The folks in Chicago are still missing Marshall Field’s. We just encountered this BBC report on the issue, and are grateful that the FieldsFansChicago are still at it. There is a great discussion of the issue of international retail brands and retail. The folks are calling it “corporate imperialism.” Amazon.com Widgets

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MIAMI – Macy’s (NYSE: M) is considering revitalizing its important, and historic downtown Miami store. The store is the former flagship Burdines. At right, a vintage photo of their old tea room. Macy’s Florida President J. David Scheiner said to a meeting of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce that the company would consider the [...]

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“A common syndrome is the case in which a purported solution is in fact the cause of the problem.” A quote from the blog Unqualified Reservations. We thought this quote applied very well to the case of Macy’s and Marshall Field’s.

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Except for the success of discounters like Wal-Mart Stores (WMT), BJ’s Wholesale Club (BJ), Dollar Tree (DLTR), Family Dollar Stores (FDO) and Dollar General, it feels like 1932. That being said, not all retailers will go the way of Circuit City and Linens-n-Things. So the question becomes what retailers can do to tread water through [...]

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OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL DOWNTOWN, USA – It’s the Christmas shopping season. Not less than a decade ago, most parents had a nearby downtown department store. The visit would usually entail seeing Santa, buying some presents, and in general, picking up some civic spirit and sense of community. That is all gone. Almost. Thankfully, [...]

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Target now sells the U.K.’s Boots-branded health and beauty products in their U.S. discount stores. CVS is now selling out of Boots No7 Restore & Renew Beauty Serum. Why is this of interest to BrandlandUSA, which is usually concerned with reviving dead brands?

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The British candy bar Wispa is back. It was a result of an online campaign by fans, all led by the very notable Alan Simonds website called bringitback.ecclesweb.co.uk. Even Iggy Pop got into the campaign, allowing a banner unfurling at a concert. Quoting the Writers/Authors Snacking at Work cyberpunk site, the Wispa bar was so [...]

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