Blog Post

World's Largest Store: world record in New York City, New York

November 18, 2022

NEW YORK CITY, New York, United States--Macy's Herald Square is the flagship of Macy's department store, as well as the Macy's, Inc. corporate headquarters, on Herald Square in Manhattan, New York City; the building's 2.5 million square feet (230,000 m2), which includes 1.25 million square feet (116,000 m2) of retail space, makes it the largest department store in the United States and sets the world record for being the World's Largest Store, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"Macy's Herald Square (originally named the R. H. Macy and Company Store) is the flagship of Macy's department store, as well as the Macy's, Inc. corporate headquarters, on Herald Square in Manhattan, New York City.

"The building's 2.5 million square feet (230,000 m2), which includes 1.25 million square feet (116,000 m2) of retail space, makes it the largest department store in the United States and among the largest in the world."

"Macy's is noted for its elaborate animated holiday and Christmas window displays in many of its U.S. stores, but most notably at the Herald Square location. Each year presents a different theme shown in six windows on the Broadway side of the building.

"Each window includes animated displays with complex scenery, attracting thousands of viewers." (wikipedia)

World's Largest Store: Macy's Herald Square

"Macy’s, established in 1858, is the Great American Department Store—an iconic retailing brand over 740 stores operating coast-to-coast and online," the official website says.

"Macy's offers a first-class selection of top fashion brands including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Clinique, Estée Lauder & Levi’s®. In addition to shoes and clothing, Macy's has a wide variety of housewares, gifts and furniture in select stores.

"At Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE: M), we are a trusted source for quality brands at great values from off-price to luxury. Across our iconic nameplates, including Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, we help our customers express their unique style and celebrate special moments, big and small.

"Headquartered in New York City, we operate one of retail’s largest e-commerce businesses integrated with a nationwide footprint to deliver the most convenient and seamless shopping experience. Our purpose is to create a brighter future with bold representation – so we can realize the full potential of every one of us."

Photo above: The World’s Largest Shoe Floor. This honor belongs to Macy’s second floor with over 63,000-square feet containing 280,000 pairs of shoes.

Departments at the World's Largest Store

One Below
Fashion Accessories
Handbags
Floor 1
Beauty and Skincare
Burberry
Coach
Cosmetics & Fragrances
Designer Handbags
Fashion Jewelry & Watches
Fine Jewelry & Watches
Gucci
Longchamp
Louis Vuitton
Pandora
Sunglass Hut
Uno De 50
Floor 2
Burberry
Finish Line
Stuart Weitzman
Uggs
Women's Shoes
Mezzanine
Story
Women's Cold Weather
Floor 3
Contemporary Collections
Women's Polo
Floor 4
Casual Sportswear
Designer Collections
Juniors
Sunglass Hut
Women's Denim
Floor 5
Dresses / Suits
Junior Dresses
Maternity
Petites
Suits
Floor 6
Hosiery & Socks
Intimate Apparel
Sleepwear and Robes
Floor 7
Women's Plus Size
Floor 8
Coats
Swimwear

Restaurants at the World's Largest Store

Starbuck's - Mezzanine
Pizza Bar New York - Floor 3
Just Salad - Floor 4
Stella 34 - Floor 6
Auntie Anne's Pretzels - Floor 7
Carvel - Floor 7
McDonald's - Floor 7
Au Bon Pain - Floor 8
De Gustibus Cooking School - Floor 8
Chef Street - Currently Closed - Lower Level
Rowland's - Lower Level

Services

ATM - Floor 1
At Your Service - Floor 1
Benefit Brow Bar - Floor 1
Buy Online Pick Up In-Store - Floor 1
Ear Piercing - Floor 1
Personal Stylist - Floor 2
Women's Restrooms - Floor 2
Personal Stylist - Floor 3
Personal Stylist - Floor 4
Women's Restrooms - Floor 4
Alterations - Floor 5
Personal Stylist - Floor 5
Women's Restrooms - Floor 6
Men's Restrooms - Floor 7
Women's Restrooms - Floor 7
Santaland (Seasonal) - Floor 8
Wedding & Gift Registry - Floor 8
ATM - Floor 9
Jewelry & Watch Repair - Floor 9
Men's Restrooms - Floor 9
Coat Check - Floor 10
Men's Restrooms - Floor 10
Market at Macys - Floor 11
Personal Stylist - Floor 11
Visitor Center - Floor 11
Family Restroom - Floor 12
Women's Restrooms - Floor 12

Testimonials from Trip Advisor

"Eleven floor's with everything you need, 10% discount for tourists for 30 days, and all on a historical building from 1858. Is there a better place to go shopping? The first thing to do is go to the 1/2 floor and ask for your Welcome International Savings Card (if you are an international visitor), or Welcome Savings Pass (if you are a domestic visitor). It's free, fast, and then you can enjoy 10% off on every items. To the international visitors: You'll be amazed at the prices of things. Everything is much cheaper than in our countries, and Macy's is always doing discounts, which together with the 10% off gives the most incredible prices. It is very difficult not resist buying a lot. If go to New York in December, don't forget to visit Macy's and see the beautiful Christmas decorations. And enjoy the Hollyday's discounts!"

"The whole store was amazing and full of bargains. The Christmas department was wonderful and all the staff were very helpful."

"Talk about shop till you drop. It was lovely to see, and don’t get me started on the discounts available at till. Will definitely be back."

"As you would expect, the world’s largest department store is very busy! Ideal if you want to do a lot of clothes shopping as many brands all under one roof."

"Grew up watching parade so always wanted to see this sight! The outside is amazing, pretty lights in evening but inside also amazing - 10 stories I couldn't believe it and old timey escalator, we all loved it!!!"

"If you follow 34th St from Time Square, you will end up here and wow. Macy’s was bigger and better then I remembered. Worth to visit and Empire State Building is around that area as well."

Editor's Note: There are claims about a larger building in South Korea, but that building it's a MALL, not a store.

"Macy’s Herald Square has not been the World’s Largest Store since 2009, when Guinness World Records certified that the accolade belonged to the Shinsegae Centum City department store in Busan, South Korea. At 5.847 million of square feet, Shinsegae is practically three times the size of Macy’s," the Forbes reports

"But the comparison of Macy’s and Shinsegae is a little unfair. Shinsegae Centum City offers such amenities as a golf driving range, an ice skating rink, a multiplex theater, and a rooftop theme park. Its interior space feels more like a shopping mall, with individual stores and boutiques."

"A visit to the Macy’s Herald Square store should be a special event, from an unparalled and comprehensive collection of merchandise to unique food service offerings."

Difference between Mall and Department Store

"Key Difference: A shopping mall is a unit made up of one or multiple buildings that house various different shops. A department store is a retail establishment that is situated in one building or a mall that sells a variety of goods or products to satisfy customer’s needs," the Difference Between reports.

"Malls are greater in size compared to department stores and generally house multiple department stores. This is not true in case of department stores, as they are generally smaller. Department stores may or may not offer parking areas or eating areas, while malls offer such features for its customers.

"Malls and Department stores are two different terms meaning two different things. A shopping mall is a unit made up of one or multiple buildings that house various different shops. A department store is a retail establishment that is situated in one building or a mall that sells a variety of goods or products to satisfy customer’s needs." (Read more...)