US plus size company can't compare to La Redoute. Their fashions for a size 18 girl is wonderful. I don't see their styles anywhere and the price, you can't beat it. I'm going to miss them terribly.
I'm going to try the French website. Hopefully, I can find similar items. I also went on the Amazon UK website and found their clothes. The site says you can ship to US but when I tried to complete my order, it said the items couldn't be shipped.
I hope they decide to ship to the US once again. I'll be waiting.
come back or let us order on line from the other sites
I was just in Paris and all their clothes are very cheap, cheaply made and very expensive. I saw so many boutiques with ripped clothes for over $100. Thin material....crappy by our standards. Its not just this company it was ALL over Paris. I was shocked. La Redoute was a pretty good company considering they are from the UK and still cheap.
-Sad in MN!!
La Redoute available.
I suspect they couldn't make it for a few reasons. ie - THey used quality fabrics and the sizes were cut for European sizing?
Sad to see them go. I ordered some great wool blend sweaters(and i'm petite) and unique Renee Derhy tops that are still conversation pieces to this day.....hope they return soon
Just receive my La Redoute order with UPS. It works! La Redoute.com delivers to the US!
Just love my new boots : http://www.laredoute.com/products/bottines-cuir-a-lacets/706511/324212534.aspx