Some links for today:
First off, two stories from the Consumerist. In one, an Target employee alleges that security there “mostly follows black people”. Article contains a rebuttal on most of the points from another current Target employee. As usual with the Consumerist, great comments on that article with some more interesting information.
Also from the Consumerist, some leaked internal documents from AT&T, in regards to the retail end of the iPhone launch. As the biggest technology and consumer electronics launch of this year, this will have huge implications on retail. With so many people wanting to get it, I’m interested to see how other retailers (non AT&T/Apple) react to this and try to get people to buy their products on iPhone launch day.
Yesterday’s New York Post has an article, Macy’s Margins, on the behind the scenes concerns of Macy’s regional buying officiers and what that means to the consumer.
Finally, Zumiez’s Couch Tour was in Deptford, NJ (just outside of Philadelphia). Reports are that several teenagers were hurt at the concert. But what is amazing to me is that estimates put the crowd at 2,000 to 2,500 people. Great turnout for this event. I’d imagine Zumiez is happy with those kinds of figures. More coverage from the Gloucester County Times.
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With risk, comes great reward. But in this case, a risky proposition by Macy’s has left them with a ton of unsellable merchandise.
Three Macy’s stores in Ohio were slated to open at 11:00PM last night, in order for fans of the Ohio State Buckeyes to come into the store to purchase merchandise proclaiming the Buckeyes the national champions of college football. The only problem is that the favored Ohio State lost to Florida 41-14 (see: Macy’s stuck with shirts after counting on Buckeyes win).
Even though the merchandise is unsellable, I think that this was a worthwhile risky venture by Macy’s. It has generated some press (unfortunately, for the failure of the promotion). I’m sure, in the scheme of things, that it did not require a huge investment by Macy’s, even though the inventory had to be ordered and paid for ahead of time, win or lose.
This risky proposition could have paid off well for the retailer. Although the impact on sales would have probably been minimal, this was a fantastic opportunity for the retailer to connect with the local community. Federated is being criticized for losing the local appeal of many of the former May doors and a targeted promotion like this is a step in the right direction.
I wonder if Macy’s was also advertising any national champions merchandise for sale at 11:00pm at it’s Gainesville location, just down the road from the University of Florida?
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