Thoughtful comments and respectful opinions on the switch from Marshall Field's to Macy's are welcome below. Off-topic, slanderous, disrespectful or abusive posts will not be included at the host's discretion, although an attempt will be made to contact the author, assuming a valid email address is provided with the post. Please remember that this is a blog for opinions of Field's Fans. Due to problems with spam, posts are moderated and may take several hours to appear. Thank you for your patience.
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THREE YEARS LATER, 78% of CHICAGO WANTS MARSHALL FIELD'S--12.6% PREFER MACY'S
(CHICAGO--May 15, 2009)
A just-completed survey of shoppers in Chicago’s Loop and on North Michigan Avenue indicates that 78% still want Marshall Field’s instead of Macy’s.The survey of 522 shoppers was conducted anonymously by the grassroots organization FieldsFansChicago.org. Participants responded to three questions regarding their shopping habits at the Chicago store that was Marshall Field’s until 2006 when it was converted to Macy’s. Pa rticipants’ brief comments during the survey questions were also noted.
The three survey questions and results are as follows. The statistically rigorous survey had a margin of error of 4.2% ( < 5.0% ) with a confidence level of 95% and a response distribution of 50%.
Do you prefer Marshall Field's, Macy's or both about the same? (522 responses)
- 78.0% preferred Marshall Field's
- 12.6% preferred Macy's
- 9.4% preferred both equallyDo you shop at the store more, less or about the same since the store became Macy's? (521 responses)
- 8.6% said that they shop more
- 72.2% said that they shop less
- 19.2% said that they shop with the same frequency as beforeWould you shop at the store more, less or about the same if the store was converted back to Marshall Field's from Macy's? (520 responses)
- 78.3% said that they would shop more
- 2.9% said that they would shop less
- 18.8% said that they would shop with the same frequency as they do nowThree types of comments predominated with great regularity: (1) a number of shoppers not only shop less, they decidedly do not shop Macy's at all since the conversion; (2) they perceive the stores as having lesser-quality merchandise and service since the conversion to Macy's; and (3) the conversion to Macy's was more than a name change--certain merchandise and a "Field's way" of doing business would have to be restored in addition to the name "Marshall Field's" before they would shop the stores again.
Started in 2005, FieldsFansChicago.org is a grassroots organization that has staged protest rallies, letter-writing campaigns and boycott activities with the goal of restoring Marshall Field's in quality and service, as well as name. Its activities have included distributing more than 125,000 leaflets and pin-on buttons and media coverage at the local, national and international levels.
Shareholder representatives with FieldsFansChicago.org presented these findings at Macy's, Inc.'s 2009 Annual Shareholders Meeting , which was held today in Cincinnati. Mr. Terry J. Lundgren, CEO, Chairperson and President, responded to the FieldsFansChicago.org representatives and other stockholders in attendance that he had a different take on the Chicago stores.
One supporter of Marshall Field’s recently commented:
"Now is the time for the restoration of Marshall Field's. It would absolutely warm Chicago's heart, and people would turn out in droves to shop there. If anything would get people to spend again, it would be such a turnaround. Lord knows we could use a sign to reassure us that all will be well again. That's what Marshall Field's stood for, if you think about it. In good times and bad, it was a gentle reminder of the good life. Marshall Field’s was a reminder of tradition and quality, even in the Great Depression. We need Marshall Field' s more than ever."
For further information, including questions about the methodology and results of the survey, please contact Jim McKay, Co-Organizer of FieldsFansChicago.org, at jjmckay@FieldsFansChicago.org
FOLLOW "FIELDSFANSCHGO" on TWITTERWhether you have a standard Windows PC or Mac or a mobile device, be on call for breaking news and immediate ways you can be part of our efforts to bring back Marshall Field's with TWITTER. Head over to Twitter.com and set up an account, if you don't already have one, and follow our "tweets" at "FieldsFansChgo".
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009 9:56 pm CT
Posted by: Judy M
Dear David:
Your comments just prove that people who tell Field's Fans to "get a life" or support "real" causes have no idea who we really are. I am a staunch supporter of bringing back Marshall Field's. I also support children in Africa and India; I fund Greenpeace and PETA; my husband and I support all of the museums in Chicago, Lyric Opera, CSO...shall I go on? That's the case with most of us. You see we all have lives, it's just that Marshall Field's is also a big part of our lives. Just like we do with other causes, whatever they may be, we support and fight for what we believe in. And we will continue to fight to bring back Marshall Fields - because it's one of the many things we believe in.
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009 9:32 pm CT
Posted by: Jim McKay
Thanks to all who helped make today's activities at the Gay Pride Parade a success.
Our 1500 buttons were passed out until all were gone.
We started out early but we ended bringing up the end of the parade--we stopped countless times by parade goers who asked to borrow our picket signs and pose for their photos.
Of the many thousands, pretty much every one was overwhelmingly supportive of the return of Field's--with the exception of one parade goer who pretty much stopped to fall over drunk. The comments people had for Macy's ran the gamut with many expressing how it was an icon of pride in our city. More than a few brought up how Marshall Field's was many decades ago the first gay-friendly major workplace.
Thanks to all who participated and made the day a success for our cause and also made many Chicagoans happy.
On Friday, we will do it all over again when we leaflet and distribute some buttons on State Street before the Third of July fireworks. Email if you wish to assist.
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009 8:23 pm CT
Posted by: Singer
I heard that the float was not at the pride parade because it was booed by so many last year.
Instead, Macy's wanted a situation where they could control the circumstances so they could optimize appearances for publicity's sake.
So Macy's got the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus to perform at State Street about 3-4 weeks ago at the beginning of Gay Pride Month.
Chicago booed Macy's out of the parade last year.
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009 7:43 pm CT
Posted by: Pete
Macy's is clueless. Sending a Macy's float to a Chicago parade is like sending the New York Yankees to a Cubs or White Sox parade.
Did they really expect a hero's welcome? They killed one of the best things about Chicago.
Macy's GO HOME!
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009 7:00 pm CT
Posted by: Jim McKay
In response to Paul's post, Terry Lundgren, Macy's CEO/Chair/President responded to the survey responses that I presented in Cincinnati at last month's shareholders meeting by saying that the former Field's locations, formerly Macy's North, were among Macy's more profitable and specifically mentioned State Street and I believe Water Tower. He did not give any statistics.
Someone has since posted here, pointing out that these same former Field's stores were also pretty much the first to get rid of the regional management structure when they got rid of the Minneapolis headquaters, meaning they dumped a lot of staff that had not yet been dropped in many other regions of the country. The gist is that while Macy's suggests the profits are coming from local selection of merchandise as part of My Macy's, the real profits are just for now from getting rid of staff in the Great Lakes area.
Assuming that is correct, then profitability for former Field's stores is based on a reduced structure not in place at other stores until this year. As such, it would make it a sort of shell game, with other regions potentially being more profitable next year when they join the same stucture as the stores formerly run out of Minnesota.
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009 6:48 pm CT
Posted by: PaulF
If David is such a big shot at Macy's, allegedly having worked there since childhood apparently, then I'm sure that he would gladly tell us the actual door and sales numbers.
Please, big shot, what are the numbers? What are the Chicago-area (leave the other stores out of this for argument's sake) Field's door numbers now as compared to before the store was changed and downgraded from Field's to Macy's, and provide the sales numbers as well.
It's odd that he would claim he even has such information considering Macy's very own CFO and CEO have publicly told investors that such information is not even kept, no?
And as for 'rioters,' perhaps David calls the many bystanders on the parade route who 'booed' the Macy's float to be 'rioters.' The handfull of anti-Macy's picketers were far outnumbered in numbers by bystanders booing the Macy's float. I was there at the parade last year. I saw it.
David, I'm sorry that you emotionally cannot bear the notion that a significant percentage of fellow gay and lesbian Chicagoans have rejected Macy's as vociferously as the rest of the population, but that's just the way it is. Gays are some of the most fussy shoppers out there -- we can tell a silk purse from a sow's ear a mile away. What do you think that Chicago gays think about your Alfani and Donald Trump Collection, your bar code scanners, lost salesmen, lost designer brands, your dirty stores, your clothes strewn all over the racks, your perpetual "sales", decimated shoe collections, ruined men's formal departments, your Marketplace fruit-fly infestations, your altering and cheapening the pot-pies in the Walnut Room, your cheap white plastic shopping bags? I could go on. Did I mention the Alfani?
David, most of our career Field's salesmen have long since left Macy's to work at other, better stores like Nordstrom, Von Maur, Carson's, Niemans and Lord & Taylor, when Federated offered buy-outs and commission cuts to the more experienced, commissioned Field's staff. I followed mine to Nordtroms. That's why most of Macy's staff today consists of teenage hourly help that doesn't know a collar stay from a hair pick.
Please David, before I close, perhaps you could further enthrall us with your deep knowledge of your employer. -- Why didn't they bother buying out you?
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009 3:56 pm CT
Posted by: drew
As I read Gayle's comment about Martha Stewart schlock being liquidated at Big Lots and Jimmy Gimbels' post about macy*mart's "exclusive" designer fashions being clearanced out at various outlets, I thought of the sale flyers in our local paper announcing these "exciting" promotions. As Gayle stated, Big Lots is one step above a flea market but they make no pretense about what their store. TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Ross Dress for Less also clearly identify their place in the market. On the other hand, macy*mart is nothing more than an overpriced discount store pretending to be an upscale department store.
Yesterday I visited the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills. This fairly new mall hosted the last new store opened by Kaufmann's. People were walking through the store but not many were carrying Red Star bags. The fine jewelry display cases were empty; perhaps the area will soon be restocked with Alfani and Charter Club costume jewelry. There were many, many racks of clearance merchandise; no wonder they have to ship stuff out to liquidators. Several racks were chock full of Steeler Super Bowl items because sports fans evidently bought these things elsewhere. The clothing looked like the garments sold at Target; nothing distinctive or unique. The home department was equivalent to Target or Wal*mart and most items were on sale with additional discounts available. JCPenney had nicer selections and assortments.
The LOUD Broadway show tune music was especially annoying. The music makes the ambiance of clearance racks and discount store quality merchandise feel even cheaper. macy*mart had about as much class and atmosphere as Sears Grand.
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009 2:12 pm CT
Posted by: Dennis F
The Macy's float in last year's parade was pathetic. Macy's has arguably the best know parade in the USA, known world-wide, every Thanksgiving.
The Macy's parade float last year was a nothing but a giant Macy's logo on a flatbed trailer. Totally second rate, just like they treat Chicago.
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009 12:13 am CT
Posted by: Leslie
Responding to David the Macy's employee, do you really think Macy's participation in last year's parade was on par with Prop 8 or another cause?
The only reason Macy's was there was to advertise.
Those protesting the destruction of Field's are there in the same spirit as the Pride Parade. Macy's is telling Chicago to like something they don't like and to supplant their identity with a fake mask. "Get Used to Macy's" is what Macy's says.
Field's supporters are there out of pride. Macy's was there out of commerce.
Shame on you David!
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2009 5:11 pm CT
Posted by: jmi
I haven't shopped at any Macy's store (including Macy's flagship store in NYC last summer) since the conversion from Field's.
"Not one penny for Macy's til Marshall Field's is restored in Chicago"
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2009 2:46 pm CT
Posted by: Edgewater Field's Fan
I was just told by a worker at the Edgewater Historical Society that a recent visitor said her mother did lettering for the Marshall Field's logo. She was thrilled to see the "I want my Marshall Field's" buttons I had put out there, and she and her friends grabbed the whole bunch. I am trying to find out if she left a name so we can get some more information. If that person reads this post, please let either Field's Fans Chicago or the Edgewater Historical Society know. We would love to hear any stories you might like to share.
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2009 1:27 pm CT
Posted by: Gail
A conversation overhead at Nordstrom's shoe department last week:
Mother: Should we try Macy's?
Daughter: No, it would be a waste of time.
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2009 12:18 pm CT
Posted by: Jim McKay
Regarding David's post:
1) Two people each carrying a sign and passing out buttons along a a parade route is called "rioting"? That makes me question the accuracy and extend of exaggeration in the rest of your post.
2) Based on your exaggeration, I think you need to quantify what you (and Macy's) means by profitability. I attended the Macy's shareholder meeting in Cincinnati last month and asked Terry Lundgren how he could consider State Street profitable. He declined to be specific. He offered no stats or figures.
If these stores were really profitable like you say they are, all that you, Terry Lundgren, Macy's, Inc would have to do to make us go away is present complete honesty and sales figures as Target did, including how they were arrived at. If what you say were true, then bring on the figures. That Macy's doesn't simply says it's not true or they would be crowing about it.
And they need to be accurate figures. Back in spring 2006, Terry Lundgren said that the vast majority of Chicagoans wouldn't care if Marshall Field's became Macy's without explaining the methodology of the survey nor who conducted it.
Since you know all these figures, I look forward to your presenting them.
Best wishes,
Jim McKay
Date: Friday, June 26, 2009 9:14 pm CT
Posted by: Jimmy Gimbels
Interesting post from Gayle about Martha Stewart at Big Lots. We've had plenty of reports that large amounts of Macy's merchanidse such as Alfarni have popped up at such stores as Marshall's, TJ Maxx and Goodwill. Got to get rid of the merch somehow.
Date: Friday, June 26, 2009 10:00 pm CT
Posted by: David
I have worked at Marshall Field's/Macy's since I was 16 years old at Cherryvale, State St., and Watertower. I have been through all of the changes. Macy's North (old MF's) is currently the top performing division year over year. Watertower has been profitable the last 2 years for the first time in decades. State St. is up year over year. I can honestly say some great things are happening in the stores visually and from a "My Macy's" merchandise perspective. Marshall Field's meant a lot to me, but seriously let's move on with life. If the stores had been profitable they would still be around... that's how business works. If you think complaining and shopping less is going to bring the name back, think again. And as far as the Pride Parade (which I helped organize last year), Macy's is one of the top rated GLBT employers, and I as a gay man can truly say that I love working for Macy's. We made the choice not to have a float this year instead contributing to GLBT causes in other ways. The idiots who were rioting with "bring back Field's signs" should spend their time rioting against Prop. 8 or another much more worthy and substantial GLBT cause. Let's move on with life people, and spend your time and energy being an activist for relevant causes that affect people's lives, not the name on a department store.
Date: Friday, June 26, 2009 4:20 pm CT
Posted by: gayle
Hi all,
Thanks for posting that tribute from Andrew Patner...I had never seen that before, and really enjoyed reading it.
A few nights ago, I was fiddling around in the kitchen, and had the television on as background noise. I wasn't paying any attention to it until I heard an ad for Martha Stewart stuff. I tensed up, expecting a Macy's commercial. (Even the mere mention of their name raises my blood pressure). To my amusement, it wasn't Macy's--it was an ad spot for Big Lots! For those of you unfamiliar with this chain, Big Lots is a closeout retailer that buys overstock, discontinued items, and other stuff from retailers and manufacturers. Sort of a "last chance stop" for merchandise, one cut above a flea market. Apparently, this is Macy's new competition for their "exclusive designer" products. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.
To think that the former glorious Field's empire has been brought so far down-market that they share merchandise with a consolidator is truly pathetic.
Then last night, I met a friend for dinner in Woodfield. She arrived early and did some shopping before we met. She was complaining about having a hard time finding a specific item, and said she'd been to Nordstrom's and L&T. I knew she used to think my involvement in Field's Fans was kind of silly, so I innocently asked if she'd tried Macy's. She sighed, and said "you know, you were right about that place. It's an overpriced dump now. I walked through, and just kept on walking."
Even people that didn't hate them right away are beginning to see the light....
gayle
Date: Friday, June 26, 2009 10:10 am CT
Posted by: John
I would like to announce that Macy's WILL NOT have a float in this year's 40th Anniversary Pride Parade!
Many in the community are absolutely thrilled they are not. No reason has been given. I have called the store on State Street and received the run around about it. But I, as a fourth generation Chicagoan, am thrilled they would not disgrace the parade with some trashy float decorated with Christmas red garland like they did last year.
They were two floats behind mine....and you better believe all those people got a mouthful of my famous temper when the floats were done at Diversey Harbor after the parade....
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009 8:10 pm CT
Posted by: Jim McKay
As in past years, some supporters of the return of Marshall Field's will be distributing buttons in connection with the Third of July Fireworks and the Chicago Gay Pride Parade.
In 2007, Gail Heriot led the charge in distributing buttons, bumper stickers, and leaflets on Broadway and Melrose, even though Macy's was not in the parade and she had to fly in from San Diego to do it. Last year, Daniel Harcourt led the way as buttons and leaflets were distributed along the parade route in advance of the Macy's float. (See our main home page for a photo of this.) Regardless if Macy's shows up with a float or not this year, some Field's supporters will work the crowd passing out buttons. Please email infoATfieldsfanschicagoDOTorg if you would like to assist.
Since 2006, lapel stickers and, more recently buttons, have been distributed out in front of the State Street store in the hours before the Third of July fireworks. Please email infoATfieldsfanschicagoDOTorg if you would like to assist.
In admiration and respect for all you do to help bring back Marshall Field's.
Jim
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:21 pm CT
Posted by: Jim McKay
It appears that Macy's has curtailed some of its community activities this year, including the sponsorship of Chicago's Third of July Fireworks and a float in the Chicago Gay Pride Parade. I believe that Macy's has also suspended Macy's Day of Music at Symphony Center which was started under Marshall Field's.
In the case of the fireworks, Macy's started sponsoring this in 2006, but, of course, Macy's is known for it's 4th of July fireworks in NYC first.
While the likes of Jewel and Sears are in this year's pride parade, Macy's is not. Macy's has sponsored a show by one of the Chicago area's gay choruses including a preview performance in the State Street store earlier this month.
Glamorama is also benefitting a different charity, the very worthy Ronald McDonald House instead of the also-worthy Art Institute of Chicago.
To be certain, many events such as these have seen a significant drop in sponsors because of the recession. That can easily be seen in the greatly reduced number of sponsors logos in publicty for the Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Gay Pride Parade and Glamorama. One of Glamorama's sponsors is Q-Tips! I don't understand that one.
All aside, it's important to remember that today, in 2009, there is still such a groundswell of support for the return of Marshall Field's that if it were to return, profits would be up enough to help support these activities and business would be booming. The return of Field's would still be a huge success because everyone would be so happy to have it back! Not bringing back Field's in quality and service, as well as name, is simply bad business--bringing it back would be great business!
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:01 pm CT
Posted by: Jim McKay
Regarding "GZast"'s post, there's a few things to elaborate on.
One, the space being leased out at Nicollet Mall was for close to a century corporate offices used by Dayton Hudson--and not retail space. With Macy's North gone, there's no back office activities happening there. And that is a huge controversey in an of itself. But it's not a reduction in retail space.
At the same time, I understand what you mean. Back three years ago, part of what heightened my anger at Macy's and commitment to Field's were runors that Macy's was considering the reduction of actual sales floors at State Street, not too much unlike what happened with the Wanamaker's flagship when it became home to stores like Lord and Taylor. That store, similar in size to State Street--and also by architect Daniel Burnham-- was reduced down to about four or five floors of retail space, depending on how you look at it.
Now some of the positions that made way for the Nicollet Mall vacancies have been moved to State Street, thus, as I understand, filling up a floor. But there are still at least a couple of vacant floors on State Street, as I also understand. And the Wanamakers scenario still concerns me in terms of State Street. At the same time, I also believe that our collective efforts have slowed down anything like what happened at Wanamakers.
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009 5:25 pm CT
Posted by: GZast
Macy's to lease part of its Nicollet Mall building
http://www.startribune.com/local/49109131.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUs
Read this and you'll ask yourself what's next for the State Street Store!
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009 4:24 pm CT
Posted by: A Field's Fan
Macy's to lease part of its Nicollet Mall building
http://www.startribune.com/local/49109131.html?elr= KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUs
For the first time in its 107-year history the landmark building could have a tenant that's not connected to the department store.
By SUSAN FEYDER, Star Tribune
Last update: June 25, 2009 - 2:17 PM
Macy's, which closed its Minneapolis division headquarters [i.e. formerly Dayton Hudson HQ, Marshall Field's HQ and Macy's North HQ], and last year, has hired a broker to lease a large chunk of space in its landmark building on the Nicollet Mall that also houses its downtown store.
Sharon Bateman, a spokesperson at Macy's headquarters in Cincinnati, said Thursday the retailer had hired Bloomington-based Welsh Companies to market space that had been used for offices of Macy's North.
[See full article for the rest including reader comments, a number of which are similar in sentiments to those of Chicagoans.]
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009 1:26 pm CT
Posted by: Linda P.
Marshall Field's is touted as "iconic" -- we all know that means unique, special, lengendary, one-of-a-kind. Obviously Macys neither cares about its customers, the City of Chicago, or preserving history.
I have always hated Macy's and with the demise of the Marshall Field's, I have no incentive to shop at Macy's. Our pleas fall on unhearing ears. They are all driven by the bottom line -- but stupidity is clouding their thinking. Bring back Field's and all of the Field's brands and reputation and I can assure the executives at Macy's that the bottom line will INCREASE! Why keep a store that Chicagoans depise. Wanna make money in these hard economic times, Macys? BRING BACK MARSHALL FIELD'S and THE BIG GREEN BAG!!!
Things DO NOT HAVE TO CHANGE !!!! BRING IT BACK!!! Just because this is 2009 doesn't mean we can't preserve a recognized, beloved store and brands. NOT EVERYTHING HAS TO CHANGE! MARSHALL FIELDS IS CHICAGO !!! Marcy's doesn't care -- aren't they from New York?
Oh yeah, everything is better in the big apple. NOT !!!!!!
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:01 pm CT
Posted by: A Field's Fan
Found this great commentary back from 2006 where Andrew Patner of WFMT comments about the loss of Field's.
Tell The Lady To Get Lost
http://www.wfmt.com/main.taf?p=1,1,41,25,1,1,6
Date: Monday, June 22, 2009 10:42 pm CT
Posted by: RD Nelson
Shoppers in Minneapolis also feel the Macy's pain. The former Dayton's store in downtown Minneapolis is a sad shell of its former self. It was once the center of a thriving downtown retail environment; today, in the post-Field's era, it's a shabby, poorly merchandised and indifferently staffed, third-rate department store. Dayton's (later Field's) was where I did 80 to 90 percent of my shopping, I spent thousands and thousands of dollars there a year, for decades. Now? I'm lucky if I buy shaving cream at the Clinique counter. Multiple me by thousands of customers, and no wonder Macy's is tanking in the Midwest. What were they thinking? Not only has their plan for a national department store failed, it has flushed a century of carefully built-up goodwill and community equity. How could the store's management have been so foolish?
Date: Monday, June 22, 2009 8:57 pm CT
Posted by: Michael Trenteseau
In case you needed to be told what NOT to do in New York:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31112847/?pg=10#TRAVEL_Concierge_NYCWhatNotToDo
"...The place typically looks like a merch-bomb just exploded all over the floor. The shoes, clothes, and housewares are similar to what you'll find at Macy's all over the countryC3except they're often on the floor instead of on a rack. Did you really come all this way to buy the same stuff they've got at home?"
Meanwhile, a visit to the former Filene's in Burlington, Vermont, included such sights as a walled-off furniture department (because allegedly Macy's doesn't sell furniture) and three tables of CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. Marked down, of course.
Date: Monday, June 22, 2009 4:20 pm CT
Posted by: Cindy C.
I used to always make a stop at Marshal Fields after taking the South Shore train to Chicago from South Bend, IN. Now living in the Washington, DC area, we all experienced the same thing here when Macy's took over our beloved Hecht's (which we all still miss).
Macy's merhandise is often inferior and the sale coupons never seem to apply to anything I purchase (unlike Hecht's). Right after they took over Hechts, I had not received my Macy's bill one month and called and Macy's claimed that someone (with a male asian name) had called and requested an address change for my bill! I was outraged with their lack of procedures and what came out in my investigation was that this had never happened. A Macy's employee eventually admitted that it was a computer "glitch" on the part of Macy's and no one in fact had called in "pretending to be me.". Of course, this was after I had to put a fraud alert on my credit report due to their claim. When I wrote to a high level corporate official to complain, she was less than sympathetic in her response.
Date: Monday, June 22, 2009 7:11 am CT
Posted by: Pete
Analyst expresses concern about Macy's debt load compared to Sears, JCPenney and Eddie Bauer.
Do Macy's Debt Levels Indicate Weakness?
http://seekingalpha.com/article/144492-do-macy-s-debt-level s-indicate-weakness?source=email
Date: Sunday, June 21, 2009 9:50 pm CT
Posted by: mds in mt. prospect
Can anyone confirm that the second season of "I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here" will take place in a yet to be named Macy's location? So far, I've heard that the producers have signed on Martha Stewart, Jessica Simpson, and Tommy Hilfiger and are awaiting confirmation from Donald Trump and Sean Combs.
[If it was true, it sounds like they might want to rename it, "I'm a celebrity endorser for Macy's--get me out of my contract!" Of course, we hear from former Field's shoppers who want to get out of Macy's.]
Date: Sunday, June 21, 2009 3:23 pm CT
Posted by: gle
Messy's plans to open two new stores in the Central Valley of California in the fall of 2009. According to a press release from macysinc.com, both are former Gottschalk locations which Messy's bid for during bankruptcy proceedings. (Looks like another name for the Messy's monopoly board.)
"Macy's to Open Two New California Stores"
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=84477&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1298400&highlight=
I haven't been to California or Gottschalks, but it would be interesting to see how shoppers from that area respond.
In Chicago Messy's has had more than enough time for "give it a chance." Chicago customers really did not know what would happen with the name change from Marshall Field's in September, 2006. Some initial outrage was simply about the name and the idea of a Chicago identity being replaced. Some Chicagoans assumed the store would remain "high-class," but with a New York rather than a Chicago style. However, I don't think anybody expected it to downgrade into trendy, non-unique trash, with the building not even being well-maintained.
The name change is no longer something new. IT HAPPENED ALMOST 3 YEARS AGO. Messy's had their chance in Chicago whether Chicagoans gave it to them or not. This change was not a good change. It seems like 3 years is enough time. Chicago still says "I want my Marshall Field's."
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009 10:34 pm CT
Posted by: Jeff
There was a piece in the NY Times today that was a puff piece for My Macy's and Terry Lundgren. Only it masqueraded as a "story" on what stores were doing for the recession. Some of the comments from readers called the NY Times on that. I posted a comment in the afternoon and I didn't think the Times was going to print it. Then all of a sudden about 90 minutes ago a bunch of comments were posted.
In Recession, Strategy Shifts for Big Chains
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/20/business/20retail.html
Date: Friday, June 19, 2009 11:23 am CT
Posted by: Pete
Financial expert questions the balance sheets at Macy's, including writing down good will associated with Marshall Field's.
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:36 am CT
Posted by: Norma
I never been happy with Macy's. There is no comparison with Marshall Field's quality of merchendaise and customer service. Marshall Field's should never disapeard. Marshall Field's is a big part of Chicago and Chicago people. Is there any way to bring back Marshall Field's back to Chicago?
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 6:01 pm CT
Posted by: Anne K.
Here in the Milwaukee area where we miss Marshall Field's as well.
Regarding the My Macy's program, it's very important to keep in mind that there are two facets.
Macy's touts how they are offering customers customized merchandise selections specific to a region or a store. That's the hype and we are supposed to believe that it's going to generate all sorts of extra business for Macy's.
But there's another facet to My Macy's that isn't discussed. It's the dirty backside of it. The fact is that the replacement of the regional headquarters with some local buyers results in a net reduction in staffing and overhead.
So when Terry Lundgren suggests that the My Macy's pilot in former Marshall Field's stores was a huge success, it's not quite what you nor the analysts are thinking. It's not really that sales are hugely up because of a huge change in merchandise tailored to a local store. There's not much of that. What's really happening is that Macy's has saved money by sacking the former Macy's North/Dayton-Hudson headquarters staff in Minneapolis and replacing them with fewer buyers and managers spread out into areas like Macy's Chicago South and Macy's Chicago North.
It's all spin.
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 12:34 pm CT
Posted by: Lee
We used to make a trip to Chicago every summer and holiday season to visit Marshall Field's.
As Macy's, the store is no longer special. We don't make the trip.
Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 10:18 pm CT
Posted by: Daniel W. Harcourt II
After a very long absence of posting onto this blog, I felt compelled to finally break my silence after reading the post by 'drew' on June 13, 2009. It is no secret that I am very animate about the return of Marshall Field's. I use any opportunity to bring up Marshall Field's in daily conversations as I believe that it is important for people to talk about things important to them. I have found in my conversations that Macy's must have conducted their 'research' on Mars as they gathered information concerning the value of the Marshall Field's brand and importance of Marshall Field's to Chicagoans-and people around the world.
I took my commitment to the return of Marshall Fields to the next level a couple of years ago when I purchased 1 share of Macy's-knowing that it would gain me access to the Macy's Annual Shareholder meeting. Not only did that 1 share allow me admittance to the Macy's Annual Shareholder meeting, it also guarantees me the RIGHT to speak at the meeting. I have to admit, it gives me great satisfaction to stand up and face Mr. Terry Lundgren-as well as the members of the board-and tell them that I want my Marshall Field's. Jim McKay and I have attended and spoken at the Macy's Annual Shareholder meeting the last two years-and we intend to continue to do so until Marshall Field's is restored. My 1 share has grown to more than 100-and I know that other Fieldsfans are watching Macy's stock- ticker symbol 'M'-for sharp drops in the price for opportunities to increase not only our ownership, but also our influence in the company. Ultimately, we may have to simply relieve Mr. Lundgren and the existing board of directors of their duties if they continue to stubbornly refuse to restore Marshall Field's.
I found drew's post interesting in that he apparently had the opportunity to visit the downtown Pittsburgh Macy's recently. I can imagine the excitement of Penguins fans with the recent win of the Stanley Cup. Admittedly I would have liked for the Blackhawks to have been the winners, but the Penguins certainly earned their victory this year and I offer congratulations on a well earned victory to all Penguins fans. I find the fact that Macy's wasn't prepared for this victory extremely disturbing-especially since Terry Lundgren specifically pointed out Pittsburgh in his presentation at the shareholders meeting. He was bragging about Macy's success in the Pittsburgh market with the incorporation of Betsy Ann Chocolates at the local Macy's stores. Mr. Lundgren led us-the shareholders-to believe that through the inclusion of Betsy Ann Chocolates, Pittsburgh locals just loved Macy's. Obviously he was overstating the facts. Jim and I just looked at each other in disbelief when Mr. Lundgren started bragging about Betsy Ann Chocolates. I don't think either of us have ever tasted Betsy Ann Chocolates, and no doubt they are delicious, but Macy's certainly hasn't realized the power of the Frango brand-not to mention the Marshall Field's brand-they already had. The fact that sales are 'way, way down' should send up red flags to someone at Macy's-if nothing else the Board of Directors should be questioning what's going on.
Speaking of the Macy's Board of Directors, Jim can verify that I called out Mr. Joseph A Pichler at the shareholder meeting. Mr. Pichler was Chairman and CEO of The Kroger Co. from 9/1990-6/2003. For those of you not familiar with Kroger's history, they busted their union in the late 1980's. I pointed out to Mr. Pichler that Kroger's may have been able to bust their union, but they need not think that they can bust their customers. We want our Marshall Field's. Since leaving the shareholder meeting, I have begun to sharply question exactly whose side the present board of directors represents. They are supposed to be looking out for the best interests of stockholders, but they appear to be more aligned with Mr. Lundgren. Mr. Mark Feldberg is Dean Emeritus and Professor of Leadership and Ethics at Columbia Business School at Columbia University. Here is a man who educates young minds at one of the most respected and recognized universities in the country, yet he is sitting on the board of Macy's-watching as Terry Lundgren drives the company into the ground. It is no secret in the business world that it is cheaper to keep an existing customer than it is to attract a new customer, yet Terry Lundgren literally threw away a very large and loyal base of Marshall Field's customers when he decided to ignore us by mothballing the Marshall Field's brand and replacing it with Macy's. I certainly hope that Mr. Feldberg has sharply questioned Mr. Lundgren's leadership, otherwise I have to seriously question the business education being received by Columbia Business School students. Macy's Board of Directors had better get down to business-meaning they had better start looking out for the stockholders.
I also found it rather interesting that at the very end of the shareholder meeting, Mr. Lundgren quickly suggested that the Macy's State Street store was one of the more 'profitable' stores in the area. I would absolutely LOVE to know how he was able to ascertain this when Macy's supposedly doesn't track 'individual store sales'. In his final words before the close of the meeting, he did the classic, 'Open mouth, insert foot'. Either Macy's does not track individual store sales, or they do-they clearly can't have it both ways.
The return of Marshall Field's is the right thing to do for Chicago, the customers-and the stockholders. It would certainly be cheaper than the countless 'Macy's One Day Sales' that we constantly hear about. I would much rather go to 'Field's Day's' once a quarter than to be forced to hear about sales I have no intentions of checking out. Jim can verify that during the Macy's annual shareholders meeting I announced while I was talking that I was wearing a new suit that I had purchased on sale-from Nordstrom's. Terry Lundgren just stared at me coldly-as he always does-but I'm sure deep down he was beyond furious. I don't HAVE to shop at Macy's or Bloomingdale's-and I won't. I want to shop at Marshall Field's and the sooner Macy's brings Marshall Field's back, the sooner I can start shopping there. Chicago wants it's Marshall Field's.
Daniel W. Harcourt II
Schaumburg, IL
Date: Monday, June 15, 2009 11:01 pm CT
Posted by: Richard in Houston.
My family just returned from a week's vacation at Walt DisneyWorld in Florida. While in line there was a family from Minnesota I visited with. We struck up conversation on ou r different accents and regions that we were from. I told her how we had rented a movie called "New In Town" which was set in New Ulm, Minn. She said that is where she was fr om and the town was upset that it was not filmed there, although it is a good movie. This led into more conversation about how unique each region in our nation used to be and, of course, Marshall Fields came up. She said they still have not gotten over the destruction of Marshall Fields and was surprised Foley's had been "eaten by Macy's" (in her words) like many other regional stores.
This goes to show you people are not over the loss of Marshall Fields or the other stores in their regions...and it is 3 years later!
Date: Monday, June 15, 2009 6:12 pm CT
Posted by: Gail Wh.
Some of the pocket travel guides have updated to include Macy's as part of the description of the store at State and Randolph. The ones I have seen are from New York don't get what Field's was all about.
Then this weekend, I read one that really captured what Field's was all about and how Chicago feels about Field's.
"The Little Black Book of Chicago" by Margaret Littman really captures things saying something like, "Some Chicagoans are Cubs fans and others are White Sox fans, but all of Chicago is united in mourning the loss of Marshall Field's."
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009 4:40 pm CT
Posted by: Pat B
Aloha from Hawaii:
We want Marshall Field's back.
On our trips to Chicago we always bought from Marshall Field's. We are looking for the Marshall Field's Brands of liquor which was very smooth and reasonably priced.
Macy's is all over the United States and Marshall Field's is one of a kind. We didn't know that Marshall Field's was taken away by Macy's but we want it back.
We just wanted to let you know that the sales people at Marshall Field's greeted us with great Aloha every time we come to Chicago. Marshall Field's sales people were very informative and friendly. Macy's people are different.
If it is possible, could someone tell us how we can purchase the same Gin, Rum, Brandy and liquors that were sold under the Marshall Field's brand?
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009 3:47 pm CT
Posted by: gle
I just finished reading our recommended book, "Webs of Power," by Darlene Quinn. Several of the characters who try to manipulate things to get their names in retail lights as top stars instead of SIMPLY DOING THEIR JOBS or caring about anything else definitely made me think of what we have been reading about Messy's and Lunkhead for 3 years. This also brings to mind all the recommended perks for Messy's board of directors from their shareholder information--at a time when they are LAYING OFF thousands of employees. I think it's no wonder some businesses fail if the focus is not on quality products and service to the CUSTOMER, the way Marshall Field's always came across.
Nobody who goes into a store even thinks about the CEO.
People I talk to still wish we had Marshall Field's. I took some buttons and leaflets to a big neighborhood festival this weekend, and got the usual responses to my button--"I want my Marshall Field's too!" Several people told me they didn't even bother to check out Messy's after the name change, like if it wasn't Field's it wasn't worth it. And I overheard someone in a restaurant bragging that her first ancestor to the United States worked as a millinery/fashion designer for Marshall Field's. The reputation of quality product and service is what customers remember.
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009 10:48 pm CT
Posted by: drew
Pittsburgh is excited about the Penguins Stanley Cup Championship. Needless to say, there is a HUGE demand for Pens apparel. TV news featured the hectic pace of producing Penguins gear and the hordes of fans purchasing the merchandise.
I was at the downtown Pittsburgh macy*mart this afternoon and the store had ONE rack of white t-shirts with a plain black Stanley Cup imprint; the price was $25. (I later stopped at Kohl's which had Stanley Cup Championship t-shirts in black, white and tan with more detailed artwork--in addition to playoff and regular NHL merchandise.)
In speaking with a macy*mart salesperson, I was told the store had NO Penguin playoff merchandise and "they lost a ton of money when people came here looking for it." (So much for Mr Lunkhead's "localization" and "tailoring merchandise assortments" hoopla.) I mentioned many people really HATE macy*mart, the store is nothing special and there is much less selection and quality than Kaufmann's offered. The salesperson sighed and said, "We hear that all the time. This is the FOURTH division we've been under since the takeover. Maybe they will get it right THIS time."
The salesperson commented on the "designers" the store carries and said "customers don't want this stuff." I laughed and said "Tommy Hilfiger, Martha Stewart, Tasso Elbo and Donald Trump don't appeal to anybody I know." The salesperson said "the management realizes they made mistakes and they are trying to turn things around." I said, "probably too little, too late because people have moved on." The salesperson said sales "are way, way down" and the downtown store was always Kaufmann's sales leader. I replied "and it's taken them three years to figure out the store doesn't connect with shoppers?"
On the positive side, there is now a nice candy department and gourmet food selection on the Arcade level; the Arcade is a long hall that stretches the entire width of the store from Fifth Avenue to Forbes Avenue and connects two sections of the store. hey moved the FAO Schwarz selection to the Arcade where there is more foot traffic; perhaps they should have put it in a more visible location in the first place. The store WAS cleaner than the last time I visited, but there were many empty spaces on each floor. The display windows along Smithfield Street featured 1960s hippie-type, flower power dresses; the displays--like the rest of the store-- looked okay, but were nothing especially exciting.
Date: Friday, June 12, 2009 11:42 pm CT
Posted by: Ron, Nevada
I just found this site, and learned about the efforts to bring back Marshall Field's.
I live in the Reno, Nevada area, but was born in Chicago, and still remember my mom taking me on shopping trips to Field's when I was very young (around six!), and still have some memories of the elegant old lady. I guess my strongest is of the restaurant with tables surrounding the second floor balcony. But I've seen Field's ads over the years, and have been well aware of Marshall Field's status in the retail world for a long time.
What makes the Macy's elimination of Field's so much more devastating than it could have been is the fact that the Macy's brand itself has deteriorated so much in recent years. I was working at the Reno Macy's when it opened ('78, I believe), and it was actually a good store, with a decent daytime restaurant and a considerable selection of high quality merchandise. Now, I don't even bother--it's not much more than a high-end Target that's become somewhat shabby around the edges at this point.
I wish you the best in your fight to revive the true Marshall Field's.
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2009 5:22 am CT
Posted by: Carlos Cli [London]
It's been 3 years and still the name of Marshall Field's is respected WORLD WIDE by thousands of people. The lost of Marshall Field's is not simply a corporate name change. It means the loss of tradition, quality and social values. I am not a Chicagoan from birth, but I am one from the HEART. And it really hurts when people forget who we are, or worst: What made us what we are nowadays. The losses of the Chrysler Corporation or GM's Bankruptcy are quite important issues. As long as the people from the US keep forgetting its roots, American culture will continue to decay. Are we letting this to happen? Why does the American people watch BBCB%s Tog Gear Show and don't complaint at the obvious attacks that Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May portray against GM motorcars? Anyone with a bit of common sense can clearly see it. And understand that any false statement made by a journalist, MUST BE STOPPED. MUST BE CONFRONTED. We cannot remain passive!
Marshall Field's must come back, America SHALL RISE AGAIN, BIGGER AND BETTERC
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 7:09 pm CT
Posted by: Alan F.
I have to 100% agree with the post from a couple of weeks ago below: If Macy's had spent even half of what they did promoting and remodeling stores as Field's as they have on Macy's, they'd have a hugely profitable store.
What a waste of resources! What a loss to our city! What a loss to the owner of Macy's and Marshall Field's!
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2009 12:02 pm CT
Posted by: Pete
When I red the HuffPost article from Friday's post by Jim and then this NY Times article, I realized that the situation with Sam Zell and The Chicago Tribune is not all that different than Terry Lundgren and Macy's. With it looking more and more likely that Zell is on his way out, let's hope that Lundgren is next.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-mon-tribune-0608-jun08,0,5886810.story
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/henryk-a-kowalczyk/the-perfect-test-that-the_b_153554.html
Date: Monday, June 8, 2009 12:49 pm CT
Posted by: Mike M
Today's lead item at www.beachwoodreporter.com is about the Willis Tower, with Steve Rhodes of Beachwood Reporter mentioning the Macy's vs. Marshall Field's controversy. Steve Rhodes writes:
"....Did you know Willis was a British company? I didn't. Beyond that, Macy's is an American company and that didn't relieve it from grief when it renamed Marshall Field's...."
Date: Monday, June 8, 2009 6:22 am CT
Posted by: Jim
In the coming weeks, there will be many news stories on the renaming of the Sears Tower.
While the newspapers may be reluctant these days to report on Macy's, be sure to help the return of Field's by explaining the differences and similarities between the renaming of the Sears Tower and the conversion of Marshall Field's into Macy's. Many would have the world believe both are just name changes but with Field's it was a conversion.
Thanks for keeping Marshall Field's in the public consciousness by posting blog responses, letters to the editor, and similar activities.
Date: Sunday, June 7, 2009 4:22 pm CT
Posted by: gle
A "Tribune" article today states the Willis group realizes it wasn't such a good idea to try to re-name the Sears Tower. They should have paid attention to what happened with Marshall Field's. Messy's should pay attention to what happened with Marshall Field's too.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sun-willis-jun07,0,7632153.story
Date: Sunday, June 7, 2009 7:23 am CT
Posted by: Mary A
We visited Chicago this past week, but skipped shopping on State Street. We have Macy's back home and I don't like them there either.
Field's was a "must visit" destination before Macy's came along and killed it.
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2009 10:19 pm CT
Posted by: drew
The Pittsburgh Penguins are again in the Stanley Cup Finals and Pittsburgh fans wildly support their home town teams. I stopped at macy*mart in a large suburban Pittsburgh mall this afternoon. Of course, the store was pretty much deserted as I walked around looking for Penguin merchandise. I found a few cheaply made polyester long sleeve jerseys with a Pens logo. When a salesperson approached me, I asked where the Pens jerseys and T-shirts were located. The salesperson said, "We really didn't get anything in for the playoffs." (One would think with all the excitement generated by the Stanley Cup Finals, that macy*mart would have a major promotion of Penguin items.)
The salesperson suggested that I check JC Penney which had a wide selection of Pittsburgh Penguin clothing and collectibles. This particular macy*mart did have, however, several racks of Pittsburgh Steeler Super Bowl merchandise on clearance, 50 per cent off the lowest ticketed prices. A nearby Kohl's also had a decent selection of Pens merchandise for the entire family.
Evidently Three-headed Terry's highly publicized "my macy*s" scheme is yet another dismal failure. So much for tailoring store assortments to meet the preferences of their respective market. Stocking Penguins merchandise should have been a "no brainer" for a so-called department store in the Pittsburgh region.
Although I have many relatives in the Detroit area, they all absolutely DESPISE macy*mart for taking away Marshall Field's and refuse to shop there so I can't ask if those stores stocked any Red Wings merchandise. Somehow I suspect the Detroit macy*mart stores also failed to support their home town team.
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2009 11:15 am CT
Posted by: Judy M.
Well, it's time for the black tie event we attend every year, which means I need to shop for a gown! Of course, there's no way I'll wear a gown to the same place more than once, so I have to make a decision as to who will get my hard earned money. I would have immediately run to Marshall Field's, but obvliously, I can't do that anymore. I went to Lord & Taylor and Norstrom, but didn't find anything I liked. No other option, really. So I went on-line and ordered a saree from India. I could have found something just as exotic and beautiful at Marshall Field's. IF it was still here. So, Macy's has now forced me to send my money out of the country. Just another way Macy's is helping the economy. Not that our friend Terry would care.....
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2009 10:53 am CT
Posted by: John D.
Father's Day is quickly approaching, Field's Fans. While we are making tremendous strides in bringing back the store we knew as Marshall Field's, Von Maur is a good alternative we have today. There are three suburban Chicago Von Maur stores, plus about 20 VM stores scattered in major cities throughout the Midwest.
For those of you still not finding quite the perfect gift for Dad during our boycott of macy's, you may want to glance through the offerings of VM either in one of their fine stores, or online. Von Maur offers completely free gift wrapping and free UPS/Fedex shipping to anywhere in the continental U.S.
While their famous Bavarian Mints are not offered online during the warm season, you may find these remarkably tasty chocolate treats in a Von Maur store.
http://www.vonmaur.com/default.aspx?Function=Product&ProductID=16326&cat=77,109
Date: Friday, June 5, 2009 8:12 pm CT
Posted by: Jim McKay
Monthly numbers are out and Macy's May same store sales are down 9.1%--that's 0.2% better than expected and better than the double-digit declines of some of its competitors, including Carson's parent Bon-Ton which was down about 13%. Of course, these figures don't break out the numbers for the Chicago area where it's entirely possible that Carson's is doing better than Macy's.
More than a few news reports are giving percentages for Nordstrom, JCPenney, Saks, Sears, etc but practically no one is presenting stats for Macy's. Depending on how you look at it, Macy's is the number one or number two department store chain in terms of size--yet they are left out.
A prime example is the New York Times which has a bar graph for the above retailers but, like last month, leaves out Macy's. Virtually none have a place to comment.
This HuffPost OpEd piece from last December goes out enough to suggest that Macy's wields power over the content of papers:
Sometimes one gets the impression that, in (Sam Zell's) vision, the Chicago Tribune is an advertising bulletin, advertisers are his clients, and if Macy's spends a fortune on ads, this might be justification for spicing up the bulletin with some pure journalistic work.The full op-ed piece is at : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/henryk-a-kowalczyk/the-perfect-test-that-the_b_153554.html
Date: Thursday, June 7, 2009 9:47 pm CT
Posted by: Robert
I just wanted to say thank you for all you are doing to bring Marshall Fields back!! I live in Indiana about 3hrs away from Chicago, I love to visit Chicago. This last pole taken on Michigan ave and State street was great! What did suprise me is that afew people said they would shop less at Fields? So much for class or wanting some kind of variety since macy mart is everywhere. I guess they must never shoped Fields. I read in Jim's post that terry was saing frango mints are being made in Chicago... WELL WHO CARES!!! I only bought them because they were MARSHALL FIELDS FRANGO mint chocolates. Taking the Fields name off the box and the exp date = no sale. Fannie May gets all my candy business, I love the fact that they are not nation wide and have been in Chicago since 1920. When I travel to different cities I like to stop at local favorite places these are getting harder to find but they define the city they are in, that is what Fields did for Chicago. I don't know any one who when to Chicago and didn't go to Fields BUT I know alot that will not go to macys. I was in Chicago on a saturday 2 weeks before Christmas and looked down at the tree from the 8th floor to see the Walnut room less than half full at 1:00pm. In 2005 I waited 4hrs for a table, shopping at Fields it only seemed like 40 minutes. Thanks again for everything you do in the name of Marshall Fields!!!
Date: Thursday, June 4, 2009 9:57 am CT
Posted by: J.C.
Here's an example of how, after seven years of public outcry, a favorite brand has been restored. Heck, Lucky is a fine enough brand, but it doesn't even begin to compare with all thet Marshall Field's stands for. If a store like Lucky can be brought back successfully, it's very clear that Field's can come back. Field's was so many more times greater.
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_12515552
Date: Thursday, June 4, 2009 9:49 am CT
Posted by: drew
Want to bet that Mr Lunkhead's "solution" will be to cut services, reduce merchandise offerings, slash employees--which will give customers even FEWER reasons to visit macy*mart.
http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2009/06/01/daily50.html?ana=yfcpc
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 8:32 pm CT
Posted by: Pete
Reading Jimmy Gimbels' post from last Friday about NBC5's survey results is very fascination. It lends further credibility to the stats of the survey presented by this web site.
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 1:59 pm CT
Posted by: drew
Yet another critical downgrade for macy*mart, purveyor of "expensive unneeded items."
http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2009/06/03/1-star-stocks-poised-to-plunge-macys.aspx
When will shareholders admit the current management has arrogantly promoted an unsuccessful, haphazard misadventure and has demonstrated no ability to respond to consumer needs and wants? Mr Lunkhead has failed to connect with consumers and communities and to establish a place for his store in the marketplace.
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2009 1:59 pm CT
Posted by: Zelda
Returning from a trip overseas, I walked the long ramp to Passport Control which has exhibits and images about Chicago, such as the great Seurat painting of the Isle of the Grand Jatte at the Art Institute. I was thrilled to see a lovely wall devoted to great Chicago pioneers Potter Palmer and Marshall Field. Those of us active in FieldsFansChicago are not alone in our appreciate of those who brought us so much. I am grateful there are others safeguarding our heritage, in the exhibits at O'Hare, the Chicago History Museum and many other places around town, and I'm convinced that what the recent survey showed is absolutely true: Field's was special; Macy's is no match; and WE WANT OUR MARSHALL FIELD'S BACK!
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2009 9:21 am CT
Posted by: Mitch
It's been a while since I've posted, but I do read this every morning.
We have to feel sorry for our friend Terry.
With all the dough he's making he doesn't have a Marshall Field's to spend it in. He's forced to buy from Macy's.
Mitch
Date: Monday, June 1, 2009 10:50 am CT
Posted by: Jim
A bit of history I've not seen discussed in years is the old Marshall Field's warehouse on Polk Street at the South Branch of the Chicago River. Like the State Street flagship, the warehouse was also designed by Daniel Burnham. It was completed in 1904 and was after several owners acquired by the US Postal Service in 1974. Fifteen years ago it was torn down to make way for the new main post office which is bordered by Harrison, Polk, the Chicago River and Canal. Curiously enough, the US Postal Facility on this very same spot houses the post office box for FieldsFansChicago.org and is the post office from which many of the "I Want My Marshall Field's" buttons are mailed.
Several 1991 photos of the old warehouse can be viewed at http://forgottenchicago.com/features/chicago-infrastructure/bridge-out-for-good/ Be certain to check out the photos of Both the Taylor Street and Polk Street bridges where you can see the former warehouse building.
Date: Sunday, May 31, 2009 11:50 pm CT
Posted by: JasonM
I started a conversation on Yelp about the survey. Pretty interesting to see what people are thinking.
http://www.yelp.com/topic/chicago-chicago-still-hates-macys
Date: Sunday, May 31, 2009 10:50 am CT
Posted by: barbara p
I, too, absolutely ADORED AND LOVED Marshall Field's and miss it so very much. Macy's doesn't come close to Field's.
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2009 3:12 pm CT
Posted by: Jim
One thing to clarify about Field's status as the "number 3" destination. This was according to Marshall Field's own literature circa 2005 and into 2006. It was also featured at fields.com and macys.com until about 2007. And the phrase that they used was "number three destination." I think they included locals as well as tourists and internationals.
Still, it was the number three destination and it is not that anymore. Far fewer people see it as a destination.
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2009 10:56 am CT
Posted by: T.L. in St. Louis
My grandparents met each other while they were working at Marshall Field in the early 1930's. My father was born in Chicago and my husband and I and our two boys are planning a visit to Chicago this summer. We will walk through the store wearing "I want my Marshall Field's" buttons but will not shop. We do not shop Macy's in St. Louis also because of what they did to Marshall Field's.
Date: Friday, May 29, 2009 4:20 pm CT
Posted by: Jimmy Gimbels
Here's a little tid bit quietly relased on May 27:
Cincinnati-based Macy's posted a loss of $88 million, or 21 cents per share, for the period ended May 2. That compares with a loss of $59 million, or 14 cents per share, a year earlier.
Revenues fell to $5.12 billion from $5.74 billion a year ago.
Me thinks a certain store is in a downward spiral. Of course, it is not Macy's fault. It is the ecomony, a late Easter, sun spots or ______ (fill in an excuse here).
Date: Friday, May 29, 2009 4:15 pm CT
Posted by: Jimmy Gimbels
OH NO, NOT ANOTHER FAILED PROMOTION FROM MACY'S!!!???
MAY 29 RELEASE: Macy's Inc. will lose its FAO Schwarz outlets after Toys "R" Us acquires the toy retailer. The deal also means FAO will discontinue its agreement to open boutique locations in roughly 675 MacyC-s stores. MacyC-s Inc. and the toy maker entered into the deal in May 2008.
We all know what a big buzz macy;s tried to make about the toy section. Fact is, the selection was small and overpriced and really did not bring in much traffic.
Anyone still remember the "Take Me to State Street" promotion by Macy's? I didn't think so. It was an ad campaign that forgot to mention Macy's because store officials knew the very mention of the name turns off shoppers. Did the promo build traffic? No
Date: Friday, May 29, 2009 4:05 pm CT
Posted by: Jimmy Gimbels
Interesting poll about Marshall Fields. Here is an item from the Field's "way back" machine:
On September 08, 2006, the Channel 5 Poll asked viewers:
Will you shop at the new Macy's store?
NO = 71%
Yes = 29%
Not one dime to Macy's in three years. How about you?
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2009 7:49 pm CT
Posted by: drew
Since FAO Schwarz toys will no longer be offered at macy*mart, perhaps they can work out an "Everything's $1" department that is more in line with their discount store image:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Toys-R-Us-acquires-highend-apf-15370223.html?.v=12
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2009 4:43 pm CT
Posted by: Allison Evans
The History Press (opening another location in Chicago this summer) is looking for people who are not only passionate about Marshall Fields, but also someone who can write its history in demonstration of its cultural significance to Chicago and the nation. We focus exclusively on publishing works of local and regional interest, typically brief histories of towns and regions; however, we have recently experienced the success with department store histories, such as our book, Under the Clock:The Story of Miller & Rhoads. If you or anyone you know is qualified to write a history of the beloved Marshall Fields, we would love to speak with you. Please visit our website, www.historypress.net for more information or contact me directly.
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2009 4:40 pm CT
Posted by: gle
The "Sun-Times" has an update on the story of FAO Schwarz leaving Macy's--with a new comment blog.
"FAO Schwarz will close in all Macy's stores in November" May 28, 2009 by Sandra Guy
http://www.suntimes.com/business/1596440,fao-schwarz-closing-macys-chicago-052809.article
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2009 12:20 pm CT
Posted by: Jim McKay
I think the acquisition of F.A.O. Schwarz by Toys "R" Us sets a great precedence that Field's could come back in this economy and that such a deal is viable.
On the Topix blog following the Tribune article noted below, I posted the following:
I disagree that FAO is a loser. It is a great store. People have a fondness for it as a special destination. FAO has had problems simply because they over-expanded a few years back, and in the process, overexposed themselves.
I think Toys "R" Us will do well with this acquisition if they are able to enhance the two flagship locations as international destinations. The best they could reinforce these stores as something special that people will again travel long distances for as they used or still do for American Girl. The worst they could do is make these glorified Toys "R" Us stores. I don't think that they will do that.
Regarding the FAO shops in Macy's, I think it makes sense for Toys "R" Us to pull out of Macy's and consider the possibility of similarly-sized FAO shops in certain Toys "R" Us stores.
As far as FAO shops in Macy's, I think it was more of an attempt at building hype for both brands rather than an actual success. Macy's claimed that it helped drive traffic to it's Childrens department on State Street. I visited one of the smaller FAO shops at Mid Rivers Mall in St Peter, MO recently and it was unimpressive. It was about the same size as, if not smaller than, the Hallmark card aisle in a Walgreens. I hardly see how its diminutive size could drive traffic, much less create an upscale toy-buying experience, for either brand.
What's more, Carson's, when it was on State Street, also tried the FAO Schwarz store within-a-store circa 2003. It apparently didn't help.
In both cases, this is probably because it wasn't a big enough experience.
All of this suggests something here for Chicago. We have ubiquitous toy store Toys "R" Us offering a couple of special flagship stores that are beyond the ordinary in the form of FAO--destination stores not run under or as the Toys "R" Us. Toys "R" Us will balance the need for economies of scale with the need for FAO Schwarz to have its own identity. This shows that Macy's, the now ubiquitous department store, could in similar fashion, bring back Marshall Field's in at least on State Street and have something special as a destination. This shows others (Toys "R" Us) think a special flagship can work even in this economy.
There is still a huge demand for the return of Marshall Field's. To support that, I further present that a poll of Michigan Avenue and State Street shoppers completed two weeks ago show a whopping 78% still prefer Marshall Field's over Macy's and also would shop a revived Field's on State Street. The results of this survey can be found at http://www.fieldsfanschicago.org
If Toys "R" Us can do well with a couple of special FAO flagship destinations, Macy's could also succeed with a return of Marshall Field's
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2009 10:45 am CT
Posted by: gle
FAO Schwarz contract with Messy's will end in November.
>From the "Tribune:"
"Toys R Us buys troubled high-end toy store FAO Schwarz," May 28, 2009 by Mae Anderson, Associated Press
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-us-toys-r-us-fao-schwarz,0,5584803.story
>From the "Sun-Times:"
"Tos R Us acquires FAO Schwarz" May 28, 2009 by Associated Press
http://www.suntimes.com/business/1596236,w-toys-r-us-fao-schwarz-052809.article
Both articles have comment blogs.
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2009 10:13 pm CT
Posted by: drew
Toys R Us, the new owners of FAO Schwarz, will cancel affiliation with macy*mart:http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Toys-R-Us-acquires-highend-apf-15370223.html?.v=12Evidently being featured at macy*mart wasn't a very profitable venture for FAO Schwarz as Mr Lunkhead's stores never offered enough selection to attract shoppers. Another "exciting" macy*mart "exclusive" has failed!
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 6:32 pm CT
Posted by: E.M.
I'm still supporting Marshall Field's and STILL refuse to shop at Macy's.
My family and I can wear your buttons proudly to show our support for Marshall Field's.
Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 10:06 am CT
Posted by: gle
The "Tribune" mentions Messy's in this rather interesting bit about sharehoders wanting more voice:
"CEO pay: Shareholders yearning for a say
Momentum growing to give stockholders a voice on executive compensation" May 24, 2009 by Ameet Sachdev
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sun-exec-paymay24,0,1338424.story
Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 9:56 am CT
Posted by: Jim
"Webs of Power" is a fiction book based on the real life story of Federated and Macy's circa the late 1980s and early 1990s. Author Darlene Quinn called it "Factional" because the story is largely true but the names, characters and certain other details have been adapted to protect privacy. It gives a lot of insight into the characters behind what ultimately led to Macy's going bankrupt and Federated acquiring Macy's.
Another book one should consider reading is "The Rain on Macy's Parade" by Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg (1996). This book covers the same territory but is presented as fact, but with much less of the behind-the-scenes, private life look that is central to Quinn's book.
"Macy's for Sale" by Isadore Barmash covers the period before either of these two books--circa the mid 1980s--explaining how Macy's went from being run by generations of the Straus family to being run by Finkelstein.
Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 9:36 am CT
Posted by: gle
I started reading "Webs of Power" by Darlene Quinn.
I thought the writing is good and the suspense keeps you interested. While some drama parts may be of more interest to the ladies than the gents, the aspect of a company employee starting a "white knight" campaign against the corrupt jerk trying to take over the company (and who would obviously mis-manage the company) does hit home about Field's Fans. Pehaps we have a "green knight" campaign.
Date: Monday, May 25, 2009 8:43 pm CT
Posted by: S.B.
I was going through some old boxes this weekend... just cleaning things out when I was pleasantly surprised. I found my Marshall Field's charge card. It was a great feeling. When the take-over was first announced I was quite upset and remember walking into the 1st floor of the State Street store and right to the customer service desk. I asked that they close my account. The woman was very sympathetic and asked me to fill out a comment card (which I did). I picked up the phone and closed my account. That week I thought of cutting up the Field's card and throwing it in the trash... but then I must have stopped (even though I don't remember) and decided to hold on to it. I'm glad I did... why let Macy's take away a memory. I haven't stepped into a Macy's since the "conversion" and never will. I have fond memories of State Street Field's and I would hate to see what it looks like today. If I don't go in... I'll always have the most amazing of memories. Hopefully one day this will all change and I can swing open the doors of 111. State Street and once again walk into the world class, Chicago style department store known as Marshall Field's!!!
Date: Monday, May 25, 2009 11:56 am CT
Posted by: LiMack
On Saturday we saw Shakespeare's play, The Tempest, at Steppenwolf. As many of you know, one of the main characters is Ariel, a spirit or nymph who is useful because he is completely invisible to almost everybody. Sitting there in the theatre that night I had an epiphany! Those mysterious customers Terry Lundgren keeps talking about to the press and shareholders---the ones that he claims are making Macy's so successful on State Street--- are invisible!! They must be. Because you sure don't ever SEE many actual shoppers in the store formally known as Marshall Fields.
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2009 3:01 pm CT
Posted by: drew
This is in response to Jim's comment about Filene's Basement and other closeout stores. I _believe_ that Filene's Basement (which was NOT connected with the former Filene's department store the past few years) has been in bankruptcy protection. They closed a number of their stores, including some that were only recently opened. Filene's Basement was affiliated with Value City stores, which totally liquidated its operations within the past year or so.
While the closeout stores have their place, I think people would like something unique at times. Too much of the same has become boring. Traditional shopping malls have lost business as customers seek out new "lifestyle centers." Every mall is the same in every city and town. The regional department stores gave shoppers a sense of place while macy*mart is the same everywhere, despite Mr Lunkhead's latest sure-fire strategy to turn things around. There may be a few variations, but the stores remain nothing special.
As I put away my winter clothing and got out summer things, I shook my head as I looked at Field Gear items. Because I live in the Pittsburgh area, my Field Gear clothing was purchased online, through catalogues, or on rare visits to the store. I doubt that anything sold at macy*mart today will be of such high quality and style.
[Note from Jim McKay: Filene's Basement was recently purchased by another owner and then went into bankruptcy. In Chicago, the suburban stores were closed while the State Street and Michigan Avnue stores will continue to remain open.]
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2009 2:34 pm CT Date: Sunday, May 24, 2009 12:53 pm CT
Is the Marshall Field's font no longer on a box of Marshall Field's Frangos because they are different chocolates ?
The chocolates have always been delightful through the years and have a been so nice and tasty. Thank you
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2009 1:25 am CT
In fact, marketers spend millions to get people to view their brands emotionally. Why? That's the one thing you can't undersell.
Marshall Field's was the ultimate department store!
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2009 3:00 pm CT
Author Darlene Quinn calls it "factional" because while some names have been changed, it's largely based on what resulted in the consolidation of Macy's and Federated circa the late 1980s and early 1990s. In fact, Ms. Quinn was part of the management team at Bullocks Wilshire, the very same store where Terry Lundgren rose through the ranks about the same time.
The book was the 2009 winner of the "Indie National Excellence Award".
This past Thursday, Ms. Quinn was on the WGN News show at Noon to discuss her book and explained how it has a deep connection with what has just happened with Marshall Field's here in Chicago. On air, Ms. Quinn and the interviewer even alluded to our activities here and how we were trying to bring back Field's.
Ms. Quinn hopes Field's supporters one and all will come to one of her appearances on the Chicago-leg of her book tour.
Ms. Quinn will discuss her book at the following times and locations:
But most of all, you should visit Ms. Quinn's websites, http://www.darlenequinn.net and http://darlenequinn.wordpress.com/
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2009 1:14 pm CT
The meeting was relatively low-key and procedural compared to last year. A big portion of what Terry Lundgren presented can be found, as noted earlier this week, at
http://www.macysinc.com/Investors/annualmeeting/. In addition, the Macy's 150 year commercial showing Bob Hope, Lucille Ball and Johnny Carson, among others, mentioning Macy's, was shown, framed by the fact that it had recently won a major award in Barcelona. Finally, a short film was shown where Macy's associates discussed the "My Macy's" program. Among those shown was Linda Piepho who oversees the State Street store.
After the meeting was adjourned, there was a comments and questions period. Shareholders Daniel Harcourt and myself addressed Mr. Lundgren, the board, and all in attendance on the topic of Marshall Field's. While no webcast or web transcripts exist for this portion, my comments were pretty close to the press release about the survey sent to all FieldsFansChicago.org newsletter subscribers and the media on Friday, May 15. I emphasized that this was a survey completed less than a week before and not three years earlier. I also referred to the 150th Anniversary commercial and the "My Macy's" presentation in pointing out that by disregarding Field's, Macy's was contradicting what the messages of the commercial and "My Macy's".
Daniel confronted Lundgren and the board with many of the concerns and critisms that Field's loyalists have posted here. I'll let Daniel describe it himself, but he covered ground from how he, like millions have others, has already told Macy's what he wants--Marshall Field's, how forcing Macy's on customers was akin to the spirit of union busting, and he even confronted Mr. Lundgren on the armoured Hummer that he has been reported in the media as having been provided by Macy's. Mr. Lundgren denied this, saying that there were many falsehoods about him in the media.
After a third shareholder, a Macy's employee from Arizona, spoke on a different topic, Mr. Lundgren addressed the comments, starting off by repeating his response to me from last year, that the switch from Field's was an "emotional topic." He went on to say that Macy's had responded by returning Frango production to Chicago when Field's previous owner had moved it away, that Chicago was one of it's best performing areas and that State Street was performing much better. I believe he said, "more profitable" but I could be wrong.
You are all thanked for being there in spirit and providing the support that enables us to carry on our quest. Thank you.
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2009 1:14 pm CT
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sat-hartmarx-0523-may23,0,1199285.story
http://www.suntimes.com/business/1588221,CST-FIN-hartmarx23.article
Date: Friday, May 22, 2009 11:13 pm CT
http://www.suntimes.com/business/1586935,hartmarx-bidder-bankrupt-052209.article
http://chicagoist.com/2009/05/21/hartmarx_to_select_buyer_this_week.php
Sample comment:
Recent local media coverage avoids bringing up Macy's role in effectively hurting HartMarx and our local economy. Why? Could it be that Macy's is one of both the Sun-Times and the Tribune's biggest advertisers? Count the many full page ads in these papers in just the past week. (The Tribune had over a dozen full page ads in the past week for Macy's and its Bloomingdale's.)
WellsFargo (not a big advertiser in this market) is part of the problem, but Macy's is a huge part of HartMarx's problems too. Sadly our newspapers are too in debt and too beholden to advertisers to effectively present the whole Chicago story.
Safe to say that the switch from Marshall Field's to Macy's was NOT just a name change. Too bad the newspapers lack the integrity to report this.
Date: Friday, May 22, 2009 4:12 pm CT
How do some retailers remember those who gave their lives for our country? A matress sale. (Many, not just Macy's, are guilty of this.)
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009 6:13 pm CT Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009 1:36 pm CT
I went back to visit and about had a heart-attack when it wasn't there anymore!!
Anyone with any childhood memories (worth keeping, ) remembers that giant Christmas tree!! Macy's tree is ugly.
Yea, I want Marshall Fields back!!
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009 12:39 pm CT Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009 1:04 am CT
1) Do you mean Marshall Field's or Marshall Field's/Daytons/Hudsons? When Macy's says Field's was losing money, it seems that they mean all three chains--and Daytons and Hudson's which were renamed Marshall Field's.
2) Also, while it might be argued that State Street by itself teetered between profitability and unprofitability in its last years, how do you account for the fact that State Street, as a flagship, actually generated profts at the other locations, as all good flaships do? The State Street experience inspires people to shop Oak Brook, Old Orchard, etc when they can't get down to State.
3) If it was a money losing proposition, how did Target manage to benefit by using Field's, Dayton's and Hudson's as the funding for its rapid expansion?
4) If Macy's has put millions of dollars into converting State Street and Chicago area Field's into Macy's. This has included millions in advertising to push Macy's on Chicago. Don't you think if even half that amount spent was spent on promoting Marshall Field's, Field's would be doing so much better than Macy's is now?
5) Most of all, people such as yourself who claim that Field's wasn't profitable consistently fail to discuss that Macy's is still less profitable than Field's was. If Macy's was more profitable than Field's on State, then Mr. Lundgren would be broadcasting all sorts of sales figures. That's not happening.
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009 12:34 am CT Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 2:24 pm CT
Many thanks for your devotion to MF.
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 12:34 am CT
We wear the Field's Fans buttons when in Chicago!
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 12:01 am CT Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 5:09 pm CT
I wouldn't call Macy's regular stores "outlet stores", but it seems to me that the clearance bargains are one of the few things that do tempt some former Field's shoppers back into the stores that have been converted to Macy's. I occassionaly hear things like, "I hate Macy's but this was marked down so much they can't be making any money off of this." (Hey, the way to bring back Field's is to buy NOTHING at Macy's. I still refuse to buy no matter what the price--even some $4.95 1 lb of Frangos someone said I should make an exception for.)
While TJX, Nordstrom Rack and some others are doing pretty good, I also think these types of stores will have problems in the long run. Filene's Basement isn't doing so well. I've only been there a couplf of times in the past couple of years. I've left empty handed even though I had an immediate need for something going in. Moreover, TJMaxx/Marshall's/Home Goods/AJ Wright hype how they sell for less what department stores could not. Yet, as department stores get leaner in terms of what they carry and as some department stores go out of business, TJX will have less stock from which to draw from.
Seems to me that these clearance racks in Chicago-area Macy's are one of the few things that draw in anybody.
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 2:15 pm CT
Just this morning I was at a winery north of Houston speaking with the owner. She brought up the fact that she loved Foley's and was a devoted shopper since her childhood. We discussed how May Co. took them downmarket from what they were prior to being sold off (getting rid of the fur salon, personal shoppers, etc) and also how horrible the stores are now under the Macy's banner. She said it is pretty bad when her high school daughter and her friends hate macy's junior departments and the store in general. Mrs. Broch said that she moved to Dillards, along with her other friends, right after the takeover and will never shop Macy's.
Just goes to show you that the ill will towards Macy's continues on a nationwide basis.
Macy's "re-educated" shoppers alright. Right out their doors never to return. How in the world Macy's continues to keep all these stores open is beyond me. They have to be operating in the red in so many areas.
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 12:24 pm CT
"Remarks by Terry J. Lundgren Chairman, Presdient and Chief Executive Officer of Macy's, Inc. To the Annual Meeting of Shareholders May 15, 2009"
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 8:49 am CT
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 12:44 am CT Date: Monday, May 18, 2009 11:35 pm CT
Certainly if Marshall Field's were still in residence at 111 North State Street, it would have continued its leadership as a sponsor of the celebration. Field's did, after all, donate the land on which the Art Institute is built and donated the funds used to purchase the museum's original art collections. Marshall Field's descendants have continued this legacy of leadership and giving, donating substantial sums of money to the Art Institute over the decades. In fact, Marshall Field V serves as a current Trustee of the museum.
We heard many people comment to Target staffers and management about how upset they were about the loss of Marshall Field's and how much they appreciated the way in which Target invested in the impressive renovations of the State Street store ($115 million) and many other stores throughout the region, and the way in which Target build on Field's reputation for quality merchandise, service and philanthropic leadership. Some people were even aware that Target donates a full 10% of pre-tax profits to charities, an extraordinary amount and one of the highest of any corporation in America.
Yes, Target management expressed their own sadness over the impact the loss of Marshall Field's has had on Chicago and for selling Field's to the May Company, unaware that Federated (Macy's) would acquire the entire May Company and commandeer Marshall Field's stores. I wish there had been news media with cameras on hand to capture the moment!
Date: Monday, May 18, 2009 3:00 pm CT
While the story pre-dates the stockholders meeting, there is a place to offer comments without registration. You, of course, can even discuss the survey findings which are quite germaine to the article.
Date: Monday, May 18, 2009 1:22 pm CT
The only reason Field's isn't back yet is the same reason it went away in the first place-----Macy's head Terry Lundgren. Any other retailer would have brought back Marshall Field's long ago after realizing such a dramatic drop in profits. Of course, they would also have had the smarts not to make the change in the first place.
Field's will be back when Lundgren goes or circumstances such as a takeover or bankruptcy reorg requires Macy's to sell Field's to someone who will run it as Field's.
Mike R. Date: Monday, May 18, 2009 11:12 am CT Date: Monday, May 18, 2009 9:17 am CT
On another note, the FieldsFansChicago survey made its way onto a local radio news update this morning. On my way to work, I was channel surfing and by chance I heard about it on WIND. They even mentioned the name of this grassroots organization!
Date: Monday, May 18, 2009 9:03 am CT
An especially interesting point: the article notes that macy*s was failing long BEFORE the current recession began. This fact has been conveniently ignored by many analysts. Maybe shareholders and analysts are FINALLY seeing through Lunkhead's deceptive accounting, failed initiatives and arrogant denial of reality.
Date: Monday, May 18, 2009 1:20 am CT Date: Sunday, May 17, 2009 7:23 pm CT Date: Sunday, May 17, 2009 6:55 pm CT
Does Terry Lundgren who is the CEO of Macy's still appear on Donald Trump's The Apprentice?
I gotta kick out of the joke I saw here some time back. It went, "Macy's may sell Donald Trump ties, but let's hope they never sell Donald Trump rugs!" HILARIOUS!
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2009 4:20 pm CT
Shame on them for what they did to Marshall Field's. It's only a matter of time before it comes back.
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2009 10:02 am CT
They are not.
If Macy's was actually doing well, or even OK, in the Chicago market, they would crow about their profits. Sales volume may be up but I'd lay big money on profits still being down from the days of Marshall Field's.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009 10:58 pm CT
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009 8:37 pm CT
I pulled out the supplement to the Chicago Tribune from 1992 when the Dayton Hudson renovation of the State street Marshall Field's was completed and heralded.
It is so sad and disappointing to now look through those pages and it is a real reminder, in case any of you have forgotten, of how truly incredible the offerings at Marshall Field's really were! It reminded ME of things that I had forgotten that were available at Field's!
My how much has been lost.
It is thrilling though to look through those pages and see the advertisements and see the beautiful script logo at the bottom of the page.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009 5:56 pm CT
Please keep up the good work. Despite Lundgren's delusions, Macy's is now teetering towards bankruptcy. It can only sustain losses for so long before they run out of cash. Seeing how they are running out of financing options, this may be sooner rather than later.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009 2:36 pm CT Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009 1:40 pm CT
Just an observation.
Darrid
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009 12:30 pm CT
Thank-you to our hard-working shareholders who took time to travel to the meeting and represent Field's Fans, and those who voted and worked behind-the-scenes.
Hopefully there will should be more news coverage in the coming days, with comment blogs and letters to write.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009 10:09 am CT Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009 12:01 am CT
Survey Says...Chicago Still Hates Macy's
Date: Friday, May 15, 2009 11:53 pm CT
I took a few moments from my honeymoon in Venice to log on to the FieldsFans website and see how the stockholders meeting went. The survey results were certainly impressive, and even if Lundgren doesn't seem to get it, it must really rankle him that his grand scheme hasn't really won over anybody. In fact, I seem to remember that when Macy's first took over, 1/3 of all Chicagoans said they wanted the stores to remain Marshall Field's. Lundgren's take on this was, "Oh well, it's only one-third"(which seemed really really stupid). If this were a movie, they'd call it "Stupider and Stupiderer" because now it's three years later, and the very well conducted recent survey shows 70+ per cent vastly prefer Field's to Macy's. Sure, Lundgren can slough off the truth at a public meeting, but do you think when he looks in the mirror he's actually thinking, "Oh well, it's only 70%"? He must realize things are getting worse all the time. Maybe the really stupid ones are those who keep Lundgren in his job and paying him mega bucks to continue in his freefall. I can't help wondering what THOSE people think when THEY look in the mirror.
(By the way, I bought wedding clothes and travel clothes for this happiest of events, and none of it at Macy's. Local boutiques and Nordstrom get the lion's share of my business.)
Your friend in Field's,
Zelda
Date: Friday, May 15, 2009 11:13 pm CT
Thank you keeping the memories and dream alive.
Date: Friday, May 15, 2009 7:44 pm CT
Bring back Field's (or at least sell 111 N. State to someone). It's time!!!!
Date: Friday, May 15, 2009 7:07 pm CT
For many years, I was in outside sales (cosmetics), and most of my customers were mid-level chain retailers such as JC Penney's, Sears, and Kohl's,located in malls throughout the Mid
west. During that time, I shopped at dozens of different Field's and Dayton-Hudson stores, as well as many of the other regional stores destroyed by Macy's. Each brand had its own pa
rticular character and feel, and I loved to visit the
Posted by:
Posted by: MarshallFieldsFrangos
Marshall Field's Frango chocolates always featured that beautiful and recognizable fine Marshall Field's font on the outside of every Marshall Field's Frango chocolate box.
Posted by: JasonM
Terry needs to realize that shopping is an "emotional" experience... if that wasn't the case, we'd all shop at Walmart. People want to be wowed, people want to feel like they're part of an experience (like shopping at historic Field's), people want to feel proud (this is our hometown department store)...
Posted by: Jim
"WEBS OF POWER" is a "factional" book about three women connected with department store giant "Consolidated" as it makes a hostile bid for yet another regional department store chain.
For more information on "Webs of Power", Ms. Quinn and her appearances, please visit http://booktour.com/author/darlene_quinn
Posted by: Jim McKay
I wanted to give a brief rundown of what happened at the Macy's stockholders meeting last Friday, May 15 in Cincinnati.
Posted by: Jim
Updated Tribune and Sun-Times articles on HartMarx. Be sure to leave comments!!!
Posted by: Jim
Back as recently as April 17, 2008, Sandra Guy (in the Sun-Times) reported that a big reason HartMarx was struggling was the loss of Marshall Field's (and sister May Department Stores) as a customer when these stores were bought out by Macy's.
Posted by: A Field's Fan
A couple of "articles" hyping Macy's Memorial Day Sales. You can leave comments without registering.
Posted by: R.M.
To me, the Marshall Fields store will always be forever. I have never shopped at Macy's nor do I ever intend to. If they put the Marshall Fields store back on State street (doesn't have to be anywhere else) which is the real true historical store of Chicago, I would shop at both Marshall Fields in downtown Chicago on State street & I would shop at a Macy's in the suburbs. All the city has to do is bring Marshall Fields back to State street where it truly belongs forever.
Posted by: BCESm Kula, HI
Hurray! I want "Marshall Fields"!
Posted by: Larry
We live in Seattle but refuse to shop Macy's because of what they did to Marshall Field's.
Posted by: Jim McKay
Chad's submission offers a chance to raise some issues that Macy's doesn't directly address.
Posted by: Chad
Marshall Fields lost money its final 10 years. Yes, Marshall Fields provided a higher level of customer serivce no doubt about it, but somewhere along the line they forgot to make money. Business is business, and businesses do not go under from making to much money. Macy's does not desire to lose money, just to pamper its customers. They want to take care of its customers while making money so that they are there in the future. I know this will never be posted, but it is important to realize Macy's isn't Marshall Fields. Macy's wants to make dare we say... a profit. They owe it to their shareholders not to be a money losing operation like Marsall Fields!
Posted by: B.M.
My sisters and I grew up in MF territory, the near southwest Chicago suburbs, and have since moved all over the US. NO STORE has ever had a comparison to MF and we all miss it. Macy's doesn't even come close.
Posted by: L.M.
We are in Chicago quite often and really miss Marshall-Fields!!
Posted by: Michael M.
I don't know which one of you kooky fieldsfans people thought of the survey but with all the play it got I really think you turned the corner, this really hit them where they live ......kudos
Posted by: Jim McKay
Regarding Mr. Lundgren's plans for Macy's outlet stores. I don't think this is all that much of a stretch. First of all, I've noticed that TJX's Marshall's carry Macy's private labels. Second, there are existing furniture outlets stores that have proven successful. I'm thinking of the home outlet at Pulaski and Diversey that Field's operated for years. I'm not so sure how it's doing now that it moved out to Aurora.
Posted by: Richard in Houston
I read the article posted by Drew on Monday. It made me laugh when I read Lunkhead's plan for the possiblity of "outlet" stores like Nordstrom and Saks. The current incarnation of Macy's IS an outlet store.
Posted by: gle
The chairman's remarks from Messy's annual shareholders'meeting of May 15, 2009 are now available on the www.macysinc.com website.
http://www.macysinc.com/Investors/annualmeeting/
This is obviously Lunkhead's view of things. It might make some people sick, especially those who have acquired a different view from going inside former-Field's and former-other stores that have been transformed by the "magic of Messy's." Read with an airsick bag nearby.
Posted by: JasonM
Email General Growth the Survey! They own a lot of malls in Chicago including Water Tower and they need to know that Chicagoans are not shopping b/c it's Macy's.
http://www.ggp.com/Contactus.aspx
Posted by: S.B.
What great press nearly three years later! People still care, Macy's executives cannot hide from this one. Great job everyone... we're continuing the push to return Field's to 111. N State. (still haven't stepped into a macy's, never have... never will)
Posted by: Michelle
Over the weekend, Target sponsored activities surrounding the opening of the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute. While I was relieved to know that Macy's was not able to shoulder its way in to promote itself, I was thrilled to hear some Target executives on hand apologize to people who expressed dismay that Target allowed Marshall Field's to fall into Macy's hands.
Posted by: Joe
TheDeal.com has an article from last week on Macy's and Terry Lundgren "searching for the right mix of stores and strategy" after "raising the ire of loyalists of iconic downtown stores such as Marshall Fields in Chicago."
http://www.thedeal.com/corporatedealmaker/2009/05/macys_continues_search_for_the.php
Posted by: Mike R., Romeoville, IL
Glad to see things still going strong here!
Romeoville, IL
Posted by: Ms. Clarke
I was traveling over the weekend and I was struck how everywhere I went there was a Macy's. Why in the world would I trek to Chicago and State Street when there is a Macy's in every half-way big town between here and Cleveland?
Posted by: Rich W
Following up on Darrid's observation that stores in the M*cy's wing of Woodfield were closing, the same holds true for Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee. The M*cy's wing is almost completely vacant now, with large stores empty and dark. The Sears, Penney's, Kohl's and Carson's wings seem to be doing just fine. Another way that M*cy's appears to be having a negative impact on the local economy. Just as State Street has less foot traffic these days because of the red star store, many local malls are suffering the same fate.
Posted by: drew
Mr Lunkhead is evidently becoming even more delusional as his grand macy*fication scheme goes down in flames:
http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/story/10501983/1/macys-ceo-attempts-to-calm-fears.html?cm_ven=YAHOO&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA
Perhaps he can SAVE $400 million through more cutbacks in staffing and merchandise offerings, but how will the company ever make a profit if people aren't spending money in his stores? Retailers earn profit by selling merchandise that shoppers want to buy. Since shoppers obviously aren't buying and money isn't coming in, how can cutting back on expenditures do anything except delay the inevitable.
Posted by: Anonymous
There's some interesting comments after this article.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/
around_town/shopping/Chicago-Still-Hates-Macys-Marshall-Fields-Friends-Survey.html?corder=&pg=1#comments
Posted by: Paul R
Field's was all about service. Macy's has cut service severely. It's not the same store.
Posted by: Mary A.
It's quite curious how little press the Macy's stock holders meeting has gotten at all. It's like Macy's has told the media to lie low.
Posted by: Carolyn L.
I wish I could have taken the survey. I would have slammed Macy's big time.
Posted by: Sharon Robinson
For Macy's to have been able to succeed in the Chicago area, they would have had to have been better than Marshall Field's on some points and as good on most everything else.
Posted by: Steve
Another version of the article previously noted at MSNBC.com--only this one has an open comments board. No registration required.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/around_town/shopping/Chicago-Still-Hates-Macys-Marshall-Fields-Friends-Survey.html?corder=&pg=1#comments
Posted by: Rich
Hi All
Posted by: Simpsonite
Hello Fields Fans,
Posted by: J.D.
The survey results should come as no surprise to anyone.
Posted by: Darrid
There's another interesting and telling sign at all of the local malls, even Woodfield. The mall entrances by Macy's stores have several shops outside of them and at almost every mall these shops have closed. I'm sure Marshall Field's foot traffic helped keep these businesses going, but with people avoiding those areas, foot traffic has dropped.
Posted by: gle
am happy to read on this website the preliminary results from this week, both with the Field's Fans' survey and the newspaper links from the Messy's shareholders' meeting. All my friends and co-workers are pestering me for results. No-one I know is cheering for Messy's.
Posted by: P.A.
I support this movement.
Posted by: Field's Fan
MSNBC article on the survey.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30770283/
Posted by: Zelda
Hi Field's Fans:
Posted by: Susan S.
I share the sentiments of all the others who have posted here. I grew up in the Milwaukee suburbs and spent a good portion of my life at the Marshall Fields there. However, wheneve
r I got a change, I went to the 'real' Fields on State Street. When I grew up and moved to New England, I still came back to Chicago as often as possible and a highlight was always
Marshall Fields. I still haven't been able to throw away my charge card! I still love Chicago and visit often for other things, but would NEVER go to that 'vanilla, empty' building
, formerly known as..... In fact, I have not shopped at any Macy's, in any location, since the takeover.
Posted by: S.B.
Macy's struggles are partially because of the economy. We all know the economy is affecting retailers. What Macy's doesn't understand is that once things pick up consumers will still
not be shopping at Macy's. Why would they? They didn't shop there in the good days (when Nieman's, Sak's, etc. sales were surging).
Posted by: Gayle
Reading the results of the survey really made me think. I have not shopped at Macy's since the takeover, which is a no-brainer. What really did surprise me, though, is when I thought
long and hard about the impact Macy's destruction of Field's had on my shopping habits in general.