Macy’s Turns 150!

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Macy’s (NYSE:M), the famous department store and retail industry pioneer beloved for its memorable events and immortalized in Miracle on 34^th Street, turns 150 years old on October 28, 2008.

“It’s amazing to consider that Macy’s was doing business before many great brands like General Electric, Coca Cola, and Ford Motor Company were even born”

Among the sesquicentennial celebration activities, Macy’s will rename 34th Street in New York City – the address of its Herald Square flagship and world’s largest store – to R.H. Macy Way in honor of the brand’s founder. The ceremonial unveiling of the street sign will take place the morning of October 28. The temporary signs will be on view until November 15th.

That evening, Macy’s will host a fashion industry gala at Gotham Hall – just a block from its flagship store – with guests like Jessica Simpson, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Eva Mendes, Martha Stewart, Tommy Hilfiger, Clinton Kelly, Kenneth Cole, Todd English, Tyler Florence and Ming Tsai. The event will culminate with the reveal of a special birthday cake designed by Duff from Ace of Cakes followed by a fireworks finale off the roof of the retailer’s famous NYC landmark store. Also, in honor of the milestone, the Empire State Building (Macy’s neighbor on 34^th Street) will be lit red.

“It’s amazing to consider that Macy’s was doing business before many great brands like General Electric, Coca Cola, and Ford Motor Company were even born,” said Terry J. Lundgren, Macy’s, Inc. chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Macy’s is responsible for American mainstays like the in-store Santa Claus and the Idaho baked potato as well as popularizing the one-price-system and bringing ready-to-wear to the masses. By turning 150, Macy’s joins the ranks of a very exclusive club of iconic brands. The longevity of the Macy's brand, its place in American culture, and its legacy of serving customers for five generations are extraordinary.”

Started by Nantucket-born R.H. Macy as a fancy dry goods store on 14^th Street and Sixth Avenue, Macy's is the American dream realized. Today, the retailer has more than 800 stores across the country that are closely integrated with a thriving online business. Throughout its history, Macy's has paved roads in both fashion and retail, including introducing the one-price system, pioneering the concept of private brands for fashion goods, and being the first retailer to promote a woman to an executive position. The company also has impacted American pop culture with countless movie and TV show cameos and world-famous events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade^® and Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks^®.

About Macy’s

Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Offering distinctive assortments including exclusive fashion and home brands, Macy's stores are operated by four regionally based retail divisions – Macy's East, Macy's Florida, Macy's Central, and Macy's West – and an online store at macys.com.

For Macy’s media materials, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Information on Macy’s 150^th – including a complete history, timeline, image gallery and fun facts and firsts – is available on macys.com/pressroom.