As Macy’s Inc. continues to move full steam ahead on its turnaround, its Bloomingdale’s banner is hitting its stride.
The department store giant reported in December that Bloomingdale’s saw net sales rise 8.6 percent and comparable sales were up 9 percent in the third quarter, representing the luxury banner’s fifth consecutive quarter of growth and its best comp in 13 quarters.
From a category perspective, Bloomingdale’s executives noted that ready-to-wear men’s apparel, fine jewelry, shoes and tabletop all outperformed in the last quarter.
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And even more brands are flocking to the retailer. Among the labels recently launched at Bloomingdale’s are Totême, Zimmermann, Victoria Beckham, Christian Louboutin and Roger Vivier.
During an increasingly tumultuous time for department stores, FN speaks to David Thielebeule, men’s and women’s fashion director at Bloomingdale’s, about how the banner is capitalizing on the momentum and how its men’s shoe floor has evolved over recent seasons to meet consumer demands.
FN: Overall, how is Bloomingdale’s winning in shoes?
David Thielebeule: The assortment delivers a balanced offering designed to meet every customer need, spanning casual, dress and formal occasions. Across all categories, we are intentional in covering the full spectrum of price points, from opening price through luxury, ensuring accessibility without compromising on style, quality or relevance.
FN: What footwear categories are most important now?
D.T.: Our elevation journey continues, with the shoe floors leading the charge in men’s. We remain focused on curating the most unique and compelling styles for our customer across all categories, from sneakers to formal footwear. Sneakers continue to dominate the business, accounting for more than 50 percent of the category. From performance-driven styles to designer offerings, today’s customer is clearly prioritizing comfort alongside style, and our assortment reflects that balance.
FN: With a return to dress-up looks across most categories, how are Bloomingdales’ buyers approaching that division?
D.T.: It has been a strong year for dress shoes, with standout performance across key styles including lace-ups, loafers and hybrids. While sneakers remain a critical part of the business, today’s customer continues to have more formal occasions and a clear desire to look polished and pulled together. In an increasingly casual world, he is choosing to dress things up, rather than reserve dress shoes strictly for the office. As a result, we are confident in continued growth across both dress and sneaker categories heading into 2026.
FN: What steps have you taken to elevate the men’s shoe department?
D.T.: Over the last few seasons, the men’s shoe department has evolved into a more thoughtful, balanced and customer-driven offering. While sneakers continue to anchor the business, the category has expanded beyond his casual needs to reflect a wider range of lifestyles and occasions. Overall, the department has become more dynamic and intentional, offering depth across categories, price points and use cases, while staying closely aligned with the modern customer’s expectations.
FN: What have been growth areas for the men’s shoe floor in recent seasons?
D.T.: A key area of growth has been the development of a dominant and compelling active offering, with continued expansion of brands such as Hoka, Asics and Salomon, meeting increased demand for performance-driven styles that deliver on both function and design. At the same time, we’ve elevated the luxury footwear assortment with strategic brand additions, including Prada in 2025, with additional luxury introductions planned for 2026. Dress shoes have also evolved, shifting away from rigid, office-only styles toward more relaxed, versatile interpretations that feel relevant to how men are dressing today.
FN: Which men’s footwear trends do you expect will drive business this spring?
D.T.: Right now, we’re seeing strong momentum around the low-profile sneaker across all price points. Refined, functional and easy to wear, it pairs seamlessly with the wider- leg trousers we’re embracing this season. After years of chunky soles and statement-driven footwear, it’s refreshing to see customers respond to the quiet simplicity of these vintage-inspired styles.
