Marshall Field's and GM Redefine the Showroom Floor

Cashmere Scarves Get Cozy with Humvees at Marshall Field's State Street store

CHICAGO, Jan. 13 -- Chicagoans no longer have to wait for the annual Chicago Auto Show to see some of the latest concept cars and new models from General Motors. Marshall Field's guests can peek at what's new in automobiles anytime, thanks to a recent addition to Field's State Street store.

Inside the first-floor doors at Randolph Street and Wabash Avenue is a shop unlike anything else in department stores: the 1,000-square-foot GM World Shop, a showcase of parked vehicles set among tailored English dress shirts, high-end cosmetics and French fountain pens.

"The GM World Shop is an unexpected in-store experience that's fun for guests, and changing the display each quarter helps us keep the store fresh and ahead on what's new," said Ralph Hughes, Marshall Field's regional director. "This kind of interactive visual presentation adds to the in-store experience."

The GM World Shop currently showcases a red 2004 HUMMER H2 SUV with a luxury series package, rear air-spring suspension, roof-mounted off-road lights and a DVD navigation radio, along with the new Saturn Red Line VUE, Saturn's first entry in the performance SUV category.

"Moving into Marshall Field's State Street store was a great way for us to put our concept cars and new models in front of a lot of people in an environment where they wouldn't expect to see them," said Tammy Capone, sales promotions manager for General Motors/Saturn Corporation. "The high-profile State Street renaissance and the fact that the store has plenty of available space and high traffic volume, made us confident that we could really get noticed here."

Conceived as a new way to reach out to customers and provide information, the static display and an online kiosk are the latest in a long list of unique merchandise and environment enhancements at Marshall Field's State Street flagship.

Throughout 2003, new boutiques with exclusive merchandise will be opening at the State Street store, which based on its size and grandeur, has been designated as a marketplace for a wide array of exciting new concepts.

For instance, Marshall Field's welcomed fine British shirt tailor Thomas Pink, New York-based home designer Thomas O'Brien and the vibrant home design of London-based Designers Guild. More recent additions include Levenger, Australian Homemade, Alexandre Savile Rowe, Coca-Cola, Bally Total Fitness and Crunch Fitness.

Partnerships with Chicago designers and hometown icons -- such as Wrigleyville Sports, Barbara's Bookstore, Merz Apothecary and The Down Town Dog - along with frequent community events, further strengthen Marshall Field's status as a Chicago icon. Marshall Field's has reinvented virtually every floor of the State Street store to make it the premier destination in retail.

About GM

General Motors Corp. , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs approximately 362,000 people globally in its core automotive business and subsidiaries. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931.

About Marshall Field's

Marshall Field's full-service department stores have a 150-year legacy of fashion leadership and retail excellence. Marshall Field's inspiration for unexpected merchandise originates from its legendary State Street store in Chicago, which sets the bar as the most exciting destination in retail. Marshall Field's had annual revenues of $2.7 billion in 2002, generated from more than 14 million square feet of retail space. Marshall Field's operates 62 stores in eight states and offers online shopping at www.fields.com. Marshall Field's, along with its parent company, Target Corporation , gives back more than $2 million each week to local communities through grants and special programs.