Marshal Cohen Quotations

Until they're able to prove that consumers are going to respond to the changes, the Street is very nervous. It's a very big undertaking to convince the country that a national Macy's is better than regional department stores.

Women updated their wardrobes and showed a propensity toward style and comfort.

Women updated their wardrobes and showed a propensity towards style and comfort. Accessories provided a great way for women to update their look. Women also pampered themselves with cozy pajamas and robes and other self-care products that went beyond apparel.

I credit the whole company for this success. They did a good job in Europe of keeping it a premium brand, and the U.S. followed suit. That drove this phenomenon.

Kids are not interested in taking their summer vacation to start thinking about back-to-school wardrobes, supplies and book bags.

Last year consumers on average spent $500 more for the year on gas. This year it could go up to $1,000. This is what Lee Scott is worried about. The average American has $2,400 in discretionary spending. A Wal-Mart shopper probably has $1,500. Now take out the $1,000 extra and what does that leave them?

Sports footwear usually is also the first place urban consumers will spend money to endorse a celebrity. As we've already seen, people will pay over $100 for the G-Unit or an S-Carter Reebok if it creates the right image for them.

That campaign was all about the smaller guy competing with the big boys. That's what Sears tried to do (against discount department stores such as Target, Costco and Kohl's) and failed.

It eliminates competition. It will allow the new company to sharpen the pencil, offer better prices and goods and maybe even compete in the mass market channel.

We're not there yet but it's not too soon to assume this scenario.

When you have a company that's built on technology and connection with the customer, those are not all profit-driven concepts.

Bringing in spring merchandise now is a good thing. It creates a sense of excitement for consumers. I think retailers are better off selling less stuff at higher margins than getting into a promotional mode later in the season.

Is it a challenge, but the good news for them is that it has been a sleepier brand, so it's not as if they are trying to maintain a property at its peak.

The self-service stores are creating an environment that allows the consumer to be able to get better fashion. It's no longer about getting fashion in a department store. Another interesting thing that's going on is the price points have become more extreme. You remove the sin in buying.

Teens are still shopping at both specialty stores and department stores for status items. They are, for example, wearing full price shoes from Nordstrom with jeans from Target.

Denim will continue to be the staple item found in everyone's shopping bags. With prices for electronics declining, consumers will get to spend a little more on apparel this year.

Anyone who's managing a brand, marketing a product or working for an advertising agency needs to be conscientious in the shifts in consumer dynamics.

That's what they thrive on. They thrive on turning a nonbeliever into a believer.

This is the beginning of the disappearing tag. Smarter merchants are trying this, and if it's done right, the design inside romances the product even more.

The biggest surprise to me has been this absence of urgency on the part of consumers. I've been doing this for a long time. Other than in 2001, I haven't seen such a lackluster tone during the holidays.

It's too soon to say. In some cases even the partners don't even know it yet.

They are not going to let Apple take that environment.

It's not about going to the mall environment where you're fighting crowds. This is for people who shop for pleasure and treat it as a leisure activity. They want to have a relationship with the brand, be treated like royalty.

The entertainment industry is recognizing that there are other avenues they can pursue to continue to expand the brand of their properties.

The entertainment industry has become more of an influence than ever before when it comes to fashion.