Nordstrom and Macy’s have announced major merchandise overhauls in a bid to win back shoppers and revive their flagging fortunes..
The department store chains, once the dominant force in American retailing, have been struggling in recent years as consumers increasingly shop online at e-commerce giants like Amazon.com. In response, both Nordstrom and Macy’s have been investing heavily in their online businesses, but they have also recognized the need to improve their in-store offerings..
Nordstrom’s overhaul, which will be implemented over the next three years, will see the company reduce its reliance on traditional department store categories like apparel and accessories and instead focus on offering a more curated selection of merchandise that is tailored to the specific needs of its customers. The company will also invest in new technologies to improve the customer experience, such as mobile checkout and personalized shopping recommendations..
Macy’s, meanwhile, is planning to close dozens of underperforming stores and remodel hundreds of others. The company will also reduce its assortment of merchandise and focus on offering more exclusive and differentiated products. Macy’s is also investing in new customer-facing technologies, such as self-checkout kiosks and mobile apps..
The merchandise overhauls at Nordstrom and Macy’s are a significant gamble. Both companies are investing heavily in their physical stores at a time when many analysts believe that the future of retail lies online. However, if the overhauls are successful, they could help Nordstrom and Macy’s regain their footing in the competitive retail landscape..
Here is a closer look at the key elements of Nordstrom’s and Macy’s merchandise overhauls:.
**Nordstrom**.
* Reduce reliance on traditional department store categories like apparel and accessories..
* Offer a more curated selection of merchandise tailored to the specific needs of customers..
* Invest in new technologies to improve the customer experience..
**Macy’s**.
* Close dozens of underperforming stores and remodel hundreds of others..
* Reduce assortment of merchandise and focus on offering more exclusive and differentiated products..
* Invest in new customer-facing technologies..
It remains to be seen whether the merchandise overhauls at Nordstrom and Macy’s will be successful. However, the companies are clearly betting that they need to make significant changes to their physical stores in order to remain relevant in the 21st century retail landscape..
