As the legal battle between Macy’s, JCP and Martha Stewart
Living continues today after a failed attempt at court ordered mediation, I’ve
become increasingly less fond of Macy’s and their whining.
As part of court record today, Macy’s introduced a “new”
complaint that JCP and MSLO violated the terms of “exclusive” merchandise with
the introduction of some serveware items as part of the Martha Stewart
Celebrations line, introduced last week on JCP’s website and in select stores
across the country. Macy’s contends
that the wine glasses and other serving pieces (which are made of plastic, and
are designed to be disposable) were in direct competition with those GLASS and
METAL items that are currently carried in Macy’s stores under the Martha Stewart
Collection label.
Really? Plastic is in
direct competition with glass?
Seriously?
Macy’s claim goes on
to say the designs for the disposable, plastic glasses are exact replicas of
the Martha Stewart Collection. Umm..
last time I checked, there are “universal” designs in most cases for the shape
of a champagne flute, a white wine class, and a red wine glass. You’re grasping, Macy’s.. you’re
grasping.
As a consumer of Martha products at Macy’s I think the department store bully needs to
focus on what is happening IN their stores rather than with expensive, ridiculous
law suits. In the numerous Macy’s
locations around my area (and I’ve shopped them all), the “Home” departments
are looking more like a bargain basement or a garage sale than a home
department. It’s frustrating. It’s no wonder sales of Martha Stewart
Collection merchandise just barely meet minimum for royalty fees. In order to sell something effectively, it
has to be merchandised well. You can’t
just cram stuff on a shelf and expect it to sell. It doesn’t work that way, especially with the
consumer demographic Macy’s is attempting to maintain.
Having Martha merchandise at both retailers would force them
both to up their game and provide the consumer the best shopping experience,
and the highest quality products at a fair price. I’d love to be able to walk into either Macy’s
or JCP and get “wowed” with selections and experience. Instead, Macy’s continues to move forward
with their bully tactics and in turn for exclusivity, provide the consumer with
a mediocre experience. It’s like saying
the consumer wants Martha products, regardless of shopping experience. I don’t think so.
In the long run, Macy’s is shooting themselves in the
foot. Up your game Macy’s.. and stop being afraid of the
competition. Most of all, stop being a
bully and stop your never ending whining.
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