LETTERS
Apr 1, 2005 12:00 PM
To the Editor:
Good article Mr. Bodamer … highlighting the far-reaching impact of the proposed Fed/May merger.
You introduced one key point in your closing paragraph that struck both fear and anxiety in a former Marshall Field's buyer who left during the first tumultuous Field's merger with BATUS Inc.
My question is, what will happen to the merchandising of May Co. stores/operations for the critical fourth quarter 2005? With everything in limbo and with a gargantuan transition that cannot really take shape until the holiday season is in full swing, are we not looking at a retail derailment (train wreck) in the making? This is a scenario which, on a different scope/level, could simultaneously replicate itself, as the forces of the Kmart/Sears merger unfolds.
Needless to say, back in the dark ages when I coined the phrase “Darth Batus” (which Crain's Business subsequently used in a headline, to my chagrin) mergers were a new phenomenon with many unknown factors.
Today, mergers are unfortunately like yesterday's news. But if I were a vendor or an employee working with any of the above companies during the next 12 to 15 months, I believe watching Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace should be “de rigueur.”
I look forward to more of your informative articles.
Roger Martin
MRC Retail Concepts
Los Angeles, Calif.
To the Editor:
I want to take this moment to thank RETAILTRAFFIC online, and David Bodamer in particular, for the article “The Mall is Dead.” That article was full of substantive information that, as a consultant who analyses retail spending trends for clients in California's Central Valley region, I found extremely useful. So, thank you very much.
Tony Daysog,
Applied Development Economics
Berkeley, Calif.
