In the big picture, the department store has a lot more to worry about than bows, raffia, ribbons and perfectly creased edges. Macy's is still trying to smooth out the wrinkles from industry consolidation, and the long awaited benefits of its My Macy's initiative — an effort to tailor merchandise to local markets — haven't quite materialized yet. Add to that a more financially finicky consumer and gift wrapping seems the least of Macy's concerns. "Post recession consumers now are much more value conscious and increasingly trading down to discount department stores," Deutsche Bank analyst Bill Dreher said recently. For the gift wrapping challenged, though, there are always neighborhood nooks like The Paper Source in Virginia Highland or the gift bags at The Dollar Tree. 
Share:  In the big picture, the department store has a lot more to worry about than bows, raffia, ribbons and perfectly creased edges. <span class="company">Macy</span>'s is still trying to smooth out the wrinkles from industry consolidation, and the long awaited benefits of its My <span class="company">Macy</span>'s initiative — an effort to tailor merchandise to local markets — haven't quite materialized yet. Add to that a more financially finicky consumer and gift wrapping seems the least of <span class="company">Macy</span>'s concerns.<span class="sent"> "Post recession consumers now are much more value conscious and increasingly trading down to discount department stores," Deutsche Bank analyst <span class="analyst">Bill Dreher</span> said recently.</span> For the gift wrapping challenged, though, there are always neighborhood nooks like The Paper Source in Virginia Highland or the gift bags at The Dollar Tree. Tweet this 

Chain stores turned in a better than forecast performance last month, compared with a low point last year, industry figures showed last week. Macy's Inc., Abercrombie & Fitch Co and Gap Inc beat analysts' estimates in February as holiday sales tempted consumers to go shopping in a month of record snowfalls. February comparable store sales climbed 4.1 percent, topping the Retail Metrics 3 percent estimate. It was the sixth straight monthly gain and the biggest in 27 months. Purchases fell 4.1 percent in , Ken Perkins, president of Swampscott, Massachusetts based Retail Metrics, said last week. 
Share:  Chain stores turned in a better than forecast performance last month, compared with a low point last year, industry figures showed last week. <span class="company">Macy's</span> Inc., Abercrombie & Fitch Co and Gap Inc beat analysts' estimates in February as holiday sales tempted consumers to go shopping in a month of record snowfalls. February comparable store sales climbed 4.1 percent, topping the Retail Metrics 3 percent estimate. It was the sixth straight monthly gain and the biggest in 27 months.<span class="sent"> Purchases fell 4.1 percent in , <span class="analyst">Ken Perkins</span>, president of Swampscott, Massachusetts based Retail Metrics, said last week.</span> Tweet this 

Soleil Securities has upgraded Macy's Inc. (NYSE: M) from a Hold to a Buy rating. 
Share:  <span class="sent">Soleil Securities has upgraded Macy's Inc. (NYSE: M) from a Hold to a Buy rating.</span> Tweet this 

Macy's ( M ) was upgraded to buy from hold at Soleil. 
Share:  <span class="sent">Macy's ( M ) was upgraded to buy from hold at Soleil.</span> Tweet this 

Macy's ( NYSE:M ) upgraded to Buy, $28 target, at Soleil Securities. 
Share:  <span class="sent">Macy's ( NYSE:M ) upgraded to Buy, $28 target, at Soleil Securities.</span> Tweet this 

Famous retailer Macy's, Inc ( M .) saw its rating, price target, and earnings estimates all boosted on Monday by analysts at Soleil Securities. 
Share:  <span class="sent">Famous retailer <span class="company">Macy's</span>, Inc ( M .) saw its rating, price target, and earnings estimates all boosted on Monday by analysts at <span class="analyst">Soleil Securities.</span></span> Tweet this 

Soleil Securities Macy's upgrades (NYSE: M ) from Hold to Buy. Price target raised from $19 to $28. Soleil analyst says, "Our estimates are being increased by $0.15 for this year and $0.20 for next to $1.75 and $2.05. 
Share:  <span class="sent"><span class="analyst">Soleil</span> Securities <span class="company">Macy's</span> upgrades (NYSE: M ) from Hold to Buy. Price target raised from $19 to $28. <span class="analyst">Soleil</span> analyst says, "Our estimates are being increased by $0.15 for this year and $0.20 for next to $1.75 and $2.05.</span> Tweet this 

Soleil Securities Macy's upgrades (NYSE: M ) from Hold to Buy. Price target raised from $19 to $28. Soleil analyst says, "Our estimates are being increased by $0.15 for this year and $0.20 for next to $1.75 and $2.05. 
Share:  <span class="sent"><span class="analyst">Soleil</span> Securities <span class="company">Macy's</span> upgrades (NYSE: M ) from Hold to Buy. Price target raised from $19 to $28. <span class="analyst">Soleil</span> analyst says, "Our estimates are being increased by $0.15 for this year and $0.20 for next to $1.75 and $2.05.</span> Tweet this 

It was the sixth straight gain and the biggest in 27 months. Abercrombie & Fitch Co said yesterday that sales rose 5 percent, while Macy's Inc., the second biggest U. S department store company, reported a 3.7 percent gain. "The consumer is starting to come out of hibernation and feel better about their situation," Ken Perkins, president of Swampscott, Massachusetts based Retail Metrics, said yesterday in an interview. 
Share:  It was the sixth straight gain and the biggest in 27 months. Abercrombie & Fitch Co said yesterday that sales rose 5 percent, while <span class="company">Macy</span>'s Inc., the second biggest U. S department store company, reported a 3.7 percent gain.<span class="sent"> "The consumer is starting to come out of hibernation and feel better about their situation," <span class="analyst">Ken Perkins</span>, president of Swampscott, Massachusetts based Retail Metrics, said yesterday in an interview.</span> Tweet this 

It was the sixth straight gain and the biggest in 27 months. Abercrombie & Fitch Co said yesterday that sales rose 5 percent, while Macy's Inc., the second biggest U. S department store company, reported a 3.7 percent gain."The consumer is starting to come out of hibernation and feel better about their situation," Ken Perkins, president of Swampscott, Massachusetts based Retail Metrics, said yesterday in an interview. 
Share:  It was the sixth straight gain and the biggest in 27 months. Abercrombie & Fitch Co said yesterday that sales rose 5 percent, while <span class="company">Macy</span>'s Inc., the second biggest U. S department store company, reported a 3.7 percent gain."The<span class="sent"> consumer is starting to come out of hibernation and feel better about their situation," <span class="analyst">Ken Perkins</span>, president of Swampscott, Massachusetts based Retail Metrics, said yesterday in an interview.</span> Tweet this