Neiman Marcus' Martens Speaks at LACMA
Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and Vice President and General Manager John Martens was instrumental in making the legendary store the jewel in the crown of the Dallas-based upscale retail chain.
Martens discussed how he made the 180,000-square-foot store a robust success at an April 28 lecture for The Costume Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art at the museum’s Bing Theater. Pamela Hoefflin, Costume Council programs chairman, produced the event.
Martens started his tenure at Neiman Marcus shortly after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president in 1980. Then, the leaders of Los Angeles’ luxury market were I. Magnin, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bullocks Wilshire.
A few years later, Martens transformed Neiman Marcus and surpassed the competition by embracing new European designers— including Valentino, Emanuel Ungaro, J. Tiktiner, Missoni and Chloeacute;—that sparked interest and spending in his store.
As Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills goes through a facelift and expansion this year, Martens is not resting on his laurels.
“If service levels are maintained, people will continue to shop at specialty and department stores,” he said. “Without service, people will be more inclined to shop online and through catalogs.” —Andrew Asch
