urbanSTL

does Macy's downtown charge for parking? If so, how about you show a Macy's receipt dated that day, and PARKING IS FREE! or you can PARK FOR FREE at the Galleria... interesting.

crbswiss wrote:I've gone to Macy's and other department stores a number of times in the last few months (suite shopping for weddings this summer) in Chicago and St. Louis. As a whole I am very dissapointed by the service and selection at Macy's compared to that of their competitors. So much so that I will be avoiding them in the future whenever possible.

Macy's made some much-needed improvements when they replaced the nameplates of former May Company stores. I noticed immediate improvements in store appearance, customer service, and selection, although it seems like store management is becoming lax in some cases. That said, I have yet to find a department store that's consistently superior. Other than Dillard's, the Bon-Ton stores (Carson's, Bergner's, etc.), or regional chains like Belk or Boscov's, who really competes with Macy's directly?

10-intuition wrote:It will be a matter of time before the downtown store gets neglected, and becomes a dump, maybe even reduced a bit. I think GACY's spruced up the downtown store to improve their image, making St. Louisians think they are coming to town in a great way, even if we lose the Famous Barr name. They don't want us to sympathize lose are "hometown" stores.

Well, their divisional headquarters is upstairs, so it behooves them to have an attractive and well-maintained store on the first few levels of the Railway Exchange. Of course the size and scope of the store may be reduced at some point, because that's already happened at this location more than once under the Famous-Barr nameplate, and it's a trend among department stores everywhere as they sharpen their focus to compete with the stores below (Target, JC Penney) and the stores positioned to more affluent customers (Nordstrom, Saks).



I agree that the store's quality may begin to slide at some point (if it hasn't already at least to an extent).

Look what they did to Marshall Field's up in Chicago, they turned it into a bargain basement/KMART type store selling their poor quality overpriced house brands such as Alfani, Charter Club, INC, and The Cellar. Coming soon Martha Stewart home collection stuff!!! Its becoming a Kmart and a joke.

I'm not a fan of their exclusive brands, but I have found a few diamonds in the rough, which is how it was when it was Famous-Barr. I do wish more name brands were downtown. Although I enjoy scooping up name-brand stuff at serious discounts, I don't like driving to the Galleria, St. Clair Square, or West County to get the stuff I want but cannot find downtown.

I worked at May Dept. Stores corporate up until I was laid off along with a bunch other people in my division in early 2006. I hate how Federated, now Macy's Inc. took away traditions, hometown dept stores and giving us blandness and poor quality junk all over just for the sake of profit. Its profit over traditions!

I think we discussed that in a previous thread. I'm very sorry that you lost your job because of the merger. However, Famous-Barr and other May Company divisions also cut back on quality and selection over the years.



Yes, I was loyal to Famous-Barr, mostly because there wasn't much of a choice. And I stayed away from Dillard's for years after they let their downtown store go down the crapper. So, Macy's management, please don't follow their lead!



JCity, I agree completely about the importance of validated parking. They've done this for special events (Breakfast with Santa, for example), so why not do it all of the time for customers leaving the store with a nominal purchase?

JMedwick wrote:I would love to see Macy's set up their regional sale store on a level downtown. I mean, why no reopen the Famous Basement area or place it up on the 4th floor? It would be a regional draw that would make the store unique.

Good idea. And stick it in the basement. There used to be a clearance center in the basement, and I think I remember that it spilled over to the mezzanine level (basement balcony in Famous speak). Offer validated parking, run big ads on the back of the Post-Dispatch Section A, and I think the people would definitely come!



Like you said, making the store unique is important. This is step one IMHO. And, bringing back validated parking is a must if Macy's is serious about pulling people in from other parts of the metro area.



On a somewhat-related note, I was disappointed to see Macy's carry on with the practice of coupons in the Post-Dispatch. I like to save money as much as the next person, but Macy's excludes so many brands that the coupons are mostly pointless. And, the idea of coupon clipping reinforces the idea (that some people have) that the merchandise isn't up to snuff. It's like the automakers that are forced to rely on rebates to sell cars and trucks, compared to those whose products speak for themselves. Macy's still has great sales, so I just don't see the point.

One positive - the men's shoe department now carries Cole Haans, and they're on sale. I bought a pair today and told the salesman that I was glad to see the downtown store carrying them. He said that he wasn't sure if they are here to stay, but if they sell a lot, there's a good chance that they will be permanently in stock.

Doug wrote:It is much cheaper to buy new shoes wholesale on ebay. At least that is my way of affording them.

No shite, Sherlock.

Doug wrote:It is much cheaper to buy new shoes wholesale on ebay. At least that is my way of affording them.

or you can spend a few more bucks and support the city. whatever.

DeBaliviere wrote:One positive - the men's shoe department now carries Cole Haans, and they're on sale. I bought a pair today and told the salesman that I was glad to see the downtown store carrying them. He said that he wasn't sure if they are here to stay, but if they sell a lot, there's a good chance that they will be permanently in stock.

Thanks for the tip! I may have to follow your lead and get a pair of those myself!



As they keep adding things that I like to the downtown store, I'm more inclined to make sure I purchase items there, even if it means spending a few more bucks.



And trust me, it's not like I have money to burn, it's just the prinicple of the matter.



If I want the downtown store to carry more of the brands I like, I figure I'd better put my money where my mouth is...

^

BTW, you get 10% off if you use your Macy's card, which makes the deal even better. I don't think Famous ever gave discounts for making purchases with their card.

BJ article about the poor performance of former May company stores in the midwest, "May Legacy Tarnishes Macy's Star."



The blame is basically being laid on the discounts, coupons and sales that Famous Barr used endlessly, creating addicts rather than customers.



But the article mentions nothing of the issue that you can't remake a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Macy's tried to spit shine the archaic May business model and the customer's aren't buying in...apparently.



Macy's is making decisions based on the idea that midwesterns want affordable, dressed up drab. Maybe midwestern shoppers (who aren't dyed in the wool discount shoppers) will spend for designer fashions and selections that cannot be found at discounters?



As a male shopper, I will go discount everytime unless Macy's offers merchandise that is special, unique and very high quality. I even attempted to buy a greeting card last month at Macy's downtown and the selection was almost entirely sold out/empty.

Totally agree with you Jeff.



Why can discounters offer men's tall sizes while more upscale do not? Upscale seems to appeal to the "petite" man (no offense).



I've got broad shoulders and long arms. Value City Department Store has a very large selection of tall. JCPenney and Sears do also.

I actually like Macy's a lot better than the others, but then again I'm not a dyed in wool St. Louisan. However, the downtown store needs help. The workers in my opinion aren't overly helpful and the selection is less than desirable.

Arch City wrote:I was in the downtown Macy's Sunday and found it to be no different than other Macy's. Boring.



I then went to the NWP and Galleria stores and they were boring. I hate Macy's. I disliked them even before they acquired May Company. Too expensive and the selections are weak.



To me, May stores seemed to have more a variety that ran from bargain to pricey. Macy's seems to be geared more towards the upscale consumer and their reasonably priced clothing is crap.

I totally agree with you and JMedwick. I don't like Messy's merchandise, its poorly and cheaply made and overpriced as well. May stores had better quality stuff and better prices. I liked May's John Ashford line, but looks like that is gradually being phased out in favor of Messy's overpriced junk like Alfani and Charter Club. Last week, I parked at the Messys at the Galleria and cut through to the mall and found the atmosphere loud and obnoxious. I hate that THISIT section, the music was loud and that area was dirty. As I walked by the women's dept clothes was all over the floor and the floors were dirty. Also, noticed many depts lacked workers, no wonder Messy's finishes last in retail survey, along with Nazi-Mart (Wal-Mart).



http://www.mediabuyerplanner.com/2007/0 ... il-survey/



I just wish they bring back the regional brands esp. Robinsons, Marshall Fields, Filenes, Foleys, and Famous Barr.



They invested a lot in the downtown store to wooo St. Louisans, making them believe Messys is a good corporate citizen and that its committed to STL. I bet in two more years that store will be downsized and merchandise selection will be reduced even further. The former May stores are dragging them down financially as well. I hope this continues until Terry Lunkhead is forced to resign and local traditions and names are restored.

I went to downtown Macy's on Sunday to get some A-Shirts (wife beaters), and a few undershirts. The selection was GROSSLY underwhelming. It was ridiculous.



I couldn't find a thing. I ended up not buying anything.



But I did find Polo A-shirts at the Galleria store, and they are awesome. I'm 6'6, but slender. I bought a regular large 3 pack of a-shirts, and they have great length.



One thing I will say about Macy's, is that I've had some success finding clothes there, and I have trouble finding clothes anywhere. I like clothes that fit my form, and don't wear a lot of baggy stuff, which is my beef with most 'Tall' sizes, they'll only give you a XXL T or something. When really I need a M-L T. They need to work on the overall selection, and I was really unimpressed with their selection of denim.

Bastiat wrote:

along with Nazi-Mart (Wal-Mart)

Care to explain?

Its not me that came up with this term for Wal-Mart. I saw it in an article I read a while back. Wal-Mart was entering small towns and destroying the town centers and mom-pop stores. At the same time leaving many of the town centers or main st. with nothing or struggling shops trying to compete with the new neighbor. Besides I have a friend who works at Wal-Mart corporate's IT dept. in Bentonville, so its not all that bad.



Sorry for going off topic

10-intuition wrote:

Bastiat wrote:

along with Nazi-Mart (Wal-Mart)

Care to explain?

Its not me that came up with this term for Wal-Mart. I saw it in an article I read a while back. Wal-Mart was entering small towns and destroying the town centers and mom-pop stores. At the same time leaving many of the town centers or main st. with nothing or struggling shops trying to compete with the new neighbor. Besides I have a friend who works at Wal-Mart corporate's IT dept. in Bentonville, so its not all that bad.



Sorry for going off topic

Still not sure what's that got to do with Nazi's, but I understand it was someone else's term . . .

The word on the street is that Macy’s might be bought out soon. Possibly a private equity firm.



07-09-2007:

New York's world famous department store Macy's has once again been the subject of takeover talk, causing shares to rise by 8.2%. Last month the company was linked with a private bid of $52 per share by KKR, Goldman Sachs and Providence. www.macys.com

http://www.pehub.com/article/articledet ... ostid=6005

...and possibly going private according to the BJ article.



Running these old department store chains must be like trying to turn the Titanic around in a bathtub. I just don't get what's so difficult about merchandising?