  |
||
 |
||
       |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Contact Us |
Merchandising and Strategy ChangesFederated Department Stores, Inc. unveiled a new national strategy that will better leverage its Macy's brand. The Macy's name will be coupled with all of the company's regional department store nameplates (Burdines, Goldsmith's, Lazarus and The Bon Marche). The Bon Marche will begin operating as The Bon-Macy's on August 1, 2003 in its 48 store locations throughout Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. The chain will remain headquartered in Seattle and will receive a new president and chief operating officer. Eric Salus, who currently serves as executive vice president/general merchandise manager for Macy's East, will relocate and join Daniel H. Edelman, chairman of The Bon Marche, in Seattle. Additionally, Seattle is one of five markets that the company plans to allocate money to for reinvent features aimed at improving the customer's shopping experience. Upgrades include enhanced fitting room environments with waiting lounges, improved in-store signage, automated price-check devices and upscale shopping carts, as well as the integration of plasma video screens in selected store locations. Following the nameplate conversions, customers will receive new credit cards reflecting the combined nameplates and will be able to use them at any U.S. Macy's store or online at macys.com. Food Markets Northwest Inc., a Seattle-based grocery store operator, announced that it will change the names of its Queen Anne and Admiral Thriftway stores to Metropolitan Market. It also publicized plans to open three new stores in the Seattle area. A location in Seattle's Hawthorne Hills area is slated to open in fourth quarter 2003 while a Federal Way store will be expanded from its current 19,000 square feet to 33,000 square feet. Work is expected to be complete in the first quarter of next year. Lastly, a proposal to add a Metropolitan Market to Mercer Island is currently under review. Jones Soda, a Seattle-based beverage company, signed an agreement allowing for distribution of its beverage products in New York City. The company's labels include the Jones soda, Jones Naturals, Jones Energy and Whoopass brands. Starbucks bought the North American operations of Seattle Coffee Co., which owns the Seattle's Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia brands. As part of the deal, Starbucks gained access to 51 company-owned and 78 franchised Seattle's Best Coffee stores as well as 21 company operated Torrefazione Italia cafes. Seattle Coffee's parent — AFC — will retain 93 franchised SBC cafes in Hawaii and eight foreign countries. Seattle Coffee's wholesale business, which earned $67 million in revenue last year and delivered a $13 million profit, was also on the auction block, giving Starbucks control of 12,000 distribution points and 5,000 grocery stores. All SBC and Torrefazione cafes will continue operating under those names, at least initially. Target will trim its men's apparel, home improvement, automotive and sporting goods departments to make room for more snacks, beverage items, dairy and frozen foods. Expanded food offerings will appear in several new locations and in about 80 other locations by this fall. The Home Depot began "Do It Herself" workshops at its entire store base as part of its efforts to attract female consumers. The company is also making some changes to its U.S. stores after successful remodels of its Canadian locations, which feature special order, lighting and dÈcor items at the front of the store. About The Seattle Market Update | Contact Us Produced by the Marketing Research department at The Seattle Times Company. |
|
||
|
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|