Bloomingdale's Big Brown Bag at 50

A Tale of Retail Innovation and Influence

Before we dive into this, I want to introduce my co-author Rebekah Kondrat. Rebekah is the founder of Rekon Retail, a physical retail agency that specializes in managing the end-to-end process of getting stores up and running. She’s worked with Outdoor Voices, Warby Parker, Adore Me, Hypebeast, and The Container Store. With her expertise, we will uncover the profound impact of the brown bag on the retail industry and how it has created a foundation for the future success of retail channels. Let’s dive in!

Introduction

In the world of retail, few symbols are as iconic and enduring as Bloomingdale's brown bag. This unassuming brown paper bag, adorned with the store's distinctive logo, has become synonymous with luxury shopping, style, and even New York City itself. As it (the bag) celebrates its 50th anniversary, we delve into the fascinating history of Bloomingdale's brown bag, its profound impact on the retail world, and the genius behind its marketing success.

The Birth of an Icon

via Bl…