Bloomingdale’s new Stanford store in Palo Alto, CA, will open on Oct. 10, 2014. This location will anchor the Stanford Shopping Center at the northeast side of the mall as part of a multi-phase renovation of the shopping center.

Bloomingdale's Stanford. Photography credit: Michael Wells

Bloomingdale's Stanford. Photography credit: Michael Wells

The three-level, 125,000 square-foot reimagined store will include 68 designer shops, more than 100 new brands, and a refreshed assortment of stylish essentials for women, men, children and home.

Suited to the digitally-sophisticated community, the overall shopping experience will be enhanced by technology utilized throughout the store. All details of the new store boast efficiency and customer-friendly technology, while incorporating the contemporary Bloomingdale’s style that makes it like no other store in the world.

More efficient service continues with the buy online, pick-up in-store feature and the launch of same-day-delivery where shoppers located within a 15-mile radius from the store can buy select merchandise on bloomingdales.com and have the product delivered within a five-hour window. Highly fashion-engaged, complimentary Style Advisors will be available to personally shop with customers and recommend product. Additional services such as on-site alterations and The Registry also can be found at the new Stanford store.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to reimagine our store in the Stanford Shopping Center. This new Bloomingdale’s includes a great contemporary assortment, including many new collections, as well as all of our latest thinking with regard to technology and design,” said Tony Spring, chairman and CEO of Bloomingdale’s. “We look forward to showing our newest store to the Palo Alto community."

Representing its modern and savvy surroundings, the #newbloomiesstanford unites Bloomingdale’s classic roots with industrial elegance. With interior walls outfitted in French grey green and a third of the building penetrating natural light, the store inspires an inviting feeling of openness.

“We were able to design a space that embodies Palo Alto’s sleek and modern aesthetic utilizing advanced materials, local inspiration, and high-tech elements, all in keeping with the iconic Bloomingdale’s appeal,” said Jack Hruska, executive vice president of creative services at Bloomingdale’s.

To celebrate the opening of #newbloomiesstanford, there are more than 300 fashion-packed events planned to take place during the opening months.

Tech Highlights
Smart fitting rooms are equipped with wall-mounted tablets offering customers the ability to look up product information, alternate color and size options, ratings/reviews and recommendations on complementary items to “complete the look.” To further satisfy a seamless shopping experience, customers will be able to simply tap the touchscreen to call for assistance without ever leaving the room. Mirrors with touch-screen lighting options also provide an optimal environment for trying on the latest fashions. All fitting room areas contain communal tables with charging stations where guests can mingle and reboot.

As the first fully mobile Bloomingdale's store, all selling associates will have mobile devices allowing them to better assist shoppers with instant access to product availability information, along with the ability to call, email and text with customers. The devices also will allow associates to complete transactions via mobile point-of-sale to streamline the purchase process. In men’s and women’s shoes, handbags, and home departments, touchscreen tablets are handy to allow customers to explore additional products Bloomingdale’s has to offer. Utilizing the tablets, customers can browse items by their favorite designer or style, scan items for more information, view product details and product guides, and even share their favorites with friends or their selling associate. In the shoe and handbag departments, customers can get an advanced look at new styles coming next season.

Shoppers also can utilize bWallet, a digital wallet which offers a single place to store special offers and reward cards to easily redeem either in store or on bloomingdales.com. Customers can automatically add offers from bloomingdales.com or via emails sent by Bloomingdale's. bWallet information is synched between mobile, desktop and tablet and available for devices running iOS 6 or later for iPhone and Jellybean or later for Android.

Hot Spot I
Even before stepping inside, Bloomingdale’s establishes its presence with an architecturally-advanced exterior structure of sleek white panels with one-third of the structure penetrating natural light. Radiating a feeling of modernism and simplicity, combined with classic Bloomingdale’s black and white décor, the exterior invites the community to experience a revived neighborhood store.

Upon entering the store, shoppers are welcomed by craftsman-style paneling and black and white tile that is iconic to Bloomingdale’s. An interactive cosmetics department offering world-class beauty essentials from must-have brands including Bond No.9 Fragrances, Jo Malone, La Mer, NARS, and Tom Ford Private Blend are framed in black encasements. Engagement is further enhanced by a multi-vendor beauty activity area containing two glass-enclosed, private makeover rooms.

Here you will also find a Space NK shop, offering an expertly curated selection of beauty and wellness products including skincare, cosmetics, hair care, fine fragrance, home scents and gifts from the world’s most innovative brands, many of them exclusive to Space NK in the United States.

An awe-inspiring visual tribute to the local California Redwood Forest created by artist Ysabel Lemay is found in the Fine Jewelry department which will house such designers as David Yurman, Ippolita, Marco Bicego, and more.

Continuing further on the first floor, shoppers will discover the latest trends in fashion accessories including an expansive assortment of handbags from designers such as Furla, Milly, and See by Chloe as well as small leather goods from Burberry, Ted Baker, and more. Creating a vast selection of adornments, designs from Anna Beck, Jennifer Zeuner, Lele Sadoughi, amongst others, can be found in Fashion Jewelry. Nearby, stay cool with sunglasses from Miu Miu, Oliver Peoples, Valentino, and others. An oasis of women’s shoes can also be found on the first floor, featuring such designers as Schutz, Tory Burch, and Vince. For the traveling and commuting set, luggage from brands such as Bric’s, Rimowa, and Tumi, can also be easily found here.

Hot Spot II & III
Moving upward, floors two and three are illuminated with natural light through an expansive glass corner of the building.

On two, a curated selection of women’s apparel is vastly displayed. From desk to dinner to weekend and work-out wear, a variety of branded designer shops including All Saints, Lafayette 148, Sandro, The Kooples, and Theory make it simple to find the essentials. In addition to the existing fan-favorite AQUA, Bloomingdale’s introduces an exclusive collection from Dylan Gray and a resort-inspired department entitled “Moon and Meadow.”

Furthermore, a feminine sanctuary of Intimate Apparel filled with brands such as Hanky Panky and La Perla is found amongst zebra print rugs and imagery of antique plaster work adorning the walls.

Rounding out the full-line store, men’s, children’s, and home, can be found on three. The men’s department is comprised of strong vendor installations in a simplistic and masculine landscape. A new men’s shoe department opens with collections from John Varvatos Star USA, Salvatore Ferragamo, To Boot New York, and more. The clothing assortment is filled with the best menswear has to offer with brands like APC, Eton, Kent and Curwen, and PS Paul Smith. Children can enjoy shopping the latest youngster must-haves while popping in and out of two large wooden playhouse structures.

Finding the perfect fit extends to the Home department where shoppers can outfit their homes in a variety of ways from a selection of brands including Abyss, Frette, Pratesi, and Sferra. In additional to a wide selection of comfortable and convenient products for the home, the department will also offer advanced products for smart living such as Blueair Air Purifiers, Objecto Humidifiers and Swash clothing care system.

#BLOOMIESCARES
True to Bloomingdale’s DNA, the company will be supporting local charities in celebration of the Stanford opening and beyond.

In partnership with The Bay Area Autism Consortium, Bloomingdale’s will be hosting a private Charity Gala in which 100 percent of the ticket sales raised will be utilized to create a new fund at BAAC to support collaborative autism research projects between scientists at local research institutions including Stanford University, UCSF, Children’s Health Council and Kaiser. Additionally, 10 percent of the evening’s sales will be donated to BAAC. Guests will be treated to a special performance by singer-songwriter Alexa Ray Joel.

Bloomingdale’s will also be hosting an invite-only Private Preview the day prior to the public opening. As part of this special preview, Bloomingdale’s will be making a donation to each of the following 10 local charities: Acterra: Action For A Healthy Planet; The Art Of Yoga Project; Build; Children’s Health Council; Fit Kids; Hidden Villa; Peninsula Bridge; Ronald McDonald House at Stanford; Stanford Arts Institute; TheatreWorks.

THE GRAND OPENING AND BEYOND
The highly-anticipated grand opening festivities kick off on Friday, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m. with a musical tribute, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and store opening at 10 a.m. Shoppers are invited to attend the Grand Opening celebration followed by an exciting day of shopping featuring 10X points for Loyallists. To become a Loyallist, visit bloomingdales.com/loyallist.

Be sure to follow @bloomingdales on social media for the latest news at the Stanford location, and join the conversation with #newbloomiesstanford. Visit bloomingdales.com/stanford to learn more about the new location and to get details on all of the upcoming events.

The reimagined Stanford location will feature all of the brands that Bloomingdale’s is famous for in addition to new offerings. For a full list of designers, please contact Bloomingdale’s Public Relations.

About Bloomingdale’s
Bloomingdale's is America's only nationwide, full-line, upscale department store and a division of Macy's, Inc. It was founded in 1872 and currently operates 34 Bloomingdale’s stores and 13 Bloomingdale’s, The Outlet Stores in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, New Hampshire, California, and Texas. In addition, Bloomingdale's has an international presence with a location in Dubai. Be sure to follow @bloomingdales on social media, become a Loyallist, and for more information, or to shop any time, visit www.bloomingdales.com.