15 Surprising Facts About Macy's: A Must-Read List
Macy’s, the iconic American department store, is a household name known for its elaborate window displays, high-end fashion, and flagship store on Herald Square in New York City.
But did you know that Macy’s has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s, and has played a significant role in shaping the retail industry as we know it today? In this article, we’ll delve into 15 fascinating facts about Macy’s that you may not have known before, providing a glimpse into the store’s 
colourful past and its continued impact on the world of retail.
Rowland Hussey Macy opened his first store in 1858 on the corner of 14th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan, originally selling dry goods.
1 Macy’s quickly gained a reputation for offering high-quality merchandise at reasonable prices, and the store became popular among New Yorkers.
The business continued to grow, and eventually expanded to become one of the largest department store chains in the world.
The original Macy’s store was located on the corner of 14th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan.
2 The store was a small dry goods shop, but it quickly became popular among New Yorkers for its high-quality merchandise and reasonable prices.
Over time, Macy’s expanded and opened additional locations, eventually becoming one of the most well-known and respected department store chains in the world.
Macy’s was the first store to have escalators, which were installed in their Herald Square location in 1902.
3 The escalators were a new invention at the time and were considered a marvel of modern engineering. The addition of escalators helped to modernize the store and make shopping more convenient for customers.
Today, escalators are a common feature in department stores around the world, but Macy’s was the first to introduce this revolutionary technology.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924, originally called the “Macy’s Christmas Parade,” as a way to celebrate the holiday season and attract shoppers to the store.
4 The parade featured floats, live animals from the Central Park Zoo, and marching bands. In 1927, the first giant balloon, Felix the Cat, was introduced, and the tradition of featuring larger-than-life balloons became a staple of the parade.
Today, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is watched by millions of viewers around the world and has become an iconic part of American pop culture.
Macy’s has a long history of collaborating with celebrities to create exclusive collections that are sold in their stores.
5 Some of the most notable collaborations include partnerships with Martha Stewart, who launched her own line of home goods at Macy’s in 2007, and Jessica Simpson, who launched a collection of shoes and accessories at the store in 2005.
Macy’s has also collaborated with several fashion designers over the years, including Tommy Hilfiger, who launched his first collection at Macy’s in 2008. These celebrity collaborations have helped to bring in new customers and keep the brand fresh and relevant.
The Macy’s Herald Square location is the largest department store in the world, spanning over 2.2 million square feet.
6 The store covers an entire city block and features 11 floors of retail space, as well as a variety of restaurants and other amenities.
The Herald Square location is also one of the most iconic and recognizable department stores in the world, known for its impressive holiday window displays and its history of innovation and style.
The use of electric lights in holiday displays began in the 1880s, and by the early 1900s, Macy’s had started incorporating electric lights into its holiday window displays.
7 The displays were a hit with shoppers and quickly became a popular attraction during the holiday season.
In the years that followed, Macy’s continued to innovate with its window displays, introducing new elements such as animated scenes, live actors, and, eventually, the large-scale floats and balloons that are now a hallmark of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The famous film Miracle on 34th Street was filmed on location at Macy’s Herald Square in 1947.
8 The movie tells the story of a man who claims to be the real Santa Claus and ends up working as a department store Santa at Macy’s. The film features many shots of the Macy’s store, including the iconic holiday window displays and the store’s Santaland attraction.
The movie has since become a holiday classic and is often shown on television during the holiday season. Macy’s Herald Square remains a popular tourist attraction, and visitors can still see many of the locations featured in the film.
Macy’s was the first department store to offer a bridal registry service in 1924.
9 The service was an instant hit with couples, who could register for gifts at Macy’s and have them delivered directly to their homes. The bridal registry service helped to solidify Macy’s position as a leading retailer of home goods and gifts, and it remains a popular service today.
In addition to the bridal registry, Macy’s also offers gift registries for other occasions, such as baby showers and housewarming parties.
In 1968, Macy’s merged with Federated Department Stores, Inc., which at the time was one of the largest department store companies in the United States.
10 The merger helped to create one of the largest and most successful retailers in the world, with a wide range of stores and brands across the country. Over the years, Macy’s has continued to expand and evolve, acquiring new brands and introducing new products and services to its customers.
Today, Macy’s is known as one of the most iconic and recognizable department store chains in the world, with a reputation for quality, style, and innovation.
The red star has been part of the Macy’s brand since the early 20th century, and its origins are not entirely clear.
11 One theory is that the star was inspired by the red star on the tattoo of a sailor who worked at Macy’s. Another theory is that the star was meant to symbolize the guiding light of success and good fortune. It’s also possible that the star was simply chosen for its aesthetic appeal and visual impact.
Whatever the origins of the red star in the Macy’s logo, it has become an iconic symbol of the brand and is instantly recognizable to millions of people around the world. Whether it represents the Star of Bethlehem or something else entirely, the Macy’s logo is a powerful symbol of one of the most beloved and enduring department store chains in the world.
Macy’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks display is one of the largest and most impressive in the country.
12 The display typically features over 75,000 shells and effects, making it a breath taking spectacle that draws crowds from across the region.
The Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks display has been a New York City tradition for decades, and it has become an important part of the city’s cultural landscape. The display is typically held over the East River, and it features a stunning array of fireworks, music, and other special effects. Each year, the display is choreographed to a different theme, and it often includes performances by top musical artists and other celebrities.
Whether you’re a long time New Yorker or just visiting the city for the holiday, the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks display is a must-see event that you won’t want to miss!
In 2019, Macy’s announced its plan to become 100% sustainable by 2025.
13 However, Macy’s has taken significant steps to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability in recent years.
In 2019, Macy’s announced a new sustainability strategy called “Polaris” that includes a range of goals related to energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing. Among other things, the Polaris strategy calls for a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and a 50% reduction in waste to landfill by 2030. The strategy also includes commitments to source 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2025 and to eliminate single-use plastics from its operations by 2020.
While these goals fall short of a commitment to become 100% sustainable by 2025, they represent a significant step forward for Macy’s and demonstrate the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility.
Macy’s has explored international expansion in the past.
14 In the early 1990s, the company opened several stores in Japan through a joint venture with a local retailer. However, these stores were ultimately closed in the early 2000s due to declining sales.
More recently, Macy’s has focused on expanding its digital presence and exploring new partnerships and collaborations to drive growth. The company has also experimented with new store formats and concepts, such as its Macy’s Backstage off-price stores and its Market by Macy’s boutique concept. While Macy’s may explore international expansion opportunities in the future, the company’s current focus is on strengthening its core business in the United States.
Macy’s has a rich history and has played an important role in shaping the retail industry in the United States.
15 From its early days as a small dry goods store to its current position as one of the largest retailers in the country, Macy’s has continually pushed the boundaries of innovation and excellence. Its impact on American culture is evident in everything from its iconic Thanksgiving Day Parade to its star-studded collaborations and beloved holiday traditions. As the company continues to evolve and adapt to changing consumer preferences and market trends, it will no doubt continue to be a fixture of American retail for years to come.
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