|
|
Looks like Federated Department Stores, Inc. is planning on changing the name of the beloved Chicago department store Marshall Fields.....to MACY'S. Ugh.
"To better serve our customers in this highly competitive retailing environment, we must concentrate on our best national brands and reduce costs so we can deliver outstanding value to shoppers," said Terry J. Lundgren, Federated's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We believe that continuing to build Macy's and Bloomingdale's aggressively across America will accelerate our comp store sales performance and increase profitability, thereby driving shareholder value.
The place just won't be the same.
It's hard to comprehend how much this saddens me. I mean, it's going to sell the same things, look more or less the same, but there's so much to a name. Marshall Fields. The name conjures up so many memories - eating in the swanky Walnut Room and seeing Billy Corgan and Courtney Love, taking the train with my mom and dad as a kid to see the window decorations during Christmas, Frango mints, etc. Marshall Fields *IS* Chicago.
"We have great respect for the legacy and traditions of Marshall Field's, and we carefully researched customer preferences and studied alternatives before making this decision to incorporate Marshall Field's into the nationwide Macy's brand," Lundgren said. "While the store's name will change, much of what customers love will stay the same, including Marshall Field's traditions and its outstanding record of community and charitable giving. As part of this name change process, we will do everything we can to honor the Marshall Field's heritage, particularly in its Chicago birthplace."
WHATEVER! LIARS!
There's a poll in the Chicago Tribune article (which is linked in the first paragraph of this post). Out of 3000 responses, 90.2% of those polled said that the name change will make a difference to them. 96.2% said that they will be less likely to shop there. Does that help the shareholder value? I don't think so.
Here's the comments of some readers:
- Why not change Wrigley Field to Tribune Park? People outside of Chicago just don't get it. Macy's will never be successful here. ( Submitted by: DK)
- This in an outrage. Changing the Marshall Field legacy to Macy's is like renaming McDonald's the Burger Barn. Field's is a class act and its long-standing tradition in Chicago means so much to so many. Why not just keep it the Marshall Field's Division like it was with May Co.? (Submitted by: Karen)
- I couldn't afford to shop Field's often, but I always appreciated the fact that they were there, and had the best service of any department store in town. As I have family on the East Coast, I've seen and shopped Macy's—and have consistently found them to be promotional to the point of schlockiness. (Submitted by: N. Charles Henss, Jr.)
- I'm not a native Chicagoan; I moved to the area recently but have family in Chicago. It was always a treat to visit Marshall Field's when I visited Chicago; like visiting a landmark. Sorry to lose a tradition. Macy's will not have the same appeal and most likely I will not go there any more. (Submitted by: Tony Carbajal)
- Every Christmas for the past 10 years my Mom and I have lunch at the Walnut Room under the tree. It's a special tradition for us that I planned on continuing with my children. Marshall Field's is not just a department store to me but a special place in Chicago. I will not shop at Macy's. (Submitted by: Karrie)
Sure, we're being big babies about it. But it's so hard to see a landmark that you've known all your life change names, because a corporation wants to make more money or wants to advertise. I still call it the Rosemont Horizon, even though it's officially "The Allstate Arena". Same thing with Comiskey Park/US Cellular Field, The Rosemont Convention Center/Donald A Stephens Convention Center, etc. The only one I call by its slave name is 'The United Center'. Because I really had no childhood memories of the Chicago Stadium, and it's not the same building anyway.
The name has a big tie to the people. I've traveled all over the US. I've shopped at Macy's, and no offense, Macy's is no Marshall Fields. Fields has a character that is all its own.
Hmph.
Will I shop there? I might, but not as much as I used to. And I won't be happy about it.
*pouts*
Posted by Yano at September 20, 2005 11:31 AMIt's funny because as a New Yorker, I have the same sentimental feelings toward Macy's. Not the average Macy's in the local mall, but the flagship store on 34th street. That store has a special magic, and it's one of the first places tourists go when they come here.
Because of that I can totally understand how you feel. That really sucks, and I agree that the stuff about taking a poll it B.S. It's a financial decision no doubt. It's probably going to save them money to use the same supplies rather than print up special shopping bags and all that. Plus it will save money to share resources.
The people who run Macy's now are not the people who used to run it when I worked there. It used to be a family atmosphere. Now it's all about the dollar. Idiots.
What is this world coming to? *shakes head in disgust*
Posted by: Denizzy on September 20, 2005 12:38 PMTo be fair, I've never gone to the flagship Macy's store.
But I know Macy's has their own set of traditions and things like that.
I'm glad you understand, Denizzy - it's like having Macy's change their name to Nordstrom or something. It's a landmark in the city and in people's hearts.
BTW - I can totally picture you working as the perfume spritzing lady at Macy's. *evil grin*
Posted by: Yano on September 20, 2005 12:45 PMI don't care what anyone says... Everytime I meet your Kuyabar for lunch I will still say, "Meet me under the Marshall Field's clock..."
Posted by: bumblebootie on September 20, 2005 04:01 PMWe just went through this. The Bon Marche was our local department store along with Frederick&Nelson and Nordstrom. We all know what happened to Nordstrom--it spread to all of you just like our Starbuck's. But my favorite, Fred&Nelson, went kaput and the Bon Marche spent a year becoming Macy's.
At first they were Bon Macy's for a while and just when we got used to that, they made the big switch to just Macy's a few months ago. It makes me sad--we have nothing local anymore.
Posted by: janet on September 20, 2005 04:04 PMOh and our Frederick & Nelson was somehow related to your Marshall Fields--they had the same logo and the same chocolates.
F&N was the most elegant local downtown store. They had the best Christmas Santa that everyone in Seattle visited and the most unique displays. It is not the same anymore and it will not be the same for you either, unfortunately.
And our Bon was similar but second but still bigger and fancier than Nordstrom which was the smallest of the three.
Posted by: janet on September 20, 2005 04:10 PMThanks Janet. Just step on my heart, why don't you?!?!?!?!
: (
Posted by: Yano on September 20, 2005 05:10 PMAwww...
I totally understand. Macy's is as much a part of NYC as the Empire State Building. I can't even imagine the city without it. Can you imagine like...the JCPenney Thanksgiving Day Parade?! Gah!
And feeling this way, can you now imagine what it was like to lose the Twin Towers? I mean obviously the loss of human life was the great tragedy. But losing those buildings...it's something that is so much a part of your city, it's impossible to imagine it would ever not be there. I still look over to the spot where it used to be every time I drive into the city. It's like a part of you is missing. So yeah, I totally get it.
If it was up to me we'd all be riding horses instead of cars. I hate change!
Posted by: Denizzy on September 20, 2005 07:51 PMThe name is a tradition in itself, if they really don't want to destroy a legacy then don't change the name!!
Posted by: Marky Mark on September 20, 2005 11:11 PMyeah, all our Foley's are turning into Macy's, too... then again, we've already had Macy's here... and we have a Marshall's, too... geez, our Galleria will consist of Macy's (because we had a Foley's there, too).
Posted by: daysies on September 20, 2005 11:18 PMsorry... we have Marshall's and Marshall Fields... not to be confused with each other (as they are not even related)...
Posted by: daysies on September 20, 2005 11:19 PMThat's like how they changed Candlestick to 3COM. Now THAT was an ugly change...I still call it Candlestick.
Posted by: Leen on September 21, 2005 06:48 AMSorry, I didn't read the whole thing. My comment was regarding the poll comments. Sorry! My brain hasn't been all together there when it comes to things other than school related things.
Posted by: Leen on September 21, 2005 06:51 AMAfter our Frederick & Nelson (who were famous for Frangos) went under, everybody in Seattle was worried about the Frangos. The Bon Marche took over the Frangos but now that the Bon is Macy's, will they continue the Frangos? Probably so but it is still not the same.
Yano, sorry for stepping on your heart but believe me, I feel your pain!!
Posted by: janet on September 21, 2005 11:08 AMI will continue to shop at Marshall Field's until the name change. After that I will boycott the new "Macy's" and other Federated Stores as a matter of principle. Some things you just don't mess with. Having visited Macy's in New York and been sorely disappointed in both the atmosphere and the goods, to rename the elegant Marshall Field's after Macy's is an insult to Chicago. A marketing professional called this a real marketing disaster, and I think it will prove to be so.
Posted by: Penny on September 21, 2005 02:08 PMwhat the?
Posted by: maria on September 21, 2005 06:10 PMMarshall Fields the man has contributed a lot to the development of Chicago and I think it's a travesty to take that name away. Our Field Museum of Natural History is named after him, he donated the parcel of land where the University of Chicago first started, he and his sons have done so much for the development of Chicago! I never thought I would ever be this upset over this but it's just not right!!
Posted by: Marky Mark on September 22, 2005 01:08 AMyeah...i agree. not to rip on macy's or anything, but they have no sense of creativity. why change the name??? sheesh. it won't be the same. it'll always be marshall fields. i'll even go inside and say it everywhere i go that it's marshall fields. then i won't buy anything cuz i won't get the pretty green marshall fields bag. fackers.
Posted by: fata on September 22, 2005 03:14 AMGeesh...this is starting to get ugly. Since you're all so upset about this, why don't you do a letter writing compaign. I'm sure it won't work, but you'll at least let the powers that be know that Chicago is not too happy with them right now.
If you go to their website you can find the address of the corporate office. It's in Cincinnati.
Not New York.
Cincinnati.
Posted by: Denizzy on September 22, 2005 04:50 PMI say we start a petition!!!
Posted by: Shannon on September 24, 2005 08:25 AMDitto.
Posted by: Nino on September 24, 2005 10:11 PM
