Don't blame Amazon - Page 4

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

@chi5925I was in Marshall Fields in Chicago only one time. That was well before Macys took over and the store did not appeal to me at all. It was dingy and disorganized and the only thing I bought thst day was a tin of mints which I bought so I'd have their box for my box collection!

I assume the company had its heyday because it's been used so often in books and shows, but I missed that era. I'd come to the city for a Bas Mitzvah- I think that was about 20 years ago.

Overall, I think retailing in our country is matching the general economy -- lots of high-end merchandiase, lots and lots of low-end - and not nearly so much in the middle. That's where Macys and its ilk used to shine.

depglass · ‎03-10-2010

I fondly remember the department stores of my youth, in the 60's. People waited on you. What a concept. Need the back room checked for your size? Done. Need a different size of the bra you want while you are in the dressing room? Done. Need a shoe ordered in a different color from the manufacturer? Done. Bring all that back and I might be happy to pay those full prices.

momtochloe · ‎11-03-2013

@chi5925 wrote:

Karma works -- Macy's purchased and got rid of Marshall Field's in Chicago and now that once fabulous store has the word "Macy's" stamped on it.

You can't find anything on the racks - they are overloaded with stuff, nothing is in the right place, no customer service.

The CEO of Macy's should have his family jewels put in a vise.

Same like JC Penney's. The CEO who took over 5-6 years ago (he's gone now) changed the whole layout/format of the store into individual boutiques; got rid of the coupon system and that's when JCP's downfall started. He messed it up big time, got his golden parachute, and got kicked out.

You have these CEO's who don't understand the customer, the history, what works and what doesn't for a successful retail operation. And they get paid $20-30M/year.

I think that Macy's attempt at these "Backstage" stores is way too late. They've already missed the boat.

@chi5925 I could not possibly agree with your post more and thank goodness that genius that ruined those stores was able to walk away with 20M+ or more for his efforts. Talk about money well spent.

I will never, ever forgive the Field's family for what they did to their legacy. Heaven knows they got their $$$ but they ruined what their family had built and which was great.

september · ‎03-09-2010

Macy's replaced many stores I used to like (Jordan Marsh, Filene's, to name a few), but I still prefer them to stores like Marshalls or TJ max. Have just never been able to deal with the mess I find when I go into those stores.

and for those of you who like to have a personal shopper...you can still get this at many smaller chain stores, like Chico's or White House Black Market. I personally don't care for this type of shopping, since the sales reps waste my time showing me things that aren't my style. I know what I like and don't need the help

SydneyH · ‎03-10-2010

@sidsmom wrote:
So sad to see an American iconic retail foundation
being dumbed down to Marshalls & TJ Maxx level.

....and it all boils down to Macy's CEO quote:
"Customers typically don't need most of what we sell..."

I wish we could recapture the essence of QUALITY vs Quantity,
but I guess that genie's out of the bottle never to return.

Went once to Marshalls/TJ Maxx to see what all the buzz was about, never to return. It's like someone vomited old merchandise, no one wanted, onto fancy displays...no rhyme or reason. Reminds me too much of a Salvation Army/Goodwill...with cleaner floors. And truth be told, the clothes fished out of Grandma's attic at Goodwill are probably circa 60-70-80's...and better quality!

Dumbed down?

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

@SydneyH wrote:
@sidsmom wrote:
So sad to see an American iconic retail foundation
being dumbed down to Marshalls & TJ Maxx level.

....and it all boils down to Macy's CEO quote:
"Customers typically don't need most of what we sell..."

I wish we could recapture the essence of QUALITY vs Quantity,
but I guess that genie's out of the bottle never to return.

Went once to Marshalls/TJ Maxx to see what all the buzz was about, never to return. It's like someone vomited old merchandise, no one wanted, onto fancy displays...no rhyme or reason. Reminds me too much of a Salvation Army/Goodwill...with cleaner floors. And truth be told, the clothes fished out of Grandma's attic at Goodwill are probably circa 60-70-80's...and better quality!
Dumbed down?

@SydneyH

Yes ma'am.

- Established well over 150 years ago

- Flagship store covering an entire Manhattan block

- Flagship store is officially a historic landmark

- ...and they have an iconic, awesome Thanksgiving Parade!

Macy's is steeped in history & tradition. They were the largest retailer for too many years to count....the Foundation of Retail. Macy's is the Granddaddy of Retail...being pushed around by the young'uns, Marshall/TJMaxx of today.

SydneyH · ‎03-10-2010

@sidsmom wrote:
@SydneyH wrote:
@sidsmom wrote:
So sad to see an American iconic retail foundation
being dumbed down to Marshalls & TJ Maxx level.

....and it all boils down to Macy's CEO quote:
"Customers typically don't need most of what we sell..."

I wish we could recapture the essence of QUALITY vs Quantity,
but I guess that genie's out of the bottle never to return.

Went once to Marshalls/TJ Maxx to see what all the buzz was about, never to return. It's like someone vomited old merchandise, no one wanted, onto fancy displays...no rhyme or reason. Reminds me too much of a Salvation Army/Goodwill...with cleaner floors. And truth be told, the clothes fished out of Grandma's attic at Goodwill are probably circa 60-70-80's...and better quality!
Dumbed down?
@SydneyH
Yes ma'am.

- Established well over 150 years ago
- Flagship store covering an entire Manhattan block
- Flagship store is officially a historic landmark
- ...and they have an iconic, awesome Thanksgiving Parade!

Macy's is steeped in history & tradition. They were the largest retailer for too many years to count....the Foundation of Retail. Macy's is the Granddaddy of Retail...being pushed around by the young'uns, Marshall/TJMaxx of today.

How is that being 'dumbed down?. Sounds to me that despite their history, they are not reading their customers properly, and according to someone I know that works there.......haven't in a very long time. I myself haven't felt the need to go there in over a decade no matter how many coupons they give me.

GSPgirl · ‎01-03-2012

@QVCkitty1 wrote:
I would love to shop locally, but there isn't much where I live. Amazon fills a need, and while I feel for the people who have lost their jobs, I don't know what the answer is.

We have a brand new Amazon distribution wherehouse and they hired a lot of people. Some who use to work in the malls.

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

I don't shop TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Kohl's, etc. Though I've been in each store once and made a comprehensive "once through," what was on the shelves and available, very much resembled leftovers.

When I go out to shop, I don't want to have to choose amongst leftovers. This means I'll have to make a choice between something I dislike and something I dislike even more, then pay for it.

Though I don't go shopping but a few times a year, "if," I know exactly what I want, color or color family, most of the time the brand as well, so know exactly which department I'll head into. So...my shopping is purposeful and those discount stores don't fit the bill for me. What does is the brick and mortar store that seems to be closing across the nation or is one I choose to no long frequent.

Over the course of my adult life, I've found that purchasing quality clothing and appliances, for instance, has paid off in the long run, because the appliances are still running and I'm still wearing the clothes (albeit rotating clothing as styles go out of fashion). I wouldn't be able to do this with substandard fabric and 1/4" seams.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@millieshops wrote:
@chi5925I was in Marshall Fields in Chicago only one time. That was well before Macys took over and the store did not appeal to me at all. It was dingy and disorganized and the only thing I bought thst day was a tin of mints which I bought so I'd have their box for my box collection!

I assume the company had its heyday because it's been used so often in books and shows, but I missed that era. I'd come to the city for a Bas Mitzvah- I think that was about 20 years ago.

Overall, I think retailing in our country is matching the general economy -- lots of high-end merchandiase, lots and lots of low-end - and not nearly so much in the middle. That's where Macys and its ilk used to shine.

@millieshops

What kind of boxes do you collect ... and what do you do with them?