By George Anderson
Federated Department Stores does not even count David's Bridal in its performance numbers. As far as the company that owns Macy's and Bloomingdale's is concerned, David's is "a discontinued operation."
Federated spokesperson Jim Sluzewski said the company would report the performance of David's 245 stores along with the 454 operated under the After Hours Formalwear banner and 11 Priscilla of Boston locations until they were sold.
The three businesses made up May Department Stores' bridal division and were acquired with the rest of the company by Federated.
Last year, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, the bridal group generated $704 million in sales.
Moderator's Comment: What will a sale mean for Federated and the three bridal division businesses?
The obvious influx of cash through a sale is certainly going to be a help to Federated as it moves forward. Also, not having to manage the bridal divisions will help the department store focus on its core objective of nationally branding Macy's.
Still, we can't help but wondering why a department store operator that looks upon bridal registries as a means of growing its business would be looking to divorce itself from stores that focus on the event. - George Anderson - Moderator