With dollar low, US is one big outlet

Europeans arriving in droves for bargains

By Jenn Abelson Globe Staff / November 24, 2007

WRENTHAM - Hours after her flight from Dublin landed in Boston on Thanksgiving, Alice Kinsella headed in a white van with a dozen relatives and friends to Wrentham Village Premium Outlets. The 36-year-old has never visited Boston, but she is bypassing the sights for an extended weekend of binge shopping that started at midnight yesterday.

For Kinsella and other Europeans, America is one big discount bin, thanks to a weak dollar that slid this week to another record low against the euro. As a result, tourists are spending thousands to travel to the United States to snag blockbuster bargains on everything from iPods to designer clothes and handbags.

By 4 a.m. yesterday, Kinsella had rung up nearly $2,000 in Christmas presents and winter clothes, including a $79 black leather jacket at Guess that she estimated would cost more than $250 in Ireland.

"The bargains for us are so great," said Kinsella, who paid $1,000 for a flight and hotel but expects to save even more on purchases here.

Kinsella is one of a record 1,000 international tourists who scheduled organized shopping trips yesterday to Wrentham Village Premium Outlets - more than double the number last year. Hundreds more were expected to come on their own, according to Beth Winbourne, the outlet's general manager.

Foreign travelers have long visited the United States to get their holiday shopping fix. After all, many design er brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and Guess are cheaper here because sales taxes are lower and because the bigger market here allows goods to be priced more competitively.

But now American wares are even more of a bargain as the slowing US economy has weakened the dollar. Further, as the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates to boost the economy, the dollar has lost even more value, and global investors have realized they won't earn as much when they park their cash in greenbacks. As a result, the euro has shot up by 33 percent compared with the dollar since 2002, so Europeans who exchange 1,000 euros now get close to 1,500 US dollars. And the Canadian dollar is worth as much as the US dollar for the first time in three decades.

While some US shoppers are tightening their purse strings this holiday season amid rising gasoline prices, the slumping housing market, and the current credit crunch, the one silver lining for some merchants is the tidal wave of foreign dollars pouring into US stores.

"With Americans looking to cut back and conserve because of economic uncertainties, the holy grail this holiday-season year for retailers are the international travelers who are coming here in record numbers," said Patrick Moscaritolo, president of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Online Shopping Brokers: Macy's

Online Shopping Brokers: Macy's

The Magic of Christmas: Macy’s Gift Ideas for the Season

CINCINNATI, Ohio, November 20, 2007 – Especially during the holiday season, Macy’s offers distinctive and unique merchandise that makes gift giving fun, easy and fashionable. Here is a sampling of key items from Macy’s merchandise assortment that are especially new, different or interesting for the 2007 holiday shopping season – whether a shopper is buying gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or other holidays. These items are available in most or all Macy’s stores or on macys.com. Fun Sleepwear Sets: Women young at heart will sleep tight at night in colorful brights from Jenni. Three-piece sets include sleep shirt, boy short and matching socks. They come in colors such as Bubble Pink, Lipstick Red, Passion Pink and more. Exclusive to Macy’s. Cake Decorating Kit from the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy’s: Martha Stewart Collection cake mixes sold exclusively at Macy’s are among the best anywhere (the chocolate cake mix even received the highest marks in an independent taste test). Once you’ve baked the cake, add your own little touches and frosted flair, skillfully applied with an assortment of decorative tools. Set includes 52 pieces in all. Exclusive to Macy’s. Cashmere: Silky softness and lightweight warmth combine to make cashmere the perfect gift. Macy’s offers a vast assortment of sweaters, as well as hats, scarves and gloves – including some twists for 2007 – in brands that are exclusive to Macy’s, such as Charter Club and Club Room.

For women, Macy’s has created updated fashion in cashmere – bringing great style to wardrobe staples. Two outstanding choices: the one-button flyaway cardigan is pretty and practical, both light and warm; and for the first time, cashmere printed in luxurious patterns: Jacobean, Medallion, Paisley and Animal prints.

For men, cashmere sweaters are great layering elements, offered in an array of styles. Worn under sport coats or full suits, they add color while keeping the cold at bay. Cashmere also works beautifully with corduroy, khakis and denim pants. Some styles are offered in more than 20 colors. “Path to Peace” Rwandan baskets: Macy’s created the Path to Peace Basket Project in partnership with four Rwandan widows’ organizations. Income from the sale of one beautiful handmade basket can support an entire family for a month. Select from decorative bowls and baskets, with designs symbolizing friendship and peace, in assorted colors and sizes. Exclusive to macys.com. Coach Snow Boots and Sneakers: The bold logo signature pattern of Coach adds style to comfortable sneakers and cozy boots. These are looks that work no matter what the weather. (Not available on macys.com.) The Newest Fragrance from Gwen Stefani: Make the holidays scent-sational with L, a LAMB fragrance from Gwen Stefani. This holiday gift set includes a pairing of Eau de Parfum Spray and All Over Me Body Lotion. Macy’s exclusive set. The “Hannah Montana” Collection for ’Tweens: The Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana” is the hottest show in the ’tween market and Macy’s has the trend-right collection for girls sizes 7-14. For the holidays, Macy’s has the exclusive distribution for Hannah Montana in Girls 4 – 6x in selected stores, and next spring will launch the exclusive Hannah Montana Platinum Label. Pom Pom Throw from the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy’s: Add a little style to an evening at home with this warmly textured chenille throw featuring charming pom-pom detailing. This throw adds warmth and spirit to bedrooms and living rooms alike, in an assortment of easy-to-coordinate colors. Exclusive to Macy’s. Men’s Velvet Jacket: This holiday “must have,” in solids or subtle patterns, adds a luxurious look to everything from denim to dress pants. Paired with lightweight sweaters or cotton shirts, the look is appropriate throughout the season. Many styles exclusive to Macy’s, including the Alfani and I.N.C brands. Winter Skin Treatment: Pamper winter skin with "In Good Company" from Origins, a 5-piece set exclusive to Macy's, including Modern Fusion-Skin transforming catalyst, A Perfect World-Antioxidant moisturizer with White Tea, A Perfect World For Eyes-Firming treatment with White Tea, A Perfect World-Liquid Moisture with White Tea and Checks and Balances-Frothy Face Wash. Eco-friendly Reusable Bags: It’s easy, and in-style, to be green. Take your tote each time on your grocery trips or holiday travels. Kenneth Cole 100% “Green Cotton” canvas tote says “Use Me ... Again and Again” and that's the whole point! (Not available on macys.com.) Digital Picture Frames: The future of frames is here – bringing photo albums into the 21st century. Rather than keeping dozens of albums on your sideboard, display your memorable moments on a bright, clear LED screen. Easy-to-operate frames include a remote control and do not require a computer. Macy’s even has a digital picture frame – with a 1.4-inch LED screen – that is attached to a keychain. Personalized Gift Cards: Customers can make their gifts truly unique – even when they’re not sure what to get – by designing their own Macy’s gift card on macys.com. Begin by adding personal photos and text messages, then enhance with clip art, colored backgrounds or patterns. Make the package complete by having a gift card delivered inside a custom letter carrier or greeting card. Exclusive to macys.com. About Macy’sMacy’s, the largest retail brand of Macy’s Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Offering distinctive assortments including exclusive fashion and home brands, Macy’s stores are operated by seven regionally based retail divisions – Macy’s East, Macy’s Florida, Macy’s Midwest, Macy’s North, Macy’s Northwest, Macy’s South, and Macy’s West – and on line at macys.com.

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What a Difference a Day Makes:
Macy’s Raises $9.5 Million with National Shop For A Cause Event

Annual event raises dollars for local charities throughout the U.S.

NEW YORK – October 18, 2007 – Macy’s today announced that it successfully raised more than $9.5 million with this year’s second annual national “Shop For A Cause” charity shopping event. The event was held on Saturday, October 13 in all Macy’s stores and on macys.com to help raise awareness and support for local and regional charity organizations across the U.S. The first nationally coordinated Shop For A Cause event was held in fall of 2006 and raised more than $9 million for charity organizations. “We are delighted that we again raised nearly $10 million in one day to support the important charity work that matters most to our customers in cities and towns around the country,” said Peter Sachse, president, Macy’s Corporate Marketing. “It is truly remarkable what can be accomplished when you partner the passion of local charity groups and the generosity of our customers with the reach and enthusiasm of an organization like Macy’s. That together we can make an impact of this magnitude in just one day serves as a catalyst and inspiration for future endeavors.” Through the “Shop for a Cause” program, Macy’s donates tickets to regional and local charities in all of its markets around the country, including to the American Heart Association as an extension of Macy’s national support of the Go Red For Women movement. The tickets are then sold by the charitable organizations for $5 each. They keep all of the ticket proceeds. Ticket holders then redeem their tickets at any Macy’s store on the designated day to receive a coupon for 20 percent off most men’s, women’s, kid’s, and accessories merchandise and 10 percent off most home items. Tickets are also sold at macys.com and at the door leading up to and on the day of the event, with the proceeds for those tickets also distributed to charitable organizations.

About Macy’s

Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Offering distinctive assortments including exclusive fashion and home brands, Macy's stores are operated by seven regionally based retail divisions – Macy's East, Macy's Florida, Macy's Midwest, Macy's North, Macy's Northwest, Macy's South, and Macy's West – and an online store at macys.com.