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In January, Chicagoist posted that Federated Department Stores was thinking about buying May Department Stores and thanks to a tip last night (thanks, Jasmine!) we found out it's a done deal.
Today it was announced that after a month of negotiations, Federated and May have agreed on a merger worth almost $11 billion. The deal will combine chains owned by Federated (Bloomingdales, Macy's) with chains owned by May (Lord & Taylor's, Marshall Field's).
This is all fine and dandy with Chicagoist, but the only thing we're worried about is that Federated may change the name of Marshall Field's to Macy's. After other acquisitions Federated changed the name of it's newly acquired regional chains to either Macy's or Bloomingdales and since we already have a Bloomingdale's, but no Macy's, people are saying that the name could be changed to Macy's. Macy's on State Street. Does it have a ring to it?
Don't get too worried, though. Others are saying that since there's a strong connection to Field's with customers in Chicago that it would just be stupid to change the name.
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We need to start a big "Save Field's" campaign. The name is too connected to Chicago to see it disappear, or get hyphenated like they've done elsewhere.
Field's-Macy's? I don't think so!
There's a better reason May's probably won't change the name: the Demo-psychographics of Macy's and Field's are different. Field's has managed to keep mid-market shoppers, while Macy's has gone upscale to compete with Nordstrom's in recent years.
Seems to me it would make sense to keep them seperate.
I think you may see a few suburban and Wisconsin Field's stores that are underperforming get re-named. I also think you might see the Water Tower Place Field's become Macy's, so they can get a presence in the city. But my money's on that they don't touch the historic State Street store or any of the top suburban locations (Woodfield, Old Orchard, Orland, Oak Brook, etc.). They aren't suicidal, methinks.
But pencil me in for any burgeoning "Save Field's" campaign, just in case...
I am glad to see that I'm not the only one who is worried. I have already e-mailed the Chicago Historical Society for assistance in circulating a petition to ensure that at the very least, the historic State Street location retains the Marshall Field's name--if anyone would be interested in helping, e-mail me at michaelhanline@yahoo.com.
vouchey, analysts see things quite differently:
Analysts speculate that Federated may separate its chains into three tiers: a luxury tier (possibly the best-positioned Marshall Field's stores), a high-end tier (Bloomingdale's) and a mid-market tier (Macy's).
-- James
When one of the Trib columnists posted a number to call, I did, very politely expressing my opinion to the woman at Federated who answered. She was similarly pleasant back, and confided that they had just been inundated with similarly polite but assertive calls from Chicagoans who were very much against a name change. I got the sense from what she said (even though she didn't say it outright) that a point had very clearly been made.
James, you got me. I switched them up. For some reason I remember Macy's being nicer than Field's. But still, my point is valid.
vouchey -
If you still have that number...can you post it here? Thanks!
So they want to name our Marshall Field's Stores "Macy's"? Gee, why don't they suggest changing the name of, oh, the CUBS! We here in Chicago think of Field's as part of our family. We hail it as one of our landmarks. We're still upset about the mints! I feel a sense of status shopping there and feel I get a great value. When I see one of those green Field's trucks, I feel proud to be in Chicago. Field's reminds me of Harrod's. Macy's reminds me of Mongomery Wards. It's nice that they're proud of their Macy's stores. Macy's is a New York landmark. I'm really happy for them. But before they trash the Field's name - our Chicago landmark - I'd like to introduce them to several thousand Cubs fans. We'd like to welcome them to Chicago. Have a mint.
Get over it! Macys, Marshall Fields same thing
Get over it! Macys, Marshall Fields same thing
How in the World can you change History?
Chicago is a Great city! Marshall Fields was a Great Man! Give the people what they want! Leave it Marshall Fields! Changing the name will bring sales down. If they want to keep making money they will be smart and leave the name as Marshall Fields-Then we will all be Happy to shop at Marshall fields. It will be a win-win! I have been to the Macy's in New York--What a laugh--The type of people that shop there are quite different than the people that shop at Marshall Fields. If they change it. Nordstroms Here I come! Your loss---Nordstorms gain!
Marshall Fields on State will always be Marshall Fields on State. If May's wants to get what they paid for they will not loose that important Chicago name. People come to shop Fields at that site. And it is all about the $$$
The pseudo-apoplexic jackass Terry Lundgren, Even people with that severe handicap have FAR more logic than THIS TOTAL ASSHOLE & The kissass extrodinares.
But that stupid fuckface named Terry Lundgren did so, Cowardly ASSHOLE he is!!!!!!!!.
Kristen is probably a Macy's ho, For LITERALLY KISSING their ASS!!!!!!!!!.