Date: 2/13/2009 6:50:59 PM
Author: musey
Date: 2/13/2009 4:15:01 PM
Author: glitterata
If they dilute their prestige, they''re going to piss off their existing customers who spent plenty for boasting rights.
Agreed - they seem to be a bit confused about where they want to go. Not many years ago they were raising prices to deter the lower-income and younger clientele, originally attracted by the introduction of their silver pieces, that was ''tarnishing'' their high-end appeal. They were trying to restore themselves as a ''luxury'' store.
Now they''re trying to appeal to the same people they were trying to drive away? It''s odd, and doesn''t seem in line with what their business model seemed to be not more than 5 years ago.
Perhaps, in this economy, they have no choice.