Neiman Marcus tests discount concept

Dallas Neiman Marcus is testing a new discount concept outside of its current Last Call format. According to a report by Women’s Wear Daily, an 11,000-sq.-ft. test store opened earlier this month in Dallas and is reportedly targeted at aspirational shoppers who gave up on luxury shopping in the downturn.

WWD reported that while the test store is named Last Call for now, it will be renamed soon, and that the retailer is testing freestanding locations versus outlet malls.

The stores will offer such brand-names as Michael Kors, Badgley Mischka and Diane von Furstenberg, with most prices $45 and $300, and an off-price Web site is reported to be in the works for the fall.