Macy's Parade Pomp vs. Retail Plight: A Bold New Chapter

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

People Mentioned

• Will Coss (Executive Producer of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade) - Discussed the popularity of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, attributing it to tradition, spectacle, kitsch, and art.
• Tony Spring (CEO of Macy's, Inc. and former CEO of Bloomingdale's) - Shared his strategy for the "Bold New Chapter" turnaround plan for Macy's, including store closures, merchandise improvements, and focusing on the affluent consumer for Bloomingdale's and Blue Mercury.
• Mark Cohen (Former Professor and Director of Retail Studies at Columbia Business School, former retail executive) - Provided a dissenting voice on the future of Macy's, criticized past strategies, and offered insights into the history and challenges of department stores like Sears and Macy's.
• Jeff Kinney (Author of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books, owner of An Unlikely Story bookstore) - Shared his experience building and running an independent bookstore and his ambitious plan to redevelop downtown Plainville, Massachusetts.
• Dwight Eisenhower (Former U.S. President) - Mentioned in the context of the emergence of mid-20th century retail due to his role in building the interstate highway system.
• Jerry Seinfeld (Comedian/Actor) - Referenced in an anecdote about a "Seinfeld" episode where his parents wanted him to join the Bloomingdale's executive training program.
• Tina Turner (Singer) - Mentioned in relation to the chain mail dress she wore in "Mad Max Thunderdome," which was created by Whiting and Davis, a jewelry company from Plainville.
• Jason Tatum (NBA Player for the Boston Celtics) - Featured as a visiting author at Jeff Kinney's bookstore, promoting his children's book "Baby Dunks a Lot."
• Benjamin Macchi (Young fan) - Expressed his admiration for Jason Tatum and Jeff Kinney at the bookstore event.
• Izzy Godette (Shopper) - Shared her positive impressions of Jeff Kinney's bookstore.
• Chris Alba (Local resident) - Praised Jeff Kinney's redevelopment efforts in Plainville.
• Jeannie Schulz (Widow of Charles Schulz) - Mentioned as a friend of Jeff Kinney from the "small club" of property creators/representatives at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
• Charles Schulz (Cartoonist, creator of Peanuts) - Referenced as the creator of Snoopy, a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon.

Books

• "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney - The book series that launched Jeff Kinney's career and has a giant balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
• "Baby Dunks a Lot" by Jason Tatum - The children's book that Jason Tatum was promoting at Jeff Kinney's bookstore.

Organizations & Institutions

• Macy's, Inc. - The main subject of the episode, discussed in terms of its history, current challenges, and future strategies.
• Bloomingdale's - A luxury retailer within the Macy's, Inc. portfolio, where Tony Spring previously served as CEO.
• Blue Mercury - A high-end beauty retailer acquired by Macy's, Inc.
• Columbia Business School - Where Mark Cohen was a professor and director of retail studies.
• Sears - A former retailing giant discussed as a case study of failure in the retail industry.
• Montgomery Ward - Another department store mentioned that has disappeared.
• Lord & Taylor - Another department store mentioned that has disappeared.
• Abraham & Straus - A department store where Mark Cohen had his first job, which no longer exists.
• Sears Canada - A company where Mark Cohen served as CEO, which no longer exists.
• Home Depot - Mentioned in an anecdote about its founders being dismissed by Sears executives.
• Zara (Inditex) - Cited as a thriving retailer.
• LVMH - Cited as a thriving luxury retailer.
• Nike - A brand partner that pulled out of Macy's for a period but later returned.
• Tory Burch - A brand that Macy's would like to carry more extensively.
• On Running - A sneaker brand that Macy's would like to carry.
• Boston Celtics - Jason Tatum's NBA team.

Websites & Online Resources

• TikTok - Mentioned as a social media platform influencing trends, specifically young boys wearing perfume/cologne.

Other Resources

• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - The central event discussed, analyzed for its economic value, marketing impact, and cultural significance.
• Super Bowl - Used as an analogy by Mark Cohen to explain the associated ad madness and its connection to a major event.
• German Autobahn - Referenced by Mark Cohen as the inspiration for Dwight Eisenhower's interstate highway system.
• "Cheers" (TV show) - Its theme song adage "make sure you know everybody's name" was quoted by Tony Spring to Jeff Kinney.