Bloomingdale’s, a beloved name in the world of fashion retail, is gearing up to make its mark on the Pacific Northwest with the grand opening of Bloomie’s in Seattle this week. This event marks the third location for Bloomie’s, following successful launches in Fairfax, Virginia, and Skokie, Illinois. The 19,000-square-foot store in Seattle, located within the University Village outdoor shopping mall, hopes to deliver a fresh perspective on fashion and retail concepts in the region.
Bloomie’s is Bloomingdale’s answer to the changing landscape of retail, catering to the modern shopper who looks for casual and contemporary styles without compromising on convenience. What sets Bloomie’s apart is its adaptive store design, allowing the company to flexibly adjust its brand and trend offerings based on evolving sales patterns and customer preferences. In Seattle, the Bloomie’s experience has been curated to resonate with local tastes, both in terms of brand mix and product categories, according to a report in WWD.
Seattle shoppers can expect to find a selection of on-trend ready-to-wear and accessory brands, an expansive shoe section and beauty products by established and modern brands.
Bloomie’s in Seattle will also regularly look for ways to bring innovation into the retail experience. The store will feature a dedicated space for rotating pop-ups and trend presentations. Additionally, local food and beverage concepts will be integrated, offering a unique shopping experience that goes beyond traditional retail offering.
This expansion into Seattle marks a strategic move for Macy’s Inc., the parent company of Bloomingdale’s. The company has been steadily increasing its presence in off-mall formats, either by entering markets where it has no stores or by reinforcing its footprint in existing markets. In a statement last year, Macy’s Inc. announced plans to open a total of 12 small format stores, with the new units adopting the Macy’s name, while existing stores under the format continue to operate as Market by Macy’s.
Jeff Gennette, the outgoing chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s Inc., expressed optimism about the off-mall specialty store strategy, saying, “We believe this is where the customer expects us to be.” This strategic approach is rooted in a desire to connect with customers on a more intimate level and provide a tailored shopping experience.
Charles Anderson, director of stores at Bloomingdale’s, shared his excitement about the Seattle launch, stating, “The expansion to University Village represents the introduction of our Bloomie’s store concept to the West Coast.” He also noted that while this is their first physical storefront in the area, Bloomingdale’s has already built a strong customer base in the Seattle market.
To celebrate its arrival in Seattle, Bloomie’s has a range of exciting events and special offerings planned, including a dog fashion show to support the Seattle Humane Society.
Bloomingdale’s presence across the globe includes 34 department stores, 20 outlets, two overseas licensed department stores, and an e-commerce website. Bloomie’s in Seattle is set to make its mark on the Pacific Northwest when the company opens its doors and invites them to discover their vision of retail.
