September 6, 200618 yr ^I was just posting an article relevent to the thread. Federated is having a harder time than they thought in Chicago.
September 7, 200618 yr ^I was more so talking about the previous post "ghetto Macy's etc" Macy's dancing to a new beat Advertising blitz highlights name change for 400 stores BY JOHN ECKBERG | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER September 7, 2006 CINCINNATI - Federated Department Stores will show off its advertising and marketing moves today to the beat of an old Motown song, "Dancing in the Street,'' when it launches its first national campaign for the Macy's department store chain. Cincinnati-based Federated, which also maintains headquarters in New York City, announced plans Wednesday to unveil advertising touting the conversion of 400 stores formerly owned by May Department Store Co. to the Macy's brand on Saturday. Federated didn't give a budget for the campaign, which will feature a re-recording of the song made famous by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. But industry watchers say it will be the most expensive in the company's history. ... E-mail [email protected] http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060907/BIZ01/609070319/1076/BIZ
September 7, 200618 yr Personally it's not so much the name change(even though it sucks to have homogenization like this) than the merchandise. I like the stuff that Field's carried at State St(only), they had some harder to find unique brands(Thomas Pink Store to name one). My office in NY is across from Macy's Herald Sq flagship and the merchandise is really middle of the road and boring. I think I.N.C stands for "Inane Concepts" Also, keep in mind that this is only State St that people are upset about. Watertower and the Suburban stores are as crappy and boring as any run of the mill Kaufmann's or Dillard's . State St has many small boutiques in it unique to the chain with names hard to find in the midwest. Past owners gave the store special consideration, and I think that people are afraid that that will not happen with Macy's true flagship being in NYC. On a side note....Chicagoans are doubly upset because State St is also losing the landmark Carson Pirie Scott store in it's beautiful Louis Sullivan building. Bon Ton stores bought them from Sak's earlier this year and decided to close the flagship. btw, I know that has nothing to do with Federated, but it is another State St landmark gone so I thought it was worth mentioning in the context of the Chicago backlash against Federated. The stores are a block apart and people are just upset in general.
September 11, 200618 yr Chicago protests end of Marshall Field's CARLA K. JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer September 10, 2006 PHOTO: Z. Juby demonstrates against Federated Department Store's decision to convert Marshall Field's into Macy's at the former Marshall Field's State Street store in Chicago, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006. AP Photo/Brian Kersey Protesters marched, carried signs and called for a boycott Saturday because their beloved Marshall Field's store, the shopper's magnet on State Street for more than a century, had been replaced by a New York icon — Macy's. ... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060910/ap_on_bi_ge/federated_macy_s;_ylt=Ah_kIvrJMBfTxnTGC_oTsE9u24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA
September 11, 200618 yr Fields survived the Great Chicago Fire, the Great Flood, the Great Depression. It fell to a group of corporate honcho's in Cincinnati. I sent back my Macy's card. (I had not used my Fields card in a few years anyways)
September 12, 200618 yr Stand your ground Marshall Fields shoppers!! :shoot: I feel the M-F folks pain! As a shopaholic, when those Arkansas hillbillies at dillards DESTROYED Higbee's I sent them a scathing letter with my credit cardS (yes plural) in about a one hundred pieces. Since then I have NEVA stepped in a Dillards store! and I NEVA will!! Downtown Higbee's was much like Marshall-Fields on State Street. Lots of unique brands and small boutiques on the inside. I'm vaklempted as I type this!! :cry: Living in NYC, I don't shop at Macy's and rarely purchase item's at Bloomingdales, but the flagship stores offer a lot of merchandise, at various price points and are Icon's in the city. Clevelanders....many of us that had the opportunity to shop in Halle's, Higbee's or May Co., you know what im talking about. I totally agree about the Suburban locations. The outer borough and subarban Macy's/Bloomies are just typical crappy stores. If you look at one of those stores Outside of Manhattan..it looks just as bland as the kaufmann's on Cedar & Warrensville. Another example is the Bloomies on Michigan Avenue the two stores in Atlanta all look like crap! However, the Chicago home store is awesome. Now the WaterTower MF store is just a damn mess!! When I lived in Brooklyn Hts. I remember when Macy's took over A&S. A&S was a shitty store, but Macy's made it even worse, then opened a second Macy's, a few blocks away, at Atlantic Station. There are rare cases when a downtown shopping powerhouse duplicates its successin the 'burbs. The Halle's at severance is an example of that. Although there was a store on Shaker Square, the Halle's at Severance was AMAZING. INC is Federates "in house brand", I don't buy the merchandise, but I think its there to compete with the Banana Republics, J Crew shopper.
September 14, 200618 yr Federated stock hits all-time high JOHN ECKBERG / CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Local business summary September 14, 2006 NEW YORK CITY - Wall Street investors apparently like the way Cincinnati-based Federated Department Stores Inc., has gone about converting about 400 former May Department Store Co. to the Macy's brand. Shares of the retailer hit an all-time high Wednesday, closing at $42.13, up $1.26. This week the company plans to promote the name change with a Macy's Parade-on-Parade caravan - a truck traveling to Macy's stores around the country as it make its way to New York City the day before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060914/BIZ01/609140323/1076/BIZ
September 21, 200618 yr Federated to close center, cut jobs Cincinnati-based Federated Department Stores, Inc., will close a St. Louis data center, scale back a similar center in Lorain, Ohio, and eliminate 290 technology positions. The consolidation will help eliminate duplicate jobs after Federated bought the former May Department Store Co. last year. John Eckberg http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060921/BIZ01/609210318/1076/BIZ
October 6, 200618 yr Shoppers respond to Macy's Sept. sales jump 6.2%, exceeding Federated's projections BY JOHN ECKBERG | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER October 6, 2006 CINCINNATI - Sales results for the first month since Federated Department Stores Inc. converted 400 department stores to the Macy's brand brought some good news to the Cincinnati-based retail giant. On a same-store basis, Federated's sales for September were up 6.2 percent, which is better than the company's prediction of 3 percent to 5 percent. Federated wasn't alone in reporting strong results after consumers, encouraged by cooler temperatures and falling gas prices, went on shopping sprees at the malls last month. ... The Associated Press contributed. E-mail [email protected] http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061006/BIZ01/610060344/1076/BIZ
November 9, 200618 yr Federated loses $3 million as it digests Field's, others By Sandra Jones, Tribune staff reporter. Bloomberg News contributed to this report Published November 9, 2006 -- -------- [email protected] Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0611090042nov09,0,4714877.story?coll=chi-business-hed
November 14, 200618 yr http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0611140234nov14,1,5113808.story?coll=chi-news-hed Macy's brand a tough sell in Chicago Federated's chief says Field's change difficult By Sandra Jones Tribune staff reporter Published November 14, 2006 ---------- [email protected] Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
November 17, 200618 yr Federated sells formalwear unit CINCINNATI ENQUIRER November 17, 2006 CINCINNATI - Federated Department Stores, Inc., will sell its formalwear division in an $850 million deal with Los Angeles-based Leonard Green & Partners, the Cincinnati-based retailer announced today. Five David’s Bridal outlets in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati are part of the 790-store deal. "While the Bridal Group did not fit with Federated’s strategy for focusing on the nationwide Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s brands, we believe these businesses have a promising future,” said Terry J. Lundgren, Federated’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. As part of the deal, 511 After Hours and Mr. Tux stores will be sold to Men’s Warehouse – a $100 million transaction. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061117/BIZ01/311170007/1076/BIZ
December 18, 200618 yr Federated wooing Marshall Fields shoppers BY JOHN ECKBERG | [email protected] December 17, 2006 CINCINNATI - With Christmas looming in little more than a week, Cincinnati-based Federated Department Stores is scrambling to win over former Marshall Fields shoppers in two of its largest markets - Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul - with a targeted direct mail campaign, coupons and personal phone calls from the head of the Macy's North division. "We're trying to find the people who were customers and didn't come back," Frank Guzzetta, chairman of Macy's North division told the Chicago Tribune this week. "That's a major strategy." ... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061217/BIZ01/612170312/1076/BIZ
January 10, 200718 yr Macy's loses Buckeye gamble Stuck with some OSU 'Champion' T-shirts BY JOHN ECKBERG | [email protected] January 10, 2007 CINCINNATI - Macy's executives had a fourth-and-goal decision last week: Print up T-shirts proclaiming Ohio State the national football champions before the game even started? Or wait to see whether the Buckeyes beat Florida, and then deal with the logistics of getting shirts to stores? The retailer placed a losing bet on the Buckeyes. And now it's left with a bunch of "Champion" T-shirts printed for a team that got blown out 41-14. "We wanted to ensure that our customers were able to get the official T-shirts immediately after the game," said Jodi DePrisco-Beck, a Macy's spokeswoman. ... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070110/BIZ01/701100334/1076/BIZ
February 9, 200718 yr Federated sales really picked up BY JOHN ECKBERG | [email protected] February 9, 2007 CINCINNATI - Profitable private label brands, brisk weather and robust gift card redemption brought Cincinnati-based Federated Department Stores Inc. its best January results in three years. Same-store sales for four weeks of January 2006 compared to the same period of 2007 showed a year-to-year monthly revenue gain of 8.6 percent - more than double Federated's same-store sales guidance to Wall Street of 1.5 percent to 3 percent. Same-store sales measure stores open at least one year and are considered the most accurate measure of a retailer's health. ... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070209/BIZ01/702090344/1076/BIZ
February 10, 200718 yr From the 12/25/06 Cincinnati Business Courier: Big hope for small markets Akron, as well as New York, star of Federated holiday Cincinnati Business Courier - December 22, 2006 by Lisa Biank Fasig Staff Reporter To an important degree, the sales performance of Federated Department Stores this Christmas depends on how well it does in Akron. It is in the dozens of markets such as this one, where Macy's is a new and welcome brand, that Federated has much to gain after converting some 400 May Co. stores in September, analysts and industry veterans say. Sure, shoppers in Chicago are grabbing headlines with complaints about losing the Marshall Field's brand, but in smaller markets - like Akron, Tulsa, Okla., and Rochester, N.Y., - shoppers are waiting, credit cards poised, for Macy's to lift their mediocre shopping experience. ... http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/12/25/story1.html
February 10, 200718 yr From the 1/4/07 Dispatch: Macy’s to close two area stores Mall locations not performing, Federated says Thursday, January 04, 2007 Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A decision by Federated Department Stores to close its Macy’s stores at two central Ohio malls was not part of a grand plan. The reason was more basic: The locations weren’t performing. Federated said yesterday that it will close the Macy’s stores at Westland Mall and at River Valley Mall in Lacaster sometime in the spring. But the company also said yesterday that it plans to keep its Columbus City Center location open as it evaluates the store’s future. Ed Holman, chairman and chief executive of Macy’s South, said yesterday that the Westland and River Valley stores don’t fit Macy’s long-term plans. ... [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/04/20070104-F1-01.html
February 10, 200718 yr From the 1/5/07 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Macy's to close its doors in Lancaster River Valley location meets the same fate as Newark, Zanesville stores By TAMARIA L. KULEMEKA The Eagle-Gazette Staff [email protected] LANCASTER - Macy's shoppers will have to go to Columbus to shop at the retail department store come spring. The department store's parent company, Federated Department Stores Inc. announced Wednesday it will close its River Valley Mall location, in addition to another store in Columbus based on store performance. "I'm shocked," said Logan resident Bobbi Enderle, who was about to go into Macy's at River Valley Mall on Thursday. "It's the only store I shop at in Lancaster." ... http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/NEWS01/701050301/1002/rss01
February 10, 200718 yr From ThisWeek West Side, 1/14/07: Macy's set to leave Westland Mall Sunday, January 14, 2007 By CARLA SMITH ThisWeek Contributor What was once a permanent fixture on the West Side for over four decades, the former Lazarus now Macy's Department Store is closing its doors for good this year. Westland residents found out last week that because of its underperformance in sales, Macy's will pull out of the Westland Mall sometime this spring. Macy's leaving is just one store in a series of major retailers that have left the West Broad Street retail corridor inside the I-270 outer belt. Toys-R-Us and Media Play are just a few of the major retail stores that have left. ... http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=west&story=sites/thisweeknews/011407/West/News/011407-News-290730.html
February 11, 200718 yr "McKay said he believes nothing could have prevented the store from its demise." How about not building Macy's (Lazurus) at Tuttle, Polaris and Easton. All Built within the past 10 years.
February 19, 200718 yr Until we get a full quality flag ship store in Cleveland or atleast Ohio, who cares?!
February 19, 200718 yr ^^ There's one at Kenwood in Cincinnati. Probably one of the nicest stores outside of an urban area.
February 19, 200718 yr ^Yeah, but not the same as if it-the Flagship, were in downtown Cleveland, Cincinnati, or Columbus. Similar to, but probably smaller than, the Flagships in NYC or Chicago
February 24, 200718 yr ^Yeah, but not the same as if it-the Flagship, were in downtown Cleveland, Cincinnati, or Columbus. Similar to, but probably smaller than, the Flagships in NYC or Chicago Flagship status isn't indicative of the "size" of the store but more so the quality, price of the products and amount of inventory carried in the store.
February 26, 200718 yr I was just in Chicago over the weekend...They have at least 3 Macys downtown...all of which are better than Cincy's downtown Macys. Water Tower Place location is 8 freakin' stories tall!!! With Cincy being Federated's corporate headquarters...I feel they should operate their corporate flagships here (Macys, Bloomingdales, etc). Even if they operate for a loss, they should be the creme de le creme of the Federated corporation. Do your hometown proud!
February 26, 200718 yr Corporations don't care about sentimental reasons they should operate at a loss, just look at the closing of the first Wendy's in Downtown Columbus. Profit, profit, profit.
February 26, 200718 yr Federated has been making cuts to Cincy's downtown Macy's. They eliminated the Juniors department and their bridal registry. They don't seem to have as much staff available, and they have decreased their square footage in general. Meanwhile, they pour tons of money into their Kenwood location. It really bugs me when they complain about sales going down at their downtown location when they are cutting back these services. I have a friend who went to register there for her wedding only to find out that they don't do this anymore. She then went to the jewelry department and pick out jewelry for her bridesmaids. It took 45 minutes for someone to ring her up. She told me she will never go to the downtown Macy's again, and I have no way of arguing that. When I was shopping there before Christmas, I overheard a woman ask someone where the juniors department is. I will bet money this woman will probably never be back as well.
February 26, 200718 yr I was just in Chicago over the weekend...They have at least 3 Macy's downtown...all of which are better than Cincy's downtown Macy's. Water Tower Place location is 8 freakin' stories tall!!! With Cincy being Federated's corporate headquarters...I feel they should operate their corporate flagships here (Macy's, Bloomingdales, etc). Even if they operate for a loss, they should be the creme de le creme of the Federated corporation. Do your hometown proud! Three Macy's??? I know there are two Macy's downtown and a bloomingdales. In addition, there is the bloomingdales home store located on Ohio (coincidence?? :roll:). Why would you go into business to operate at a loss? I agree that there should be an Ohio Flagship store for Macy's and Bloomingdales but Columbus isn't it based on the college demographic. Even that (target) seems to be failing as they cut the Juniors section. A (the) Flagship store(s) would go in Cleveland or Cinci. Hopefully a Bloomies at Pesht.
February 26, 200718 yr ^Its not a matter of going in to business looking to operate with a loss. But they haven't even given it a chance. Make Macys in downtown Cincy wonderful and operate it like a flagship (revenues will surely rise as xumelanie has pointed out). Locate a Bloomingdales somewhere in the Cincy metro region (preferably downtown and show the city that you call home what kind of stores your business actually operates!
February 26, 200718 yr ^Its not a matter of going in to business looking to operate with a loss. But they haven't even given it a chance. Make Macys in downtown Cincy wonderful and operate it like a flagship (revenues will surely rise as xumelanie has pointed out). Locate a Bloomingdales somewhere in the Cincy metro region (preferably downtown and show the city that you call home what kind of stores your business actually operates! sounds like there currently isn't a market. Ala Tower City when it opened. It was great for after work folks and weekends were a boom, but the residential component in downtown cinci is missing.
February 26, 200718 yr ^I'm sorry but that argument doesn't cut it for me...what was the residential component like in downtown Cincy, Cleveland, or Cbus 10-20 years ago?? It wasn't nearly as good as it is now...thats for sure! But all 3 downtowns saw greater retail presence. Tower Place is crap, but also irrelevant in this discussion because no department store can actually fit within Tower Place. Saks and Macys are connected via skywalks. Another department store could easily work at the base of the proposed tower at 5th and Race (Bloomingdales was once rumored for their, and is the location where Nordstrom backed out of at the last minute). Yes the residential market could be better in downtown Cincy just as it can in most downtowns. But with constant growth (mainly upper class) in the residential market over the past few years and more on tap with MAJOR projects coming on line consistantly (Ascent, Illuminations, One River Plaza, Edge, Broadway, Banks, Ovation, SouthShore, McAlpin, Parker Flats, etc). This would seem to be the time, if any, to reinvest into the retail market. It doesn't seem to be too crazy of a bet, but once again it is your hometown! You should be willing to take a chance on your hometown!
February 26, 200718 yr They had more of a retail presence back then because millions of dollars were spent building shopping malls with hundreds of stores in hopes of attracting the suburban shopper. There wasn't the 24 hour support in downtowns (i.e. Large residential population) so the malls slowly declined, some alot more than others. Also you have to remember Federated has to do what pleases its stock holders. Many of whom have no interest in Cincinnati at all.
February 26, 200718 yr ^I'm sorry but that argument doesn't cut it for me...what was the residential component like in downtown Cincy, Cleveland, or Cbus 10-20 years ago?? It wasn't nearly as good as it is now...thats for sure! But all 3 downtowns saw greater retail presence. Tower Place is crap, but also irrelevant in this discussion because no department store can actually fit within Tower Place. Saks and Macys are connected via skywalks. Another department store could easily work at the base of the proposed tower at 5th and Race (Bloomingdales was once rumored for their, and is the location where Nordstrom backed out of at the last minute). Yes the residential market could be better in downtown Cincy just as it can in most downtowns. But with constant growth (mainly upper class) in the residential market over the past few years and more on tap with MAJOR projects coming on line consistantly (Ascent, Illuminations, One River Plaza, Edge, Broadway, Banks, Ovation, SouthShore, McAlpin, Parker Flats, etc). This would seem to be the time, if any, to reinvest into the retail market. It doesn't seem to be too crazy of a bet, but once again it is your hometown! You should be willing to take a chance on your hometown! Not an arguement, just an observation. And as a true Shopaholic, you're preaching to the choir. I agree with your last two sentences, but playing devil's advocate, can Cinci or Cleveland support a true Flagship? Are Is the market educated enough to demand certain brands and price points? The inner store boutiques that Flagships draw are they currently known or operated in cinci and profitable?
February 26, 200718 yr Also you have to remember Federated has to do what pleases its stock holders. Many of whom have no interest in Cincinnati at all. What you and MyTwoSense are doing is making points and arguments that could pertain to any and every corporation on planet earth that is publicly owned. "Starbucks doesn't do well in Seattle because it has to do what pleases its stock holders. Many of whom have no interest in Seattle at all." "Apple doesn't do well in Cupertino because it has to do what pleases its stock holders. Many of whom have no interest in Cupertino at all." Look at the Shillito Dept. store ... It was the nation's largest department store for over 6 decades! It was also established in the late 1800's and I'm sure downtown Cincinnati was blowin' up in the downtown residential scene. We had lofts galore, wine and martini parties were held at the local Havana Martini bar. Indianapolis ... what about Indy? I'm not saying that downtown Cincy or Cleveland can support a flagship store, but downtown residential population and shareholders do not determine that. So, what does?
February 26, 200718 yr First, I didn't say Macy's or Bloomingdale's doesn't or won't do well in Cincinnati because of its stock holders. I was saying that Federated wouldn't just open a store in Cincinnati because it is based there. How would stock holders view them opening a store they know will be unprofitable? This company like all with retail stores crunch numbers day in and day out. If the numbers that are returned don't look good for a store in any of Ohio's downtowns, but they open a store anyway, what would stock holders and investors say?
February 26, 200718 yr First, I didn't say Macy's or Bloomingdale's doesn't or won't do well in Cincinnati because of its stock holders. I was saying that Federated wouldn't just open a store in Cincinnati because it is based there. I never said you did. My whole post pretty much summed up says you and M2C's points/arguments can pertain to any and every corporation on planet earth that is publicly owned.
February 26, 200718 yr I never said you did. My whole post pretty much summed up says you and M2C's points/arguments can pertain to any and every corporation on planet earth that is publicly owned. I never said you did. My whole post pretty much summed up says you and M2C's points/arguments can pertain to any and every corporation on planet earth that is publicly owned. Maybe. But we knew that. We were specifically talking about Federated hence the Federated-Cincy examples.
February 27, 200718 yr Federated, with rising 4Q profits, proposes name change LISA BIANK FASIG | [email protected] February 27, 2007 CINCINNATI - Federated Department Stores Inc., in a move to reflect the massive shift its corporate culture has undergone the past two years, is seeking to change its name to Macy's Group Inc. after the stores that generate the lion's share of its business. The Cincinnati-based merchant, which also reported a better-than-expected 5 percent increase in its fourth-quarter earnings -- to $1.40 per share -- will ask shareholders to vote on the matter at its annual meeting May 18. If approved, the elimination of the 78-year-old Federated name will take place June 1. ... http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/02/26/daily12.html?surround=lfn
February 27, 200718 yr I like it. They should put a huge "Macy's" logo on the top of the Federated Building now.
February 27, 200718 yr They should give Chicago back Marshall Fields, at least on state. I just can't let things die.....
February 27, 200718 yr They should give Chicago back Marshall Fields, at least on state. I just can't let things die..... You're speaking the truth man! Thats one of the reasons if feel they should replace Terry!
February 28, 200718 yr I must be an outsider to this Marshall Fields thing.....because I just don't see why soo many people care. Yeah, its a tough pill to swallow when a hometown place gets bought up, but it happens all the damn time!!! Is this sooo foreign for Chicagoans?? Don't get me wrong Chicago is one of my all time favorite places, but damn get off your high horse and suck it up! As for the renaming things...I say keep Federated. By changing it to Macy's you tie yourself to one particular aspect of your company. Sure it may be the lions share of the company's profits now, but do you want to limit your growth opportunities in the future because of the name?
February 28, 200718 yr ^ I'm going to make a guess about the whole Marshall Fields thing. I have never shopped at one before, but I know when there is a store (or restaurant) that I like, I'm very disappointed when it goes away. Sure, mergers happen all the time, and as a result there are fewer department stores around now.
February 28, 200718 yr I must be an outsider to this Marshall Fields thing.....because I just don't see why soo many people care. Yeah, its a tough pill to swallow when a hometown place gets bought up, but it happens all the damn time!!! Is this sooo foreign for Chicagoans?? Don't get me wrong Chicago is one of my all time favorite places, but damn get off your high horse and suck it up! As for the renaming things...I say keep Federated. By changing it to Macy's you tie yourself to one particular aspect of your company. Sure it may be the lions share of the company's profits now, but do you want to limit your growth opportunities in the future because of the name? A lot of it is "hometown pride" but at the same time, the new store (owner) doesn't always know the market. Look at what Dillards did to Higbees! We three High End stores - downtown and Beachwood and one in Akron - they completely marginalized the entire chain and brought down the level of service, quality and quantity of product offerings and closed stores. The downtown mens store (pre the towercity makeover) had some of the best offerings around. Hell, I firmly believe those hillbillies were just one vote away for displaying and selling burlap sacks as "fashion" in the downtown store!
February 28, 200718 yr I must be an outsider to this Marshall Fields thing.....because I just don't see why soo many people care. Yeah, its a tough pill to swallow when a hometown place gets bought up, but it happens all the damn time!!! Is this sooo foreign for Chicagoans?? Don't get me wrong Chicago is one of my all time favorite places, but damn get off your high horse and suck it up! The main thing was that Field's was nicer(as the article below aludes to), and that Chicago takes a lot of pride in it's traditions. Besides, the Chicago market is huge and doesn't have to roll over and play dead in these situations, so if people can have some influence and get their voices heard, more power to them. It sucks that Pittsburghers have to shut up about losing the Kauffman's tradition, and just pray that Federated doesn't close the flagship Downtown. Just "sucking it up" and letting huge corporations do whatever they want is not always the answer...nor should it ever be. Everything in the US has been watered down to lowest common denominator, so personally I think it's refreshing to see people still passionate about something....and not just lethargic and passive. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0702280213feb28,1,7215531.story?coll=chi-news-hed Field days here for Macy's rivals ---------- [email protected]
February 28, 200718 yr I agree MetroCity, but folks in pitts should be upset about losing Joseph Hornes not Kauffmans
March 4, 200718 yr It is suspicious that federated doesn't have one of its upper tier stores in Cinci or Ohio. The Higbee Building would be prime location for a store.
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