Rowland Hussey Macy opens R. H. Macy & Co. in New York (1858)

Rowland Hussey Macy, an American businessman, founded the department store chain Macy's in 1858. He moved to New York City to establish a new store named "R.H Macy Dry Goods" on Sixth Avenue. The store's first day of business was October 28, 1858, with sales totaling $11.08. Macy adopted a universal one-price merchandising policy, ensuring fair access to merchandise for all members of the public.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Rowland Hussey Macy Sr. was an American businessman who founded the department store chain Macy's. Between 1843 and 1855, he opened four retail dry goods stores. In 1858, he moved to New York City to establish a new store named "R.H Macy Dry Goods" on Sixth Avenue, significantly north of other dry goods stores of the time.

Opening. The first store was located in Manhattan on Sixth Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets. On the company's first day of business on October 28, 1858, sales totaled $11.08. The branding emblem at the onset of the 1858 store was a rooster.

Policies. Macy is credited with being one of the first major retailers in the United States to adopt the innovative Quaker principle of ensuring fair and equal access to merchandise for all members of the public by adopting a universal one-price merchandising policy in all of his stores.

People involved

Sources

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