Bluemercury’s Post

Refreshed vision. About 20 years ago, I remember how concept stores were all the rage; how could we forget iconic places like Colette or 10 Corso Como, to name a couple. Then there was a bit of a decline for multi-brand stores, at least those that didn't manage to renew themselves conceptually and culturally, leading to a surge of brand and mega-brand signage. Now we are witnessing a comeback of multi-brand stores, especially in the high-end market. In London, LN-CC has been recognized since its inception as one of the most notable multi-brand luxury stores. Much more than just a store: unique store design, appointment-only shopping sessions, daring brand selection, and a lively event program any night of the week. Following a long period of closure due to COVID, after 4 years LN-CC has finally returned in-person, opening its doors to a new generation of fashion fans, as it faces a very different market now than before. The goal is to offer customers "a journey they will not find elsewhere." 🙌 What’s your take? # 313 RETAIL, United Kingdom 👉 More content on our website and subscribe to the weekly newsletter; the link to the featured news is in the first comment below. 🎯 If you want to learn more about our transformative approach to generating growth (yes, what we call innovation marketing!), feel free to write me privately. Cristian Musardo, Francesca Carini, LN-CC More about this topics follow #MaurizioRibotti #innovationmarketing #cultureofmodernbusiness #luxury #premium #lifestyle #DRUMROLL --- All rights and credits are reserved to the respective owner(s). Contact us to add you as a reference or content removal.

Refreshed vision. About 20 years ago, I remember how concept stores were all the rage; how could we forget iconic places like Colette or 10 Corso Como, to name a couple. Then there was a bit of a decline for multi-brand stores, at least those that didn't manage to renew themselves conceptually and culturally, leading to a surge of brand and mega-brand signage. Now we are witnessing a comeback of multi-brand stores, especially in the high-end market. In London, LN-CC has been recognized since its inception as one of the most notable multi-brand luxury stores. Much more than just a store: unique store design, appointment-only shopping sessions, daring brand selection, and a lively event program any night of the week. Following a long period of closure due to COVID, after 4 years LN-CC has finally returned in-person, opening its doors to a new generation of fashion fans, as it faces a very different market now than before. The goal is to offer customers "a journey they will not find elsewhere." 🙌 What’s your take? # 313 RETAIL, United Kingdom 👉 More content on our website and subscribe to the weekly newsletter; the link to the featured news is in the first comment below. 🎯 If you want to learn more about our transformative approach to generating growth (yes, what we call innovation marketing!), feel free to write us privately. Cristian Musardo, Francesca Carini, LN-CC More about this topics follow #MaurizioRibotti #innovationmarketing #cultureofmodernbusiness #luxury #premium #lifestyle #DRUMROLL --- All rights and credits are reserved to the respective owner(s). Contact us to add you as a reference or content removal.

Macy's has unveiled a "Bold New Chapter" with strategic plans aimed at focusing resources and accelerating growth in key areas. To achieve this, #Macys intends to close about 150 underperforming locations, including approximately 50 by the end of the fiscal year. The company will prioritize investment in approximately 350 go-forward locations and the ongoing expansion of small-format stores. Moreover, Macy's aims to seize opportunities for growth in the luxury segment, particularly through its brands Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury. Leveraging its strong position in the luxury market, Macy’s, Inc. plans to expand its store fleet and digital presence. As part of this strategy, around 15 Bloomingdale’s stores and at least 30 new Bluemercury stores will be opened, along with approximately 30 Bluemercury remodels, across new and existing markets over the next three years. #RetailNews #RetailTrends #Bluemercury #Bloomingdales #StoreOpening #Retail #OpeningsandClosings #Rebrand #PressRelease #NewChapter

 Just a few thoughts to add to the discussion below: In 2016, Corso Como opened a NYC store at the Seaport. The location was difficult, however, the area was in development and I guess the company was focusing on the future. The space included the store and the gallery wing, designed to host events and exhibitions. The assortment of the store itself read "designers". To me, it was the best-curated buy I have seen. Whoever bought it - had great taste and understanding of the urban client. The idea was simple and modern: to create an environment/place that caters to the test of the fashion community - a place to hang out and shop (this is the ongoing dream of every luxury CEO). It didn't work out. The store was closed after a few years. Remember SAKS+Barney's project? Similar. To make these types of initiatives successful you need serious planning, the right people, consistency, financing, and a few other things:)) However, the concept is growing in popularity and we do see a trend: Marsèll, a Made in Italy, high-quality Italian footwear and accessory brand, has just opened its first flagship store in Milan, at Via della Spiga 42, in the city’s "Quadrilatero della Moda" fashion district. The store is the result of eight months of close collaboration between Marsell and the Berlin-based Lotto Studio. Together, they have designed a space where the whole of Marsèll’s offer and identity can express themselves at their best within an open, modern, comfortable, and somehow “solemn” space. The project’s brief had the aim of creating a unique space where the modular environments seen in the rigorous architecture of Marcel Breuer, a major exponent of the Bauhaus design movement, could blend with the meditative atmospheres of Carlo Scarpa, one of the most important 20th-century designers and architects. This space hosts long terraces that delimit a central area, imagined as an exhibition space. It is accessed via a large staircase characterized by a walnut bookcase conceived as a permanent work of art, which extends to the full height of the space and forms a connecting element between the floors. The idea - shopping, visiting the "art" and creating the community. This is the future of retail. The future can be bright for those who can do it right. #retail# #fashion #wwd #bof

'“This whole journey of launching Bloomie’s and opening Bloomie’s has really been about innovation and learning, and frankly listening to [customers].”' Really interesting article about how Macy's is developing a scaled-down, contemporary, Bloomingdale's format (Bloomie's) to bring a curated version of the department store experience to more customers. It quotes analyst Jessica Ramírez as saying that 'department stores have struggled to understand shoppers and what they want in recent years.' Meanwhile discounters have been increasing their market share. So by really studying local markets, understanding customer needs and wants, and creating a memorable, differentiated, edited brand experience, the new format has shown itself to be more productive than its traditional parent. A great demonstration of how even the perceived 'dinosaurs' of physical retail can tap into the human need for social interaction, by listening to customers (!) and creating physical stores that deliver an experience that can't be replaced by online, and is worth the effort of getting there. #futureofretail #ambience #highstreet #customerexperience

Macy's announced a "BOLD NEW CHAPTER" In doing so, Macy's plans to "Focus resources by closing approximately 150 underproductive locations, including approximately 50 by the end of the fiscal year, and prioritizing investment in approximately 350 go-forward locations and the continued expansion of small-format stores." In addition, Macy's sees and opportunity to accelerate their growth in the luxury segment through Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury: "Macy’s, Inc. plans to take advantage of its leadership position in the luxury market, where Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury have been outperformers within the Macy’s, Inc. portfolio and across the broader luxury landscape, by further growing its store fleet and digital presence. As part of the strategy, approximately 15 Bloomingdale’s nameplate stores and at least 30 new Bluemercury stores, along with roughly 30 Bluemercury remodels are anticipated to be opened in new and existing markets over the next three years. https://bit.ly/42WDWeJ

🛍 Macy's is set to close 150 underperforming stores. 🌟 What does this mean for the crown jewel of its real estate porfolio, Herald Square? ☎ I had the chance to chat with Tony Spring on the state of the company, future growth plans and how its real estate, including this iconic location, fits into the store's portfolio, and much more. ➡ In my latest for Yahoo Finance:

This is an interesting trend however I wonder how sustainable these celebrity brands really are. "In the JLL report, researchers found that when it comes to starting a brand, most celebrities gravitate toward the beauty category, which can turn a profit quickly. Kylie Jenner had a lucrative return on investment when she started Kylie Cosmetics in 2015. Five years later, she reached a deal to sell a 51 percent stake in her company for $1.2 billion to legacy brand Coty. And Rihanna launched her Fenty Beauty brand, with a 40-shade foundation range, in 2017. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton backs the brand, which Forbes now values at $1.4 billion. Since 2017, 53 percent of celebrity brands have been in beauty while 41 percent have been in apparel. " #myluxurymarketingclass #branding #celebritybrands

JCPenney is giving its 650 stores a facelift. Last time I was in a store (it's been a long time, I'll admit) ... new paint, carpet, and fixtures were needed, but I'm not sure this is all that is required in order to maximize and complement their online investments as they try to emerge from bankruptcy. I often talk about the need for #experiential in #retail to help feed the #shoppers' need and desire for escape as the direction for the future health of brick and mortar. The product on a shelf is no longer all the shopper wants. A coat of paint or a dusted shelf in and of itself is not an experience. Saks Fifth Avenue is taking an approach where they are trying to entice shoppers in with an instagramable store feature. Tiffany & Co. enhances their experience by playing on their cultural relevancy and introducing museum-level artworks. Babies"R"Us is improving with useful experiences like a stroller-rink. I'm not sure which of these will be the "winning" formula; frankly, they ALL will if you look at their respective shopper bases. These are well-designed with their shopper in mind, which is the key lesson here. As #retailers and brands evolve their in-store, what true experience will help YOUR shopper base and compel them? It's more than a coat or two of paint. https://lnkd.in/eBt-w5NH

Macy’s announced a new strategy that includes a much smaller footprint and an expansion of its luxury and beauty brands.  The department store giant said it is “focusing resources” by closing approximately 150 underproductive Macy’s locations, including some 50 by the end of 2024, and prioritizing investment in approximately 350 “go-forward” nameplate locations and the continued expansion of small-format stores. In October, Macy’s  said it would open up to 30 small-format, off-mall stores through fall 2025, starting in fall 2024. The company plans to focus more on luxury goods by opening about 15 Bloomingdale’s stores and at least 30 Bluemercury stores during the next three years.  Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury have both outperformed Macy's. #commercialrealestate #retailrealestate #macys #bloomingdales #bluemercury #expansion