Macy's to shut down 11 stores

[crescent&pearls]

Ditto for the Broadway stores converted to Macy's. If I want to pick through shop worn merchandise in an ugly, outdated building with linoleum floors and yucky dressing rooms, where you get absolutely no help from anyone working in the store, I could just go to Marshalls or Ross.

I miss beautiful department stores with elegant displays...where your mother took you once a year to school shop...and then for lunch in the tea room.

[agzg]

I think there's a difference too between stand alone Macy's and the ones that are part of a mall. It always seems like you get better service or there is better merchandise in the huge Macy's stores that are only Macy's than you would in the stores that cater to the "mall crowd" (teenagers) instead of serious consumers.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

I think there's a difference too between stand alone Macy's and the ones that are part of a mall. It always seems like you get better service or there is better merchandise in the huge Macy's stores that are only Macy's than you would in the stores that cater to the "mall crowd" (teenagers) instead of serious consumers.

I agree with that! I think that is true of a lot of stores though, not just the larger department stores.

[AlphaDeltaDelta]

They close stores every year... This really isn't that big of a deal...

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by AlphaDeltaDelta

They close stores every year... This really isn't that big of a deal...

No, actually...this kind of is a big deal. For a major chain to close any stores in January, when they should be flush with success from the holiday season, is indicative of exactly how badly the economy is impacting mid-range retail.

Also, if you understood that other store chains such as Saks and Nordstrom are actually to add more stores--some in the same cities where Macy's is shuttering locations--it's also indicative of how badly Macy's failed at their buyout and reconceptualization of those chains.

Yes...they "close stores every year," but rarely during the first week of the year!

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Also, if you understood that other store chains such as Saks and Nordstrom are actually to add more stores.

True. A mall near me just opened not only a Saks, but a Nordstrom Rack, which is literally 2 miles from an actual Nordstrom.

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

True. A mall near me just opened not only a Saks, but a Nordstrom Rack, which is literally 2 miles from an actual Nordstrom.

KSU, have you been up to the Nordstrom Rack? I haven't yet, but would like to and just want to know if its worth the trip.

Also, there was discussion of Macy's converts vs. stores that were always Macy's. I definitely think stores that have always been Macy's have better upheld Macy's former reputation. The Macy's in my hometown used to be a Kaufmann's and there is just no comparison.

Oh, and I worked at a Macy's over break and we learned in our orientation that Macy's is far superior to Dillard's in terms in quality/selection/high-end designers, etc.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

KSU, have you been up to the Nordstrom Rack? I haven't yet, but would like to and just want to know if its worth the trip.

Also, there was discussion of Macy's converts vs. stores that were always Macy's. I definitely think stores that have always been Macy's have better upheld Macy's former reputation. The Macy's in my hometown used to be a Kaufmann's and there is just no comparison.

Yes, I find this to be true (at least in the northeast Ohio area). Every single Macy's I know of that used to be a Kaufamann's has pretty poor selection and made me wonder why it was still open.

If I had to choose between Dillard's & Macy's around here, I'd go with Dillard's. But I generally will take the trip up to go to Nordstrom or the Rack (which is worth the little bit of a drive).

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

KSU, have you been up to the Nordstrom Rack? I haven't yet, but would like to and just want to know if its worth the trip.

Also, there was discussion of Macy's converts vs. stores that were always Macy's. I definitely think stores that have always been Macy's have better upheld Macy's former reputation. The Macy's in my hometown used to be a Kaufmann's and there is just no comparison.

Oh, and I worked at a Macy's over break and we learned in our orientation that Macy's is far superior to Dillard's in terms in quality/selection/high-end designers, etc.

I live out west, but Nordstrom Rack is amazing. I've gotten couture shoes and bags there marked down because they were returned after the season, or in the case of a pair of shoes they had been worn, so they refinished the soles and sent them off to The Rack. If you want quality or a name but don't care about seasons, The Rack is amazing. I've been able to find a lot of great shoes there, and my ex hit a goldmine for suits, and they even have a tailor/seamstress so we went shopping elsewhere and she had everything hemmed so we could pick it up after dinner.

I <3 The Rack.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

KSU, have you been up to the Nordstrom Rack? I haven't yet, but would like to and just want to know if its worth the trip.

Also, there was discussion of Macy's converts vs. stores that were always Macy's. I definitely think stores that have always been Macy's have better upheld Macy's former reputation. The Macy's in my hometown used to be a Kaufmann's and there is just no comparison.

Oh, and I worked at a Macy's over break and we learned in our orientation that Macy's is far superior to Dillard's in terms in quality/selection/high-end designers, etc.

I imagine the Rack must be different from place to place, but out here, they have some pretty great stuff. I've bought a suit there for a fraction of the price, and several pairs of designer shoes (Ferragamo, Stuart Weizman). They have nice formal winter coats, too, that get sent there after the weather warms up. If you don't mind wearing something that's "last season" it's a good place for deals.

If you guys don't like the stuff for sale at your local Nordstrom (or other department store), tell the sales associates when you come in. Sometimes they can get word through to the store's buyers, who are responsible for every item of clothing in the store. They judge which items might sell well in their store and pick it up; other buyers in nearby stores might make completely different judgment calls. If you're bypassing your local Nordstrom to go out of your way to the crazy Southcoast Plaza store, they should know that (btw, Southcoast is one of Nordstrom's biggest stores in terms of inventory - when I worked at the Bellevue store we used to actually have items shipped from that store all the way to ours - so it wouldn't surprise me if you found more selection there).

I am partial to Nordstrom's flagship store in Seattle, and its cousin in Bellevue, though We're excited to be getting our first Neiman Marcus in the Northwest, too!