It's increasingly clear even to those with their heads in the sand (or somewhere else where their vision is impaired) that this pandemic is the most globally disruptive occurrence that anyone still alive today has ever experienced. Unlike other natural disasters that have befallen us, this one is still running its course aggressively and no one has any accurate way to predict the path it will take. At present, there is no way to fully define the damage that will be left in its wake. Like Boeing, which will eventually resume the manufacturing of …
2019 Retailing: The Best and Worst of Times
A Tale of Two Cities Shamelessly taking a cue from the opening lines of Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities," 2019 was the best of times for some retailers, the worst of times for others. Here are some salient comments, obviously my own, about what happened last year. Discounters Rule the Roost This was generally a good year for discounters Walmart and Target and the dollar stores beneath them in price. Add to the mix, there was good news throughout the outlet channel. All showed positive comparable store sales throughout the year …
Ira Neimark, an Industry Giant, Has Passed Away
On April 18, Ira Neimark, retired Chairman and CEO of Bergdorf Goodman died. Ira was 97 years young. Ira was a legend in the industry particularly in the luxury genre. He was, in fact, a prime mover in what is today's luxury department store niche. He transformed Bergdorf Goodman from a store where "blue haired ladies" lunched (his characterization) to a world-renowned modern and contemporary platform for design and style. Many of today's most famous iconic designers credit Ira and Bergdorf with facilitating their early and lasting …
Macy’s: Charade on 34th Street? (Part 2)
Note: This is the second of a two-part series. The article is strictly the opinion of the author and not necessarily the viewpoint of The Robin Report. 1. Product: The Heart and Soul of a Retailer There is a fundamental question that must be answered: "What is Macy's?" What does Macy's stand for? Where does Macy's reside in the hierarchy of style, fashion, taste level and, of course, price in the tableau of retail today and in the future? Being all things to all customers who are above the discount channel and mostly below the luxury …
Macy’s: The Charade on 34th Street? (Part 1)
Note: This is the first of a two-part series. The article is strictly the opinion of the author and not necessarily the viewpoint of The Robin Report. Today, Macy's is no "Miracle on 34th Street as celebrated in film. Now, it's more a charade than anything else. Macy's Past Macy's should have waited to purchase May Company, its principal competitor, until after it fell to the ground. That way, Macy's could have picked and chosen the real estate that would have truly added value to its portfolio rather than take on a full collection which …
Nordstrom: A Paragon of Virtue Gone Astray?
Like many in the retail industry, to say nothing of millions of customers, I have always been a big fan of Nordstrom. I’m afraid I can’t quite hold that position today. Nordstrom’s DNA: Great Merchandise, Great Customer Service, Great Presentation Way back in the day, as a senior merchant at then powerhouse Mervyns, I asked our menswear buyers to consider emulating the quality of Nordstrom’s men’s basics while at the same time attempting to retail that merchandise at Mervyns much lower prices. This “trade-up/promote-down” strategy was a great …
Walmart: A $500B Lawn Dart Desperately Seeking a Patch of Grass
A lot of people have begun to sing Walmart’s praises. I’m not one of them. In fact, Walmart is a company I have an increasing amount of disdain for. In fact, I would liken Walmart to a gigantic lawn dart desperately seeking a patch of grass. Granted Walmart’s U.S. stores’ business is improving. Good for them, but know that this comes on the heels of over a decade of mediocre performance caused by mediocre management. Sloppy, dirty, poorly assorted and poorly stocked stores driven to less than stellar performance by management, mostly focused on …
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I’m as Mad as Hell
Those of us who were around in 1976 may remember the movie Network, starring Peter Finch. There is a memorable scene in the movie in which Howard Beall, a famous television news anchor played by Finch, completely loses it on air. “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore” he shouts out to a coast-to-coast audience, urging them to stand up with him chanting in unison. He exhorts all who are listening to open their windows and repeat his declaration of disgust and discontent out loud to all their neighbors. “I’m as mad as hell …