This post is one in a series on prominent company nicknames. See all 25, and share your thoughts and memories about Needless Markup below in the comments.

Neiman Marcus may be the most successful upscale retail department chain that selected shoppers love to hold a grudge against.

The chain caters to primarily female, upper-income and upper-middle shoppers, and features designer lines that rival boutique (and beyond) price levels.

Further, while some of the products are decidedly exclusive, some are not or appear to not be, according to shoppers, but the prices of these items remain in the stratosphere, and it is for this reason that the store was tagged with the nickname "Needless Markup."

Here's a classic example. About a year ago Marie Lang, sister of yours truly, was searching for a leather shoulder bag. She found a medium brown, designer bag she liked for $1,200 at Neiman Marcus. However, being a discerning/critical comparison shopper, Marie of course took a few days to scout the competition.

The result? She found a comparable shoulder bag at Bloomingdale's for $595. Had she been willing to take a slightly smaller bag, she could have secured one for $395.

Continue reading Company nicknames: Neiman Marcus -- If you have to ask about price ...

Company nicknames: Neiman Marcus -- If you have to ask about price ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Well known as being on the affordable end of designer handbags, Coach has become almost iconic when it comes to women's accessories. Coach, Inc. (NYSE:COH), the leading marketer of modern classic American accessories, is making a bad move by going upscale with its bags, jewelry, sunglasses and more. Just earlier this month, it announced an increase of 36% in earnings, but with what I consider to be a wrong turn in marketing that might leave a bad taste in the mouth of loyal consumers, who knows what will happen next.

Coach is rolling out a more exclusive line, called "Coach Legacy" aimed at higher-end consumers. The Coach Legacy line includes an alligator bag (retailing at $10,000), and leather bags that range from $495-795. It also will open concept boutiques in LA and NYC that according to the press release will "feature cream and mahogany awnings with a new horse and carriage logo, unique to the concept store... will be about 1,200 square feet, on one floor with two entrances, and will feature original restored copper façade," in addition other high end "layering of stylized visual and decorative elements will also reinforce the lifestyling of the brand." Except that hasn't been the lifestyling of the brand until now.

Continue reading Coach bags: You're just not worthy

Coach bags: You're just not worthy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Feb 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.