Dallas-based Neiman Marcus to start selling lower-priced shtuff

alexander troup, says:

An old New York saying on Broadway and with any fine clothing store's..."If you had a fire and it is over with .....get what you can for a buck so you can have a bed to sleep on"....A/T..Sometime's it hard and ruff for a reason...save a buck and help someone else....

Travis Bush, says:

What no more $100k motorcycles in the Christmas catalog? Maybe the mindset has shifted to zirconia encrusted Harleys..

Rawlins Gilliland, says:

NM has always been an easy target and in this century, arguably deserved. But for the rare few who are actually from Dallas, and old enough to know the role Neiman Marcus played in key eras of this city's history past, I wish to say: Neiman Marcus never set out to be the elitist 'let them eat cake' object of ridicule. Rather, the Neiman and Marcus families 101 years ago set out to represent the finest in quality, style and value and service. In doing so, in the second half of last century, NM pioneered racial relations with advancements for minorities and support for civil rights issues. They advanced women in ways previously unthinkable. Their current CEO and President, Karen Katz being a Dallas native exhibit A; my boss for 6 years where I learned more than all the men I ever worked for combined..........

NM was never meant to be so 'exclusive' that it excluded everyone but the wealthiest. Rather, if you read any of Stanley Marcus' books, he speaks of the value of detail, etc. I have always suspected that when I see people pile on Neiman Marcus with knee-jerk glee contempt, they are telling more about themselves than about the Dallas-born-and-bred retailer. I do however believe that after I left the company 10 years ago, NM Group CEO Burt Tansky led the company in a direction that left no room for moderate customers to find and afford the value and quality and style of Neiman Marcus goods. By recommitting themselves to that original goal, it is not a reversal for the company so much as it is a homecoming. A 'no exit' policy of catering to solely the top 1-3% of the nation's income earners is anathema to those who grew up aware of what NM stood for historically; something to aspire to, where all were welcome. Where simply being there was an education.

Travis Bush, says:

"I have always suspected that when I see people pile on Neiman Marcus with knee-jerk glee contempt, they are telling more about themselves than about the Dallas-born-and-bred retailer."

Sorry, but as a born-and-bred Dallasite, I have to take exception to this. NM hasn't been a place for regular folks to shop since I was born, at least. It isn't now and will never be a place for the common Dallas citizen to frequent. The closest thing most of us ever got was passing by the windows on our way to H.L. Green's. And I'll pass on the "education" in avarice, thank you very much.

Rawlins Gilliland, says:

Well Travis, 'regular folks' is a very subjective term. I bought my high school graduation outfit there and I grew up in a very modest East Dallas neighborhood (that is now unaffordable...Manett Street off of Henderson.) I paid for the outfit as a bag boy at the Kroger's Groceries and as a paper boy. The outfit was reasonable for its value (along the lines of what I would have paid at let's say a Culwell and Sons) and lasted for years and years. I was very proud of it. I still use the belt 40 years later. On a thin day.

It is not an otherwise pointed point that I make when I share how no few who have expressed to me... before and after my stint at NM...their being less than comfortable with Neiman Marcus in the 60s-90s... many times acknowledged they never really had been there. I learned that over and over again when in fact I rose from stock boy in college and later through the sales ranks in tyhe Reagan years to become national Director of Sales and Product in the Clinton years. It always made me feel rather sad, knowing how Stanley Marcus had always felt and what his company offered me as my second career.

But during the Bush years I believe with good reason it strayed. I know I grew to feel as if it was no longer a company that offered items I could routinely consider. Where there had been private label ties that were affordable, for instance, there became only the most exclusive. And expensive. In fairness part of the problem became the devaluation of the dollar which made an import $175 shirt now cost $300 plus. But that was merely part of what went wrong.

Travis Bush, says:

Interesting history you have there, Rawlins.

Pavel Lishin, says:

I think that when most people mock NM, they're mocking the people who shop there more so than the actual company itself.

Scott Doyle, says:

Customers make the company, Pavel - can't exactly have one without the other.

Travis Bush, says:

I've seen the future of Neiman's!

Travis Bush, says:

You mean, obviously not everyone can afford it..I'm sure there are plenty of people who would love to wear their clothing lines or have their own submarine.

Scott Miller, says:

I once had a girlfriend who asked me to go get her coat, a real nice one she wore a lot. When I spotted the Neiman Marcus label inside I ragged her about it a little.

She said, "Oh please, I got it at a yard sale."

Rick Yost, says:

No one really rags Ferrari, Rolex, or Lear Jet. There's not a thing wrong with offering expensive items. If you can't afford them, don't buy them. The funny thing is that even folks that can't afford them feel socially pressed to own these things. We're a society greatly driven by appearances.
If people would stop gawking at stretch-limos, they'd disappear.

Travis Bush, says:

I have no problem with your view, Rick, but just like I have said before..as long as there is no pretense about the pretense, I don't care. But when there are stories about overpriced restaurants and businesses closing, I don't feel sorry one bit. It is equally funny when I hear stories about the management at Neiman's sensing a shift in its customer's "mindset." That really means that their regular customers are running out of money, and or their lifestyles are catching up with them. No pity from the proletariat..

Jesus Valadez, says:

Mmmm.... I wouldn't mind a nice expensive watch right about now. :(

Travis Bush, says:

Jesus..while yer out stealin' watches and stuff can you pick me up a Citizen Eco-Drive?

Rick Yost, says:

Travis- I agree. No pity, please! If you spend money you don't have, and have problems because of it...it's your life. Overpriced restaurants going out of business...that's their choice.
You are responsible for your own choices. Of course GM and AIG would grin at that last sentence. And my $40 Timex works quite well.

Jason Rice, says:

::If people would stop gawking at stretch-limos, they'd disappear.

Yost for Prez.

Jesus Valadez, says:

Do you want my Citizen Eco Drive? I love this watch

Jason Rice, says:

::I love this watch

Kinda depends on how saliva resistant that model is.

Travis Bush, says:

Yes..I would beat up Jesus and take his watch.

Jesus Valadez, says:

I'll make note whenever I stop by one of your art things. I'll tell my girlfriend to bring her ghetto side out.

Travis Bush, says:

I'll see your ghetto chick and raise you one from El Paso..

Scott Doyle, says:

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Jesus Valadez, says:

But mine comes from Oak Cliff. :(

And I love that Atlanta vidoe. Poor old lady though. :(

Travis Bush, says:

Doyle..that chick would have been beat down a LOOOONG time ago..LOLZ!

Jesus..if she needs lessons, mi ruca can do it for the small price of one Citizen Eco-Drive...one easy payment!

cho, while you're out burning stuff, can you pick me up some of that Neiman's Prada? Preciate ya!