MACYS AND NYC & COMPANY ENHANCE TOURIST EXPERIENCE AT MACYS VISITOR CENTER AS PART OF MACYS HERALD SQUARE STORE RENOVATION
MACY’S AND NYC & COMPANY ENHANCE TOURIST EXPERIENCE AT
MACY’S VISITOR CENTER AS PART OF MACY’S HERALD SQUARE
STORE RENOVATION
—Co-Branded Visitor Information Center Debuts at
New York City’s Iconic Department Store—
New York City (September 18, 2013) — Capitalizing on Macy’s global appeal and New York City’s vital tourism and shopping industry, Macy’s and NYC & Company today announced a first-ever collaboration to bring a world-class tourist experience to the World’s Largest Store. Opening today, Macy’s new Herald Square Visitor Center is now co-branded with NYC & Company as an Official NYC Information Center and offers many new services which enhance the customer experience for travelers. As part of the extensive renovation plans for Macy’s Herald Square, Macy’s Visitor Center will now be upgraded with NYC & Company’s state-of-the-art technology, information, and ticketing services for NYC attractions that cater to both international and domestic tourists. With the historic remodel of one of the world’s most iconic and dynamic department stores, the collaboration between Macy’s and NYC & Company is an exciting next chapter to the evolution of Macy’s Herald Square.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with NYC & Company on an innovative customer service venture that will cater to the international and domestic shopper within a department store,” said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and chief executive officer for Macy's Inc. “The renovation of Macy’s Herald Square creates a unique platform to enhance the customer shopping experience and store environment. With the six million tourists visiting Macy's Herald Square annually who make this store one of the most shopped and visited sites in New York City, a co-branded Visitor Center is a testament to the worldwide popularity of both Macy’s and New York City as leading destinations for visiting tourists.”
“The collaboration with Macy’s Herald Square to open a new state-of-the-art visitor information center in the heart of one of the City’s bustling tourist areas will give visitors another convenient access point to obtain real-time information on what to see, do and experience across New York City. We are pleased to be partnering with the World’s Largest Store on this first-of-its-kind innovative and worthwhile development because it will be another effective way for us to reach domestic and especially international visitors who not only enjoy shopping, but want to see all that the five boroughs have to offer,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta.
With the renovation, Macy’s Visitor Center—located on the newly revamped Mezzanine Level—has been re-imagined as a state-of-the-art space with dynamic Information Screens, Concierge Terminals, and Digital Touch Screen Kiosks that provide up-to-date information on: Attractions, Dining, and Nightlife among other areas of interest for tourists to explore throughout the five boroughs. Through the Visitor Center’s new redesign, for the first time, there is now a wall of windows that connects visitors to vistas of the bustling outdoor streetscape below on West 34th Street.
In addition, the enhanced Visitor Center will offer concierge-type services to restaurants, tours, and special offers on tickets to over 80 major attractions and events in the City, plus NYC & Company’s official visitor guides, maps and brochures. NYC & Company partnered with Google Maps to power the visitor center’s interactive kiosks maps and directions function, providing tools for visitors to more easily navigate the City. Macy’s Visitor Services provides popular incentives such as the International and Domestic Savings Program which gives travelers a 10% off discount on most purchases throughout the store with qualifying documentation such as a government issued ID. The savings pass can be printed from any of the 4 interactive kiosks or from the concierge desk staff in nine different languages including Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. Macy’s Visitor Center also provides language translation assistance, store tours, special group programs, and other tourist information.
In 2011, Macy’s Inc. announced an unprecedented four-year, 400 million dollar renovation to its corporate flagship. Begun in 2012, the renovation, will transform the store into one of the most technologically advanced, fashion-forward and exciting destinations in the world with new designer departments, epicurean experiences and multi-level luxury shops. Upon completion in 2015, the Herald Square store will increase its selling space from 1.1 million to 1.2 million square-feet.
In addition to the new Macy’s Visitor Center, NYC & Company operates several Official NYC Information Centers throughout the City including the Official NYC Information Center in midtown Manhattan (810 7th Avenue); the Times Square Museum & Visitor Center in the heart of Times Square; the Official NYC Information Kiosk at City Hall and the Official NYC Information Center in Chinatown. A full listing can be found at nycgo.com/articles/official-nyc-information-centers/.
Last year, New York City welcomed a record 52 million visitors generating $36.9 billion in direct spending (with $8 billion attributed to shopping) and $55.3 billion in economic impact. NYC & Company has a new goal to achieve 55 million annual visitors and $70 billion in economic impact by 2015.
About Macy’s:
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy’s Herald Square is New York City’s most iconic department store, welcoming more than 20 million guests from around the world each year. The world-famous flagship is a retail institution known for its fashion and epic events -- most notably the Annual Macy’s Flower Show®; Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®.
For Macy’s media materials, images and contacts, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom.
About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For the official source on all there is to see and do in New York City, go to nycgo.com.
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Contact: NYC & Company/Chris Heywood 212-484-1270