• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Anne Hathaway says she was spammed with ChatGPT-written thank you notes after hiring for a recent role: ‘Nobody on that list gets that job’

2

The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families

3

Current price of oil as of June 17, 2026

1

Anne Hathaway says she was spammed with ChatGPT-written thank you notes after hiring for a recent role: ‘Nobody on that list gets that job’

2

The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families

3

Current price of oil as of June 17, 2026
RetailThe 21st Century Corporation

Inside the Macy’s Store of the Future

Phil Wahba
By
Phil Wahba
Phil Wahba
Senior Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
Phil Wahba
By
Phil Wahba
Phil Wahba
Senior Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 15, 2016, 5:22 PM ET
Photograph by Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

If you want to see how Macy’s (M) plans to shake its deep and lengthy sales funk, look no further than the retailer’s newly renovated store at a Columbus, Ohio mall.

The Macy’s department store is wrapping up a major renovation, including new areas where it will give master classes to demonstrate beauty products, larger spaces to allow mannequins to display the latest trends, and an overhauled area for selling athletic wear and wellness products. The store, whose work will be done by June 25th, is serving as a prototype for how a lot of Macy’s stores will look in the future.

“It’s really about letting the customer experience the products,” Kathi Newton, vice-president and the store manager, told Fortune to explain the philosophy behind the changes.

IMG_20160610_084340

But it’s also about giving Macy’s, the largest department store chain, a new lease on life at a time customers are radically shifting how they shop, buying more and more frequently online at Amazon.com (AMZN) and at discount fashion retailers like TJX Cos’ (TJX) T.J. Maxx.

Macy’s, which also owns Bloomingdale’s, last month reported that first-quarter comparable sales fell a much worse-than-expected 5.6%, the fifth straight such decline. The latest slump prompted Macy’s to lower its 2016 sales and profit forecast because of what it called “the uncertain direction of consumer spending.”

What’s more, Macy’s is under enormous pressure from activist shareholders to fix its business, with shares down more than half off a 52-week high.

Macy’s executives have acknowledged that stores have to be more exciting and inviting to give shoppers a reason to come in rather than go online. The company has decided to focus on its 150 best stores, which includes the Easton, Ohio, store in its 800-location fleet for enhancements, an approach it calls its “Top Door” strategy.

For instance, the cosmetics department at Easton is getting a complete makeover with new fixtures and counters and the addition of a Bluemercury shop, the cool beauty retailer Macy’s bought last year that also offers salon services like microdermabrasion, brow tinting, facials and waxing. And working with vendors like Chanel and Estée Lauder Cos’ (EL) Clinique, Macy’s is making the counters more interactive so customer and seller can sit together rather with more access to product rather than be separated by a physical barrier. Macy’s installed an event space prominently at the front of the store to hold daily “master classes” by one of the brands. “That’s so floor space isn’t just about selling,” says Newton.

IMG_20160610_084944

Elsewhere, Macy’s has set up a row of 30 mannequins lined up to showcase the latest fashions. It has set up a Connect @Macy’s kiosk to one-on-one service to customers as soon as they walk into the store and a more convenient spot to pick up orders they placed online rather than have to queue up at customer service. Macy’s is also pushing its wedding business and heavily promoting its already existing My Stylist @Macy’s personal shopping service.

Other efforts include bringing together fitness items like men’s and women’s activewear, yoga gear, snacks and cookbooks together in a wellness area called “The Restore, Nourish and Strengthen” department. That will include the Finish Line brand (Macy’s already operates stores-within-a-store for that brand) and various brands like Gaiam Yoga merchandise and Fitbit (FIT) watches.

 

If some of these initiatives sound familiar, it’s became many of Macy’s rivals are making the same moves. So how much this all will move the needle if deployed to other stores is an open question.

Kohl’s for instance has revamped its beauty section and is creating express lanes for in-store pickup of online orders. J.C. Penney continues to open new Sephora beauty boutiques within its stores and upgrading its InStyle beauty salons. And Target (TGT) has added beauty consultants on the sales floor and improved its health and wellness.

Still, for Macy’s, these moves give it a chance to make better use of its large emporia and vast assortment.

“Department stores are big, so you can see how everything in different areas works together,” Newton said.

About the Author
Phil Wahba
By Phil WahbaSenior Writer
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Phil Wahba is a senior writer at Fortune primarily focused on leadership coverage, with a prior focus on retail.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

teens
EconomyJobs
Teen summer employment is headed for its worst year since 1948
By Matt Sedensky and The Associated PressJune 18, 2026
12 hours ago
The U.S. Polo Assn. CEO
SuccessThe Promotion Playbook
Meet the CEO of US Polo Assn: He grew up in one of America’s poorest regions and now hosts Prince William and runs a $2.7 billion brand
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 18, 2026
18 hours ago
The froyopocalypse is over. Gen Z is swarming frozen yogurt shops like it’s 2010
RetailGen Z
The froyopocalypse is over. Gen Z is swarming frozen yogurt shops like it’s 2010
By Sam Klebanov and Morning BrewJune 17, 2026
1 day ago
retail
EconomyConsumer Spending
Americans are still spending their tax refunds — for now, as retail sales jump in May
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressJune 17, 2026
1 day ago
A man sits at a red checkerboard table with a Tiffany-style Pizza Hut lamp hanging above him.
RetailFood and drink
Pizza Hut is getting the private equity treatment in a $2.7 billion deal as its owner offloads the brand that defined 1990s dining nostalgia
By Sasha RogelbergJune 16, 2026
2 days ago
butter
RetailFashion
Welcome to the summer of ‘Butter Yellow,’ the shade of consumer anxiety
By Nick LichtenbergJune 16, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

Anne Hathaway says she was spammed with ChatGPT-written thank you notes after hiring for a recent role: ‘Nobody on that list gets that job’
Success
Anne Hathaway says she was spammed with ChatGPT-written thank you notes after hiring for a recent role: ‘Nobody on that list gets that job’
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 18, 2026
18 hours ago
The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families
Economy
The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families
By Jacqueline MunisJune 17, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of June 17, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 17, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 17, 2026
2 days ago
Hundreds of Stanford students walked out of their grad ceremony to protest Google CEO’s commencement speech. It wasn’t all about AI
Big Tech
Hundreds of Stanford students walked out of their grad ceremony to protest Google CEO’s commencement speech. It wasn’t all about AI
By Tristan BoveJune 15, 2026
3 days ago
Vanguard's alarming state of retirement in 2026: The average American has $167,970 in their account—or they have $44,115
Personal Finance
Vanguard's alarming state of retirement in 2026: The average American has $167,970 in their account—or they have $44,115
By Nick LichtenbergJune 17, 2026
1 day ago
'Work hard, stay loyal, and the system will reward you': the Boomer credo is a Gen X betrayal and a Millennial pipe dream
Success
'Work hard, stay loyal, and the system will reward you': the Boomer credo is a Gen X betrayal and a Millennial pipe dream
By Nick LichtenbergJune 16, 2026
3 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.