Rob Hull
Rob HullEarlier this week, toy retailer FAO Schwartz and legendary Department Store powerhouse Macy’s announced a partnership that would bring FAO Schwartz branded toy departments to Macy’s stores. Read on for the full press release
Press Release
| Macy’s and FAO Schwarz Sign Exclusive Toy Store Agreement |
| CINCINNATI & NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 16, 2008–Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M) and FAO Schwarz today announced they have signed an exclusive agreement under which FAO Schwarz will open FAO-operated toy stores in up to 275 Macy’s stores in fall 2008. FAO Schwarz stores are planned to expand into a total of approximately 685 Macy’s stores over the next two years.
Under the agreement, FAO Schwarz has named Macy’s the exclusive U.S. retail store host of FAO Schwarz departments, and FAO Schwarz will be the exclusive toy department in Macy’s stores. FAO Schwarz continues to independently own and operate its own stores including the Fifth Avenue Flagship store in the heart of New York City, its location in the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas and its website, FAO.com. In fall 2008, full-size FAO Schwarz shops of between 1,000 and 3,500 square feet will open in approximately 75 Macy’s locations across the country. Another approximately 200 Macy’s stores will host smaller FAO Schwarz departments of between 200 and 300 square feet. Plans also call for FAO Schwarz products to be sold on macys.com. The FAO Schwarz assortment at Macy’s will feature its own private label collection that is exclusive to Macy’s and FAO Schwarz stores in addition to the select group of brands that have made FAO famous for the last 146 years. The unique assortment is driven by the brand’s core values of providing quality toys that spark imaginative play and are produced with consideration for the environment. The FAO Schwarz store-within-a-store concept was tested successfully in fall 2007 at Macy’s on State Street in Chicago. “This is an outstanding partnership that will bring toys back to Macy’s in an exciting and unique way,” said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc. “FAO Schwarz is the world’s most famous toy retailer with interesting and distinctive products that appeal to our customers and will drive store traffic, particularly to our children’s departments. Following agreements with great names such as Martha Stewart, Donald Trump, Tommy Hilfiger, e-Spot electronics and Lush Cosmetics, this is the latest example of an exclusive partnership with a leading brand that differentiates the merchandise assortments at Macy’s.” “Macy’s is the perfect partner to bring the FAO Schwarz experience back to local communities. Our two brands have a combined history of 296 years of bringing joy and retail magic to consumers,” said Edward Schmults, chief executive officer of FAO Schwarz. “I am thrilled that, through Macy’s, we will be able to offer the FAO Schwarz products to every American family.” About FAO Schwarz Turning 146 years old this year, FAO Schwarz has enchanted generations of children and adults with its unparalleled selection of unique toys, unmatched customer service, and famous flagship store in Manhattan, which attracts more than three million visitors annually. One of the best-known brands in the United States, FAO Schwarz has evolved into a multi-channel retailer while still remaining true to the vision of founder Frederick August Otto Schwarz. About Macy’s, Inc. The Macy’s brand celebrates its 150th birthday in 2008. Macy’s, Inc., with corporate offices in Cincinnati and New York, is one of the nation’s premier retailers, with fiscal 2007 sales of $26.3 billion. The company operates more than 850 department stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico under the names of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. The company also operates macys.com, bloomingdales.com and Bloomingdale’s By Mail. Prior to June 1, 2007, Macy’s, Inc. was known as Federated Department Stores, Inc. All statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Macy’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this release because of a variety of factors, including conditions to, or changes in the timing of, proposed transactions, prevailing interest rates, competitive pressures from specialty stores, general merchandise stores, manufacturers’ outlets, off-price and discount stores, new and established forms of home shopping (including the Internet, mail-order catalogs and television) and general consumer spending levels, including the impact of the availability and level of consumer debt, the effect of weather and other factors identified in documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (NOTE: Additional information on Macy’s, Inc., including past news releases, is available at www.macysinc.com/pressroom) CONTACT: Macy’s, Inc. |
More details on this merger, including which stores will be getting the new toy departments, are expected soon. I will post additional information on this story as it becomes available
