Macy's is the most famous name among the American Department Store chains.
Known world over for its famous red five-pointed star, Macy's is one of the largest corporations among the retail brands in the US. Macy's was founded in the year 1858 by Rowland Hussey Macy. In that year, Macy moved base to the city of New York to set up a shop selling fancy dry goods in the 6th Avenue on the 14th Street. He named it as “R.H Macy & Company”. It then had a rooster as its trade mark. A year or so later the red five-pointed star as it stands today replaced the rooster. Macy was once guided by a star when lost at sea. So he had got a tattoo of a star on his arm. This tattoo went on to become the logo of the store.
Macy's is known for numerous ‘firsts' in the field of business and marketing. To begin with the Store of Macy's was the first to introduce the concept of the in-store Santa in the Christmas of 1862. The next novel movement they made was the use of attractive window display. Also, in 1866 it introduced the first woman Store Superintendent, Margaret Getchell, who was also the first female retail executive. She contributed a lot in taking the brand to new heights.
A great movement was made in Macy's history when in 1902 the store went up market and launched its Herald Square Shop on the 34th Street. At 9 storey, with 33 elevators and 4 escalators, this was the biggest and the best store ever. In 1924, Macy's New York City Herald Square store was declared the largest in the city. Macy's also kicked off the Thanks Giving Day Parade in 1924.
Over the years, there have been many more firsts, whether it is in trends or in strategy. Either way, Macy's has always managed to remain right at the top.
