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Is a Takeover in Macy's Future?
Stock price jumps on speculation that the company might be for sale
Investors are not patient with their money. Every once in a while,
we're reminded that retailing is a business and that those beloved
nameplates above the door are also publicly held companies playing
with a lot of other people's funds.
Macy's Inc. rolled the dice big-time when it acquired the May Co.
It inherited a bunch of what it called "redundant" locations and a
lot of other, bridal— and formal-related retail. It snipped and cut
and trimmed with efficiency. It also whacked a bunch of familiar
store names: Marshall Field's, Foley's, Rich's, etc.
Now it has the operation — and the corporate name — it wanted to
have. It's payback time. And sluggish earnings and flat comps are
never what investors want to hear, no matter how smoothly Terry
Lundgren reassures them about the future. There's a lot of investment
money out there interested in buying retailing. Will Macy's be
Dubai's next big purchase?
—Steve Kaufman, VM+SD Editor
What do you think? Click here to weigh in.
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Urban Planning
Wehmeyer spotlights its private label with an updated store layout
With a collection of popular brands on its shelves like Esprit,
Wrangler and S. Oliver, German fashion retailer Wehmeyer had its work
cut out for it to make its new private label shine.
Click here to see how the German brand stands out among its peers.
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Every week, we'll pose a thought-provoking question related to working in the retail and design fields. This week's question:
Gourmet food retailer Whole Foods has implemented a new method for
its Manhattan stores to keep checkout lines moving. Its single-line,
bank-style system with more than 30 registers corrals customers
through in about four minutes, compared to 10 minutes with the
one-line per register system.
Research shows that long lines deter customers, citing shoppers
will estimate the wait to be far longer than it actually is. This
"serpentine" single-checkout line works well for Whole Foods. But
would it work for other types of retailers that have been reluctant
to block up the front of the store with chaos? How much havoc would a
single feed line create for a retailer?
Click here to join the discussion.
Big Box/Discount Retail
If
it Looks Like a Bank . . .
Wal-Mart, its banking plans thwarted, announces new in-store
money centers
Leaving
Dollar Behind
Dollar General ceo announces resignation as retailer merges with
KKR
Electronics
Circuit
City Losses
Retailer reports poor 1Q, withdraws its financial guidance for
the rest of the year
Food Retail/Restaurants
Whole
Lot of Fuss
Whole Foods says it intends to sell off Wild Oats subsidiary
brands; ceo's blog takes on the FTC for blocking the proposed merger
Specialty Retail
Made
in the Shade
Luxottica to acquire Oakley sunglasses
Liz
Claiborne Reorganizes
Two business units will be in effect; five group president
positions have been eliminated
Calvin
Stores
Phillips-Van Heusen announces plans for chain of Calvin Klein
white label mall stores
Pier
1 Changes
Retailer to close kids, clearance stores, focus on merchandise,
store design
Ralph
Re-Ups
Polo chairman extends lucrative contract to 2013
Department Stores
Is
a Takeover in Macy's Future?
Stock price jumps on speculation that the company might be for
sale
Barneys
U.S.
New Dubaian owner downplays plans for international expansion
Faconnable
to Lebanon?
Lebanese equity firm will reportedly acquire Nordstrom's apparel
brand
Award
Canadian
Design
Mendocino, Toronto fashion retailer, wins award for store design
excellence
Obituary
Bob
Evans Dies in Ohio
Sausage-maker and breakfast chain founder was 89
For the Week of June 25th
Madison Avenue Retail/Office Tower Being Renovated; Palladeo Hires Director; Sparks Opens Detroit Office
"Zanzibar" Print Carpet Collection
Durkan Hospitality
"Virtual Concierge"
Impart Media Group
VM+SD's free job board features regular updates on industry jobs and freelance openings. Here's the latest posting:
Senior Retail Designer
Palladeo
Registration Open for IRDC 2007
Registration is live for the seventh annual IRDC, September 19-21 at the InterContinental Buckhead in Atlanta. To view the session schedule and sign up to attend, visit www.irdconline.com
July:
- Atlanta Retail: This Southern city has taken the concept of mall shopping to a whole new level.
- Screen Gems: See the winners of the third annual Digital Signage and Interactive Technology awards as chosen by the editors of VM+SD.
- Signs of Style: More signage and graphics products for retailers.
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