Kate Spade, Lucky Brand, Juicy Couture and Mexx weren’t enough to keep Liz Claiborne from posting $693 million in losses for its fourth quarter, the retailer reported this week.

Weaker sales at its own outlets, combined with cutbacks at Macy’s, J.C. Penney and other department stores, slashed revenue by 22 percent over the holiday shopping season, according to the report.

And while most retailers these days are struggling to cope with weaker consumer spending, those in higher-end women’s fashion seem particularly vulnerable, as a growing number of shoppers turn to discount outlets and consignment stores. Saks Fifth Avenue, which has offered deals of up to 75 percent off to reduce inventory, had to fend off rumors that it was going out of business.

Liz Claiborne has responded by cutting staff and shedding its none-core brands, while adding new branded specialty stores. It also plans to boost marketing efforts that focus on its direct brands, including Kate Spade and Mexx, company officials said this week. Like Saks, it’s also trying to draw down inventory.

While the company’s stock has lost 84 percent of its value in the past year, its shares are up 8.4 percent since January, outpacing the broader market. It’s the little things, you know.