{"id":1447,"date":"2015-12-05T21:57:46","date_gmt":"2015-12-06T02:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/m-o-m-a-winner-in-retail\/"},"modified":"2015-12-07T16:31:44","modified_gmt":"2015-12-07T21:31:44","slug":"m-o-m-a-star-in-retail","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/m-o-m-a-star-in-retail\/","title":{"rendered":"M.O.M \u2013 A Star in Retail"},"content":{"rendered":"

Macy\u2019s is a winner because it has a strong set of core\u00a0business strategies, successfully aligns business and operating models, and has an appetite for change.<\/p>\n

\"macys\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Macy\u2019s core business strategies<\/strong> include My Macy\u2019s, Omnichannel, and Magic Selling or known by the acronym M.O.M.<\/p>\n

[M] My Macy\u2019s<\/strong> is a localization strategy designed in 2008 which focuses on offering localized merchandise selections so that it can better target each customer base.\u00a0Styles, weather, and demographics differ among regions and thus Macy\u2019s strategy is to source merchandise that fits its local customer base, as opposed to having a one-size approach.<\/p>\n

[O] Omnichannel<\/strong> (a seamless customer experience across all channels) has been the hot trend in retail and Macy\u2019s has developed a premier strategy. Macy\u2019s offers services such as buy online, pick up in store, mobile POS, in-store kiosks. Macy’s also has developed programs to track the customer seamlessly across channels and continues to invest in its website and mobile app.<\/p>\n

\"onbi\"<\/a><\/p>\n

[M] Magic Selling<\/strong> focuses on excellent customer service through training, which involves the store associate diagnosing the customer\u2019s needs, offering suggestions that meet the local customer, building loyalty, selling items that may not be in-store due to stock outs or online-only items, and providing speedy check-out via mobile devices.<\/p>\n

To achieve the features of M.O.M., Macy\u2019s uses an operating model that focusing on redefining merchandising, investing in technology, and strengthening human capital.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Merchandising:<\/strong> Macys\u2019 has shifted its merchandising to a regional level where assortments are handled at the local level, leading to quicker decisions and streamlined processes. Additionally, Macy\u2019s has closed several stores to eliminate redundancies and to focus on online. Through these efforts, Macy\u2019s expects to save 140M per year.<\/p>\n

For distribution, Macy\u2019s had adopted an approach to fulfill items ordered in store from other stores or online fulfillment centers. To enable this approach, Macy\u2019s has expanded its\u00a0back store rooms where goods are packed and has invested in” inventory-optimizing technology that can\u00a0reduce markdown costs by enabling mis-located items to be sold, either online or in alternate stores.*”Additionally, Macy\u2019s has trained associates to fulfill orders by\u00a0selecting merchandise off the floors to ship, since associates know the merchandise best and can quickly identify where items are located. If the customer is already in store and merchandise is out-of-stock, the employee can use the inventory-optimization technology to check store-wide availability, locate items, and arrange for shipment.<\/p>\n

Technology:<\/strong> Macy\u2019s had made significant investments in additional technology to support the M.O.M strategies, such as RFID to better track inventory and replenishment, building algorithms from where to pull inventory, and using beacon technology for location-based digital coupons. Macy\u2019s is continuing to experiment with additional\u00a0 innovations such as \u201csmart\u201d dressing rooms (customer can use a tablet on the wall to check other colors, sizes, and reviews while trying on an item).<\/p>\n

Human Capital:<\/strong> To support Macy\u2019s emphasis on customer service and MAGIC selling, Macy\u2019s employs a training program that teaches the following: integrating with omnichannel, how to educate customers on the My Macy\u2019s strategy, how to order merchandise from other channels on behalf of customers, etc. Also, managers conduct frequent coaching sessions with each associate to maintain excellent customer service levels. In regards to compensation, associates are provided minimum wage with some associates eligible for commission. Departments such as shoes, beauty, and jewelry are considered high-touch customer departments and call for a deeper level of customer service within the business model. Thus, associates in these departments are provided commission to support these business goals. To maintain an engaged workforce, Macy\u2019s uses contests to encourage selling, tracks sales per associate,\u00a0encourages customer service surveys to recognize associates and asses development, holds daily team meetings for all associates, and fosters a positive and inclusive family environment.<\/p>\n

As a result of these initiatives, Macy\u2019s annual revenue has increased compared to its peers and is expected to remain a leader in the omnichannel space. Macy\u2019s competitive advantage<\/strong> is that it has recognized the need for a multi-year master plan that encourages large investments in technology and embraces a culture of change. Additionally, its commitment to training its workforce sets the retailer apart from the competition since front-line associates are essential in delivering the back-end strategy and sustaining customer loyalty. From personal experience, I have worked for several retailers and seen how Macys has outpaced its competition in embracing change, fostering its culture, and working on continuous improvement.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, Macy’s is ahead of the competition because it knows which business strategies to deploy and how best\u00a0to organize its operating models to support them.<\/p>\n

\"profit\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.macysinc.com\/macys\/m.o.m.-strategies\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/risnews.edgl.com\/retail-insight-blog\/Macy-s-Blueprint-for-Omnichannel-Dominance85124<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.pymnts.com\/news\/2015\/macys-new-store-strategy\/<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/logisticsviewpoints.com\/2013\/03\/04\/macys-wins-with-omni-channel-fulfillment\/<\/a>*<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/business\/wp\/2014\/09\/25\/is-the-new-technology-at-macys-our-first-glimpse-of-the-future-of-retail\/<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.mmh.com\/article\/rfid_the_macys_way<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/media.ycharts.com\/charts\/99ef0272edb5f17b0c237affad22c414.png<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.retailwire.com\/discussion\/16710\/omni-channel-at-macys-its-about-inventory-too<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.diamonds.net\/News\/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=46203<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Macys is a leader in retail through its strategies of localization, omnichannel, and magic selling<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":958,"featured_media":1454,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[294,220,16,55,7],"class_list":["post-1447","hck-submission","type-hck-submission","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-change","category-omnichannel","category-retail","category-technology","category-winner"],"connected_submission_link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/assignment\/the-tom-challenge-tom-winners-and-losers-assignment\/","yoast_head":"\nM.O.M \u2013 A Star in Retail - Technology and Operations Management<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/m-o-m-a-star-in-retail\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"M.O.M \u2013 A Star in Retail - 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