It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and we’ve still got a month to go. An e-mail from my bank reminds me they’ll have a drop-off box for Toys for Tots. Definitely not on my list: an American Girl doll. These dolls are pricey ($110 and up), but that’s not why I won’t buy them. American […]
Wild and wonderful: A book review of Wild Company
Here’s an unconventional book that should be required reading in business school: Wild Company: The Untold Story of Banana Republic by Mel and Patricia Ziegler. It’s both a fun read and a wonderfully instructive tale of what happens when right-brain marketing genius meets traditional left-brain business thinking. Banana Republic founders Mel and Patricia Ziegler, a journalist […]
Are you a Yipee or a Yikes?
Good news in my town yesterday. The Boston Globe reported that Wegmans, the grocery retailer with a cult-like following, will open a store in Newton, MA.
There have been a lot of vacant storefronts around here, even in this privileged Boston suburb. Every time we see a business preparing to open, we get a little excited. Could something fun and wonderful be coming to town?
But it’s usually a bank. Yuck. Another (bleep) bank, just what we need.
At best, a new bank branch will trigger a mild flicker of convenience for its current customers. For the rest of us, it’s Opportunity Lost. More same old. More corporate blandeur.
Jet Blue: A whiff of Icarus
I admire Jet Blue the brand, and I like the airline. Jet Blue has done a terrific job at creating a distinctive brand and generating customer loyalty. Many adore Jet Blue. One savvy business traveler I know flies nothing else, if he can help it. But I’m not sure I love Jet Blue as much as I’m supposed to–or quite as much as they love themselves.
Et tu, Nordstrom?
Like other patriotic Americans, I spent some time over Labor Day weekend shopping. Just doing my bit.
The retail world is in perpetual transition, but I thought I could always count on a few eternal verities, namely:
• Bloomingdales has overpriced brands but great sales
• Lord & Taylor has the best dress department
• Nordstrom has wonderful service but infrequent sales
• You’re a chump if you pay full price at Macy’s