1877 | Retail, Trade
Retail, Trade
Merchant John Wanamaker opens the first true department store March 12 at Philadelphia (see 1861; 1896).
R. H. Macy founder Rowland H. Macy dies at Paris March 29 at age 54, having pioneered such innovations as cash-only sales, money-back guarantees, and an on-premise factory to sew made-to-measure garments. His only son ran away at age 16 to join the Union Army and deserted after 10 days; Macy's will leaves his interest in the New York department store to a nephew (see Straus brothers, 1888).