Weak View Soaks Coldwater Creek

"Mature women apparel shoppers are looking for matching and coordinating pieces," he says, "and when these sets are complete, their demand goes down. This is not the case with young women, who do not match; they mix."

Howard Davidowitz, chairman of retail consulting and investment banking firm Davidowitz & Associates, says the results demonstrated a change in consumer buying habits during the holidays, as shoppers turned away from apparel in favor of electronics.

While there were some winners during the retail holiday season, such as J. Crew(JCW Quote) and American Eagle Outfitters(AEOS Quote), overall Davidowitz described the apparel chain sector's holiday performance as "a debacle."

Davidowitz says there was no "must-have" apparel item this holiday season, which hurt the sector. Those companies that did succeed offered "a compelling assortment at the right price," he says.

Hastings says that asset growth in the mature women's apparel specialty store sector will slow down as company cut back on plans for store openings and search for new initiatives.

"Better earnings comparisons should occur later on," he says, "after these names make adjustments to their seasonal merchandising."

Davidowitz also points out that Coldwater Creek had been enjoying a successful run for a long time.

"There's a rule in apparel," he says, "nothing is forever."