I am looking at doing more professional speaking as Rhonda and had my cruise coming. So off to Macy's for an afternoon of dress shopping. I have not updated my dresses in a while, although I've had several alterations done recently (shortened). While attending my "Woman's Forum" event a few weeks back I noticed a lot of dresses. So definitely back in feminine style.
I question Macy's viability long term, as they always seem to be having desperation sales. Every weekend is a "One Day Sale" lasting all weekend or whatever holiday/season is close "Sale". The prices on the tags only seem to be MSRP as in car shopping. This day's dress shopping had "Star Rewards", "Father Day" (not kidding), "Style Event" and "Loyalty Points" savings. How could a father (sorry girl), resist?
The tags are still attached, so not 100% committed to all three. The most fun of the day - the shopping and trying-on. I likely took six different dresses back with me to try and had my associate running to get additional sizes. (Someone who has helped me before). This kind of shopping would have only been a fantasy in the early days. This was so much fun! I love being a girl.
Note: The two dresses on the left have been committed to events. You will see them in upcoming cruise photos. They look great!
Rhonda -
ReplyDeleteI question the viability of Macy's for very different reasons. But their idea of creating a different "sale" every week makes sense. American women have been trained by advertisers to shop only when there is a sale. Stores have been "forced" to create an environment where an item sells for MSRP for a day or two, then go "on sale" at a supposed discount (the real standard price), so that people think they are getting bargains. I have noticed this same marketing ploy at other stores.
One store I shop at will regularly mark their goods with a 25%-40% discount, varying the conditions of the "sale" each week to keep people interested. I've said to one of the salesladies, that I will rarely jump at their products until their discount reaches 40% - and she agreed with my strategy.
Recently, I had to buy a formal dress for a wedding. Officially, the MSRP at Roaman's had the gown at $180. They had it marked down to $120. By going to a sister site, FullBeauty.com, I was able to apply another discount, and get the same dress (with another garment) for $50, as long as my purchase was over $75. So you can guess what the markups have to be on clothing these days.
So don't think that these sales denote weakness. Focus on how clothes are presented in the store. If the store is managed well, you'll see product neatly and properly stored on shelves and hung on hangers. Stores that aren't paying attention to presentation, such as Sears, are on their way out of business, as they can't do the basic things to help good products sell themselves.
M
Marian, very good points. Thanks.
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