Federated Department Store Inc.'s plan

Retail analyst Mary Beth Jenkins, principal of the Laramie Co., tells GlobeSt.com that the name change is good news. "I think that the Macy's names brings the old-line, high-energy New York-style fashion to any project it is in," Jenkins tells GlobeSt.com. "I think that Foley's is much more apple pie, plain vanilla; I think Macy's brings a stronger, high-end retail presence."

She says that although Foley's, and before it, May D&F, is the biggest department-store force in the Denver area, it is because there are more of them than other store, not because most people think it has any special cachet. "I'm from Texas, and I know Foley's," Jenkins tells GlobeSt.com. "But I don't think Foley's ever really became established in the Denver area the way it did in Texas. Foley's has been in Texas for over 50 years, while it has only been here for a little over 10 years. It's still a bit of a newcomer."

Jenkins says that she thinks the name change, when it takes place nextyear, will be a winner financially. "I would predict that any mall that has a Foley's, which will be replaced by a Macy's, will see an increase in sales," Jenkins tells GlobeSt.com. "It is that strong."