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 willnot 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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Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 11:08 pm CT
Steve
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 11:00 pm CT
If Ms.Martha Stewart is the key to getting Macy's back in the black in homegoods, then she may also be the key to this whole issue ! MARTHA STEWART'S WHOLE BRANDING STRATEGY IS ABOUT PROMOTING THE GOOD LIFE ! THE GOOD LIFE IS WHAT MARSHALL FIELD'S WAS ALL ABOUT !
MACY'S PROMOTES THE CHEAP LIFE, FIELD'S PROMOTES GOOD LIFE ! GET THE IDEA ?
WE NEED TO ENGAGE MARTHA STEWART IN THIS WHOLE ISSUE OF GETTING OUR MARSHALL FIELD'S BACK...NOT JUST IN NAME, BUT IN QUALITY PRODUCTS, FIRST CLASS SERVICE...THE WORKS !
TERRY HAS STAKED HIS REPUTATION ON MARTHA...SO WE THE GUESTS MUST ASK HER IF SHE WANTS TO PUT HER REPUTATION AT RISK. IT'S WAY TO FLOP IF MARTHA THINKS IT'S OK TO DUMMY DOWN HER PRODUCTS VIA PRICE AND QUALITY BY SUCCUMBING TO THE WAY TO SHOP BRAINWASH TAPE.
NOTE TO MARTHA: YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO SAVE AMERICA'S WORLD CLASS DEPARTMENT STORE, MARSHALL FIELD'S. YOU CAN CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY BY CHANGING THE HEARTS OF MID-WESTERNERS WHO HAVE BEEN SLAPPED IN THE FACE BY THE TERRY LUNDGREN MACY'S MACHINE !
VOTE MARSHALL FIELD'S MARTHA ! MAKE THE GUESTS HAPPY AND YOUR BUSINESS HEALTHY ! THE GOODWILL CREATED WOULD MAKE YOU A RETAIL HERO ALL OVER AGAIN !
THANK YOU ALL...
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 10:41 pm CT
----THAT IS EXACTLY THE SAME THING THAT TERRY LUNDGREN AND HIS PEOPLE ARE DOING NOW ! TAYLORED ASSORTMENTS BY REGION...HUH...WHEN MY FAMILY WENT TO FLORIDA, THEY WERE PEDDLING THE SAME DARK COLORED ALFANI ATTITUDE-WEAR IN THE FORMER BURDINE'S STORES AS THEY WERE IN THE GREATER NEW YORK AREA !
----The "WOW FACTOR," is was the thing that Federated and May worked to destroy it. At one time, department stores were the leading civic organizations, people looked up to them ! It is seriously disappointing that the MANAGEMENT IS SO OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE SHOPPERS...I.E. THE MARSHALL FIELD'S DEBACLE !
----I believe that Terry Lundgren would be thrilled if he could just throw out the goods...put on a tape over the a loudspeaker that says BUY BUY BUY...and just get on with it...no traditions, no questions, just price scanners and check out ! Wouldn't you think he learned something from his Bullock's days ? I GUESS NOT !
----MARKETING MANAGER OUT AT FEDERATED ! SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD SAY CEO,PRESIDENT,AND CHAIRMAN...YOU ARE NEXT ! P.S. YOUR CUSTOMERS AND SALES ASSOCIATES ON THE FRONT LINE ALREADY HAVE !
NO CONFIDENCE VOTE FOR TERRY LUNDGREN AND THE FEDERATED/MACY-IZATION OF AMERICA PLAN ! THAT'S THE NEXT ARTICLE LEAD FOR THE PRESS...AND MAYBE THE SHAREHOLDERS WILL GET THE MESSAGE BEFORE ANOTHER FEW MONTHS OF HEARTY DECLINES !
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 8:21 pm CT Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 8:11 pm CT
The customers didn't want to lose their home town stores, but Lungreed assured the nation that everyone would come to love macy*mart. He totally ignored the feelings of customers and charged ahead. Obviously his grandiose dreams have been shattered and his "one size fits all" downmarket discount stores haven't been (and probably won't be) successful. Instead of the pompous blowhard admitting his mistakes and trying to correct them, he places blame on the underlings who are only carrying out his orders. There is an old saying, "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Federated really has no system of checks and balances with so much power vested in Lunkhead. The final results of his unrestrained arrogance will be even more disastrous.
Does he really think that a new marketing director can save the sinking ship? I would suspect that this new person will be another Lunkhead lackey whose head bobs up and down at everything TL says. None of the real issues will be addressed, and this new marketing director will be on his way in a few months.
Would anyone care to place bets on which high-level executive(s) will be next to go?
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 7:00 pm CT
Whenever something in my corporate career occurs ---a la the departure of a top officer who was obviously the wrong choice for the job from the moment it was announced-----I always ask myself: Who hired her and why are there no consequences for him?
Did not many of you on this blog know immediately that McDonald was the wrong choice to head up Marketing at Federated the minute you saw her resume and learned her background? So why is Lunkhead allowed to keep his position after yet another colossal Marketing mistake that cost the company millions to hire her, millions to implement her wrong ideas and no doubt millions to maker her go away before her contract expires?
In yet another misguided attempt to revive sales in Minneapolis, the Nicollet Mall store is selling $250 tickets to a Prince concert that will occur in the 8th Floor Auditorium to attract "young shoppers" and to show how hip & cool macy's is, on 07/07/07. Now, I am guessing there are people who will be able to pay the $250, but I don't think it's going to be the high school crowd they are trying to attract. It's going to be more people with real jobs, probably in their mid-20s, 30s, and even 40s. In other words, the people who would like to shop there for nice clothes, great suits for work, and hip evening wear, but who stopped going there because they cannot buy those things at macy's.
Regards.
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 6:09 pm CT
One thing is for sure, Lundgren can fire anyone he wants but as long as these stores stay Macy's , the results will only get worse. One has to wonder how long shareholder patience is going to last before Lundgren himself will be looking for "exciting new opportunities" elsewhere.....
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 4:16 pm CT
Is this really true?
Target rebranded a lot stores as Marshall Field's. My guess is that these new stores which were never Field's and those newer ones in places like Madison, Wisconsin, were being outcompeted by Target, et al..
My hunch is that State St Fields, Old Orchard, Oak Brook, Lake Forest probably did fine with sales gains or held their own. Does anyone have access to these figures? I was told that Water Tower was down after 9-11. as they have a lot of tourist customers and tourism was down.
Unless there is a break down of individual store's statistics, Comrade Lundgren will use the "sales have been down at Field's for years" argument to justify his misguided strategies.
So, does anyone know what the figures are for the last 10 years?
Cheers,
Wm
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 3:58 pm CT
Furthermore, in the year before Macy's takeover, Field's sales were trending UP and were poised to continue that upward trend as they have with Field's competitors Nordstroms, Saks and Neimans. Analysts provide compelling evidence that had stores had remained Field's today they would also enjoye the double digit gains seen by their competitors!
It Macy's own arrogant and misguided expansion strategy that is to blame for their current PR problems and sales declines. As long as those wonderful Marshall Field's stores remain Macy's, these problems will continue to plague Macy's - their customers will continue to be disappointed and cities like Chicago will continue to lose tourist tax revenues while they watch their historical identities and unique shopping appeal diminished by Macy's generic discount mediocrity.
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 3:43 pm CT
I tell you one thing, the day Marshall Fields returns, I am going to shop there until I personally go bankrupt! I miss it so much!
Viva La Boycott!
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 3:42 pm CT Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 2:24 pm CT
Whether you left in disgust or were fired, C'mon, Anne, we're ready and eager to hear it----all the juicy behind-the-scenes stuff that is leading to Macy's downfall!!!
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 1:51 pm CT
Hey Terry -
Be a REAL man and adult and realize you made a mistake. Life is full of them. Admit it, you were wrong. You bulldozed in your typical fashion over every other idea and opinion so yours sat on top with this stupid name change.
It takes a person with mature and adult qualities to admit they are wrong. What a shame you insist on behaving like the Little Dictator and spoiled brat child.
You will lose this fight. We will win. By the time this is done, you will no longer have a job.
John
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 9:33 am CT
She is the one who lectured the media on their "responsibility"...well...
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 9:22 am CT
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 9:22 am CT
>From the Chicago Tribune 05/30/2007 Late afternoon story
highlights:
Former May stores open at least a year probably declined an average of 7.1 percent in the first four months of the year, according to Charles Grom, a JPMorgan Securities Inc. analyst in New York.
"When you are a behemoth company taking over local companies, you really need to give people a sense of why it's an exciting thing to come to your town," Liebmann said.
Macy's is primarily apparel plus other very personal products, and that's a different thing to market than financial services."
Anne MacDonald joined Federated in February 2006 from Citigroup Inc and earlier headed brand management at PepsiCo Inc.'s Pizza Hut unit.
Well, heads, they be a rolling!
I happened to be in Chicago yesterday and walked through the main floor of State Street. Glad to see the red neon off in the north light well and sad to see the unpolished Marshall Field and Company plaques at the corners.
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 7:51 am CT
Date: Thu, May 31, 2007, 7:07 am CT Date: Wed, May 30, 2007, 6:24 pm CT
It looks like the boycott definitely works. Please read:
Keep up the good works guys!
Date: Wed, May 30, 2007, 5:07 pm CT
Luann
Date: Wed, May 30, 2007, 4:59 pm CT
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-070530macys-story,0,2140870.st
ory?coll=chi-bizfront-hed
Date: Wed, May 30, 2007, 4:39 pm CT
"Federated replaces marketing chief after 15 months"
Federated Department Stores Inc., the second-biggest U.S. department store, said Peter Sachse will replace Anne MacDonald, who was hired 15 months ago as chief marketing officer.
----
So another head rolls. Unfortunately, it's the wrong head.
I'd be interested to know if she got canned, or walked. Because we all know, head of marketing at Macy's is a thankless, no-win job. Because Macy's will never win. Never.
Shall we have a group "BUYCOTT" the Saturday before Father's Day at Nordstrom on Michigan Avenue?
Date: Wed, May 30, 2007, 11:32 am CT
An open letter to Terry Lundgren:
Macy's is no longer special.
Dear Terry:
I am a senior executive in a large retail company, and also grew up in America's Department stores.
I am also one of the many that are boycotting Macy's because of your inability to understand the negative impact that your May Company takeover has had on our country.
I have always enjoyed shopping, as well as traveling. When I started traveling on business as a buyer, actually a buyer for Macy's New York at the time, it was exciting to experience stores such as Bullocks, I . Magnin, Marshall Fields, Burdines, Hechts, Wanamakers, and Woodies, amongst so many others.
I live in New York, and often traveled to Florida, where Burdines became a must visit, as important to my vacations as a trip to the beach. It truly was the Florida store.
The first time I went to Chicago, Marshall Fields won its place in my heart as my favorite store in the entire country. Although I mourned the loss of G. Fox in my native Hartford, and B. Altman & Co. here in New York. Marshall Fields and Burdines kept me going, and for almost two decades filled that gap.
Traveling the country and having now, really only Macys has truly had a negative impact on my shopping, and my sense of place.
The fact is I have not shopped at Macy's since September 9, 2006, I will not accept gifts from there. And often when shopping with my friends and family, I will not as much as darken the door step.
It's been almost a year, and I still so much miss Marshall Fields, and even now over 2 years later, I get sick looking at the Macy's signs on the Fort Lauderdale Galleria, and the Miami Beach Burdines stores.
I have taken my business elsewhere, as have my friends, as has my family.
Two poignant stories:
I was at a business dinner in Manhattan last week with our stores teams, and my market manager from Chicago told me her 7 year old daughter will not go near Macys. Her grandmother has completely poisoned her against Macys, as this family so laments the loss of Marshall Fields.
My best friend from college has a 10 year old daughter Katie, who told me two months ago when I was visiting Northern Virginia, C,we don't like Macys, we like Hecht's.
Even this young generation is impacted by this final American Department store disaster, and I urge you to consider how you are going to re educate a 7 and 10 year old whose parents and grandparents have educated them on the loss of their local, special, and only remaining home town department stores.
Some of your initial quotes during the onset of the consolidation, said that this is not an emotional decision, it's a business decision.
Terry, have you ever studied branding? Making an emotional connection with the customer? You can't be serious?
You and your team have destroyed what was best about American shopping in so many ways, the history, the uniqueness, the excitement of getting off the plane in a different city and checking into the hotel, and going straight to the hometown department stores to see what it is like. To see the different goods, bags, monikers, store designs, flagships, name tags, colors, and feeling like you are someplace else.
Macys is a good name, but it belongs in New York and San Francisco. It was amongst the special stores as well of course.
We will not get used to this Terry. I can't imagine you would ever give us back all of those names you took away.
But imagine the good will, good press, and good sales if you just gave back Marshall Fields, Burdines, and John Wanamaker?
Brands do come back, it's happened before, and with promising results.
Be revolutionary, differentiate your strategy, and I promise you, we will all shop at Macys again too!
Give us back the uniqueness that was once American Retailing, you have the power, use it wisely.
Best
Date: Wed, May 30, 2007, 8:22 am CT Date: Wed, May 30, 2007, 8:06 am CT
Addendum to previous post re: visit by Friend from other part of the country who works for macy's.
On our visit to Nicollet Mall Store, when Friend had introduced self to employees in the store, Friend also learned that the Donald Trump Men's Suits pretty much have not sold AT ALL in Nicollet Mall Store and will be shipped back. This is not surprising since that store would have perhaps the most upscale Men's Suit clientele of any of the Twin Cities Area Stores.
Then it is also not surprising that Brooks Brothers is returning to Downtown Minneapolis after a 10 year hiatus; Len Druskin, a suburban purveyor of clothing for men & women is opening a men's store Downtown; and the owners of an upscale men's trendy clothing shop Downtown just opened a high-end suit store as well----you guessed it---Downtown.
Regards.
Date: Tue, May 29, 2007, 10:27 pm CT
Ms. Guy presents Macy's "savings pass" as a something innovative, previously described as confusing for former Marshall Field's customers. Ms. Guy repeats Macy's claim that same-store sales are down because it must wean Field's customers from the abundance of coupons and sales to which they had become dependant.
I say these claims are bold-faced lies.
First, Macy's has far more sales and promotions than did Marshall Field's. Macy's is far more aggressive in its promotion of sales and promotions with never-ending direct mailing and by blanketing the Sun-Times and other papers with inappropriately prominent advertisements.
Second, there has been nothing to substantiate that Macy's sales at former Marshall Field's stores have dropped because of confusion over sales. Yet this is still printed as the cause despite an abundance of evidence that customers are angry over the name change and that customers don't like Macy's merchandise and poor service.
Third, the article fails to mention that the "savings pass" excludes an extraordinary assortment of merchandise, leaving mostly the Macy's private label brands and less desireable, lesser known brands subject to the discount. It's value for cost savings is questionable.
Third, Macy's "savings pass" is neither an innovative new concept introduced by Macy's nor is it particularly newsworthy. Marshall Field's offered a "Rewards Pass" to Rewards program particpants based on their spending each month. The "Rewards Pass" offered 15% off of EVERYTHING in the store. No exclusions. Field's didn't have to lure customers into their stores. Field's rewarded good customers and built loyalty. I wonder if the Sun-Times ever printed an article to promote the "Rewards Pass"?
Ms. Guy's article provided the public with false information and the Sun-Times should be held accountable. Not only have they not printed anything to correct the errors, they refuse to print any letters to the editor through which the public has attempted to correct the inaccuracies. Perhaps the other local newsmedia will take it upon themselves to expose the unethical behavior of Ms. Guy and the Sun-Times.
Date: Tue, May 29, 2007, 10:23 pm CT
I can't believe Macy's sent you a letter filled with such dishonesty! It was widely reported in numerous publications that Field's sales were increasing. What investments have they made to the store? The ripped out beautiful elegant signage and replaced it with tacky black and white stuff. What about all the desingers that are no longer available??
I truly hope that you are doing much better and on your way to a 100% recovery.
On a different note, a poster below mentioned the old bakery that was once in the State Street store. It reminded me of a comment a former Field's employee said on this site many months ago. The former employee talked at great length about the pride she experienced working for wonderful store, and I remember her saying what a joy it was working in a building that had fresh bread baking and Frangos being made, and that she freqently would have meetings and smell like a Frango! The comments she made were so positive and heartfelt, I can only dream of working in such a terrific environment with such a strong emotional connection to what I do.
Date: Tue, May 29, 2007, 5:55 pm CT
Date: Tue, May 29, 2007, 4:52 pm CT
There used to be an electric railroad, The North Shore Line that operated from Milwaukee to Chicago. It came into Chicago on the "L."
So, before 1963 when the line closed, and they wanted to shop at Filed's and lived in Waukegan, Kenosha, Racine or Milwaukee they could take the NSL to Chicago, go to Field's and spend the day, walk through that covered bridge back to the "L" station, board their train and go back north without ever having to be exposed to the weather.
I withstood the loss of the NSL but I'll never get over Field's becoming Macy's.
A lot has changed and gone. We're modern now.
Mitch
Date: Tue, May 29, 2007, 2:54 pm CT
I was honored to receive the latest Macy's flier, the one that is so special it made front-page business news in the Times. I do have a few questions about it, however...
First of all, it screamed "lowest prices of the summer!"...but it's not summer yet. Maybe lowest prices since last summer? Summer in the southern hemisphere? Or maybe they won't have any more sales until fall? Gee, I'm confused.
Also, they seem to be using some sort of new math which I don't understand. On an ad for sheets, they had a large headline that screamed "50% off!" Note, it didn't say "up to 50% off" but straight-out 50% off. I don't have the exact prices in front of me, but the prices read something like "regular price $199.99, sale price $159.99, now $119.99." Huh? 50% of $199.99 is...$119.99? Pretty much all the percent-off items were the same...the reduced price was always higher than it worked out on my calculator!
FDS's new marketing plan: target math-impaired customers only!
Date: Tue, May 29, 2007, 12:34 pm CT
The Jordan Marsh was considered by many Bostonians to be on par with Field's. JM was converted to Macy's in 1996. Macy's hung up a couple of commemorative plaques for the event. Both are faded and cracked in just 11 years. One has a chunk missing from it. Clearly it was made of cheap materials as another plaque JM hung in 1977 is in relatively decent shape.
To me, this demonstrates the lack of stewardship Macy's has for the former landmarks it takes over.
Each Saturday when I leaflet at State & Washington, people come by all the time to have their photo taken by the "Marshall Field and Company" plaque. Yet, as someone showed me in a photo, Macy's barely cleans or polishes it. Actually it appears as if they don't care for it all. I sure hope the plaques don't meet the fate of the 1996 plaques outside of Jordan Marsh. Given Macy's track records, it really concerns me.
Jim
Date: Tue, May 29, 2007, 12:09 pm CT
Then we have Macy's East. It's head has retired after 46 years with FDS. Seems logical, but wait, look at his successor: he's being replaced not by a merchant, but by the senior vice president of PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT for Macy's! What kind of a move is that?
Date: Tue, May 29, 2007, 10:45 am CT
In an earlier post I mentioned a letter I received from FDS were they went on about all the stores that have closed on State Street over the years. It occurred to me FDS hadn't done their homework and were just using smoke and mirrors to defend their carpetbagger approach to retail.
For example, here's a list of some stores which have left State Street over the years: Carson's, Evans, Baskins and Charles A. Stevens. Below are my reasons why I and many of my piers stopped or cut back on their shopping to these stores.
Carson's--The store was dark and always looked as though it needed or was undergoing renovation. Over years women's jewelry went down hill. I did enjoy shopping in the Corporate Level when it first opened mainly because of the special service--however, Marshall Field's provided this same "special" service in every department. The Sixth Level (upscale linens/housewares)was innovation for awhile. The shoe department never impressed me.
Charles A. Stevens (The Store for Women)--The ad says it all. The store lost me when they started marketing more to teens and the quality became less than adequate. The store at its peak featured stylish yet feminine attire.
Evans--What can I say. By the time I moved to Chicago in the 80's their clothes looked like today's Dressbarn. I could find the occassional Herve Bernard coat but that was about it. As for Evans, advertising they were the place for furs--would you purchase a fur from a place which sold sweaters that shedded and dresses which looked like they belonged in a Wal-mart? Not to mention the outside of the store always needed a good scrubbing.
Baskins--This store provided women with fine tailored traditional business attire but they should have tried to break into the feminine line as well. Baskin's treated their women's line similiar to their men's line and you could not wear those suits out! All the men in my family looked forward to receiving gifts from Baskins.
To keep a women happy, at least me when it comes to clothing, a retailer needs to walk a fine line. Speaking for myself I demand quality, I don't want crap but I don't want to feel guilty when purchasing the latest styles. Marshall Field's did this for me. If I wanted something to just brighten up an old outfit there was 111 State Street; if I wanted to go for a tailored look there was Ellen Tracey; special occasions there was BCBG and Dana Buchman; fresh crisp linen David Dart dress for summer; most anything Ralph Lauren and Jones of New York; a warm DKNY sweater; Hilary Radley coat, a little Lois Hill jewelry; oh and the shoes, Nordstroms really had nothing on Marshall Field's. Gee I miss my Marshall Field's!
Date: Tue, May 29, 2007, 10:38 am CT
My favorite quote from Pitts: "Damage control in the modern era requires the ability to insult the public's intelligence with the dewy eyed earnestness of a six year old girl and the shamelessness of a home remodeling contractor. He goes on to say, "the one thing they all have in common with one another.....is the inability to take responsibility for one's own mess, the preference for shifting it to something external, or flat out lying..."
In general, I have found that companies and individual people who are honest in their dealings, take a thoughtful approach to what comes out of their mouths and have integrity of purpose, don't need spin doctors at all. The fact that Macy's can't make it as a retailer in Chicago but has to rely on spin while blaming everything else but themselves says it all in my book. Pitt's final sentences: "It's a spin doctors's world, folks. We're just living in it"
Date: Tue, May 29, 2007, 12:30 am CT
Please check out this link, it is an article that pleads with Terry Lundgren to let Marshall Field's be Marshall Field's !
TERRY LUNDGREN DOES NOT REALIZE THAT SHOPPING IS AN EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE !
Date: Mon, May 28, 2007, 11:55 pm CT
David Roeder's Business column in both the print and on-line edition closes with:
CLOSING QUOTE: "The Macy's in downtown Chicago is one of the weakest links in U.S. retail, certainly in the department store sector. Marshall Field's was the one big brand that should have stayed and maybe should be brought back." --Burt Flickinger, managing director of retail consultancy Strategic Resource Group, discussing Federated Department Stores (FD) with Bloomberg News
Date: Mon, May 28, 2007, 10:55 am CT
As a matter of information let me recall my memories of what Field's was like from the first time I entered the store in 1952.
What i remember clearly was that there was one bank of elevators that had yet to be modernozed from their open cars and manual operation to the Westinghouse semi-autonatic types with the stainless steel enclosures.
I would go to Field's constantly on Saturdays, and later when I worked on the railroad I would spend a considerable amount of "layover" time there between runs. It was also my goal to only date girls that worked at Field's. Class is class you know.
The first floor on Wabash had candy, the pharmacy, jewelry, and men's and women's fragrences. I can recall in '64 the section known as F"Field's Affar' that had imported men's grooming products. This included a small hot lather device and straight razors. What a marvelous place I thought.
The second floor had china. The third, on the Wabash side, had a huge book department. If you walked west across the floor, the narrow section over the alley had the optical department with a variety of telescopes and an optomotrist's office. Beyond that there was a narrow room that I recall was named the "Tourneur Salon." It appeared that women could have make-overs done there in private rather than out in the center of a selling floor. Next was a short stairway that led to the main women's room. Beyond that was the wailting room that was like a lobby with parcel lockers. there was a post office station in the back along witrh a travel agent and a hair salon. The Crystal Palace was added sometime in the late '60s and only sserved ice cream.
The fourth floor on Wabash was toys, hobbies, and a girl scout and boy scout trading post. Walking west to go over the alley, beyond the art supplies was what I referred to as the "rich kids' hallway." there were motorized go carts and doll houses big enough for a child to sit in. I knew that this stuff was destined for the suburbs. On the State Street side was children's clothing.
The seventh floor had on Wabash, The Cafeteria, The Narcissus Room, The Bakery and up a short flight of stairs, the dry cleaners and fur storage.
Along a narrow corridor towards the State Street side there was the liquor department. At the end of the hallway was imported food items. To the north were the Veranda (economy tray meals) and the English Room.
To the south was The Walnut Room. From time to time they had fashion presentations and at the back wall was a double door that stated "Models' Dressing Room."
I remember the ninth floor having camping and outdoors goods and kitchen ware. I may not be clear on this.
All this remained the same until 1977. A remodeling job saw the original sales cabinets and shelves that were dark mahagony replaced by modern kiosks in a lighter shade of red-brown. Some of the signs on the first floor were replaced by brass plated letters in a faux art deco style that was in vogue at the time. Up in the Walnut Room the standard menues were replaced by plastic coated ones with photos of the menu items. Thsi struck me as the same type of thing one would find at Walgreen's restaurants run under the name of "Wag's" in that era.
In 1980 or so Field's was sold to an English group I believe known as "Batus." The next changes I noticed were with the wrapping paper and bags. They went from a more olive shade of green to the Kelly Green we speak of so much here. The name on the old bags was printed in yellow. It was now in white and the Field's family crest, long the insignia of the store was gone.
Bit by bit the store was changing, and so were a number of old time establishments. At some point a 3 striped insignia began to apear on the Field's bags. It sooned earned the monicer "The Venture Logo," and didn't last too long. It was quite upsetting however and public pressure saw to its removal. Around this time the words 'and Company" vanished from the store name.
The mid eighties saw things starting to change more drasticly. At some point the pharmacy closed and so did the Men's Annex across Washington Sreet. I could no longer bear to go to the toy floor.
Late in the eighties the store was sold to Target or dayton's or whatever but I noticed more changes. The Crystal Palace moved up to the 7th floor. The Walnut Room received some awful phoney marble wall paper on the walnut columns and the kitchen was moved to the back end of the room, reducing seating. the Narcissus Room became an oriental cafeteria. The Veranda had already been changed to "It's Italian," and during the '70s the English Room had become a walk up deli.
I feel the most ill-advised of the changes came with the construction of the atrium. Elevators were reduced in number in some banks, new ones were installed in far off locations with only one car available. The Budget Floor (the basement) suddenly became the stocked with what should have been on the first floor. I was told because of the new Pedway. I felt this silly as the Pedway sees traffic only during bad weather. One now would enter the Wabash side right into rows of men's trousers.
But bit by bit the old Field's family crest insignia started to show up again in concert with the newer logo that featured the clock.
Things were changing everywhere and I won't comment on my opinions as it's irrelevant. But none of these changes, including the several months of brown shopping bags, could top the absolute arrogance and dissrespect shown by the removal of the name Marshall Field's.
Did I hear correctly that a statue of Terry Lundgren will be erected in The Narcissus Room?
Mitch
Date: Mon, May 28, 2007, 12:28 pm CT
I've been having a grand weekend so far with a friend visiting from a different part of the country. Friend works for macy's and had interesting things to say:
macy's is putting exceptional amounts of resources into the rollout of the Martha Stewart home products including hiring numerous new people to oversee it, market it, merchandise it within the stores, etc. They are counting on said rollout to "really turn things around for them". Friend knows as well as we all do how absurd that idea is, so the two of us enjoyed some hearty laughter at the expense of the buffoons running the company.
Friend wished to tour the Nicollet Mall Store to see the damage first-hand. While we were in the store, Friend introduced self to a couple of employees to get their take on things. Friend learned from perfumes & cosmetics that employees are told to NOT give customers paper bags for their purchases unless the customer specifically requests one, as the plastic bags that tear easily "are more cost-effective." Friend also learned from Men's Suits that employees there are really concerned re: slow sales and what will happen now that Brooks Brothers has decided to return to Downtown Minneapolis to fill the void left by Marshall Field's.
Regards.
Date: Sun, May 27, 2007, 12:09 pm CT
February 9, 2007
Dear Ms. Ray:
At the request of Meyer Feldberg, I am replying to your letter dated January 5, 2007 to him regarding the name change of Marshall FieldC-s to MacyC-s.
First of all, thank you for your loyalty to Marshall FieldC-s. We very much respect your opinions and the time you took to express them. I understand the significant emotions attached to the Marshall FieldC-s name and heritage.
We have worked very hard to handle the transition from Marshall FieldC-s to MacyC-s with great sensitivity to the feelings of customers like you. We understand that Chicagoans have a very strong connection to the Marshall FieldC-s name.
Unfortunately, many, many Chicagoans stopped shopping at Marshall FieldC-s long before MacyC-s became involved. After a seven-year slide in sales, it is fairly safe to say that it would be extremely unlikely that this trend would have turned around had we just kept the store name in place, and continued with the status quo.
The competitive landscape has changed dramatically in Chicago and around the country. Regional department stores have struggled and Marshall FieldC-s has been one of the weakest performers on most levels for many years. So while we are sensitive to the emotion around the change-and as much as we appreciate the many ideas you forwarded in your letter-we do not believe that a different solution could produce a more desirable outcome over the longer term.
The State Street store is, indeed, special. And we have invested millions of dollars to preserve and upgrade the interior and exterior of the store as a MacyC-s flagship. We cleaned up the aisles, improved the merchandise assortments and kept the people who had worked for the former Marshall FieldC-s organization. We have re-opened the Frango Mint Kitchen which had been closed for years and we filled the 28 Shop with new, young designer merchandise, including Chicago-based fashion companies who have not had such an opportunity to receive this type of exposure in the past.
[Sidebar: This could have been done under the Marshall FieldC-s
name.]
In the meantime, other retailers in the South Loop are closing their doors on State Street and, presumably, laying off hundreds of employees.
[Sidebar: Maybe they just couldn't compete with Marshall
FieldC-s!]
We are doing the opposite by investing in Chicago. Ironically, by not shopping in this beautiful State Street store, the people hurt the most are the people of Chicago and the wonderful employees of the former Marshall Fields, [no apostrophe here] who are active contributors to the Chicago economy.
[Sidebar: Are these the same employees that are ashamed to be
working at this "beautiful store"?]
We have had extremely good feedback from customers in Chicago and elsewhere to the MacyC-s brand now being available on a nationwide basis.
[Sidebar: I pity the fool that is being duped into believing
that when they shop at any of the hundreds of MacyC-s nationwide
they are receiving merchandise and service equivalent to that
of a Marshall FieldC-s.]
In fact, one independent study conducted by Deloitte & Touche noted that 85% of shoppers in the Chicago area who have visited MacyC-s believe the stores are as good as or better than Marshall FieldC-s. [Aw what!?] So I believe we are headed in the right direction.
I wish you and yours a very happy and healthy New Year. Thank you for caring enough to write to us. I hope that you and your family will give us chance to serve your needs. [WHEN PIGS FLY!]
Sincerely,
Jim Sluzewski
Any thoughts, comments, reactions, etc. from the Field's Fans?
Date: Sun, May 27, 2007, 7:47 am CT
The 3 broken escalators have been broken awhile. From the looks of things, it looks like it will be some time before they're working again. Marshall Field's always took good care of its stores. I don't ever remember seeing a broken escalator in all my life in a Marshall Field's store. Now, when I go mall-crawling, it seems strange to go in a "store" that does not have a broken escalator!
Date: Sun, May 27, 2007, 7:37 am CT
FOR HIM:
- Designer apparel (eliminates everything but Macy house brands)
- Premium denim (eliminates everything but Macy house brands
- Tailored clothing (on no, Donald Trump not on sale)
- Joseph Abbound and Hugo Boss sportswear,
- Dockers (everyone in the world has Dockers on sale this weekend)
- Tommy Bahama
- Polo Ralph Lauren
- Tasso Elba (no big loss)
- ML/Material London
- Designer shoes
- Games
So exactly what can I use this shopping pass for? Just for fun, I entered the evil empire in the name of research. Not one sales person in the men's department knew...I was told to "just run the item under a price scanner to see what would come up."
Macy's has also begun to use three-tier pricing. For example:
Charter Club sheet sets (king and queen)
- Reg. $105-$125
- Sale: $59.99
- Special $39.99
OR
Alfani dress shirt
- Reg. $59.50
- Sale: $39.99
- Special $19.99
Macy's regular prices are always horribly overpriced in terms of quality and value. Their sale and special prices are about where the item should have been originally priced.
Sending a copy of this email to my local Macy's. I can't wait for a response!
Date: Sat, May 26, 2007, 8:11 pm CT Date: Sat, May 26, 2007, 5:13 pm CT Date: Sat, May 26, 2007, 1:59 pm CT
He stated to the Sun Times, "I want the customer who buys a $12.99 T-shirt and the customer buying a $1,200 suit to feel exactly the same way about their purchases -- 'Wow, I feel really great.' "
OF COURSE HE WOULD WANT CUSTOMERS TO FEEL THE SAME WAY...THE T-SHIRTS AND SUITS ARE MADE FROM THE SAME CHINA-MART CRAP ! The only difference is how much Terry gets to pocket after he rips off some young man or woman who was strong-armed into getting the credit card they probably can't afford anyway when you consider the interest rates on the cards !
Of course Mr.Yustin made sure to follow the brainwashing talking points from Macy's Inc. Chairman,CEO,President and Chief Crap Salesman Terry Lundgreed, the emperor with no clothes. According to the Macy-Mart Lundgren Book Of Lies, talking points textbook he was sure to state that the retailer (Macy's) made changes too quickly and that it will have to work hard to tell shoppers about the quality and fashions behind Macy's brands.
Come on already Federated,PUT TERRY LUNDGREN ON CLEARANCE AND RESTORE MARSHALL FIELD'S TO WHAT IT WAS WITH NAME,QUALITY,SERVICE and SOPHISTICATION !
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 7:44 pm CT
And FYI, about the Sun-Times, word is that there are several part-time Sun-Times stringes (NOT Guy) who write press releases for Macy's corporate. Now that would make a
great article.
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 7:11 pm CT
Also, I just realized that finally, after all of my complaint letters, Macy's has stopped sending me their crap. I'm wondering what they're doing with all the names and addresses of former loyal Marshall Field's charge customers like me who told them to get lost. What do they do with the the list-- just toss it? Delete it from their records? Or do they save it for later in case they change their mind and return to Field's? Or maybe they sold the list of names and addresses to Lord and Taylor....
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 6:32 pm CT Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 5:35 pm CT
This message is going to Maura and all the others that feel the pain of lossing Marshall Field's. Each day it is in our hearts and we know we will prevail. Good always circumvents evil and there is no doubt that the glory of Field's shall return to Chicago. I've tried to take this void in my life to seek out specialty stores throughout Chicago and find the passion that has left State Street. There are so many wonderful stores and boutiques in the neighborhoods of Chicago and suburbs. Maybe some of us can continue to contribute uplifting, uniques shops here for everyone to go visit versus stepping foot into that morgue on State Street. Some of the best shopping is currently in Bucktown and Wicker Park, no one is certainly wearing funeral garb in these trendy, colorful boutiques. Alot of energy in these stores!
Whenever I pass the State Street store I always remind myself of the Elliot Ness movie "The Untouchables" when the Canadian Mounted Police didn't approve of our tackits; "Oh yea, well you're not from Chicaaago". Keep up the good spirits we are a tough, proud bunch here and we're not going to take it from some corporate serpeant named Terry Lundgren. Keep the dollars flowing anywhere but to Macy's.
Mrs. W
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 4:41 pm CT
Oh, isn't it something how the CEOs of Von Maur, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks, Bon-Ton all seem to just keep doing their jobs of overseeing merchandising and ensuring fine service to their guests without being the "stars of the show", while it seems that Terry Lundgren does nothing but issue edicts, double-talking, kissing up to the media, meaningless excuses, spin, and self-fulfilling Narcisstic characterizations of himself. The other CEOs practice the Cardinal Rule of avoiding any type of negative feelings, as much as possible, against their stores and ensuring that their stores are held in the best possible esteem and reputation always. The others are trying to be merchants and to focus on it to the fullest extent.
It would be interesting to know whether or not Oprah Winfrey STILL shops at the store which formerly was known as Marshall Field & Company for shoes, sweaters and other merchandise.
I remember reading an article from 2005, when Marshall Field's was owned by May Department Stores, that described where stars shopped in Chicago. Somehow I just cannot visualize Oprah wearing INC, Charter Club and giving Alfani clothing as gifts to friends and family, the brands which dominate the merchandise lines in macy's stores presently.
By the way, having lived through what we have been subjected to since last September 8 by the macy-ification of Field's, we need to give due credit to May Department Stores which maintained a tremendous respect for the Marshall Field's name and reputation for fine merchandise and service, the elegance of Field's stores, a great number of the designer lines of apparel, the unique merchandise with ties to Chicago and the midwest, the restaurants, the service including automatic tissue paper packaging within the traditional famous forest green boxes, the respect for the traditions throughout the year, the full service delivery and customer service in locating merchandise from other MF stores for the guests.
Hello, Oprah...are you reading this? Could we have a moment of your time, please, for a business proposition? The 111 North State Street property and restored business name of Marshall Field's could be yours. :)
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 2:41 pm CT
I agree with your friends. However, not breaking out individual store performance and not reporting the breakout are two different things.
FDS should really say that they decline to report individual store performance as opposed to saying that they don't break it out.
By saying they don't break it out leads people to believe that they don't have the ability to do so. Otherwise how would they be able to make the statement that State Street is in trouble?
FDS knows how each individual store is doing. Good god, rocks on the ground would know how they are doing. We don't need a stinking financial report to tell us that they're tanking.
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 2:00 pm CT
If you are ever approached by one of the few people, and I do mean few, which insist this movement is only about changing a store's name lets "educate" them by saying Chicago is fighting to preserve its heritage. Or better yet, break it down like this:
Marshall Field's: "Give the lady what she wants."
Macy's: "Do you want fries with that?"
Viva La Boycott!!
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 1:58 pm CT
After reading this Women's Wear Daily article I really don't see Marshall Field's coming back until Mr. Lundgren is ousted. The only way he is going to be shown the door is if we shop at other stores. Both Nordstrom and SAKs are doing very well in Chicago. Maybe it's hard to buy as much there but it's still got quality and good customer service.
What's amazing is Mr. Lundgren is now blaming the poor State Street store figures on not enough retail on State. Things have gotten worse since Carson closed. Okay so I guess he is out of weather excuses. Acutally his Macy's quality and no customer service goes perfectly with the rest of the stores on State Street as now it is discount row. He is competing with Filene's, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy, Ann Taylor Loft, Lerner NY, H&M and Forever 21. My goodness thats 8 large stores within a block and I haven't even named them all. And frankly he has no competition for home goods and yet no one is shopping at Macy's for that any longer as they can't seem to deliver what people order.
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 1:37 pm CT
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 1:35 pm CT
I have a Marshall Field's gift card for $50 which I received as a wedding gift in October. I will use it at Macy's in order for them not to get a free ride. I just can't stomach going into the State Street store. And I don't mean to be over dramatic but I get so sad about it being thrown away I can barely spend any time in the store. I used to go out of my way to cut through the store. Now even if it is raining out I won't cut through.
I miss Marshall Field's so very much. I am surprised that it just doesn't seem to be getting easier with time.
I truly don't understand why Macy's threw Marshall Field's in the trash.
Broken Hearted in Chicago
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 12:52 pm CT
According to JP Morgan Analyst's sales are down an average of 7.1% for the first four months of the year at the converted May stores. What must be the sales decline at State Street, 30 or 40%? Nobody knows for sure, except the Federated spin machine led by Ms. Karen Hoguet. The blame on to many changes at Field's was their insistence that Chicagoan's wanted cheap, dowdy, unexciting merchandise thrown into a cheap plastic sack. Yes, by having additional mark-downs is going to make us all just hop on the EL and head to Messy's for a fun afternoon, NOT! The "flea market" being back again just takes it to a whole new level of experience at State Street. I loved Mr. TL's comments that State Street's sales are off because Carson's closed down, how over the top is that statement! No one wants to come to Messy's State Street Mr. Lundgren because you have made a mockery of destroying the greatest brand name in Chicago, which pre-dated the Civil War. You have taken the most exciting shopping experience away from us and the millions of tourists that made Marshall Field's a cult quality following that Messy's will never have here. On a lighter note....
Has anyone seen their way to slop "Father's Day" theme in the State Street windows? They just get worse and worse, it looked as if they just subleased the few windows that were even open to Old Navy. The displays showed nothing but cheap, wrinkled shorts and t-shirts. Alot of the windows now are just covered in the obtrusive white and red stars, it's so so sad about how glamerous the window displays at Field's used to be. Messy's cost cutting continues, they must be hiring high school part-timers to put the display's together now.
`
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 12:47 pm CT
How this mere marketing ploy by Macy's can possibly be considered news by a TV station rather than a blatant use of Macy's press releases that provides them free advertising is beyond my comprehension. Were I management of a Macy's competitor store I would be incensed. Where is the free advertising for Nordstrom's, Carson's and Kohl's? And since when did Memorial Day, the most solemn of our national holidays, become a day to promote "FUN" shopping?
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 11:17 am CT
The article is one big advertisement for Macy's Memorial Day weekend "savings pass"! It claims that Macy's is stepping up its efforts to get Field's customers back into Macy's stores.
Stepping up its efforts? Macy's already fills our mailboxes and newspapers with more sales promotions than we ever saw from Marshall Field's. This is probably because Field's didn't need sales to attract customers to their stores as Field's sold quality merchandise and didn't compete with discounters like Target and JC Penney as Macy's does.
When will the Sun-Times regain some jounalistic integrity and start investigating and reporting news ather than repeating Macy's press releases and promoting Macy's sales?
When will the Sun-Times acknowledge the real cause of Macy's declining sales, as have so many respected analysts and national news services? Thankfully, the Tribune makes an effort to serve the interests of its reader rather than just those of its advertisers!
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 9:32 am CT
Federated's misguided and half-hearted attempts to pass off an overpriced discount store as the source of "affordable luxury" didn't work. Federated's arrogance in refusing to "give the lady what she wants" has driven customers elsewhere. Their uninspired attempts to "re-educate" the "confused" shoppers have ranged from laughable to pathetic.
Perhaps Gail or Jim will write a book on this debacle after the dust has settled. There are numerous books focusing on big business, and the failed saga of Terry Lungreed's attempts to re-invent the department store would be an interesting analysis of corporate greed, arrogance and stupidity.
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 7:06 am CT
Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 1:13 am CT Date: Fri, May 25, 2007, 12:16 am CT
It has been a long time since I have posted here but have been enjoying all the great posts and find myself checking in almost every day. And, like hundreds of thousands of others across the country, I am continuing to shop anywhere but Macy's. And I have one literally across the street from where I live. Just drive on by it on my way to Nordstrom or Kohl's, depending on what my needs are.
Was recently at our suburban mall where Macy's "A" store is, just cut though because of the easy parking there. But did happen to see one of those stupid Ipod vending machines in the middle of one of the apparel departments. I just don't get the purpose of that, is it supposed to be "cool"? When I buy expensive electronics, I don't want it dispensed from a vending machine, but sold from a merchant so I know I can take it back without a hassle if needed. Just dumb! Otherwise the store is pretty dull, had about a quarter of the people that Nordstrom's did. Interestingly enough at this mall the JCPenney is getting a big remodeling...wonder why? ;) They are doing a nice job too, may have to give them a second look once it is done.
The downtown Portland Macy store is still closed for remodeling, it is supposed to reopen for the holidays but I still have my suspicions about that. If I get near there again I will have to see if any work is really being done on it. Federated is facing a long, hot summer with its stock price dropping daily, down almost $6 (13%) in the past month, woo-hoo!, something the boneheads running this company can not shift the blame on. Unless the money is already spent, I could see them pulling the plug on the remodel of the old Meier and Frank flagship, even though they promised the city that they wouldn't.
I think they are promoting more here too. Heard a radio ad this morning for a Wednesday One Day sale, took me a couple of minutes to realize this ad was playing on Thursday morning! Hahahaha, keep throwing your dwindling funds away!
Was surprised to see that our paper picked up the Bloomberg story, probably the most scathing yet. It was on the front page of the business section with a picture of the Marshall Field's brass nameplate. Here is the link although it is pretty much the same story:
Not sure if I mentioned yet that I was back in Chicago area just before Christmas and was at 111 State for the first time in about 20 years. Was really depressing. Had a bad vibe all through the store, and while I do like Lush products, it seemed out of place there and could smell it every where it seemed and got really annoying. And Frangos were everywhere, stacks and stacks. And of course those red stars everywhere, every column, sign, elevator, etc. The final straw was when we wanted to get a look at the tree from ground level in the Walnut room. There weren't very many people waiting in line but just wanted to peek in at it but the Macy's person actually stuck her arms out and blocked us! I said just wanted to get a quick peek at the tree but she said "No, you have to go upstairs!" So went upstairs, which was odd because they had a few people eating at tables there with all kinds of people wandering around between them, was unimpressed by the tree and left quickly. I am sure they realized that by holding the tree hostage they could squeeze a little cash out of people. Probably would charge admission if they thought they could get away with it! Almost spoiled the whole day (was kind of my fault for going in there anyway, should have seen it coming) but once got back out and heading up to the Mag Mile, my spirit returned and dropped some coin at several shops there, of course they were ones that I do not have locally (L&T, H&M, etc.). Still it depresses me to no end that I missed a trip to Marshall Fields by one year.
So I will wrap up this long post by thanking those of you in Chicago for actively protesting this disaster. I actually thought we would not see these kind of results until after another poor holiday that you just know Macy's is going to have this year. The numbers tell the story but by you there actively protesting you put a face and a voice to the rest of us protesting all over the country who are not shopping with Macy's. Just think that each of you represent thousands of people who also will have nothing to do with this company. Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Date: Thu, May 24, 2007, 9:52 pm CT
I hope I am wrong...but it truly seems like Federated is doing all they can do to suck the life out of that downtown store. Certainly as Macy's, they have certainly taken the "Florida fun" out of the store.
It is so very upsetting because Federated had a world class brand in "the Florida store." The truly beautiful colorful stores were set up to make you feel like you were truly in another world...on vacation...or just down south for the winter.
FEDERATED GETS POSITVE PRESS FOR TESTING OUT FOOD COURT RESTAURANTS IN THEIR STORES WHEN IN FACT THEY JUST GOT DONE CLOSING THE BEAUTIFUL ROYAL PALM RESTAURANTS IN THE STORES. THESE RESTAURANTS...ESPECIALLY ON THE WEST COAST AT THE SARASOTA SQUARE MALL HAD A WONDERFUL BUSINESS THAT EVEN SERVED A FULL DINNER ON SUNDAY...AND NOW IT HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A MATTRESS DEPARTMENT...EMPTY AS ALL COULD BE....ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE PARTS OF RETAIL...WHO THE HECK WANTS TO SLEEP IN A MACY BED ANYWAY ?
Oh...and by the way...as far as restaurants go...although I am glad they are finally waking up to the fact that food service is important in a store...I believe that they are making a major mistake by not also including FULL SERVICE WHITE TABLE CLOTH RESTAURANTS IN UPSCALE MARKETS THAT CAN HANDLE THEM IN THE MIX WITH THE FOOD COURTS GOING IN OTHER PLACES.
NOTE TO CALIFORNIA SHOPPERS: When Macy's came in and took away your THE BROADWAY, THEY CLOSED 25 RESTAURANTS...LOSING ALMOST 400 EMPLOYEES....JUST LIKE THEY DID WHEN THEY TOOK OVER BAMBERGER'S HERE IN THE NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY AREA....NO MATTER WHAT...IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT TAKING AWAY RESTAURANTS AND DEPARTMENTS THAT DIFFERENTIATE THE DEPARTMENT STORE FROM ALL OTHER SHOPPING EXPERIENCES.
AS FEDERATED MADE THEIR BILLIONS, THEY DID SO AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES,THEIR SHOPPERS AND THEIR DEPRECIATION...JUST LOOK AT SOME OF THE REPORTS OUT THERE...AND YOU WILL SEE THAT FEDERATED ISN'T EVEN SPENDING WHAT IS REQUIRED IN DEPRECIATION...TO KEEP UP CURRENT ASSETS ! OH, BUT THAT'S NOT IN THEIR EDUCATION PLAN....
ALL WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO IS PICTURE LUNDGREN UP THERE AT THAT PODIUM HOLDING HIS HANDS UP WITH MACY'S AT STATE STREET WRITTEN BEHIND HIM....
WHEN THE FAILURE OF THIS MERGER IS FINALLY TOLD...THAT WILL BE THE PICTURE THAT WILL FIT RIGHT INTO THE STORY WHEN IT'S FINALLY TOLD !
60,000 LOYAL SHOPPERS COULDN'T BE WRONG...EVEN THOUGH TERRY LOOKED AT THE FIRST 100 OR SO PEOPLE ON THAT PETITION....SO HE SAYS TO SEE IF THEY SPENT MONEY ON A STORE CHARGE.....THAT DOES NOT TELL THE WHOLE STORY....BECAUSE MANY CUSTOMERS ARE CASH CUSTOMERS LIKE US !
I WANT MY FULL SERVICE DEPARTMENT STORES....LOCAL...FULL OF TRADTION AND FULL OF QUALITY ITEMS, DEPARTMENTS AND SALES ASSOCIATES.
I WANT MY MARSHALL FIELD'S !
Date: Thu, May 24, 2007, 7:19 pm CT
VIVA LA BOYCOTT
Date: Thu, May 24, 2007, 6:58 pm CT
Our movement is growing stronger every day!
On a more personal note, the flea market is back at the State Street Store. Last year, when it was still Field's, I LOVED the flea market! I spent about $1200 there. This is the very first time when I discovered I was truly tempted to at least look around. But here's what I discovered: Even if Macy's has something good, I'm not going to buy there -- ever! Even if they put back the maintenance workers, re-open the warehouse, let the staff wear regular clothes,get back the great designers, etc etc etc. If it ain't Field's, I'm just not shopping there. It's that simple. And all these great articles about the decline of sales tells me I am not alone.
VIVA LA BOYCOTT. TOGETHER WE CAN BRING BACK FIELD'S.
Date: Thu, May 24, 2007, 6:16 pm CT
I also noticed same article online at an Oregon news site. It's only a matter of time before EVERYONE knows about the boycott and about how poorly Macy's is doing. Too bad the article didn't appear before the annual meeting. Then perhaps they could have added the words "shareholders' revolt" too.
Date: Thu, May 24, 2007, 4:59 pm CT Date: Thu, May 24, 2007, 1:02 pm CT
I also don't sympathize with gutless newspapers who don't honor their right to free speech and the public's right to know. Politically incorrect celebrities think nothing of creating controversy. It's a shame some papers are afraid to do a little investigative reporting on their advertisers.
A recent news article quoted Lunkhead saying he was committed to the State Street store. What about Chicagoans who are committed to Chicago? WE live here--he doesn't. We didn't elect him to any office, and aren't going to!
And as long as dictator Lunkhead is so obsessed with re-naming everything Macy's, I'm surprised he hasn't changed his own name to Macy's. As a descendant of Swedish immigrants, I don't think he deserves a Swedish name. I'd like to see him deported someplace where he has to eat Norwegian lutefisk the remainder of his days (Minnesota Field's fans will know exactly what I'm talking about--UFF DA!).
Date: Thu, May 24, 2007, 11:05 am CT Date: Thu, May 24, 2007, 8:42 am CT
I asked two CPA friends from my college days, who are now partners with major accounting firms in Denver and in Minneapolis, about those statements.
Both had the same reply: "What do they mean they don't break out the sales figures for each store?! In order to come up with a aggragate total figure for the spreadsheet ledger sheets, they HAVE to have the individual figures for each store. There's no way of getting around it. By saying they do not break the figures out separately is a bold face lie. They just do not want to embarrass themselves by how strikingly LOW the sales figures are. If the figures were good, they would plead with the media to publish the figures.
We Field's Fans should take comfort in how our statements have been validated increasingly so as each week goes by. At the same time, we need to continue our quest and explain our aims to whomever, wherever. We can act individually to get the word out, just as Jim and his faithful group of leaflet Field's Fans do in front of the Marshall Field & Company store building. If you are riding in an elevator, for example, just don't look up to the ceiling, or uncomfortably look blankly toward the door if there are other people onboard. Take that opportunity to say an "ice-breaker" such as "Lunch hours are just not the same without Marshall Field's", are they?" See what the reaction is. Chances are people will chime in with mutual feelings. Mention the www.fieldsfanschicago.org website and how we are boycotting macy's and bloomingdale's until not only the MF name is brought back, but also the identical levels of service, unique merchandise, name brands and quality of food. We each can do out part. If you have bulletin boards back in the office areas, ask Jim McKay for some copies of the bookmark flyers which his team hands out in front of Field's. Then post them on the boards. The important thing is that we continue to get the word out! It IS working, folks! Keep the faith. Keep up the fine work.
Date: Thu, May 24, 2007, 8:02 am CT Date: Thu, May 24, 2007, 1:39 am CT
Is it true that the Federated stockholders meeting went by already ? If so, what kind of Cool Aid did the Fed folks give the attendees to not question how the destruction of the greatest trade names in our nation could be flushed down the toilet (along with their business) ?
Why can't someone rise up at Federated/Macy's and admit that this whole merger strategy of destroying local department stores was a MAJOR MISTAKE.
If the merger would have done anything positive, it could have provided the opportunity to fill each store with the best of each company...not just the scaled down Macy's !
Come on Terry...bring back Marshall Field's already !
Date: Wed, May 23, 2007, 9:17 pm CT
As most everyone knows, Federated had their annual shareholder meeting recently. Having attended various company shareholder meetings, I'm sure that Mr. Lundgren and the FD board did their best to candy coat the truth about how things really are at the fromer Marshall Field's stores. People don't get into those high level positions without knowing how to 'fast talk' and 'dance a little side step'. I do know from experience, however, that ANY shareholder-even those who own only 1 single share-has the right not only to attend these meetings, but also to speak. In the Chicagoland area alone, there are over 9 million people. If everyone in the Chicagoland area bought just 1 single share of Federated Stock, collectively we would own enough to show Mr. Terry Lundgren and the Federated Board of Directors what 'Chicago Hard Ball' is all about. Collectively, we could cause more of a stir at Federated than what Mr. Carl Icahn did to Ed Zander and the Motorola Board of Directors in his bid for a seat on their board. In other words, as shareholders we could demand the return of Marshall Fields and they would have no choice.
I have actively supported the boycott of Macy's because Federated has tried to erase Marshall Fields. As a shareholder activist, I now encourage my fellow Fields Fans to consider buying Federated Stock-especially when it is low. In my letter to Mr. Ludgren and the Federated Board of Directors dated 8/17/2006 I told them, "Do not think that it is beyond loyal Marshall Fields customers to mobilize Federated stockholders in order to save our beloved history!" I meant what I said, even if it means that I have to go at it as a Federated shareholder.
Make no mistake, Fieldsfans, we are making a difference! Continue to boycott Macy's, continue to participate in protests, but also consider taking the shareholder activist approach. Together, we will bring back Marshall Fields!
Daniel W. Harcourt II
Date: Wed, May 23, 2007, 6:56 pm CT Date: Wed, May 23, 2007, 6:25 pm CT
Or is this a ploy for Macy's to kill another legacy of Marshall Field's? I can hear TL sniffing to some Sun-Times lackey now: "Well we tried to keep Glamorama but there just wasn't the level of support we needed."
Oddly enough, Gretchen Wilson DOES seem like the perfect spokeswoman for Macy's with her lyrics:
Date: Wed, May 23, 2007, 3:27 pm CT
"It's definitely a consumer retail revolt"
"Marshall Field's was the one big brand that should have stayed and maybe should be brought back."
Date: Wed, May 23, 2007, 3:27 pm CT
Date: Wed, May 23, 2007, 1:43 pm CT
Now, of course, they are too pig headed to admit their mistake. I am one who cut up my Macy's card and mailed it back to them - and have not set foot in any Macy's store - Nordstrom and Von Maur are now my shopping destinations.
Nuts to you Macy's!
Date: Wed, May 23, 2007, 1:40 pm CT
Just returned from Miami for a graduation. Good to see that the passion is still ablaze for the legendary Marshall Fields.
I remain committed with my decision to not shop at Macy's because of the loss of Fields. This weekend, I shopped at Miami's biggest and high-end mall at Aventura and deliberately avoided the two Macy's (one a men's store that was formerly Burdines)and explain to a relative why.
So it took this long to Federated to admit that Macy's on State Street is doing badly? There maybe a chance that it will dawn on them that Chicago does not like Macy's and want their Field back. Maybe we should tell them. Oops! We did, 60,000 of us.
Viva La Boycott!
Warmest Regards
Date: Wed, May 23, 2007, 11:40 am CT
As Jim said, Fields on a "bad day" was still the best! I remember a brief period between Batus and DH when the stores got a little tired, but I still managed to find plenty to buy. Once Target started pumping money into them, they were great! The Oak Brook store was spectacular with its full-service restaurant, Marketplace food court, and little designer boutiques.
I really wonder if those people who keep saying "it wasn't what it used to be" were actually Fields shoppers, or if they're just parroting hearsay. I was in those stores spending money several times a week, and it always exceeded my expectations.
gayle
Date: Wed, May 23, 2007, 11:01 am CT
Can anyone believe that Glamorama is going to be a Country music theme? Nothing against that genre, but my guess is that FDS truly believes we're just a bunch of hicks out here and that's what we like. Plus, what designers do they have left to highlight on the runway? ALLfanny? Other "affordable luxury" house brands? AND what's the Glamorama party going to be like at the newly refashioned State Street clearance center? Maybe they can bring in some merchandise from Nordstrom's Rack or Neiman's Last Call outlet stores to upgrade the merchandise assortment during the event. They could have Kentucky Fried Chicken cater the party; that would be about their speed.
Date: Wed, May 23, 2007, 10:59 am CT Date: Wed, May 23, 2007, 10:54 am CT
Obviously, the macy*mart accountants have been successfully "re-educated" to deliver "exciting" results to the media and shareholders. The past few weeks must have been very challenging for the "spinmeisters" at macy*mart!
Date: Tues, May 22, 2007, 11:59 pm CT
Here's my response:
The few times I had less satisfying experiences at Field's were the rare exception rather than the rule; I've outlined before how common it was for me to be out of town visiting Macy's in the past 15 years, open to buying something--sometimes most anything--and I've come away empty handed and disappointed.
When people tell me Field's wasn't what it used to be anyways, I respond, "So that makes it OK to kick it down market by turning it into Macy's?"
If Macy's was truly a great retailer and steward of the Field's legacy, it would make an effort to make Field's better than ever--as FIELD'S.
The fact they gave away much of the Field's archives to the Chicago History Museum shows how little they understand about Field's and Chicago.
Date: Tues, May 22, 2007, 9:23 pm CT
Date: Tues, May 22, 2007, 8:21 pm CT
My problem with those statements is no one ever backs it up with examples EVER.
Since I am not a native from Chicago but my family is from Wisconsin I only made it out to the State St Field's once a year along with the Mayfair location starting about five years ago.
The first time at the Chicago store must have been in 2001 and I was blown away at how impressive it was. The building itself was sublime but what impressed me wasn't just the architecture but how it all came together. I loved the fact that you could buy a pound of Belgian chocolates or a bottle of wine, a $10.00 t shirt and a pair of levis, or a Prada suit, have dinner at a table cloth restaurant or just a bite, all under one roof. The selection of merchandise was unlike any store I have ever been, the merchansdising was sophisticated and witty, the salespeople were helpful and friendly and the stores always looked so polished and put together. Now for me living in the San Francisco Bay Area all we had was Macy's and I hadn't shopped in one in probably 8 years so to go into Field's just blew my mind we have nothing like it in California. The Union Square store circa 1989 was pretty sharp but that was in the 80's. Macy's went to pot in 1995. People kvetch but I don't think they really knew how good they had it with Field's. Field's on a bad day, (whatever that is, I am still trying to find out) was still superior to what Chicago has now.
Also if some people are so high minded and sophisticated not to bother with such petty squables about department stores why do they bother to write on a blog in the first place? Shouldn't they be out there saving (fill in the blanks) some cause or some other injustice in the world?
Date: Tues, May 22, 2007, 6:30 pm CT
I have seen the steps you listed take place at other department stores. Owners have had locations they wanted to abandon, but they were required by a lease to operate a store in the given location. They then downgraded the "regular" department store into a "clearance" department store to avoid penalties for breaking the lease. Dillard's did that in several locations where they were tied into a lease they didn't want. Bon Ton did this with several of the downtown stores they inherited ( for example, Watt & Shand, formerly in Lancaster PA)and didn't want to operate.
Here in the Pittsburgh area, people fear that the former downtown Kaufmann's will be closed. It is a massive old building that costs a fortune to operate, and the business isn't what it was. Already sections of floor space have been closed as selections and departments are dropped. No doubt several floors will close as Lunkhead "right-sizes" the building. Look around your beloved State Street edifice and notice all the unused, non-productive space since macy*mart made all the "exciting" changes. I would be willing to bet that store will be downsized before too long.
Date: Tues, May 22, 2007, 6:02 pm CT
Date: Tues, May 22, 2007, 3:46 pm CT
How about that, TJ Maxx outshines the "largest department chain in the country"!
Viva la boycott!!!!
Date: Tues, May 22, 2007, 3:05 pm CT
Surveying 50 Chicagoist articles before yesterday, the maximum number of "Comments" generated by any single article was 26, with the average being under ten comments per article.
In contrast, within one day, there have been over SIXTY comments posted at the end of the article entitled "Marshall Field's Boycott Working?"
Date: Tues, May 22, 2007, 3:02 pm CT
Unfortunately, like Fields, Burdines is no more--
gobbled up by Federated and renamed. What can I say. The more I shop in Macy's the more I miss Burdines. I wish all you Marshall Fields
loyalists good luck. (I still have two wicker baskets that I got at the State Street store in about l962 and have used as clothes hampers in every home I have lived in. Fond thoughts of Fields and shopping with friends in every season but especially Christmas!)
Oh, we do have Dillard's in many southern cities and I enjoy shopping
them for the same reasons I liked Fields and Burdines. I shop at Jacksonville and Orlando area Dillard's having escaped from Miami.
Date: Tues, May 22, 2007, 10:52 am CT
In Chicago, it seems that each week I find a new Macy's sale/coupon promotion in my mailbox and prominently positioned in the Sun-Times. I don't remember Marshall Field's ever so dependent on sales and coupons, but then again, Marshall Field's wasn't a discount store and didn't need to lure me in with promotions. I shopped at Marshall Field's for their quality, service and selection. Macy's promotions go straight to the recycling bin!
If this latest of Macy's excuses is yet another lie, we should provide documentation of the lie to the media, analysts and the SEC. How could we document that there has in fact been an increase in sales and coupon promotions in Chicago? Perhaps with proper documentation it would be more difficult to ignore the truth behind Macy's lagging sales at former Marshall Field's locations.
Another Macy's lie would appear to be their claim that sales at former Marshall Field's locations are performing no worse than than the other May Company stores - with the exception of State Street. I find it hard to believe that Macy's at former Marshall Field's stores in Lake Forest, Northbrook Court, Old Orchard, Woodfield and Oakbrook are doing no worse than any of the other converted May Company stores. Might this assertion require that Macy's release specific same-store sales data to substantiate such a bold claim?
To simply lump Marshall Field's in with all the other May Company stores obscures the profound lack of judgement demonstrated by Macy's when they replaced our proud Marshall Field's with Macy's tacky "way to shop".
Even now, Macy's has failed to admit that their "enhancements" to Marshall Field's are actually quite dramatic downgrades to the traditions, merchandise, service, store designs, displays and advertisements we grew to love at Marshall Field's. To admit that former Marshall Field's locations are doing worse than other May Company locations would certainly motivate outsiders to investigate why. Perhaps this will happen in response to Macy's admitted problems at 111 North State Street.
Marshall Field's sold quality, name brand merchandise with outstanding service and didn't need sales or coupons to attract customer because it wasn't a discount store. Marshall Field's was a respected and admired brand, woven into the fabric of our lives and the pride of Chicago.
When will reporters, analysts and SEC watchdogs start doing their jobs to investigate and expose Macy's misrepresentations and lies?
Date: Mon, May 21, 2007, 11:00 pm CT
ATTENTION MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA:
The blurb in the New York Times this weekend was really over-the-top. Sales are down and Federated stock has tanked. Nevertheless, somehow the Times reports that Federated CEO Terry Lundgren feels "vindicated." Huh?
I realize that newspapers these days are under a lot of pressure to please their advertisers, and that department stores are the single most important category of advertiser in almost every newspaper in the country. But enough is enough.
Have you been discouraged from writing a story that Federated might not like? Have you been pressured to spin a story in a way that will satisfy Federated? Do you know of anyone else who has been discouraged or pressured at your place of employment? If so, please email me about it. I'd appreciate it if you would do so with your name attached (which I would keep confidential), but if you want to tell me anonymously, that's okay too. If you don't trust e-mail to be anonymous, send me a letter by snail mail. If you use your employer's stationery, I will at least know that the letter is coming from someone in the media. Send it to me at 4830 Hart Drive, San Diego, California 92116.
Date: Mon, May 21, 2007, 8:00 pm CT
Check it out!
Date: Mon, May 21, 2007, 7:00 pm CT Date: Mon, May 21, 2007, 6:38 pm CT
Federated merger causes disputes ...
Now, three former executives of Federated are suing the company for $775,000, which they claim the company owes them as severance pay.
Jeanice Netzel, Jon Gunnerson and Steve Malashock, all Texas residents, were senior executives at May. Their contracts were not renewed after the merger.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Whether the plaintiffs complied with the noncompete agreements will be the issue at court. Federated is expected to assert that the plaintiffs failed to abide by the agreement when they took jobs at Stage Stores Inc., a Houston-based regional department store retailer.
I HOPE THESE PEOPLE WIN !
Date: Mon, May 21, 2007, 5:00 pm CT
According to what some Messy insiders have told me, at some locations:
- you can only get a high qual shopping bag if you ask for it...make that "beg for it." Want a gift box? HA! again, sparingly.
- staffing hours will continue to be cut until the back to school rush in August (yeah, like Messy's will have a rush!)
- you think the 2006 holiday windows and "great" tree were a major let down...wait till you see what is in store for the 2007 holiday season
Date: Mon, May 21, 2007, 3:16 pm CT
The difference between these men and Mr. Lundgren's Federated is that the former's success was based on giving, the latter on taking.
It's yet another retail operation that merely processes the wallets of those that enter with a fakement of faux service.
Date: Mon, May 21, 2007, 1:26 pm CT
Perhaps they can have Ms Red Star do special promotions: Attention macy*mart shoppers! For the next 15 minutes only, all Alfani shoes will be 50% off the lowest ticketed price. Just look for blinking Ms Red Star and save, save, save!"
Date: Mon, May 21, 2007, 11:14 am CT
It's not uncommon for stores like Macy's not to break out sales by specific store location. It is unusual that they actually commented on State Street. Combining Lundgren and Houguet's comments, the former May stores are performing weaker than hoped for by Federated and that includes former Field's locations. ]
Date: Mon, May 21, 2007, 9:46 am CT Date: Mon, May 21, 2007, 9:12 am CT
1) Fill the store with marked-down, out-of-season merchandise
2) Draw lower-income shoppers
3) Drive away high-income shoppers
4) Eliminate high-end merchandise which has now lost its customers
5) Close full service restaurant(s)
6) Close a floor or two
7) Paint over some show windows
8) Eliminate bridge merchandise which has now lost its customer
9) Close another floor or two
10) Paint over all show windows except one on each side of front door
11) Consider a Clinique poster a window display
12) Close final limited service restaurants
13) Close the doors
Someone has to find a buyer for that building, quickly.
Date: Sun, May 20, 2007, 10:12 pm CT
I hope Macy's sales become terminal!
Published May 18, 2007
[ From Lansing State Journal ]
Ailing sales: Shoppers leave a Macy's store at the CambridgeSide Galleria mall on Wednesday in Cambridge, Mass. Federated Department Stores Inc. said Wednesday it swung to first-quarter profit, but adjusted earnings missed Wall Street estimates as sales at newly converted Macy's stores remained weak.
Date: Sun, May 20, 2007, 3:41 pm CT
PLANO, Texas - J.C. Penney Co. posted a 13 percent increase in first-quarter income on strong sales of exclusive fashions, and the department store chain raised its profit outlook for the year on Thursday...
Penney's upbeat report came after Federated Department Stores Inc., the owner of Macy's, missed Wall Street's profit target,....
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070517/ap_on_bi_ge/earns_j_c__penney;_ylt=Ai482XHj8RfZjgiRr4pi4B.yBhIF
Date: Sun, May 20, 2007, 3:24 pm CT
They also asked about kitchen appliances (!) which I am pleased to say I now get at Target. Also got the question about work and formal wear clothing.
Then I received what is probably my last ever box of frango mints which, and I need a kleenex here, were not properly shipped or stored. They are hard as rocks and nearly without flavor. They have that white tint chocolate gets when its been the wrong temp. I just can't believe it. Really, if the free frangos were supposed to lure me back and establish some small spark of interest in Macy's - why would they give me spoiled ones?
Date: Sun, May 20, 2007, 2:09 pm CT
The blurb in the New York Times this weekend was really over-the-top. Sales are down and Federated stock has tanked. Nevertheless, somehow the Times reports that Federated CEO Terry Lundgren feels "vindicated." Huh?
I realize that newspapers these days are under a lot of pressure to please their advertisers, and that department stores are the single most important category of advertiser in almost every newspaper in the country. But enough is enough.
Have you been discouraged from writing a story that Federated might not like? Have you been pressured to spin a story in a way that will satisfy Federated? Do you know of anyone else who has been discouraged or pressured at your place of employment? If so, please tell me about it. I'd appreciate it if you would do so with your name attached (which I would keep confidential), but if you want to tell me anonymously, that's okay too. If you don't trust e-mail to be anonymous, send me a letter by snail mail. If you use your employer's stationery, I will at least know that the letter is coming from someone in the media. Send it to me at 4830 Hart Drive, San Diego, California 92116.
Date: Sun, May 20, 2007, 11:34 am CT
Date: Sun, May 20, 2007, 1:53 am CT
It is the ultimate insult to rename a iconic store right in front of the family's face. I can imagine T.L. coming up to Mr. Lazarus and saying, "You know what, I think I'm going to call you macy's from now on. I just like it better."
Glad to see mac*Fed's is admitting to poor sales at State Street. Maybe one day Marshall Field's will return, but I'm really not sure what could convince Lunkhead to bring back the other stores across the country. He could never understand the connection between a community and its local stores. I miss Meier & Frank, The Bon Marche, and Robinson's-May dearly.
"macy*s: As trashy as it gets"
Marshall Field's forever in our hearts and minds!
[ Note from Jim: Also consider how the Strauses felt about what R.H. Macy and subsidiaries became under Finkelstein and then Federated. They were devasted in a similar fashion as Lazarus. ]
Date: Sun, May 20, 2007, 1:12 am CT
Date: Sun, May 20, 2007, 12:35 am CT Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 10:43 pm CT
After I mentioned our Field's Fans efforts, she told me some observations (which I recall as best as I can through scribbled notes), which vividly and poignantly demonstrate the loss of the Marshall Field's department stores to her:
"I miss shopping in Marshall Field's because Field's IS Chicago. For me shopping at Field's was an adventure because Field's was more than a store...it was an institution which made people feel special just being there amongst the special merchandise that only Field's could offer and the sales people made even the transactions memorable because of the way they wrapped items, hard and soft, in white tissue paper sealed with a green MF sticker before generously pulling out a large MF forest green shopping bag in which to place my purchases. That was 'the frosting on the cake'."
"But you know what I r-e-a-l-l-y notice at commuter train stations, on North Michigan Avenue, on State Street and in the Chicagoland shopping centers, at O'Hare and Midway and at other airports around the country???? I miss seeing people, by the dozens and dozens carrying the distinctive green Marshall Field's sturdy shopping bags with the handles! The absence is so barrenly striking. You readily KNEW they were either FROM Chicago or had a fun shopping trip as a tourist and were going back home. You just do not find people carrying macy's plastic sacks anywhere it seems, she added. Why should they?! Macy's is everywhere, and therefore not special at all. It is all so sad."
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 10:20 pm CT
The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch, in honoring Mr. Charles Lazarus, printed two sentences which speak volumes about his philosophies and personal humble nature.
Here is one quote from Mr. Lazarus: "It doesn't make any difference what I think. The only thing that matters is what my customers think."
The obituary also stated that "Mr. Charles", as he was known, "treated employees like members of his extended family."
The comparisons between Mr. Charles Lazarus (a founder of Federated Department Stores, Inc.) and Terry Lundgren, the one who destroyed local department store names after names, traditions after traditions, old-fashioned tried and true business philosophies of true customer selection and true customer service. The two men are so divergent as polar opposites that it causes us to long more and more for true merchants to lead retail companies rather than the bean-counting types who destroy what the pioneering department store founders brought to us.
Marshall Field's IS Chicago, just as Lazarus was Ohio, Filene's and Jordan Marsh were Boston, Kauffman's was Pittsburgh, Dayton's was Minneapolis, Hudson's was Detroit, Burdines was Florida, Foley's was Texas, Hecht's was Washington DC, Strawbridge & Clothier was Philadelphia, Robinson's was California, Liberty House was Hawaii, Rich's was Atlanta, The Bon Marche was Seattle, and on...and on...and on...and on to what we have today---bland, boring, identical stores from city to city that are nothing special or memorable at all with no element of giving the customers was they want, but instead, gross antaganistic, "re-educating", edicts that "they" know what is best for us. What macy's has done is NOT working.
What IS working, Field's Fans IS our unrelenting efforts of getting the true facts out to more and more members of the public on a daily basis. Keep up the spirit. It is now May of 2007. Remember that Lundgren & Co. stated that we would all be piling back in the doors of macy's by Thanksgiving! Well, it has not happened and it will not happen, no matter how many 50% to 75% off sales macy's hands out every other day to get us in the doors. To paraphrase Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas in his famous debate with V.P. Dan Quayle, for our edited purposes, "I knew Marshall Field's, and let me tell you, macy's---you are no Marshall Field's!"
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 9:37 pm CT
Chairman and Chief Executive Terry Lundgren was quick to interject that operating a Midwest flagship in Chicago remains core to Macy's strategy.
"We're very committed to that store," said Lundgren...On Wednesday Lundgren characterized the former May stores' sales performance as "disappointing..."
Marshall Field's State Street was a destination for tourists and visitors in addition to the Chicago market. Macy's cache is not the same so it would seem that Lundgren's ego may have been knocked off its high horse, or at least slapped in the face, with his comment that:
Lundgren explained the sales miss by saying that HE threw too many changes at the former May stores too quickly, namely lots of new in-house merchandise and fewer promotions."
Now what will he do about the merchandise, if not the name?
The survey tables in the Detroit stores that I've seen are busy...and off the cuff comments seem to be consistant about the downgrading of the merchandise lack of sizes and selection and staffing changes.
Like AA...you have to admit you have a problem as the first step? Well, it will be interesting to watch what happens now!
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 8:34 pm CT
All our members should voice their opinions on the Times' blog.
The boycott is working!
"5-12-7
Macy's Ads May Be Affecting LAT News Coverage
A question of journalistic integrity arose at the L.A. Times Friday in its failure to report explicitly on declines of Macy's revenues from April sales. The omission in a Business section story by Leslie Earnest and Ronald D. White took place in the same week that Macy's has been allowed to annoy Times readers by its wrap-around ads in the metro (California), sports and home sections.
On a day that the L.A. Times and the New York Times both had lengthy Business section stories on a decline in department store revenues across the country, the New York Times discusses the 2.2% revenue decline in Macy's stores explicitly, while the L.A. Times story does not[....]"
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 11:48 am CT
And now the ads touting massive discounts and clearance sales only available at the State Street store. So they've decided to turn it into a clearance center? Customers want the stores converted back to Marshall Field's not Marshalls. This can't possibly work as a long term strategy - the customers that Macy's lost were the ones who didn't need a sale to shop at Field's. Any customers that they gain will only shop there if they can expect discounts and clearance sales.
How about letters to the Mayor and City Council pointing out that the conversion to Macy's has been bad for the city - loss of tourists, loss of tax dollars, loss of jobs.
You can write to the Mayor at:
Correspondence to City Council can be sent to:
121 N. LaSalle Street
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 11:44 am CT
A child who had delivered newspapers or babysat for money could find a nice, but inexpensive holiday present for their Mom that would be appropriately gift wrapped in a Marshall Field's box. How proud that made both the Mom and child feel! When the same child graduated from 8th grade or celebrated a religious milestone, an appropriate suit or dress could be found at Marshall Field's at many price ranges to fit whatever was the family's current financial status.
When folks were just starting out in the job market, Field's was the place to find well made classic and classy career clothes at prices that were still manageable on a starting salary. (My mother always said, "better to have a few pieces of good quality clothing that fit well and last than a dozen pieces of something cheap." As people got raises and climbed the career ladder one could move up to higher end brands at Field's and enjoy the specialty departments.
Same with weddings. Whether a guest could afford to spend only a little or a lot on a present for the happy couple, there were excellent choices to be had at Marshall Field's and a knowledgeable and helpful staff in all departments who could help find the perfect thing and get it delivered in a timely fashion and in a Field's box. Many many Field's sales people worked there for years because of the prestige and satisfaction being a Field's employee brought. Customers benefited enormously from this employee efficiency, loyalty, and pride and from the relationships built and nurtured over time.
Furnishing an apartment or new home from Field's, again, was a case of choosing quality merchandise at whatever price range you could afford because Field's stocked to suit many budgets, styles and tastes.
Tourists flocked to Marshall Field's, and Chicago ex-patriots who returned "home" couldn't wait to buy something at Fields. Field's was a "destination store", a "lifetime" store, a "cradle to grave" store. A store that was part of our lives and life's events. A store that was part of our culture. Those who say "hey, it was only a place to buy stuff" truly just don't get it.
Chicago misses Marshall Field's because all of Chicago shopped there. Not just certain people, but people in all walks of life. Not just 40 years ago, but right up until the time Terry Lundgren came in and ruined it. For all these reasons Macy's will never be accepted at State Street. Never.
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 11:26 am CT Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 11:17 am CT
Long time passing
Where have all the customers gone?
Since a year ago
Where have all the customers gone?
Penny's and Kohl's every one
When will Terry ever learn?
When will Terry ever learn?
Kohl's, Penney, Nordstrom profits grow
By EMILY FREDRIX, AP Business Writer
Fri May 18, 9:41 AM ET
MILWAUKEE - Higher gasoline prices and a slow housing market may be weighing on the economy, but retailers don't seem to be worried.
They say people aren't letting economic concerns get in the way of their shopping, and to prove it, J.C. Penney Co., Kohl's Corp. and Nordstrom Inc. posted strong first-quarter profits Thursday and raised their annual outlook. J.C. Penney posted a 13 percent increase in profits, while Nordstrom's grew 19 percent and Kohl's rose nearly 25 percent for the three months ended May 5. All three companies' profits beat analyst expectations...
The earnings came one day after Federated Department Stores Inc., the owner of Macy's, missed Wall Street's profit target.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070518/ap_on_bi_ge/earns_retailers_6;_ylt=AqAUcC9gpP5KVsHFGdMMPOFv24cA
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 11:08 am CT
The story in the Tribune is very fair and is what we all suspected. Karen H.'s comments that Messy's will provide even more promotions continues to be over the top! As I've said before the place is already a sea of red discounting signs, probably the new exclusive Martha Stewart line will be marked down 50-60% on opening day, can't wait to see all the cheap trash thrown all over the floors like a big rummage sale. How 'bout State Street just renames itself "Macy's Bargain Bin at Maxwell Street".
I posted back on Ellen's blog in the Tribune today. I think alot of the pro-Macy posters are all retail and corporate workers at Neiman's, Nordstrom's, Carson's, Penny's and Kohl's. Those companies want to see the Macy's name continue here in Chicago since we all are helping drive their profits to records and lead their monthly double digit sales increases! Those companies are laughing all the way to the Bank, don't you think? Oh, we don't want to bring back Field's lovely green bags when we can have a Messy's Red Star cheap plastic bag. Messy's is so much better, we can recycle their bag's- it's so much easier to pick up after the dog with them!!
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 10:39 am CT
If anything, stories like this simply fuel our anger at how Macy's has commandeered Marshall Field's traditions and claimed them in Macy's name!
Frangos were special because they were MARSHALL FIELD'S Frangos, unique to Chicago's own Marshall Field's. Sure they tasted delicious, but their appeal went much further than taste. Regardless of where Frangos were made, with Marshall Field's name on the box, people knew they would be delicious. People knew that Frangos were a Chicago tradition, a Marshall Field's tradition... the perfect gift for friends and family when traveling and a special treat anytime.
Marshall Field's recognized the importance of this Chicago connection and had the good sense not to make Frangos available from other retailers around the county. Frango's cache was that they came from Marshall Field's and nowhere else.
Frangos sold by Macy's are an insult to every Chicagoan, former Marshall Field's customers and everyone with a passion for all that is special and unique about Chicago.
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 10:28 am CT
We have a Macy's (formerly Lazarus) in Lexington, KY. and I no longer darken their doors either. Seems to me the boycott is working. Wonder how long it will take the folks at Macy's to figure out why the store is doing badly.
Hasn't the city anything to say about this?
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 9:57 am CT
"This weekend Macy's is advertising 50 percent discounts on clearance merchandise at the State Street store only and total savings of 60 percent to 90 percent on thousands of spring fashions"
So positioning the store as a Clearance Center is going to help restore its status as a tourist attraction? I'd certainly love to visit Chicago and shop in an elegant building stocked with low-end merchandise reduced for clearance. Sounds like another winning proposition.
BTW, the cover for the macy*mart "Have a Great Weekend" sale booklet distributed in the Pittsburgh market offers "our special selection of high-quality summer fashion essentials..." When did any store (other than Big Lots and surplus liquidators) have to use the phrase "high quality" to describe their merchandise? Does this statement imply that anything other than "our special selection" is of low quality?
The booklet also informs us that "CLUB ROOM features quality fabrics and signature pieces that you'll find only at macy*s" and that "CHARTER CLUB" is an all-American collection featuring the right balance of classic style and comfort." Perhaps this is part of M*s "re-education" program to help "confused" consumers better appreciate their distinctive and exclusive merchandise.
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 8:18 am CT
This is my first visit to the Midwest in over a year. Marshall Field's would have been my store of choice. Now, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom and Sisley at Old Orchard as well as the Boston Store in Milwaukee have received my business.
While I have enjoyed not shopping at the macy's stores in downtown Los Angeles, I am glad I finally participated in the survey in Chicago.
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 8:08 am CT
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0705180861may19,1,3208670.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true
So basically, we find that all 400 former May stores (including the other 61 Field's) are performing about equally badly, and that State Street (which represented the equivalent of about 9 or 10 "regular" Field's stores) is performing particularly badly. Is the tide starting to turn? Federated's stock is off about $5 in the past two weeks. Icahn has bailed. What next?
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 7:54 am CT
* About New York Times Letters to the Editor: They should be especially succinct and sent within 48-72 hours to letters@nytimes.com
* NY Times also has suggestions for letters: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/lettertoeditor.html
* The Letters to the Sun-Times should be sent to: letters@suntimes.com
* The Letters to the Tribune should be sent to: ctc-TribLetter@tribune.com
* The Letters to Crain's Chicago Business should be sent to: letters@chicagobusiness.com.
* Please remember to include a daytime phone number for verification purposes.
* Be certain to indicate in your letter that it is "for publication."
* Remember, items submitted to the "letters to the editor" section should not be cross-posted to other forums like the fieldsfanschicago.org blog. The publications reque
st exclusivity.
* Be succinct as possible. Longer items don't have as much of a chance of being published. While there are many facets to the loss of Field's, consider focusing on just one or two facets to
help the larger cause.
* Even if your letter does not get published in print or web media, remember that the media takes note. Every letter reminds editors and producers that this is still indeed a very important
issue.
Jim
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 7:41 am CT
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 7:28 am CT
Sounds like Terry is working on Another Raise !
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 7:15 am CT
Date: Sat, May 19, 2007, 5:16 am CT
Sorry Joe, not only is Macy's no Field's, Bloomingdale's is no Field's either. I'm sick of hearing people say Field's could be run by Bloomingdale's etc. Please, no.
Bloomingdale's is expensive and trendy. It does not have the full range a Field's has. Field's could be expensive (and for many years it was only expensive) but it also was largely able to sort out the difference between disposable trends and trends that would become classic. As someone with family roots in Chicago and NYC, let me also say, Bloomingdale's is a NY store with a NY way of doing business that is not necessarily NY at its best. Field's had a way of doing business that was Chicago at its best that appealed to people worldwide, even New Yorkers.
Between 1984 and 2005, I had been in Macy's maybe 15 times actually eager to buy something -- perhaps anything. I was in Bloomingdale's about the same number of times with the same attitude. I came in wanting to make a purchase and most of the time left empty handed and disappointed. I can think of only two purchases I have made at Macy's and two at Bloomingdale's. It irks me to no end when people say they would consider Field's being run by Bloomingdale's.
The switch from Federated to Macy's, Inc. will make the boycott easier. Until now, it's been tedious to explain to some how Bloomingdale's is related to Macy's. This will make it much more obvious and simpler to explain. Boycott Macy's including its Bloomingdale's division.
Charles Lazarus, the last member of his family to lead its namesake department store
chain passed away this week at age 93. His family also was a co-founder of Federated Department Stores circa 1929/1930. According to family quotes in newspapers, Charles Lazarus was crushed when Macy's replaced Lazarus department stores a couple of years ago. It's certainly something that he passed away the same week that it was decided to retire the Federated name.
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 10:59 pm CT
At any rate, I (like most of you, I presume) didn't *hate* Macy's before the changover...instead I kind of ignored it, especially since it wasn't in the Chicago area. After I heard the news that Federated had purchased Field's, I thought to myself, how perfect! Now Fed. can have three levels of stores- Bloomingdales (perhaps even move it a little more upscale to compete directly with NM and Saks), Field's (for the upper-middle class shopper, with most locations in the upper midwest) and Macy's, for "Target" style shopping.
For Bloomingdales, this would work well, as many high-end shoppers still relate more strongly to NM and Saks. Bloomingdales could really make a strong play for these customers, and Field's could tackle the upper-middle end customer.
Field's could have added a few locations to NY and Cali, perhaps other places around the country, and I would even be willing to cede a few lower end Field's stores (Brookdale in MN?) to Macy's.
Of course, we all know Macy's loves their red and loves marketing garbage- so why not go head to head with Target? Don't get me wrong, I love Target, but Macy's could try to win over people doing "Target style shopping" by keeping Field's. Heck, had Macy's kept Field's and built their own "flagship" in Block 37, I doubt anyone would be protesting (though many might be indifferent)- if Macy's were a greaat place to pick up some Target style stuff though, it could really work!
All three brands could have been marked nationally together, celebrating their histories and keeping their traditions.
Of course, TL has a typical "coast" mentality, assuming that Foley's and Field's were exactly the same thing, and who wouldn't want something from NYC right in their own city??? It's such a shame, now everyone in Chicago hates him and his precious Macy's, and I can't wait for Field's to make it's return to prove him absolutely wrong.
Bloomies, Fields, and Macy's- three stores for three different purposes. Does anyone else think this would have worked?
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 9:35 pm CT Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 8:38 pm CT Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 7:35 pm CT
Nordstrom's sales have risen 9% in one year which is fantastic. Their success comes from great customer service and adding more designer and name brands. I don't believe for one second that department stores are dying. I do believe that former once great high end departments stores who think they can dumb down their shopping experience with overpriced made up labels and still call themselves "upscale" and think the public will go along with it are finding out the buying public isn't that stupid.
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 6:38 pm CT
Jordache is known for its designer jeans that were popular in the late 1970s. In the 1980s, the company expanded its reach with expansive licensing to over 100 licensees, manufacturing products as varied as children's socks, women's outerwear, jewelry, dresses, luggage, and umbrellas. In the 1990s, this strategy backfired, and Jordache products slid in popularity. The company's jeans lost their cachet, appealing mainly to inner-city youths and blue-collar workers and typically selling at discount stores. When Jordache designer diapers were manufactured by a licensee in 1994, they symbolized Jordache's descent in the marketplace to mass-merchandise stores and discount outlets.
I wonder if Macy's is planning to sell Members Only jackets too. LOL. Remember those?
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 5:16 pm CT Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 5:06 pm CT
Does the *M* think that increasing advertising will solve their problems? Do they seriously think that the customers who have been pleased with the quality, selection and service offered elsewhere are going to go back to macy*mart? PLEASE! Shoppers evidently are getting along just fine WITHOUT them! Despite all the rosy projections for future improvements, I think many of the customers are gone forever and that macy*mart has created more ill will than it can overcome.
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 3:20 pm CT
Link:
Highlights:
Another reporter starts connecting the dots.
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 1:10 pm CT
I'm sorry... am I in a time machine back to 1988? Wasn't the last time that was a real brand name for jeans? Doesn't Kmart sell Jordache? This is a race to the bottom, brought to you by celebrity signature lines (when Kathy Ireland and Jacqueline Smith join Martha Stewart, then Macy's transformation into Kmart will be complete!) as opposed to true designers. Give me ONE reason to shop at Macy's. Come on, Terry... ONE reason!
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 12:50 pm CT
I believe some of the comments by Macy's execs require more explanation. Regarding both the Sandra Guy and post by B., it seems to me the Crains report from 2/27/2007 should be brought to these Macy's exec's attention for commentary. In that report, Crain's said that government officials noticed a dramactic drop in tax revenues from when it was Field's. That's a very powerful and objective piece of info. How do these Macy's people respond to that?
I do agree with Robert that it is always important to write when you see an article or media item on Macy's and Field's. I also think it is correct that there has been no letter to the editor printed about our cause (for or against) since January. Correct me if I am wrong. Correct me also, but I think the only news about the possible return of increased Frango production in the S-T was an editorial. If so, that is kind of odd.
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 12:12 pm CT
"A Wall Street analyst asked Hoguet during Federated's earnings announcement this week why the Midwestern Macy's were performing worse than elsewhere. Hoguet said twice, loudly, "That is absolutely not the case."
"We're seeing weakness across the board," she said. "There's no regional weakness."
If Ms. Hoguet has misrepresented the sales decline at former Marshall Field's locations, then she is likely providing false and misleading information. This would be illegal. Now Ms. Hoguet's choice of words in defining the REGIONAL decline as no worse than elsewhere could be her way of side-stepping the issue of Marshall Field's same store sales decline by referring only to regions and not particular converted stores.
If we believe the statements of analysts, in-store vendors and Macy's sales staff, converted Marshall Field's sales - particularly at 111 North State Street, Old Orchard, Northbrook Court and Lake Forest - have certainly dropped more than at other converted May Company stores. Perhaps Ms. Hoguet should reconsider retracting or clarifying her statement before some savvy files a complaint against Macy's for misleading investors. At the very least, Ms. Hoguet's statement may provide cause for full disclosure of specific same-store sales!
Field's Fans are encouraged to discuss this with their investment advisors or friends at the SEC!
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 11:25 am CT
I just read the link you posted to the Sun Times, and I actually saw it in a slightly different light. I saw a subtle turn against Macy's. The reporter is understandably cautious in her wording, but she did bring up angry customers and downturned sales quite clearly. Maybe I'm reading between the lines, but I feel like I'm seeing a shift in the news coverage. Before, they simply parroted FDS press releases and sounded like paid cheerleaders. Now, they print FDS bull****, but usually after they've pointed out chinks in Macy's armor. I just feel like the tide is starting to turn.
Keep up the fight!
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 10:19 am CT
Since this was my first effort to look through the store, what I noticed was:
The first floor was very trendy, cutsey-poo and plastic. I saw lots of pastel items that didn't look much different from the summer stuff at CVS Pharmacy, but were much higher priced. There were more customers than I expected, who seemed mostly younger middle income. The music, fortunately, was only Frank Sinatra--I expected worse.
There were less people on the upper floors. Only a couple of tables in the Walnut room were occupied.
Conversations I overheard:
Young girls going up the escalator: "They actually have protestors outside!"
Older couple on another escalator: "Don't mess with our icon." The escalator moved on before I could hear more, but I think that statement was in Ellen Warren's most recent blog.
In the crystal department, an older saleslady in a lovely blue blouse almost covered by a stiff black suit said, "If you see anything you like, let us know." I thanked her. She was nice. Then another salesperson, apparently off duty, walked over and three of them started complaining about their jobs. "I understand in the State Street store it's the worst!" one of them said. They made no effort to lower their voices when I moved closer to hear more. I heard comments about being micromanaged and scrutinized and trying to get rid of mechandise. "At least we get more hours now," one of them added.
On the way down, I saw an elderly lady carrying a Marshall Field's shopping bag.
The store gave me a Messy's garbage bag with my Frango Mint prize for taking the survey. I made sure to put on of Gail's "Marshall Field's Forever" stickers in the center of the red star. We have to re-educate those bags.
THEY BOYCOTT IS WORKING!
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 9:02 am CT
The comment about Federated's refusal to release same-store sales was particularly interesting.
My grandfather had an expression "jack of all trades, master of none" that describes macy*mart perfectly. Do they want to be high-end, up-scale, middle market, discount or what? No wonder they are failing since they haven't even defined their niche.
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 9:01 am CT Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 8:05 am CT Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 7:34 am CT
Sounds like it's time to write letters@suntimes.com But of course they haven't published a letter on this since Januaary. Despite their new slogan, "Let's Get Into It," it's like the Sun continues to only skirt the issues on Macy's and Chicago.
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 1:53 am CT
Based on what I see in stores, the following is what it seems as if Managers are being told to do....my impressions!.
Maybe they print these on an old mimeographed copy that's been around for ages, all tattered.
Be Cheesy! - Ask the customer how I can provide them with "Outstanding Service"! Hum, I thought I should have known how to do that by now.
There's a sucker born every minute! - Slap the crap on the table and mark it down. Then tell your best customer's that they can have an additional 90% of the already reduced crap! Wow, wish I had thought of that!
Reduce staff, especially those old fogies who have worked at the stores for years! After all, what the hell do they know! There are lots of kids who needs jobs and you can pay them next to nothing!
Cleanliness is next to ... another word in the dictionary. As soon as we find it, we'll let you know.
Advertise stuff you don't have! - Once the customer can't find what they want, just direct them to the crap table. They'll find something and we need the room for the new statues of Terry Lumphead that are going in all the stores.
Question every customer about returns! - Make sure they aren't trying to scam some of our crap!
It sounds like... Armani but it's not. Don't worry, no one will notice! Just say it really fast! Tasso Elba is a new pasta salad we will be offering. (It's really just macaroni salad but don't tell!)
INC is something that leaks out of a pen. Don't get it on your shirt!
Charter Club, Fight Club, Billy Club, Club Sandwhich.. what was I saying? THISISIT - don't say this one too fast or it might sound like what it actually is. S**T.
Date: Fri, May 18, 2007, 12:08 am CT
To use the old phrase, Lundgren was penny wise and pound foolish. In his desire to extract every last synergy (down to the shopping bags), he basically created a brand that is too high-market in some of the new markets, and too down-market in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit. While it's obvious that any new owner would have made changes, what's not obvious is that any other owner would have destroyed the most valuable brand in the stable. To the contrary, just about any other possible acquirer (private equity, foreign retailer, Dillard's, to name a few) likely would have kept the brand (and by brand I mean more than just the name). Field's could have had a strong place in Federated's stable (particularly in markets, like Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit, where Bloomingdale's wasn't particularly strong). The problem they face now is that, whatever they do, they have to recreate the strategy from scratch, and it seems they have management that is still in denial.
I think any objective consultant would tell them it's time to bring back Field's as a higher-end store in at least the premier locations in the Midwest (and perhaps even some Midwest markets where it wasn't physically present before), as well as one or two of the other brands (Burdines, Kaufmann's, or Strawbridge's come to mind as possibilities) to fill the "May" role elsewhere. May had too many brands, and Target made some mistakes, but it clearly isn't the "all or nothing" view that current Federated management tries to use to defend its strategy.
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 11:47 pm CT
It's something available to anyone who looks for it.
I keep thinking about all the opportunities that are out there for what I'm sick of hearing the "dinosaurs of retail".
1. Too much focus on conglomerating. While yes this works in some situations, shopping, as many of you have pointed out is emotional. Bring the uniqueness back to the stores. There are plenty of opportunities for leveraging a strong parent company. These days, vendors are more than happy to accomidate customers in any way they can. Look how many smaller stores have achieved great results which have taken business away from the department stores.
Think how differently the commercials could go if they focused on all of the great "Names" that were lost and the companies committment to you and your community.
2. Give it away. In the past year some 80 stores have been closed. Marketshare lost. What'S LEFT? The same shopping experience coast to coast. Here's a thought... Unique, Trusted and Local atmosphere with consistent service and quality. Yum Brands owns KFC, Taco Bell, A&W Pizza hut and Long Johns. Can you imagine what a flop it would be to serve everthing at a standardized joint called "Yum"?
3. Blah Blah... Wall Street Idiots! Do these people ever see the light of day? Believe everthing they are told? Do they ever investigate anything on their own? Wake up Wall Street! Take a trip to some of your local stores. Hey, head to Chicago and see what's left of State Street. Despite some of the changes, it still beats ANYTHING out there!
4. Service??? McDonalds doesn't have price scanners. Hum, maybe a new idea for them. Make it cheaper if the customer cooks it themselves and even rings it up! No, even they still talk to every customer!
5. Quality??? Maybe we'll start seeing Rollex in these stores. Yes with 2 L's, obviously another knock-off. There is plenty of opportunity to drive sales from all levels of shoppers from high to low end. Variety is the spice of life and so is the thrill of the hunt!
6. Dirty... Run Down... these are products in most cases of lost sales. People are almost always the first on the cut list. Maybe adding people would be a change. Wow, what a concept. Why do stores loose sales? Bad service, Poor Merchandise, Loss of Uniqueness.
7. $100MM committment to internet sales? Well duh! 1 Website + 11 Other Unique Websites = 1 all encompassing website = More sales under a previous website's name. A child could figure that out. It's not news.
8. Stop the madness! Start fixing things before it's too late! Do something unheard of and restore all the brands! It could be an absolute raging sucess! Stop blaming the shopper. Stop re-educating the shopper. Let the shopper discover you! What's exciting about going to a Godiva Chocolate Store? What's exciting about shopping at Tiffany's? What's exciting about owning a Craftsman tool? What's exciting about having a Sony TV? What's exciting about the Boston Pops? What's exciting about the Sears Tower? What's exciting about the Grand Canyon? What's exciting Vegas? Atmosphere & Brand recognition.
Sorry for the long rant. Just had to get that off my chest!
If you're missing Field's stop by my website Darrid.Com
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 11:27 pm CT
Thanks for posting all these article links. "Messy's"... ROFL!!! That's a great name :-)
This is the first time hearing about how they are cutting back on coupons. The Macy's executives really don't get it. How do they expect to attract people in the store?? The "One Day Sales" are the only time people really come out in force. Its already bad enough that they can't get business around the country; if they pull that stunt in the NY stores, it may be the end of Macy's as we know it. The only time I'd even think about going to Macy's is with coupons.
Also, Macys will never be an upper scale department store, even if it tries. Its target consumer just isn't "exclusive" enough. Discriminating shoppers are increasingly patronizing boutique shops. And the upper scale dept stores (Nordstrom, Saks) offer customer service options that Macys just can't beat. Also in Macy's New York base, big box retailers are opening locations in the city and selling similar products at lower prices. So "Messys" will face even stiffer competition.
Continue the good work and keep us non-Chicagoans informed.
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 10:44 pm CT Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 9:53 pm CT
TRULY salt in an open wound
Field's name on those now ruined stores with all that red and all that junk with in them -- That would be Worse.
I am SO tired of hearing about all the "macy upgrading" and if they refer to thier stupid private brands ONE MORE TIME ---- UUGGGGHHHH
Of Course we ALL know here that all that junk can't compare in any way to the great Field's private brands -- However -- please let me say that I was a customer of Ayer's and Kaufmann's and the May Company "Brandini" label was FAR SUPERIOR to Alfani --the material was generally decent and usually from Italy and their sweaters etc. really fit well --I had alfani stuff prior to the fiasco and Brandini was MUCH better. alfani in my experience lost its' shape and the material generally wasn't as nice-- and Brandini was less expensive.
Keep up the good work
BOYCOTT macy's and bloomingdales
Thank God for all the alternatives
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 9:29 pm CT
Here is my email to Cotten Timberlake, who wrote the article in Bloomberg, which Clint references below, where Macy's says the reason we are not shopping there is because they stopped sending us so many coupons!! I could not let that pass by without a response----you know how I am...LOL.
Dear Cotten Timberlake:
I am writing in response to your recent article re: the decline of sales at MacyC-s and how the reduction in the use of coupons may have affected the numbers. I cannot speak for the whole country. However, I can speak very confidently for the Midwest and the downgrading of Marshall FieldC-s to MacyC-s.
In both of their major markets here, Minneapolis, where I live, and Chicago, coupons are not the major issue. People are not shopping at MacyC-s and we have driven their same-store sales down by double-digits because we do not like MacyC-s. We keep telling the executives over and again and they simply refuse to listen. Likewise, analysts seem to never consult the consumers either and keep listening to the press releases from MacyC-s and treating them as though they were news. Analysts speak in terms of C,when the customers returnC. but that is incorrect. We are not returning.
Most of us who used to shop at Marshall FieldC-s are who are now boycotting MacyC-s do so for these reasons:
C/ Shopping is an emotional experience and the management of MacyC-s removed the reasons for us to go there.
C/ Our favorite unique brands have disappeared. In the case of the menC-s department, the offerings are pathetic: a few national brands carried by every other store in town.
C/ The brands we want have been replaced with cheesy but overpriced house junk brands of inferior quality with ludicrous names like Alfani and Tasso Elba. I suppose unknowledgeable people believe they are designer labels.
C/ The arrogance of MacyC-s management is abrasive; e.g. their constant discussion of the need to C,re-educate the customerC.. I would say it is they who need re-education in how to run a customer-focused business.
C/ Service is abysmal. Many departments lack an operating sales desk and when I have been in the store, I am generally ignored by the sales people but am occasionally privy to discussions of when their next break occurs. Marshall FieldC-s exclusive service such as C,locatorC. where the item was shipped free to your house from another store if your store ran out of your size/color, has of course been abandoned.
I could write quite a bit more of the mistakes of this management team in destroying one of the all-time great American brands, but you get the picture. Nearly 60,000 of us told them upfront by way of petition, letters, and stories that it was our desire to not have our Marshall FieldC-s downgraded to MacyC-s. It was clear that a great many of us were their best customers. This is one of the great marketing debacles of the century and will probably appear as a case study in business schools in the next fw years. It is actually humorous now to see what new excuse for their poor performance Lundgren offers each month when sales are reported for the prior month.
Regards.
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 9:11 pm CT Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 8:48 pm CT
I guess we need some reeducation here in Baltimore. Is Macy's "ritzier" at Security Square? Are you kidding? (It was surprisingly clean. That did surprise me.) But with nothing but off brands things are worse. (There was a small Polo section.) What surprised me was the new Spring clothing line for men by Alfani. Black?!! Grey?!! No wonder it's just sitting there.
Macy's flopped in this area years ago. Its dated stores were always empty with sections blocked off. Hecht's was where the sales and activity was. They had one chance here and they just blew it.
Do I expect Hecht's to return? No. Strawbridge's? No. Filene's? No. I just expect alot of closed stores. I expect malls to change their directions as to anchors which they've already been doing through lifestyle centers. I just cross my fingers that Field's truly returns and that Mr. Lungscum and his roll-on tan get as much crap and as little of a buyout as possible.
THANKS AMERICA FOR STANDING UP TO ARROGANCE!! IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH! IT WAS ACTUALLY QUITE EASY!!
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 6:59 pm CT
I am a longtime retail watcher and have worked for a former high end vendor of Marshall Field's that left the store during the Macy's changeover. I have long been a huge fan of Marshall Field's and the special legacy that the store had in Chicago. I remember very well the Country Shop, Field's Afar, Walnut Room, 28 Shop, and all the unique attributes which made Field's a very special store long before it was acquired by Dayton Hudson.
My decision to sell to Marshall Field's during the Target area was largely based on nostalgia for the past, however, and not for the real business potential. By the late 90s, it is true that Field's lost the true high end customer to Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. The store's primary appeal was in the upper-moderate, better, and bridge zones and here it excelled and truly owned the Chicago market.
Neverthless, Target (particulalry in the last few years prior to the May sale) was trying to 'dress the store up' for a sale. That is why they converted the Dayton's and Hudson's nameplates to the more prestigious and recognizable Marshall Field's. It is also why they actively courted some higher end brands in these last years (despite their limited sales potential) and started to spend more aggressively on marketing (ie the 150 year anniversary, Glamorama, relaunch of State Street, etc.) Target put their biggest guns on this project including Luis Padilla (head of merchandising) and John Pellegrene (head of marketing) who had been extraordinarily successful at the rebranding of Target. Once again, they were extraordinarily successful but here their success was measured not neccessarily in the incremental sales and margin that MF generated from these higher end initiatives but instead from the increased valuation of the business and the fight that May and Federated had over the MF business.
Due to the MF dominance, Chicago, Minneapolis and Detroit were the last markets which both May and Federated were essentially locked out of (despite a few Bloomingdale's and Lord and Taylor doors here and there). When May won MF, there was a collective sigh of relief since at Field's since MF would be the crown jewel of the May organization. May stores had gone so far downmarket and operated on a much tighter cost structure and more frequent markdown cadence (ie cupons) than Federated whose Macy's brand was pitched a bit higher, particualrly on the West Coast and in Florida. When May got Federated, there was some talk that eventually May would re-brand its whole chain Marshall Field's and use the MF private labels (Field Gear, Thomas O Brien etc) as a platform for a national private label program to go head to head with Macy's.
However, these plans never got implmented since the legacy May stores continued to deteriorate. May made a few relatively minor adjustments to Field's in the brief time it owned Field's prior to the Federated merger but essentially May had bigger problems on its hands in its own stores that were losing marked share to Kohls and JCPenney on the low end and Macys on the high end.
Therefore, this should put into context today's comments in the press that Federated has pushed May stores too far upscale. While this is clearly not true in the Chicago markets, it is true everywhere else since stores like Famous Barr, Robinsons May etc were very low end operators and on a constant promotional strategy. Hard as it may be for Chicagoans to believe, Macy's is more upscale than all the May stores it replaced with the exception of Fields. On the other hand, in Chicago, Minneapolis and Detroit, particularly in the flagship locations, the Macy merger made the stores more downmarket as they lost many of the prestige brands and historic touches that made Marshall Field's distinct in the market.
Macy's problem today is multifold: they need to run the Macy legacy doors at the same semi-upscale level in order to keep their momentum (which was genuine in the legacy stores prior to the merger), they need to find a way to run the 350+ May stores (with the exception of Field's) with their historic lower cost structure and more frequent markdown cadence, and they need to find a way to run the 62 former Field's stores in a more upscale manner. Clearly, this is proving to be nearly impossible when all stores are branded with the same moniker... If they had three different nameplates (for instance, May, Macy's and Field's), they could run three different types of businesses but it is not easy to do it all under one name as you cannot have sales in some stores and run a full price business in others and cannot have one level of cachet in some stores and another in others.... While Macy's does do a reasonably good job of merchandising by door and tailoring each store the local demo-and-psycographics, you cannot do this with marketing and promotions so what happens over time is that it will all be pushed to the lowest common denominator which is what we are seeing now.
I predict that within Spring 08, we will start to see the return of Green, the return of other MF icons and eventually the name in some form (possibly hyphenated, possibly: 'Marshall Field's, a Macy's company' or even 'Macy's at Marshall Field's State Street'
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 6:09 pm CT Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 4:55 pm CT Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 4:10 pm CT
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 3:14 pm CT
Oh yes, Sandi, that's the correct angle on this story. Chicagoans hate Macy's because the store hosts "fewer coupon sales!" Yes I know it was a quote, but is the company's self-serving spokesman's view the one that needs to be parroted here? Has the Macy's advertising pressure at the Times simply squeezed the last drops of journaliatic integrity out of its reporters' minds? Not to mention the fact that Macy's has flooded the community with coupons, and promotions and silly sales almost every day offering the "lowest price[s] of the season...." The Tribune took a whole different tact on the developments, and took the time to quote from marketing experts, not just Federated's talking heads.
Don't get me wrong, I really like the Times, but I have had some growing doubts about the accuracy of its reporting on Macy's, (the whole "Piepho" = "pee-foe" article was absolutely unbelievable). Especially when you compare the coverage from the Chicago Tribune and Crain's. What's going on over there at the ST?
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 2:48 pm CT
"They made a disastrous decision to throw the Marshall Field's name into Lake Michigan, one of the best brand names in the business," said Flickinger. "Normally, Federated is very smart strategically, and that was corporately uncharacteristic of them to make such a bad business blunder."
This month about three dozen Marshall Field's fans staged a protest outside Macy's State Street flagship in Chicago, the third such demonstration since Macy's took over Field's in September. The group, whose mission is to revive the Field's name, already is gearing up to demonstrate in September at the one-year anniversary of Field's conversion to Macy's.["]
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 2:45 pm CT
I would be curious to know what the financial analysts make of this. JCP managed an increase during a difficult selling environment, and FDS's sales decreased when it's business should be robust because of the benefits and synergies of being a national brand. FDS also opened 6 new stores, and the company's total sales still decreased.
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 2:14 pm CT
Hey Terry -
You screwed up. Big time. Be a man, put your BIG ego aside (that I am sure makes up for smaller shortcomings) and admit you messed up!!
As for Ralph - degenerate and useless....
We will get our store back...name and quality and service and all...watch and see..
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 2:08 pm CT
Here's the paragraph that infuriated me:
"Federated chief executive officer Terry Lundgren blamed some of this quarterC-s problems on a so-far unsuccessful attempt to convert its May Stores chain to the ritzier MacyC-s brand. Federated acquired May Stores in 2005."
Ritzier? Do they really think that Macy's as a brand name is Ritzier than Field's? No WONDER they are having problems! It appears that Forbes has stopped practicing journalism, and is merely reiterated press releases.
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 2:05 pm CT
I'm really confused...can someone please verify what planet we're on? I just read the link provided by Clint, and it's a little different from my reality:
"Since paying $11 billion for May Department Stores Co., Federated has toned down promotions, added more expensive merchandise like Coach handbags, and sold more exclusive goods from designers like Oscar de La Renta and private-label brands under names like Alfani.
Federated, which doubled the number of Macy's to more than 800 with the May stores, has also been sprucing up its locations by reducing clutter..."
HUH??!!! FDS has toned down promotions? We get a piece of crap from them nearly every day, with coupon after contradictory coupon. They even send mail to my dad, who has been dead 13 years! Of course, if you read the exclusions on the back, they're pretty much invalid for almost everything in the store, so maybe that's what they mean.
HUH??!!! Added more exclusive and expensive merchandise? Donald Trump, Martha Stewart, and Alfani? Perhaps the reporter was being facetious and I missed the intended humor? That's the only explanation that makes sense...
HUH???!! Sprucing up stores and clearing clutter? Has the reporter actually ever set foot in a Macy's? The only clutter they cleared out was the customers who used to clutter up the aisles, especially in front of the cash registers.
Also...I posted a long and carefully worded response to Ellen's blog at the Trib early yesterday, and it never got posted. I mentioned the boycott and this blog, so I assume that's why I got censored. I'll give it another shot today.
sigh.
gayle
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, rev. 10:40 am CT
Chicago Tribune Business Article, May 17, 2007
Ellen Warren Blog Thread, May 16, 2007
Chicago Sun-Times Business Article, May 17, 2007
* The Letters to the Sun-Times should be sent to: letters@suntimes.com
* The Letters to the Tribune should be sent to: ctc-TribLetter@tribune.com
* The Letters to Crain's Chicago Business should be sent to: letters@chicagobusiness.com.
* Please remember to include a daytime phone number for verification purposes.
* Be certain to indicate in your letter that it is "for publication."
* Remember, items submitted to the "letters to the editor" section should not be cross-posted to other forums like the fieldsfanschicago.org blog. The publications reque
st exclusivity.
* Be succinct as possible. Longer items don't have as much of a chance of being published. While there are many facets to the loss of Field's, consider focusing on just one or two facets to help the larger cause.
* Even if your letter does not get published in print or web media, remember that the media takes note. Every letter reminds editors and producers that this is still indeed a very important issue.
Jim
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 9:39 am CT
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 9:37 am CT
Comments have been made about Lungreed's psychological make-up: control freak, Napoleon complex, arrogant, self-centered, stubborn to list a few. Evidently he is now in a severe state of denial as his plans for "America's Department Store" collapse. Not only are the former May Company stores "disappointing," the legacy stores are failing to produce as well.
As so many have mentioned, macy*mart caused many of their own problems which have been listed on this board. They have created an atmosphere and offered merchandise that repels rathers than attracts shoppers. No doubt, the increased advertising that creates a sense of "urgency" will help. If I have the "urgent" need for a garish atmosphere and cheezy merchandise, I can always go to Kmart or wal*mart. (Notice how macy*s and wal*mart both use the * in their logos.)
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 9:34 am CT
"Federated finds Macy's not magic." This one even mentions us.
"Macy's parent lowers summer prediction."
www.suntimes.com/business/389665,CST-FIN-macys17.article
Also posts are flooding in to Ellen Warren's shopping blog in the "Tribune" from yesterday.
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 9:33 am CT
"THEY MADE A DISASTROUS DECISION "
Read - Federated finds Macy's NOT Magic -
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 9:13 am CT
Kind of disturbed by this paragraph:
This must have been written by an exec at Macy's. Seriously? We like the shoddy private-label brands? What status brands are left? (Example... if someone finds some actual Irish-made Waterford in a Macy's, could they let me know?). The bedding I've seen at Macy's are either private label or the same Calvin Klein collections that were in stores 3 years ago. I don't see how a marketing campaign can do anything but remind us how much things have gone downhill under Macy's Management.
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 7:28 am CT Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 2:03 am CT
Apparently Federated's CEO is a moron, and doesn't learn from history. Does everyone remember when Dayton Hudson tried to change the color of the Marshall Field shopping bags to a more "environmentally" safer green? How long did that last, a month? And that was just a shopping bag.
Marshall Field V realized that Americans shop at "Target" and places like that, and I can understand that, so do I, as most Americans. Its just a shame that Federated put the death of the American Department Store in the Express Lanes.
[Note from Jim McKay: Matt, the American Depaartment store is on its way back--just check out the February 18, 2007 segment on "CBS Sunday Morning." Look at Saks, Nordstrom and Nieman-Marcus. Beyond that, Field's CAN come back--in a 21st Century incarnation to be sure--but in stregths and qualities comparable to the mid 20th Century glory days. That's what we here are all about. ]
Date: Thu, May 17, 2007, 1:27 am CT
The Marshall Field's stores in Columbus closed in 2003 and were sold to Kaufmann's. I love seeing the store inside because it has many of the State Street elements.
After crusinig through, I noticed a lot of stuff on clearance in the home department. (Kitchen Gadgets)
I aksed the clerk why? (Last year I was looking for Cusinart gadgets to go with my new line of Cuisinart appliances. I only found them at Kaufmann's and not Macy's. Over the past year, Macy's had brought them into the stores here after the conversion.)
The clerk informed me that they were making way for the new "Martha Stewart" "stuff". I chuckled.
Would you buy Martha over Cuisinart?
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 11:21 pm CT
What a great idea for Federated to start a college. Here's an idea for a class, "Nationwide Dressing Room Enhancement 101." Sorry, more florescent lighting isn't going to make us try on more of their bland drab merchandise lines.
It's sad the former Strawbridges here are so quiet too since they were ruined last year by bland merchandise at higher prices and Kmart atmosphere. Were so many people getting lost in the Marshall Fields stores that the directional signage is such a success? Were people really having so much disorientation trying to find the shoe department? Do mesys execs spin these lines with a straight face? I think the real directional signage should be to help direct people across State Street to find the Nordstrom Rack, or across the mall parking lot to Marshalls, since the elegant shopping experience, unique merchandise, and time honored trusted quality and value that the Fields name stood for have been cast aside, why not just avoid the markups.
Keep up the good work, Fields Fans! TL spins that we'll come around as the first anniversary of his debacle approaches but stepping foot in his dumpy stores only makes us miss our Fields more than ever.
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 9:44 pm CT
Renaming the stores to Marshall Fields would have no impact unless the merchandise stratagy changed back to the pre Macy days.
Give the customer what they want, which is obviously not the Macy way to shop.
Posted by: Bob Warsham | May 16, 2007 6:21:32 PM
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 8:20 pm CT
First, they royally offended their primary target market (Field's existing customers) by taking them for granted, insulting their intelligence, and ignoring their wishes. Then Macy's made a number of public relations faux pas. The stores were NOT filled with new merchandise that was appealing and they drove away many designers and brands that WERE appealing. They closed some popular specialty departments. Federated almost immediately let the stores start to go downhill maintenance-wise and often allowed stock to be displayed like a discounter does. People writing to this blog from other cities report similar horror stories.
When the end finally comes for Terry's regime he will have no one but himself to blame for the abject failure of Macy's national department store chain rollout. For a man as prideful as he, it will be humiliating. But he will probably walk away with millions of dollars and a house full of items purchased with his mega-discount while shareholders, employees, suppliers and shuttered stores are left behind in the dust.
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 8:18 pm CT
>From the Tribune Article:
Isn't this what they've been doing all along? What was the big roll out in September with all the national advertising? Why have there been ads running in the Chicago Tribune running every two weeks touting the lowest prices of the season? (Which, seriously, do they not understand that there are only four seasons in a year? The State Street store has a Barbara's Bookstore - go look at an almanac!)
The best thing about this is that it's going to have a serious impact on the bottom line for Federated. All of this advertising isn't going to be cheap, and the promotions (read: discounts) are just going to put even more of a dent in the profits they're earning on already declining sales. (And didn't Lundgren make a big point of saying that Macy's would be getting away from relying on sales/promotions?) At some point, the stockholders will demand some change.
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 8:07 pm CT Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 6:51 pm CT
It has begun to be obvious that our protests and boycotting has made a difference. Even the media is finally getting it, in spite of the fact that they were quieted by advertising dollars. It is only a matter of time and remaining steadfast in our cause. HOORAY FOR US!
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 4:54 pm CT
I don't understand why TL continues to put the blame on former May stores, including Marshall Field's as all being coupon shoppers. Even though we've destroyed our 3 Field cards we had received 10x's as many coupons from Messy's. There was a sale every other day it seemed coming in the mail. What is a new marketing campaign going to do to improve sales for merchandise everyone can get at Kohl's, Penny's or Carson's cheaper? Their private label goods are a joke and do you think you're going to spend a $1,500 on a dress in the 28 Shop which has the word Messy's scribbled across it and put into a cheap plastic bag--- forget it!!
I don't think enough of the investment banking analysts are visiting Messy's. There is a sea of red discount signs when you go and visit their stores. Field Day's were always special but State Street has been turned into one big ole "basement bargin bin" by Federated. Who are they kidding!
I'm doing my part not to shop at any Macy or Bloomingdale locations. They are starting to sweat big time being in month 8 of the conversion, let's all pour it on to bring back MARSHALL FIELD's. I think people across the country are tuning into this blog and figuring out what we here in the Midwest already knew, Messy's is a tramp compared to the elegance and style that Marshall Field's represented and the Federated Executives all know it too!!
Onward the movement.
Mrs.W
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 4:48 pm CT
They just don't get it!
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 3:06 pm CT
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 2:45 pm CT
Jeez, it took long enough for them to realize it.
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 1:53 pm CT
MUST READ!!!
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 1:32 pm CT
With any luck, TL will be asked to step-down, or perhaps Macy's will sell their "North Division" to another investor who will reestablish the Field's name, identity and products.
Concerning the standard Macy's response about boycotts "hurting individuals." Well, we've all worked for companies that made bad corporate decisions, lost money, and had to lay-off people. That's the reality of a capitalist economy. And there are plenty of retail jobs out there - especially at Macy's competitors, which are doing quite well.
Marshall Field's Forever!
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 1:09 pm CT
I get daily emails from Nightingale-Conant, the company that sells motivational and business cd's and such. Today's quotes should have been sent directly to FDS blockheads:
"Products are made in the factory, but brands are created in the mind." Walter Landor, legendary branding and design pioneer
"Products are steel, plastic, metal, and wood...Brands, on the other hand, are filled with emotions: They can inspire, motivate, ease pain, create excitement, and open doors...When you build a brand that brings about new senses and emotions, you've made your product a brand." George Silverman, author of "The Secrets of Word-of-Mouth Marketing."
Gee, to think Terry said we were *wrong* to be emotional! I guess when you have no clue what building a brand means, you must just focus on the steel, plastic, and metal....
Viva la boycott!
gayle
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 1:08 pm CT
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 11:46 am CT
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 11:20 am CT
Date: Wed, May 16, 2007, 3:47 am CT
Online college courses are becoming quite popular with people in America. Perhaps Macy's could reduce some of their revenue shortfall by starting an online course selection to train shoppers how to react to the new standard of quality offered by Macy's vast collection of imports from overseas.
Classes could include:
1) Cheap Material 101: a class that offers students the opportunity to learn acceptance with broken buttons, fading colors and cheap fibers all around.
2) Self service shopping 101: Customers will learn to shop without the help of associates since there aren't many anyway.
3) Re-education 100: Customers and employees are to be re-educated to accept any reduction in services to save money. Customers will learn how to accept the prospect of overpaying for merchandise and carrying purchases without shopping bags.
4) Macy Media Re-education Project: Writers and media representatives will learn how to discount customer sentiments (60,000 guests signed a petition to bring back Marshall Field's legendary service and products) and create stories based soley on Macy's press releases and education.
Any other educational ideas ?
Can you think of any others that would help with the Macy's shopper and associate re-education since we are all so confused after all the years of benefiting by Marshall Field's world class products and service.
What do you think ?
Date: Tue, May 15, 2007, 11:59 pm CT
Carl Icahn, the billionaire investor who tried to take control of Time Warner Inc., sold his 1.3 percent stake in Federated Department Stores Inc., the second-largest U.S. department store company. Icahn Management sold its 6.8 million shares as of March 31, Icahn said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Icahn last year had talked of buying as much as 2.5 percent of Federated.
Funny that this appears on the Internet news sites the day before Macy's latest quarter earnings report.
Date: Tue, May 15, 2007, 10:24 pm CT
It's been awhile since I have posted but read almost daily for the latest happenings to the boycott. Attended a mother's day party over the weekend on the North Shore with about 30 in attendance and guess what; no one had received a gift from a dreaded Macy's store. Several of us were wearing outfits from our beloved Marshall Field's. Classic elegance versus dowdy and cheap described one lady when comparing Field's to Macy's. How true! One lady had mentioned they went to look at furniture on State Street. When in the past they had used Field's interior design studio; upon their visit no member of the design team was on the floor and the 8th floor furniture receptionist gave them an 800 number to call after they repeatedly asked for one of the designers' cards. It's like they just continue to throw customers out of State Street to other stores. What a disaster!
I too noticed Federated's stock plummeted 3% on downgrades by several brokerage houses today. Carl Icahn has dumped his Federated holdings, go figure what he thinks about Macy's execution and current strategy under Mr. TL. Should be an interesting shareholders meeting since BonTon was just upgraded to "buy" from Banc of America last week. The idea of having protesters outside the annual meeting is a good idea to keep the drum beating for the cause. For any protesters attending be sure to bring your rub on tan location that can be given out to shareholders so everyone can get a fake tan like Mr. Terry (I want to be George Hamilton) Lundgren. Gail, your earlier comments about Mr. TL made me laugh outloud several times. One of my lady friend's daughter works at Northbrook Court and continues to say how dead the whole place is. She states there are going to be changes but nothing is being disclosed yet. Let's keep up the fight to bring the best department store back to Chicago, Marshall Field's forever!!
Date: Tue, May 15, 2007, 8:36 pm CT
Terry Lundgren told the public "No LOSS of Jobs"
"Hi, my name is Mike. I used to be a truck driver for Macy's and Marshall Field's until they decided to close down our warehouse. I have been out of a job since February. I received hardly anything in severance and cannot collect unemployment because I had been laid off several months prior to the warehouse closing. Anyway, I am selling my Macy's and Marshall Field's uniforms in hopes to make some money to be able to pay my bills."
THIS IS SAD Truth !
SHAREHOLDER'S You are in control of the VOTE on anything Terry Lundgren wants to do with the Company. Executives who slash worker's pensions, are really "padding" their own pockets. By cutting pensions, they make the company more profitable, and when they do that, they boost their own future Bonuses.
Terry Lundgren recently received a HUGE Bonus, stock options, Merchandise Discounts, use of the Corporate Jet for business & personal use, a guanteed pension, and money for taxes, and a consultant fees, company car expenses, and gas, and a boat, and millons of payouts when he leaves. This CEO is getting a FREE RIDE at the expense of SHAREHOLDERS ! GET THE BIG PICTURE ?
What happens to the guy who worked 25 years in the warehouse?
What does he get? NOTHING !
This is what happens when the board of Directors are NOT doing their job. They are on the board for those PERKS too! This Board should all be FIRED ! Then they should be forced to collect unemployment for 6 months, with no other income ! See what its like ! Lets See how they would handle it !
SHAREHOLDERS - When you cast your VOTE, remember Mike ! Don't cast your Vote with Terry Lundgren ! He's making sure he's taking care of Terry ,and NOT the future of the Company ! Terry Lundgren cant't CONTROL YOU or YOUR VOTE!
Check out Terry's "employment agreement".Then you will find out where all the company PROFITS are going !
Date: Tue, May 15, 2007, 5:32 pm CT
[b]Please realize that your boycott affects not a corporation, but the individual people, Chicagoans, that have worked here for many years. I myself worked for Field's for 12 years, and am happy to still have a job and now a career with Macy's (as opposed to my counterparts and Carson's or Lord and Taylor).[/b]
Macy's will claim that they couldn't save a dying store and it was the boycott that was the last nail in Field's coffin. How's that for twisting the facts? ;-) This is central to Comrade Macy's "re-education" of the media and the consumer. ;-)
I asked a Macy's team member on State St and they told me the same line:
"You know, if it wasn't for Macy's this place [State St Field's] would be a parking lot."
I then asked her how the State St. Men's department was doing.
"They used to make big cash on the 2nd floor, and it was really busy before the name change."
And after the name change?
"REALLY SLOW."
So Macy's saved Field's? I quipped.
She laughed.
But this is Comrade Lundgren's big lie: We couldn't save Field's. Of course, in the real world, Macy's has killed the great legacy and business that was State St Field's.
I only hope that real sales figures for the last 10 years State St are released and we can see Macy's as the sham it is and point toward a profitable future with the reemergence of Marshall Field's. Some savvy retailers could make good money with the State St. Store. But you cannot make any money if you ignore and are completely disconnected from your market like comrade Lundgren is.
Cheers,
Wm
Date: Tue, May 15, 2007, 4:00 pm CT
Date: Tue, May 15, 2007, 10:20 am CT
The other mall tenants, managers, store managers, property managers, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, shoppers DO NOT want that there.
Macy's - go back to New York!
Bring back the crown jewel of American department stores and get rid of that imitation cubic zirconia!!!
Date: Tue, May 15, 2007, 9:29 am CT
My response:
I am glad to hear that you are still employed with Macy's. You must be one of the lucky ones. I know there is/going to be massive layoffs at both the warehouse and because of the lack of sales.
What I would recommend is trying to apply at Nordstrom. Since the change over in September, they have gotten every single dollar that I used to spend at Field's. Seriously for your career please take a look at Nordstrom. There sales are beating expectations every quarter. And they have the same "weather" that has been dragging down MacyC-s sales. Can you imagine once the "weather" clears up.
Or if you would like I can recommend you to the HR person at my company. If you have a resume send it to me and I will make sure it goes to the right place. But in terms of the boycott, I will Never and I repeat NEVER purchase anything from Macy's. I go out of my way, to make sure no one shops at your store. I went as far as to purchase one of those $10.00 gift cards from a co-worker of mine just to make sure she did not walk into one of your stores. When Christmas comes up I make it a point to email all of my family to remind them that I am boycotting Macy's and to please make sure they do not purchase any gifts for me at your store.
Again John, I am sorry about your employment situation. But Chicago is a very vibrant city, I am sure you will find something else. So good luck in your search for employment and if I can be of personally assistance please let me know.
Best Regards,
Bob Garrett
--- Macy's Customer Service
wrote:
Thank you for your e-mail regarding the Marshall Field's name change to Macy's.
To better serve our guests in this highly
competitive retail environment, we must concentrate
on becoming a national brand so we can deliver
outstanding value to our visitors.
As part of this name change process, everything
possible has been done to honor the Marshall Field's
heritage, particularly in its Chicago birthplace. If
you come to the State Street store, you will see
that all of the history and traditions of Marshall
Field's are still alive and well.
While the name has changed, most things inside the
store have stayed the same--most importantly the
people. Please realize that your boycott affects not
a corporation, but the individual people,
Chicagoans, that have worked here for many years. I
myself worked for Field's for 12 years, and am happy
to still have a job and now a career with Macy's (as
opposed to my counterparts and Carson's or Lord and
Taylor).
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts and
feelings. We look forward to continue serving you
in the future.
Sincerely,
John Bourgeois
Customer Comments:
First Name: Mr. Robert
Associate Comments:
Date: Tue, May 15, 2007, 9:00 am CT
Let the boycott continue...
Date: Tue, May 15, 2007, 6:21 am CT
Is that really the letter you received in response? Does anybody at FDS pay any type of attention to what they are doing or sending. Based on the tenses used within it, that letter must have been written in 2005. They said "...benefit from the conversion to macy's next year..."
You would think that there is nothing this company could do that would surprise me/us, but I am just dumbfounded by that letter.
Date: Tue, May 15, 2007, 4:45 am CT
When Federated took full-service restaurants out of their stores, they said they didn't make enough money for the company. WHAT FEDERATED FAILED TO REALIZE IS THAT ALTHOUGH IT MAY HAVE COST THEM MONEY TO RUN THE RESTAURANTS, THEY NEVER QUALIFIED THE FACT THAT THESE RESTAURANTS WOULD KEEP PEOPLE IN THE STORES LONGER...INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THE DAYTON'S/MARSHALL FIELD'S/HUDSON'S STORES INCLUDED MANY RESTAURANTS...TO CAPITALIZE ON THE BENEFIT OF KEEPING CUSTOMERS IN THE STORES TO SPEND MORE MONEY IN THE STORE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO LEAVE THE STORE TO EAT ELSEWHERE.
It is seems wise for in-store full-service restaurants (not the fast food like you find in Macy's Herald Square like McDonald's...yuck !)to provide great value to differentiate themselves from other stores.
---> Advertise the restaurants, don't place them in corners with no signs, make announcements over the PA system like they used to at some stores.
---> Accurately list the restaurants existence on the websites, and in-store signage. Make them a centerpiece of the stores. MANY OF THE RESTAURANTS IN MACY'S STORES AREN'T EVEN LISTED ON THE WEBSITE STORE LOCATOR
---> MAKE THE RESTAURANTS FULL-SERVICE (WITH WAITERS AND WAITRESSES) AND PROVIDE A TAKE-OUT AREA TOO.
Date: Mon, May 14, 2007, 11:57 pm CT
It's becoming very clear that Macy's has lost control of its rebranding strategy. Hmmm... let me rephrase that. It's pretty clear that Macy's never had control of its rebranding strategy from the very beginning. Perhaps we should all help out Terry by sending him postcards, bumpter stickers, buttons, etc. with the letters WWMFD.
What would Marshall Field do? We all know the answer. It's about time Terry finds religion too.
Date: Mon, May 14, 2007, 9:53 pm CT
These past eight months have been disastrous for sales, particularly in the Midwest. Should the corporation stay the course? Or change direction before it's too late? For many Federated shareholders, I'm sure it's hard to know.
One thing that's important, of course, is to have confidence in your CEO. But has Terry Lundgren earned that trust? So far, his predictions have proven woefully off the mark. Remember when his minions were telling you that shoppers SAY that they care about keeping their regional stores, but when it comes to actual purchases, they will be just as happy with Macy's? Whoops. That prediction has turned out to be ... uh ... "inoperative" (as they used to say at the Watergate hearings).
The thing that has impressed me so far about Terry Lundgren is that he appears to be a bit on the megalomaniacal side. The puff pieces that appeared last fall in major newspapers were about HIM, and not about Macy's stores. They gushed about how Terry Lundgren is tall and good looking. And the fact that he talks on his cell phone a lot. Fascinating. They also recounted an anecdote that Lundgren probably thought reflected well on him--that he designed his second wife's wedding dress himself and wouldn't let her see it until their wedding day. He even had her blindfolded during her dress fittings. But most readers probably saw this story as evidence of his controlling personality, not his charm. Moreover, the story suggested that he was the kind of person who might be oblivious to what his customers actually think and want. That's not the kind of person you want at the helm of a major retailer.
Newspaper articles like that don't just appear out of no where. Federated's media relations office probably went out and found a free lance writer willing to write on Lundgren. Then they managed to convince the newspapers (who happen to be beholden to Federated for their advertising bread and butter) to run the article. It's a lot of work. A corporation like Federated will only get one chance to make the front page of a major newspaper; it's important to give it your best shot.
What in the world would make Federated's media relations office believe that the best way to "sell" the consolidation to the public is to talk about how tall and good looking Terry Lundgren is? It's a very odd strategy. My guess, however, is that they were just following orders. It's Terry Lundgren who thinks that Terry Lundgren is fascinating, and at Federated, Terry Lundgren gets his way--even when he's making a fool of himself.
The problem is that shoppers aren't quite as interested in Terry Lundgren as he thinks they are. I think I can say with confidence that if Terry Lundgren were twice as tall and three times as good looking as he is, I would still not spend a nickel at Macy's.
Date: Mon, May 14, 2007, 7:06 pm CT Date: Mon, May 14, 2007, 4:22 pm CT
I'm a born & raised New Yorker and alum of Loyola Univ Chicago (Class of '01). I was dismayed like the rest of you to hear that Marshall Fields was being turned into Macys. MF was more than just a Chicago tradition, it represented class. There was a time that Macys had the prestige of a Fields or Carsons, but things changed for the worst when Macys and Federated merged.
Macys flagship store on 34th St in NYC feels like a flea market instead of a department store. Ironically, it has the best selection of all the Macys stores in NY, but that isn't saying much as it seems like they sell the same seasonal merchandise year after year. The Macys in downtown Brooklyn, NY is an absolute, certified dump - there's no customer service, the merchandise lacks quality and variety, there aren't enough registers open during peak shopping days and that store NEVER has shopping bags (In the 28 years of my life this is the ONLY store that I've had problems receiving shopping bags). Even the store design feels like it was just thrown together. I dont know how many stores are like this one, but Macys/Federated should be ashamed they operate such a locale.
F.Y.I. - The downtown Brooklyn store used to be a wonderful store called Abraham & Straus (A&S) and it was an absolute pleasure shopping there. I have many great memories of A&S (as you all do with MF). A&S was sold to Macys during the early 90s and things were ok at first, but the store surely declined over time.
I have to admit that here in NYC I've been shopping at Bloomingdale's lately, but even that store is becoming repetitive. Unfortunately Saks and Lord & Taylor aren't conveniently located, Bergdorf Goodman is way too expensive, we don't have a Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus, and I refuse to shop at the god awful H&M. There was a time when NYC had great department stores (Gimbels, A&S, B. Altman's, Sterns, Alexanders) but unfortunately these places went bankruptcy - especially right after the market crash of '88.
I'm happy to hear that you guys are protesting and keep the fight alive. I wish we fought for some of our great lost stores way back when.
Date: Mon, May 14, 2007, 2:47 pm CT Date: Mon, May 14, 2007, 11:00 am CT
I complained about the M store at NorthPark in Dallas--shoddy merchandise, discount store like appearance, and received a similar email response. No one however ever contacted me.
Hope you have better success and the opportunity to interact about the poor store. As much as the chance for YOU to say something, I would sure like to hear their personal response.
Best wishes.
John F
Date: Mon, May 14, 2007, 10:15 am CT
This is my response I received today:
Thank you for your interest in macys.com.
That is why we are so pleased to be retaining all of these important
regional differences even as we combine our hometown values and
traditions with the national reach of the Macy's brand. The stores, the
people, the service and the commitment to community that you expect from
us will continue. Our divisional and buying offices will remain as they
are now, and our local stores will be unaffected.
At the same time, our customers are going to benefit from the conversion
to Macy's next year in numerous important ways -- better and more
distinctive merchandise assortments that are focused on affordable
luxury for yourself, your family and your home; valuable new offers
associated with the Macy's credit card; advantages of a new national
Macy's customer loyalty program; access to an expanded Macy's national
gift and bridal registry; new improvements at Macys.com, where customers
can shop, check out the latest trends and pay their Macy's bills online;
and an accelerated schedule of improvements in our stores -- everything
from enhanced fitting rooms to new features such as price scanners,
helpful "find your way" signage and shopping buggies in home areas.
This is what we mean by bringing our customers "the best of both worlds"
-- working as we always have to reflect the hometown values of our
customers and employees, even as we strive to fulfill our vision of
Macy's as America's department store.
We are excited by what lies ahead, and we think that once you experience
the many positives connected with this change, you will be, too. We hope
you will give us a chance to convince you in the days and weeks ahead.
Again, thank you for taking the time to get in touch with us, and for
giving us the opportunity to share our views with you.
We apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced. If you
have any further questions or concerns, please e-mail us at
customerservice@macys.com or call us at: 1-800-289-6229. Our office
hours are Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM
to 7:00 PM.
Sincerely,
More of the same old stuff. I am sure they are pleased with how much they are re-educating me on the benefits of Macy's.
Date: Mon, May 14, 2007, 9:53 am CT Date: Mon, May 14, 2007, 9:02 am CT
Oh my gosh!!!! an amazing thing has happened in the trib!!!!! today is monday, NOT SATURDAY!!!!! and something more on the 'pro-Field's' side made it in!!! amazing.
Date: Sun, May 13, 2007, 10:12 pm CT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvUKr9cL08E
Date: Sun, May 13, 2007, 9:20 pm CT Date: Sun, May 13, 2007, 4:14 pm CT
Date: Sun, May 13, 2007, 3:34 pm CT
Both sides are right, with one change needing to be made. Yes, macy's is definitely down-market when compared to Marshall Field's. However, I think the relationship in regards to Burdines, Filenes, etc., needs to be reworded. macy's is not an expensive New York store, macy's is an overpriced New York store. And we all know the difference.
Date: Sun, May 13, 2007, 1:36 pm CT
The Bloomie's Home Store was Saks before - when the mall first started expanding, adding N-M, Saks, and i.magnin.
Sears & Field's were the original developers of Oakbrook, Old Orchard, and Woodfield. I'm curious if Macy's owns those stores (and the land underneath) or if they (or Dayton Hudson) already did a sale-leaseback like they did for 111 N. State.
Date: Sun, May 13, 2007, 1:44 pm CT
Sears Canada was formed as a JV between Simpsons and Sears - it was a way for Sears to gain access to Canada, and for Simpson's to expand. Simpson's department stores were more "up-scale" stores in the city centers (competing with The Bay and Eatons). As a combined company, they opened Sears stores in the suburbs. When Hudson's Bay Co. bought Simpsons, the resulting split-up meant Sears had no stores in the downtown areas.
When Sears bought Eaton's out of bankruptcy, that gave them their first downtown stores, and they they kept the "higher end" lines. They tried keeping the downtown stores as "eatons" (small e), but it never really worked and they converted to Sears nameplates, with eatons merchandise. Chalk it up to there being some "Simpsons-minded" people left in the organization.
Date: Sun, May 13, 2007, 11:21 am CT
No doubt the "results" of the so-called survey were determined before the first consumer responded. Would be this be the same type of "survey" that Lunky used to say that customers would fall in love with macy*mart and would not miss their regional stores?
Imagine all the "smoke and mirrors" being prepared for the Federated shareholders' meeting!
Date: Sun, May 13, 2007, 5:01 am CT
I am SO pleased that Fields Fans are keeping up the fight!!
To my thinking; this is about the State Street store. I don't give a 'rat(cy)'s-ass' about Water Tower Place or Suburban Malls... That's where dime-stores like macys belong, (kind of out-of-sight) amongst the homogenous maze & fast food smells...
We can't defeat federated... But Chicago can take Marshall Field's State Street away from them! Grass roots indignation only goes so far. This effort needs a high-profile celebrity with Chicago ties to go public with our displeasure. (Visualize: Faye Dunnaway as Joan Crawford) Don't f**k with me fellas"!!! But who? Ebert, Studs??
And what about a buy-out? Have we forgotten the history of our beloved Marshall Field's? Early-on; Harry (aka:mile-a-minute) Selfridge was instrumental to the success of Marshall Field & Co. When MF refused to make him a partner, Harry left for England & founded Selfridges Department Store, which is alive & well to this day!! Would Selfridges be deaf to the appeal of millions of Chicago shoppers to buy & restore Marshall Field's to us! Talk about PR!! Placards are one thing... World News Tonight is another!!!!!
WE WILL WIN THIS FIGHT....
Date: Sun, May 13, 2007, 5:00 am CT
Some interesting notes:
Marshall Field's was trying to be a much much higher end brand in 3 major cities...operating a store between Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus, with 60 stores....when Neiman Marcus only has like 30 or 40 stores across the country...and that is where they went off track.
Although he will NOT break out the numbers, Macy's North is
Terry Lundgren admits that Marshall Field's
"The name change is passive....you don't hear about that." We brought in fully new and different merchandise..you walk into the store and it looks different !
"The most progress will be made when we identify who is shopping in the stores !"
I had to laugh, a comment was made stating that Alfani clothes are clothes that people can wear and they are not over the edge.
International Expansion: 5 years + down the road. Joint ventures, timing is definately down the road. Nothing definative.
Closing stores: No big alarming #s. They are still looking at stores to close.
Any further comments from listening on your end fellow Field's fans ?
Date: Sun, May 13, 2007, 12:53 am CT
Next to go Northbrook?
PS - Please do not fill out the survey... it is not being conducted by an independent company. I agree with Paul P. it is just a way for FD to build a case for themselves.
Vote with your dollars, vote with your voice, vote with your feet -- don't go to messy's
Date: Sun, May 13, 2007, 12:51 am CT
As I looked at some "exciting" shorts in the men's department, it was interesting to note they had only like ONE pair in each size of the limited styles. The quality was just plain appalling--cheap fabric, drab colors, poor construction. A clerk approached and asked how I was doing. I shook my head and said, "This sure isn't Kaufmann's. This place is a joke."
CLERK: Oh, you miss Kaufmann's? That's what everyone says.
DREW: I guess you have to play the company line and brag macy*mart.
CLERK: I'm not afraid to say it--Kaufmann's was so much better and we were always busy. Our sales keep getting worse and our hours have been cut. We're not making any money since the change-over.
DREW: There is NOTHING here that is worth a second glance. JC Penney has better merchandise and Kohl's a bigger selection.
CLERK: We are always out of everything. The advertised merchandise doesn't come in and customers get pissed when we don't have it. Then the employees get reprimanded because we aren't making our sales quota.
We chatted for a while when a manager approached us. She was very nice and asked me if I liked macy*mart. It was all I could do to keep from laughing in her face.
DREW: This store is a waste of time. It's pathetic what has happened to Kaufmann's.
MANAGER: What specifically don't you like?
DREW: Let's see. Poor selection, cheap quality, nothing distinctive or unique. Look around this department. There's more empty space than merchandise.
MANAGER: We have a lot more merchandise coming in. Stop back and I hope you will be pleased.
DREW: The time to please the customer WAS when the new name was put on the store. So many people just gave up on this place and you're going to have a difficult time getting them back. Penney's, Bon Ton, Boscov's are so much better and customers are getting comfortable with those stores. There is no reason to even bother coming back here.
MANAGER: That's what we're afraid would happen.
Kind of makes one wonder if the stockholders and executives of Federated ever bother to visit the stores? Surely they can't think that Lunkhead's strategy is working if they ever tried to shop at macy*mart.
Date: Sat, May 12, 2007, 11:09 pm CT
There's still so many who shout "YES!" when they hear "Read how Field's could be brought back..."
No way I can possibly bring myself to go to a Macy's and fill out a survey. I just don't trust their intentions. 60,000 signatures saying "We Want Field's" was the best possible and definitive survey.
They ignored it. We keep saying we want Field's. Look at the sales. They sure aren't going to listen now. Their survey seems slanted as some of you have pointed out.
Thanks for the words of support, especially Paul P.
Date: Sat, May 12, 2007, 5:09 pm CT
I thought I would post in recognition of what your efforts have accomplished. Your boycott is working.
I live near Field's on State. The store is terribly dead and this is abyssmal. A couple of weeks ago I picked up a flyer that you people were handing out. It talked about the poll that is taking place now which is the boycott. A boycott is the only thing Messy's share holders will understand.
Let's be clear, Messy's wouldn't be polling customers with bribes of Frango mints--1 lb boxes at that--unless they wanted to cope with your poll/boycott.
I say yes, it is your flyers, your protests, your persistence that has Messy's scrambling to make up their own poll results before next Friday's annual meeting. And I also say yes, they will tinker with these results until they give the appearance to share holders that things aren't as bad as the dark reality.
As far as media coverage goes, it's interesting that there has been no word in the Tribune or Sun-Times about the past week's protest. I expected something at least pro-messy's concerning the protest. No, messy's is so scared that word of a protest in the past week or two will come up next week. So I will bet a case of Frangos that messy's has asked that it be all hush-hush. They want no publicity. Even ABC7 News aka the channel with the messy's camera--what a silly name for a camera--is intimidated by messy's.
Keep it up! Your boycott is working to stop corporate arrogance and homogenization and loss of local community. Drive the carpet baggers from our store! Bring back Field's!
And no, I won't be filling out no stinkin' survey. And believe me, their messy survey smells like something is up.
Congratulations, you honorable people!
ONWARD!
Date: Sat, May 12, 2007, 4:42 pm CT
The survey was extensive based on your answers in the first few screens and they are obviously concerned that they are loosing to the competition.
After finishing, I spoke with the employee monitoring the survey area and the reason was the horrible sales and the number of complaints they are receiving about merchandise, sizes, availability etc. When I asked will they listen?, the answer was, We all hope so, because something has to happen for the better.
the Frango gift was a box of Marshall Field branded Frango 62% Cocoa dark chocolates.
There was also the opportunity to hand write remarks if you felt the survey didn't cover your concerns.
I urge EVERYONE to participate in this survey if it is running Sunday May 13th or at another date.
Best wishes
BOB
Date: Sat, May 12, 2007, 4:39 pm CT
I WANT MY MARSHALL FIELDS BACK!!!!
Date: Sat, May 12, 2007, 1:15 pm CT
I saw an article which listed Chicago as one of the top cities for "ruppies" (retired urban professionals). This makes me believe what Drew wrote is true. I betet FDS wants the store at 111 No. State St. to fail so the Marshall Field's Building can be turned into exclusive condos.
Date: Sat, May 12, 2007, 12:48 pm CT
First, Terry Lundgren is getting very clever with this monthly excuse thing. Since he blamed April's poor sales figures on having moved a promotion from May to April, he now has his excuse for May already set up. It will be something along the lines of "since we moved May's promotion to April we confused our shoppers who were expecting our May promotion and missed it in April"
Secondly, think about this survey thing; it is being conducted in the stores, NOT outside the stores. Thus, they are taking the opinions of those few that are still shopping in their stores, not the scores who no longer shop in former Field's stores. One can only assume that this remnant customer is probably OK with what's in these stores or they wouldn't be there. So my prediction is FDS will come out with the "results" of this survey stating that this Macy's junk is what the customer wants. They should think about changing "give the lady what she wants" to a new catchy slogan " Give the lady what we wants". I think everyone who can do so to get into their nearest former Field's store and give FDS some REAL input!
Date: Sat, May 12, 2007, 11:25 am CT
I have been keeping up with this website since September, but haven't really said too much on here. I wrote FDS recently and finally received a response back. I have been writing to them for almost 9 months now and this is the first thing I heard from them. I would LOVE to tell them everything of how I feel and why I hate their store so much, but then it would seem like I would be helping them in the long run. Does anyone think I should even take my time to tell them what I REALLY think? Here is a copy of the letter. Has anyone gotten this same one?
Thank you for taking the time to e-mail us. We have received your message, and it's been forwarded to Linda Piepho, Store Manager of our State Street location, for review and response. Please be assured we take your message very seriously. Linda Piepho or someone from the State Street executive office will contact you in the near future. Thank you for shopping in our stores.
Mary Mortensen
Date: Sat, May 12, 2007, 11:18 am CT
Date: Sat, May 12, 2007, 9:30 am CT
Tangentially, Dominick's has a number of its private label items supplied by SuperValu, owner of Jewel-Osco.
To respond to jp, as much as Sears Holding Company would love to own all of Sears Canada, it does not. A deal almost went through several months ago but it fell through. As a result, Sears Holding Company only owns about half of Sears Canada. That could account for the differences.
Sears Canada is a Toronto-based retailer.
Date: Sat, May 12, 2007, 6:20 am CT
You'll love the question about Macy's service. For those of you in marketing, you will notice how the survey is written to prompt a positive reponse. Just remember to print at the bottom of the page, "Bring back Field's"
There are also questions about more "upscale merchandise" as if there actually is any upscale products at Messy's.
And finally:
Several departments (jewlery, some cosmetics) is leased space. Macy's actually wants to raise the "rent". Vendors, suffering from lower sales due to lower store traffic, are pushing back. Why pay more money for less business? This should be fun to watch!
Date: Sat, May 12, 2007, 4:16 am CT
I see many similarities at the Bay to Macy's, but the Bay is still a lot more pleasant place to shop than Macy's. The nicest Bay I was in was Polo Park in Winnipeg. This store rivaled any Dayton Hudson store. The Bay does have Macy's clothing lines, but from my experience they were not pushed as strongly as Macy's does.
The real screw up in Canadian retailing was Sears buying Eaton's. Eatons was like Marshall Field's and Sears completely ruined the company and brought it downscale.
I must say I was surprised to see Armani, Chanel and Prada at the Sears in Vancouver.....can anyone explain that?
Date: Sat, May 12, 2007, 1:01 am CT
Congrats on the 5/6 protest -- I caught you guys on Ch 9 on Cable
News papers have to "think like macy's" and change thier way of doing things
We customers have to be re-rducated and re-trained.
it really IS the red star of communism for that place!
Thank God for choice!
The Boycott is WORKING
Stay Strong and continue to utilize all your options
In my travels through Ohio and Pa -- the macy stores do have some slight business depending on where I am --it is better or worse -- HOWEVER Dillard's, Penney's, and Boscov's are ALWAYS busier where ever I find myself these days!
Take Care
Date: Fri, May 11, 2007, 10:37 pm CT
"What is "The Bay"?"
their friend replies "oh, it is a mid-end department store"
the lady then says "Like Macy's?"
"Yes, Like Macy's"
The American Tourist replies "Oh, well, we don't have to see that then....."
She immediately turned around and they all walked in the opposite direction.
It would appear that Macy's great reputation that Mr. Lundgren likes to brag about has preceded it and is now hurting business at the Bay! They really should choose their role models more carefully.....
Date: Fri, May 11, 2007, 10:30 pm CT
They asked questions like: should Macy's stock more upscale merchanise, moderate, or basic merchandise? what type of service should I expect to receive as compared to Carson's or Target, etc.? when did I last buy men's jeans and where?(I'm female, this puzzled me)? when did I last buy a coat? where from? For each purchase I checked, they asked would I consider buying from Macy's next time? (You know the answer to that one), what was my household income? how much did I spend last year shopping? It took about 10 minutes to complete the entire survey.
I think they finally realize the error of they ways. Sales have to be stagnating or falling to them to this. Question is, are they truly ready or able to change course? And why in the hell didn't they ask these questions before they destroyed my all-time favorite store! Moreover, what twisted thing will they do with my survey answers? Like these people can be trusted after what they did to Marshall Field's?????
Date: Fri, May 11, 2007, 8:47 pm CT Date: Fri, May 11, 2007, 8:32 pm CT
Can't bring myself to go inside a Macy's and take a survey.
Date: Fri, May 11, 2007, 8:18 pm CT Date: Fri, May 11, 2007, 7:47 pm CT
Date: Fri, May 11, 2007, 2:14 pm CT Date: Fri, May 11, 2007, 1:48 pm CT Date: Fri, May 11, 2007, 1:07 pm CT
Yet still Macy's expects us to believe that Marshall Field's was a failed business model despite its extraordinary Chicago area presence, enormous investment in store renovations, enviable good will, upscale product mix, outstanding service and sales growth immediately prior to the takeover.
Macy's can't possibly expect everyone to continue to accept their ongoing excuses for poor sales, including hot weather, cold weather, holidays and even newspapers while Field's higher-end competitors in the same markets seem to fare quite well. Particularly offensive is Macy's excuse that former Field's customers are confused and need to be re-educated.
Are all those highly educated former Field's customers in Lake Forest - the ones who don't shop at Macy's - confused or do they simply miss Marshall Field's quality style, merchandise and service. Perhaps one should consider that Macy's simply doesn't hold a candle to Field's and that Marshall Field's customers, and other across the nation, don't like Macy's downgraded "Way to Shop" with discount merchandise, tacky store designs and displays, fake designer private label brands and poor service.
In Chicago, Macy's has every opportunity to profit from a huge development boom in the loop with many new condo buildings, increased tourism, and huge numbers of visitors to Millennium Park, theaters and museums. If Macy's were truly an exciting improvement over Marshall Field's, the same store sales growth at 111 North State Street should show dramatic, industry leading increase. However, analysts and in store vendors report that sales have taken a nose dive.
Perhaps Macy's has good reason for failing to disclose Field's same store sales figures and failing to accept responsibiltiy for the detrimental impact to Chicago caused by their decision to take over and eliminate Marshall Field's.
Any reporter would be the hero to many in Chicago and around the country if they were to challenge the veracity of Macy's outrageous claims that Chicago is better off with Macy's at 111 North State Street. We all suffer from Macy's arrogant decision to destroy an extraordinary and cherished Chicago resource rather than to enter markets by building their own Macy's stores.
Macy's really ought to stop blaming others for the consequences of their own poor judgement!
Date: Fri, May 11, 2007, 12:54 pm CT Date: Fri, May 11, 2007, 11:19 am CT Date: Thu, May 10, 2007, 11:15 pm CT
It's time to examine what is in the "Terry Lundgren Teabags you must put in your water ! I am an original Macy's shopper from way back...long before Federated was associated with Macys. Believe me, Macy's has gone downhill moreso in the last ten years and that is what this is all about.
Federated did a good thing by ensuring Macy's would be saved from bankruptcy. Yet,when Terry Lundgren was made CEO,Chairman,President and Grand Poobah,(3 or four different titles at once) it became his way or the highway.
If the downscale changes at Herald Square is any indication of what America can expect as a model for the future,then I am very concerned and saddened. I have seen the generic brands,the closing of formal dining rooms, the loss of so many exciting departments that the world's largest department store should have like electronics,a world class food hall, and how about a first class white-table cloth restaurant ?
Todays Macy's Herald Square is basically a sea of housebrands from China blended in with what's left of the few popular brands like Coach. All of the fine designers have made a b-line for the door. Regarding service, Macy's have taken away the once very well respected food hall. Dining options are nothing but routine as an amalgamation of chains from across America like McDonald's, Ben & Jerry's. Nothing to wow the people who come to the department store for the total shopping experience. Even the so-called pub and food take-out area called Cucina & Company is based on the same restaurants that exist at the Met-Life building and Rockefeller Center !
Herald Square's success continues to hinge on the fact that the Euro makes shopping in New York a real bargain. Time will tell though,because JCPenney is coming to the former Gimbel's building down the street and if Macy's doesn't shape up, a good part of their business (especially apparel) will be impacted.
All in all, Herald Square should be a show-place. Macy's should make the world's largest store, the most beautiful,refined,elegant and exciting store the world has ever seen.
If the last ten to fifteen years are any indication, then I am very worried and sad about the future of what was once my favorite department store in the world !
Date: Thu, May 10, 2007, 10:51 pm CT
Shopping carts are making appearences at Somerset, the very upscale mall in Troy, north of the city. Signs above the cart stands read:
"Why Carry when you can Cart"
SAD.
Now several clerks told me the reason is no more package pick up at any of the stores. Cart it to your own trunk.
Cookbooks are discounted 80% and more as the department is discontinued. Wine shop is being dropped from the Michigan/Wisconsin stores. Chicago and I presume Twin City stores will continue to sell wine.
It's getting worse!
Date: Thu, May 10, 2007, 7:07 pm CT
At least this time Lundgren didn't blame the sales dip on the weather. He said a promotion didn't go over. What an understatement!
THE MAIN THING IS: OUR BOYCOTT IS WORKING! What is more, even those people who are not consciously boycotting are staying away from Macy's because the stores are just so unappealing.
While some think that the changeover from Marshall Field's is a done deal and that the more time goes on, the sillier it is to fight it, I think that time is actually on our side. Time gives the boycott "legs," and only with time will it become obvious that Federated is hanging itself.
Date: Thu, May 10, 2007, 5:16 pm CT
Date: Thu, May 10, 2007, 11:13 am CT
TL is grasping at straws.
TL: "Re-educate the shopper."
Marshall Field's: "Give the lady what she wants."
TL: "Re-educate the shopper."
Marshall Field's: "Give the lady what she wants."
Oh gee, I don't know, let me think, hmmm--I think I'll go w/the one which respects me as a person and customer. TL: "NO DEAL!"
Remember fans, even if people don't post to this site or attend the rallies, when they DO see us they WILL think twice before shopping at Messy's; we are making a lasting impression.
Date: Thu, May 10, 2007, 11:11 am CT
Date: Thu, May 10, 2007, 11:00 am CT
Newspapers have the power to create and destroy in this country. How about the publishers and reporters getting back at these idiots by digging up all the dirt on their past and burying them in it??
Such as Lunkhead not letting his current wife plan her own wedding??
Date: Thu, May 10, 2007, 10:31 am CT
Thanks for thinking of me at the Rally--I hope you know if there was anyway I could have been there, I would have, that's how much I believe in what we are doing.
Now, down to business. Write the Mayor and local Alderman and let them know if Chicago receives the Olympic bid then it's absolutely essential that an internation city like Chicago has it's internationally known store, Marshall Field's--not New York's Macy's. We will let the world know how Chicagoans truly feel about these carpetbaggers destroying our third most popular destination. I challenge everyone across the country who are upset w/Federated about the takeover of their local store to join w/us and make a stand against Federated. (If Chicagoans like, open your homes to out-of-town supporters.)
Form serious committees. Example: view website to follow through on the best ideas. Put your money where your mouths are days--which store to target and when; post sales impact to web and send to Federated. Make sure letters are written to media, Federated and TL when necessary. (We're already pretty good at this one!) You get my idea--its all about organization on a large scale. Let's show the world Chicagoans are more than a lot of 'Bull'!
Again, a special thanks to Federated and TL. Because of the change we do not have to witness the destruction of Marshall Field's good name in all this.
Everywhere I go people ask about my button. After a briefing I always get the one if all of the following responses:
1) They did what? I love Marshall Field's.
2) Macy's is everyhere; they took over our regional store and I don't like the merchandise. (The name Macy's and crap are usually in the same sentence!)
3) Macy's belongs in New York.
4) Good luck Chicago.
Hang in there team!
Date: Thu, May 10, 2007, 9:09 am CT
Date: Thu, May 10, 2007, 7:01 am CT
Meanwhile, Nordstrom seems exempt from all this (sales up 3.1%):
Date: Thu, May 10, 2007, 6:42 am CT
You keep hinting the other stores to be closed are all North Sided stores, when in reality, Macy's would pay double and tripple rent to keep those stores open at Northbroom, Old Orchard, Woodfield & Oak Brook open. The reason is that those stores have their 4 classifications of core customers (http://fds.com/company/corecustomers.asp) Strangely they have no core customers they focus on at bloomingdales because the name speaks for itself (most of the time!) Macy's however has avoided fixing and doing repairs at Orland Square, Joliet, and Stratford Square also. I've seen the upgrades done at the north suburbs stores. But I know Northbrook Court was late to change the Marshall Field's signs to Macy's.
If you want to read the corporate spin crap that I'm spoon fed every day, You should read all of the company information I see every day of my life. All I hear is Macy's is better blah blah blah.
And of Course, Remember macys.com/tellus/ is the best way to get all the stores attention, those reports go against them when you say the experience was disappointing. 800-264-0069 is the phone number to office of the president at FDS, For complaints (and praises, but yea right!) about Macy's & Bloomingdales.
Date: Thu, May 10, 2007, 12:44 am CT
So while chastising the newspaper industry, Anne MacDonald points to department stores, which she says had to undergo significant changes over the past several years to adapt to competition from online stores, television shopping channels, big box retailers and discounting clubs. Macy's, she said, is seeking to establish itself as a more upscale, fashionable brand and drive foot traffic even when there aren't promotions, and is still trying to understand how customers are changing the ways they shop.
What? So, Annie, let me get this straight. In order to establish itself as more upscale, Macy's removed most high end brands like Jimmy Choo, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Herman Miller and more from the State Street and other stores. Uh-huh. And to drive foot traffic, Macy's removed the distinctive stores within a store like Designers Guild, Thomas O'Brien and Australian Homemade Ice Cream. Uh-huh.
Sounds like Anne's little Alfani shoes are a size too tight.
But get this. I can't believe she actually said this. She pointed to the example of her two favorite sections of her hometown newspaper, The New York Times. Every week she pulls out the science and dining sections and reads them first. If the Times were to somehow deliver those sections to her wrapped on the outside, she would be impressed that the publisher had learned something about her reading habits, she said.
Not to sound mean, but what kind of lazy cow is she? The WHOLE POINT of a Sunday newspaper is to pull it apart, glancing at each section along the way until you find the one(s) you always read first. It's called a morning R-I-T-U-A-L.
In my world C1 a world filled with many rituals from morning coffee with Bailey's to an evening footbath with salts that I used to get from the Merz boutique in Field's, but now get from the store in Lincoln Square C1 a department store isn-t like a big box retailer or discount club. It's a local store where you find unique things you wouldn't find easily in another city. It has interesting displays and in-store boutiques, restaurants and yes, bars. It's a place you can wander for an afternoon, discovering things that you didn't know you wanted. When I used to go to Field's, I never went for just one thing. I went for everything. I started at the top where Field's used to have marked-down sample furniture and artwork, and methodically worked my way down the floors, through furniture, bath, china, lamps, men's clothing, housewares and finally chocolate.
But in MacDonald's world, the department store is just like the way she wants her newspaper. All the Alfani is out front and don't bother looking for anything else, because it isn't there any more.
That is Macy's executives' blunder in Chicago. They don't understand our rituals. They don't understand that what we want from our department store is Field's, not Macy's. They don't understand that if we want to shop at Target, Kohl's or Penney's, we go to Target, Kohl's or Penney's. In order to C,saveC. the department store, Macy's bone-headed executives have destroyed the only true department store in the United States, State Street.
No wonder Penney's wants to open nine stores in Chicago.
Date: Wed, May 9, 2007, 10:33 pm CT Date: Wed, May 9, 2007, 9:51 pm CT
I just have to say one thing right now. The Macy's fiasco has just begun in Chicago under the new Macy's North. They have been trashing stores into the ground here for years.
Soon to come: A list of the worst of the worst in terms of appearance.
---------The truth is, you just can't throw up a flat screen TV, some bulky metal directional signs and a cheap machine for people to throw $100.00 bills into to get an IPOD and expect the department store to be turned around.-------------
TO: JIM S. AT FEDERATED...IF YOU WANT TO DO SOME ADVISING, WHY NOT TELL MR.T. TO LISTEN TO HIS GUESTS.
AGAIN, FIRST AND FOREMOST: IF YOU REALLY WANT TO GET PEOPLE BACK INTO THE STORES - LISTEN TO YOUR GUESTS. BRING BACK THE TOTAL PACKAGE OF A FIRST CLASS MARSHALL FIELD'S !
1) BRING BACK THE SERVICES - RESTAURANTS,BEAUTY SALONS,DEPARTMENTS THAT DIFFERENTIATE THE STORES FROM OTHERS IN THE MALL SUCH AS A GOURMET DEPARTMENT.
2) FOR GOD SAKE...CLEAN UP THOSE STORES....HIRE BACK THE ON-SITE COMPANY EMPLOYED CUSTODIAN/HOUSEKEEPING STAFF....U.S.I. CORP. IS NOT CUTTING IT !
3) SHIP BACK THE SHODDY HOUSEBRAND JUNK TO THE FAR-EAST AND GET SOME REAL DESIGNERS BACK INTO YOUR STORE TO ATTRACT AN AUDIENCE.
THANK YOU,
RG74
Date: Wed, May 9, 2007, 12:51 pm CT Date: Wed, May 9, 2007, 10:26 am CT
I have to say that M stores all of the country are awful. The merchandise is trashy, too trendy, and the stores are dirty and unkept. The nicest and most upscale mall in Dallas, NorthPark Center, has the largest M store in the area. Even that store among NM, Nordstrom, Barneys and many designer flagship stores is a nasty place to shop. There had been talk that Fed would make the store Bloomingdales for such an upscale mall. Better to just get rid of Fed all together.
The M store here is replacing Foleys. Foleys became much lower grade store when bought by May Company. Could not imagine it getting worse with Fed, but it sure is.
Keep up the boycott and know that M stores here are just as bad.
Date: Wed, May 9, 2007, 9:53 am CT
Date: Wed, May 9, 2007, 7:54 am CT
Date: Tue, May 8, 2007, 7:06 pm CT
Let's keep our spirits up and hang in there. There are so many other places to shop.
Date: Tue, May 8, 2007, 6:39 pm CT
1) Originally, the space that is currently Messy's at Northbrook Court was Sears. I made many a Ticketmaster run there in the early 80's as part of my college job. After Sears, it was Penny's, then it was heavily remodelled to become Field's. Now, it's just scary.
2) The Edens Plaza Carson's is always hopping when I go in, which is usually mid-afternoons on weekdays. It's a much nicer store than the Lincolnwood one, perhaps because it's older.
Date: Tue, May 8, 2007, 6:35 pm CT
How about the Messy's Mother's Day TV commercial? Very few of us (with spending clout) have mothers with model-like figures which care to hop through a field of flowers like jack rabbits. A more appropriate commercial would have been one which showcased the beauty of motherhood with three or four generations of "real" women.
Hang in there!
Date: Tue, May 8, 2007, 5:36 pm CT
Date: Tue, May 8, 2007, 5:22 pm CT
Date: Tue, May 8, 2007, 5:21 pm CT
Aren't those times normal working hours for most people? How many customers will be able to shop at macy*mart to purchase the "exciting" specials--unless the "re-educated" consumer is able to stop in before work or during their lunch. Don't most stores run specials on weekends when the majority of people have time to shop?
Who is macy*mart trying to target with these mid-week sales? The unemployed? People who work afternoon shift? Part-time mall sales personnel?
I am sooooooooooo "confusd." Guess that I'll have to shop elsewhere.
Date: Tue, May 8, 2007, 4:03 pm CT
He was particularly defensive about the conversion of Marshall Field's and said that the people in Chicago are very resiliant but that "they will soon give in".
This guy also said that "they had to convert to Macy's to compete with retailers like Target"
[Usual party line.]
So, I just visited the State Street store for the first time since conversion and I have to say it looks pretty bad. Here are my observations in a matter of 10 minutes:
- Overall, dirty
- Windows blocked out (Pardon our appearance) in several windows
- The North East corner is under construction
- The "Macy's Culinary Council" looks defunct
- Large Red sale signs everywhere
- Macy's pushing their in-house brands like INC.
- Stains on the walls (huge one down an escalator)
- Low traffic
- Not many shopping bags
- Unhappy sales people
Also, I noticed that they didn't do much to Macyize the store in terms of overall interior painting. The left many fields touches, such as the green walls in the atrium and wheat pattern on the floor. I wonder if they are truly testing the Macy's idea before they spend even more money on a losing proposition.
Andrew
Date: Tue, May 8, 2007, 3:31 pm CT
NewsMax.com Wires
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
NEW YORK -- The chief marketing officer of Macy's department stores delivered tough talk to the newspaper industry Tuesday, telling a publishing conference why her company is moving ad dollars to other media such as TV, magazines and the Internet.
Anne MacDonald, a self-proclaimed newspaper "junkie" who keeps stacks of them around her home and reads several each day, told publishers they need to do more to win back business from Macy's, which is part of Federated Department Stores Inc. .....
Read the whole article here...
Date: Tue, May 8, 2007, 12:53 pm CT
Date: Tue, May 8, 2007, 9:11 am CT
http://www.topix.net/forum/com/fd
WE MUST NEVER GIVE UP. SUCCESS WILL COME TO THE STEADFAST.
Kate
Date: Tue, May 8, 2007, 7:55 am CT
If you are talking a replacement for Northbrook, it may be Carson Pirie Scott. If any store has been capitalizing on the vacuum left by Field's, it is Carson's. Now, with Lakehurst gone, and the Hawthorn store busy and packed, expansion in/around Lake County makes sense. I'm not sure how the store in Edens Plaza is doing, but if it is half as busy as the one in Hawthorn, then I could see Bon-Ton try to negotiate a lease at Northbrook without fear of negatively impacting sales elsewhere.
Date: Mon, May 7, 2007, 10:06 pm CT
By making macy*mart a low-level, non-productive anchor, the mall operators will want them out. Bon Ton/ Carson's, Von Maur, or Saks would be greater attractions than macy*mart and would therefore drive more customer traffic to the mall. Seriously, how much of a draw is macy*mart? They haven't even defined their niche in the retail market.
I think that Lunkhead's long-range plans extend beyond running second-rate discount stores. Federated owns/leases some prime real estate, and he will liquidate these assets before long. Stay tuned for more interesting developments.
Date: Mon, May 7, 2007, 9:31 pm CT
(If someone else came in from another State , let us know.)
THANKS AGAIN LAURIE !
Date: Mon, May 7, 2007, 9:27 pm CT
Sunday's pickett! (hope the link works . . . )
Date: Mon, May 7, 2007, 8:12 pm CT
My second guess would be Oakbrook Center. It already has Sears, why on earth would Oakbrook want Macy's? With Neiman-Marcus, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom in the mall, Macy's can't be doing well. At least Sears has Land's End.
No no no no, wait. My second guess would be Old Orchard. It has a Bloomingdale's and a Macy's, along with Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom. But no Neiman-Marcus. Maybe Old Orchard wants to boot Macy's to make room for N-M.
But then again, Oakbrook might want to boot Macy's to make room for Saks.
Or additional parking.
OR wouldn't it be a riot if Water Tower Place wanted to boot Macy's. They booted Lord & Taylor because the space was worth more subdivided. Macy's can't be pulling any traffic in for them so perhaps Water Tower wants to subdivide the space. Bring in Von Maur on the lower levels and add more shee-shee boutiques on the upper levels.
So many Macy's, so few shoppers, it's hard to guess the next one to close.
Date: Mon, May 7, 2007, 4:56 pm CT
We especially wish Doris could have been able to attend and she is in our prayers.
On ward...more in the days to come. Keep it up. The boycott is working!
Jim
Date: Mon, May 7, 2007, 2:18 pm CT
Newsradio 780 talked about the protest rally just minutes before it began, pointing out that protesters were just beginning to assemble at State and Washington under the clock.
Someone blasted it on the car radio when the signs were delivered to the protest.
But the biggest twist was this morning's Gary Meier show on WCKG! He and his sidekick started discussing the protest, Macy's and Field's. Someone taped the rally because they were playing tapes the speeches.
At one point they were juxtaposing Jim McKay's speech about Field's and Chicago, where he was shouting and ranting. And then they compared it to Mayor Daley shouting and ranting about Chicago.
Then they actually had Jim McKay talk with Garry for about 15 minutes. Gary sounds a bit indifferent to the switch to Macy's. But then Jim commented something like, "Yeah, we thought YOU were gone from Chicago talk radio for good, but then you came back after a couple of years!"
Very funny and strange all at once. I agreed when it was said that Field's WILL be back for Christmas 2008.
Mark
Date: Mon, May 7, 2007, 12:16 pm CT Date: Mon, May 7, 2007, 11:45 am CT
When having your driver's license renewed, wear your Marshall Field's button, t-shirt, bumper sticker, etc.
Doris
Date: Mon, May 7, 2007, 11:44 am CT
GO FOR IT.
Date: Mon, May 7, 2007, 10:54 am CT Date: Mon, May 7, 2007, 9:45 am CT
Channel 5 showed us at 5:00 p.m. There were a bunch of protest signs, and then they said Macy's has no plans to return to Field's. It didn't seem like they actually called Federated for a comment on Sunday's protest. It was more like they just used information from their files. (Of course we know Macy's doesn't PLAN to return to Field's--why do they think we're protesting!)
Channel 9 coverage at 9:00 p.m. at least didn't make us look like a lost cause. They showed much of Jim's speech, and a bunch of us yelling with signs. My employer saw this coverage, and congratulated us when I walked in on Monday morning.
I didn't see us on Channel 7, even though they had been at the protest. I also noticed a Messy's commercial for Mother's Day on their 10:00 p.m. news.
When we marched around the building after the protest, I looked in the windows and was sickened by the bizarre junk they expect people to buy. A very young girl (of the age who might actually like that stuff) told me very firmly that it turned her off and she doesn't want to wear that stuff.
THE BOYCOTT IS WORKING!
Date: Mon, May 7, 2007, 8:52 am CT Date: Sun, May 6, 2007, 9:18 pm CT Date: Sun, May 6, 2007, 9:08 pm CT Date: Sun, May 6, 2007, 7:12 pm CT Date: Sun, May 6, 2007, 4:18 pm CT
I shopped in Kaufmann's up until the summer of 2006. And following the Sept. 9, 2006, change from all of our beloved stores to the biggest corporate whore name there is (next to Wal-Mart).
Keep up the fight! I'm glad there are others in other parts of the country who feel so strongly towards history.
Date: Sun, May 6, 2007, 1:15 pm CT
Good luck with the protest today. Wish I was there but I am here in my own "Windy City" today...LOL----yikes---hope the weather there is more conducive to being outside. It was beautiful here all week until the weekend.
This morning's Star Tribune had a feature travel article by Ellen Creager of McClatchey News Service about all the cool, free, fun things to do when visiting Chicago. That included window shopping on Michigan Ave. When real shopping, she mentioned visiting the one-of-a kind Chicago stores like old Central Camera Store and Prairie Ave Bookshop, which specializes in architecture and design books. Certainly there was no mention of macy's. I am sure that had that article been written a couple of years ago, there would have been a paragraph about State Street Marshall Field's for both window shopping and real shopping.
Regards.
Date: Sun, May 6, 2007, 1:02 pm CT Date: Sun, May 6, 2007, 10:24 am CT
Here is advance notice: two, much larger former Field's locations in the Chicago area are on very shaky ground. Reasons: low revenue and mall developers that want Macy's out so they can bring in higher end retailers.
As soon as I can get confirmation, I will post it here. I only report news based on sources in the retail, financial and real estate industries.
Now for all of you will email me for a hint: Look to the Macy stores that never got the new directional signs or those tacky shopping carts, and it is becoming more and more obvious that money is not being spend to maintain the building (elevators/escalators that are never repaired, broken entry doors).
I am at a convention in California this week - my spirit is with you during the May 6 protest. Of course, I am wearing my button - lots of people make remarks about it and tell their own Macy horror stories.
Date: Sun, May 6, 2007, 8:41 am CT
This place is loaded with mostly furniture and furs. I sort of wish there was more than just 1 floor of merchandise. How cool would it be if you could visit all 5 floors and see everything! I'm sure you could find some good deals here...but I'm sure it's mostly Macy's stuff...and who wants that! I was really surprised when I looked at their fine jewlery section. It's not merchandise that Macy's sells and certainly isn't stuff that Field's would have sold. The best way to describe this section would be "cheap junky knockoffs of designer inspired items". Definitely an interesting stop to make. Oh! And I also couldn't resist taking some pictures of the Marshall Field and Company plaque that is still on the side of the building.
Date: Sun, May 6, 2007, 7:13 am CT
Apologies to those who visited the site before, and had to look at a blank page.
~David
Date: Sun, May 6, 2007, 2:58 am CT
I'll be with you in spirit Sunday.
March on!
Field's can return!
Field's forever!
Date: Sun, May 6, 2007, 12:35 am CT
The reason why to me it's very touching is as an employee of the company, I have the chance to talk to a lot of people who shopped at Dayton's & Husdson's stores, and as saddened as they were by becomming a Marshall Field's, they LOVED Marshall Field's because it was so Fashion Forward. The Dayton's stores were very high end and could be considered as stuffy and uptight, such as those other stores like Bloomingdales & Neiman Marcus. Field's in itself always had a very friendly personality of give the lady what she wants.
I feel I should also point out, I don't work in a position where I deal with the general public of people on a day to day basis, The people whom reach my office have worked their way up the chain of command to complain about the product offering (and in most cases, the lack of) since we have converted to Macy's.
Now because we are all former Field's stores, it's very easy to hold Macy's to a high standard here in the Macy's North division. We know what we expect to see as customers, and it's going to be very difficult to spoon feed the crap down our throat.
I love it when I see e-mails from customers that the store manager has to deal with from www.macys.com/tellus/ that say how nice the store was, and how nice the people were, but there was NOTHING worth buying because the private labels were junk, and the designers you were looking for are gone.
They want customers to shop there, but they still think the reason why people aren't shopping is because of the product mix. I don't think any suburban store will ever get the Marshall Field's name back, but the landmark store in Chicago will because that store has the lowest sales per square foot, and as far as actual numbers.
Date: Sat, May 5, 2007, 10:26 pm CT
Beth
Date: Sat, May 5, 2007, 9:18 pm CT
How much longer will Lunkhead be able to play games with semantics and numbers? Sales are down, stock prices are down, and yet Lunky says the macy-ization plan is working. Say WHAT? Consumers are NOT being "won back" to macy*mart, consumers are NOT being "re-educated" to believe that trash is treasure because it says Alfani or Charter Club on the label, and consumers have not "confused" an over-priced discount mart with a high-quality department store.
While there is no organized protest in the Pittsburgh area, former Kaufmann's shoppers have held a silent protest--by shopping elsewhere! This is largely a middle-class area, but people have learned that they aren't going to find quality or class at macy*s. The house brands at The Bon Ton, JC Penney and Kohl's are far superior to those at macy*mart and a high price is not indicative of quality. So many people have just given up on macy*mart and have developed new shopping patterns. I think that if macy*mart would pull out of Pittsburgh tomorrow, nobody would really miss it.
Date: Sat, May 5, 2007, 8:56 pm CT
They feature a world class dining room, a fabulous food hall and a fine offering of services across the board !
If Macy*Mart would work towards retaining its former greatness in its legacy doors and GIVE BACK MARSHALL FIELD'S TO THE MIDWEST...MAYBE THE U.S. WOULD HAVE A LITTLE MORE TO COMPETE WITH BESIDES NEIMAN MARCUS,NORDSTROM & VON MAUR !
Date: Sat, May 5, 2007, 8:33 pm CT Date: Sat, May 5, 2007, 6:57 pm CT
Here's to tomorrow's fight for Fields ! It is time for macy*mart quality to go and Field's fine goods and fine service to return !
Respectful Regards,
RG74
Date: Sat, May 5, 2007, 6:54 pm CT
But in the meantime, Macy's leaders can do the right thing by taking an example from the House of Frasier of the U.K. When they took over the long loved Jenner's of Scotland, they were sure to name it Jenner's, A House of Frasier Store. Take a look at the webpage ---> http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/stores/store.asp?id=450
See how a more guest focused approach is realized ? Very interesting isn't it.
Ahhh...the U.K. certainly is a department store paradise isn't it ?
Respectful Regards,
RG74
Date: Sat, May 5, 2007, 11:31 am CT
That's right! We need as many of us as possible to be at the Protest Rally TOMORROW, SUNDAY, MAY 6th, from 1:00 PM until 2:30 PM. We will have media coverage and this is the time to show everyone that the citizens of Chicago will hit back hard when they are hit. We can bring Field's back but each one of you is needed.
We will have plenty of protest signs for you to hold. PLEASE CALL OR SEND AN EMAIL to a friend or two and bring them with you. Please call some of your siblings and have a day with them down at Marshall Field's like you did when you were kids. Whatever you do, PLEASE CALL people whom you think would attend the rally.
What a perfect way to spend a Spring Sunday afternoon. A Protest Rally followed by a stroll around downtown!!
Date: Sat, May 5, 2007, 10:52 am CT Date: Sat, May 5, 2007, 10:42 am CT
When traveling, Marshall Field's Frangos made the perfect gift, a delicious chocolate mint from Chicago's hometown store recognized and treasured by friends around the world. Even here in Chicago, our emotional attachment and pride in Marshall Field's made the candies taste that much better.
Sold by Macy's, Frangos have become just another mint, tasty, but with no unique appeal to make them gift-worthy. In fact, a gift from Macy's is considered by many people to be an insult.
As demonstrated by the dramatic drop in "same-store" Frango sales under Macy's name, a box of candy from a grocery store apparently has more appeal than Frango mints from Macy's. A gift from Macy's shows that someone cared so little they shopped at any one of 850 stores in a national discount chain. Furthermore, a gift from Macy's is an offense to every Field's customer and to anyone who appreciated Marshall Field's and the role Field's played in defining the Chicago's character and the image Chicago presented to the world.
Date: Sat, May 5, 2007, 10:40 am CT
An interesting note, one year the Christmas tree in the restaurant was much smaller than the previous years. The customers in Miwlaukee were so mad, that they called Chicago and complained, and complained they did. A week or so later, a new large deluxe Christmas tree was sent from Chicago to replace the skimpy one in the Milwaukee store.
Fields' is Chicago BUT, in Milwaukee we want MARSHALL FIELD'S back too!
Date: Fri, May 4, 2007, 11:08 pm CT
Despite Mr. Lundgren & Co's assertion that we customers need to be re-educated, we need to educate Macy's and the media about
the true nature of why Frangos are connected to Chicago and why Macy's again doesn't "get" Chicago and Field's.
Frangos are a confection from Seattle--not Chicago. What made them wildly popular was not that they originated in Chicago nor that they were made in Chicago. What made them wildly popular is that these Seattle treats started being made inside the world's greatest and most beautiful department store, in the candy kitchens inside the historic Marshall Field's flagship at 111 N State. I emphasize: They became popular because they were made INSIDE Marshall Field's grand store! And of course in the uncompromising spirit of Field's offering quality, it was Frangos that they made. The Frangos were a food souveneir from Marshall Field's which was the great iconic store of Chicago!
Remember ALL the Frangos were made there. No matter what Field's you purchased your Frangos at, they were from State Street! It was a full production candy line. It wasn't just a demonstration kitchen like Macy's has set up.
If Federated wants to claim they are correcting the mistake of Dayton-Hudson from ten years ago then they must return Frango mass production to the State Street store, not just to Chicago.
If Federated wants to claim they are supporting jobs in the Chicago community by bringing back Frango production to the city, then why are they going to take hundreds of jobs out of Chicago when the close the Diversey Avenue warehouse? The return of Frango production won't offset this. Furthermore, if Macy's supports Chicago jobs, then why are they building their new web orders center in Arizona? Under Field's, those orders were served out of the Midwest. My web orders shipped from the Diversey warehouse. I believe the announcement of the POSSIBILITY of Frango production returning to Chicago was made as a detraction from the fact that Chicago will lose even more jobs when the Field's warehouse is moved out of the city.
Please take a few minutes to help our cause and educate Macy's and the media by writing.
The Sun-Times editorial url is above; below is the URL from the Trib's story of yesterday.
The following is recommended when submitting letters to the editor:
* If submitting by the internet, send your "Letter to the Editor" in a standard email message. Do not use web page forms or blog sites for the newspapers, unless you absolutely have to. If y
ou submit via email, you have the opportunity to cc: or bcc: a copy to yourself--submitting via other methods on the internet mean you probably won't have a dated copy of your response, if you
get a copy at all. It is very important that you keep a copy for your records.
Thank you for making a difference!
Date: Fri, May 4, 2007, 9:22 pm CT
As far as bringing back Frango production to Chicago......that's nice first step....now just find a buyer and bring back the green awnings and bags, with the brands, quality, and service, with that beautiful script name on the building!
Date: Fri, May 4, 2007, 2:12 pm CT
Being a retail designer, I am very interested in visiting malls in foreign towns to feel the color and identity of the people shopping at the malls. I remember that Mayfair had one of the Field's similar to River Oaks, Oakbrook, and Old Orchard, so I was excited to stop by and see it for the first time.
I was very upset to see the macys logo on the beautiful 1950's mid century design retail building. What Macy's calls outdated, is actually a department store building that is extremely solid, well built, and visually stimulating with the multi colored cut limestone and white brick. I was very happy to see that the escalator banks still possessed the beautiful limestone that I remember as a child at the River Oaks store.
The store at Mayfair had a surprisingly 1980s era Field's store feel to it still. It was remodeled at roughly the same time as Oakbrook, River Oaks, and Old Orchard. As far as I am concerned BATUS did an excellent job remodeling these stores as they still look timeless 20 years later after their mid to late 1980's remodels. These stores look way better than any new FDS store I have visited. When they remodeled these stores, they used bright spotlighting, minimal fluorescent lighting, wood floors, marble flooring, intimate shops, ie. Ralph Lauren Polo....all I can really picture is a department store that sparkled with spotlighting and amazing displays.
Obviously we know that Macy's moved into these stores and could "remodel" these stores.....cover up the limestone, replace spotlighting with fluorescent lamps, replace the high ceilings with 1x1 1950's metal ceiling tiles with ugly cheap tiles, eliminate intimacy in the departments and in the end will provide a dull, bland experience.
It's so dissapointing to see them kill the department stores. Not one days goes by without me being upset about this whole thing. Things change, but this was something that did not need to change. Field's was fresh, innovative and just an overall happy place to be. Field's conveyed elegance, happiness, style, and tradition.....while Macy's is nothing more than a bland generic department store.
I am so happy you all feel the same way and that I am not the only one who feels this way.
Date: Fri, May 4, 2007, 2:12 pm CT
I am an employee and I can confidently speak for most, if not all, of my co-workers: We miss Marshall Field's.
We were proud to say we worked at Marshall Fields. We no longer feel proud to work at Macy's but we stay because we need our jobs. We share the embarrassment of bad experiences with the credit lines, the screwed up orders, and the seeming lack of real knowledge and customer service skills apparent when one makes a phone call about anything.
We care about the customers' concerns, but obviously it makes no difference as our voices are not heard. We are stretched to the limit and therefore cannot give outstanding service. We don't feel cared about either. It's all about money. There is nothing wrong at all with wanting to make a profit, but it IS wrong when greed overtakes sensibility. I hope and pray someone DOES buy Marshall Field's (notice I didn't say Macy's) -- all 60 or so stores in the "Macy's North" division. I loved Marshall Field's State Street Store. I work in a store outside of the Chicago area that was once under the Dayton-Hudson banner, but the change has been negatively received here as well. Don't think that the impact fell only on Chicago. We count too -- but it seems Federated doesn't think anyone counts but Federated.
A note of encouragement in the form of an analogy from a fellow employee:
I bought a house years back and the bankers who held the mortgage on it were selfish, inconsiderate and somewhat questionable. I remembered that sometimes other mortgage companies will "buy" an existing mortgage contract so I prayed that someone nice and just would come along and buy my mortgage contract from the bank who held it. It happened! I had such a wonderful experience with the new creditors. I remembered this last night and so prayed that someone nice and just and right would come along and redeem Macy's North stores -- which of course include all of the former Marshall Field's locations (our smaller but nice stores, as well as State St.). So that is my prayer and my hope! Let someone who CARES own and operate these stores! AMEN!
Date: Fri, May 4, 2007, 1:42 pm CT
Well, I got my answer. I re-posted today, and the response was amazing. I'm on my way to the post office now with a big bunch of envelopes responding to requests.
If you want a free bumper sticker and/or lapel stickers, just send me an e-mail at bgwinnett@hotmail.com. Don't forget to give me your mailing address.
Date: Fri, May 4, 2007, 2:21 pm CT
Marshall Field did not just plunk down a store on State Street. He had his assets and opinion into just about everything he considered important in Chicago. He probably had as much influence as some politicians. Lunkhead doesn't seem to understand this legacy. He thinks a store is just a store. To remove the Marshall Field's name from State Street is like yanking George Washington's portrait out of the public schools and replacing it with Macy's, or worse yet, Lundgren's--the great re-educator.
I got this book as a premium for my subscription to Channel 11. I don't know if it's available elsewhere. The WTTW website did not have it among their items for sale. Anyone interested might try calling WTTW at (773) 509-1111. It has great insight into the building of Chicago, and why we are protesting Sunday May 6, 2007.
Date: Fri, May 4, 2007, 12:36 pm CT
Arrogance yes, unfortunately it is legal if it is written into the corporate charter.
Cheer for me on the 6th; still recoup. in another state.
Doris
Date: Fri, May 4, 2007, 1:56 am CT Date: Fri, May 4, 2007, 12:09 am CT
Who would even want one of their ugly bags. They look like some runner up entry in a second grade contest to design a shopping bag. We lost the elegance and style of Fields to this? The grocery sacks from the Jewel have more class. I don't feel too sorry for the British guy whose bag broke after leaving the store ... the lines of menswear they carry tend to only come in all shades and colors of mud and dirt, so chances are there was not much damage done to whatever he bought in there.
A good psychiatrist ought to sit down with the FDS board and fill them in on the definition of a megalomaniac ... Stick to your disasterous empirical ideas when the world warns you what a disaster they will become, lie to everyone they are not really your own ideas but the result of listening to others, and then, after a year of proof of said disaster, simply say that your disasterous ideas are not the problem and people just need more time to get re-educated to them. Hmmm, it's been a few years since my Psych 101 class in college but I seem to remember, we had a diagnosis for that ... megalomaniac.
Thanks Doris for your post! I wish you could be president. The world needs more Doris.
Keep up the good work everyone! Keep America Beautiful, don't be seen carrying one of their awful red star bags.
Date: Thu, May 3, 2007, 9:49 pm CT
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Thank you for making a difference!
Jim
Date: Thu, May 3, 2007, 8:02 pm CT
Just read the article about Macy's Closing Warehouse. Well Good for you Alderman ! YouC-re the first Alderman who has "stood up and pushed back" at Federated Dept. Stores. They came into Chicago, with a "Steamroller", telling us Chicagoans How to Shop, and what to Buy. Please join us on Sunday May 6th at 1:00pm at a Protest Rally on State St. "Under the Clock".
Date: Thu, May 3, 2007, 6:49 pm CT
One very important question ! How is it that Terry L. can be CHAIRMAN,CEO AND PRESIDENT. Is it customary for a man to hold three important positions or not ?
Perhaps if the positions were split between three people, one of them would have the wisdom to convince the other to not be so stupid as to flush down over 150 years of tradition, internationally renowned quality, and excellence that comes with the Marshall Field's name.
Macy's has had an arrogance about it since the days that it was stripped down from the grace by the Campeau organization that destroyed it. While I initially credited the Federated people for bringing it back, the way they brought it back (by stripping away all of the services like restaurants and all the departments that made a department store different than other types of stores) is what makes me wish that they never brought it back at all.
The FDS Macy's is not the same Macy's that I grew up with. Federated is not the same under Lundgren either. It hurts big time ! Before all is said and done, I wager the Bloomingdale's name will be disposed of, Macy's will become a clone of Sear's (but without the class of Sear's) and the carriage trade will be entirely gone !
Federated had the chance to really broaden their comittment to the high end...where the money is...by keeping Marshall Field's and retaining Bloomingdale's on the East and West coast. There is no suprise that the overlap between Bloomingdale's and Macy's is tremendous and in Chicago, there is not much difference with the exception of a few lines they carry that make Bloomingdale's just a 1/2 step up from Macy's !
Marshall Field's stood above Bloomingdale's, Macy's and all of the stores in the midwest. They were the king of department stores ! They were known around the world for their quality, class and world class traditions. ALL TAKEN AWAY BY MACY'S, FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES, TERRY LUNDGREN AND HIS MANAGEMENT TEAM !
The Federated Stockholders are NOT BEING TOLD THE TRUTH ABOUT THE TRUE LOSSES GOING ON AT THE STORE LEVEL. Federated stockholders are not being let in on the true tragedy of mis-calculation and mis-steps taken by the Lundgren management team.
While consolidation may be the result of competition, and the need to survive among the competition in business, it still should not be an excuse to kill a brand, a lifestyle, a tradition, a standard of service just to put a few synergies into place.
Sometimes when we cut corners just to save a few steps, we wind up cutting off the best part of the trip ! Marshall Field's was on a journey to achieving excellence with the finest upscale traditions of any deparment store in the U.S.A. I credit Terry Lundgren with the destruction of it and the other May Company stores that were part of the fabric of each community around the country !
--------------------
Closing Lake Forest , the jewel-box of a store that could showcase the best of what the 28 Shop has to offer, is like cutting off a person's nose despite his face !
Closing the warehouse in Chicago, the same idea !
REST ASSURED THAT IF FRANGO CANDY PRODUCTION IS COMING BACK TO CHICAGO, THE OTHER 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE CLOSURE OF LAKE FOREST AND THE CLOSURE OF THE MAIN CHICAGO WAREHOUSE WILL BE MADE AT THE SAME TIME TO "SOFTEN THE BLOW OF CRITICISM FROM THE PUBLIC"......PUBLIC RELATIONS 101 !
YET,IT IS ALL PART OF THE CALCULATED PLAN TO TAKE MARSHALL FIELD'S STORES MORE DOWNMARKET THAN EVER !
JUST WAIT...THE RESTAURANTS, THE WINE SHOP...ANY COST DEPARTMENT...EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY BE THE REASON PEOPLE SHOP AND STAY IN A STORE LONGER TO SHOP, THEY SOMEHOW NEVER END UP GETTING THE CREDIT FOR THE ADDITIONAL PROFIT MADE IN OTHER AREAS OF THE STORE !
FRANGOS IN CHICAGO, FIELDGEAR LABELS ON ALFANI CLOTHING...2 DOG-BONES THROWN TO THE MASSES DOES NOT CUT IT TERRY L ! WE WANT OUR MARSHALL FIELD'S BACK....JUST KEEP WATCHING THE SALES #S AND YOU WILL SEE !
THANK YOU !
Date: Thu, May 3, 2007, 6:47 pm CT Date: Thu, May 3, 2007, 12:28 pm CT
Read what the alderman says!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: Thu, May 3, 2007, 11:32 am CT
I realized something and I hope there are others Which agree. I love Marshall Field's, a Chicago landmark, enough not to hate Messy's, just another store. The real bad guys are FDS & TL. Let's continue to EDUCATE FDS & TL to this fact with rallies and the sustained boycott. You do not push Chicagoans; we will push back like a pack of JUNK YARD DOGS! You can take that to the bank, or in this case--NOT!!
Messy's could have come to our fair city the right way, the respectful way but nooooo, FDS chose to be cheap and not build Messy's their own store. I would put that store up against our beloved Marshall Field's any day of the week, sale or seasonsssssssss. (How many have there been now?) FDS & TL keep your Messy's but not in our Marshall Field's. Give the lady what she wants and
I WANT MY MARSHALL FIELD'S
To FDS & TL with the boycott and rallies we are simply trying to educate you. To educate--Assist in the learning of something new. (FDS & TL that's called quality in all areas, even shopping bags, and loyalty.) To re-educate--I'll admit teaching an 'ole dawg' new tricks can be difficult. Once you've experienced exceptional quality and service in Chicago's third largest tourist attraction all else pales in comparison. If FDS can hold on for 150 years, maybe they'll find a target market. Speaking of target, that man from England whose shopping bag broke, he should have gone to Target instead. Target shopping bags are much steadier plus they're red and white, and their advertising compaign is much classier than Messy's.
As w/adding the Field Gear line. Although Chicagoans are JUNK YARD DOGS we want more than a bone--we want the entire enchilada, BABY! And what's to stop Messy's from sewing the Field Gear label into Alfani wear? How stupid do they think we are? Field Gear is an in-house brand, FDS owns the store, they can name their in-house brand anything and I believe it's legal. In other words if you buy the new Field Gear line from Messy's don't expect Ralph Lauren quality which is what I personally experienced when shopping at Marshall Field's.
Continue to put your money where your mouths are. Back door Federated. They won't disclose their sales figures, then make a positive impact on one store's sales figures. Jim what do think if we impact one store's sales monthly? Need help in setting up a schedule? Different dates, different stores.
As for the rally bring your cell phones. Call the local papers, radio and TV stations and tell them you're there! ABC is right up the street.
Good luck at the "Anti-Messy's" rally on the 6th. They've had one too many seasons inside Marshall Field's--and
I WANT MY MARSHALL FIELD'S
Date: Thu, May 3, 2007, 10:25 pm CT
The Tribune quotes 31st Ward Ald. Ray Suarez about possible closing of the warehouse, "It was a surprise to me, I just think that Macy's came to Chicago and are running things in a cold way. All they care about is Macy's, not about how the people of Chicago are so enthused about Marshall Field's." The article also says Suarez "is not happy about the prospect of losing jobs in his neighborhood, saying Macy's officials told him last fall they plan to keep the warehouse open."
Both articles say that the Lake Forest landlord, Broadacre Management Co. is talking to other retailers as well as Federated for when the lease is up in January, 2008. Bert Meers of the the property company says they might know by the end of this month.
Date: Thu, May 3, 2007, 8:29 pm CT
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070503/earns_martha_stewart.html?.v=4
Date: Wed, May 2, 2007, 10:54 pm CT
I'm not surprised that it's Lake Forest that is closing first. Federated has no idea how to use history to its advantage (they are all about the "steamroller" approach). The question is what's next.
As for the warehouse, it's good that the alderman is fuming about the loss of jobs. It would be better if Daley is upset, as well. We'll see. My guess is that the new warehouse will be in the suburbs somewhere (or perhaps the collar counties), and will have half the employees, at best.
On the other hand, the fact that they are attempting the baby steps might mean that the tide is turning in our favor. It may well be that if Chicago sticks it out another year or so, Field's may make its return.
Date: Wed, May 2, 2007, 7:55 pm CT
Macy's hasn't come to a decision on a new lease (I think they have, but just haven't announced it yet) and the owner is already shopping the space around.
The most curious part is the last:
I hope one of those calls was from Von Maur. I've been wanting to shop there and Market Square is accessible by train from Chicago.
Date: Wed, May 2, 2007, 1:45 pm CT Date: Wed, May 2, 2007, 11:54 am CT
Keep up the boycott! Hopefully some investor will buy and restore Marshall Field's.
Date: Wed, May 2, 2007, 8:54 am CT Date: Wed, May 2, 2007, 6:22 am CT
-- a NJ sympathizer
Date: Tues, May 1, 2007, 6:37 pm CT
Click on Saturday tours and turn to the 3rd page of tours.
They are referring to macy's as the "Flagship Store" in "this landmark building". No mention of Marshall Field's. Although perhaps they may mention it during the tour, I would find this a very misleading description. I did write to them and suggest that others may want to follow suit.
Beth
Date: Tues, May 1, 2007, 6:22 pm CT Date: Tues, May 1, 2007, 6:17 pm CT
Let's continue the momentum and show them Chicagoans are a tenacious bunch.
Date: Tues, May 1, 2007, 6:12 pm CT
You think the Chicago stores are a bad...the stores here are terrible: messy, dirty, no sales help. Very odd how clothes are pinned onto the manikins to make the clothes look like they fit.
Thank god there is a really great Lord and Taylor near the convention center.
Date: Tues, May 1, 2007, 2:08 pm CT
Regardless, this shows how important this next rally is. The meeting in Cinci is in a number of ways like a annual evaluation for Lundgren. We need to weigh in. That's why even though the date May 6 is a bit lower key, it's just as important to be out there.
Jim
Date: Tues, May 1, 2007, 1:44 pm CT
They are told at their morning meetings to not give out the paper shopping bags unless asked for them.
The Frango Cafe did not have VANILLA ice cream yesterday.
The Frango Cafe is told that they cannot give full size napkins to customers unless asked. They have to use the coaster-size instead.
A British shopper bought things at Macy's a few days ago on a rainy day and his shopping bag fell apart in the street and my friend held her umbrella over him while he picked up his purchases.
way to go Macy's!
Date: Tues, May 1, 2007, 1:11 pm CT
The Promenade is more of a lifestyle center not a mall like Fox valley or Oakbrook. It offers more of a town feel to it along with new and unique stores to the area Bass Pro, Gordon Biersch,
The Bolingbrook Macy's is yes more of a May Company store than a old Field's or even a FDS store. May Design and Construction designed and built the store with some changes made later by FDS, but they were not major since the store was designed and planned before FDS took over May Company. Northbrook was not a true Field's it was a Dayton's store. Marshall Field's did not design, build or remodel any of their stores once Dayton-Hudson/Target took over the operations.
I worked with a former Field's employee in the construction office and myself have worked with Field's in construction, but I never dealt with Chicago, the decesions and planning all came from Minneapolis and then later St. Louis
Date: Tues, May 1, 2007, 11:08 am CT
My Marshall Field's Tribute site has been added to several other sites such as Wikipedia and Lablescar.
Thanks to all of you for helping make it a sucess!
I would still like more feedback to keep our memories alive!
Thanks!
Darrid
Date: Tues, May 1, 2007, 10:00 am CT Date: Tues, May 1, 2007, 8:53 am CT
Actually, when I posted my Top Ten Reasons Why Macy's Sales Volume Is Down in Minneapolis, I really had an 11th reason as well. I just didn't post it because I didn't want people to think I had a bad attitude about Macy's. But after consulting with Tony in Milwaukee and Drew in PA, I decided to post:
Macys North Executives create bad impression, wandering Nicollet Mall, wearing yellow flip-flops with their black suits on Casual Fridays.
Regards.
Date: Tues, May 1, 2007, 12:27 am CT
Let me know when. I want to buy a linen jacket from Nordstrom soon.
Date: Mon, April 30, 2007, 11:03 pm CT Date: Mon, April 30, 2007, 8:29 pm CT
Great suggestions, Denise. By the way, I am the one who brought those three large City of Chicago flags that were "too blue," i.e., that were lacking the outermost white sections. I groaned when I bought them but they were the only ones I could find. Jim has since reminded me that we have a couple of the correct flags that were donated by the same generous person who donated the 154 personal size flags for 9/9/2006.
We will have plenty of signs also. That's why we all of you to call a few friends or relatives and offer them a ride to the protest. Tell them "What a great way to spend the day. A protest rally and then a stroll through the City!"
Date: Mon, April 30, 2007, 7:11 pm CT Date: Mon, April 30, 2007, 5:43 pm CT Date: Mon, April 30, 2007, 3:47 pm CT
Today MSN Money did a story called "Customer Service Hall of Shame" in which they listed the worst companies for customer service. They listed the top ten worst, and 10 "dishonorable mentions." The top 10 were basically all banks and communications companies, but 2 department stores got dishonorable mentions: Sears, and....Macy's!!!
Lundgren must be so proud!
Date: Mon, April 30, 2007, 2:50 pm CT
Shop Carson's, Nordstrom, Sears, JCPenney, Von Maur, Lord & Taylor, Crate & Barrel, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Costco, amazon.com, etc.
Date: Mon, April 30, 2007, 2:05 pm CT
"If it wasn't for us (Macy's), this place (State St. Field's) would be a parking lot."
I then asked her how the State St. Men's department was doing.
"They used to make big cash on the 2nd floor, and it was really busy before the name change."
And after the name change?
"REALLY SLOW."
So Macy's saved Field's? I quipped.
She laughed.
So the Macy's party line is that if Field's is going down the tubes, it was happening BEFORE they bought it. And because they will not disclose figures for State St. Fields and now Macy's, they think they can get away with killing a Great Chicago Institution.
There are many of us who will not let that happen without getting the truth out!
Keep up the pressure on Macy's!
Date: Mon, April 30, 2007, 1:26 pm CT
Marshall Field's is an institution that truly is Chicago. I wish that I could be present for the protest, however, I will be there in spirit. I will pass the word to my friends who still reside in Chicago.
Again good luck with the protest.
Date: Mon, April 30, 2007, 10:20 am CT Date: Mon, April 30, 2007, 8:34 am CT
Jim
Date: Sun, April 29, 2007, 7:40 pm CT Date: Sun, April 29, 2007, 11:41 am CT
This petty and reprehensible legal action cost the Eleven City Diner thousands of dollars to reprint menus and change display boards in order remove their long-standing tribute to an honored Chicago icon.
In light of this history, the second place winner announced today in the Chicago Tribune's contest to create a sandwich inspired after colorful Chicago characters is particulary amusing...
Second Place, submitted by Jan Schippits of Elmhurst: "The Macy's sanwich: Lettuce, pickle and plain bun -- no sesame seeds, no meat, no special sauce. It's not what the old sandwich used to be."
Date: Sun, April 29, 2007, 6:48 am CT Date: Sun, April 29, 2007, 1:11 am CT
Who are the top performing retailers in the market today- by same store sales increases and stock performance? Why gosh its Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus!
Why bother to compete in a growing market, thats a sound strategy in today's retail environment!
I'm glad I don't own FDS stock, but I have been enjoying my big run up in my Nordstrom stock.
Date: Sat, April 28, 2007, 10:45 pm CT
A lot of people thrilled to know we are all out there doing this.
Jim
Date: Sat, April 28, 2007, 8:46 pm CT
Date: Sat, April 28, 2007, 3:55 pm CT
HAPPY 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUTH END GREAT CLOCK AT MARSHALL FIELD & COMPANY!!!
Date: Sat, April 28, 2007, 11:39 am CT
Here's an idea. (First thanks to my sister for here patience in typing this blog for me!) I know after the rally on the 6th many will be spent but wouldn't it be wonderful to take an additional hour or two to put our money where our mouths are? For example hop over to Sears or Old Navy and pick up a few things for the kids or home. A summer tee, a vacuum cleaner bag, anything. Go to Sally's and buy some lotion or fingernail polish. Hit the shops on Wabash; buy a comfy pair of shoes for the next rally; get a blouse or shirt. For the more ambitious, head to North Michigan and go WILD! Better yet, lets designate one store and everyone go there.
Further, have one day a month as "Put our money where your mouth is day." Have the first Sat. or Sun. in every month as "Put our money where your mouth is day!" Make sure to tell shoppers and sales associates at those other stores you're only shopping there in direct protest to the FDS name change. Organize our buying strategies and buy at other stores on the SAME DAY. If FDS and TL won't come up off how poorly their sales are doing, lets back door them by having the other retailers prove how much better their sales are and WHY! How can the media ignore this?
In other words: SHOW SOMEBODY ELSE YOUR MONEY!!!!!
Luv ya,
D.
Date: Sat, April 28, 2007, 11:20 am CT
I used to also buy a lot of Lauren Ralph Lauren at Field's, and even though I work across the street from Macy's, I drive to Carson's at Eden's Plaza to buy Lauren now. I'm contributing to the upsurge in Bon Ton stock and the downturn for Federated. Well worth the trip!
I walk through Macy's daily on my way to work, and it's a true ghost town except when they are having their big sales. Even then, it's like Field's on a regular day, not a sale day. It's only a matter of time, people, if we just stay the course.
Date: Sat, April 28, 2007, 9:46 am CT Date: Sat, April 28, 2007, 7:40 am CT
New direct mail piece with great copy:
"Style. Names. Service. Right where you want them. We're all about making shopping an experience." (Right on L&T!)
"You'll love our unparalleled personal service. Our sales associates are knowledgeable and are always ready to assist you." (And that is true at L&T)
"We've got the best names in fashion and accessories...names synonymous with style and quality." There is a list of all the brand names and designers you've come to love. Please note that very few are at Macy's.
And one more thing inside: A $50 gift card! Guess where I am going today!
Oh, and I got yet another Macy's mailer. This time with a discount card for "an extra 20% or 10% off (HUH?). Of course, all the small type on the back limits what can be purchased to store brand junk.
One last think about Frango's: Look closely at what you are buying. Is what was once a 16 oz. box is now 14.7 oz.? And keep in mind, the candy maker will use any ingredients specified by the Macy's. Federated owns Frangos - they are made under contract with a manufacturer. So they can change the recipe if they wanted to.
Date: Sat, April 28, 2007, 12:10 am CT
"Lundgren repeated his original argument that continuing to operate 60 Field's stores as high-end stores somewhere between Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus would have been unworkable in today's retail environment."
UMM.... WHAT IS THE LOGIC AND REASONING OF RUNNING ABOUT 36 STORES NATIONWIDE UNDER THE NAME OF BLOOMINGDALE'S, WHICH IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN NORDSTROM and NEIMAN MARCUS, WHEN TERRY CLEARLY STATES IT IS UNWORKABLE IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT.
That statement is so hypocritical it makes no sense. Is Bloomingdale's for sale? Is Terry giving us subtle hints? Don't forget the renaming of the company from Federated to Macy's Group. Hmmm... did he loosely let the cat out of the bag?
I went to the Bolingbrook store, it is so May Company... The decor, design and configuration of the store gives it a feel of a downscale Lord & Taylor. Cold, empty walls, no personality, I was not impressed. Northbrook Court (the very LAST Field's built) was done with a lot of class, aside from the mounds of imitation designers on overstuffed clearance fixtures that populate the store now.
If anyone goes to the Bolingbrook Promenade in the next few days, please comment, I want to know what other people think. The shopping center is nice, my only gripe is that it does not have a unique mix of stores. Oak Brook, Yorktown and Fox Valley are all within miles and offer a better retail mix than the Promenade. If the Promenade had a Nordstrom and Von Maur instead of Macy's, this would have been a true shopping destination.
By the way, not a single employee approached me and it was not busy at all.
Date: Fri, April 27, 2007, 10:49 pm CT
10. We really ARE confused just like Terry says: Southdale? Ridegdale? Brookdale? Rosedale? Which is which? Guess we'll stay home.
9. Nicollet Mall Store is not in a mall? How confusing. Guess we'll stay home.
8. When people go to Mall of America, they never make it to macys or Bloomingdales because they just ride the roller coaster for 3 hours and then leave.
7. Now that the sales are on Wednesdays, the Norwegians (50% of the population)can't go because they make Lutefisk that day.
6. Some people are still driving around looking for Dayton's
5. Everybody's mad that Santa Bear did not have a float in this year's Holidazzle Parade on Nicollet Mall.
4. The shoe sales guys never touch your feet anymore when you buy shoes. They just hand you the box of shoes.
3. Spring Sale conflicts with Polka Fest
2. Winter Sale conflicts with ice skating, ice fishing, ice sculpting, snow sculpting, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, hockey, sledding, St Paul Winter Carnival, the Ice Castle, the Outdoor Martini Bar, & dog sled races.
1. We're just a bunch of unsophisticated hicks who don't know what to do so we imitate you folks in the bigger city and boycott macys.
Date: Fri, April 27, 2007, 9:38 pm CT
* First, a commercial pitting "Philly Steak" pizza against "Brooklyn-style" pizza. ?!?!?!?! I'm sure folks there like their local favorites, but WHAT are these people thinking running this in Chicago? We all know where Chicagoans stand in regards to the pizza issue!!!
* Immediately following, an M*s commercial advertising their "Spring" sale. Once again, I think these ads might be slightly more appropriate elsewhere in the country where Federated has stomped out any remaining local retailing flavor, BUT NOT HERE IN CHICAGO!!!!
Where am I? According to this network, I may as well be in Topeka, Sacremento, Cleveland, or Jacksonville.
WE WANT MARSHALL FIELD'S BACK! NOT a generic stage prop that pretends to take over & destroys awesome & beloved traditions, styles, and service left by the wayside!
Date: Fri, April 27, 2007, 8:16 pm CT Date: Fri, April 27, 2007, 7:40 pm CT
I've noticed merchandise from Oprah's make-over shows include The Gap and Target. . .HMM!
As for the upcomming protest, I may not be able to be with you physically but will be there in SPIRIT! I want to read about the May 6 Rally in glowing terms. Thoughts:
1) Begin w/a giant unity huge of soladarity.
2) Marchers that wrap around the great Field's Bldg.; can't distinguish the head of the line from the back.
3) Don't be shy. Get bus drivers, cabbies and cars involved.
HONK IF YOU WANT MARSHALL FIELD'S.
Field's Gear is like tossing us a stale taco. As Marianne said, 'we want the entire enchilada!'
I'd love for everyone to write down what goods and services they no longer purchase from the 111 No. State St. store, place it in a box and ship it to TL in Ohio. Be realistic, thorough, not nasty. Example:
1) I've been w/the same hair stylist for 25 years but have not patronized the salon since the name change.
2) I'll be going on line to purchase my Lois Hill jewelry instead of having Thomasina cater to my every wish.
3) Toni at the Elizabeth Arden counter has lost my business to the Red Door Salon on North Michigan.
4) I've purchased so many shoes during the stock up sales over the years there is no need for me to even look at a new pair of shows for the next three years.
5) No other gift certificate makes a woman's heart skip a beat the way one accompanied by a box of Frango Mints. No matter the amount you knew you were going to get something GOOD!
Katie Couric of the CBS evening news just announced to the world that Chicago is the Capital of the Midwest (of course we knew this). This market has clout. What we have to do is 're-educate' FDS and TL to this simple fact. Chicagoans know what they want and:
WE WANT OUR MARSHALL FIELD'S!
I rest my case.
Doris
Date: Fri, April 27, 2007, 7:28 pm CT
[Reprinted from yesterday, due to popular demand.]
To all of you who feel strongly about this issue, please be aware that the boycott is crushing the Macy's on State. Sales are way down, according to information provided by insiders to me and to members of FieldsFansChicago.org. There are also marked decreases in sales at some suburban locations according to our sources.
Meanwhile, Federated won't come clean with the numbers. The reason is clear. They don't want to admit their mistake or give shareholders the truth.
To help with this effort, your attendance is needed at the next rally. Only through a sustained boycott will there be a chance for Marshall Field's to return to State Street. This is a multi-year effort and there are countless people who are making that effort simply by shopping elsewhere. This boycott is about the future. It is about making Chicago a better place for decades to come.
For now, we need you to show yourself in a crowd of fellow Field's supporters, so that the media can see the Chicagoans are who disagree with Federated's actions. Federated brought in Macy's while ignoring, disrespecting, and squandering the tremendous tradition as well as the future benefits of the Marshall Field legacy.
Please come to the May 6th rally and bring a friend or two. It will be a lot of fun. Your city needs you. Let's keep Chicago special. We are unlike any other city. Let's show that on May 6th!
Date: Fri, April 27, 2007, 6:59 pm CT
Date: Fri, April 27, 2007, 4:40 pm CT
I've already written a letter, focused on this paragaph:
As they will not publish material posted elsewhere, I cannot reprint my letter here.
Some other comments:
* Macy's brought back the I. Magnin name because someone in California tried to claim it was abandoned and open a store under that name. Nothing at all to do with history, heritage, or quality!
* I don't think Gertrude Hawk has changed the Frango recipe, but they did introduce a "Windy City Chocolate" variety that I was told was more like the version they produced on the 13th Floor. I wonder if anyone still makes the Seattle version, which is slightly saltier?
* I'd verify the exact wording of the advertising disclaimer, but I haven't checked the mail yet today. I get something at least three times a week from these people... I once talked to a M***'s salesman in the mattress department who told me that on his first day, many years ago, he accidentally sold someone a mattress at full price. Fine Jewelry is another department where no one pays what's on the tag. Seeing this perpetuated in other departments is just what I expect from M***'s.
Date: Fri, April 27, 2007, 4:34 pm CT
A la David Letterman, here is a "top ten" list of excuses for Terry to consider:
9. People were too busy figuring their income tax to shop.
8. Everybody was over their credit limit so had to avoid all shopping expenditures this month.
7. The "El" tracks are under construction.
6. It was the start of baseball season and the end of basketball season.
5. That coyote downtown really freaked people out.
4. There are more boycotters than shoppers.
3. Our "re-education" process has hit some glitches (they're all still just sooo confused.)
2. Our merchandise and service sucks, to be honest.
1. Chicago shops Marshall Fields, not Macy's.
I'm positive the creative people who post on this site can come up with some even better ones. C'mon, Let's help Terry out, here!!!!
Date: Fri, April 27, 2007, 10:35 am CT
It's not too much of a stretch to imagine this picture:
macy*mart employees being given adhesive-backed "Field Gear" labels to cover the Charter Club and Alfani labels. The "re-educated" consumer will no longer be "confused" by all the "exciting" improvements! Sounds like a winning strategy!
Date: Fri, April 27, 2007, 6:15 am CT Date: Fri, April 27, 2007, 12:21 am CT
Chris captured the situation surrounding Lundgren's comments perfectly---as usual...LOL. I swear I am laughing out loud at Chris' analysis just like I always do. Recall his comments like 8 months ago re: the plastic food on the dinnerware? OMG-----I believe I will have those in my mind for the rest of my life and will think of them every few weeks. I paraphrased them for this particular situation and just emailed Chris:
"Oh, yes...pants. Now I see. But, are they on sale? No, I'm uncertain. I must leave immediately..."
Regards.
Date: Fri, April 27, 2007, 12:18 am CT
STUPID me. I am so STUPID I filled out an application for an account with Nordstrom. The card came in the mail yesterday. I'm so STUPID I'll probably use it this weekend to buy a linen coat for summer. Jeez, am I STUPID! I'm worried I might not find the linen coats because the labels might be different from what I am used to. I'm so STUPID I might not find my way home. Glad I have my address written on my hand. STUPID, STUPID me.
Gee I wish I were smart like Terry.
Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 11:18 pm CT Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 10:20 pm CT
I am a retail designer, so I wanted to go check the new mall out in Bolingbrook and actually see how the new Macy's looked on the inside.
To my dismay, the store was closed tonight for a private party. Talk about alienating customers.....everyone that tried to get in, was rudely yelled at by security guards who said "only invited guests are allowed in this new Macy's!" There was nothing about it on the website either.....I basically wrote Frank G. and Terry L. and told them what a crock of s*** it is to actually turn away potential customers for a private party for "exclusive people!"
I wrote him and told him that I would never step foot in that store, not even to see it's bland tacky design!
Another stike out for Macy's in my book!
Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 9:42 pm CT
Mike, You can count on Me to help "BRING BACK THE GREEN" !
WE NEED EVERYONE TO SUPPORT Marshall Field's May 6th!
Bring your Signs,
Bring your Shirts,
Bring your Pins,
Bring A Friend,
Bring the Dog !
Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 9:25 pm CT
The very sad reality that Macy's needs to understand is that a resurected Field's, with great merchandise and service but without it's familiar house brands (Field Gear, Country Shop, 111 State, Field's Afar and even Frango), would still out perform and be preferred to by many than a Macy's with all of Field's familiar house brands.
Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 8:41 pm CT
I have to disagree with you. Terry was telling the truth for once in his statement...
"Lundgren said Macy's confused shoppers by introducing new merchandise, a new discount strategy and a new promotional calendar."
I consider myself a very informed consumer and I was confused by introduction of new merchandise. I mean who wouldn't be confused by a retailer trying to peddle substandard overpriced merchandise by exclusive designers such as Alfani and Tasso Elba.
Discount strategy? Putting garbage on a dump table marked with .97 is not a strategy, it's pure laziness.
As for the promotional calendar...puhleese. When you use the word Sale in a Sale, it's pretty clear there's a sale.
Good god when will the idiots return to the village. Terry stop coming up with illogical, ill-prepared statements in an attempt to mask the obvious fact that you're an idiot and you made a mistake.
Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 5:27 pm CT
Meanwhile, Federated won't come clean with the numbers. The reason is clear. They don't want to admit their mistake or give shareholders the truth.
To help with this effort, your attendance is needed at the next rally. Only through a sustained boycott will there be a chance for Marshall Field's to return to State Street. This is a multi-year effort and there are countless people who are making that effort simply by shopping elsewhere. This boycott is about the future. It is about making Chicago a better place for decades to come.
For now, we need you to show yourself in a crowd of fellow Field's supporters, so that the media can see the Chicagoans are who disagree with Federated's actions. Federated brought in Macy's while ignoring, disrespecting, and squandering the tremendous tradition as well as the future benefits of the Marshall Field legacy.
Please come to the May 6th rally and bring a friend or two. It will be a lot of fun. Your city needs you. Let's keep Chicago special. We are unlike any other city. Let's show that on May 6th!
Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 5:01 pm CT
This isn't so much addressed at Lundgren as it is the writer of the article: That's not an argument, it's a statement. And Lundgren has yet to come up with a really compelling argument for why that particular statement is true. Especially given how well Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus have been doing as of late which runs counter to Lundgren's statement. Or maybe what's workable in today's retail environment is declining sales? I don't know. Maybe the new merchandise is just confusing me.
Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 4:51 pm CT
So? The answer is to go for the mediocre? The mushy middle? The low to mid level, but with premium prices? Cluttered, dark, dated, dirty stores is where the money is? It ain't workin and everyone knows it. I have said from the very begining Bloomingdales and Field's could have coexisted and complimented each other. Better yet why not close down the one or is it two Bloomingdales in Chicagoland and left them just for the northeast and California.
Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 4:19 pm CT
Because of the mixup about my participation in the topic (or my actual lack of participation), I will weigh in. Despite the discussion, questioning, theories, etc., I am very skeptical of any change in recipe for Frangos sold in the Midwest and manufactured by Gertrude Hawk. It is correct the recipe has gone through some changes through the years, etc. but I doubt they would have recently. Furthermore, who's to say one box that someone tasted wasn't somehow treated in an accidental way, etc.? I'm boycotting Macy's Frangos so it's all moot--I'm not going to be buying them to taste test or send some to a food lab for analysis.
And that's my "not-even-two cents"--but it used to be "my $17.99 a box."
Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 1:23 pm CT
I see this as one sign that Macy's is crumbing under your pressure.
Now to return the Field's name to the 60 stores. Lundgren is wrong.
There is value in the Field's name. Marshall Field and Company, forever.
Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 9:17 am CT Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 7:00 am CT
"LaSalle is a name that is well-known and well-respected. It's a great franchise here," said Robert Graves, co-chairman of the global banking and finance practice at Chicago law firm Jones Day.
"It has got to be a significant strategic issue," Graves said, even if it may not be as emotionally wrenching as Federated Department Stores' transformation of Marshall Field's into Macy's.
The full article can be found at:
In a bit of trivia, it should be noted that LaSalle Bank also has some Field family connections, although it was after the family got out of the day-to-day operations of our beloved department store. Marshall Field III was one of the partners who purchased a bank and moved it into the Field Building at 135 S LaSalle back about 70 years ago. It was named LaSalle, obviously after the street it was on.
Tangentially, unlike the S-T article, the Trib's version of RBS's takeover suggests that the name LaSalle will go away regardless if B of A or RBS acquires it.
Date: Thu, April 26, 2007, 12:42 am CT Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 11:25 pm CT
Beth
Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 11:01 pm CT
"Allegedly the original price was $400, and I think it was marked down to $89. (M likes putting the disclaimer in their ads, "original prices may not have resulted in actual sales.")"
In Wisconsin, that is illegal. An item must be sold for a certain amount of time and generate a certain amount of sales at the original price before it can be sold at a sale price. I'm sure other states, including Illinois, have similar laws.
When is the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois going to do something about Macy's and their deceptive and false advertizing and phoney sales tactics? When is the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois going to do something about Macy's and their monopoly in certain areas and violation of anti-trust laws?
Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 10:50 pm CT
If it's true that most of the food at Field's stores has been scaled back, how on earth do they think they can successfully launch new restaurants??
Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 8:05 pm CT
I am not boycotting Macy's because they killed Marshall Fields. Macy's lost my business before that decision was ever announced. Poor quality over priced merchandise, poorly maintained stores, and poor service drove me away from Macy's long ago.
Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 6:48 pm CT
Did you notice in Sandra Guy's article how she mentioned the "Marshall Field's Culinary Council?" I love it! I guess Lundgren has some work to do to re-educate the media too!
Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 6:03 pm CT
"macy's---way to flop. It's Not Working!"
You will find references to disatisfaction from posters around the U.S., including the Southeast (the former Hecht's department stores), Pittsburgh (the former Kaufmann's stores) and other converted macy's stores, including the former...(but yet to be reborn)...Marshall Field stores.
More and more, shoppers are finding that the service, the merchandising and the emphasis on cheaply made, but costly, house brands are not selling them on macy's, in fact, turning them off!
http://stevenswain.blogspot.com/search/label/Macy's
Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 4:19 pm CT
As a former $10 K per year Field's shopper and committed boycotter, I'm in a position to relate the hard core stance we have taken and will continue to take regarding the change of Marshall Field's to Macy's. The return of Field Gear is a drop in the bucket, a token. We want the whole enchilada, Linda, and will settle for no less. You could do 20 things that are a step in the right direction, but until the name and whole ambience of the once and future Field's returns, it's no go. WE WANT OUR MARSHALL FIELD'S BACK AND WE WILL CATERWAUL TILL THE COWS COME HOME.
Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 4:15 pm CT
Macy's sucks.
Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 3:01 pm CT
So now, I -- the customer -- am supposed to be confused by new merchandise, a new discount strategy and a new promotional calendar. Please.
The only thing that confuses this former Field's Regards cardholder is why Terry Lundgren thinks I would be interested in the overpriced, inferior quality merchandise that Macy's offers with poor service. And why journalists don't press him further for answers on what is one of the most colossal failures in retail.
Thank you,
Steven Roelofs
Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 1:24 pm CT
I was speaking with a friend who remembered how Field's would have introduced Frangos. Safe to say I won't offer Macy's the benefit of a Field's Fan's experiece for them to cherry pick from a forum like this.
My friend remarked that it is almost as if Terry Lundgren, Macy's CEO, hopes Frangos are not a success so Macy's can drop them.
Marshall Field & Company was the absolute best in marketing, promoting and merchandising in a truly captivating, unique, dignified and appealing manner.
Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 10:16 pm CT
Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 7:30 pm CT
Date: Wed, April 25, 2007, 12:11 am CT
Sincerely,
Candice Greener
Date: Tue, April 24, 2007, 10:41 pm CT
Apparently Field Gear will return on a limited basis to compete as a private label with North Face. From what I can tell--and I need to confirm more--this was part of a Federated conference call, probably the same one Steven notes below.
The news story also mentioned how Federated execs noted that sales aren't up to the levels they hoped, but they say the reintroduction of the Field Gear brand is not in response to that.
Of special note was that as the news anchor read the story, the Marshall Field's logo appeared over her shoulder. Clearly Chicago still misses Field's sorely.
My hunch is that Macy's North execs probably want Field's back but Lundgren probably figures a limited return to Field Gear
might be enough. (Of course it's NOT!).
Date: Tue, April 24, 2007, 10:40 pm CT
((((((NOT going to get US back into the store.....till its Marshall FIELDS again)))))))
Happy Spring to all. Viva la Boycott
Date: Tue, April 24, 2007, 9:32 pm CT
Thanks for the possible explanations. Given all of macy*mart's "exciting" changes, I have to wonder what quality control is like compared to when it was Field's. I also wouldn't be surprised if Frango mints will soon disappear altogether. Perhaps the Frango cookbook is a last pitch.
Date: Tue, April 24, 2007, 6:19 pm CT
Some of the quotes and my commentary:
"Federated Department Stores plans to bring bistros, Starbucks coffee shops and upscale restaurants by nationally known chef Wolfgang Puck and others to many of its big-city department stores."
--Wolfgang Puck is upscale? Isn't there a WP in the movie theater in Evanston? How upscale is that?
"The department store giant plans to test the concepts in high-traffic stores in California and Florida."
--Well we all know that no store in Chicago qualifies as high traffic.
"The reinvention of Federated has not found traction at many of the 400 department stores formerly owned by the May Department Store Co. and purchased by Federated in 2005, executives said during a conference call Tuesday. Experts said it will take longer than expected to transition those former May stores to the Macy's brand."
--LOL. Uh, how long is NEVER. Those Macy's execs are more optimistic than Cubs fans, but I expect the Cubs will win not one, but three consecutive world series before those Macy's stores see anywhere near the level of business they had when they were Field's.
You can always count on a press release from Macy's to make you laugh.
Date: Tue, April 24, 2007, 11:22 am CT Date: Tue, April 24, 2007, 11:21 am CT
One clerk, in a one-on-one conversation, said sales were down tremendously at the store because of the insulting changeover. In fact, the clerk said sales were down at most former Fields stores as well. We talked for about an hour and a half and she said the Lake Forest store was never this empty on this particular day of the week, esepcially with beautiful weather. Not even 75 percent off sales of Ralph Lauren and other designer brands could not luure shoppers to the store. The same clerk says customers still ask when will Macy's come to its senses and bring back Marshall Fields. Lake Forest dislike Macy's and the signs are all too obvious.
From the looks of it, I would not be surprised if the Lake Forest Store in gorgeous Market Square would close. It would be a shame , but also a statement. That store has been around for 76 years and was once a bank.
Viva La Boycott!
Date: Tue, April 24, 2007, 10:28 am CT
"Ken Lewis doesn't expect picketers outside of Bank of America branches bemoaning the loss of the LaSalle Bank name. ...doesn't expect anything in the way of backlash that Federated Department Stores faced when it mothballed the Marshall Field's name in favor of Macy's, even as the 67-year-old LaSalle name goes away."
As someone who often did temp work at LaSalle (and enjoyed a great work environment with great people), I am interested to see how employees there actually do react. Who's to say they WON'T follow our example?
Date: Tue, April 24, 2007, 9:49 am CT
Also, I ran upon an article out of Nashville about a support group lamenting the loss of their local department store, Castner Knott. They've been meeting for almost 10 years now. Castner Knott was Nashville's Marshall Field's.
I'd say this is more proof that no one at federated did any research on consumer preferences at all.
http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/Columns/The_Fabricator/2006/09/14/Castner_Knott_Support_Group_Unmo/index.shtml
Date: Mon, April 23, 2007, 10:40 pm CT Date: Mon, April 23, 2007, 6:38 pm CT
In December we visited M***s on State Street and saw a comforter set. It was a spring design, for the guest room. When we took a closer look, we were appalled at the quality of the sheets. The comforter was fine, but the sheets were tissue-thin and didn't fit the mattress properly. I think the manufacturer took pity on the poor sap that would buy it - there were two complete sets of sheets in the package! Allegedly the original price was $400, and I think it was marked down to $89. (M likes putting the disclaimer in their ads, "original prices may not have resulted in actual sales.")
Neiman-Marcus got a $250 sale because I can't trust Macy's to provide me something that I would be comfortable giving as a gift.
Date: Sun, April 22, 2007, 10:25 pm CT
Waxy chocolate can be an indicator that a cheaper vegetable fat has been substituted for the cocoa butter.
Chocolate goods like Frango mints should be stored at 63 to 65 degrees and at controlled humidity. Stop by a Godiva store or any fine chocoalte shop to see how carefully the candy is handled. If the candy gets too warm or too cold, the oils in the candy will separate and give the candy a strange white film.
I'm skeptical that Macy's cares about the quality of its chocolates as much as Field's did.
Frangos most likely have a shelf life of about 6 months but only if made when top notch ingredients and stored properly.
Date: Sun, April 22, 2007, 9:49 pm CT
Marshall Field's lovers...the world's largest department store is the world's most downgraded department store...interms of class. DID YOU KNOW THAT MACY'S 34TH STREET /HERALD SQUARE FLAGSHIP actually has McDONALD'S,STARBUCK'S,BEN & JERRY'S,AU BON PAIN AND JIMMY'S PIZZA !
OH AND YES...ONE SMALL FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANT RUN BY RESTAURANT ASSOCIATES....
WHERE IS THE FULL-SERVICE,WORLD CLASS DINING ROOM WITH BEAUTIFUL CHANDELIERS & SUCH ?
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE opened two additional full-service restaurants and a full-service chocolate bar. This is even in addition to the beautiful full-service restaurant that they had called Cafe SFA !
ALL THE UNIQUE SERVICE AND EXCITING THINGS ABOUT THE STORE LIKE A WORLD CLASS IN-STORE DINING ROOM (LIKE THE WALNUT ROOM AT MARSHALL FIELD'S),THE FULL-SERVICE BAKERY... IT JUST ISN'T THERE !!!! HOW TERRIBLE !
YES...MAYBE IT WOULD COST FEDERATED SOME MONEY TO RUN FOOD-SERVICE IN-HOUSE LIKE THEY USED TO...MAYBE THEY COULD SHOWCASE THE LATEST & GREATEST MERCHANDISE LIKE THE NEWEST COMPUTERS, TELEVISIONS, FUN DEPARTMENTS THAT GIVE A UNIQUE EDGE AS THE WORLD'S LARGEST DEPARTMENT STORE SHOULD HAVE. IT WOULD GIVE PEOPLE A REASON TO ---STAY AND SHOP---
I THOUGHT MR.LUNDGREN SAID IT IS WHAT INSIDE THE STORE THAT MATTERS...IF THAT IS THE CASE...THEN WHY WOULD I STAY IN MACY'S WHEN I CAN GO TO STARBUCK'S,McDONALD'S....ETC. EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE CITY ?
IMHO, HERALD SQUARE HAS REALLY GONE DOWN HILL... IMHO, IT'S DIRTY AND NOT WELL CARED FOR. SERVICE AT HERALD SQUARE IS VERY POOR AND THE PLACE IS FILTHY COMPARED TO WHAT MARSHALL FIELD'S LOOKED LIKE PRIOR TO THE MACYFICATION.
TERRY LUNDGREN SAYS HE IS INTERESTED IN REINVENTING THE DEPARTMENT STORE. I THINK HE SHOULD SPEND MORE TIME RESTORING THE DEPARTMENT STORE (RESTORING MARSHALL FIELD'S WORLD CLASS SERVICE AND OFFERINGS, RESTORING MACY'S TO ITS FORMER GLORY ON HERALD SQUARE...ETC.)
IF NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE OR BREAK THE DEPARTMENT STORE AS WE KNOW IT, THEN SURELY FEDERATED SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN ALL OF THE ABOVE.
GIVE THE LADY WHAT SHE WANTS ! GIVE THE GENTLEMAN WHAT HE WANTS !
RESPECTFUL REGARDS ALWAYS,
RG74
Date: Sun, April 22, 2007, 6:35 pm CT
Pulling up to the Fox Valley Mall and seeing that Macys sign almost stopped my heart to be honest with you.
I went to Fox Valley, Old Orchard, and Woodfield on business. Very Sad. You can still see the Marshall Fields outline in Old Orchard where the signs used to be and are now covered by the other sign.
Even the Field's memorabilia is marked down. At Woodfield they have a whole wall of the Fields Green Clock, that actually works as a clock on the lower level ---marked down to 14.99, I bought one last June at Water Tower for $50.
I spoke to many sales people, who I honestly have to say were as great as always, especially in Fox Valley.
I had to experience the "marshall fields" of chicago as best I could one last time, because I have no doubt that by the time I take my next business trip, all signs of my favorite American Department store will surely have disappeared.
My heart goes out to all of you who have to drive up to Woodfield and see those great Marshall Field and Company signs gone. It's truly dispicable.
I have to tell you, my sister, and my friends have joined the boycott, it's not just Chicago that's not comping, trust me. I have converted everyone back here in NY to Lord and Taylor, just wish they had a home store.
So many sales people seemed so defeated when I spoke to them, they absolutely shared the sadness, if only with expressions, and gestures. I really don't understand why this happened, especially reading that article from the Bon Ton senior management.
Of note, I also went to Atlanta this week, and another jewel of store, PARISIAN, is in its final months. They are fully stocked with some great PARISIAN products. This name will fall in September, as Fields did last year. If you get to the south this spring or summer, get to PARISIAN, very nice stores, nice people, and about to be absorbed by the moderate Belk.
Keep up the fight, to me
Marshall Fields .....as Chicago as it gets......
Best
Dave
Date: Sun, April 22, 2007, 4:05 pm CT
As I listen to Robbie Gould's delightly tone-deaf rendition of Take Me Out to the Ballgame on WGN during the Cubs game, I'm leafing through my copy of the Chicago Tribune, and noticed an interesting ad on Page 6 of the Q section.
(Wait... according to the Federated Department store philosophy, this should be watching the Cincinnati Reds on Fox Sports Indiana while subscribing to the Indy Star or the Louisville Courier-Journal or whatnot, because brand loyalties developed over 25 years can be easily discarded by merely changing locations. Silly Midwesterners!)
I noticed that there is an ad for the Promenade in Bolingbrook with the great stores you can shop and eat at including H&M, Aeropostale, Salad Creations, Gordon Biersch Brewery, Ann Taylor Loft, and Hallmark.
Notice someone missing? What does that mean when a developer takes out an ad for the grand opening of a major project and fails to highlight an anchor? I'm assuming that Macy's did not want to contribute to the marketing campaign here. Is the consensus that the Macy's there will be either a JC Penney or Carson's as they attempt to expand in the Chicago area... or a Von Maur or Nordstrom? Or, will Federated, excuse me, Macy's Group try to rebrand the store as a Bloomingdale's? Can't wait to see what happens next! I'm sure that Forest City Enterprise Properties and the Village of Bolingbrook can't wait either.
Date: Sun, April 22, 2007, 1:08 pm CT
What I found even more remarkable in the article about Bon Ton was this:
"Bon-Ton Stores jumped almost halfway up Fortune magazine's well-known list of America's 1,000 largest corporations thanks to last year's performance: Revenue was up 164 percent and earnings per share increased 77.1 percent."
Bon Ton's stores are located mostly in the old May Co. areas and in the former Fields markets. It looks like customers are fleeing Macy's in droves in every market that had their stores rebranded and not just in Chicago.
What is Terry Lundgren's email address again? I think we all should email him a copy of the article showing Bon-Ton's remarkable success this past year!
Date: Sun, April 22, 2007, 9:43 am CT
The (M) stores are NOW SELLING OUR FANNIE MAY CANDY'S !!!
Sheesh! Maybe we to write Fannie May Candy and Let them know about Our Boycott!
http://www.fanniemay.com/customerservice/csrequest.asp
Date: Sat, April 21, 2007, 11:39 pm CT That sounds so dead on.
Date: Sat, April 21, 2007, 11:38 pm CT
Although I flatly refuse to spend a nickel at Macy's, a close acquaintance succumbed and purchased a top in the women's department. The sales associate who rang it up made an error, but instead of voiding the transaction she processed a credit and then redid the transaction.
Not satisfied with the price, she decided to return the top.
On Saturday afternoon Nordstrom's was hopping with former Field's customers, but over at Macy's, there were more sales associates than customers. My acquaintance handed over the item and her receipt. Never mind the amount that the receipt showed; the associate scanned it and declared, "Well, according to the computer, you already returned this item and received a credit. The only thing I can do is refund today's current sale price" (which was $4.00 less).
My acquaintance explained what happened, but the associate summoned the department manager, who asked to see other receipts and/or her monthly statement. She didn't have the statement, much less keep them handy in her purse.
So the manager phoned Macy's credit department and asked them to furnish copies of her last two statements, which would show the errant transaction. However, Macy's was going to charge $3.00 per statement!
In other words, Macy's was going to bill my wife $6.00 to credit back the $4.00 difference--as a result of the clerk's mistake a couple of weeks earlier!
She went through the ceiling! Finally the department manager relented, crediting the full amount. My wife asked, "Why didn't you do that in the first place? Do you think I came here and spent 45 minutes arguing with you just to steal $4.00."
She learned her lesson and will not shop at Macy's anymore.
I will toast the demise of Macy's North division, which I sense is coming soon, with a shot from my old bottle of Marshall Field's Frango Mint Liqueur.
Date: Sat, April 21, 2007, 8:58 pm CT
Announced tenants for 108 N. State Street:
Andrew's Ties
Banana Republic
Boggi Milano
David Barton Gym
Gibson's Steakhouse
Lucky Strike Lanes
Rosa Mexicano
Sisley
Date: Sat, April 21, 2007, 7:25 pm CT
Perhaps the Frango Mints are not the same as you are used to.
The Frederick & Nelson Dept Store was sold to Marshall Field's in 1929. The Frederick & Nelson candy makers in Seattle, were summoned to Chicago to introduce Frango's to Marshall Field's to help build slumping sales during the great depression. Soon the candy kitchen at Marshall Field's was producing their own Midwestern interpretation of the Frango Chocolate recipe.
In 1999, the production of the candy was sent to Gertrude Hawk,in Pa. Although the Northwest version, still uses the original Frederick & Nelson recipe, the Marshall Field's recipe has been modified a number of times. The use of different ingredients and equipment would account for any difference in taste between the two versions.
Federated's (Mr.Big Bucks) Terry J. Lundgren, announced in September 2005, that Macy's would look into moving production back to Chicago. Lundgren noted that Macy's would look into "our contractural oblgations" to determine if the chocolate production could be moved back to the Windy City, but stressed he was not making any promises in regards to moving production to Chicago !
So Drew, the Difference in the Taste, may not be The Candy Recipe. Maybe they are using different quality ingredents.
Date: Sat, April 21, 2007, 12:48 pm CT
The article continues, "His efforts appear to be paying off. For seven of the last eight months sales at Saks stores open a year have risen more than those at arch rival Neiman Marcus which has 38 stores."
I could not help but compare Sadove's enlightened customer driven approach to the clueless and arrogant Terry "We're Macy-izing the nation, so get used to it. So what if it all looks the same. It's cheaper for us this way. We'll get you re-educated sooner or later" Lundgren.
Date: Sat, April 21, 2007, 9:58 am CT
Doris
Date: Fri, April 20, 2007, 10:53 pm CT
Here's the link:
Here's the most interesting part:
In contrast, when Macy's purchased the May Corp. -- which locally included Hecht's -- it changed all the nameplates to Macy's.
"It's not had a benefit yet (for Macy's)," Bergren said about switching nameplates. "We believe there's value in having separate names in each of the different communities."
Of course, patronize Bon-Ton whenever possible. But you all already knew that, didn't you?
Date: Fri, April 20, 2007, 11:04 am CT Date: Fri, April 20, 2007, 9:04 am CT Date: Thu, April 19, 2007, 9:36 pm CT
Earlier today I posted my comments that I wrote to David Peltier at The Street.com which was mentioned by Zelda in an even earlier posting. Here is his almost immediate response back to me:
This is all great feedback, thanks for passing along the local flavor.
David Peltier
,
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 10:50 AM
To: David Peltier
Subject: Federated Dept Stores Column
Date: Thu, April 19, 2007, 8:51 pm CT
Does anyone know if they have changed the recipe? Somehow it seems Frango mints have been macy*ized. The chocolate coating looks and tastes like wax. The hardened "mint" filling only hinted at mint flavor and lacked the usual creamy quality. No doubt macy*mart made some "exciting" changes to the recipe--way to flop!
Date: Thu, April 19, 2007, 7:51 pm CT
Obviously someone at the M store FLUNKED 2nd grad math!
Let me give them a quick refresher course.
THERE ARE ONLY 4 SEASONS IN A YEAR!
THERE ARE 12 MONTHS IN A YEAR!
Date: Thu, April 19, 2007, 11:31 am CT
In the dish department they did have the Marshall Field clock bowl with the Wilton Armatale department. I did not see any of the Marshall Field clock merchandise in the small Waterford area. They did have boxes of Marshall Field Frango mint cookies and Marshall field Frango mints. There were also the regular Frango boxes.
My conclusion? The new WalMarts have more warmth, appeal and "personality" than the new store at Bolingbrook.
Oh, there were also a few leftover bags of Marshall Field coffees and they had many left over copies of the Marshall Field cookbook.
Date: Thu, April 19, 2007, 10:49 am CT
Well, the dreaded red plastic newspaper shroud arrived this morning with my Chicago Tribune, touting the macy's grand opening in Bolingbrook, IL. As expected, they managed to insult us who live in an adjacent village; the ad reads "Hellooooo Bolingbrook...". I know I'm not the only one in my neighborhood who takes offense, nor the only one there who boycotts macy's.
I have to include a partial quote from their flyer, for laughs:
"Our customer service promises to astonish......"
SJK
Date: Thu, April 19, 2007, 9:53 am CT
here is my letter to David Peltier at The Street in the article referenced by Zelda:
I caught you recent column cautioning investors about Federated stock and I absolutely agree with you from a consumer viewpoint. I live in Minneapolis and watched Macy's downgrade the venerable Marshall Field's through their purchase of May Co.
Having shopped at Dayton's and then Field's, after it was purchased by Dayton's for many years, I had come to expect good quality merchandise, reasonable prices and excellent service. Macy's destroyed that. The unique brands that Field's carried to set itself apart from other retailers are now gone and replaced with Macy's inferior quality house brands with high prices; major designers have abandoned Macy's; and service is non-existent.
And we in the Midwest who have driven same-store sales down by double digits in the former Marshall Field's locations look with some anticipation each month as Terry Lundgren explains the poor performance. I believe in March it was the weather that led to a 2.3% increase. This is the same weather that drove us into JC Penney, Nordstrom, Saks and Target Stores who all posted double digit increases.
I am most puzzled why analysts and investors are not pushing Mr Lundgren on his failed business strategy of converting all these stores to Macy's. And no one is talking to the customer! Analysts comtinue to speak in terms of when "the customers return to Macy's". That is incorrect. We are not returning to Macy's. There is no reason to go there. Nearly 60,000 of us signed a petition, wrote letters, and told our stories in advance on keepitfields.org, but Macy's thought it knew better what we needed. They are also incorrect. We are now showing them that we know best what we want and need.
Date: Thu, April 19, 2007, 8:34 am CT Date: Thu, April 19, 2007, 7:45 am CT
Ah, wait a minute.
Didn't Macy's just have a "Great Weekend Sale" with the lowest prices of the season?
And before that, an One Day Sale that claimed to have the lowest prices of the season?
Oh, and a "Spring Sale" (you know, the one that used to be "Field's Days") that also had the lowest prices of the season? And weren't those same Alfarni suits at "the lowest price of season?"
Macy's defines the current season as 2/1 to 4/30. Still, how many lowest prices of the season can you have? And how many seasons can one have in a fiscal year?
Wasn't it Macy's plan to be less promotional? Think I will start tracking some of their promotions and report back. (FYI: Federated recently was sued out east for "fake sales and promotions.")
Proud to be part of your Field's family. Long live the boycott!
Date: Thu, April 19, 2007, 2:13 am CT
This was the very first Lazarus and at one time was around 900,000 s.f., but certainly not as grand and decorated as Field's State Street store. Maybe in the 1980s or early 90s was downsized to a still impressive 300,000+ s.f. It was closed around a time when the mall was on a downward slide. The Marshall Field's store changed to Kaufmann's and the buyout put that store in Federated/macy's hands.
So, macy/federated-mart could end up killing two stores and the entire mall, because if the last downtown columbus department store closes, probably no one will come to the mall. This is a sad thing considering at one time this used to be the best columbus mall. It had Marshall Field's, Lazarus, and Jacobson's as anchors plus stores like Abercrombie and Fitch, Gap, Express, Banana Republic, and more....all are already closed or set to close.
It would be my guess that dozens (maybe like 50+) of former MayCo/Field's stores will close nationwide within the next two years. These stores probably wouldn't have closed under thier former names.
Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 11:16 pm CT
It's been so much fun reading everyone's comments! Perhaps we are all longing for Field's spring shopping season. Does everyone remeber the the great comercials Field's would run each season to announce "spring has arrived!" They still ran new spring campaings under May Co. All other May divisions except for L&T had to run the exact same commericals with different labels, but even May knew Field's was different.
I guess us fools are just really dumb since we are not being "re-educated" by the Messy Mart marketing blitz. Oh wait, I have been re-educated to spend more time at Nordstroms, JCrew, H&M, Aerpostale, and even Sears! I went into Sears on a mission to see if I could find anything worth purchasing. Turns out, they had some great silk ties! I got some pillows too!
So, thank you Terry L. Your changes helped re-educate me to the fact that Sears has some nice things (and much nicer bathrooms). If only Montegomery Ward was still around! That would have been a real trip to have all of us re-educated to shopping at Wards!
Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 6:19 pm CT
It was in the news today that JC Penney's plans to open 250 new stores...most will be brand new locations, some are relocations.
They said they're rapidly accelerating their expansion plans because their sales are "so far ahead of projections." I assume that the reason their business plan was so far off the mark was because they forgot to factor in all the customers that Macy's so nicely handed them on a silver platter.
I think that the CEO of Penney's (and those from Nordstroms, et al) should pass the hat and buy Lundgren a really nice "Thank You" gift. Perhaps something from Alfani or Trump? Oh wait, Penney's doesn't carry that junk.... Maybe they should just stick with a Macy's gift card. With his 40% discount and pre-paid sales taxes, Lungren could buy himself something really nice. Oh wait, Macy's doesn't carry anything really nice....
sigh.
Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 6:06 pm CT
Read the whole article!
The stock traders are finally beginning to see through those silly excuses and actually interpret the numbers correctly!
Your friend in Field's,
Zelda
Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 4:33 pm CT
Also of special note: JCPenney will open a new Chicago store. The location is not given. One can only hope it's 108 N State or 1 S State. (Remember that American Girl is moving into the lower floors of the former Lord and Taylor space.)
Jim
Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 4:19 pm CT
This is the reply I got:
Thank you for taking the time to e-mail us. We have received your message, and it's been forwarded to Candice Greener, Store Manager of our Lake Forest location, for review and response. Please be assured we take your message very seriously. Candice Greener or someone from the Lake Forest executive office will contact you in the near future. Thank you for shopping in our stores.
Mary Mortensen
I am so pleased to know that Macy's takes me "very seriously." You should all write them too! It's a shame Macy's has downgraded Field's and it's come to this!
Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 2:27 pm CT
IF YOU HAVE A BUTTON, WEAR IT!
Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 10:54 am CT
Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 10:29 am CT
Jim
Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 10:23 am CT
The ATT Wireless comment is a bit misleading because ATT sold had its cell business to Cingular. Cingular's parent (SBC) then purchased the remaining parts of ATT and assumed ATT's identity.
Nations Bank purchased Bank of America and took the BofA name.
This is the same thing that has happened here. Federated Department Stores purchased Macy's, then took Macy's name.
Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 10:08 am CT
Considering all the posts on how business was down, I decided that I would count the number of people carrying Macy's bags around the mall. From 2:15 until 4:00, I counted 10. 3 of these people were actually within the Macy's store. I know, I know... I needed to pick up a Waterford vase for a wedding, but they did not seem to have one that was made in Ireland (and no one was around to help me - 3 people just talking amongst themselves), so I ended up at Bed Bath & Beyond instead.
10 customers in almost 2 hours on a Saturday afternoon with nice weather - how much longer can they afford to be in business at this rate? Tons of Carson's and JC Penney bags in the mall (including my own). Even the Gap in a makeshift location was more crowded than Macy's (and, I spent money there, too). Oh, and why would Macy's display TARNISHED silver? Are they serious about trying to sell items or not?
Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 8:27 am CT Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 8:26 am CT
Evidently the Downtown Columbus store is also on a slippery slope:
Lunkhead's plot to re-indoctrinate shoppers isn't working. In addition to alienating the more vocal Chicago consumers, shoppers in other markets are making a similar protest by taking their dollars elsewhere.
It is laughable when retail "experts" state that macy*mart has to develop new ways to win back customers. Guess what--once customers find what they want/need elsewhere, there is no way they will go back to macy*mart. Think of the problems confronting the domestic automakers. They produced shoddy, unreliable cars in the 1970s and 1980s. The Japanese automakers produced a superior product, Americans switched to Honda and Toyota, and they aren't willing to give the domestics another chance. As macy*mart's reputation continues to plummet, their chances of regaining lost customers are like nil and none.
Date: Wed, April 18, 2007, 12:34 am CT
The 7th floor food area was slow...I could only see 6 or 7 tables in the Walnut Room...the North State court on 7 had some business, but seemed slow considering it was 1pm and Tuesday.
Men's Suits and associated areas slow (read dead)...some better quality mdse than I have seen in the Detroit stores...Joseph Abboud and some others, but still not Fields quality and selection...still no variance on sizes...no long, tall, etc.
Main floor traffic busy, but not a lot of folks with Macy bags.
Better business in the "Cellar" and the food court, although not packed @ 1:25p, better than 7.
Salesperson in the Wine Dept. told me that "later this year, no more wine at the Michigan stores." hmmn...that's home turf for me. But the selection has always been limited here particularly after May Co. changes. Told her of my dislike for the mdse changes and she advised communication through the web site. Told her been there, done that!
I did not see the red strip lighting around the floors in the North light court... is it gone? Or did someone forget to flick the switch?
Lots of repetitive merchandise scattered far and wide...cheap Waterford made in eastern Europe by/for Waterford...lots of it spread over many racks...sort of like we got to fill in this floor space ...haul out another 10 cases of xxxx.
Cookbooks not marked down at SS, so the clearance must be local to the Detroit stores.
Overall the store was, again, disappointing. As I've said before, over and above the name change, its the merchandise!
Date: Tue, April 17, 2007, 11:34 pm CT
Must be a slow Biz news day in Minneapolis as the Star Tribune just printed a re-hash of the March Retail numbers, stating the overall month was a good month for retailers. A couple of the reasons given were the early Easter and the warmer weather which whetted appetites for Spring fashions, conflicting with Terry Lugnut's claim that the cold weather kept people away from macys exciting Spring exciting Collections, exciting.
The article pointed out though not to expect April to be so rosy as two retail "powerhouses", Wal*mart & Federated Dept Stores have already issued warnings. It always makes me laugh when I hear those 2 companies referred to as retail powerhouses or giants as they seem to be the only 2 that lag month after month for the last year in their respective categories. Target has outperformed Wal*mart in same-store sales every month for 2 years and every dept store I can think of outperforms macys....LOL.
Regards.
Date: Tue, April 17, 2007, 11:11 pm CT
Very few shoppers, Although it's not grand opening at all until Thursday, none of the employee's know their products, a number of workers are pulled from other stores, they are totally understaffed.
The building is crawling with people from Macy's North Offices, and Federarted Corporate. They are even adding to confusion for what few customers they have.
Date: Tue, April 17, 2007, 11:03 pm CT
In the downscale Macy-mart tradition, we are all supposed to be brain-washed to wear the official Trump uniform !
Just great ! Ha Ha.
I WANT MY MARSHALL FIELD'S !!!! FIELDGEAR COME BACK TO US...ALFANI GO HOME !
Date: Tue, April 17, 2007, 10:00 pm CT
Macy's PR machine would have the public believe that Field's supporters are whining over fond memories of a store whose time had passed. Nothing could be further from the truth. We will be sure that reporters and analysts know better than to believe Macy's spin despite that we are up against an army of PR experts who barrage the newsmedia and analysts with Macy's propaganda. And of course we will focus our efforts on letters to the editor to local newspapers as well as analysts, reporters, magazines, business editors and editors-in-chief of national newspapers.
The impact of Macy's decision to eliminate Marshall Field's isn't about nostalgia as some would have us believe. It's about the loss of a valuable community resource, a time-proven asset that represented Chicago to the world as a world-class destination, attracted tourists, provided tax revenues, founded most of our city's most prestigious museums, donated hundreds of millions of dollars to good causes, sold quality merchandise, provided outstanding service and set the standard for a lifestyle enjoyed by generations of customers.
If the Lake Forest store closes it will serve to highlight the detrimental impact of Macy's expansion strategy based on the acquisition and destruction of valuable community assets. Clearly this would further support our position that Marshall Field's revival is the only business plan that is in the best interest of both Chicago and Macy's/Federated investors.
Date: Tue, April 17, 2007, 7:19 pm CT Date: Tue, April 17, 2007, 6:29 pm CT
Remember, this was the location where the town of Lake Forest would not let Macy's put the red star all over the front of the store.
Business has really tanked at the Lake Forest location even more than at State Street, Vernon Hills and Northbrook. Which is hard to believe since those stores are largely deserted.
Fun fact: the large Macy shopping bags with the over-the-shoulder handles were just too expensive. Everything goes in a plastic bag now!
Date: Tue, April 17, 2007, 3:01 pm CT
And I read Denise Rule's comments in Voice of the People today. Way to go, Denise! You really told them.
Date: Tue, April 17, 2007, 8:21 am CT
While there were some people in food areas, there were not as many people shopping on a Thursday around noon.
They didn't even have the shopping bags with handles...they only had the cheap plastic bags. The salespeople even said sarcastically said that this is Macy's and they only have cheap plastic. I could tell they are not happy with the current situation and would love Field's back too. My bag was tearing and when I got to Nordtrom they actually gave me a "real" bag to use even though I didn't find anything there this time. At least Nordstrom knows service.
Well, with Field's, Carson's, and now Lord & Taylor gome, downtown Chicago has lost some of its uniqueness. All the downtown Chicago department stores except for Macy's Bloomingdale's stores can be found in Houston. So really, why fly from Houston to visit the same stores that we have here.
----------------------------------------
Speaking of Foley's/Macy-mart here in Houston...they contunue to dissapoint me. Macy-mart has recently discontinued some of the brands of shoes they used to carry. The home department looks like Target, only more expensive and even less exciting. I don't want to pay THAT much for INC, Alfanti, Charter Room, American Rags, or any of their cheaply made off brands. However, at a respected store like Nordstrom or Saks, I WOULD buy the house brands.
I was at the Sharpstown Foley's/Macy-mart and wow has that store gone downhill. The former clearance area was completely empty, the top floor is pretty empty as a whole. The bathrooms were closed with a handwritten 'out of order' sign on it. The carpets were dirty. Some of the self scanners were broken or compltely missing. Employees were few, and so were the customers. The sales floor was noticibly lacking in merchandise/had a lot of empty spaces. Foley's would never had let the store get this bad. I really would be surprised if this store is still open in a year from now...and this used to be a pretty nice store.
Even the Houston Galleria stores have gotten worse. The X-Foley's store has especially declined even more then the "legacy" macy-mart on the other end of the mall. It used to be a 'must visit' store...now I don't go there that often...glad to still have Dillard's and Nordstrom at least.
Date: Mon, April 16, 2007, 8:21 pm CT Date: Mon, April 16, 2007, 7:01 pm CT
Posted by: denise rule | Apr 16, 2007 12:18:11 PM that's what i had to say to the 'voice of....' today.
Date: Mon, April 16, 2007, 5:53 pm CT Date: Mon, April 16, 2007, 5:36 pm CT
When 111 N State was Field's it was number one. And if they really cared about Chicago, they'd at least ditch the image of Herald Square on their front page now and then and cycle through once in a while with a similar image of State Street or the clock.
As Field's we were number 1. As Macy's we're number 3. No Way To Shop!
Date: Mon, April 16, 2007, 3:18 pm CT
Posted by: Steve M
I live in the Boston area and I hate how Macy's came in and destroyed our Filene's. They could'nt compete with them so they came in and shut them down and renamed them. They actually thought they could shove this down our throats and we would accept it. Let me tell you how wrong they were. I have not spent one penney in Macy's since nor has my family. We don't care how many coupons you send us. You have lost us as customers FOREVER.
Posted by: Businessman
Friends,
Posted by: RG74
Major dis-placement ! The people who have given so much to build the brands at May Department Stores truly were put on a highly promotional schedule to build and maintain their momentum from one generation to the next. WHAT DESTROYED THE MAY COMPANY EVEN THOUGH THEY MAINTAINED THE INDIVIDUAL TRADE NAMES IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY IS THE FACT THAT THEY MAJORLY HOMOGENIZED THEIR MERCHANDISE MIX.
Posted by: D Powers
The recent news that the Chicago State Street Macy's is not doing too well does not surprise me. Here in Indianapolis, I don't know how the Macy's (former L. S. Ayres stores) can afford to keep the lights on. I don't shop at Macy's, but during some of the past holiday sales (Presidents Day, Memorial Day) at the malls, I walked through Macy's and you could have set a bomb off in there, and probably no one would have known it. I tell you while the other anchor stores were packed with shoppers, Macy's looked like they were closed. And when I drive past the Indy malls that have Macy's (5 in the Indianapolis metro area)during a normal day, the parking lots are empty. So it looks like Indianapolis shopper are following in the foot steps of Chicago shoppers, and shopping elsewhere.
Posted by: Drew
Interesting that another macy*mart "mouthpiece" has departed. Let's see, how many high profile "executives" have gone away since Lungreed began his quest to macy*ize the nation? Wasn't the head of the former Burdine's division a recent departure? Weren't there several major changes in the North division? Of course, there were untold numbers of mid-level management changes.
Posted by: James in Minneapolis
Hi All---
Posted by: Simpsonite
Looks like the heads are rolling at FDS. Lundgren's time is coming as well. One has to wonder though, will his next move be to fire Frank Guzzetta? After all, it would be very easy for Lundgren to blame the "Field's Debacle" on Guzzetta for failing to appreciate the "affordable" faux luxury offered by Alfani and failing to "sell" and "embrace" Macy's in its target market. Since this is the worst performing division, it makes sense to start here and put the fear of God in the other division principals formerly associated with May Co who are having a tough time keeping up with the "legacy stores".
Posted by: Wm
"the sales had slipped at Marshall Field's over the last few years"
Posted by: brad
Macy's tells only part of the story when it tells customers that Field's sales slipped for some years before Macy's takeover. What Macy's fails to disclose is that many department store sales decreased, particularly post 9/11, and that unlike Macy's and some of Field's competitors, Field's ALWAYS remained profitable! In its WORST year in the past decade, Field's posted more than $100 Million in profits.
Posted by: Erick
I am really hurting over the loss of Marshall Fields. The more I shop at other stores, the more difficult it is to put Fields out of my mind. Please Mr. Lundgren, give us back Marshall Fields!
Posted by: Steven
Did you notice how MacDonald's ouster and Prince's upcoming concert in the Nicollet Mall store were announced on the SAME day? A few months ago, the Prince concert would surely have gotten the most attention, but it appears now that knowledge of this marketing DISASTER is so widespread, that Annie's story has grabbed the headlines. Prince must be pissed.
Posted by: LiMack
Well, we've been waiting for a Macy's "insider" to leave the fold and tell all! I sure hope Anne MacDonald is the one to do it. From what I've read about her she really is a respected marketer with a solid reputation in several industries. Hopefully, she will be unwilling to let Terry Lundgren's ego and bad decisions ruin her own standing in the retail world.
Posted by: John
So how much longer before the Board of Federated realizes they need to replace Terry Lunkhead? Or do you all suppose he has them so scared they would never consider it?
Posted by: Bob Warsham
Another take on MacDonald's departure from AD AGE
http://adage.com/article?article_id=117004
Posted by: Judy M
I read the letter from Macy's management.....ok, the sales had slipped at Marshall Field's over the last few years. Are these people not looking at their current balance sheets????? I have been in the State Street store and the aisles are absolutely empty of shoppers. I have stopped buying anything there. But the few times I was there looked like a vast desert in the way of shoppers - and I'm talking about lunch time in the Loop! I know employees who have left the store because they can't make any sales - no customers and no inventory. Not a winning combination. Even if sales were not what they used to be, there was always a huge flow of shoppers at Field's!! Yes, stores on State Street have closed, but the reasons for those closures are often due to bad business decisions (don't get me started on Carson's!). Such as: 1. The entire consumer group does not consist of people ages 12-30. Those of us too old for prom but not old enough for grandma's clothes have few places to shop....except for better department stores - like Field's! 2. The entire consumer group does not consist of people who are size 2-10. Again, those of us who are a 14 or larger have few places to shop...except for better department stores -like Field's! 3. Downtown shoppers do not want to see Wal-Mart or Kohl's quality on State Street. We expect more from our "great street". So stop trying to feed us your crap, Macy's management. This is Chicago - we're smarter than you give us credit for, we don't take things lying down and we love a good fight. We CAN, however, live peacefully together - ONLY IF YOU GIVE US BACK OUR TRADITIONS! BRING BACK MARSHALL FIELDS!!!!
Posted by: Bob Warsham
Federated replaces marketing chief after 15 months!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-070530macys-story,0,2140870.story?coll=chi-bizfront-hed
Posted by: Clint
Looks like Anne McDonald is out as Chief Marketing Officer at Federated. I think that is a pretty telling sign.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070531/BIZ01/705310326/1076/BIZ
Posted by: Dean Doyle
Yes,Jordan Marsh was a Boston landmark, generations went at Cristmas for the display called "The Enchanted Village". Christmas and downtown Boston was never the same as Macys took over and dumped the tradition! Now to add insult to injury they now have another Boston landmark Filenes added to their list of acquisitions! We are at a disadvantage here, nowhere to shop anymore. Bostonians can sympathize with Chicagoans, keep up the fight against Macys!
Posted by: David
Hello everyone,
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-070530macys-story,0,2140870.story?coll=chi-bizfront-hed
Posted by: Luann
I have not posted before, but have enjoyed checking in, and reading the comments from time to time. I thank Jim McKay, and all of those who are sacrificing time and energy to preserve Marshall Field, a great part of the history of Chicago. As a third generation Chicagoan, State Street has been a big part of my shopping experience. Field's and Carson's were my favorite stores, and I only realize lately how much I have taken them for granted. At first, it was the prospect of the loss of history and a Chicago mainstay that affected me most, but now the limited availability in quality State Street merchandise is having its impact. As someone who relies on public transportation, I frequent the downtown area, and literally went back and forth between Field's and Carson's, visiting my favorite selections. The two stores were the vestige of what defined State Street as "That Great Street." Although I am not averse to shopping at Macy's, I find myself lately missing the Marshall Field brand items, as well as some of the designer wear that fit me better, and could be found at either Field's or Carson's (Tommy Hilfiger, for example), but not Macy's. Last week, I was looking for stationery, and could not find the boxed Crane paper that Field's offered. Again, I am not opposed to supporting a Macy's in Chicago, but it should of found its own venue. Bearing in mind that this is a Field's forum, I must say, however, that part of the sadness is having to deal with the loss of other retail experience, the downtown Carson's, of course, and the Water Tower Lord & Taylor, in the same breath. CVS has recently replaced Osco in my north side neighborhood, and, that too, brings with it a reduction in quality, quantity, and service. How is all this homogenization an improvement? Quality and uniqueness seem to breed longevity, and give character to a region, and I fear we will soon be reduced to a number of empty buidings or fly-by-night chains and shops. Jim, I hope your efforts are rewarded, and that Field's emerges phoenix-like, as it did once, from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire.
Posted by: K Moran
More changes in the executive suite at Macy's:
Posted by: Steven
This just popped up at the Tribune's web site:
Posted by: D.A.S.
May 29, 2007
Posted by: kara
I was passing through M on a rainy day from the red line subway. On the subway level right after you go through the revolving doors and before you go up the stairs, i noticed that a plaque of some sort seems to be missing. i can't recall what it was, but I think that it was a "marshall field and company" sign. I can't believe they'd take that down! well.. actually, yes I can. I'm assuming that is not controlled by the historic register. Also, immediately at the top of that short flight of stairs, there's some dilapidated signage with paint chipping.
Posted by: James in Minneapolis
Hi All---
Posted by: Beth
The Sun-Times displayed a complete lack of journalistic integrity when it published Sandra Guy's article promoting Macy's extraodinary "savings pass" intended to wean customers off of Marshall Field's coupons.
Posted by: Joe D
Dear Doris:
Posted by: Clint
I obtained this photo(see link) when the boycott started last September. I think it's a reminder that we must continue with our boycott of Federated until Field's is brought back in name and quality.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37826850@N00/226819817/
Posted by: Mitch
One thing that I forgot to mention in my memories of Field's the other day was the covered walk that went from the china department on the second floor, Wabash directly to the Wabash and Randolph "L" station. This brought to mind many conversations I had with my passengers on the train I worked from Milwaukee to Chicago years ago.
Posted by: Gayle
Hi all,
Posted by: Jim McKay
In Boston for the day for an event. Decided to stop by Downtown Crossing to check out the former Filene's and the Macy's that was Jordan Marsh's flaghip.
Posted by: Philip Eichler
Let's read between the lines concerning Macy's new divisional management changes: Macy's Florida divisional president has left "to pursue other opportunities", i.e. perhaps asked by FDS to go pursue other opportunities because the former Burdine's unit is in the tank. AND his replacement is merely taking on that title in addition to other duties....sounds like a mini Terry Lundgren!
Posted by: Doris Ray
Hello Fans,
Posted by: LiMack
After reading still more examples of "Macyspin" such as the letter from a Macy's executive to Doris, (hey, is Macyspin maybe a new word for Wikipedia!?) I noticed a great piece in Tuesday's Tribune by Leonard Pitts, titled "Today's Spin Doctors Need Rehab". The piece was written primarily about politicians and sports figures who make stupid remarks--on tape--and then rely on spin doctors to get them out of it. But Pitt's observations are universal.
Posted by: BusinessMan
Ladies and Gentlemen,
http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/3878128-1.html
Posted by: Jim McKay
Yesterday's Sunday Chicago Sun-Times actually quoted the Bloomberg Column from last week:
http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/402141,CST-FIN-curious27.article
Posted by: Mitch
There have been some posts here of late addressing the issue of Field's not having been what it was in the past.
Posted by: James in Minneapolis
Hi All----
Posted by: Doris Ray
Again thanks to my sister. She recently came across a letter I received from Federated while I was in the hospital. I wrote the FDS Board of Directors; here's one response word for word, with my sidebars added in for good measure:
Vice President
Corporate Communications
& External Affairs
Federated Department Stores, Inc.
7 West Seventh Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
513-579-7764
cc: Tracy Fletcher
Posted by: Jeff S
Excitment at the Orland Square Store!! Three broken escalators! So, the excitment is; you get to meander your way through the store, follow the exciting signs to the hidden fire stairwell, then climb up or down inside the dark recesses of the store until you reach the desired floor! Children love it! You don't know where you're at! Will you end up in the basement? How about handbags? OOOh!
Posted by: jimmygimbels
Oh boy, oh boy...Macy's is having a sale AND with a "All Day Savings Pass" for an extra 15% off regular and sales purchases. WAIT! What's this in the small print? Sale excludes:
Posted by: Jim McKay
Thanks to all who helped make our early evening leafleting session on State Street a success.
Posted by: Chris
Regarding Carson's closing having an impact on the State Street store, I have to say that I have my doubts about that. I went to school in the Loop and I've worked there for well over ten years and in that entire time, State Street has never been as busy as it is now. Even with Carson's closed, there's still more retail in the surrounding area than there was just a few years ago. And the stores that have opened replaced some very low caliber retail - wig stores, dollar shops, etc. - that used to be on State Street. There are also far more people living in the Loop than ever before, including the tower that recently opened on Wabash across the street from the store and the student dorms kitty-corner from the store on Randolph. With Millenium Park just two blocks away, the number of tourists in the area is also much higher. And the majority of those tourists probably have to walk by the store on their way either to or from the park. Two weekends ago I was in the area and the sidewalk in front of the State Street store was thronged with people and yet when I poked my head inside, the store was fairly quiet in comparison. There are a ton of people in the area, Macy's just hasn't given them a good reason to go shopping in their store.
Posted by: Private
Macy's has made a wise investment in promoting Norm Yustin into their Red Star marketing program.....
Posted by: Paul F.
I am truly ashamed of the Sun Times, with its running this puff piece by Sandry Guy. Especially right before the sales were to start. This is news or just another adver
t for Macy's? I'm sorry, but although it dovetails in with her last article blaming Federated's report of decreased earnings with shoppers "hav[ing] rebelled against Fed
erated's use of fewer coupon sales," its underlying premise is still totally flawed. A store having a sale or offering a lame discount pass is NOT newsworthy unless ther
e is some odd or controversial reason for its doing so. The problem is that Sandi again buries and muddles the underlying reasons Macy's is now hosting these desperate f
ire sales. I would again posit it's not because Chicagoans are, as she said, "still scouring the newspapers for Marshall Field's coupons." Rather, Chicagoans simply hat
e the store, its products, its parent company, and its chairman, amongst other things. Thousands still boycott! And what the hell does that even mean, people are "still
scouring the newspapers for Marshall Field's coupons?" Are people still "scouring" the Sun-Times looking for Kup's column? Are Chicagoans re, er, stupid Sandi? Sheesh
this is a sad excuse for an article. If a corporation's sales are down then report it. If they are down because an INDUSTRY EXPERT says its because of X, then report h
is views. If Macy's reps. say it's because of Y, then give their side too. Its a poor reporter that only spoon feeds his readers the Y of the story. Bloomberg and the
Trib. gave both sides, but not the Times, apparently.
Posted by: m.g.
Just drove by the Macy's at Northbrook Court. Rock star parking spaces aplenty! That store is a ghost town!!!!! I would guess it's doing far worse than State Street.
Posted by: Sue from Wisconsin
About 100 years ago, my grandmother's family took an annual shopping trip to Marshall Field's in Chicago from their isolated home on the prairies of Alberta, Canada (a train trip of over 1500 miles!). Marshall Field's offered a vast selection of goods that were the height of sophistication and quality, creating an international reputation that remained in place through the next century, until Macy's thoughtlessly obliterated it.
Posted by: Mrs. W
All,
Posted by: Jon C.
Posted by: Peter
Jon C...
Posted by: Doris Ray
Hi Field's Fans:
Posted by: Maura
http://www.wwd.com/issue/article/115961
Posted by: Clint
Today I read the first quarter results for the Bon-Ton stores, including the Carson's group and it is interesting to compare the press releases of Federated and Bon-Ton. Bon-Ton is very forthcoming in why sales are off and that the lower sales are not acceptable. Federated on the other hand is always shady regarding sales and also seems to keep dodging the real reason as to why sales are off. Just my two cents.
http://www.bonton.com/investor_relations/pr0524071.asp
Posted by: Maura
What I didn't like about the Bloomberg article was there excitement over the more diverse and younger crowd who are opening credit cards. They still don't get it! We didn't need to be reeducated on how to shop. I'm sorry I am a white woman over 35. I guess that my shopping habits aren't worth anything. I like good quality, at reasonable prices, good customer service, an elegant atmosphere to shop, and some nod to cultural and historical significance. Marshall Field's was special and I appreciated it. National value brands are not special and are only appreciated by the flighty who shop on price alone.
Posted by: gw
All,
Posted by: LiMack
At the noon newscast on Friday Fox News Chicago had a "news" segment on Macy's trying to lure customers to their stores by making it "fun" to shop over the Memorial Day weekend. No coupons, but a ALL DAY SAVINGS PASS good in all Macy's departments.!!!!!!!! Spend as little or as much as you want!!!!!! The blurb was complete with pictures of Macy's funereal black awnings on the State Street store formerly known as Field's.
Posted by: Brad
Sandra Guy and the Sun-Times have gone over the top on this latest article in which they once again promote Macy's. Since when is it considered newsworthy that a store is having a sale?
Posted by: Drew
The negative media reports about Lungreed's rapidly unraveling plot to macy*ize the nation are becoming widespread. Dropping stock prices, questionable accounting practices, "disappointing" sales month after month have been frequently analyzed and published. The experts who took a wait-and-see attitude now admit this one-size-fits-all strategy has been a colossal failure.
Posted by: Jim McKay
Article in today's Sun-Times by Sandra Guy:
"Field's coupon gives way to Macy's pass: Department store steps up effort to placate customers"
http://www.suntimes.com/business/400831,CST-FIN-macys25.article
Posted by: Jeff W.
As a point of information, the common stock of Federated (FD) has been on a steady decline over the past two weeks. At one point it was as high as $46, and now it is slightly more than $38. Looks like Wall Street is starting to realize that everything is not coming up roses in the land of the Big Red Star.
Posted by: PDX Tim
Greetings again from the Pacific Northwest!
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1179971708143190.xml&coll=7
Posted by: a1peopleguy
Truth be known, word is going around the Miami area that they are going to pull a dress rehearsal in Florida with rumors of a closure of the Burdine's main store in center city Miami. Haven't heard any word about that store being considered a regional flagship have you ?
Posted by: Doris Ray
Questionable acounting...isn't that what got Enron into trouble?
Posted by: Zelda
I am THRILLED with the Bloomberg News article about the "Shoppers' revolt at Chicago Macy's."
http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzmacy5227457may24,0,4204516.story
Posted by: Steven
Today's Newsday has a repeat of the Bloomberg News piece, but with the headline being "Shoppers' revolt at Chicago Macy's". The most interesting thing is not part of the article, however. Newsday, a newspaper based on Long Island, New York, is owned by -- ta da -- the Chicago Tribune.
http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzmacy5227457may24,0,4204516.story?coll=ny-business-print
Posted by: James Miller
That Bloomberg story is just what is needed. The FDS types don't want to get embarrassed on the golf course, and this is just the kind of thing to make that happen.
Posted by: gle
I too don't understand why some people think Field's "wasn't what it used to be." From the viewpoint of a customer (a child in the 60's and a downtown office worker from the 1980's-on), the quality seemed fine to me until about a year before the name change. I didn't realize right away the store had been sold, but about that time noticed it becoming trendy and plastic, like all emphasis was shifting toward the younger generation. And what about the line in the Walnut Room the last Christmas it was Field's? When the tree first went up that November (when you used to be able to get a seat), it was as crowded as Christmas Eve.
Posted by: Connie Cashin
I agreee completely! Federated has made a big mistake by taking away all of the regional, beloved department stores and replacing them with Macy's. I live in Los Angeles, and we are still lamenting the closure of Bullock's, Bullock's Wilshire, I. Magnin, the Broadway, Robinson's and May Co. Now we have just Macy's (which I hear a lot of complaints about!) and Bloomingdale's, which has finally almost figured out the Los Angeles markert after almost 10 years! If the women of Los Angeles had any alternative Department stores to shop in, believe me, they would be shopping there instead!
Posted by: Jon C.
By reading the steadily increasing numbers of articles in major mainstream business magazines and newspapers which deeply question macy's business plan, I am amazed...but then, I really should not be...that Lundgren and his CFO, Karen Hoguet keep mouthing the phrase "We do not break out individual numbers for each store."
Posted by: Evelyn A.
I surely do miss Field's. I had hoped I wouldn't be able to see a difference when Macy's moved in, but not true. I miss Field's and the quality items I could depend on
Posted by: RG74
Terry Lundgren...I don't know how he can sleep at night...after slapping the Lazarus guests,family and Mr.Lazarus himself, then moving to destroy the first quality department store as we know it, he must be quite a night owl !
Posted by: Daniel W. Harcourt II
Hey Fields Fans! I know it's been a while since I've posted, but believe me I've been busy. I have bought absolutely NOTHING from any Macy's-not just the once that have taken over our beloved Marshall Fields. Thanks to the awesome shirts, pins and even the bumper sticker I got from Pat C., there are very few people who know me that don't know how I feel about the Macy's invasion-and judging from recent articles and FD's recent stock price,I'm not the only one making my feelings well known. We are definitely winning the battle-and we shall win the war!
Schaumburg, IL
Posted by: E TULLOCH
Shopping is no longer a pleasure. I was shopping at the Coral Square Mall(Coral Springs,Florida)and it is a disaster! The Macys was a former Burdines which is known as "The Florida Store" one can see that it is a totally mismatch! The macys name going on a flamingo pink building with palm trees(Burdines interior and exterior is world known for its tropical atmosphere,great designer selections and friendly service and cleansiness!) Macys is dumpy, cluttered,bad attitude reps wearing funeral black and horrible loud ass music coming from the speakers is not going to cut it oh yeah i-pod vending machines! and why the hell must there be two Macys in one mall! what choice is that? I commend the citizens of Chicago for their BELIEF IN MARSHALL FIELDS. I shopped there a few times during my visits in Chicago and it reminded me of a Harrods or Selfridges in London and they chose to destroy that crown jewel!The educated fools from Ohio! EVEN DOLLAR GENERAL LOOKS GOOD RIGHT ABOUT NOW, AT LEAST THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE!
Posted by: Steven
I too did a double take when Macy's announced that Glamorama 2007 would be headlined by the country Muzik Mafia, which includes Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson (you know her, the red-necked woman) and Cowboy Troy. I suppose Macy's deserves credit for thinking outside the box, but... what? Neither Chicago nor Minneapolis is a hotbed of country music support and it doesn't seem like these acts will appeal to Glamorama's core audience.
Victoria's Secret, well their stuff's real nice
But I can buy the same damn thing on a Wal-Mart shelf half price
And still look sexy, just as sexy as those models on TV
No, I don't need no designer tag to make my man want me
Well, you might think I'm trashy, a little too hardcore
But in my neck of the woods I'm just the girl next door
Posted by: GW
Look at the news story in Bloomberg under articles published about FD. Very interesting...
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&refer=conews&tkr=FD:US&sid=aWYOhgmlZhfA
Posted by: Jim McKay
Do read the BusinessWeek article Drew first noted. Here is the link again.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_22/b4036079.htm?campaign_id=yhoo
Posted by: Susan M. F.
I have to wonder why the marketing guru's didn't think to keep, at least in Chicago, the Field's name, e.g., MACY's Marshall Field's. They may have been able to retain some of Field's customers. What sunk them is completely disregarding Chicago shoppers - obviously, as others have stated, "NOT giving the lady what she wants."
Posted by: Erick
Hi everyone.
Posted by: Gayle
To James in CA: I too have heard it said that "Fields wasn't what it used to be." I really don't get it! Like Jim, my adult shopping experience at Fields began in the early 80's. I do have memories of going to the State Street store at Christmas time as a child, but by the time I was an adult shopping with my own money, it was usually at the Oak Brook or Woodfield stores. I was in outside sales for several years during the late 80's through the mid 90's, so during that time I frequently visited most of the other suburban stores, even the far-flung locations.
Posted by: Philip Eichler
I just looked at the Women's Wear Daily article that had been posted about Lundgren. It is interesting to note that Lundgren repeatedly singled out Field's in conjunction with May. He made no mention of the other May doors. Reading between the lines, it is as close to an admission that he flopped and the beginning to admit there is a real problem with former Field's locations.
Posted by: gle
One of my employers just asked me to post what he witnessed in front of Messy's yesterday. He had to walk past the store on Washington on his way to work. There was a great big rat on the sidewalk looking in the window. He thought that was very fitting considering what they have inside the store, and if the place had been open that early he would have opened the door and pushed it right in!
Posted by: Drew
Business Week identifies the "questionable" reporting of macy*mart's financial picture. The observations and conclusions by people on this board have now been quantified--and it's not a pretty picture for Terry and the Pirates.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_22/b4036079.htm?campaign_id=yhoo
Posted by: Jim McKay
In response to JamesfromCA's post about Field's supposedly being "not what used to be," I've heard that one as well. One STNG columnist accused me of living in the past and wanting to return Field's I remembered from the 1940s or 1950s. In fact I wasn't even alive then--how could I want to return to something I never have experienced?
I'm too young to remember the years you remember of Field's. As an adult, my Field's glory days are from about 1985 to 2005. No other store offered all the variety of Field's while offering quality, value and service. Sure, for example, Nordstrom competed with Field's in terms of quality and service in menswear, but Nordstrom sure didn't offer Field's variety, not to mention the sense it was a Chicago institution. To hear legends that Field's was even more superlative is facinating to contemplate since to me, it didn't get better than Field's. Even to the very end.
Posted by two different people: Private & JC
Another blog writing on Field's.
http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/4113058-1.html
Posted by: JamesfromCA
Ok perhaps someone ANYONE can help me out here. I have heard on more than one occasion on this board, on Ellen "the shopping gal" blogs and now on Chicagoist that "Field's wasn't the store it was" or "it was a crappy store in the last few years" etc etc.
Posted by: Drew
In response to Bob in DC: You must be reading T. Lungreed's twisted little mind. His grand plans to turn the State Street building into a clearance center will be the beginning of the end unless he is stopped.
Posted by: Brad
Please write to David Moin, author of the story in yesterday's issue of the premier fashion retailing magazine Women's Wear Daily. It seems that Mr. Lundgren has spoon-fed Moin lot's of disinformation and Moin obviously needs to be re-educated!
http://www.wwd.com/issue/article/115961?page=0
Posted by: Lauren
Thought you might get a kick out of knowing that all of the unique designer brands that made Field's so fun to shop (Dana Buchman, Catherine Malandrino, Lida Biday, Costume National) are now on sale at TJ Maxx!! In fact it's the EXACT merchandise that used to be for sale at Field's--actual Field's tags and all. I was in the Lincoln Park store last weekend and happened across the goods under the "Runway at the Maxx" section.
Posted by: Mike M
Just to give you an idea of the prominence of the Macy's/Marshall Field's issue, here is an observation.
http://www.chicagoist.com/2007/05/21/marshall_fields.php
Posted by: Patricia W C
I missed Fields sooo much when I moved to Miami in the late 1960's. But eventually bonded with Burdines (The Florida Store) when they had salespeople, a complete line of merchandise, could walk between the racks of clothes and great spots for lunch in their stores.
Posted by: b
Macy's claims to have had fewer coupons and sales days than did Marshall Field's and cites this as one of the causes of lagging sales. Is this true?
Posted by: Gail
[ The following was submitted about 36 hours ago to this Blog; however, it was just posted in the past hour or so. Here it is again in case you missed it due to posting delays at this blog. --Jim ]
Posted by: Mike M
There is a great article at www.chicagoist.com today entitled "Marshall Field's Boycott Working?"
http://www.chicagoist.com/2007/05/21/marshall_fields.php
Posted by: Steven
Oo-eee! Denial! Denial! Denial! So Macy's imperious leader TL recognizes that sales are down at State Street. But of course, it isn't because Macy's sells inferior quality merchandise at inflated prices. Oh no, it's because there isn't a lot of surrounding retail and foot traffic! PLEASE! How many people a day pass by the State Street store? A million? Million and a half? And then he says Macy's wasn't helped by the closing of Carson Pirie Scott's flagship store!?! PLEASE! Carson's made it easier to boycott Macy's because it offered a better alternative. Carson's did Macy's a favor by closing its store. Now TL thinks turning State Street into a Macy's discount bin will solve his problems. Let's see. Shop at Nordstrom Rack, Filene's Basement and TJ Maxx for marked-down name-brand clothing, OR shop at Macy's for marked-down Alfani (which at 50% off, STILL isn't a bargain)... Is there any doubt which stores Chicagoans will still prefer? How did someone so utterly clueless get to be where he is. He has one the most incredibly beautiful retail buildings in the world and the best he can do is turn it into a gargantuan bargain basement? The people at Target who masterminded the $110 million renovation in the late 1990s and the store-in-a-store boutique concept must be absolutely appalled that all their hard work has been flushed down the toilet so thoroughly.
Posted by: Pat C.
From Colorado Springs Business Journal 5/11/07
Federated Department Stores Inc., the parent company of Macy's and Bloomingdale's, took over The May Department Stores Co. on Aug. 30, 2005.
Full story at:
http://www.csbj.com/story.cfm?ID=10595
Posted by: jimmy gimbels
The buzz flying around the real estate world is that Messy's will close 80 stores! Mall management companies are pissed.
Posted by: Mitch
We've read messages that concern the legacy of Mr. Lazarus, and Mr Marshall Field and their contributions to the establishment of long running, successful stores.
Posted by: Drew
Here's a great promotional suggestion for Terry Lugnut and his followers to help macy*mart win their coveted shoppers:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070521/BIZ/705210303
Posted by: Robert
The article in the Trib quoted a Federated exec who indicated that the State Street store was doing poorly, but the other former Fields stores were doing "no better or no worse" than they had before the changeover. Am I reading this correctly? Also, are the former Fields' suburban stores really as profitable as they were a year ago...or is this a lie?
[ Response from Jim:
Actually the Tribune wrote, "At a press conference after its annual meeting here Friday, Federated's chief financial officer, Karen Hoguet, said former Field's stores are performing no worse or better than the roughly 400 regional department stores Federated acquired from St. Louis-based May Department Stores Co. in 2005 and converted to Macy's."
Posted by: gle
Today is my mother's birthday. She doesn't want anyone to know her age and doesn't even want to know herself. Ladies from her generation had their standards. I will say that she took me on my first trip to Marshall Field's at Christmastime way back in 1959. Our family had certain milestones where you went to Field's. One was when a kid started school and could sit still on the bus. When you needed something ordinary, like ugly school shoes, you got them at a neighborhood store. When I needed my first pair of heels for eighth grade graduation, mother and I made a special trip downtown to Field's. It's those milestone trips I remember, and still have my 1959 Marshall Field's toy catalog. There are many opinions, especially over weekend news coverage, that I feel like expressing, but today I simply honor the milestone of my mother's birthday, and the age that lady doesn't want anyone to know.
Posted by: Bob in DC
For those of you who saw the article or excerpts below about Lundgren's plans to "revitalize" the State Street flagship store by filling it with deeply discount merchanidse, I would like to give you a glimpse into a crystal ball, courtesy of Lazarus in downtown Columbus, Macy's (nee Davison's) in downtown Atlanta, Macy's (nee Burdine's) in downtown Miami, and so many more former crown jewels in the Federated crown long-destroyed. The following is how Macy's "revitalizations" come across to me:
Posted by: A. Perkins
Many newspapers and media outlets covered the report about Macy's poor sales, especially in Chicago, however I love the headline and caption from the Lansing State Journal. It used "sickly" and "ailing" to describe Macy's sales!
Federated turning to cure-all for its sickly sales - promotions
Posted by: A. Perkins
It seems like the national business writers are starting to turn on Macy's. Here's another article about Penny's that takes a jab at Macy's.
J.C. Penney 1Q profit increases By DAVID KOENIG, AP Business Writer
Posted by: Econ Geek
Well, I was at Old Orchard last night and decided to take the survey. The survey tables were the busiest part of the store, I had to wait in line for a kisok. They asked me a lot of questions about shoes. I kept checking "fit" as a problem with the macy's selection. Finally, they asked what size I wore, when I indicated a narrow width, the questions stopped. The answer set for where I shop now was interesting, lot's of discount and shoe warehouse options but nothing for custom made shoes or italian shoes (which are my only options since I am aparently the only person left in the world who wears a narrow width)
Posted by: Gail
ATTENTION MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA:
Posted by: David
Keep the faith...
http://www.daviddalka.com/createvalue/2007/05/20/marshall-fields
Posted by: Al
Sad to hear about Charles Lazarus' passing.
Posted by: David K.
check this out!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0705180861may19,1,3208670.sto
ry?coll=chi-news-hed
Posted by: Jim McKay
Thanks to all who somehow helped make the early evening leafleting session on State Street a success in reaching people. Support for bringing back Field's was overwhelming.
Posted by: Jon C.
Two weeks ago, I happened to be an airline seat mate of a lady whom I discovered was from Chicago.
Posted by: Jon C.
Jim McKay implied a connection on some level behind Mr. Charles Lazarus' death at age 93 occurring the very same week that the name Federated Department Stores, Inc. was dropped to be replaced by Macy's Inc. As Jim mentioned, Mr. Charles Lazarus was one of the founding members of Federated Department Stores in the 1930s. It was also painful to note that Mr. Lazarus was deeply saddened when the macy's name replaced the Lazarus name two years ago by Federated Chairman, President and CEO Lundgren. What an insult to his memory and life that both events had to take place at all.
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/dispatch/content/business/stories/2007/05/15/Chas_Lazarus_obit.ART_ART_05-15-07_A1_2K6NIKD.html
Posted by: Bob Washam
From the latest Tribune on March 19, 2007
Posted by: Paul F
Unbelieveable! A retired LA Times reporter is now railing against the integrity of the Times due to the paper's omission of specific FDS sales declines recently reported to be affecting the company. He alleges in the blog that the CHICAGO TRIBUNE is affecting the Times' reporters' newswriting integrity along with the overabundance of Macy's advertisements. He calls for a nationwide boycott!
http://takebackthetimes.blogspot.com/2007/05/macys-ads-may-be-affecting-lat-news.html
Posted by: Chris
So Federated finally admits what everybody has known all along - that the State Street store is "doing badly." Well, duh.
Office of the Mayor
City Hall - 121 N. LaSalle, Room 507
Chicago, IL 60602
Room 300
Chicago, IL 60602
Posted by: LiMack
A big part of Field's attraction and what people in Chicago miss and hold with such affection and respect, (and what so many journalists OVERLOOK), is that Marshall Field's State Street was never a niche store........Marshall Field's always had something for EVERYONE.
Posted by: JamesfromCA
Claire Osada in regards to the French Room I did a little googling and got the impression from a few articles that the French Room was a high end department in Field's that sold hats at one time.
Posted by: A. Perkins
Where have all the customers gone?
Posted by: Mrs. W
All,
Posted by: Brad
Why all the fuss over whether or not Macy's brand of Frangos is produced in Chicago? It doesn't matter where they're produced... if they're sold by Macy's, we won't buy them! It demonstrate how disconnect the local newsmedia is from their audience that they think moving Frango production to Chicago make any difference in how we feel about Macy's.
Posted by: Dorothy G.
This is no "miracle on 34th St" This is a travesty on State Street.
Posted by: Drew
Interesting strategy to re-invigorate sales at the State Street store mentioned in the Chicago Tribune article:
Posted by: Mike Monroe
Posted by: Alan
Finally, an admission that State Street is "performing badly."
Posted by: Jim McKay
As always, you are encouraged to write in response to articles like today's.
Here are some suggestions.
* If submitting by the internet, send your "Letter to the Editor" in a standard email message. Do not use web page forms or blog sites for the newspapers, unless you abs
olutely have to. If you submit via email, you have the opportunity to cc: or bcc: a copy to yourself--submitting via other methods on the internet mean you probably won't have a dated copy of
your response, if you get a copy at all. It is very important that you keep a copy for your records.
Thank you for making a difference!
Posted by: Hillary
New York Times Did that Power Get Dad,Get His Hands Dirty ?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/13/business/yourmoney/13suits.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Posted by: Pat C
Macy's attempt to "Lift up the rug, and sweep the dirt under it" to hide the Truth from the Public and Shareholders.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0705180861may19,1,3208670.story?coll=chi-news-hed
Posted by: Mike M
"Macy's State Street Store doing badly."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0705180861may19,1,3208670.story?coll=chi-news-hed
Posted by: Jim McKay
Today's Saturday Tribune will likely have the same story about Frangos as the one linked here:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-070518federated,0,4716293.story?coll=chi-bizfront-hed
Posted by: Joe
It's unfortunate that TL didn't see the opportunity in owning Marshall Field's. I have long been a Dayton's and then Field's fan (I moved to Chicago from Minneapolis right when the stores in MN changed to Field's, actually) and have grown up with both stores. I now, of course, boycott the M store. In Minneapolis, we have had Macy's since the Mall of America opened in 1992- did anyone care? Hell no. Dayton's and Field's always trumped "way to sh*t" or whatever they are calling themselves now.
Posted by: Alfred in Washington
Hi, All. To follow up on the Motley Fool story--thanks, Steven!--before the M--- Borg debacle began, the Motley Fool prophesied: "A great deal of [Field's brand] power seems to be connected to Field's history, which is itself embodied in the flagship State Street store. ... The building ... has long been a symbol of Chicago. Now Federated risks diminishing the attraction of the distinctive Chicago landmark by homogenizing it into just another Macy's." And of course that was only the beginning of the corporate misjudgment--as you said, Steven, if someone connects the dots from this earlier observation about brand power to the retail analyst Mr. Flickinger's statement quoted below by Paul F (Thu, May 17, 2007, 2:48 pm CT)--"They made a disastrous decision to throw the Marshall Field's name into Lake Michigan, one of the best brand names in the business"--we begin to get a picture of how incredibly New Coke-like this all is! Marshall Field's forever!
Posted by: Claire Osada
Does anyone know anything about The French Room at Marshall Field's? I found a big French Room hat box at a garage sale today and I can't find anything on the Internet about this.
Posted by: JamesfromCA
I read an article today in the paper that said JCPenny and Kohl's are doing really well. Nordstrom also is doing well. JCPenny and Kohl's are making money with their private labels. I don't shop at either of those stores and frankly I find Kohl's to be bland but the private labels at both stores are moderate in price unlike Macy's. I doudt that a men's shirt with a private label costs 67.50 at either stores like it does in a Macy's. Therein lies the diference in terms of success between a Pennys/Kohl's and a Macy's.
Posted by: Steven
Hey Patti in Indiana, I laughed over the "excitement" surrounding Jordache jeans too. I did some digging at Wikipedia and found the following excerpts:
Posted by: Darrid
Let's not fool ourselves. The media is no better than Wall Street. They are all sheeple and are being led by each others comments and findings.
Posted by: Drew
Wow! JC Penney and Kohl's have _somehow_ managed to increase business as macy*mart continues to falter. They are providing what the customer wants and they are attracting many shoppers who have abandoned macy*mart. Obviously Penney's and Kohl's have capitalized on Lunkhead's arrogance and stupidity and are upgrading their offerings and their stores to capture the middle to upscale shopper. (Saks, Nordstrom and Nieman Marcus have sealed their hold on the high-end consumer.)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070518/earns_retailers.html?.v=6
Posted by: Steven
Article at Motley Fool: Will "M" Be a Moneymaker for Federated?
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/05/18/will-m-be-a-money-maker-for-federated.aspx
C,Federated Department Stores (NYSE: FD) partially blamed a softening consumer environment for its weak first quarter. But is that the whole story? If we look around at some of the competition, we find a much different story. Kohl's saw an 11.8% increase in revenues in its latest quarterly; even its comparable same-store sales looked good at 3.9%. Nordstrom comps were outstanding, coming in at 9.5% for the period, while net sales came in slightly lower at 9.3%. And J.C. Penney saw its total department sales move higher by 4.4%, with comps contributing with 2.2% growth.C.
Posted by: Patti in Indiana
Wait a minute - I was looking at the Sun-Times article (Thanks, Robert C!), and they are excited about Jordache jeans in young mens?
Posted by: Jim McKay
I pretty much agree with Gayle; I see the story as largely reporting comments made by Macy execs. I also have a print edition of the S-T and the second half of the Macy's story is juxtaposed with a story about how great JCPenney, Kohl's and Nordstrom are doing. Contrast all that with, for instance, the full-color story that was spread across the centerfold of a weekday edition of the S-T in mid Januaary. I don't have the date handy but it featured a photo of a Macy's exec in red looking very happy and a family holding Macy's bags under the Field's clock. I definitely would have liked for there to be more info on the mockup Martha Stewart house being cancelled. As was mentioned, is State Street the only store being cancelled?
Posted by: B
Here's an interesting quote from today's Sun-Times article with possible SEC implications:
Posted by: Gayle
To Robert C:
Posted by: gle
I went to State Street Messy's to try the survey last night. It was the first time I could force myself into the store since the name change. The survey seemed to anticipate that some people don't like Messy's. In addition to the important question of have you shopped more or less here since the name change, there were multiple choice questions like where did you buy your last suit, why, would you consider buying a suit at Macy's, why or why not? The only personal questions were gender and age. Participants also had to climb onto very high, very hard metal stools.
Posted by: Drew
This article from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review attempts to give a balanced view of macy*mart's problems, but the fact remains that other retailers are capturing the former Kaufmann's customer. Of course, the article had to include comments from people who like macy*mart so the newspaper wouldn't lose advertising revenue.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_508290.html
Posted by: Nathan
So I walked inside of Macy's to fill out their survey telling them that I wouldn't shop there. I got two boxes of Frango mints for free, but here is the best part. On the back of both boxes of chocolates the picture of the clock is upside down. Shows how much they care about Frango mints not checking their box design. Way to Flop!
Posted by: Barbara Kipnis
I moved to Florida from Chicago three years ago. Returning to Chicago quarterly to visit family, I will NOT shop at Macy's. I won't shop at Macy's in Florida, either (the former Burdines stores). Marshall Fields IS Chicago, and has been for me since I dressed in white gloves and patent leather Mary Janes to ride the "L" with my mother and shop at the State Street store in 1950. My loyalty solidified in 1963, when Field's "College Board" helped new freshmen figure out the right clothes to pack for college. Target did a number on the stores, with poor decisions like moving Frango manufacturing out of state and eliminating cash returns for bridal registery gifts (even with the proper receipt). But at least they had the sense to keep the Field's name. Any company dumb enough to toss out the Field's name doesn't DESERVE my business!
Posted by: Robert C.
Sun-Times Article today on Macy's.
http://www.suntimes.com/business/391213,CST-FIN-macys18.article
Seems to me that the Sun-Times is trying a little too hard to go easy on Macy's. I wonder if the cancellation of the Martha Stewart mock home is just on State Street or at Union and Herald Squares too. It made me bristle when I read that Macy's basically dismisses loyal Field's customers.
Posted by: Probably the kind of orders a Macy's Manager gets
Well I'm sure you have all read that us old "May" store managers don't know how to run a Macy's store.
Posted by: Alan
Thanks for the "inside" insight, MFFan. Your analysis is right on. Lundgren's plan to integrate the lower-end May, the middle-end legacy Macy's, and the high-end Field's was to gravitate to what he thought was the middle. However, it doesn't seem to be working, and they are finding themselves trapped in the very cycle of promotions that they were hoping to avoid.
Posted by: Darrid
Opportunity...
Posted by: Randi C.
Hi Everyone,
Posted by: Roberta S.
If Macy's is pronounced "messy's" then if Federated changes its name to Macy's Inc, today, its new name will be pronounced "messystink".
Posted by: Rich (B)
Renaming the stores Marshall Field's NOW would be an absolute insult
Posted by: James in Minneapolis
Hi All---
Posted by: Jeff W
Bravo! Bravo! The financial analysts are starting to see the light that Federated screwed up big time when they destroyed Marshall Field's! Couldn't happen to a nice group! Way to go, Terry Lundgro!
Posted by: Michael in Baltimore
I was in the former Hecht's at Security Square Mall today. Security Square is one of Baltimore's let's say less upscale malls. I had to go into the mall so I decided to walk through Macy's. Even as Hecht's it was a lesser store. It reminded me of the former Hecht's Cloverleaf store in Richmond. I'll start by saying the inside was surprisingly orderly. That said what is with the mold growing on the outside of the building? The store had some people in it but very few with bags, and I doubt they ran out. When I was upstairs looking at the home department (yes to someone who asked, no real Waterford) a kind employee asked me for help. (He must of been one of those Baltimore/Washington nasty Hecht's clerk.) I asked him point blank how sales have been since the changeover to Macy's. He seemed surprised and gave a so-so sign with his hand. I said is there any change? He said "on certain days there better". Then I pressed "how about overall are sales better or worse than with Hecht's?" He just shook his head and said "worse". I said that I missed Hecht's. He said he did too and "things are different now. Maybe they'll improve."
Posted by: MFFan
i have been following this blog for a while but have not written in yet. Please allow me to add some context to the discussion
Posted by: Steven
I'd say the comments on Ellen Warren's blog are running over 25 to 1 in favor of dumping Macy's. The Tribune has printed more complaints about Macy's ever. I wonder if the editors have decided that Anne MacDonald's holier-than-thou rant against newspapers was the last straw. Certainly one way of boosting circulation is to jump on a bandwagon and find a common enemy with your readers. The Tribune would be wise to pull no punches against Macy's now.
Posted by: gle
"Tribune's" Voice of the People Letters to the Editor has a not-so-nice suggestion that Federated dump Terry Lundgren--"Macy's is Swimming with the Fishes." And it's not even Saturday!
Posted by: Drew
Interesting that JC Penney is upgrading its offerings and increasing its profits while macy*mart is making excuses and searching for gimmicks. How much of the improved business at JC Penney results from lost business at macy*mart? How can Lunkhead and Company even think that increased advertising will bring customers back to macy*mart? Sure, some curious souls _might_ come in and look around, but what happens after they enjoy the ambiance and examine the "exciting" merchandise?
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/exclusive-fashions-help-drive-penneys/story.aspx?guid=%7BC36EAD8C%2DF513%2D4092%2DA700%2D2CB6B48D7C11%7D
Posted by: Paul F
I'm really wondering about Sandra Guy's (Sun Times) news writing: "Shoppers at the new Macy's stores, including the converted Marshall Field's chain, have rebelled against Federated's use of fewer coupon sales, though more of them have signed up for Macy's credit cards, said Karen Hoguet, Federated's chief financial officer. Federated will spend more money on TV and newspaper ads by diverting dollars from mailing promotions to the best-spending shoppers."
Posted by: Paul F
Excellent article and great quote from Jim.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-thu_federated0517may17,0,2676799.story?coll=chi-bizfront-hed
Posted by: Joe D
Well, JCPenney's total sales increased 4.4% while FDS's total sales decreased 0.2%.
Posted by: Joh
My God. This man simply cannot admit he scrwed up. For years of studying the U.S. business world, I have never seen anyone so adamant for NOT taking the blame for anything...Enron aside. What's more is the fact all these analysts, etc. keep swallowing the intense amounts of BS he and his little robots like this CFO broad and Jennifer "Moron' McNamara keep dishing out.
Posted by:
ACK! I'm not sure who Ruthie Ackerman is, but here is the article she wrote for Forbes.com:
http://www.forbes.com/2007/05/17/walmart-federated-retail-markets-equity-cx_ra_0517markets03.html?partner=yahootix
Posted by: Gayle
Hi Folks,
Posted by: Jim McKay
Here's a recap of three items of note in Chicago newspapers--Field's Fans need to take a look at these:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-
thu_federated0517may17,1,5071770.story?ctrack=3&cset=true
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/shopping_elle
n_warren/2007/05/what_a_shocker_.html
http://www.suntimes.com/business/389665,CST-FIN-macys17.article
As always, you are encouraged to write in response to articles like these. In the case of Ellen Warren's blog, you will have to reply there; howerver, please EMAIL your letters to the editor in response to the othe articles. Here are some suggestions.
* If submitting by the internet, send your "Letter to the Editor" in a standard email message. Do not use web page forms or blog sites for the newspapers, unless you abs
olutely have to. If you submit via email, you have the opportunity to cc: or bcc: a copy to yourself--submitting via other methods on the internet mean you probably won't have a dated copy of your response, if you get a copy at all. It is very important that you keep a copy for your records.
Thank you for making a difference!
Posted by: Clint
Macy's Cut's Coupons
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aJBh8DpFkD.Y&refer=home
Posted by: Drew
All of the "exciting" links posted on Wednesday quantify the anecdotal comments that have been made on this blog: macy*ization isn't working and now the numbers prove it! Case closed! The downgrading of Federated's stock parallels the downgrading of its stores, as investors and economists see the weaknesses that the customers have seen since the Red Star Store defiled the nation.
Posted by: gle
The truth is out.
www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-thu_federated0517may17,0,2676799.story?coll=chi-bizfront-hed
Posted by: Pat C
THIS BOYCOTT IS COAST TO COAST !
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-thu_federated0517may17,1,5071770.story?ctrack=3&cset=true
Posted by: Patti in Indiana
Came across this article on MarketWatch:
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/federated-launch-macys-promotional-push/story.aspx?guid=%7BD6AAAC42%2D1E84%2D435E%2DA258%2D5A3CFDBBC8BA%7D&siteid=yhoof
"Customers who until September shopped at Marshall Field's, Hecht's and Burdines seem to like some of the different merchandise Macy's stores offer, like private-label brands, status brands and exclusive lines. But they're apparently not sold on other items, including home furnishings, or kitchen and bath accessories."
Posted by: B Chevalier
I was confused as to why we would be having a protest in early May a couple of weeks ago. Now after reading this morning's Tribune I see that it was timed perfectly.
Way to go fellow Field's loyalists!
Posted by: Matt
As a former Chicagoan living in San Francisco, I'm proud to see the solid boycott of not only the former Marshall Field locations, but other May divisions as well. (Kaufmann's, Foley's etc.)
Posted by: Darrid
This past week I went to Columbus City Center, once a thriving center for shopping. When it opened it housed Lazarus, Jacobsons and Marshall Field's.
Posted by: Mark in Phila
Hello Fields Fans,
Posted by: bob warsham
My comments to the Tribune blog follow. It has been posted.
The remerchandising was bad enough. Cheap knockoffs at inflated prices. But in the Detroit area former Fields stores, shopping carts have just been added! How upscale, and to quote FDS so"fashion forward". A clerk explained the carts replace package pickup!
Posted by: LiMack
When I sit back and contemplate "l'affaire Lundgren" I am just amazed at how easy he made it to boycott Macy's. For many of us who vowed we would never spend a dime at Macy's once the nameplate changed it could have been so much more difficult than it has been. Had the converted stores been full of excitement, innovation and great unique items to purchase, and had real people (not shills) been prancing all over town in their classy new clothes singing the praises of Macy's ammenities and customer service, then the boycott would have been much smaller. But, helpfully, Macy's screwed up everything possible!
Posted by: Chris
I don't understand why Terry Lundgren still has a job.
"That means shoppers will see more TV promotional advertising and sale events in the months ahead as the company attempts to "create more urgency" to get shoppers into the newly converted stores, Federated CFO Karen Hoguet told Wall Street analysts during a first-quarter earnings conference call Wednesday."
Posted by: M
I just wanted to say how impressed I was that Chicago actually put up a fight. Detroit just let Macy's take over. No one here was willing to fight or protest. Not even the Teamsters put up a fight! Everyone just accepted the bullshit severance they were given and went away.
Posted by: Zelda
In the words of the great Churchill:
"This is not the beginning of the end, but it is the end of the beginning."
Posted by: Mrs. W
All,
Posted by: George Miller
This past Friday I was downtown Chicago for Looptopia. I walked through the State Street Store and was amazed at how unprepared Macy's was for the crowds that always show up for one of the wonderful "fests" we have in Chicago. Sadly, however, I was not surprised. . .
Posted by: Jim McKay
Here's another interesting article from a senior writer at thestreet.com. It's titled: Federated Faces More Trouble Ahead.
http://www.thestreet.com/_tsccom/newsanalysis/retail/10357248.html
Posted by: Peter
Look at the Chicago Trib today. The tagline of "Now it's official: Macy's is a flop" for Ellen Warren's column caught my attention.
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/shopping_ellen_warren/2007/05/what_a_shocker_.html
Posted by: David
To All Field's fans:
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/shopping_ellen_warren/2007/05/what_a_shocker_.html
Posted by: Robert
I took "the survey" today at the beloved State Street location...I agree with an earlier post that the questions are skewered because they link "Marshall Field's/Macy's;" however, the the question about whether you're shopping more/less since the changeover is THE telling one, and I encourage EVERYONE on this board to go in and complete the survey. Also, it was my first venture into the store since Field's was replaced with Macy's. I am unimpressed. The glamour and taste are gone. It looks like a dying urban department store, like the old Bullock's on Wilshire in LA before it closed after the Rodney King riots. There was no life or energy - nothing that projected its status as "an important place." Also, the free box of Frangos were disappointing. They ARE waxy and taste like cheap chocolate; the mint is less pronounced.
Posted by: Gayle
Hi All,
Posted by: Drew
So the "sluggish" sales at macy*mart resulted from their advertising methods. That's as good a excuse as any to explain away the problem without addressing the real issues. Note that the article doesn't single out the former May Company stores for slow sales; perhaps the legacy stores are also "disappointing." Not to worry, the new advertising strategies will surely "drive" cutomers into their stores.
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7b64BBD7AB-3F2F-4E35-B9A9-597E72862858%7d&siteid=yhoo&dist=yhoo
Posted by: gle
And there is yet more. Lunkead admits "...sales in the new Macy's locations were disappointing in the quarter." then continues to defend himself, "...we remain optimistic that our trends will improve particularly in the back half of the year as we reach the first anniversary of the Macy's brand conversion."
www.forbes.com/businesswire/feeds/businesswire/2007/05/16/businesswire20070516005587rl.html
Posted by: gle
And the results are--"Macy's a drag on Federated profit." Are we shocked?
www.money.cnn.com/2007/05/16/news/companies/federated.reut/index.htm?postversion=2007051609
Posted by: Private
Most companies learn from feedback and information gathered from their best guests (customers) and adjust their business accordingly. Yet,Macy's strategy does not include any customer/guest input. That's where the Macy's re-education comes into play.
Posted by: Steven
Is someone jumping ship?
Posted by: Mrs. W
Hi All,
Posted by: Hillary
I found this on Ebay. This gentlemen is selling his work shirts ...
Posted by: William
The posted letter from a Macy's employee is both enlightening and very disturbing because it reveals and (confirms from a discussion I previously posted) what Macy's exit strategy is:
Posted by: Drew
Economic analysists now realize what those on this board have known all along: Federated Department Stores/macy*mart is a "loser" in each and every aspect!
http://www.forbes.com/2007/05/15/walmart-retail-stocks-markets-cx_ms_0515leaders.html?partner=yahootix
Posted by: John
Northbrook Court, Oakbrook, Old Orchard, and Lake Forest, were all literally appalled at the idea of a Macy's (still leaves a bad taste in your mouth) coming in and taking space in the iconic and matchless and beloved Marshall Field & Co.
Posted by: Bob Garrett
OK, this I find funny. When I complained to Macys.com I got a responce from an employee that told me that our Boycott is effecting jobs and he is happy to be employed. So I go out of my way to try to help a Macys employee find some work. Read below its funny to me:
Dear Mr. John Bourgeois:
>From
Dear Mr. Garrett:
Assistant Store Manager,
Macy's State Street
Last Name:
Address:
City:
State: IL
Zip: 6
Country: USA
Phone:
Email:
Division: mno
Location: 640055
Source: Macys.com
Overall: Disappointing
Store Env: Disappointing
Assoc Behav: Disappointing
Comments:
I just wanted to let you know that the Boycott of your store continues. I really Really miss my Field's. When is Mr. Terry Lundgren going to realize that he made a mistake? Please look at your stores sales there down, please give me my
Field's
Name: Marshall Field
Description: Owner
Assc. Number: Un known
Comments:
This person cared about Chicago. It was not some NY instuiton that Insisted they were better!
Posted by: Justin A.
I stopped at our Mayfair (Milwaukee, WI) Messy's this past Sunday to make my monthly visit to see how bad things continue to get. One associate I saw working in the men's Ralph Lauren department was very creative in choosing his "black uniform" for the day -- he was sporting a black leather vest over a neon blue shirt. Sales, as usual, throughout the store, were very slow. While passing through the men's furnishings department I witnessed an associate who was already helping a customer, drop everything to help a second at the checkout (there were already two other employees at the checkout who were just standing around talking). When the first associate starting ringing up the second customer, one of the two idle associates said, "I can ring that up for him. You were helping that other customer." The first associate responded "I was, but thatC-s okay" (guess he was short on his sales quota). Finally, I wandered over to the "survey" area at the mall entrance. I found it interesting that they had it on the side with all of the women's departments. I guess that don't care about the opinions of men. The two computer terminals were unoccupied, so I sat down at one of them. The survey did take about 10 minutes. As I worked on the survey it was interesting to note that the person manning the area was not actively stopping customers to ask them if the wanted to complete a survey. The survey concentrated mostly on men's clothes (what have you bought during the past 6 months, what type of clothing, how much paid). I was presented with two pictures of models in office casual work apparel (one trendy and one traditional/classic (field gear type/Ralph Lauren)). The survey asked which picture I preferred, as well as which one characterized the style found at Messy's. Obviously, I chose the traditional/classic style as my favorite, and the trendy as what I thought Messy's carries. Each time when asked if I would purchase a particular clothing item from Messy's, I responded with an emphatic "no." The survey wou
ld then ask "why" I would not shop "Messy's." I selected only the "correct" answers, "quality" and "selection." After answering questions about men's clothing, I was thrown for a loop when I was presented with a question about "expensive gift items" (e.g., have you bought an expensive gift item in the past six months, how much did you pay, where did you purchase, and did you purchase at Messy's, etc). As I had made such a purchase in the past six months, I was more than eager to give my opinions. Again, when responding "no" to the question, "would you purchase an expensive gift item in the future from Messy's, I was asked why. My response was that I would rather shop Boston Store (Carson's) or Nordstrom. After finishing the survey, the attendant said to me "You looked as though you were providing some very "thoughtful" answers. I then responded with a curt "yes" and then asked for my free box of Frango's. It will be interesting to see if anything comes of their survey.
Posted by: Paul in Baltimore
To Richard on 05/14/07...
Posted by: RG74
Exciting news, more stores are insituting cafes...yes full-service restaurants with waiter/waitress service ! In-store restaurants provide a large benefit to shoppers and the stores alike.
Posted by: Steven
I think everyone who can, should fill out a survey at Macy's. First, although it's doubtful TL et. al. will do anything with the results except support their same tired old story, at least it gives us another opportunity to say in no uncertain terms to Macy's YOU SUCK.
Posted by: Gail
Here's something for Federated's directors and shareholders to think about before the upcoming shareholders' meeting:
Posted by: Paul F.
The surveys are conducted on computerized touch screen terminals and only take a few minutes to complete. The questions actually changed slightly, from one survey to another. -- But they all had one question in common, however, basically asking if you shop more or less at Macy's after they changed the name, from much more, all the way down the scale to much less. Then it asked why. All the rest was commentary dealing with what types of clothes you prefer and what type of things you notice at Macy's. Some questions were somewhat skewed and confusing (some state "Macy's/Marshall Field's" as an answer, when the two clearly should be split), but with careful, deliberate reading it was not that difficult to complete the questions. Some questions left no "best" answer, so one must answer "no reason" or "I don't know." I have urged my family and friends to take the survey (they do not ask personal details) becase this may be the last chance to directly do so. FDS needs to know that we shop much much less at their stores since they changed the name. If we do nothing then the sheeple meandering in the stores win, and the survey will reflect nothing but their warm contented thoughts towards Macy's.
Posted by: Randi C., New Yorker
Hey Field Fans,
Posted by: Jim
Page 15 of today's Sun-Times also has a Field's allusion. They have a color photo of the Field's Great Clock and have a quick blurb as how the State Street Mall caused a drop in sales at Field's and other retailers nearby.
Posted by: john f
This is a comment for Nathan's recent posting that someone from store will contact him. Nathan, if so, will you please post for us?
Posted by: Richard
I emailed Macy's 2 weeks ago regarding the demise of Marshall Field's and other regional stores:
I absolutely despise Macy's. Give us Foley's back. Macy's is nothing
compared to Foley's, Marshall Field's or Filene's. You were not happy
with the demise of I Magnin, Bullocks, Bullocks Wilshire, Jordan Marsh,
Maas Brothers, Rich's, Burdines, Lazarus, Goldsmith's, A&S and the many
other regional stores that defined their communities and were
institutions in their cities. Lungren will not listen to the customers
until the demise of Federated. He is just full of his ego. It is my
prediction half of the old Foley's stores will be closed within 2 years
(as well as the other May divisions). More people feel the way I do
about Macy's than not. We are showing it with our wallets. It is
interesting how Federated is not breaking down the regions by sales
volume. The arrogance of Federated's board and Lungren is appalling.
Thank you for taking the time to share your views with us and for giving
us the opportunity to respond. Nothing is more important to our business
than knowing what our customers think and being responsive to their
needs and concerns. Let me first assure you that no one understands or
appreciates better than we the long heritage of our regional brands, as
well as the history they encompass.
Judy Messer
Internet Customer Service
Posted by: gle
The "Tribune" has a good pro Field's letter inviting reader comments in Voice of the People Letters to the Editor today, "Consumer Protests."
Posted by: denise rule
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_opinion_letters/2007/05/14/index.html#entry-33916144
Posted by: Richard
I just found a video link for an old Foley's commercial. You will see how we treasured this name since 1900 in Houston just like you treasured Marshall Fields:
Posted by: Siamak (Chicagoan living in NY)
Can someone remind us who owns the building 111 N. State Street? Is it FD? Hopefully not because when Messy's fails there, it would be a shame if they sell the building and make a lot of money.
Posted by: John M
One way we can get our point across to Federated Dept. Store, On the demise of Marshall Fields, is to purchase shares of stock of Federated. Since sales are down at Frderated share holders can request or demand the CEO be removed from his position because of his major mistake of removeing the Marshall Fields name from the Chicago landscape. Remember corporate executives are requires to keep the share holders happy and show a return on their investment. At this point Federated has angered the customers to not want to shop at the former Fields stores. This is not a good business practice. Sooner ar later share holders will take action on this matter.
Posted by: Paul in Baltimore
This is in response to the Wall Street Journal article.
Posted by: Marc-Boston
Steven noted "But then again, Oakbrook might want to boot Macy's to make room for Saks."
Posted by: Marc- Boston
JP asked "I must say I was surprised to see Armani, Chanel and Prada at the Sears in Vancouver.....can anyone explain that"
Posted by: Drew
The alleged "survey" being conducted at the macy*mart north stores is probably more of Lunkhead's arrogant refusal to admit that his stategy has failed miserably.
Posted by: James Z K
Hello Field's Faithful-
Posted by: Private
Very interesting comments from the conference call from Terry Lundgren. It simply appears that he does not get the Field's customer...he readily admits that Marshall Field's has a higher brand status than Macy's ! I think that the loyal longtime guests should be aware of this and ask why he would not leverage the opportunity to give us back the upscale store that we have patronized this year. 60,000 people can't be wrong ! It's very important that the media is aware of this ! Don't you think ?
Posted by: Glenview/Northbrooker
I have an acquaintance who works at Northbrook Court Messy's. She's stated that the shoppers at the store have changed since the conversion. There are fewer shoppers and few are that are are rarely the same that used to shop at field's. Sales have also fallen significantly. After Lake Forest, I would suspect that former Field's shopppers of Oak Brook, Old Orchard, and Northbrook are the most discerning customers -- they simply aren't buying it (messy's that is!).
Posted by: Drew
This evening I parked in the lot outside a suburban Pittsburgh macy*mart. The store was pretty much deserted as I overheard one clerk in the Home Store say to another, "I rang up $400 today--that's much better than the $200 all day Friday." She said that she actually approached OTHER CLERKS and asked them to stop by her department to buy something! The other clerk replied, "Wait until we start carrying Martha Stewart. That will really bring 'em in." They both had a hearty laugh on that one!
Posted by: Jim McKay
Thanks to all who helped make late afternoon/early evening leafleting a success today--both on the street as well as behind the scenes making leaflets possible.
Posted by: Paul P.
Dear Field's Fans:
Posted by: Bob Warsham
Walked through one of the Malls today and noted that the survey was going on inside the entrance to Macy's. A chair was open so I offered my opinions.
Posted by: LiMack
With Mother's day this weekend I've been thinking a lot about my Mom. I remember her having and playing an old record of the Ral Donner love song, "You don't know what you've got (Until you lose it)" probably from the 1950s. Similarly, as much as we all appreciated Marshall Fields, I suspect many of us honestly didn't realize how MUCH she meant to us until she was "lost".
Posted by: Doris Ray
Why don't the newspaper articles which write about FDS low sales give the whole truth? There is a boycott in the works.
Posted by: Philip Eichler
Two observations:
Posted by: Nathan
First off I would just like to thank everyone for all your efforts put into this cause so far. My primary course of action is to not shop at Macy's.
Dear Nathan :
Vice President of Selling Services
Macy's North
Posted by: Ralph
I want to thank you for this site. I truly think it's a shame that Marshall Field's is no more. I used to shop there quite a few years ago when I would cover our company's Chicago office on a fill-in basis.
Posted by: Jim McKay
The arrangement with The Bay to sell Federated's private labels is not unheard of. In fact, Bon-Ton, before it acquired Carson's, also sold quite a bit of Macy's privatee label items. Analysts applauded Bon-Ton's acquisition of Carson's because it gave them their own stable of private label merchandise. Of course, Federated and Bon-Ton mutually agreed to terminate their arrangement to seel Macy's brands of clothing when the deal to buy Carson's went through.
Posted by: jimmygimbels
OK troops...head to your local Messy's outlet (force yourself!) and take the survey--and of course boycott the rest of the store. I did!
Posted by: jp
After visiting Toronto myself, I would have to say the Bay is better than Macy's. The Bay has better store layouts, friendly service, and an identity related to Canada with the Hudson's Bay Company....similar to Marshall Field's in Chicago.
Posted by: Rich (B)
Hi All
Posted by: Simpsonite
One will recall that in Canada "The Bay" department store took over and eventually decimated our version of Marshall Field's called Simpsons a number of years ago. My wife and I were coming out of The Bay at Sherway Gardens (formerly Simpsons) in Toronto today after sharing a good laugh looking at Alfani's latest offerings. The Bay's new owner has been bragging about how he wants to make his store offer "selection and service like Macy's." As we were leaving, a group of American tourists were walking in front of the Bay mall enterence with a Canadian friend who was showing them around. The ladies were eagerly approaching the enterence when I managed to observe the following conversation:
Posted by: Leana`
I passed THRU Macy's while shopping at Old Orchard today. I saw people taking a survey and was not going to participate but I couldn't resist the opportunity to tell them how much they suck.
Posted by: John Smith
I have found that Macy's is actually doing one thing right. They provide us ample parking at various malls while we shop at other stores! I take great pride in cutting through Macy's to spend money elsewhere!
Posted by: Jim
I agree Jane. I'm sure they have something up their sleeve and I certainly don't take this at face value.
Posted by: Jane
This is very interesting. I was passing through Field's on the way to the mall today. Macy's is having customers perform surveys on merchandise, shopping habits, etc. The gift for performing the survey was a free one pound box of Frangos. I did not have the time to take the survey, but I read several of the questions over the shoulders of those who were participating. FDS would not be conducting a survey and handing out big boxes of Frangos if something wasn't up. I would encourage all readers to check out their local Field's store this weekend and participate! (I do have to go back to the mall tomorrow and will do my part to let FDS know exactly how horrible its changes have been.)
Posted by: Linda S.
Maybe the financial analysts are finally getting it. Today's Wall St. Journal quotes Eli Portnoy, of Portnoy Group Inc., saying that Macy's faces a chain-wide identity crisis. "Shoppers who had been loyal to Marshall Field's in Chicago see Macy's as down-market. Meanwhile, to former customers of...Filene's, Foley's and Burdine's, Macy's has still got a reputation for being an expensive store from New York."
Posted by: Martin Gorski
Please take the time to listen to the Macy's 2/27/2007 conference call (available on its web page). About 20 minutes into the conversation the CFO notes that Macy's must "teach" its new clients at Ma
rshall Fields (e.g., the "former May department Store doors).
Posted by: Missing Field's In Appleton
I am appalled that Marshall Field's is gone from our local mall store in Appleton, WI
Posted by: Brad
If only we had Marshall Field's in Chicago to share in the continued strong sales reported by Field's peers Nordstom, Saks and Neimans.
Posted by: Clint
I recently came back from vacationing in Victoria, BC and noticed that The Bay (Canada's largest dept. store) was very Macy's private label heavy. Front and center was always INC, Alfani, Charter Club. I now realize why The Bay's sales aren't doing that well if there peddling that crap.
Posted by: Richard
As a native New Yorker who lived in Chicago before, and has returned again, I have always despised the Macy's homogeneous, coldly corporate approach to merchandising. They did the same thing in NY, wiping out beloved companies such as A&S and Stern's. I worked for both Macy's and A&S, and A&S beat Macy's hands down. It's a shame that the beautiful downtown Brooklyn A&S is now a Macy's! How about other companies that were destroyed by Macy's as they decided to roll their name across the land- Jordan Marsh? Filenes? Maas Brothers? I Magnin? Robinson-May? I also worked for a division of Target when they owned Field's, and at the very least, Field's still had it's own merchants and designers in Minneapolis and they did fund a major makeover of the State Street Store.
I will NEVER shop at these stores now that they are Macy's. If we don't stop this Macy (I do love the term "messy")machine, soon we will have less and less choices all over the country to shop. It's time to vote for differentiation and uniqueness. And class. None of which seem present at the Macy's of 2007. The arrogance of the Macy's team also disgusts me. They seem very upfront about their plan to just wait it out until we all succumb and shop Macy's. The consumer has all the power here, so use those purse strings and send Macy's a clear and loud message: GO HOME
Posted by: RG
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Posted by: Bob Warsham
Update from Detroit:
Posted by: Zelda
Federated is down 2.2% and Saks is up 12.8%. Whatever can it mean? Maybe those Saks shoppers just don't get the Macy's concept.
Posted by: S
Link to article about Federated Same Sales dropping, which they blame on a failed promotion. At some point, they'll have to recognize that doing away with the Marshall Fields name was NOT a smart business move!!
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=businessNews&storyid=2007-05-10T123459Z_01_WEN7966_RTRUKOC_0_US-FEDERATED-SALES.xml&src=nl_usbusinessearly
Posted by: Doris Ray
Hello Fans!
Posted by: SS in Wisconsin
Link to article about Federated Same Sales dropping, which they blame on a failed promotion. Macy's destroyed much of the value of the price paid for Marshall Fields by changing the name - hardly a smart business move! I would think Federated shareholders would protest.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=businessNews&storyid=2007-05-10T123459Z_01_WEN7966_RTRUKOC_0_US-FEDERATED-SALES.xml&src=nl_usbusinessearly
Posted by: John
What a crude and arrogant snot this Anne MacDonald is. I swear, they are becoming more Fascist.
Posted by: Doris Ray
Hello Field's Fans,
Posted by: Drew
Now Lungreed blames the shifting of a "major promotional event" for macy*mart's poor April sales. Federated is either getting more creative or just plain running out of excuses. Wonder if the return of the 17 year locusts (cicadas) will cause a further drop in macy*mart sales this summer?
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-16616578.htm
Posted by: Alan
Federated appears to lead a disappointing month for retail with sales down 2.2 despite pushing a promotion forward to April. They are already talking down May sales:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=84477&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=998583&highlight=
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=93295&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=998561&
Posted by: Brian
In response to Jimmy Gimbel.
Posted by: Steven
The more I read quotes from Macy's executives, the more I wonder if any one of them is playing with a full deck.
Posted by: LiMack
If I were a Federated shareholder or director, about now I would be wondering how Terry Lundgren ever got so off-track and off-key with his "National Department Store chain". I
feel there may indeed be some questions asked during their annual meeting about surveys, preparation, business plans, and execution. I so wish I could be there in person if onl
y to see if Terry is attired head to toe in Alfani.
Posted by: RG74
Dear Fellow Fields Fans,
Posted by: Mary Anne
Why aren't the shareholders damanding that Terry Lunkhead step down or that the board dismiss him?
Posted by: John F
I laud your efforts. We used to have Marshall Fields in the Dallas Galleria and always enjoyed shopping at your very special store.
Posted by: gle
here is "Tribune" coverage of Macy's Reform School's attempt to re-educate newspapers to revolve around their ridiculous self-centeredness. Macy's chief marketing officer Anne MacDonald says, "Like us, you must change the way you think." I don't know exactly who they think they are, but in this country we still have free speech, free thought and freedom to elect our leaders. Even if we don't always like our elected leaders, nobody elected Terry Lunkhead at all. We need to keep letting the media know what WE think, and it's not the way Messy's dictates.
www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-newspapers-conference,0,3793517.story?coll=chi-bizfront-hed
Posted by: Alan
Check out this Letter to the Editor:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/7717c02e-fdca-11db-8d62-000b5df10621.html
Posted by: Jackson
The boycott is working. Some experts have projected sales are down in the double digits % at the former Field's stores.
Posted by: perpugilliam
Responding to Patti in Indiana's comments:
Posted by: Doris Ray
Drew makes an excellent point; the driving force behind TL & FDS strategic sales medocrity is that they see these as properties.
Posted by: Drew
Here's your laugh for today. An exec for macy*mart says that newspapers must become more attuned to their audiences to improve circulation. Is this the same company that is so responsive to THEIR audiences?
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070508/newspapers_conference.html?.v=1
Posted by: P.D.
This news paper convention has a Macy's exec saying the newspapers have to pay attention to their audience. Ironic that the majority of Chicago wants Field's back but the papers won't print a story about this past Sunday's protest. This convention must be where Macy's says with a wink and a nudge that they won't advertise in newspapers unless they repress stories about how people don't like Macy's and want Kaufmann's, Lazarus, Filene's and Field's back.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070508/newspapers_conference.html?.v=1
Posted by: Drew
Further evidence that Lunkhead and Sycophants know nothing about marketing and merchandising. The inside flap of macy*mart's latest exciting One Day Sale catalogue announces: "WE'VE MOVED TO WEDNESDAY! We've moved our One Day Sale to the middle of the week with a preview day on Tuesday!" Pictured are different exciting "specials" for Tuesday and for Wednesday from 8 AM until 1 PM.
Posted by: Andrew
Met a former colleague of Macy's who was responsible for the rebranding the acquired stores (MF and other) across the country to the Macy's look.
Posted by: Mary Anne
Macy's Exec to Newspapers: 'Change the Way You Think'
http://newsmax.com/scripts/printer_friendly.pl?page=http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/5/8/141150.shtml?s=us
Posted by: David K.
Check this out:
Posted by: Kate
Field's Fans, I just posted a message on topix.net, and I hope you are all checking this blog out regularly and putting your two cents in. Here's the address:
Posted by: Patti in Indiana
Steven... your comment on Northbrook Court is a good one. Macy's just doesn't belong there. I remember when that store was a J.C. Penney (and the theater was an I.Magnum... boy, do I feel old!), and Marshall Field's really seemed to work in the mall better than J.C. Penney did. Of course, these days, the Gap looks out of place.
Posted by: Drew
The comments made by jimmy gimbels further strengthen my opinion that Federated and Lundgren are DELIBERATELY trying to destroy their alleged "department stores." By not maintaining the buildings, by cutting services and staff, by offering low-quality, overpriced junk, they are trying to make the stores fail. Think about it--macy*mart is doing ABSOLUTELY nothing to develop a loyal customer base. Their meager efforts are nothing more than the bare minimum to run a retail business. When the sales drop, Terry and the Pirates will have an excellent reason to shutter stores. I think Terry Lundgren sees the value in the properties rather than in the ongoing businesses.
Posted by: Pat C
I'd like to thank our Wisconsin Delegate,Laurie,who came all the way from Milwaukee on the Bus. I believe she deserves a "High Five". A real Field's Fan !
Posted by: sharon
http://pictures.aol.com/ap/myAlbums.do?albumId=9141.1492.1178588360071.1
Posted by: Steven Roelofs
One of the next Macy's to go HAS to be Northbrook Court. Macy's doesn't belong in the same mall as Neiman-Marcus and Lord & Taylor, especially one as beautiful as Northbrook.
Posted by: Jim McKay
Thanks to all who helped make yesterday's protest a huge success! No, Macy's, we haven't gone away since last fall's protest. Thanks, of course, to the dozens of you who protested, all those who gave speeches and comments--including the eloquent catterwalling--and all those who helped but lived thousands of miles away. Thanks to Mike M. for funding the new signs, Zelda's attention getting balloon bouquet, and, of course, J. for funding the leaflets so generously.
Posted by: Mark in Elmwood Park
There was radio coverage of the protest rally.
Posted by: PC
WOW ! The channel 9 news showed a little longer version of their Sunday evening report on the Field's Fans protest rally. At the end of the segment, they showed the lady holding the sign with Terry Lundgren as a dictator and they zoomed in on it long enough to read the whole thing.
Posted by: Doris Ray
Hello Fans,
Posted by: fmorlan
I am not from Chicago but am a Frango mint fan. But in my opinon only Marshall Fields should have that pleasure because they are part of fields not Macy's. I support your action because being from Philadelphia, losing your downtown stores and the mall stores to a new name is like losing part of your history as wells as what makes the City Great.
Posted by: Robert
I was at the protest rally for awhile...the news reports were a bit short, I believe. Any word from Macy's corporate on this??
Posted by: gle
I was glad to be able to get to the protest Sunday, May 6, and even match a few faces with names. There seemed to be more of us than any other category of people on the street. I noticed a few passers-by joined us and asked for buttons. The "honk for Field's" response from the vehicles on State Street was spectacular.
Posted by: H
Any business in the world knows the value of a brand name - only the total incompetents at Federated would throw such a name away.
they are stupid and arrogant and certainly NOT merchandizers.
Posted by: Carol Ryba
I am a former Chicagoan who now lives in Florida. I wrote the CEO several months ago that I would boycott Macys and never step foot Macys. So far I have kept my promise. Yea for the organizers of this protest.
Posted by: Jules
Just saw the protest on WGN! So thankful that you guys are doing this!
Posted by: Michael J S
My home is nowhere near a Marshall Fields store. I live over 1700 miles and 33 long years away from the great Chicago State Street building and I seethe with vile anger at the contemptible notion of my beloved city of my birth existing yet another month (or day)without the company name "Marshall Fields" standing tall on the grand facade known to all Chicagoans by that famous title. Those clueless, brain dead, shortsighted, corporate imbeciles at Federated Department Stores Inc. haven't a clue what they've set in motion and are still very far from grasping the horrifying repercussions of their incredibly stupid, misguided, heavy-handed decision to remove the great Chicago nameplate to the pages of our common history. If I ever get started on the subject of "dumb corporate culture" I shall write for hours and hours. Therefore, let it be known from this time forward, this is one dauntless shopper to never ever set foot in, or ever purchase from, or ever utter that four lettered word M-A-C-Y so long as I shall live. The largest consumer boycott of the early 21st has yet to take hold. May the devil have mercy upon their souls for God shall never forgive them, nor any true son or daughter of Chicago. Go BEARS!!!
Posted by: Bob Ch
While searching for anti-Macy's Web sites I found your site. I just wanted to leave a message and say thanks to all of you for fighting corporate America. I'm from Pittsburgh and am missing our beloved Kaufmann's department stores.
Posted by: James in Minneapolis
Hi All--
Posted by: Kathy Davis
Marshall Field's is synonymous with Chicago. Progress is one thing, this was just change for the sake of change and ego. For many of us, losing Field's was like losing an old friend. I, for one,want it back! I will never!!! shop Macy's and will support any effort toward the return of Marshall Field's.
Posted by: jimmy gimbels
To all the folks - including several Macy employees - who disagreed with my blog entry reporting the closing the Lake Forest store, all is I can say is "I told you so."
Posted by: Claire Osada
There is a really nice display of Marshall Field's memorabilia currently at the warehouse store on Diversey and Pulaski. It's mostly just old pictures of warehouse employees working, old Frango boxes, gift boxes, and store catalogs/flyers. I went there yesterday, just out of sheer curiosity and also because I wanted to go check it out when the name was still Marshall Field's...life just stood in the way and I never got the chance to go.
Posted by: David Hupp
http://www.godhatesmacys.comis now live! Please tell me what you think.
Posted by: Alfred in Washinghton
Dear Marshall Field's Fans,
Posted by: Brian
This is in response to A. Perkins. Your post about Milwaukee being shorted on a smaller tree to me is very touching.
Posted by: Beth W.
Here's to the success of tomorrow's rally. Let's hope the press coverage is not macyized.
Posted by: Drew
Best wishes and grateful appreciation to all who participate in the protest on Sunday. Please remember that folks in other cities are also upset with the loss of their home town stores and that we applaud the organized stand that Chicagoans have taken.
Posted by: RG74@aol.com
Celebration time in Germany - KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens) in Berlin is celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year ! Their selection and service offerings are endless.
Posted by: richard
I have been with the company for a few years and have been shocked by the way this company treats there employees things were nice and you were treated like family when you came to work it was a great feeling to work for such a great company this is not the feeling now . I have heard people who have shopped our store and they all say the same thing it looks like a bargain basement stores not recovered dirty bathrooms not enough help . I was proud to say i worked there but now i just say i work for a big department stoe chain and leave it @ that . I know my work load has incresed and more and more duties are expected out of us everyday then we get our hours cut and then they they want more out of you in less time we no longer work as a team its every man for himself thats not the fields way @ least everyone in my store says the same thing what happened to us ?
Posted by: RG74
Dear Field's Fans,
Posted by: RG74
As we plan for the relaunch of Marshall Field's, we can take comfort in the fact that it is possible for a return to mid-west quality and excellence will once again be re-cast in the one day soon former Macy's North stores.
Posted by: Mike M
IT'S CRUNCH TIME!
Posted by: Mark Milano
I'm a former Chicagoan who now lives in New York City. I used to be a regular Macy's customer, but since the conversion from Field's, I have boycotted Macy's here in NYC. I will never shop there again until they change the name back!
Posted by: Brad
Regardless of where Frangos were actually produced when sold by Marshall Field's, they were special because they were FROM Marshall Field's. A unique Marshall Field's tradition, these mints were more than a generic candy brand one might find at a national discount chain of stores. Frangos were special because they were MARSHALL FIELD's Frangos, from Chicago's own Marshall Field's!
Posted by: A. Perkins
One thing about the Milwaukee store, it was well-loved but people still wanted to travel to State Street as well!. Some shoppers here loved State Street so much that they would rather travel to Chicago first to make a purchase at Marshall Fields than buy it locally. Things eventually changed. I was also told that supposedly before the Federated massacre of Fields, the Milwaukee Mayfair store was one of Field's top sellers in regards to dollars per square foot.
Posted by: Jim McKay
There is all this talk from Federated and the Tribune, Sun-Times, even WBEZ about how wonderful it might be IF Macy's returns Frango production to Chicago.
The Sun-Times broke the news to its readers about the possible return of Frangos production in an editorial in today's paper.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/371017,CST-EDT-edits04b.article
www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0705021012may03,0,6751071.story?coll=chi-business-hed
* The Letters to the Sun-Times should be sent to: letters@suntimes.com
* The Letters to the Tribune should be sent to: ctc-TribLetter@tribune.com
* Please remember to include a daytime phone number for verification purposes.
* Be certain to indicate in your letter that it is "for publication."
* Remember, items submitted to the "letters to the editor" section should not be cross-posted to other forums like the fieldsfanschicago.org blog. The publications request exclusivity.
* Be succinct as possible. Longer items don't have as much of a chance of being published. While there are many facets to the loss of Field's, consider focusing on just one or two facets to
help the larger cause.
* Even if your letter does not get published in print or web media, remember that the media takes note. Every letter reminds editors and producers that this is still indeed a very important
issue.
Posted by: Sean C
I miss my trips to Chicago to shop at Field's specifically. I miss the feeling of Field's, the service of Field's, and just the overall unique experience of Field's, from the Marketplace to the Walnut Room and everything in between (and not a shopping cart or neon strip in sight!).
Posted by: JP
Hi everyone, I had the pleasure of visiting Mayfair Mall last Sunday afternoon after taking a drive around SE Wisconsin for a nice Sunday drive.
Posted by: Field's Employee
I have been reading all the blog comments from fieldsfans.org and still have many more to go.
Posted by: Gail
I used to post an offer to give away "FREE MARSHALL FIELD'S LAPEL STICKERS & BUMPER STICKERS" on Chicago's Craig's List, but I hadn't done so in a few months. (I've been working two jobs lately, and haven't had the time.) I wondered if I would still get takers if I re-posted today. After all, lots of time has passed.
Posted by: gle
If anyone can get ahold of it, I recommend the book "City of the Century" by Donald L. Miller. It's a companion book to the "American Experience" presentation on PBS (WTTW Channel 11), and has a wealth of information on several founding fathers of Chicago--including Marshall Field I.
Posted by: Doris Ray
To P.,
Posted by: Gail
Good luck at the protest on Sunday! I'm stuck in California this weekend, but I'll be with you in spirit. And I plan to be out there leafletting sometime in the next month or so. Don't forget that if you want FREE bumper stickers or lapel stickers, all you have to do is send me your mailing address.
Posted by: Mark in Phila
Hello Fields Fans,
Posted by: Jim McKay
Please help make a difference for our cause! Please write and submit comments on the stories in today's Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times about the closure of the Diversey/Pulaski Field's warehouse, the likely closure of Lake Forest, and the possible return of Frango manufacture to Chicago.
www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0705021012may03,0,6751071.story?coll=chi-business-hed
Posted by: Pat C
Dear Alderman Suarez,
Posted by: P
Hello Everyone,
Posted by: Linda Simons
Here in Southern California I continue to boycott Federated, even though Bloomingdale's is offering me $25 off on a $100 purchase. I didn't bother to read the fine print to see what was excluded. Good luck on Sunday!
Posted by: John
Regarding today's articles in the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times:
I WISH TO GOD THEY WOULD FIRE LUNDGREN! IF THEY CLOSE THAT STORE THEY WOULD EASILY DO THE SAME TO STATE STREET!!! Throw him out of the company!!
Posted by: Doris Ray
THANKS TO MY SIS FOR TYPING THIS--ANOTHER FIELD'S FAN!!
Posted by: gle
Here are "Tribune" and "Sun-Times" articles for today about a possible return of Frango Mints to Chicago, closing by Federated of a northside Chicago warehouse, and non-renewal of Macy's lease for Lake Forest.
www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0705021012may03,0,6751071.story?coll=chi-business-hed
Posted by: Drew
Interesting article. No doubt Martha Stewart's fortunes will change when macy*mart begins carrying her "exciting" merchandise later this year. Lunkhead's big challenge will be to "re-educate" the many "confused" consumers who will soon crowd the stores that macy*mart does not sell dog food or Craftsman tools, just the "exciting" Martha Stewart home goods.
Posted by: Alan
So now Federated will try to "hide" more bad news behind the "good" news that they will return at least some Frango production here.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-thu_frango_0503may03,0,2474371.story?coll=chi-bizfront-hed
Posted by: Steven
Despite the Lake Forest Macy's manager's claim that the store isn't closing, Crain's Chicago Business has an article about Macy's possibly closing in Lake Forest. The link to the article is here:
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=24826
This has the opportunity to be a flagship-type location for a fashion tenant," Ms. Seversen says. "I've gotten quite a few calls."
Posted by: Philip Eichler
Just saw a report in Crain's Chicago Business that the Lake Forest Macy's may close next year. Surprise!
Posted by: Siamak (Chicagoan living in NY)
Macy's most likely gone. They're probably trying to get the rent down but hopefully they won't be successful!
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=24826
Posted by: Melody
it would be great if you guys have a "put your money" day in June! I'll be home to Chicago June 8 - 10th... and was planning on going downtown anyways on the 9th!!! Let me know if you guys do anything then!!
Posted by: Jane Rehmke
I have been mad at Macy's since they destroyed the great NJ department store "Bamberger's" years ago. The service and products at Macy's are
terrible here in NJ -- why would I set foot in stores with that name
anywhere else? Carry on the good fight -- I'll be sure to check out "Marshall Fields" when I have occasion to visit Chicago! Otherwise, IC-ll just have to seek out independent retailers, just as I try to do at home, although that is getting harder to do everywhere.
Posted by: Beth Walsh
I was very disappointed to read the description of a tour given by the Chicago Architecture Foundation (of all places!). It is for the annual Great Chicago Places & Spaces Tours.
http://www.greatchicagoplaces.us/
Posted by: Claire Osada
There are certain stores I think are a good representation of traditional Field's built stores. Hawthorn and Woodfield come to my mind...and definitely Old Orchard and Oakbrook.
Posted by: laurie
I'm coming in from Milwaukee for the protest. Look forward to reconnecting with everyone I met from the previous two protests.
Posted by: jimmy gimbels
Hi everyone..here I am in Boston. Or, I think I am in Boston. Hard to tell by Macy's...same stuff as Chicago area. And as you know,I am easy confused and in need of re-education.
Posted by: Jim McKay
I've received a lot of comments asking how Mr. Lundgren can say he doesn't see the economy of running a separate 60-store chain like Marshall Field's but then he can run Bloomingdale's which has less than 40 outlets. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if he is just saying that to deflect the criticism for the massive mistake of getting rid of Field's. But another possibility is that he really doesn't "get" that Marshall Field's is not the same kind of store as Macy's!
Posted by: Sara
Funny tidbits from two Macy's employees last night at dinner:
Posted by: nateb
Comments on the Promenade and the Bolingbrook store.
Posted by: Darrid
Well, it's been almost 2 months and almost 1000 hits on Darrid.Com! I have been really busy and haven't had a chance to post in a while.
Posted by: denise rule
i recommend when sending an e-mail to someone on this blog, or at least to me, please include something in the "subject" to indicate you are from this site or have to do with Marshall Field's. it's unlikely i would open an unknown person or address, as i'm sure it is with many of you.
Posted by: James in MInneapolis
Hi All---
Posted by: Steven
I think Doris' suggestion about a "put your money where your mouth is" shopping day is an excellent one. Imagine groups of green-clad shoppers descending upon Oakbrook, Old Orchard, and Michigan Avenue en masse and spending their money at Macy's competitors. Then to make our point, walking through Macy's on our way to the parking lot / subway.
Posted by: Brian
I will be joining you may 6th. An Employee holding a sign up also. Still thinking of something catchy, if the guy with "God hate's macy's" sign shows up, I'll stand next to him with "And so does Satan!
Posted by: Mike M
"....re: sunday, may 6th. everyone who had a city of Chicago flag,large or small, from 9/9, please bring it. whomever brought those huge (incorrectly made, but still...) city of Chicago flags, please bring them...." denise rule
Posted by: Steven
Eleven City Diner should have held its ground regarding the Marshall Field's Special. Marshall Field & Company may be a trademarked name, but Marshall Field is a historical figure, just like Montgomery Ward, Richard Sears, William A. Wieboldt and others. No one has a copyright on naming a sandwich after Marshall Field any more than they have a copyright on naming one after Richard J. Daley.
Posted by: Lee
Please bring back May Company! At least we still had Marshall Field's, Famous Barr, Foley's, L&T, Kaufmanns, Filene's, Rob-May, Hecht's, Strawbridge's, Meier & Frank, L.S. Ayers and The Jones Stores. We were all stupid according to Lundgren---but we were happy!
Posted by: Gayle
Hi All,
Posted by: Siamak (Chicagoan living in NY)
Remember there are a lot of choice for Mother's Day!
Posted by: William
I spoke to a State St (Field's) employee today and they relayed the Macy's party line:
Posted by: Joyce Marie Rose-Harris
I am very glad to see that the fight continues. I currently live in Columbia, SC and still can't believe that my beloved Marshall Field's has been filled with below standard merchandise. I bravely walked through the store the last time I was home in July; prior to it fulling being changed to Macy's.
Posted by: Dianne Shanley
I was in Chicago, a few weeks ago and decided to just browse at the Bloomingdale's Home Store to get some ideas for a new apartment I am furnishing. I never saw such hungry sales personnel -- they virtually jumped on me as I walked into each department. I wonder if it is because so many people are boycotting all Federated stores. The boycott must be working. I have not been inside the Macy's stores recently. I plan to go check out the shopping traffic when I am in Chicago later this month. Oh and I have gotten emails offering me a Macy's card. I try to send them to sites designed to stop spammers or phishing.
Posted by: Jim McKay
I caught ABC 7's "190 North" last night. They had a segment where the intro was about State Street. The reporter referred to the Chicago Theatre and "the old Marshall Field's." Note, he didn't say "Macy's." Thanks, especially to Denise and everyone else who wrote in to ABC7 a few weeks ago.
Posted by: S
I live in Indy, but I am with you- I do not shop Macy's here in town and will not until they bring back Fields.
Posted by: Brad
Some may remember that the popular little South Loop restaurant Eleven City Diner once offered on its menu the "Marshall Field's Special" sandwich, a delicious open-faced turkey sandwich topped with a wedge of iceberg lettuce, tomato swiss cheese, bacon and a thin layer of Thousand Island dressing. Back in August of 2006, the restaurant received a letter from Federated Department Stores, parent company of Macy's, saying that the sandwich infringed on the company newly acquired Marshall Field's trademark. The letter read, "To protect our property, we must request that you terminate the use of this name as soon as possible and remove it from all menus, advertising and promotional materials."
Posted by: denise rule
re: sunday, may 6th. everyone who had a city of Chicago flag,large or small, from 9/9, please bring it. whomever brought those huge (incorrectly made, but still...) city of Chicago flags, please bring them
Posted by: Kurt
Think about this quote from Lundgren- "Lundgren repeated his original argument that continuing to operate 60 Field's stores as high-end stores somewhere between Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus would have been unworkable in today's retail environment."
Posted by: Jim McKay
Thanks to all who helped make today's leafleting a success, especially to those who funded the leaflets.
Posted by: Rich
I wouldn't be surprised that when Field Gear merchandise is available -- that if you travel between macy divisions -- you will be able to find the exact same poor quality but expensive merchandise in macy's north with a Field Gear label and with the other afore mentioned brands in other divisions. I DO travel between divisions and intend on checking it out, too confirm my belief.
Posted by: Jeff S.
Regarding our great Marshall Field's clocks; In 1997 we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Great Clock. That was on the north side of the store. This year, 10 years later, we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the 2nd clock on the south side. Remember, the State Street Store was built in sections. The first Great Clock was put up on the north side first, then 10 years later the 2nd Great Clock was installed on the south end of the store.
Posted by: Doris
Hello!
Posted by: Zelda
Through my Yahoo news alert for Federated Department Stores, I learned today that business is falling for Federated and also that Olsen Europe will be opening its own stores at Old Orchard, Oak Brook and Michigan Avenue. I am thrilled, because I used to love to buy Olsen Europe clothes at Marshall Field's but stopped when the store changed to Macy's. I couldn't get them anywhere else, but that was okay, because boycotting Macy's is a higher priority for me. Our boycott must be effective because I imagine Olsen Europe sales dropped along with Macy's sales in the former Marshall Field's location, and the Olsen Europe people probably figured (correctly) that Macy's was a drag on their sales. I'll be the first in line when they open their doors, and I will continue to boycott Macy's.
Posted by: sue briggs
GOOD LUCK I live in Michigan so am boycotting Macy's here. I am sometimes in Chicago, I loved Marshall Fields from the first time I was there and saw the Christmas tree and, I was convinced, the REAL sata claus
Posted by: jimmygimbels
WOW! Lord and Taylor is coming on strong with advertising messages aimed right at the people who love Field's and stakes pot shots at Macy's recent promotions.
Posted by: Casserine Willis
In response to the quote below....
Posted by: James in Mnneapolis
Hi All--- LiMack, that was a fabulous Top Ten List for Why macy's Sales Are Down. Here are mine for Minneapolis:
Posted by: Paul Reichart
Okay, ABC7 Chicago just ran 2 consecutive commercials that really put the M*ification of America into perspective.
Posted by: Doris
GO GREEN!
Posted by: Doris
Hi Field's Fans,
Posted by: Mike M
Posted by: A.H.
Word of our protest is already spreading.
http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/4057748-1.html
Posted by: Michael Trenteseau
I think everyone should read the following article, "Trying to Break the Jinx of Chicago's Block 37" from April 25:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/25/realestate/commercial/25Real.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1
"I think Block 37 will be the epicenter of State Street," said Bruce Kaplan, president of Northern Realty Group, a major downtown retail leasing firm whose offices overlook the site. "In the not too distant past, State Street was pretty downmarket. But now you're seeing better merchants like Borders and Urban Outfitters take space there. I think State will continue to notch up."
Posted by: LiMack
As several others have mentioned here, it will soon be time for Mr. Lundgren to publicly announce Macy's April year-over-year sales results. These will, of course, once again be in the tank. I imagine Terry is already scurrying to come with some new excuses to use this time since so many of the past excuses are really getting old and stale and boring. It is even possible that a few stock analyists and business reporters are beginning to be leery of the excuses. Hence fresh new ones are definitely necessary.
10. It was exceptionally cloudy so potential customers were depressed and stayed home.
Posted by: Drew
Interesting that macy*mart announced the re-introduction (or is it re-education) of Field Gear merchandise. A question immediately comes to mind: will macy*mart's "exciting" Field Gear lines be of the same or better quality than the previous lines? Perhaps Lunky thinks putting a Field Gear label on their typical low-quality, over-priced will help bring "confused" shoppers back to macy*mart.
Posted by: Paul in Baltimore
Another interesting aspect about TL's statement regarding Field's being somewhere between Nordstrom and Nieman Marcus...why wouldn't he have said somewhere "...between Bloomingdales and ..."?
Posted by: James in Minneapolis
Hi All----
Posted by: Steven
I am stunned by the deafening silence -- aside from this forum -- that has greeted Lundgren's last absurd statement: "Macy's confused shoppers by introducing new merchandise, a new discount strategy and a new promotional calendar." In other words, we in Chicago are all STUPID. We are so STUPID that because a suit has a label from Alfani instead of Marshall Field's, we don't recognize it as a suit. We are so STUPID that because a sale is called a One Day Sale on Wednesday, instead of a 13 Hour Sale on Saturday, we don't know when to go to the store.
Posted by: Jeff W.
In 1997, Field's promoted the 100th anniversary of the Great Clock with several memorabilia items. One was a replica of the Great Clock in porceline that was filled with frango candies. I have been looking for one of these porceline candy containers, but have never seen any posted on EBay. Do any FieldsFans know where one might acquire such a GreatClock Candy container, and if so, what its fair market value might be at this time? Since I have never seen any posted on EBay, I do not have a feel for their fair market value. Thanks you.
Posted by: JP
Hi everyone,
Posted by: PatC
Re: Mike M
Posted by: mds
What is truely sad about the return of Field Gear, is that more than likely it will be the same quality of their other house brands vs. the quality that it was.
Posted by: Peter
Chris...
Posted by: Mike M
To all of you who feel strongly about this issue, please be aware that the boycott is crushing the Macy's on State. Sales are way down, according to information provided by insiders to me and to members of FieldsFansChicago.org. There are also marked decreases in sales at some suburban locations according to our sources.
Posted by: Chris
Interesting news about Field Gear. I just wanted to address two things in the Sun Times article:
"Lundgren said Macy's confused shoppers by introducing new merchandise, a new discount strategy and a new promotional calendar."
I don't understand his use of the word "confused" here. What's confusing about seeing new merchandise? Someone sees a pair of pants by a designer they haven't seen before and a fog of confusion comes over them to the point where . . . what? They find they are unable to make a simple purchase? Like they really wanted to buy pants but it's all just become so vexing because *gasp* new merchandise! Or does he mean that people see merchandise of lower caliber in a place that used to carry high quality merchandise and then make a decision to shop elsewhere? Because, Terry, that's not "confusing" customers so much as it's "driving them away".
"Lundgren repeated his original argument that continuing to operate 60 Field's stores as high-end stores somewhere between Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus would have been unworkable in today's retail environment."
Posted by: JamesfromCA
The article in the Sun Times about Field Gear states "Lundgren repeated his original argument that continuing to operate 60 Field's stores as high-end stores somewhere between Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus would have been unworkable in today's retail environment." How so??? Everything I have read in the last three to five years states mid to very high end is where the most profits are in the department store industry. Nordstrom, Saks, Von Maur etc are making money in record profits, Field's was doing well also.
Posted by: Jim McKay
Someone just brought a post to my attention: The Sunday at 10:25 PM post was for some inadvertent technical reason attributed to me when it should have been attributed to Jimmy Gimbels. Despite the slightly similar email address and first name, he and I are not the same.
Posted by: Chuck
I see that the Field's brand of men's sportswear is to return.
Posted by: Jeff S.
The Joliet store is saving money by turning off the escalators!! While mall-crawling last night at the Joliet Mall, I wandered into our former Marhsall Field's. Both escalators were "off". When I said something to the only saleswoman on the 2nd floor she said that there are no customers, and Macy's is saving money by turning the escalators "off"!! I don't know if she was serious or just joking, but it was a hoot!!
Posted by: Jim McKay
Today's Sun-Times has an article about Royal Bank of Scotland's counter offer for LaSalle Bank. Reporter Sandra Guy writes,
"The LaSalle nameplate probably would survive if Royal Bank of Scotland were to win the bidding war, one expert said.
http://www.suntimes.com/business/358696,CST-FIN-LaSalle26.article
Posted by: Steven
April is almost over. Anyone taking bets on what excuse Macy's will use to explain away what is sure to be another month of sales below expectations? Other than the fact that we all in the Midwest are confused, that is.
Posted by: Beth Walsh
The Sun-Times article had a quote from mr. lundgren that cleared everything up - apparently I'm just 'confused'. Now I see the light!! Imagine that. Now that that's all cleared up I'm sure I'll run right into macy's and buy all kinds of deeply discounted merchandise. Not!!
Posted by: A. Perkins
Michael T,
Posted by: Joe D
Returning Field Gear is a step in the right direction, but the "Marshall Field's" Green Label clothing was even better than Field Gear, and it was upscale and unique. I want new "green label sheets"! The Marshall Field's For Men bedding was the best!
Posted by: John in Memphis
My gut feeling is Macy's will slap the Field Gear name on their usual poor quality merchandise. I'm concerned it will further damage the Marshall Field's name the way 75% off Frangos have.
Posted by: Gayle
Hi all,
Posted by: Jon C.
Attention Field's Fans! Here's further proof that we are not alone in our feelings about macy's. Mr. Steven Swain has developed a blogsite, which which concentrates heavily on the following subject:
Posted by: Marianne
For some reason I think the return of Field Gear has something to do with Linda Piepho. She's probably telling Headquarters how bad business is in Chicago, and I would bet the farm she is reading this blog daily. So Linda, this is for you.
Posted by: Eric Ellis
I could write several paragraphs describing my feelings on this issue. For the sake of time I will use the summary approach:
Posted by: Steven
Here's my response to Sandra Guy regarding her Sun-Times article:
Dear Sandra,
Posted by: Jon C.
Thanks, Pat C. and Drew for your comments on Frangos.
Posted by: Bert
I found the comments about Caster Knott in Nashville interesting. Having shopped there years ago I would hardly compare it to Marshall Field's even though it was a very nice store.
Posted by: Alan
Here's more on Field Gear.
http://www.suntimes.com/business/356179,CST-FIN-macy25.article
Posted by: Steven
I had written Macy's suggesting that they contact Von Maur when they close the Lake Forest store. Here's the second response from the LF manager:
We have no plans to close the Lake Forest store. I sincerely hope our store will provide a shopping experience that exceeds your expectations and will make Macy's your favorite store!
You've got to wonder how she and all the other employees wake up every day to go to work. Poor thing. They should all take a tip from the French and just sit down on their jobs until Lunkhead comes to his senses. But then, if he's stupid enough to get rid of Marshall Field's, he's stupid enough to fire all his Chicago employees.
Store Manager,
Macy's Lake Forest
Posted by: Jim McKay
Sharon from leafleting called me as well about the same NBC 5 Chicago report on the 10:00 pm news that Mrs J notes (THANKS Sharon and Mrs J!). I caught part of it and did some digging.
Posted by: Mrs J
My hubby just came into the room & said her saw a piece on Channel 5 news....Macys is bringing BACK Field GEAR?????????? HUH?????
Posted by: Drew
Thanks to Pat C, others...
Posted by: Steven
There was an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer about Macy's bring "upscale" restaurants to its stores.
Posted by: Erick
I will be at the May 6 protest and will have the giant postcard at for everyone to sign. It will be sent to Lundgren the following week.
Posted by: Erick
Lake Forest is doing horrible! I was there two weeks in a row and the place was empty with one or two people on both visits. In speaking with three of the Sales Clerks, they openly agreed that the change was a terrible mistake, citing comments and complaints from a large majority of their upscale clientele in Lake Forest.
Posted by: gle
Field's Fans, we are not a few disgruntled caterwaulers! Just read this opening paragraph in the "Chicago Tribune" on the purchase of LaSalle Bank by Bank of America:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0704230533apr24,0,2355566.story?coll=chi-business-hed
Posted by:
Keep up the fight. I am doing what I can here to battle macy's. I shopped at Dillard's over the weekend. Not surprising but the sales associate told me that quite a few people have switched from shopping at Goldsmith's (now macy's) to Dillard's because macy's merchandise no longer reflects the local style.
Posted by: Alan
So it looks like another Chicago nameplate will bite the dust after Bank of America buys LaSalle and announces inevitable layoffs. All the more reason for Field's to return. ABN Amro was a good corporate citizen during its ownership of LaSalle, but succumbed to pressure back home. Will B of A follow the ABN model or the Federated model? They need to look only to Dominick's, Chase, and yes, Field's to see what will happen if they treat Chicago as just another market.
Posted by: Michael Trenteseau
For Mother's Day my mother wanted a set of monogrammed sheets. Until September 9th, 2006, I would have called my regular salesperson at Field's on State Street, told her what I wanted, and knew that with her good taste and Field's uncompromising quality, what she sent me would be perfect. And since monogrammed items are non-returnable, they would HAVE to be acceptable, sight unseen.
Posted by: jimmygimbels
On April 19, Drew made a comment about Frango Mints tasted "waxy".
Posted by: RG74
Dear Fellow Fields Fans,
Posted by: Dave
I just took my first trip to Chicagoland last week, since last June.
Posted by: Patti In Indiana
Greetings from Southern Indiana!
Posted by: A. Perkins
Steven,
Posted by: Pat C
OMG ! ! ! !
Posted by: Jim McKay
In followup to LiMack's comments on the WSJ interview with the head of Saks, one quote that stuck with me when I read the article was in reference
to Macy's changing the stores, "...in one fell swoop, change the brand and throw it in to 800 stores."
Posted by: Eric B
Howdy, fellow Field's fans! I have a customer service horror story for you!
Posted by: Pat C
Lot 37 News
Posted by: Pat C.
In response to Drew's inqiry;
Posted by: LiMack
In Friday's print edition of the Wall Street Journal there was a fascinating article about the CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue, Steve Sadove. The thrust of the article is that Mr. Sadove is currently working to tailor the merchandise selection on a store-by-store basis in his 54 store chain. Sak's research has apparently shown that the core customer differs significantly in style and need at Saks stores around the country. " A Saks Fifth Anenue store in New York is different than a Saks in Tulsa, or Indianapolis, or Richmond or Birmingham." He mentions that even closely situated stores have different customer bases and uses Greenwich Conn. and Stamford, Conn. located geographically only five miles apart as examples. (Stamford has more career women than Greenwich.)
Posted by: D. Ray
Have any of Federated's leaders lost their jobs or moved on because they see the writing on the wall?
Posted by: Steven
Interesting article about Bon-Ton entering Fortune magazine's list of the top 1000 corporations and its view of branding.
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/business/ci_5713137
While having such a large name might influence vendors, Bergren said he's not sure there will be a national branding of the Bon-Ton name along the lines of a Wal-Mart or Macy's. When Bon-Ton purchased the 142 stores of Northern Department Store Group from Saks Inc. last year, it made a calculated decision not to change the nameplates on those stores to Bon-Ton.
Posted by: Bob C
Today's Wall Street Journal has an interview with an exec of Saks. The exec points out a lot of great things they've learned, using it to turn around Sak's. At one point, he pokes at Federated for quickly and sloppily slapping Macy's on all 800 stores with a lot of bad planning. Not sure if this is on line but I read this in the print edition.
Viva la Boycott!
Posted by: Zelda
I'm coming to the rally on May 6th and have already recruited 3 others. I'm hoping Denise shows up with a big sign that says CATERWAULING TILL THE COWS COME HOME! I also hope the guy from the first rally shows up with his fabulous GOD HATES MACY'S sign. And Doris with her HELL NO, NOT MY DOUGH sign. Let this be our greatest show of force yet!! WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY. WE WILL BRING BACK FIELD'S.
Posted by: James in Minneapolis
Posted by: Drew
A friend who knows that I enjoyed Frango Mints bought me a box at one of macy*mart's frequent exciting "lowest prices of the season" events. I previously ordered these mints on-line from Fields and also received them as gifts.
Posted by: A. Perkins
Hey Jimmy G.,
Posted by: Jeff S.
Yesterday afternoon I had some time to kill and was in the vicinity of the Bolingbrook Promenade, so ............ Yes, I ventured inside. Believe me, there is nothing to worry about. The store is a big "box" with no space. It is wall-to-wall shelves. One department "melds" into the other. There is no atmosphere. The music was TOO LOUD. The famed Taste Bar was pitiful. A very small "food booth". The employees could hardly turn around. The food did look pretty good though -- it's all pre-made, however.
Posted by: SJK
Hello Field's Fans,
Posted by: James in Minneapolis
Hi All-------
Dear Mr Peltier:
Posted by: Dean Doyle
Macys had taken over a original Boston store (Jordan Marsh)way before they bought Mays chain. After a year or so they booted out a Christmas tradition that people had visited for decades at Christmas called the Enchanted Village. Not just Bostonians but several New England states patronized Jordan Marsh. Adding insult to injury they now own our other Boston store (founded here) Filenes! Macys does not give a damn about tradition or customer service so keep up the boycott, Macys might understand the revenue losses.
Posted by: jimmygimbels
WOW! Macy's is having another One Day Sale "with the lowest prices of the season!" Hey guys, Alfarni suits (regularly $475) are on sale! That should pull them in!
Posted by: flyboyhouston
If Macy-mart did close the downtown Columbus, Ohio store, it would actually be for the second time. Federated had previously shut down the larger former Lazarus flagship store. This store was never branded a macys, but was branded as "Lazarus-Macys" by the time it was closed in 2004.
Posted by: Joe D
Hello Everyone!
Posted by: Gayle
Hi All,
Posted by: Zelda
You're going to love this one! Go to
http://www.thestreet.com/_tscrss/markets/activetraderupdate/10350998.html
Posted by: Jim McKay
It's official: JCPenney will move into the Manhattan Mall, in the space that used to be Gimbels New York flagship.
Posted by: Steven
Unhappy with the rumors that Macy's would close the historic Lake Forest store, I used the Tell Us What You Think feature at macys.com to remind Macy's that Von Maur should take it's place. Von Maur is scouting around for new sites in the Chicago area.
Vice President of Selling Services
Macy's North
Posted by: gle
My Field's button drew more comments on the elevator today. A couple of older gentlemen were apparently discussing the day's plans. One of them said "My wife's going to stop off at..." then he paused and said, "Marshall Field's to look around a while." When they got off, a woman in the elevator asked me (as if I were an expert or something) if they are going to keep the name Marshall Field's now. I said Macy's doesn't want to, but the protest group is gaining momentum. I think we are embarrassing them. She gave me a great big smile and said "I think so! I think they should keep the name, at least the one on State Street." She wished us well.
Posted by: Clint
Macy's is adding more restaurants to some stores. Really though, just bring back Marshall Field's, the pioneer of in-store restuarants of highest quality.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/sfl-417macys,0,1738495.story?coll=sfla-business-headlines
Posted by: Jim McKay
Thanks for writing to both Bert and Bob C. I'm going to have to side with Bob C. on this one because I keep hearing from Macy-ites that they've already spent too much money changing decor, fixtures, signage, etc. to Macy's from Marshall Field's (in name as well as quality). Changing all those old AT&T wireless stores to Cingular and now to the new AT&T in such a short time shows it can happen, that all these changes can go back and forth, regardless of the reason. Even after SBC/New AT&T and BellSouth merged they could have left all those stores under the Cingular name. Yet, they recognized how important the AT&T name is and what it has meant for consumers. It shows it can happen!
Posted by: Bert
To Bob C.
Posted by: Patti in Indiana
A trip to Chicago last weekend for DH's convention left me with ample free time in the Northern suburbs... so I ventured up to Hawthorn last Saturday.
Posted by: denise rule
to J.Joseph re: posting on the Tribune blog:; you said you had written and waited 16hrs and had not been posted yet on their blog. It has been my experience that once they start posting...as you can see by whether they have posted any comments or not to that letter, they post fairly rapidly and then end it. Sometimes it takes 2 days for them to start posting.... but once they do, if you're not posted already, then i'd say you're not in. Also, in my experience, you cannot respond 2 or 3 days later to a letter, pretty much needs to be within 24-36hrs, unless they haven't posted anyone at all yet. I hope this helps. And I don't know why they wouldn't post you, they're pretty....open...with the blog. So, maybe it was a matter of timing? too late? I encourage you to write a letter to the Voice....for print....as opposed to the blog. it's just time now for us to be in on Saturday, as usual. I know Jim has the address below. but do not give up and write write write, everyone.
Posted by: Drew
Jimmygimbels commented about the probable closings of several macy*mart stores that were formerly profitable Marshall Fields. Perhaps this is just the first wave of additional closings.
http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/business/stories/2007/04/14/Macys.ART_ART_04-14-07_C1_GO6CME0.html
Posted by: Bob Warsham aka Detroit BOB
Just returned from Chicago -- a 1 day trip and had time to stroll through State Street...some observations:
Posted by: James in Minneapolis
Hi All----
Posted by: Charles
I have a report for you from day one at Bolingbrook.
Posted by: Private@Privateemail.com
Sad to say I would never pass judgement like this, but it was announced that Donald Trump made the #1 spot for the least sexy man in America according to the Boston entertainment and arts newspaper The Phoenix, which irreverently named the top 10 "unsexiest" men and summed up the list by saying, "These guys couldn't turn on a radio."
Posted by: Brad
If Macy's stores like the one in Lake Forest do in fact close, we will, of course, make sure that Macy's is held accountable to their investors and communities served for their decision to destroy Marshall Field's profitable and thriving business.
Posted by: J. Joseph
About 16 hours ago, I submitted a reply to the Tribune's blog that was succinct, civil and pointed. It was never posted. Any ideas of how long should I wait before resubmitting the letter here or to another publication?
Posted by: jimmygimbels
Rumor among Macy employees is the former Field's location in Lake Forest, IL will soon close. This store catered to a very upper income client - something Macy's does not do. And it focused on designer goods for women...another thing Macy's does not do. And it was all about service...ANOTHER THING MACY'S DOES NOT DO. This is the first of several stores that will close...others locations are in Ohio and some east coast locations.
Posted by: gle
When I was coming back from lunch today, a guy on the elevator said, "Hey, I really like your button--it's great!" I told him we're winning. He said, "Ya, I know. I read all those editorials in the 'Tribune.'"
Posted by: flyboyhouston
I went to Chicago for the second time since the changeover from Field's to Macy's. As Macy's, the State Street store is no better than my previous visit. The merchandise is even more boring. The Field's branded merchandise (like coffee cups, stuffed animals), other stuff with the Field's name is almost entirely gone. Even some of the Frango mints don't have the field's script anymore.
Posted by: Jeff W.
To those who may worry about the State Street Store still being a Messy's by the time of 2016, I would suggest that their fears are unfounded. At the rate that sales are declining, and the store is being shunned by the Chicago public, Field's will be back by 2009. Federated will not sustain double digit losses until 2016 just to keep their Red Star moniker on State Street.
Posted by: denise rule
re: Bob Basofin and "Accept Macy's". Maybe the Tribune continues to print those "Macy-bashing" letters because it's called 'VOICE OF THE PEOPLE'? And maybe for every one or two of the 'distraught' pro-Field's letters you see printed, there are actually hundreds that are never printed. You, lucky fellow, were printed on a Monday. It has been a trend with the Tribune to print any pro-Field's letters on a Saturday, the least read day of the week. Macy's does, as you said, butter their bread. In any case, get used to it. We are not a 'few'. We are not giving up. We are not going away. We will caterwaul 'til the cows come home. Accept that. Denise Rule Mt.Prospect
Posted by: Bob C.
AT&T Wireless became Cingular in just the past couple of years; now Cingular is becoming AT&T wireless. Yes! Brands can change back!
Posted by: Nathan
Clicking around the Macy's website, they have an ad for their flower shows. They list Herald Square first, Union Square second, State Street third and Minneapolis fourth.
Posted by: Michael in Baltimore
Yes, the loss of Field's, in name, quality, service and history, is an extreme loss. However, as you have read, other cities like Philadelphia, Boston, Pittsburgh and WASHINGTON, are suffering from this change as well. History has been erased in favor of cheap faux designers and e