, based in
New York City, New York , is one of the oldest
Department Store chains in the
United States . Currently operating as a division of
Federated Department Stores , the chain was formerly a division of
May Department Stores prior to that company's acquisition by Federated on
August 30 ,
2005 , but is expected to be sold sometime in
2006 . In 1916 Lord & Taylor (founded in 1826) was a founding member of the
American Dry Goods Co. organization (soon after renamed Associated Dry Goods Corp.), becoming part of
May Company with its 1986 acquisition of Associated. As Lord & Taylor was considered the crown jewel of Associated, it was assumed that May bought ADG just for Lord & Taylor.
Out of all of ADG's former divisions, ''Lord & Taylor'' is the only nameplate that survives intact today. The only other semi-surviving ADG nameplates are from the Los Angeles-based J.W. Robinson Co., which was combined with May's May Co, California division to form
Robinsons-May ; and L.S.Ayres of Indianapolis which was consolidated with May's Famous-Barr division based in St. Louis (but operating as L.S. Ayres). These semi-surviving names will be retired by late 2006 as they are converted to
Macy's .
Lord & Taylor was a long-time fashion leader, especially after World War II, but lost that position in the 1980s and 1990s to
Saks Fifth Avenue ,
Neiman Marcus and the service-oriented Seattle upstart
Nordstrom .
A few other "firsts" at Lord & Taylor: it was the first major store on Fifth Avenue, the first to present innovative Christmas windows filled with holiday displays rather than merchandise, and the first to open a branch store (1941 in Manhasset). Lord & Taylor is also known for playing the national anthem before the start of each business day.
In 1945, Lord & Taylor became the first major store on Fifth Avenue to name a female as president. That woman was Dorothy Shaver.
Dorothy Shaver's association with Lord & Taylor began in 1921 when then President Samuel Reyburn encouraged her to promote and market "Five Little Shavers", a family of dolls created by her sister, Elsie. Dorothy Shaver's challenges grew when she officially joined Lord & Taylor in 1924 as head of the Comparative Shopping Bureau. It didn't take her long to re-channel the department's focus from the competition to Lord & Taylor's own customers, putting them first by providing one on one help as they made their selections. With that, the concept of the Personal Shopper was born, flourishing today at Lord & Taylor as Red Rose Personal Shopping Service, During her first few months with the store, she submitted an entirely unsolicited report to the president, analyzing what was wrong with the company and how to correct it.
Miss Shaver was given more responsibility, sales increased and, in 1927, her innovations earned her membership on Lord & Taylor's Board of Directors. In 1931, she was appointed Vice President, and became First Vice President in 1937. She was elected President in 1945, the first woman to head a major retail establishment.
Many of the Lord & Taylor's special services were introduced while Miss Shaver reigned, and it was during this period that she introduced both the distinctive hand written logo (The Signature of American Style), and the American Beauty Rose as a symbol of the store. Miss Shaver's era ended officially upon her death in 1959, but her legacy and innovative retailing concepts continue at Lord & Taylor to this day.
In June 2000, Lord & Taylor appointed its second female President & CEO, Jane Elfers, who remains at the helm of this venerable retailer.
While a part of Associated and under the leadership of CEO Joseph E. Brooks, during 1970s aggressively expanded into
Texas ,
Illinois and
Michigan and in the early 1980s
South Florida saw 11 stores opened in quick succession. The chain partially withdrew from the oil-shocked Texas and southern Florida markets in 1989-1990 after its 1986 acquisition by May.
Under May, the majority of ADG's Hahne & Co. division (six New Jersey locations) and several former John Wanamaker and Woodward & Lothrop locations were assumed by Lord & Taylor. Since 1997 Lord & Taylor has occupied the former
John Wanamaker landmark store in downtown Philadelphia.
During the 1990's and early 2000's, May attempted to take the chain national. Under the leadership of CEO Marshall Hillsberg, Lord & Taylor once again entered the expansion mode in the 1990s, opening stores as far west as Denver, with plans to enter the
Las Vegas, Nevada market. At one time, Lord & Taylor had as many as 86 stores across the country.
After continuing tepid results and repeated tinkering with its merchandising, May gave up its national ambitions for the division. Newly appointed President and CEO Jane Elfers announced the shuttering of 32 stores in 2003 (representing 38% of locations, but only 18% of total sales). Many of the closed locations were only a few years old. The company's strategy for the move was to concentrate on its "core" East Coast Corridor markets (New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC metro) as well its midwest locations in Chicago, Detroit, and St. Louis.
Following its dramatic restructuring in 2003, Lord & Taylor's leadership sought a return to the store's roots. Renewed focus was placed on creating and maintaining an upscale shopping experience in the remaining 54 locations, with determination to leave behind perception of a middle-of-the-road merchandising strategy. Alterations such as conversion of remaining Lord & Taylor Cafés into Larry Forgione's Signature Cafés were evidence of the chain's intent to have a more clearly defined signature style. However, just three years later, the continuation of this effort came into doubt. With its parent company acquired by Federated in 2005, Lord & Taylor entered the new year with a future likely to be determined by the highest bidder.
in
Orlando, Florida .]]
Terry Lundgren , Federated's chairman, president and chief executive officer, announced on 12 January 2006 that Federated Department Stores would be selling the Lord & Taylor chain by the end of the year. There has been speculation that Saks Fifth Avenue might take over the chain, that Federated may sell the company piecemeal for its real estate (also eliminating a competitor) or that a private equity firm may attempt to purchase the company. In early March 2006, prepping the company for sale, Federated announced that 5 underperforming Lord & Taylor stores would close, while the Center City Philadelphia, the former flagship of the John Wanamaker chain, would convert to Macy's, replacing the neighboring Strawbridge's flagship at The Gallery at Market East.
- Washington, D.C. - Friendship Heights-Western Avenue (freestanding) - 146,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1959)''
- Orlando - The Florida Mall - 141,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 2002, intended closing announced 2003, still open as of March 2006)''
- New York MSA / Bridgewater Township - Bridgewater Commons - 140,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1988, formerly Hahne's)''
- New York MSA / Eatontown - Monmouth Mall - 125,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1975, formerly Hahne's)''
- New York MSA / Freehold Borough - Freehold Raceway Mall - 123,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1990)''
- New York MSA / Livingston - Livingston Mall - 131,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1972, formerly Hahne's)''
- New York MSA / Paramus - Westfield Garden State Plaza - 130,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1996 as part of mall expansion)''
- New York MSA / Paramus - The Fashion Center (Ridgewood) - 155,000 sq. ft. '' (opened 1967)
- New York MSA / Rockaway - Rockaway Town Square - 139,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1980, formerly Hahne's)''
- New York MSA / Wayne - Willowbrook - 121,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1997) (Originally Ohrbach's then Steinbach)
- New York MSA / Westfield - Westfield (freestanding) - 142,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1963, formerly Hahne's)''
- New York MSA / Woodbridge Township - Woodbridge Center - 123,000 sq. ft. '' (opened 1996)(Originally Ohrbach's then Steinbach)
- Trenton MSA / Lawrenceville - Quaker Bridge Mall - 136,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1976, formerly Hahne's)''
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MSA / Moorestown Township - Moorestown Mall - 121,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 2000)''
- Buffalo MSA / Cheektowaga - Walden Galleria - 100,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1991)''
- New York MSA / Manhattan - Fifth Avenue (flagship) - 611,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1914)''
- New York MSA / Bayshore, Long Island - Westfield South Shore ''(formerly South Shore Mall)'' - 125,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1998)''
- New York MSA / Garden City, Long Island - Garden City (freestanding - 154,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1956)''
- New York MSA / Huntington Station, Long Island - Walt Whitman Mall - 120,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1998)''
- New York MSA / Manhasset, Long Island - Miracle Mile (freestanding) - 126,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1941, first branch location)''
- New York MSA / Scarsdale, Weschester County - Vernon Hills Shopping Center - 199,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1948)''
- New York MSA / West Nyack, Rockland County - Palisades Center - 121,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1998)''
- Rochester MSA / Victor - Eastview Mall - 90,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1995)''
- Syracuse - Carousel Center - 104,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1994)''
- Colorado - Broomfield - FlatIron Crossing - 120,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 2000, closed 2005)''
- Colorado - Denver - Cherry Creek Shopping Center - 121,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1990, replaced with larger store 1997, closed 2005, location being reopened by Nordstrom 2007)''
- Colorado - Littleton - Park Meadows - 136,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1997, closed 2004)''
- Connecticut - Manchester - The Shoppes at Buckland Hills - 106,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1994, reopened as second Filene's location 2004)''
- Connecticut - Meriden - Westfield Meriden - 92,000 ''(opened 1999, closed 2004, location subdivided into mall space)''
- Florida - Aventura - Aventura Mall '' - 127,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1983, closed 2004, location being reopened by Nordstrom 2007)''
- Florida - Boca Raton - Town Center At Boca Raton - 118,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1986, closed 2004, location reopened as Neiman Marcus 2005)''
- Florida - Miami - Dadeland Mall - 140,000 sq. ft. '(opened 1986, demolished and rebuilt 2003 and never reopened, location reopened as Nordstrom 2004)''
- Florida - Orlando - The Florida Mall - 141,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 2002, closing 2006)''
- Florida - Plantation - The Fashion Mall at Plantation - 102,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1989, closed 2003, the mall itself is now closed)''
- Florida - Tampa - International Plaza - 140,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 2001, closed 2004, location reopened as Robb & Stucky home design store 2004)''
- Florida - Wellington - The Mall at Wellington Green - 140,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 2001, closed 2004, reopened as City Furniture 2005)''
- Georgia - Alpharetta - North Point Mall - 115,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1993, closed 2005)''
- Georgia - Atlanta - Phipps Plaza - 135,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1969, closed 2004, location reopened as Nordstrom 2004)''
- Georgia - Buford - Mall of Georgia - 120,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1999, closed 2006, being reopened as Belk 2006)''
- Kentucky - Louisville - Mall St. Matthews - 120,000 sq. ft ''(opened 1998, closed 2004)''
- Louisiana - New Orleans - New Orleans Centre - 116,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1987, closed 2004)''
- Massachusetts - Holyoke - Holyoke Mall at Ingleside - 109,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1994, closed 2005)''
- Massachusetts - North Attleborough - Emerald Square - 120,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1999, location reopened as second Filene's location 2004)''
- Maryland - Baltimore - White Marsh Mall - 120,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1998, closed 2004, location reopened as second Hecht's location 2004)''
- New York - Albany - Crossgates Mall - 101,000 ''(opened 1994, closed 2005)''
- North Carolina - Raleigh - Crabtree Valley Mall - 100,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1995, closed February 28, 2006)''
- Ohio - Columbus - Polaris Fashion Place - 140,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 2001, closed 2005, location reopened as Von Maur 2005)''
- Pennsylvania - Harrisburg - Harrisburg Mall - 113,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1997, closed 2004, demolished, replaced by Bass Pro Shops 2004)''
- Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh - Mellon Square (freestanding) - 140,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 2000, closed 2004)''
- Rhode Island - Providence - Providence Place - 120,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1999, closed 2005, reopened as JCPenney 2006)''
- Texas - Dallas - NorthPark Center - 135,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1974, closed 2004, location being redeveloped as Barneys New York to open 2006)''
- Texas - Houston - Memorial City Mall ''(2nd location)'' - 140,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 2002, closed 2005, reopened as JCPenney 2006)''
- Texas - Houston - The Galleria - 135,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1974, closed 2005, location redeveloped as mall space, restaurants, Borders 2006)''
- Texas - Houston - Willowbrook Mall - 121,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1998, closed 2004)''
- Texas - Plano - The Shops at Willow Bend - 140,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 2001, closed 2004)''
- Virginia - Virginia Beach - Lynnhaven Mall - 120,000 sq. ft. ''(opened 1999, closed 2005)''
- Connecticut - West Hartford (freestanding) ''(opened 1953, replaced 1983 by Westfarms)
- Florida - Boynton Beach - Boynton Beach Mall ''(opened 1985, location closed 1991, reopened as Mervyn's, currently Dillard's: Men and Children's Store)''
- Florida - Coral Springs - Coral Square Mal ''(opened 1984, closed 1991, reopened as Mervyns, now Dillard's)''
- Florida - Miami - Cutler Ridge Mall ''(opened 1982, location closed 1991, reopened as Mervyn's, then Dillard's, demolished 2004 in renovation)''
- Florida - Miami - Miami International Mall ''(opened 1985, location closed 1991, reopened as Mervyn's, currently Dillard's)''
- Florida - West Palm Beach - Palm Beach Mall ''(opened 1980, location closed 2001, subdivided as mall space)''
- Florida - Fort Lauderdale - The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale ''(opened 1983, location closed 2002)''
- Florida - Jensen Beach - Treasure Coast Square ''(opened 1987, location closed 1991, reopened as Mervyn's, currently Dillard's)''
- Illinois - Aurora - Fox Valley Center - ''(opened 1977, location closed 1996, reopened as Carson Pirie Scott)''
- Illinois - Vernon Hills - Hawthorn Center - ''(opened 1975, location closed 1990, reopened as Carson Pirie Scott)''
- Maryland - Baltimore - Owings Mills Mall ''(opened 1998, location closed 2002, 2nd floor now Sticks N Stuff store)''
- Michigan - Ann Arbor - Briarwood Mall ''(opened 1980, closed 1992, reopened as Jacobson's, now Von Maur)''
- Pennsylvania - Jenkintown - (freestanding) ''(opened 1964, location closed 1989)''
- Tennessee - Memphis - Oak Court Mall ''(opened 1988, closed 1992, reopened as secondary Dillard's location)''
- Texas - Dallas - Prestonwood Town Center (opened 1979, location closed 2001, mall demolished)''
- Texas - Houston - Greenspoint Mall ''(opened 1979, location closed 1989, reopened as Mervyn's, now vacant)''
- Texas - Houston - Memorial City Mall ''(1st time)'' ''(opened 1977, location closed 1989, reopened as Mervyn's, now vacant)''
- Texas - Houston - West Oaks Mall ''(opened 1984, location closed 1990, reopened as JCPenney, now closed)''
- Texas - Plano - Collin Creek Mall ''(opened 1981, location closed 1990, reopened as Mervyn's, now vacant)''
- Texas - San Antonio - Rivercenter ''(opened 1988, converted to Foley's in 1989)''
- Virginia - Falls Church - (freestanding) ''(opened 1965, location closed 1992, redundant due to neighboring Faifax and McLean stores; reopened as Caldor, now Sears)''
- New York - Syosset, Long Island - The Mall at Oyster Bay ''(planned location assumed by Nordstrom, to open 2007)''
- New York - Kingston - Hudson Valley Mall ''(original expansion anchor before Target was signed on as a tenant)''
- Michigan - Grand Rapids - Woodland Shopping Center ''(cancelled 2002)''
- Michigan - Troy - Oakland Mall ''(cancelled 2004 after Marshall Field's acquisition)''
- Nevada - Las Vegas - Fashion Show ''(cancelled 2003, planned location redeveloped as mall space)''
- Oklahoma - Oklahoma City - Penn Square Mall ''(intended store opened instead as Foley's 1988)''
- Texas - Hurst - North East Mall ''(cancelled 2003, planned location developed as movie theater)''
- Virginia - Richmond - Short Pump Town Center ''(cancelled 2003, planned location redeveloped as mall space, including Cheesecake Factory)''
- "A History of Lord & Taylor," 175th Anniversary publication
