Founded in 1861, Bloomingdale's is a cornerstone of luxury department stores in the United States. Its legacy has endured economic challenges, global expansions, and evolving fashion trends. Bloomingdale's history is rich and fascinating. Below, we delve into its storied past, ownership evolution, and enduring influence in the retail industry.
Founding and Early Years
- 1861: Bloomingdale's was founded by brothers Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale in New York City's Lower East Side. Initially named Bloomingdale's Hoopskirts, the store specialized in selling hoop skirts and European fashions.
- 1872: The brothers opened a second location in Midtown Manhattan, Bloomingdale's Great East Side Bazaar. This second store would become the nucleus of their flagship operations.
20th Century Milestones
- 1930: Federated Department Stores acquired Bloomingdale's. This significant move set the stage for future growth and stability.
- 1945-1960: Post-World War II, Bloomingdale's significantly influenced American fashion, promoting European trends and homegrown designers.
- 1960s-1970s: The store shifted its merchandise to include haute couture from Paris and Italian home furnishings. It opened its first single designer-specific department for Halston in 1969, followed by a dedicated Polo Ralph Lauren boutique in the same year.
- 1975: Bloomingdale's largest branch opened in White Plains, New York, boasting 260,000 square feet of retail space.
- 1976: The company ventured outside New York for the first time, opening a store in Tysons, Virginia.
- 1988: Canadian developer Robert Campeau acquired Bloomingdale's in a historic $6.6 billion deal, the largest non-oil corporate merger.
Expansion and Challenges
- 1990s: Bloomingdale's faced economic challenges resulting in store closures in Dallas and other locations. Federated Department Stores acquired Macy’s in 1994, making Bloomingdale's a sister brand.
- 1996: Bloomingdale's expanded to the West Coast by converting four former Broadway stores in Southern California.
21st Century and Recent Developments
- 2004: The company returned to downtown Manhattan with an 82,000-square-foot store in SoHo.
- 2007: Federated Stores, rebranded as Macy’s Inc., saw Bloomingdale’s open new locations in San Diego and Costa Mesa by taking over former Robinsons-May stores.
- 2010: Bloomingdale's opened its first international location in Dubai, under a licensing agreement with Al Tayer Group, a UAE-based conglomerate.
- 2019: Bloomingdale's marked a significant corporate shift with a new business strategy. It focused on revamping its New York flagship store with unique offerings like Magnolia Bakery and the SJC Collection shoe line by Sarah Jessica Parker.
- 2022: Celebrating its 150th anniversary, Bloomingdale's hosted various special events and unique merchandise offerings at its Manhattan flagship.
- 2023: Tony Spring succeeded Jeff Gennette as CEO of Macy’s, Inc., with Olivier Bron taking over as CEO of Bloomingdale's. Despite a revenue downturn to $24.4 billion, Bloomingdale's saw slight growth in net income and began exploring growth through smaller-format stores.
- 2024: Bloomingdale's continued its expansion with new Bloomie’s format stores in Seattle, Washington; Fairfax, Virginia; and Skokie, Illinois as part of Macy's Inc.’s plan to triple the number of its smaller-format stores by fall 2025.
Ownership Evolution
- 1930: Federated Department Stores purchased Bloomingdale's.
- 1994: Federated acquired Macy’s, making Bloomingdale's and Macy’s sister brands.
- 2007: Federated was renamed Macy’s Inc., putting Bloomingdale's and Macy’s under a unified corporate umbrella.
- 2023: Tony Spring’s appointment as the President and CEO-Elect of Macy’s Inc. saw Olivier Bron shift to the role of CEO at Bloomingdale's.
Notable Milestones
- 1947: The store became a stage for high-profile fashion shows and gala events, including the famed "Woman of The Year."
- 1972-1973: Introduction of the iconic Big Brown Bag and Little Brown Bag.
- 2008: Bloomingdale's phased out its mail catalog to focus on its booming online business.
- 2019: Macy's Inc. announced the end of fur sales in all its stores, including Bloomingdale's, making a significant ethical and commercial stance.
Bloomingdale's has consistently been a trendsetter and a beloved destination for luxury shoppers. From its beginnings in hoop skirts to its present-day status as a purveyor of high fashion and home goods, the store’s adaptive strategies and commitment to exclusivity and individualism continue to fuel its legacy.
