https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/18/macys-store-closures-10-more-to-be-announced-in-january.html (https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/18/macys-store-closures-10-more-to-be-announced-in-january.html)
There is still a possibility that the company will take another look at its portfolio and change its mind about when the next round of store closures will occur.
They are still trying to find a strategy eh?
I seriously wonder how any of the traditional department store chains are going to stay relevant going forward. Amazon, Walmart and Target seem to be eating everyone's lunch.
I mean, it's pretty easy. Offer something that Amazon, Walmart, and Target don't: customer service. Problem is that costs money, and the current crop of CEOs would rather wallow around bitching and moaning that they're losing $500 instead of paying $100 on staff.
Quote from: Scott5114 on November 19, 2021, 03:06:44 PM
I mean, it's pretty easy. Offer something that Amazon, Walmart, and Target don't: customer service. Problem is that costs money, and the current crop of CEOs would rather wallow around bitching and moaning that they're losing $500 instead of paying $100 on staff.
I agree that customer service sells to some customers. The problem is Macy's price point is so far above even Kohl's that only the most fashion conscious people would bother.
I saw recently that Macy's is partnering with Toys R Us starting in 2022. Interesting how a company on life support is trying to revive a dead one.
Recruiting is also a challenge for almost all companies right now. It's a great time to look for a better job, but not a good time to be hiring.
"Customer service" is also constantly evolving in its definition. Things like Amazon Prime free delivery are arguably more important/valuable as a customer service tool than anything a store can offer for in person customers. And plenty of people, including me, might get turned off by the thought of someone trying to sell them something at a store like Macy's.
Quote from: Scott5114 on November 19, 2021, 03:06:44 PM
I mean, it's pretty easy. Offer something that Amazon, Walmart, and Target don't: customer service. Problem is that costs money, and the current crop of CEOs would rather wallow around bitching and moaning that they're losing $500 instead of paying $100 on staff.
My wife's experience with Macy's "customer service" earlier this week doesn't even rise to the level of Walmart.
Macy's is going to have find a niche for people who just have to have certain brands of clothing. The only thing that keeps me from shopping for clothing at Walmart is that they often don't have items big enough to fit me. If was a normal size, unless I needed to get real dress clothing like a suit or a sportcoat, I probably wouldn't shop anywhere but Walmart or whichever retailer was cheaper.
If Macy's ever goes out of business, who will sponsor the Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Quote from: Henry on December 10, 2021, 12:27:34 PM
If Macy's ever goes out of business, who will sponsor the Thanksgiving Day Parade?
If you've followed the whole naming rights biz for stadiums in the last two decades, you'll know that there will be dozens if not scores of companies lining up to take over that parade should Macy's fall. The Akamai Thanksgiving Day Parade? The Meta Thanksgiving Day Parade? The Go Daddy Thanksgiving Day Parade? None are beyond the realm of possibility, unfortunately.
Quote from: DenverBrian on December 10, 2021, 12:30:21 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 10, 2021, 12:27:34 PM
If Macy's ever goes out of business, who will sponsor the Thanksgiving Day Parade?
If you've followed the whole naming rights biz for stadiums in the last two decades, you'll know that there will be dozens if not scores of companies lining up to take over that parade should Macy's fall. The Akamai Thanksgiving Day Parade? The Meta Thanksgiving Day Parade? The Go Daddy Thanksgiving Day Parade? None are beyond the realm of possibility, unfortunately.
The most important part of the parade is when it stops at Manhattan's Herald Square, in front of Macy's flagship store. If Macy's can no longer afford to operate/manage the parade, the parade would likely end permanently. It's simply too closely tied to the company, especially given the routing.
As soon as Art Van went under, Gardner White started sponsoring the Detroit "America's Thanksgiving Parade". Just swap one furniture store for another.
Quote from: GaryV on December 10, 2021, 01:15:52 PM
As soon as Art Van went under, Gardner White started sponsoring the Detroit "America's Thanksgiving Parade". Just swap one furniture store for another.
And that used to be Hudson's sponsoring it at one time.
Right, until Macy's bought Hudson's.
Quote from: DenverBrian on December 10, 2021, 12:30:21 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 10, 2021, 12:27:34 PM
If Macy's ever goes out of business, who will sponsor the Thanksgiving Day Parade?
If you've followed the whole naming rights biz for stadiums in the last two decades, you'll know that there will be dozens if not scores of companies lining up to take over that parade should Macy's fall. The Akamai Thanksgiving Day Parade? The Meta Thanksgiving Day Parade? The Go Daddy Thanksgiving Day Parade? None are beyond the realm of possibility, unfortunately.
Or worse, Amazon buys the naming rights and we get Climate Pledge Thanksgiving Day parade...
Quote from: SectorZ on December 10, 2021, 01:48:37 PM
Quote from: DenverBrian on December 10, 2021, 12:30:21 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 10, 2021, 12:27:34 PM
If Macy's ever goes out of business, who will sponsor the Thanksgiving Day Parade?
If you've followed the whole naming rights biz for stadiums in the last two decades, you'll know that there will be dozens if not scores of companies lining up to take over that parade should Macy's fall. The Akamai Thanksgiving Day Parade? The Meta Thanksgiving Day Parade? The Go Daddy Thanksgiving Day Parade? None are beyond the realm of possibility, unfortunately.
Or worse, Amazon buys the naming rights and we get Climate Pledge Thanksgiving Day parade...
More likely than not, with Amazon having attempting to advertise on the Macy's Herald Square flagship building.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on December 10, 2021, 11:45:56 AM
I saw recently that Macy's is partnering with Toys R Us starting in 2022. Interesting how a company on life support is trying to revive a dead one.
mutter Sears-KMart mutter.
Quote from: jakeroot on December 10, 2021, 12:41:37 PM
Quote from: DenverBrian on December 10, 2021, 12:30:21 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 10, 2021, 12:27:34 PM
If Macy's ever goes out of business, who will sponsor the Thanksgiving Day Parade?
If you've followed the whole naming rights biz for stadiums in the last two decades, you'll know that there will be dozens if not scores of companies lining up to take over that parade should Macy's fall. The Akamai Thanksgiving Day Parade? The Meta Thanksgiving Day Parade? The Go Daddy Thanksgiving Day Parade? None are beyond the realm of possibility, unfortunately.
The most important part of the parade is when it stops at Manhattan's Herald Square, in front of Macy's flagship store. If Macy's can no longer afford to operate/manage the parade, the parade would likely end permanently. It's simply too closely tied to the company, especially given the routing.
Macy's had what is arguably the prime retail building in Seattle's core: 8 floors, nice Art Deco architectural details, in December a lighted star on the outside corner that is cattycorner to the street plan so it can be seen for blocks. Macy's closed that store, and a lot of it is being used by Amazon now. Office space I think, they're always hungry for office space and it's walking distance to other Amazon HQ buildings. Anyway, Amazon did put up the traditional star. Maybe that bodes well for NY's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Bump as they announced today that they will close another 150 stores by the end of 2026. No announcement of which stores will be closed.
Quote from: Big John on February 27, 2024, 05:02:20 PM
Bump as they announced today that they will close another 150 stores by the end of 2026. No announcement of which stores will be closed.
So far, there have been two Macy's stores that announced that they are closing...
Macy's at Union Square in SF - closing in 2025, but that closure date could be pushed up due to theft issues (the renewing of the lease was coming up, but they decided NOT to renew the lease)
Macy's at Northgate in San Rafael - closing in 2024
By 20 years ago, the parent company of Macy's had acquired most of the local and regional department store chains (Richs in Atlanta, Lazarus in Midwest, and many other chains all over the country), converted them all to Macy's stores, destroyed their identities and in the process, probably lost much of their customer base and loyalties. And it was predictable even then what was going to happen. Compared to Richs and Lazarus (the 2 regional chains that I was familiar with), Macy's just sucked. Small wonder malls are slowly dying. The mismanaged anchor stores started the process. Does anybody remember Sears?
Bring back Thalheimers you cowards
Quote from: RoadWarrior56 on February 28, 2024, 06:27:37 AM
By 20 years ago, the parent company of Macy's had acquired most of the local and regional department store chains (Richs in Atlanta, Lazarus in Midwest, and many other chains all over the country), converted them all to Macy's stores, destroyed their identities and in the process, probably lost much of their customer base and loyalties. And it was predictable even then what was going to happen. Compared to Richs and Lazarus (the 2 regional chains that I was familiar with), Macy's just sucked. Small wonder malls are slowly dying. The mismanaged anchor stores started the process. Does anybody remember Sears?
In Michigan we had a chain called Hudson's. Their flagship store was at 1206 Woodward Avenue in Detroit that closed down in the early 80's. The building sat vacant for about 15 years before they demolished it, then the site sat vacant for about 20 years before they built something on it but anyway Marshall Field's is what ate that store up, then 4 years later Macy's replaced Marshall Field's.
Quote from: Big John on February 27, 2024, 05:02:20 PM
No announcement of which stores will be closed.
I have never understood why companies do this. How do you get to "150 stores" and not know which they are? Why not 157? or 142?
It make employee morale suck and harm recruiting for new hires. Puts a pall over the whole company. Even effects other people real estate values (why buy the old Sears, when the old Macy's might be available in a couple of months?).
Quote from: Flint1979 on February 28, 2024, 12:21:07 PM
Quote from: RoadWarrior56 on February 28, 2024, 06:27:37 AM
By 20 years ago, the parent company of Macy's had acquired most of the local and regional department store chains (Richs in Atlanta, Lazarus in Midwest, and many other chains all over the country), converted them all to Macy's stores, destroyed their identities and in the process, probably lost much of their customer base and loyalties. And it was predictable even then what was going to happen. Compared to Richs and Lazarus (the 2 regional chains that I was familiar with), Macy's just sucked. Small wonder malls are slowly dying. The mismanaged anchor stores started the process. Does anybody remember Sears?
In Michigan we had a chain called Hudson's. Their flagship store was at 1206 Woodward Avenue in Detroit that closed down in the early 80's. The building sat vacant for about 15 years before they demolished it, then the site sat vacant for about 20 years before they built something on it but anyway Marshall Field's is what ate that store up, then 4 years later Macy's replaced Marshall Field's.
To add to that, Hudson's merged with Dayton's in 1968-69, and the combined company was Dayton-Hudson. Dayton-Hudson would buy Marshall Field's from BATUS in 1990, and then combined all it's non-Target and non-Mervyn's stores under one banner in 2001, that being Marshall Field's.
Quote from: Flint1979 on February 28, 2024, 12:21:07 PM
Quote from: RoadWarrior56 on February 28, 2024, 06:27:37 AM
By 20 years ago, the parent company of Macy's had acquired most of the local and regional department store chains (Richs in Atlanta, Lazarus in Midwest, and many other chains all over the country), converted them all to Macy's stores, destroyed their identities and in the process, probably lost much of their customer base and loyalties. And it was predictable even then what was going to happen. Compared to Richs and Lazarus (the 2 regional chains that I was familiar with), Macy's just sucked. Small wonder malls are slowly dying. The mismanaged anchor stores started the process. Does anybody remember Sears?
In Michigan we had a chain called Hudson's. Their flagship store was at 1206 Woodward Avenue in Detroit that closed down in the early 80's. The building sat vacant for about 15 years before they demolished it, then the site sat vacant for about 20 years before they built something on it but anyway Marshall Field's is what ate that store up, then 4 years later Macy's replaced Marshall Field's.
Dayton (also parent of Target) bought Hudson's and became Dayton-Hudson. They they bought Marshall Field's, and the whole thing was bought by Macy. (I say bought, some might be mergers, like the "merger" between Chrysler and Daimler. We know how much of a "merger" that was.)
//sniped while typing//
Quote from: RoadWarrior56 on February 28, 2024, 06:27:37 AM
By 20 years ago, the parent company of Macy's had acquired most of the local and regional department store chains (Richs in Atlanta, Lazarus in Midwest, and many other chains all over the country), converted them all to Macy's stores, destroyed their identities and in the process, probably lost much of their customer base and loyalties. And it was predictable even then what was going to happen. Compared to Richs and Lazarus (the 2 regional chains that I was familiar with), Macy's just sucked. Small wonder malls are slowly dying. The mismanaged anchor stores started the process. Does anybody remember Sears?
Macy's could have bought themselves some customer loyalty by retaining the old regional names like Kroger does with their grocery stores. The Bon Marche of Seattle was one of the chains that died with the Macy's merger and the new chain has completely pulled out of its home city, with only mall stores scattered around the suburbs left.
Quote from: Brandon on February 28, 2024, 02:35:18 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on February 28, 2024, 12:21:07 PM
Quote from: RoadWarrior56 on February 28, 2024, 06:27:37 AM
By 20 years ago, the parent company of Macy's had acquired most of the local and regional department store chains (Richs in Atlanta, Lazarus in Midwest, and many other chains all over the country), converted them all to Macy's stores, destroyed their identities and in the process, probably lost much of their customer base and loyalties. And it was predictable even then what was going to happen. Compared to Richs and Lazarus (the 2 regional chains that I was familiar with), Macy's just sucked. Small wonder malls are slowly dying. The mismanaged anchor stores started the process. Does anybody remember Sears?
In Michigan we had a chain called Hudson's. Their flagship store was at 1206 Woodward Avenue in Detroit that closed down in the early 80's. The building sat vacant for about 15 years before they demolished it, then the site sat vacant for about 20 years before they built something on it but anyway Marshall Field's is what ate that store up, then 4 years later Macy's replaced Marshall Field's.
To add to that, Hudson's merged with Dayton's in 1968-69, and the combined company was Dayton-Hudson. Dayton-Hudson would buy Marshall Field's from BATUS in 1990, and then combined all it's non-Target and non-Mervyn's stores under one banner in 2001, that being Marshall Field's.
And up until that merger Hudson's was the nation's largest independently owned department store chain. Dayton's was mostly in Minnesota and Hudson's mostly in Michigan. I believe that Dayton-Hudson bought Marshall Field's about a decade before renaming every store to Marshall Field's.
Quote from: GaryV on February 28, 2024, 02:36:40 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on February 28, 2024, 12:21:07 PM
Quote from: RoadWarrior56 on February 28, 2024, 06:27:37 AM
By 20 years ago, the parent company of Macy's had acquired most of the local and regional department store chains (Richs in Atlanta, Lazarus in Midwest, and many other chains all over the country), converted them all to Macy's stores, destroyed their identities and in the process, probably lost much of their customer base and loyalties. And it was predictable even then what was going to happen. Compared to Richs and Lazarus (the 2 regional chains that I was familiar with), Macy's just sucked. Small wonder malls are slowly dying. The mismanaged anchor stores started the process. Does anybody remember Sears?
In Michigan we had a chain called Hudson's. Their flagship store was at 1206 Woodward Avenue in Detroit that closed down in the early 80's. The building sat vacant for about 15 years before they demolished it, then the site sat vacant for about 20 years before they built something on it but anyway Marshall Field's is what ate that store up, then 4 years later Macy's replaced Marshall Field's.
Dayton (also parent of Target) bought Hudson's and became Dayton-Hudson. They they bought Marshall Field's, and the whole thing was bought by Macy. (I say bought, some might be mergers, like the "merger" between Chrysler and Daimler. We know how much of a "merger" that was.)
//sniped while typing//
Yeah that was in the late 60's so Hudson's was still around for at least another 30 years. Marshall Field's was bought by Dayton-Hudson around 1990. I believe it was the May Company that sold everything to Macy's which was called Federated Department Stores at the time of the merger or being bought out by them whatever one it was.
And yeah I still call it Chrysler and only Chrysler lol.
Quote from: Bruce on February 28, 2024, 03:14:10 PM
Quote from: RoadWarrior56 on February 28, 2024, 06:27:37 AM
By 20 years ago, the parent company of Macy's had acquired most of the local and regional department store chains (Richs in Atlanta, Lazarus in Midwest, and many other chains all over the country), converted them all to Macy's stores, destroyed their identities and in the process, probably lost much of their customer base and loyalties. And it was predictable even then what was going to happen. Compared to Richs and Lazarus (the 2 regional chains that I was familiar with), Macy's just sucked. Small wonder malls are slowly dying. The mismanaged anchor stores started the process. Does anybody remember Sears?
Macy's could have bought themselves some customer loyalty by retaining the old regional names like Kroger does with their grocery stores. The Bon Marche of Seattle was one of the chains that died with the Macy's merger and the new chain has completely pulled out of its home city, with only mall stores scattered around the suburbs left.
I like how Kroger does that. I'm in a region where the Kroger name is the name of the store but I like that they just leave the stores alone that they buy. Actually in my area Kroger closed all their stores in the early 80's and they all became Kessel Food Market's owned by a local guy named Al Kessel. Al Kessel then sold some stores to Save-A-Lot, some stores to Kroger and some stores closed. They didn't leave the name Kessel's though they renamed it back to Kroger, for years a lot of people in Saginaw and Flint called it Kessel's even after Kroger bought it back.
Quote from: Bruce on February 28, 2024, 03:14:10 PM
Quote from: RoadWarrior56 on February 28, 2024, 06:27:37 AM
By 20 years ago, the parent company of Macy's had acquired most of the local and regional department store chains (Richs in Atlanta, Lazarus in Midwest, and many other chains all over the country), converted them all to Macy's stores, destroyed their identities and in the process, probably lost much of their customer base and loyalties. And it was predictable even then what was going to happen. Compared to Richs and Lazarus (the 2 regional chains that I was familiar with), Macy's just sucked. Small wonder malls are slowly dying. The mismanaged anchor stores started the process. Does anybody remember Sears?
Macy's could have bought themselves some customer loyalty by retaining the old regional names like Kroger does with their grocery stores. The Bon Marche of Seattle was one of the chains that died with the Macy's merger and the new chain has completely pulled out of its home city, with only mall stores scattered around the suburbs left.
Yes. Dear Macy's, If you didn't WANT the Bon, why the heck did you buy it?
And the ones in the suburbs are seriously neglected. I went to buy dressy pair of shoes about a year ago, and the entire stock of shoes was just dumped on tables in no order at all - all sizes, styles, even mens' and womens' all mixed together. And no clerk in sight. Other departments looked similarly bad.
Too bad about the Union Square San Francisco location, that was a stop my mom ofted had my tag along to. Hope it doesn't stay vacant.
This all presupposes that had the department stores stayed regional, they somehow would have thrived. The entire concept of the department store is a failing concept; doesn't matter who the owner is or whether it's a national chain or a regional chain.
Quote from: GaryV on February 28, 2024, 02:36:40 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on February 28, 2024, 12:21:07 PM
Quote from: RoadWarrior56 on February 28, 2024, 06:27:37 AM
By 20 years ago, the parent company of Macy's had acquired most of the local and regional department store chains (Richs in Atlanta, Lazarus in Midwest, and many other chains all over the country), converted them all to Macy's stores, destroyed their identities and in the process, probably lost much of their customer base and loyalties. And it was predictable even then what was going to happen. Compared to Richs and Lazarus (the 2 regional chains that I was familiar with), Macy's just sucked. Small wonder malls are slowly dying. The mismanaged anchor stores started the process. Does anybody remember Sears?
In Michigan we had a chain called Hudson's. Their flagship store was at 1206 Woodward Avenue in Detroit that closed down in the early 80's. The building sat vacant for about 15 years before they demolished it, then the site sat vacant for about 20 years before they built something on it but anyway Marshall Field's is what ate that store up, then 4 years later Macy's replaced Marshall Field's.
Dayton (also parent of Target) bought Hudson's and became Dayton-Hudson. They they bought Marshall Field's, and the whole thing was bought by Macy. (I say bought, some might be mergers, like the "merger" between Chrysler and Daimler. We know how much of a "merger" that was.)
//sniped while typing//
We'll see how that frequently name-changed company's somewhat threadbare store here in the unincorporated suburbs around Appleton, WI fares WRT these plans. My sense is not really all that well, but that is for the future to tell.
ike
Just read today that they plan to keep both stores around Albany. I'm surprised - I would have thought they would close one of them, given that they're within a couple miles of each other.
Quote from: DenverBrian on February 28, 2024, 06:30:46 PM
This all presupposes that had the department stores stayed regional, they somehow would have thrived. The entire concept of the department store is a failing concept; doesn't matter who the owner is or whether it's a national chain or a regional chain.
I dunno. I do most of my shopping in a department store that's doing pretty well. I like to see what I'm buying. Are there flaws in the sewing in clothes? Do they really fit? If the thing needs to be assembled, are the instructions comprehensible? Just now the department store is called Target.
Makes me wonder under what circumstances they'd shut down the flagship in NYC.
https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/macys-mulls-closing-san-francisco-flagship-amid-plans-shutter-150-stores-2024-02-27/
Macy's mulls on closing their San Francisco Store.
Now I wonder if big downtown stores can be converted to housing in a way that is economically feasible.
Quote from: Rothman on February 29, 2024, 07:06:27 AM
Now I wonder if big downtown stores can be converted to housing in a way that is economically feasible.
Not as easily. These big stores have large, broad floors with minimal natural sunlight getting to the interior of them. You'd probably see them, or parts of them converted to office space first, as was done to the upper 5 floors of the Marshall Field's building in Chicago.
Who really actually still shops a Macy’s?
Quote from: Brandon on February 29, 2024, 08:05:53 AM
Quote from: Rothman on February 29, 2024, 07:06:27 AM
Now I wonder if big downtown stores can be converted to housing in a way that is economically feasible.
Not as easily. These big stores have large, broad floors with minimal natural sunlight getting to the interior of them. You'd probably see them, or parts of them converted to office space first, as was done to the upper 5 floors of the Marshall Field's building in Chicago.
And office space demand isn't the strongest right now.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on February 29, 2024, 08:07:57 AM
Who really actually still shops a Macy’s?
My 75-year-old father.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on February 29, 2024, 08:07:57 AM
Who really actually still shops a Macy’s?
Good one given that Amazon, Walmart and Target have taken over as the most shopped places in the country.
Quote from: bing101 on February 29, 2024, 10:33:08 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on February 29, 2024, 08:07:57 AM
Who really actually still shops a Macy’s?
Good one given that Amazon, Walmart and Target have taken over as the most shopped places in the country.
None can compete with Am’son though for convenience.
Somewhat related, but I noticed with IZOD products currently Amazon is selling the latest Spring/Summer 2024 collection at full MSRP, while JCPenney, Kohl's, and Belk are selling them for more reasonable prices. I would not pay full MSRP for clothing.
Quote from: Pink Jazz on February 29, 2024, 10:55:31 AM
Somewhat related, but I noticed with IZOD products currently Amazon is selling the latest Spring/Summer 2024 collection at full MSRP, while JCPenney, Kohl's, and Belk are selling them for more reasonable prices. I would not pay full MSRP for clothing.
I wouldn't buy any clothing through Amazon anyway. You cannot see and touch the fabric to determine if it's to your liking. It also makes fitting a lot more difficult.
Quote from: Brandon on February 29, 2024, 11:00:18 AM
Quote from: Pink Jazz on February 29, 2024, 10:55:31 AM
Somewhat related, but I noticed with IZOD products currently Amazon is selling the latest Spring/Summer 2024 collection at full MSRP, while JCPenney, Kohl's, and Belk are selling them for more reasonable prices. I would not pay full MSRP for clothing.
I wouldn't buy any clothing through Amazon anyway. You cannot see and touch the fabric to determine if it's to your liking. It also makes fitting a lot more difficult.
But returns are pretty easy - often at a Kohls. <shrugs>
Quote from: DenverBrian on February 29, 2024, 03:01:33 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 29, 2024, 11:00:18 AM
Quote from: Pink Jazz on February 29, 2024, 10:55:31 AM
Somewhat related, but I noticed with IZOD products currently Amazon is selling the latest Spring/Summer 2024 collection at full MSRP, while JCPenney, Kohl's, and Belk are selling them for more reasonable prices. I would not pay full MSRP for clothing.
I wouldn't buy any clothing through Amazon anyway. You cannot see and touch the fabric to determine if it's to your liking. It also makes fitting a lot more difficult.
But returns are pretty easy - often at a Kohls. <shrugs>
Why do that when I can go to a Kohl's and just choose off the rack?
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on February 29, 2024, 08:07:57 AM
Who really actually still shops a Macy’s?
I don't shop there, but I have bought some stuff online at macy’s.com. I think I got 4 sport coats, only two of which required any alterations, for $220 or so about 4-5 years ago.
Quote from: Brandon on February 29, 2024, 04:26:00 PM
Quote from: DenverBrian on February 29, 2024, 03:01:33 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 29, 2024, 11:00:18 AM
Quote from: Pink Jazz on February 29, 2024, 10:55:31 AM
Somewhat related, but I noticed with IZOD products currently Amazon is selling the latest Spring/Summer 2024 collection at full MSRP, while JCPenney, Kohl's, and Belk are selling them for more reasonable prices. I would not pay full MSRP for clothing.
I wouldn't buy any clothing through Amazon anyway. You cannot see and touch the fabric to determine if it's to your liking. It also makes fitting a lot more difficult.
But returns are pretty easy - often at a Kohls. <shrugs>
Why do that when I can go to a Kohl's and just choose off the rack?
Amazon has a lot of products that Kohl's doesn't carry.
I'd much rather not have to return it at all because I had two minutes looking at the actual article.
Repacking it, requesting a return authorization online, taping it on the box, taking the box to a UPS outlet (or whatever).
I also don't like making the market dominant sales outlets richer. It's in everyone's interest to ensure continued competition.
Quote from: Brandon on February 29, 2024, 04:26:00 PM
Quote from: DenverBrian on February 29, 2024, 03:01:33 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 29, 2024, 11:00:18 AM
Quote from: Pink Jazz on February 29, 2024, 10:55:31 AM
Somewhat related, but I noticed with IZOD products currently Amazon is selling the latest Spring/Summer 2024 collection at full MSRP, while JCPenney, Kohl's, and Belk are selling them for more reasonable prices. I would not pay full MSRP for clothing.
I wouldn't buy any clothing through Amazon anyway. You cannot see and touch the fabric to determine if it's to your liking. It also makes fitting a lot more difficult.
But returns are pretty easy - often at a Kohls. <shrugs>
Why do that when I can go to a Kohl's and just choose off the rack?
The trick is to buy some shit from Amazon, return it at Kohl's, and use the 20% coupon they give you to buy some clothes from the store.
I would guess that Macy's long term plan to survive is to go fully up-market, completely pricing out middle and low-income customers. I heard anecdotally they are going to rely more heavily on Bloomingdale's for that, as well.
There is literally nothing I would ever need to buy at Macy's when Target is across the street and if not, then Amazon.
With regard to the Thanksgiving Day Parade, if Macy's folded, I'm sure they would liquidate their IP assets to a venture capital firm that would then renegotiate the rights for the City of New York and Comcast to use them. Even so, the parade itself wouldn't go anywhere and it's not like the route hasn't been adjusted before.
Quote from: Bruce on March 01, 2024, 12:42:36 AM
Quote from: Brandon on February 29, 2024, 04:26:00 PM
Quote from: DenverBrian on February 29, 2024, 03:01:33 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 29, 2024, 11:00:18 AM
Quote from: Pink Jazz on February 29, 2024, 10:55:31 AM
Somewhat related, but I noticed with IZOD products currently Amazon is selling the latest Spring/Summer 2024 collection at full MSRP, while JCPenney, Kohl's, and Belk are selling them for more reasonable prices. I would not pay full MSRP for clothing.
I wouldn't buy any clothing through Amazon anyway. You cannot see and touch the fabric to determine if it's to your liking. It also makes fitting a lot more difficult.
But returns are pretty easy - often at a Kohls. <shrugs>
Why do that when I can go to a Kohl's and just choose off the rack?
The trick is to buy some shit from Amazon, return it at Kohl's, and use the 20% coupon they give you to buy some clothes from the store.
Unfortunately many of the quality name brands (including IZOD) are excluded from coupons. For men's the only quality name brands that I know that are still not excluded are Haggar and Van Heusen (which are brands that very few people still buy today).
Quote from: kkt on February 28, 2024, 04:19:53 PM
Yes. Dear Macy's, If you didn't WANT the Bon, why the heck did you buy it?
Because of the parade. You have this expensive parade on national television and so you want to leverage your name on it. They used "Bon Macy's" as a transitional name, and they could have stuck with that.
I'm starting to have the same question with Rite Aid and Bartell's. Why buy it just to shut most of them down? Because they weren't in financial trouble when they bought Bartell's.
Quote from: ErmineNotyours on March 01, 2024, 06:47:34 PM
I'm starting to have the same question with Rite Aid and Bartell's. Why buy it just to shut most of them down? Because they weren't in financial trouble when they bought Bartell's.
Eliminating competition would be my guess.
Quote from: kkt on March 01, 2024, 12:03:37 AM
I'd much rather not have to return it at all because I had two minutes looking at the actual article.
Repacking it, requesting a return authorization online, taping it on the box, taking the box to a UPS outlet (or whatever).
I also don't like making the market dominant sales outlets richer. It's in everyone's interest to ensure continued competition.
No repacking or taping a piece of paper needed. It's a QR code in an email. Take the item into Kohls, show them the QR code on your phone, they take care of repackaging.
I think your second objection is the real one.
Never even knew Macy's was going national until I saw their sign in 2000 on the exterior of Stonebriar Mall, which was going up in the middle of nowhere in Frisco. Of course I blinked and by 2006 it was completely surrounded by amazing commercial development.
Quote from: DenverBrian on March 01, 2024, 07:57:25 PM
Quote from: kkt on March 01, 2024, 12:03:37 AM
I'd much rather not have to return it at all because I had two minutes looking at the actual article.
Repacking it, requesting a return authorization online, taping it on the box, taking the box to a UPS outlet (or whatever).
I also don't like making the market dominant sales outlets richer. It's in everyone's interest to ensure continued competition.
No repacking or taping a piece of paper needed. It's a QR code in an email. Take the item into Kohls, show them the QR code on your phone, they take care of repackaging.
I think your second objection is the real one.
In my mind, returns are supposed to be extraordinary events, not standard operating procedure. It feels dishonest, even. In my mind, you verify what you need before you buy it, and only return if something is broken or something else weird happened. Not "I'm buying a ton of things and returning most of it because I'm using my home as a fitting room". Just taking things out of their packaging creates a lot of work for the retailer, if they can even resell something at all. Fun fact: there are even stories of people being banned from Amazon for returning too many things.
Not to mention that, at least around here, Kohls tends to be inconveniently located.
Quote from: Road Hog on March 01, 2024, 10:32:54 PM
Never even knew Macy's was going national until I saw their sign in 2000 on the exterior of Stonebriar Mall, which was going up in the middle of nowhere in Frisco. Of course I blinked and by 2006 it was completely surrounded by amazing commercial development.
Do you mean Frisco, Texas? Because Macy's was in San Francisco back to the 1950s at least, and in New York of course.
Quote from: DenverBrian on March 01, 2024, 07:57:25 PM
Quote from: kkt on March 01, 2024, 12:03:37 AM
I'd much rather not have to return it at all because I had two minutes looking at the actual article.
Repacking it, requesting a return authorization online, taping it on the box, taking the box to a UPS outlet (or whatever).
I also don't like making the market dominant sales outlets richer. It's in everyone's interest to ensure continued competition.
No repacking or taping a piece of paper needed. It's a QR code in an email. Take the item into Kohls, show them the QR code on your phone, they take care of repackaging.
I think your second objection is the real one.
They're both real. My nearest Kohl's is a half hour drive each way. Gas and aggrevation are not free. At that rate, repacking it myself and taking it to the UPS store 10 minutes walk away looks like a win.
Staples is also a dropoff option, but then again I've seen them close several Seattle-area stores. There's an entire office supply store desert forming in Lynnwood, which lost both Staples and Office Depot recently.
I also remember when Macy's bought out and closed many regional department stores in the mid-2000s, including Jordan Marsh. I hated to see it happen, but the writing was on the wall for those regional chains.......and that was before the iPhone, the Great Recession and the COVID-accelerated "you can do everything from home", among other things. I don't think Macys will completely go away, but they will need to find the sweet spot between catering to high-end shoppers while not completely shutting out the middle class.
Quote from: vdeane on March 01, 2024, 10:54:16 PM
Quote from: DenverBrian on March 01, 2024, 07:57:25 PM
Quote from: kkt on March 01, 2024, 12:03:37 AM
I'd much rather not have to return it at all because I had two minutes looking at the actual article.
Repacking it, requesting a return authorization online, taping it on the box, taking the box to a UPS outlet (or whatever).
I also don't like making the market dominant sales outlets richer. It's in everyone's interest to ensure continued competition.
No repacking or taping a piece of paper needed. It's a QR code in an email. Take the item into Kohls, show them the QR code on your phone, they take care of repackaging.
I think your second objection is the real one.
In my mind, returns are supposed to be extraordinary events, not standard operating procedure. It feels dishonest, even. In my mind, you verify what you need before you buy it, and only return if something is broken or something else weird happened. Not "I'm buying a ton of things and returning most of it because I'm using my home as a fitting room". Just taking things out of their packaging creates a lot of work for the retailer, if they can even resell something at all. Fun fact: there are even stories of people being banned from Amazon for returning too many things.
Not to mention that, at least around here, Kohls tends to be inconveniently located.
Heh. I worked at Micro Center during the summer of 1993 and there was one customer I would now call a "return artist" (a term I picked up from my brother, whose first few jobs out of college were "loss prevention"). We all knew what he was doing because he had so many returns—he bought software, took it home, copied it, and returned it because he "didn't like it" or it was "too slow" or some other transparent excuse.
Quote from: kkt on March 01, 2024, 11:09:34 PM
Quote from: Road Hog on March 01, 2024, 10:32:54 PM
Never even knew Macy's was going national until I saw their sign in 2000 on the exterior of Stonebriar Mall, which was going up in the middle of nowhere in Frisco. Of course I blinked and by 2006 it was completely surrounded by amazing commercial development.
Do you mean Frisco, Texas? Because Macy's was in San Francisco back to the 1950s at least, and in New York of course.
And that San Francisco store is also on thier near-term chopping block. :no:
Mike
Quote from: Ted$8roadFan on March 02, 2024, 05:52:08 AM
I also remember when Macy's bought out and closed many regional department stores in the mid-2000s, including Jordan Marsh, Burdine's, Strawbridge, etc. I hated to see it happen, but the writing was on the wall for those regional chains.......and that was before the iPhone, the Great Recession and the COVID-accelerated "you can do everything from home", among other things. I don't think Macys will completely go away, but they will need to find the sweet spot between catering to high-end shoppers while not completely shutting out the middle class.
Quote from: Bruce on March 02, 2024, 03:49:00 AM
Staples is also a dropoff option, but then again I've seen them close several Seattle-area stores. There's an entire office supply store desert forming in Lynnwood, which lost both Staples and Office Depot recently.
I was really surprised when the Office Depot next to University Village shut. They were the obvous choice for individual students, faculty, and staff - near 100,000 people. And they were also the supplier for the university's institutional needs. All I can think of is that their property might be rented and their landlords might charge top dollar rent and made no allowance for the pandemic.
What's left is an Office Depot (might be an Office Max?) in Ballard and one on Aurora near Home Depot. Or scrounding through an art supply store, or University Book Store, but they don't have the depth of stock.
Quote from: kkt on March 02, 2024, 03:57:50 PM
Quote from: Bruce on March 02, 2024, 03:49:00 AM
Staples is also a dropoff option, but then again I've seen them close several Seattle-area stores. There's an entire office supply store desert forming in Lynnwood, which lost both Staples and Office Depot recently.
I was really surprised when the Office Depot next to University Village shut. They were the obvous choice for individual students, faculty, and staff - near 100,000 people. And they were also the supplier for the university's institutional needs. All I can think of is that their property might be rented and their landlords might charge top dollar rent and made no allowance for the pandemic.
What's left is an Office Depot (might be an Office Max?) in Ballard and one on Aurora near Home Depot. Or scrounding through an art supply store, or University Book Store, but they don't have the depth of stock.
.....amazon......
Quote from: vdeane on March 01, 2024, 10:54:16 PM
Quote from: DenverBrian on March 01, 2024, 07:57:25 PM
Quote from: kkt on March 01, 2024, 12:03:37 AM
I'd much rather not have to return it at all because I had two minutes looking at the actual article.
Repacking it, requesting a return authorization online, taping it on the box, taking the box to a UPS outlet (or whatever).
I also don't like making the market dominant sales outlets richer. It's in everyone's interest to ensure continued competition.
No repacking or taping a piece of paper needed. It's a QR code in an email. Take the item into Kohls, show them the QR code on your phone, they take care of repackaging.
I think your second objection is the real one.
In my mind, returns are supposed to be extraordinary events, not standard operating procedure. It feels dishonest, even. In my mind, you verify what you need before you buy it, and only return if something is broken or something else weird happened. Not "I'm buying a ton of things and returning most of it because I'm using my home as a fitting room". Just taking things out of their packaging creates a lot of work for the retailer, if they can even resell something at all. Fun fact: there are even stories of people being banned from Amazon for returning too many things.
Not to mention that, at least around here, Kohls tends to be inconveniently located.
It's not binary. It's not either "return nothing" or "return everything you buy online."
The vast majority of people are rational about returns. They get something online, and learn something upon opening that changes their mind. <shrugs>
The online experience has created a huge advantage for all those who hate having to drive to a store, only to find that their size, color, or style isn't there.
Quote from: kkt on March 01, 2024, 11:09:34 PM
Quote from: Road Hog on March 01, 2024, 10:32:54 PM
Never even knew Macy's was going national until I saw their sign in 2000 on the exterior of Stonebriar Mall, which was going up in the middle of nowhere in Frisco. Of course I blinked and by 2006 it was completely surrounded by amazing commercial development.
Do you mean Frisco, Texas? Because Macy's was in San Francisco back to the 1950s at least, and in New York of course.
Given that he's from Collin County, Texas, I suspect he's talking about Frisco, Texas. Stonebriar Mall: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RJzSJ6JsRzBFKjQn8