Carry Water on Both Shoulders: Terry Lundgren (Macy's and Neiman Marcus)
Sep 18, 2024
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Terry Lundgren, former CEO of Neiman Marcus and Macy’s, has significantly shaped American retail. He discusses how leadership can awaken under pressure and shares that playing it safe is often the biggest risk. Lundgren recounts the challenges of merging Macy’s and Neiman Marcus and reflects on his journey from local department store president to leading a national giant. He emphasizes the importance of balancing digital innovation with traditional retail values and how his early experiences influenced his strategic vision for the future.
Terry Lundgren emphasizes that true leadership often emerges from challenges, highlighting the importance of growth through adversity in retail management.
By embracing change and tailoring offerings to local markets, Lundgren transformed Macy's into a responsive national brand during a challenging retail landscape.
Deep dives
Terry Lungren's Impact on Macy's
Terry Lungren played a pivotal role in transforming Macy's into the largest department store chain in the U.S., particularly by embracing risks and changes in the retail landscape. He believed that avoiding change was a far greater risk than adapting to the shifting market, especially as traditional retail faced increasing competition from e-commerce. Lungren's leadership led to Macy's stock reaching an all-time high, showcasing the success of his strategies during a critical time in retail history. He highlighted that adapting to customer demands and embracing innovation were key to Macy's growth and dominance.
Challenges Faced by Iconic Department Stores
Throughout the 20th century, iconic department stores like Filene's and Marshall Fields thrived as regional pillars of retailing, but many struggled to survive in the face of e-commerce disruptions in the early 21st century. As traditional shopping habits shifted, these stores were forced to merge or become part of larger chains, with Macy's absorbing many of them. This trend led to a decline in the distinct shopping experiences that these stores once offered, prompting a reevaluation of what department stores could provide. Lungren's response involved creating a unifying national brand that could cater to broad audiences while maintaining regional appeal.
Navigating Leadership Changes and Career Growth
Lungren's career trajectory took a notable turn when he experienced sudden job loss at Bullock's Department Store, leading him to join Neiman Marcus as chairman and CEO at just 37 years old. Initially met with skepticism, Lungren earned credibility by actively engaging with the company's heritage and its founder, Stanley Marcus, to enhance his understanding of luxury retailing. His willingness to listen and learn from seasoned executives eventually gained him respect within the organization and allowed him to introduce vital changes in line with consumer expectations and market trends. His tenure was marked by a commitment to anchor Neiman Marcus's standing in an evolving industry landscape.
Strategies for Future-Proofing Retail
As CEO, Lungren recognized the need to adapt during the financial crisis of 2007–2009 by restructuring Macy's approach to sales and cost management. He introduced the 'My Macy's' initiative, which focused on tailoring merchandise offerings to local markets, effectively reviving store relevance through targeted product assortments. By collapsing outdated business divisions, he streamlined operations and enhanced efficiency while also investing in technological solutions to better meet consumer needs. This dual strategy of cost management and responsive merchandising became a foundation for Macy's ongoing adaptability in the face of shifting retail dynamics.
Terry Lundgren, former CEO of Neiman Marcus and Macy’s, has been instrumental in shaping the American retail landscape. His believes leadership lies dormant in many until an event challenges you to grow. He also believes playing it safe is the biggest risk of all. Despite an entire career in retail, including taking on the role of president of a local department store when he was 35--succeeding a 67-year-old, the road he took to bringing two notoriously competitive retail giants together wasn’t easy. How he merged famous department rivals, double-downed on retail, and turned Macy’s into the first nationwide department store in the United States.