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What Department Store Brands Did Macy's Replace?

Published in Department Store Brands 3 mins read

Macy's, as part of a significant rebranding initiative in 2006, replaced a multitude of well-known department store brands that were formerly part of the May Company. This transformation was a pivotal moment in American retail history.

A Transformative Rebranding in 2006

On September 9, 2006, a major shift occurred in the U.S. retail landscape. Following Federated Department Stores' acquisition of the May Company, a strategic decision was made to consolidate many regional department store names under the more widely recognized Macy's masthead. This move aimed to streamline operations, enhance brand recognition, and create a unified national presence for the company. While some stores were converted to the Bloomingdale's name, the vast majority of the former May Company locations were rebranded as Macy's.

Key Department Stores Integrated into Macy's

The rebranding saw the disappearance of several historic and beloved regional department store brands. These stores, deeply rooted in their local communities, transitioned to become part of the Macy's chain, signifying a new era of retail consolidation. The former store names that were replaced by Macy's include:

  • Famous-Barr: A prominent name in the Midwest, particularly in Missouri.
  • Filene's: A well-known department store primarily serving the New England region.
  • Foley's: A beloved chain with a strong presence in the Southwest, especially Texas.
  • Hecht's: A significant retailer operating across the Mid-Atlantic states.
  • The Jones Store: A regional favorite based in Kansas City.
  • Kaufmann's: A major department store with a long history in the Pittsburgh area and surrounding regions.
  • L. S. Ayres: An Indiana-based department store with a rich heritage.
  • Marshall Field's: An iconic Chicago institution, arguably one of the most famous names converted.
  • Meier & Frank: A cornerstone of retail in the Pacific Northwest, particularly Oregon.
  • Robinsons-May: A prominent chain resulting from the merger of two well-known California department stores.
  • Strawbridge's: A historic retailer serving the Philadelphia metropolitan area and beyond.

Overview of Replaced Brands

The following table summarizes the department store brands that were absorbed into the Macy's chain during this significant rebranding effort:

Former Store Name Replaced By Rebranding Date Primary Region of Operation (Historical)
Famous-Barr Macy's September 9, 2006 Midwest (e.g., Missouri)
Filene's Macy's September 9, 2006 New England
Foley's Macy's September 9, 2006 Southwest (e.g., Texas)
Hecht's Macy's September 9, 2006 Mid-Atlantic
The Jones Store Macy's September 9, 2006 Midwest (Kansas City area)
Kaufmann's Macy's September 9, 2006 Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York
L. S. Ayres Macy's September 9, 2006 Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky
Marshall Field's Macy's September 9, 2006 Midwest (e.g., Illinois, Wisconsin)
Meier & Frank Macy's September 9, 2006 Pacific Northwest
Robinsons-May Macy's September 9, 2006 California, Arizona, Nevada
Strawbridge's Macy's September 9, 2006 Mid-Atlantic (e.g., Pennsylvania)

This comprehensive rebranding effort marked a major consolidation in the department store sector, transforming numerous regional identities into a single national retail powerhouse under the Macy's name.