F & R Lazarus Co / Lazarus Department Store / Lazarus-Macy’s / Macy’s
Simon Lazarus, Fred Lazarus Jr, Ralph Lazarus
Founded: 1851, Columbus, Ohio – Simon Lazarus
Defunct: 2005
Acquisitions: 1928 – John Shillito Co / Shillito’s.
1851 – Simon Lazarus opens a Men’s Clothing store in downtown Columbus. 1870 – Family business expanded to make everything from Civil War Uniforms to a complete line of civilian clothing. Simon’s sons Fred Lazarus Jr & Ralph Lazarus join the business. 1921 – Fred Lazarus Jr suggests to Lincoln Filene’s RRA Retail Research Association that all members of the group keep their books the same way to streamline and share profit and sales information. The idea is accepted & RRA is expanded to include a merchandising division for buying called AMC Associated Merchandising Corporation. 1929 – Federated Department Stores is created by founding members including Lincoln Filene, Lazarus & Abraham & Straus. Lazarus serves as President of Federated from 1929-1957 and as a board member until his death in 1973. Ralph Lazarus, his son led Federated through the 1980s. 1986 – Lazarus merges with Shillito-Rikes. 1990 – Federated Division becomes Macy’s Central. 2003 – Lazarus co-branded with Macy’s becoming Lazarus-Macy’s. 2005 – rebranded to Macy’s.