Neiman Marcus: Exploring Options Including Sale

NEW YORK (AP/STAFF) — Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus says it’s exploring strategic alternatives including a possible sale of the company. The announcement Tuesday came as the retailer, which also operates Bergdorf Goodman, reported a loss in its second fiscal quarter that ended January 28 and its sixth consecutive quarterly drop for a key revenue measure. The company has a distribution center in the Longview Business Park. it has 278 employees, which the Longview Economic Development Corporation says makes it the city’s 18th largest employer.

Like many department stores, Neiman Marcus has been wrestling with declining customer traffic and sluggish sales as shoppers increasingly buy online. Even in the world of luxury, affluent shoppers are dramatically changing their habits and are buying designer bags and clothes online on places like eBay or consignment shops.

“The high-end brands are losing momentum,” says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at NPD Group Inc., a market research firm. He said the average price for a luxury item dropped 5 percent last year from the prior year.

Neiman Marcus didn’t specify which retailers it was looking at. The Wall Street Journal reported that the company is in discussions with department store operator Hudson’s Bay Co., which has been on an acquisition spree over the past few years and operates such stores as Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and its namesake chain. In February, reports were swirling that Hudson’s Bay was looking at taking over Macy’s Inc., whose plans to reinvent itself haven’t been enough to turn around its business. Neiman Marcus didn’t immediately respond when asked for comment, and Hudson’s Bay says it doesn’t comment on rumors.