Cotton USA Drops Plans for Expansion

Cotton USA, a Moorpark manufacturer of women’s casual clothing, has dropped plans to start a men’s line and to enter retailing, but the company is prospering nonetheless, reports George Hagopian, president.

“Our women’s line is doing so well that we’re too busy to try other things right now,” he said.

Last August, Cotton USA announced that it planned to test-market a men’s line, Mr. Cotton. The company also has been studying plans to launch a chain of retail stores.

Instead, Hagopian said, the women’s wear, featuring pants, tops, skirts and dresses, was upgraded. He said the garments are now sold at Bullock’s, I. Magnin and other upscale outlets.

Hagopian noted that the firm has been particularly successful with lace-trimmed blouses and skirts that retail for about $80 and $55, respectively.

He said Cotton USA now has 110 employees, an increase of nearly 70% over last year. All Cotton USA products are manufactured in the United States and are made entirely of domestically grown cotton, Hagopian added.