What Bloomie's means to the future of Bloomingdale's
What: Bloomie's, a new brick-and-mortar concept offering a slice of Bloomingdale's full-line department stores, is also a private label. Both officially launch on 26 August.
Why it is important: After Nordstrom Local service hubs, Bloomingdale's is another US department store venturing in smaller formats. The Bloomie's concept will be adjusted to the need of the community, and will serve as a learning experience before figuring out where else in the country additional locations could open.
The new, 22,000-square-foot Bloomie's, located in the Mosaic District lifestyle center in Fairfax, Va., has a "highly curated" assortment of contemporary and luxury brands, new store design concepts and a restaurant. Services include a returns dropbox, buy online and pick-up in-store, curbside pickup, a desk for customization and alterations, a van for deliveries, and technology-empowered stylists (to communicate better with shoppers and access inventory from Bloomingdale's stores). Bloomie's has a total workforce of 30 in sales, alterations, management and operations.
Decades ago, Bloomie's was also a women's novelty underwear. So in conjunction with the opening of the first Bloomie's store, the Bloomie's brand has been relaunched. The inaugural collection has a total of 35 fashion and novelty pieces, including varsity jackets, socks, T-shirts, hoodies, combat boots, totes, chargers, pencil sets. Each season, there will be two drops, including limited-edition collaborations with every collection. The Bloomie's brand will be sold at Bloomie's, on bloomingdales.com and at Bloomingdale's 59th Street flagship, and might later be sold in more locations.
What Bloomie's Means to the Future of Bloomingdale's
First Bloomie's Store Now Open