Macy’s Inc. is tossing its hat into the off-price retail arena. The retailer plans to open four Macy’s Backstage stores this fall in the New York City metro area.

The four off-price stores will average about 30,000 square feet and offer women’s, men’s and children’s apparel, shoes, fashion accessories, housewares, home textiles, intimate apparel and jewelry. Each store also will include amenities, such as free WiFi and a suite of fitting rooms. One location will test a café concept so customers can relax and refresh.

Merchandise will include clearance goods from Macy’s stores, as well as special buys from well-recognized fashion brands – all at exceptionally great values, often between 20 percent to 80 percent off of original and comparable prices for similar merchandise.

“We can deliver a whole new level of value to customers who appreciate fashion and love to hunt for a bargain,” said Peter Sachse, Macy’s chief innovation and business development officer, in a press release.“Backstage is a new retail concept that the Macy’s team has built from scratch over the past six months. It will be an exciting shopping experience supported with compelling marketing, both traditional and mobile,” Sachse said. “As with all of Macy’s innovations, we will test and learn to see what resonates most with customers so we can adjust before rolling out additional locations.”

The pilot store locations are: Sheepshead Bay, in Brooklyn, N.Y; Queens Place, in Elmhurst, N.Y; Lake Success Shopping Center, in New Hyde Park, N.Y.; and Melville Mall, in Huntington, N.Y.

Macy’s Backstage stores will accept Macy’s charge cards, as well as other forms of payment. Macy’s Backstage business will not be driven by promotional events, and Macy’s coupons will not be accepted in the off-price locations. The value of the Macy's Backstage offering will be clear to customers. More details will be announced as the opening dates approach.

http://www.icsc.org/press/macys-to-test-off-pice-macys-backstage-concept-in-new-york-city