Federated/May-Robinson's merger
 

THIS SUCKS BIG TIME.

It's bad enough Kaufmann's downtown bakery now has Starbucks and Krispy Kreme :rolleyes: but now the whole store will probably start to suck, if they keep it open at all. I already wrote a bitchy letter, so look for it yinzers. :)

If you don't know which stores in your area are Robinson-May and which are Federated, you can click on the link. Basically, for many people this cuts your department store selection in half.

It's going to make the bonuses of the investment bankers working on the merger very large...

-Rudey

I have said for years that, if we don't keep shopping at the little stores, there's going to come a time when we will go to STORE, or HARDWARE STORE, or COFFEE SHOP, or RESTAURANT, etc. It's the chaining of America, where we can't really choose where we want to shop, eat, or drink. Decent BBQ? Forget it! One of a kind clothing? Done. Books that aren't PC? Gone.

It's a massive blow for both the independent store keeper AND the independent shopper!

They had better not even think about changing the name of Marshall Field's to Macy's.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

That would truly be the end of civilization as we know it!

Maybe they'll bring Frangos back home where they belong.

Every Marshall Field's employee I've talked to has hated the changes that May made to their computer and inventory system. May's system requires employees to use these big binders to look up SKUs, promotions etc. rather than using the computer! Hopefully May will improve things on that end.

I do have to say, though, that I was very glad when MF changed their web site to no longer resemble a lower-end retailer (i.e. Target and Mervyn's). That's one thing that May did do well.

Well, actually, Kaufmann's hasn't been "independent" for quite a while now. Go to Hecht's in Maryland/DC and you'll see the same signage, same slogans etc. But this is a whole different deal - for many smaller cities, we'll have NO CHOICE in department stores unless Dillard's, Neiman-Marcus or Nordstrom decides to expand. Even if that happens, some of those options might be too expensive for many Kauf/Horne's shoppers (like Saks is).

I think, or should I say I hope, that this will backfire to the point of encouraging independent regional department stores to make a comeback (Troutman's and Hess's, I'm looking at you). There are still people out there who want to shop someplace classier than Wal-Mart (thank God).

Ok, this is scary:

"Federated operates more than 450 stores in 34 states, Guam and Puerto Rico under the names Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Bon-Macy's, Burdines-Macy's, Goldsmith's-Macy's, Lazarus-Macy's and Rich's-Macy's, although all are being converted to the Macy's or Bloomingdale's name. The company also operates macys.com and Bloomingdale's By Mail."


Marshall Macy's? Macy Fields? Oh, the thought is too horrible to comprehend...

I've seen the over the top salesmanship of Marshall-Field's, and experienced the "I can't be bothered" clerks of Lazarus. Unless they ALL become more like the Marshall-Field's employees, I'm going to have to start shopping in very small towns. :(

And I haven't even mentioned how much I hate Starbucks!!!

Unfortunately, it doesn't happen as much as it used to. The State Street store is usually better than the others in terms of service, although I did have two particularly nice experiences recently at the Woodfield store.

Retail is going to hell in a handbasket.
In the Pacific NW we had the Bon Marche
Then it became Bon Macy's

Now as of last week they all have become Macy's stores

I tell ya what...nobody bettah mess with my Nordstrom!!!

Okay, you know the part of Blazing Saddles when the townspeople all sing, "Winfield Scott"? I had that type of moment when I read Woodfield store!

I once saw a shopping bag that I liked from M-F while at the airport, heading for home. I called M-F (at Woodfield), and they SENT ME two bags - at no cost!!

I also find it hysterical that Frango Mints are now made in Pittsburgh, and Clark Bars are made in Chicago. Why the big switch? Isn't this yet another example of corporation idiocracy?

I hate this merger! There are some things I go to Kaufmanns for, and some things I go to Lazarus for (well, which is officially changing it's name to Macy's, and I have a Macy's credit card now). I find Lazarus to be better organized, especially it's women's clothing. Their Clinque ladies are nicer and will take more time with you. Kaufmann's has a better shoe section and better jewelery, I think.

Blah. I just hate when a choice is taken away.

Looks like our Foley's are going to change to Macy's as well (if I read the paper correctly.)

Federated is officially going to change Kaufmann's name to Macy's. GRRRRRRRRRR.

This is like going into Primanti's and replacing the cole slaw with plain lettuce.

I can only hope that Boscov's or Bon Ton steps in to fill the void here in the city & suburbs, because it's going to be pretty pathetic if I have to drive up to freaking BUTLER to get more shopping choice.

Okay, this is where I start to look schizophrenic.

I really do like Macy's - in New York or DC.

I love Bloomingdale's - in New York or DC (or by mail).

I like Filene's - in Boston.

I like Lord & Taylor - in New York or DC.

I love Marshall Fields - in Chicago.

I love Kaufmann's - in Pittsburgh.

I absolutely loved Horne's - in Pittsburgh.

What I hate is, as 33girl said, the lack of choice!!

They better not mess with Marshall Field's -- the one on State Street especially. I might not live in Chicago any more, but it's like an institution -- an altar of shopping bliss -- and should never, ever change. If anyone wants to start calling it the Macy's Walnut Room, there's going to be trouble.

If you guys want choice, why do you shop at one big store as opposed to the many, many smaller stores?

-Rudey

What a boy comment! The big store has many departments within it (hence the name department store). If I want to buy a dress for me, lipstick for Tracy, socks for the Earpman, and a new duvet cover for you, I can get them all at the same place and under the same credit card rather than going from store to store.

There's now going to only be one store where I can do that, which leads to lesser selection of duvet covers, and as you know that blows.

Ha ha...maybe it's the NyQuil, but found this really funny.

It does suck, though. I seriously think Federated is the source of much evil in the world.

Do you always buy dresses, lipstick, men's socks, and duvet covers all at once?

-Rudey

you'd be suprised how many do!

C'mon Rudey, admit it, when you bought your duvet cover you also picked up a nice Lancome lipstick

I like Macy's and Bloomingdale's. I really don't understand what the complaints are. Macy's has a huge selection at reasonable prices and lots of sales. Bloomingdale's is higher end and more expensive than Macy's. I have never heard of Kauffmann's or Horne's so I can't compare them.

I remember when Federated took over A & S, and they became Macy's. It really wasn't a big deal for customers. They even shared bridal registries.

It's an emotional thing here. There was a definite pecking order: Horne's, then Kaufmann's, then Gimbel's. I can remember being about six years old, and the elevator at Horne's stopped on the Bridal floor. My mother told me that, when I get married, we'd come down there to select a dress. They were closed, though, by then. :(

Don't get me wrong, I really do like Macy's and Bloomie's - it's just that they're New York stores (and somewhat DC).

OK I see. I thought it might be a Pittsburgh thing like the cookie table. :)

I think that people reacted that way when they closed Gimbels, B. Altman, and Alexanders in NYC. Now they are building a huge skyscraper where Alexanders was, B. Altman is a school, and the Gimbels building has been turned into co-ops or condos. Progress.

Macy's isn't that bad really.

so let me tell you about my mall...

4 dept. stores...

macy's
filene's
lord and taylor
sears


now where am i supposed to shop. i actually do like the macy's most. from a friend who work's at the filene's, she said they are going to keep the filene's store bc they own it outright...and change it to macy's. i love lord and taylor for the dress section, even tho it is expensive, i don't look like a tree!

and the worst part of all is that the best parking lot in the whole mall (where you are almost always guarenteed to get a parking space up close) is at the macy's store. this sucks!

the one thing they have been saying is that consumers will probably see a price increase because there is no competition.


oh, and what is to become of filene's basement.....

For us Iowans/Midwesterners:

Younkers started to suck when it was bought out by Saks, Inc. When Carson-Pirie-Scott bought it out from Saks, Inc., it started to suck even more. The ones in the bigger malls -- Valley West and Jordan Creek aren't bad -- but otherwise the rest of the Younkers stores are pretty sucky.

Thank God we still have Von Maur and their fabulous shoe sale room.

No one's complaining about Macy's as a store--the complaints are more about smaller department stores that have become part of a city's tradition being bought out by larger stores and losing part of their local identity.

What would happen if Bergdorf Goodman was bought out by Wal-Mart (huge overexaggeration, yes) and became Wal-Goodman? Even if nothing changed except the name, many people would be upset at what they saw as the end of an era. Of course, more will change about these stores than just the name.

I'm not a big fan of large department stores at all--but they fill a need all the same.

One of the tv stations ran a poll last night asking if people would still shop at Field's if the name was changed...90% said no. Field's is an institution here, so, obviously, it would be smart business sense to keep the name as is. I guess we'll see.

Oh, and ISU Kappa - I work at CPS part-time, and Carsons didn't buy Yonkers. Saks owns Yonkers, Herbergers, CPS, Bergners (which bought out CPS), and the Boston Store. They merged all of the above into the Department Store Group. No one likes the merger..especially since they've closed some stores, stopped carrying some higher-end merchandise, and made a terrible inventory even worse.

Well, I make it to the mall every couple of years, whether I need to or not.

When I was growing up in Columbus, though, the original Lazarus store downtown was like fairyland -- a whole floor (the 6th) of toys.

It was Federated's gem. Haven't been there in thirty years, though.

[hijack]

I was at a bridal shower last year while in Chicago, and the bride had registered at Carson-Pirie-Scott. I didn't know the bride at all, but was somewhat dragged there by my future mil, so I had just bought one of those Darden restaurant cards (everyone has to eat out sometime!).

You could tell that everyone had shopped at C-P-S, because the store gift wraps for free - and I had the only present NOT wrapped in the same paper!
[/hijack]

[hijack]

I was at a bridal shower last year while in Chicago, and the bride had registered at Carson-Pirie-Scott. I didn't know the bride at all, but was somewhat dragged there by my future mil, so I had just bought one of those Darden restaurant cards (everyone has to eat out sometime!).

You could tell that everyone had shopped at C-P-S, because the store gift wraps for free - and I had the only present NOT wrapped in the same paper!
[/hijack

This is so true - I work in gift wrap/customer service at the Orland Park CPS, and as long as the bride is registered, we'll wrap wedding gift for free in our complimentary paper. It doesn't have to be on her registry, but it'd be nice if it were bridal. It does amaze me what people will try to pass off as a bridayl gift; the paper isn't that nice, and the bow is pretty cruddy. I had someone try to tell me a "Happy Graduation" picture frame was a bridal gift.

Huh. I could have sworn there was something on the Younkers website and in the DM Register that CPS had bought out the Younkers portion from Saks. It was right around the time we were getting ready to register for our wedding so the lady was telling us some things might get clearanced out as the inventory changed.

Either way, it sucks.

I avoid mall shopping like the plague. I buy it all online. But I hate that Foley's is now owned by Macy's. Macy's seems more expensive and well, foreign (read: not Texan). Foley's just seems Texan to me. Every mall here seems to have 3 or so, lol. People seemed the most friendly at foleys. The chicks in my life dont seem to be too upset. At the new mall they are building close to my house, (san antonio's new upscale mall) will have SA's first Nordstroms, SA's first Neiman Marcus and Foley's (which will probably eventually become a Macy's). 2 outta 3 isnt bad they say.

San Antonio lost its signature downtown department store in the mid to late 80's. It was called Joske's of Texas and was the department store of all departement stores. I never got to see it (closed before I moved down here) but everyone in SA still talks about it and what an impression it made and how they had a toy floor (liek DA mentioned in his post) and how magical it was at Christmas. Its a shame places like that are dissapearing daily.

Don't tell people in Colorado that.

I looked at a history of several department store chains and discoverd this:

"1988 -- May acquired Foley's in Houston and Filene's in Boston."

Now, in another history, I discovered that The May Company was actually founded in Leadville, Colorado, then moved quickly to St. Louis when they aquired a big store there.

So, at least at this point in time, it could be argued that Foley's corporated has roots in Colorado.

Foley's history with May has its roots in Colorado; the last 16 years of it. Before that, it was all Texan. ;)

I would like to see Federated be the dominant partner in this mergers. I have mixed emotions about May -- they took over Robinson's, a wonderful heritage department store in SoCal, and took it downmarket. :mad:

I would agree. Basically, I see large stores as feeders to my favorite stores -- Nordstrom Rack, Neiman Marcus Last Call and Off Fifth Saks Fifth Avenue. I have to pick up my gear on sale.
:p

SA is going to have a Neiman Marcus and a Nordstrom??? Yayyyyy!!! Now I can move there! Of course, I'll still be loyal to the Saks with the 40-ft tall cowboy boots in the front. ;)

(Seriously...I really do make decisions about places I could live based on the shopping.)

yep, the Shops at La Cantera. Opens this september. Is purported to be very upscale as well. in the same vein (not architecturally tho) as the Gallerias in Dallas and Houston. With our generally great weather, it is all open and outdoors (the common areas) with a medeterianian feel. I've heard its supposed to be amazing. And its across the street from UTSA. Should do wonders for the traffic in the area. I guess they were thinking, "Huh, lets see, a mall will attract tons of people and traffic. Hey I know! Lets put it across the street from a university of about 30,000 students!"