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For his next book, columnist Murray Raphel is interviewing some of the greatest retailers in the world to discover what niche they discovered that propelled them into success. When recently speaking at a marketing conference in Dallas, he wrote one of his most respected and admired merchants, Stanley Mares, to ask if he might have the opportunity to visit with him for an interview. Mr. Marcus graciously accepted, inviting Murray and his wife Ruth to his private dining room and then to his office for a two-hour conversation. The story that follows is a condensation of that interview tat revolves around the evolution, success, and widely-copied innovative ideas Marcus came up with for the famed Neiman-Marcus catalogue. This column is excerpted from that interview and the book, "His & Hers, the Fantasy World of the Neiman Marcus Catalogue" by Stanley Marcus).
On April 20, 1995, many of the world's most famous designers--along with 1,500 invited guests--gathered in the Neiman Marcus department store in Dallas, Texas.
The occasion was the 30th birthday of Stanley Marcus, the store's innovative and creative genius and son of the founder of one of the world's paradigms of style, fashion, and quality in retailing: Neiman Marcus.
Ninety birthday cakes decorated the ground floor surrounding an exhibition devoted to his life and accomplishments.
Soon after this celebration we interviewed him in his office. At 90 years, his walk was brisk and confident even while using his hand carved, highly polished cane. His observations were keen and acute. His thoughts not only up to date but also cutting edge, which he uses in his active consulting business. He works out with a trainer three times a week and has authored three books. He still takes speaking assignments by going to the airport, traveling to the site of his address, giving his talk, and coming home--all by himself.
When you walk into his office in Dallas, Texas, the first object to catch your eye is an embroidered pillow on the couch. It says, "There is never a good sale for Neiman Marcus unless it's a good buy for the customer."
"That was one of the first declarations of business philosophy I heard from my father, Herbert Marcus, soon after I came to work...