LOS ANGELES, Jun 1, 2007/ FW/ --- As announced last May 18, Federated Department Stores, Inc. is changing its corporate name to Macy’s, Inc effective today. The ticker FD at the New York Stock Exchange will disappear and will be changed to “M” for Macy’s.

As explained by Terry J. Lundgren, Federated’s Chairman, President & CEO, the change of name demonstrates that Federated is a consumer driven company focused on growing the Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s brands.

[The change of name] “will increase awareness of Macy’s, which represents about 90% of the revenue of the corporation,” Lundgren said in a statement.

Incorporated in 1929 as a result of the merger between Abraham & Straus of Brooklyn, Filene's of Boston, F&R Lazarus & Co. of Columbus, OH, and Bloomingdale's of New York, Federation Department Stores was a revolutionary new company in American retail.

Like the three retail store that comprised the original Federated Department Stores, Macy’s began its life during the 1850s. Founded by Rowland Hussey Macy in 1858, the first R.H. Macy store was located at 6th Avenue and 14th Street in New York.

A visionary, R. H. Macy set a new standard in holiday celebration with the introduction of the first in-store Santa in 1862 and insisting on elaborate window displays in 1864, thus launching visual merchandising in retail.

Moving to its current location at 34th Street and Herald Square in 1902, Macy’s became the first retail store to use elevators and escalators, thus establishing another retail first.

Still, the launching of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924 was destined to become part of American culture, followed by the iconic movie, ‘Miracle on 24th Street’ in 1947 that up to today is shown on television during the Christmas season.

Federated and Macy’s followed their own path until 1994 when the latter became part of Federated’s stable creating the largest department store retailer in America. And today, history was once again made.