Bloomingdale's Is Expanding, Despite the Recession
Filed under: News
Bloomingdale's 59th Street flagship (literally!) is a New York City landmark. Photo: Getty Images
Over the next two months, the 59th Street landmark department store is rebuilding its flagship's entire 60,000-square-foot main floor -- which includes beauty, fragrance, designer handbags, jewelry, men's shirts and ties, sunglasses and watches -- in a project they're calling "the biggest makeover in NYC," reports WWD.
Sources tell the fashion paper that the renovation is costing the retailer between $45 million and $55 million (including contributions from vendors), and vendors are hoping for a 10 to 20 percent boost in sales after the project is complete.
Michael Gould, Bloomingdale's chairman and CEO, told WWD: "It's a game-changer. When you see all of the new installations, it will blow your socks off. Every solitary resource has a new shop. It's like a brand-new store."
The new layout will officially launch October 15 and will include wider aisles and high glossy walls that will allow each brand to personalize its space.
Some of those brands include ones that are completely new to Bloomies like Bare Escentuals, Shu Uemura, Bumble and bumble and Giorgio Armani in beauty, and Stella McCartney, Me&Ro, Helen Ficalora and Elizabeth and James in accessories, among many, many others.
There will even be a 1,300-square-foot "cosmetic studio" which will host "master classes" in makeup application.
So, are you ready to shop again, yet?
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Good for Bloomingdales! It's been a favorite store of mine for a while and the new wider aisles will make it easier to navigate the first floor.
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Bob S. 8-18-2009 @ 1:34AM
Some years ago Bloomies changed its entire main floor from a bright, inviting space, to an uninviting, unpleasant, dark, claustrophic space (with lowered ceiling and a lot of black). The look (which I ca only guess was supposed to look more sophisticated) was a total disaster as far as the "locals" were concerned, although, thanks to all the tourists, Bloomies did well. If Bloomies is finally getting rid of the dark, claustrophobic look, the redo is long over-due and hopefully will return the main floor to an inviting space.
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Norma B. 8-18-2009 @ 4:36AM
As an employee of Macy's Inc., parent co. of Bloomingdales, I have taken a pay cut in my commission rate & vacation pay and an increase in my contribution to my medical insurance.
Oh and let's not forget the 401k match this year will be 1% of 3% of my own contribution. I passed my 15 yr. anniversary with the company in April and had to recently ask my HR mgr. to "find" the $200 gift card I was supposed to receive. That too was cut this last year from $300. "I am so thrilled to hear they can spend upwards fo $45 million on one floor of one store". The free standing furniture store I work in has 15 year old dirty carpet, broken tiles in the isles, in adequate lighting, no heat, yes, no heat in the building. Our store is in an area where many families with small children shop...we do not have a diaper changing table or even a chair in the women's restroom. I gave up asking management for that years ago. Again, I am so thrilled that Bloomingdales NY is getting a new look to the tune of $45 million. If I weren't near retirement, I would have left Macy's a couple years ago.
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