Laurela Fashion Guide

The legend begins with the founding father, Rowland Hussey Macy. Born in 1822, Macy’s followed the steps of his seafaring father, working as a sailor on board of a whaling ship. 

Rowland Hussey Macy (above)

An entrepreneurial spirit then drove him to try himself in the printing business, gold speculation, and several retail businesses. On a crysp October day, in 1857, Rowland Macy opened a small “fancy dry goods” store in New York City on the corner of 6th Avenue and 14th Street and so began his biggest business venture which brought him all his wealth and fame. He racked up sales that day of $11.06, and two years later his sales totalled $85,000 for the year.

Original R. H. Macy and Co. Store Sign (above)

R. H. Macy & Co. Store on the 6th Avenue and 14th Street, New York (above)

The driving force and leadership behind the Macy organization, the founder of R. H. Macy and Co. implemented innovative business practices that modernized the retailing industry. Macy invented such business procedures (that we cannot now even imagine the retail industry to exist without) as the one-price system, in which the same item was sold to every customer at one price, and quoting specific prices for goods in newspaper advertising. Macy was the first retailer who took advertising seriously and used the printed media to differentiate his store from the competitors.  In terms of quantity and quality, he outnumbered his larger compatitors, such as Lord and Taylow, by producing more newspaper advertisements. As a merchant, Macy was very creative by being the first to introduce such products as the tea bag, the Idaho baked potato and colored bath towels. 

He also captured the hearts and joy of children everywhere with the introduction of the first in-store Santa Claus and elaborate, illuminated holiday displays. 

R. H. Macy and Co. Store, 1870s (above)

Macy’s Holiday Window Display 1870s (above)

Finally, Macy’s was the first retailer to promote a woman, Margaret Getchell, to an executive position, making business history. 

At some point between 1858 and 1878, the year of Rowland Macy’s death, the little fancy dry goods store on Sixth Avenue became a department store.  Under one roof, Macy’s drew together an enormous assortment of quality merchandise.  By offering customers a choice of furs, china, toys, jewelry, books, stationary, candy, silks and much more, Macy had created a new kind of institution, but one that would change the face of retailing.  Today, Macy’s name and legacy live on in the store which bears his name, Macy’s: America’s Department Store. a person who transformed the world of retailing. New York shop became the model for the modern department store and a powerful icon of business success. 

Tags: Macy's 150, Macy's Anniversary, Rowland Hussey Macy