Macy's, which just reported dismal earnings, is opening a similar chain of stores this year called "Macy's Backstage," while Saks and Neiman Marcus have their own chains called Off 5th and Last Call, respectively. These new chains are a way for the department-store companies to compete with the likes of TJX, the owner of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, as well as outlet malls, which grew in popularity after the recession. Nordstrom Rack, the company's executives pointed out yesterday, has seen 26 straight quarters of double-digit gains. "The big headline there is we're gaining market share there, and it is meeting and exceeding our plans," Blake Nordstrom said.