I was just viewing this video from Leigh Hanlon on ChicagoCareless.com about how this year’s Macy’s window decorations suck since the company let go their former window designer Amy Meadows and cut the costs to produce the motorized diorama type Christmas holiday displays. In fact they imply that they are so sucky and cheap this year that it’s not worth making the trek from the suburbs or other parts of Chicago to see them. Ouch!
I have been going to see the Marshall Field’s and now Macy’s Christmas window displays for about 5 years now. (since I have worked downtown) and I have to say that every year along the way they have gotten cheaper or re-used displays from past years to save money. Guess why? The department store business isn’t very good these days. People don’t really want to shop at a store that they can get everything in one place for some reason, and favor specialty niche retailers now. So, Macy’s like Marshall Fields, is not selling as much merchandise or making as much profit so they have to keep cutting costs. (and the recession really isn’t helping)
Plus, another common criticism of Macy’s is that they must pay a boatload of royalties to all the celebrities they licence names from to promote their generic house brand products. (Martha Stewart, we’re looking at you) So, there goes the profits that would have been there in other years.
Personally I don’t know if I would go as far as saying the window displays ”suck” this year but they aren’t near the glory they once had. The designs look much less traditional and rely on a lot of cardboard cut outs and less of the dolls and actual moving parts. (this has been the trend for a while though) I have posted some pictures of the windows now and some from 2005 that I took before Macy’s bought Marshall Fields here.
So, if you want to go see the window decorations at Macy’s downtown in Chicago this winter with the kids or maybe haven’t seen their windows in the past, it is ok but not wow kind of work. If you used to love the attention to detail in the old traditional windows, you won’t be happy with these, and it is probably worth saving yourself the trip unless you really like going to the walnut room. It’s like the difference between bamboo shades on your windows or silk pleated draperies. People notice the quality and the difference. I hope Macy’s can bring back the spark, originality and quality detail work to their windows again someday.
btw: Purchasing bamboo blinds is a great way to decorate windows in your home if you’re looking for a new twist with drapes.
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I enjoyed the windows. I love the Macy store. We had a great time and bought allot because I can afford Macy’s. I enjoyed eating homemade foods in the down stairs. The staff at Macy’s Made me feel so welcome that I called the store and wrote to tell them. Give them a chance. We do not need more stores closing. I try to go to stores I know are trying there best and Macy’s State street shows it.
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Six generations of my family have gone to Marshal Fields and State Street stores every year. And than had lunch in the Walnut Room. This year no different. Sorry to say many years ago other stores stopped doing the windows. But Marshal Fields continued the magical holiday event. Watching the childrens faces as they saw all the movement.No more. this window was about the fact that Macy’s has a letter to Santa Campaign. Thats Great but the window were terrible. Whats with the silver aliens in the tower at the North Pole. Sorry Macy’s. You do SUCK.
I am coming home after many years. One of my favorite childhood memories is the magical windows of Marshall Fields. That, of course, along with the wonderful essence of roasted chestnuts on the streets and the Christmas songs of saxophones piping over the top of all street noise. State Street was always more special than Water Tower Place (Macy’s are you listening?). I am disappointed to hear that things have deteriorated. Just the same, I am looking forward to the visit to recreate the past. By the way, I have not encountered any other department store that produces such a display. Not that I am well traveled, but it is not common for such a display and we should not take it for granted. I am sure it costs and is quite an undertaking. We don’t want to run them off, just offer consumer thoughts on improvement that may help them see what was lost. Don’t forget, you must shop there if you want to continue to have the benefits of their displays. How ugly Chicago would be with a big “for lease” sign on the blocks of Marshall Fields/Macy’s.