Macy’s Holistic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion

Macy’s, Inc. is proud of our holistic plan for diversity and inclusion. It extends beyond workplace diversity and our associates, managers, and executives to building a strong multicultural supplier base and into supporting diversity in the communities where we live and work.

With stores located in the most diverse markets in the nation, it’s essential to have a strategic plan for diversity: to serve and connect with diverse customers, create a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive work environment where different perspectives are valued, partner to share our time, talent, and resources with our communities, maintain access for the continued development of a diverse vendor network, communicate values, and finally, grow sales and profit by capturing the buying power of a diverse market.

When asked why diversity is important for Macy’s, Inc. Chairman and CEO Terry Lundgren said, “Diversity is an integral part of our strategy. Simply put, reflecting the diverse marketplace we serve is good for our associates, our customers, our vendors, and our shareholders.”

Diversity is a strategic business initiative, according to Diversity Strategies and Legal Affairs Senior Vice President Bill Hawthorne. The objectives of our diversity and inclusion strategy are two-fold: growing sales and profits and enhancing the Macy’s, Inc. reputation in the marketplace. This approach helps Macy’s better understand and satisfy the needs of our increasingly diverse customer base, and it creates deep customer loyalties. According to Hawthorne, “It’s simply smart business.”

To accomplish these objectives, Macy’s, Inc. strives to include every segment of our customer base in five key areas:

Workforce

Macy’s, Inc., has been recognized as a top company to work for by Essence, the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE), Latina Style, Hispanic Business, DiversityInc., and the Human Rights Campaign. “We’re proud that our workforce reflects the diversity of the markets where we do business, “says Macy’s Vice President of Diversity Strategies Corliss Fong. Women represent over 75% of the Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s workforce and more than 65% of our managers. Racial minorities are more than 46% of our workforce and 28% of our management ranks.

Marketing

Macy’s, Inc. has key marketing initiatives centered on diversity. 30% of America’s population is now diverse, and some states are well in excess of 50% diverse. Macy’s Corporate Marketing President and Chief Marketing Officer Peter Sachse notes “If we don’t speak to that population, we can’t be The Great American Department Store. Diversity is embedded in everything we do—from the models we choose to the languages we put our advertising out in.” Our marketing initiatives for diversity tie directly into our corporate-wide initiative—that we embrace diversity and inclusion and go after it in meaningful ways.

Communications

Our holistic plan for diversity comes to life through our corporate communications as well. Charged to protect and enhance the company’s image and reputation, corporate communications is a perfect partner to diversity, according to Group Vice President of Corporate Communications Mary Ann Shawmeker. She adds “We express Macy’s, Inc.’s, diversity commitment and progress through open and honest communication with shareholders, employees, the news media, the community, and our customers.”

Supplier Diversity

As one of America’s leading retailers, Macy’s has long been recognized for commitment to fostering the promotion, growth, and development of our vendor resources, including minority- and women-owned enterprises. As Group Vice President, Multicultural Merchandising Shawn Outler notes, Macy’s work to bring diverse players into the supplier mix creates a win-win situation: Macy’s finds talented new vendors with quality, well-priced merchandise, and vendors see their business grow through a partnership with one of the US’s major retailers.

Community Partnerships

Our commitment to the communities where we live and work is a key component of our holistic diversity plan. Our mission is to develop solid, meaningful relationships with our communities, working with community leaders, elected officials, and local organizations to understand the wants and needs of each community and to develop initiatives that have a positive impact on the lives of residents. Vice President of External Affairs Ed Goldberg notes “By understanding and respecting the rich diversity of each community and our customers who reside there, we learn how to serve and appreciate its uniqueness.” Macy’s, Inc. demonstrates our commitment through charitable contributions, employment initiatives, volunteerism, and the creation of economic partnerships.