J. Crew extends contract with Quad/Graphics, adds 'Crewcuts' duties

Apparel cataloger and retailer J. Crew signed a three-year contract extension with printer Quad/Graphics last month. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Quad/Graphics will add J. Crew's standalone title for its “Crewcuts” line of children's clothing to its duties, while continuing to prep and print 40 million catalogs a year for the retailer.

“They have a unique and flexible manufacturing platform that extends beyond just print, which is helpful in the multimedia world we live in,” he said.

J. Crew decided to extend the contract after an internal review, said Mike Braaten, VP of print production for the retailer. The retailer has worked with Quad/Graphics for three years. Prior to that, it worked with RR Donnelley.

Braaten said J. Crew, which distributes its catalogs monthly, has a house list that is about the same size as years past.

“As everyone is getting smarter, they're cutting their circulation down and targeting customers better,” he said. “But naturally, as new customers grow, that number goes back up.”

The J.Crew Group operates 243 retail stores, a catalog business, jcrew.com and 78 factory outlet stores.