Comments on: Vote: The funniest, the stupidest stories of the year

By: Sandy, Oak Park, IL

Sandy, Oak Park, IL — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 06:25:21 +0000

Macys taking over Marshall Fields. As far as I am concern they are just another Walmart except the employees don’t wear bibs. What is the uniqueness or difference between Macy’s in Cleveland versus Macy’s in Atlanta? Why do they think all consumers are mesmerized by the glitz and glamour of celebritries? They seem to assume the branding of their name on junky merchandise will equal large sales.

By: Rebecca, Philadelphia, PA

Rebecca, Philadelphia, PA — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 20:38:51 +0000

Also (can’t believe I forgot): XBox 360 warranties costing Microsoft more money than the Firestone recall.

Maybe also the Zune in general.

By: Tim N., Portland, OR

Tim N., Portland, OR — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:27:21 +0000

I will have to add my support for the Macy’s debacle being one of the stories of the year (maybe most pathetic).
They stated they were looking to revive the department store. So they took over a chain that presented something that set them apart in each market, i.e., the regional brands that each had a touch of local flavor, and made them into a bland national chain that is the same everywhere. Now they are just another JCPenney or Sears or Kohl’s. Nothing wrong with those stores but since the regional nameplate stores offered an alternative to the national chains, why would you take that away and enter into a market that is already saturated, instead of capitalizing on what sets you apart? Add in the fact that many consumers, including me, have expressed disappointment in the low value for the dollar of the Macy’s house brands and the decline in sales and profits is easy to determine. I can find apparel and home goods of similar quality and design at the other national chains at a much better price, and better quality goods at near Macy’s prices at upscale stores like Nordstrom, so I have no reason at all to go to a Macy’s. I don’t think my experience is unique in any way and millions of customers are feeling the same as it is showing in the bottom line.

By: Rebecca, Philadelphia, PA

Rebecca, Philadelphia, PA — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:51:34 +0000

Now I’m posting to dilute the Macy’s tide. (I was never familiar with either store until a few years ago when I moved up here to PA — the Southeast is Dillard’s turf.)

I can’t believe no one’s mentioned Sony falling on its face with the PlayStation 3. When the latest console war was gearing up, everyone figured the PS3 would flatten all competition, just as the PS2 did. Then Sony found out something mindblowing: No one will pay $600 for a system that’s way late, doesn’t deliver on all its promises (it wasn’t backward compatible with even RECENT PS2 games), and has no good games (because it released so late and sold so poorly that no developers wanted to risk the money or the brand tarnishing).

Meanwhile, Nintendo makes a cheap system that even “non-gamers” love and have fun with. It will take Nintendo a year to catch up with demand for the Wii, and Sony can’t give the damn PS3s away. I LOVE IT.

By: Bill Pittsburgh PA

Bill Pittsburgh PA — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 07:02:52 +0000

Macy’s wanton disregard and wiping away of regional goodwill and local flare by retiring the local names of The MAY Co. (as well as their own names of Federated Dept. stores) is the worst — ESPECIALLY the destruction of Marshall Field in Chicago. It is a complete flop and now Macy’s is a bland booring awful place with JCPenney and Kohl’s “eating their lunch” and deservedly so.

By: Ron, Houston, TX

Ron, Houston, TX — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 01:35:35 +0000

This Macy’s thing seems like an exposed nerve up in the midwest. Here in Houston, Foley’s ran Macy’s out of the local mall several years ago. Then Macy’s bought Foley’s and changed the name. Changed the qualtiy of the products and service too, there isn’t any. We don’t shop there anymore. As Bugs Bunny would say, “What a bunch of maroons!”

By: Miles, San Diego CA

Miles, San Diego CA — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:08:51 +0000

I can’t believe everyone cares this much about Macy’s…do you all live in one-store towns? Get over it! Shop elsewhere! Consumers have power, vote with your feet!

Stupidest – calling the “mortgage meltdown” a story. Many of us saw this coming long ago and was no surprise to us.

Funniest – that whole foods CEO calling himself attractive when pretending to post as someone else online.

By: Maura, Chicago and IL

Maura, Chicago and IL — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:02:24 +0000

Hands down Macy’s. They are successfully heralding the demise of the department store through offering poor quality and bad customer serivce across the nation. How does a company throw away Marshall Field’s and then blame the customer for not “re-educating” fast enough to suit their bottom line.

Very silly Mr. Lundgren.

By: Corey, Waunakee, WI

Corey, Waunakee, WI — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:56:45 +0000

For me, I would have to say MACY’S would win the biggest buisness mistake in history award-hands down! When Federated Department Stores(now Macy’s Inc) bought and hostilly took over Marshall Field’s in Chicago, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Other regional department stores, they not only made these stores boring, with bad service, poor quality merchandise and high prices, they took away the midwestern identity that there was something truly special in our regional department stores. Field’s is a part of midwestern culture and so are the other nameplates that were moth balled in the regions that they served. Macy’s Offcials will never admit mistake or failure-but it shows in their desperate attempts to restore the Macy’s Name to the world and it continues to fail. So, here’s to you Macy’s Inc and Terry Lundgren-May you continue to fail and may Carson’s, Lord and Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom-Heck, even JCPenney, Kohl’s, Target and Even Wal-Mart continue to take all of your business away from your company to show you the error of your ways!

By: Paul, Boston, MA

Paul, Boston, MA — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:47:15 +0000

Macy’s by far has to win this – destroying regional stores in the Northeast. First, Jordan Marsh then Filene’s. Not only cramming the stores with inferior merchandise but bad customer service because there aren’t any sales associates and if you find one they do not know how to deal with the public. Nordstrom, Nieman Marcus, Penny’s, Dillards, Lord and Taylor and yes Sears knows what a customer wants and will provide the service and merchandise.

By: Michael Moran, Chicago, IL

Michael Moran, Chicago, IL — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 05:34:41 +0000

The biggest business blunder of the year is the move by Macy’s to dump Marshall Field’s. As a result, Macy’s has lost millions and will continue to bleed red ink. Former customers of Marshall Field’s are helping to boost sales at stores like Nordstrom’s and Saks. Those stores are posting big gains while Macy’s North division is in the gutter. And this ALL could have been avoided. Yep, the Macy’s debacle has to be the years biggest business blunder.

By: Mike, Atlanta GA

Mike, Atlanta GA — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:54:16 +0000

I sense a theme here… The iPhone price cut was a big mess, but I agree with everyone that Macy’s continues to make moves that turn it into a commodity, and a low-value, low-quality commodity at that. They destroyed Marshall Field’s, Filene’s, Strawbridge & Clothier, and many other regional brands that meant something to people. Here in Atlanta, they closed the downtown store (in continuous business and owned by Macy’s since 1924) just when people are buying million-dollar condos within walking distance! Just as Wal-Mart steamrolled over small town America, Macy’s thinks they can do the same to the bigger cities and more affluent shoppers! But their upscale competition isn’t closing down in fear, they’re booming!

By: David, Streator, Illinois

David, Streator, Illinois — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:45:15 +0000

I would like to nominate Macy’s for plastering over all those venerable department store names from existance especially Marshall Field’s. Never Macy’s will ever do will make me shop in there store again.

By: Cass Chicago, IL

Cass Chicago, IL — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:45:15 +0000

I nominate Macy’s “sensation across the nation” is the New Coke of retailing. It is the biggest disaster in modern retailing.

By: Jan DeGennaro, Grand Rapids, MI

Jan DeGennaro, Grand Rapids, MI — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:05:40 +0000

I nominate Macy’s for EVERYTHING THEY’VE DONE, EVERYTHING THEY PLAN TO DO, AND EVERYTHING THEY STAND FOR as being THE stupidest and THE most pathetic business stories (plural x plural) of the year.

By: gsmith; Harbor Country, MI

gsmith; Harbor Country, MI — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:37:15 +0000

The dumbest marketing move of the year? Macy’s “retiring” the Marshall Field’s brand. Instead, Macy’s now occupies the former Field’s stores, now offering the public downmarket merchandise; lousy customer service; dirty, ill-maintained stores; arrogant and defensive management, etc. No wonder that Macy’s profits have tumbled 77%. Former Field’s stores have seen double digit revenue decreases (at the State Street flagship store as well as top suburban locations, sales have tumbled 30-40% and more). This marketing fiasco has been justified in the name of saving advertising and administrative costs by operating a national department store brand. Such long-term strategic strategy is flawed — the Macy’s brand has alienated shoppers in major markets such as Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Houston, Detroit, Minneapolis, etc. by eliminating beloved local department stores (Chicago in particular). Macy’s stock has lost 40% of its value from its 12-month high, and only has risen with rumored private eauity buy-outs. And for all of this the CEO of Macy’s has been awarded stock options worth over 10 million.

By: Tom...KCMO

Tom...KCMO — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:53:47 +0000

I agree with everything that has been said about “terry (lunkhead) and the pirates” eschewing the venerated Marshall Field’s name for “messys”, all in the name of “economy of scale”…Huh?! Oh, and nice red commie star, terry. What a terrific logo. Really says it all.

By: Paul, Chicago, IL

Paul, Chicago, IL — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:57:24 +0000

I agree with the posts below. The elimination of Marshall Field’s by Federated/Macy’s was one of the worst corporate screw ups since New Coke. They need to undo this error, and fast. I think that Macy’s board of directors is simply populated by howling monkeys who couldn’t see a good decision if one hit them in the face. Oh wait, that’s probably an insult to monkeys. Macy’s Board scores far below monkeys….

By: Jason M. Chicago, IL

Jason M. Chicago, IL — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:43:36 +0000

The “transformation” of hundreds of regional department stores to macy’s was the worst marketing and business disaster since “new coke.” Federtated Department Stores (M) made a huge mistake.

By: Richard Houston, Texas

Richard Houston, Texas — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:39:52 +0000

The biggest blunder? Macy’s takeover of May Co. and rebranding not only their own storied names, but every other regional department store that was owned by May to Macy’s. This was done out of arrogance and stupidity by Terry Lundgren. The Foley’s stores in Texas have gone downhill terribly since their demise. Their merchandise is cheap garbage made in China and the service is horrible. Dillard’s, Nordstrom, Saks and others have benefited from Foley’s departure. Foley’s was the last of the 1/2 dozen regional stores we had in Houston. The flagship is now a shadow of what it was as are the branch stores. This was the biggest marketing disaster since New Coke.