Not a surprise that this area received some cuts this week across the country. This business is a struggle for the top to wrap their heads around. Millennials aren't stocking a registry at Macy's like their parents or their grandparents did, and Macy's isn't their "go to" store for registry. They choose Crate & Barrel or Bed Bath & Beyond first, with Macy's being an afterthought. When they do get around to Macy's, they aren't interested in the stuffy bed linens (Croscill, etc.) or their grandmother's stodgey fine china. Most of our millennial registries are meager (between $500 and $1000), with couples choosing Kate Spade ANYTHING, cheap sheet sets that will invariably go on Last Act, and trendy serving ware. WGR advisors are pushed to ensure that couples scan large value registries (we've even been encouraged to scan mattresses and furniture) so that our metrics reflect an interest in registry that really doesn't exist. The registry scan value is only as good as a metric if there is follow through by the gift giver - and honestly, that never (or rarely) happens. This then throws the completion metric off (no one completes their registry by buying that $5000 mattress that they were talked into scanning), and this results in a fail at the store level when all is said and done. Large stores with full table top offerings fare better in Macy's idea of metrics, and I presume these advisors have been spared for the moment. But, that's just for the moment. Now in addition to selling, home associates will be forced to take on the WGR duties left behind by elimination of positions. Add that to fulfillment, fighting for sales, stocking, making beds, steaming linens, constantly reorganizing the flea market that is Last Act, etc. and I see a lot of unhappy campers. Those registrants who came to a select store for the Macy's registry experience, are now left to their own devices without anyone to guide them through the minutia of WGR (not even the managers know, let alone understand, how perks & privileges works), i.e., they will just blow Macy's off if it becomes too much trouble. Wishing everyone the best who remains. Feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
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as recent as year ago WGR was being touted as a customer acquisition tool. Attract the millennials. What millennial wants to shop in a tired dated store that still looks like the 80s, dark and dated china areas. The same crappy kitchen electrics that are at Target and Walmart, cheap cookware and the "better" there is no one to educate them on the features and benefits sa the WGR consultants are too busy helping customers. My stylist needs to go, heat waste. The stylist in my old store did nothing but bully the associates to call her for gift cards saying she had to sell them. She walked around the store telling people she could help them with the entire store but always went to associates to answer her questions. Her only customers where people who wanted tons of last act. Her office is a pit, full of merchandising she was "holding" for her "clients" I feel bad for the WGR advisors being cut as I believe the talented ones really cared about helping couples. In my old store I was the only one who even had a clue about WGR other than the advisor. Associates telling couples that it's not my job but I'll do it if you want until the advisor comes back from lunch etc... or you can come back in an hour.
Or DKNY . . . goodness, I can't even remember what decade that designer was last on trend.
And, this is the reality of ALL of their low level cuts. The average WGR or My Stylist employee makes about $400 full time dollars a week. While I know it adds up across departments and the entire US, what would actually add up faster to save a buck is those golden parachutes, and highly paid executives that still linger at the top.
Is My Stylist Next??? Who needs a Personal Shopper for Last Act or INC???
Our registry as well as a few others in district were let go a year and a half ago.
Great post and very informative. you are the best poster. Thanks.
My store closed in Q4 2016.
Wishing everyone the best who remains....