Neiman Marcus is VM+SD Peter Glen Retailer of the Year, 2004

VM+SD magazine announced today that The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. (Dallas) is the recipient of its fourth annual VM+SD/Peter Glen Retailer of the Year award. Created in 2001 in honor of the late retail observer, motivational speaker and longtime VM+SD columnist, the award is given to the retailer who best exemplifies Glen's standards of retail excellence: innovation, service and intelligence.

This year, the editors of VM+SD chose Neiman Marcus not only for its stunning run of monthly, quarterly and annual sales successes, but also for the luxury retailer's consistent self-knowledge that guides its merchandising, store design and marketing.

“Neiman's seems to follow the belief that there will always be Neiman Marcus shoppers, despite economic conditions, and they have certain fundamental expectations of how the stores will look and feel,” said VM+SD editor Steve Kaufman. “Every one of their stores consistently embodies the Neiman Marcus image: clean, elegant and fashion-forward, matching the merchandise and the reputation of this unequaled retailer.”

Neiman Marcus will receive the award on the last day of the VM+SD International Retail Design Conference (IRDC), which takes place September 15-17, 2004, at the Loews Hotel located in the fashionable South Beach district of Miami Beach, Florida. Ignaz Gorischek, vp, visual planning and presentation, at Neiman Marcus, will accept the award and deliver a keynote address on the story behind the retailer's success.

Previous winners of the award were Target Stores (Minneapolis) in 2001, Limited Brands (Columbus, Ohio) in 2002 and Apple Computer (Cupertino, Calif.) in 2003.

Widely known throughout the industry as retail design's premier educational event, the IRDC features numerous networking opportunities and in-depth educational sessions led by proven retail experts. Since its inception in 2001, the IRDC has drawn hundreds of top retailers, designers and suppliers, who come together for three days of learning, interaction and fun. In 2004, the IRDC features 15 breakout sessions, daily keynote sessions, a retail field trip to the Village of Merrick Park and the IRDC Party: Club Visual.

For complete event details and online registration, visit www.irdconline.com.

VM+SD is the leading magazine and voice for the store design and visual merchandising industry. It is published monthly by Cincinnati-based ST Media Group International Inc., which serves the visual communications markets with its five publications, branded web sites, custom book division, and events. VM+SD and ST Media Group International may be reached at 513.421.2050 or through their web sites, www.vmsd.com and www.stmediagroup.com.