"The Neiman Marcus/Bergdorf Goodman Strategic Vision of Luxury E-Retailing: A $200 Million Business"
Wednesday, June 8 - Executive Roundtable
"The Neiman Marcus/Bergdorf Goodman Strategic Vision of Luxury E-Retailing: A $200 Million Business"
Time:
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
(reception continues after program until 8:30)
Location:
Forty-One Madison/The New York Merchandise, Mart 41 Madison Avenue corner of 26th and Madison (entrance on 26th)
Speakers:
Brendan Hoffman, President & CEO, Neiman Marcus Direct
Michael Crotty, Senior Vice President Marketing, Bergdorf Goodman
By Invitation of Carole Dixon, Senior Vice President and Director of Forty-One Madison/The New York Merchandise Mart.
It wasn't too long ago that many luxury retailers were questioning the validity of the selling direct on the web and what impact, if any, it would have on their brand image. With the explosion of online retailing in general, several luxury retail pioneers began to develop and test a variety of 'brick and clicks' strategies to complement their core businesses and the results ranged from moderate success to explosive sales growth.
Over the past few years, Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Crotty have been instrumental in developing and growing the NeimanMarcus.com, BergdorfGoodman.com, and Horchow.com websites which now yield over $200 million in revenues a year. They'll share insights on some of the original challenges and issues they faced and what strategies were put in place to build an integrated store, catalog and online multi-channel business. In addition, they'll discuss examples of two innovative approaches to strategic, win-win "e-alliances and partnerships" with other select luxury brands.
About Brendan Hoffman
Brendan Hoffman is President and CEO of Neiman Marcus Direct, the direct marketing and fulfillment business of The Neiman Marcus Group. Neiman Marcus Direct produces more than 80 catalogs annually for the Neiman Marcus and Horchow brands, including the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. Mr. Hoffman is also responsible for Neiman Marcus Online, which operates web sites under NeimanMarcus.com, BergdorfGoodman.com, and Horchow.com. Neiman Marcus Direct generates sales of 500 million dollars per year and has a staff of over 1500 employees.
Mr. Hoffman has been with The Neiman Marcus Group since 1998 serving in both the Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus divisions where he has held positions in both merchandising and management. Prior to joining Neiman Marcus, Mr. Hoffman held positions with Deloitte Consulting and Lord and Taylor.
He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and has an M.B.A from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Brendan lives in Dallas with his wife and two children.
About Michael Crotty
Michael Crotty is currently the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Bergdorf Goodman where he oversees all the marketing and advertising including the publishing of the Bergdorf Goodman Magazine. Prior to relocating to New York, he was based in Dallas where he was the Vice President of Marketing for Neiman Marcus Direct and oversaw catalog and online marketing for the divisionís three brands: Neiman Marcus, Horchow, and Chefís Catalog.
Prior to Neiman Marcus he served as Vice President of Marketing at CDNOW.com and myplay.com. In addition to being a pioneer in the e-commerce industry, Michael has extensive direct marketing experience from his previous roles at Time Warner and Sony.
A founding member of shop.org in 1996, Michael remains an active board member of the organization and is a frequent speaker on e-commerce at industry events. Shop.org is a division of the National Retail Federation and is based in Washington DC. Michael holds a M.B.A. from Columbia Business School and a B.S. from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.