New York Department Stores

[Acid]

There are so many department stores in NYC......can someone tell me what each of them is like please...

like......wether they sell to top expensive brands......or more jeans labels and what their clientel is like:

Macy's
Saks
Bloomingdales
Barneys
Niemen Marcus
Bergdorf Goodman

am i missing any?

 

[faust]

why do you want to know. are you coming to nyc?

Macy's = sh*t
Bloomingdales = sh*t
Barneys = thumbs up
Bergdorf = men's is for old millionare snobs, women's is hit/miss.
Saks = bad version of Bergdorf, but trying to be hip (not working)

Jeffrey = bad version of Barneys, but somehow I feel you'd like it

 

[softgrey]

no neiman marcus...

 

[softgrey]

Macy's ..mainstream, tourist-y, comtemporary ..not really designer
Saks-more designer, but mass and mainstream
Bloomingdales-a bit younger...mostely contemporary with a bit of designer
Barneys-edgier...more of a specialty store...mostly designerr w i bit of contemporary -co-op
Niemen Marcus-no
Bergdorf Goodman-mainstream and older version of barney's cross btw saks and barney's high end...

 

[pradaromance]

There isnt a Neiman Marcus in the city

Macys is very mid level stuff, can sometimes find something nice...but the one in the city is huge & there is alway a crying baby somewhere in that store

Saks is great has upper-mid level stuff (DKNY, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ellen Tracy etc) and then also has high end (Galliano, etc.) The womens shoe department is quite good too.

Bloomingdales has everything jeans labels...Juicy etc & high end stuff (Chanel, Zac Posen etc)

Barneys has the same as Saks but they also carry more exclusive brands (Lanvin & Rochas? etc)

Bergdorf is very similar to Barneys & Saks I think.

Sorry I dont have that much info i usually just go to boutiques if I am shopping in the city

 

[Luna]

Not really sure if it's a dept store, but I like going into Henri Bendel's

 

[lady grey]

yeah

the dept. store appraisals above are correct. barneys is the only one i really shop at although bergdorf's is really nice too.
i also like brooks bros on 44th & madison.

i far prefer the individual boutiques, all on madison or 5th avenue from 57th- 72nd:

hermes
ralph lauren
prada
gucci
burberry
LV

a bit further down madison is thomas pink.
and paul smith is in union sq area but barneys has a good selection, too.
I really only buy music & sneakers/trainers in the village, I far prefer all the uptown stores.

 

[raijin]

I found all of them, except Barneys to be pretty dissapointing.

 

[Theory]

No one has mentioned Lord and Taylor (and for good reason). The flagship on 5th avenue still remains popular for many.
It caters to an older lady, but they are noted for their formal dress dept. Worth a visit, just to say you were there. They have tried to modernize, but failed miserably. Biggest problem? The mens department is on the 10th floor......a big no-no in retailing. They don't carry luxury brands.
BTW, there's some rumor that Nordstrom may be interested in the location if Federated decides to shut down the Lord and Taylor franchise....

Macy*s - Nice, middle market store. The 34th st store is a zoo and poorly organized. Worth a visit for tourists and they are noted for The Cellar (cookware, dishes). Fairly run of the mill and surly service. It's kinda the most accessible of all dept stores and famous for running the SAME sale every Wednesday and Saturday......popular with teens but those who held Macys as the epitome of fine shopping have long left the store (blame it on Federated).

Bloomingdale's - The upscale version of Macys. Tries to capture the high-end (Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Armani) are all carried here as well as the contemporary hip market (Theory, BCBG, yadda yadda). Also noted for their home department. Excellent denim departments and the menswear has improved a lot (they carry Comme, V&R, Gieves, and top collections like Kors, Varvatos, Armani). Famous for the B'Way (large makeup/cosmetics area) and a solid childrens dept. Its very important to note that the flagships of Macys/Bloomies carry vastly different products than their suburban counterparts....you won't find much more than DKNY in the suburbs.....

Saks - A luxury retailer, but kinda in transition....they aren't on the Neiman Marcus or Barneys level, but they are above Bloomies (Bloomies has gained ground). They stress service moreso than Bloomies and carry all your standard contemporary and designer labels. They need to redefine themselves (and no, another remodel of the main floor won't cut it). The mens dept has undergone vast changes in the past few years and has a few gems here and there.....

Bergdorf Goodman - Stodgy and thought of as the store one graduates to from Barneys when they age/mature...(as Softgrey said)...they have tried to attract a younger clientele, but the mens contemporary floor is very weak....but great if you are into Brioni suits and fine shoes.....can have a cold feel....
There is no Neiman Marcus in NYC because Bergdorfs is owned by Neiman Marcus Group....(websites have the same layout).

Barneys - The crowning jewel of NYC dept stores..(is that saying much?) but some say its not as good as it once was.....still the best...attracts a lot of young and emerging designers, takes risks and sets the standard moreso than any other dept store. They do carry contemporary labels in the popular co-op section, and despite its size, is often compared to a boutique (both with respect to service and detailed, selective product offering. Great sales, but can attract the trend wh*re....

 

[Theory]

Oops, I left the edit box open too long and lost my ability to edit.

Typical client @ Lord and Taylor: A woman who wears church hats all day and was born before World War 2.

Typical client @ Macys: Runs the gamut from kids into hip hop wear (this Macys has a whole floor dedicated to urbanwear) to price conscious shoppers who look to Macys to define their style.

Typical client @ Bloomies: The B&T mom who wants to be a bit risque but is clueless as to how to go about it. A shopper who often likes affordable upscale products.... Oh, and me, a parent of 2

Typical client @ Saks: Shoppers who are very into established label driven...who don't take risks....Lots of girls running around in Sevens, Uggs and LV bags.(this is everywhere, I know)...and surprisingly value shoppers who know the typical Saks customer is often clueless about more unknown labels, leaving them for us to pick up during their great sales!

Typical client@ Bergdorfs: Ladies who lunch.

Typical client @ Barneys: Celebs, wealthy tourists, nouveau riche, smart shoppers who look to Barneys for pieces that fit their style.....

 

[faust]

Oops, I left the edit box open too long and lost my ability to edit.

Typical client @ Lord and Taylor: A woman who wears church hats all day and was born before World War 2.

Typical client @ Macys: Runs the gamut from kids into hip hop wear (this Macys has a whole floor dedicated to urbanwear) to price conscious shoppers who look to Macys to define their style.

Typical client @ Bloomies: The B&T mom who wants to be a bit risque but is clueless as to how to go about it. A shopper who often likes affordable upscale products.... Oh, and me, a parent of 2

Typical client @ Saks: Shoppers who are very into established label driven...who don't take risks....Lots of girls running around in Sevens, Uggs and LV bags.(this is everywhere, I know)...and surprisingly value shoppers who know the typical Saks customer is often clueless about more unknown labels, leaving them for us to pick up during their great sales!

Typical client@ Bergdorfs: Ladies who lunch.

Typical client @ Barneys: Celebs, wealthy tourists, nouveau riche, smart shoppers who look to Barneys for pieces that fit their style.....

well described