in full R.H. Macy & Co., Inc.
Major U.S. department-store chain.
Its main outlet, the 11-story store that occupies a city block in New York City's Herald Square, was for many years the largest single store in the country. Rowland H. Macy (1822?1877) established the business in 1858; its red star trademark was derived from a tattoo he bore. The Straus family acquired part interest in the company in 1887, took full control in 1896, and expanded the business by purchasing or building branch stores around the country. Forced into bankruptcy in 1992, Macy's agreed to a merger with Federated Department Stores, Inc. in 1994.