Wednesday, August 23, 2000
Industry notes: Retail
Questrom may shake up Penney
By Lisa Biank Fasig
The Cincinnati Enquirer
If Art can do it, why not Al?
That's the question posed in the latest edition of Inside Retailing, an industry newsletter, about Allen Questrom's latest job as head of J.C. Penney.
A lot of retail wags were floored when Penney said it had hired the former Federated Department Stores CEO. The main concern is Mr. Questrom earned his reputation as a corporate alchemist at upscale chains — Barneys New York most recently, following Federated. He also worked at Neiman Marcus.
Penney, by contrast, is decidedly low- to moderate-priced.
But, Inside Retailing points out, Arthur Martinez turned the low-priced Sears around after leaving upscale Saks Fifth Avenue.
“Both Penney and Sears are grounded in the minds of American shoppers,” the newsletter states, “which means they enjoy a reservoir of trust and credibility.”
The problem, it said, is institutions such as Penney are hard to change.
Successfully shifting merchandising, marketing or appearance will be a challenge.
In the newsletter Barnard's Retail Trend Report, Kurt Barnard said Mr. Questrom “can be expected to completely revamp Penney's culture, operating systems, store appearance and merchandising philosophy.”
Twice Blest store to reopen as Truly Blest
It may be the largest clothing donation: Children's resale shop Twice Blest Inc. in Loveland is reopening Sept. 1 as Truly Blest after its owners donated the store to Greater Cincinnati Birthright.
Greg and Gloria Ionna founded Twice Blest seven years ago to help raise tuition and give their kids a place to work. In late spring, after their oldest flew the nest, they decided to donate the business to Birthright.
“Birthright just seemed like a natural thing,” Mrs. Ionna said. “This is a children's business. This is just the perfect extention.”
Birthright, an organization that assists women through pregnancy, will use the store to generate added revenues for the charity. Additionally, clothes that don't sell from the store can be donated to other charities.
The store is at 910 Loveland-Madeira Road. Volunteers and donations of children's clothing are needed.
Call 583-1600.
Looking for a few frustrated shoppers
Are you a shopper without a store? Do you drive miles for a tailored suit, spend days seeking evening wear or evenings dreaming of fine fabrics that never seem within reach? If so, contact us.
The Enquirer is in search of area shoppers who can't find what they want in Cincinnati. The category can be specific — custom jewelry, outrageously expensive suits and shoes, or completely different kids clothes.
If you often lament you could never find this or that in Cincinnati, please drop us a line. Volunteers may be interviewed for a story.
Please send e-mail to: lfasig@enquirer.com, or mail to Lisa Biank Fasig, The Enquirer, 312 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45206.
Online store of the week
She's more than chocolate babkas and hand-spun cake doilies. Martha also dabbles in babies.
Martha Stewart Everyday Baby Baby Store at www.bluelight.com features coordinating bed and bath essentials, boxed gifts and “shop by color.”
It's a fledgling venture — Everyday Baby products were until recently available only in Kmart retail locations.
Shipping starts at $4.95 for orders up to $24.99; $8.95 for orders of $75 and more.
Martha Stewart Home and Garden can be reached through the site as well.
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