• April 19, 2010

While Neiman Marcus has long used its Last Call units to unload marked-down designer duds, Women's Wear Daily reports that the Dallas-based lucky retailer is testing a new discount concept.

The 11,000-square-foot test store opened earlier this month in Dallas, and is said to be aimed at the aspirational shoppers who gave up on luxury shopping when the financial crisis hit in 2008.

Store execs tell WWD 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.--Sarah Mahoney