Announcing a $5 billion social purpose platform named Mission Every One, Macy’s outlined the contours of its commitment to create positive social change. Through three pillars — people, communities and planet — the retailer will utilize its people’s talents and its heritage to create positive environmental and social impacts by 2025.
Additionally, per a commitment made in November 2021, Macy’s will raise its minimum pay rate across all company businesses to $15 per hour by May 1, 2022.
“Macy’s, Inc. has long been a strong partner to the local communities in which we operate. But today, as all stakeholders expect more of corporations — and of us — we are taking steps to strengthen how our work contributes to the common good,” said Jeff Gennette, Macy’s Chairman and CEO in a statement. “We are transforming our business from a position of legacy to one of leadership. In this evolution, how we run the business is as important as what we sell.”
Across its Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s brands, the retailer is investing in designers, brands, business partners, products and service providers from a range of underrepresented groups. Initiatives include partnering with social welfare organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign, National Urban League, Hispanic Federation and the Asian American Business Development Center.
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To diversify its company leadership, Macy’s goal is to achieve a 30% ethnically diverse representation at the director level and above by 2025. It will also invest approximately $35 million over the next four years to a fully funded education benefit program for all employees through Guild Education.
Supporting its 2020 commitment to the Fifteen Percent Pledge, Macy’s has grown its offerings of Black-owned brands fivefold. Part of Macy’s investment also will include expanding The Workshop at Macy’s, its retail development program for underrepresented suppliers. The program will welcome new participants in April 2022 and expand its roster of certified sustainable products. This will include expanding the macys.com sustainability microsite’s digital assortment by 5,000 product pages across all categories along with a focus on circular solutions to extend the product lifecycle.
Riding on the momentum of the $1.4 million raised to fund Historically Black Colleges and Universities through UNCF and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund during Black History Month, for Women’s History Month Macy’s will support Girls Inc. via customer donations online and in-store round-ups of extra change through March 31.
Additionally, Macy’s will donate more than $100 million to support the education, emotional well-being and environmental stewardship of underrepresented youth through nonprofit organizations including Girls Inc., The Trust for Public Land, APIA Scholars and the Trevor Project. In addition to corporate grants and employee donations across Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, these efforts will be funded by customer giving and round-up campaigns. Macy’s has committed $2 million to fashion, design and sustainability programs and scholarships for underrepresented youth, while also investing in mentorship and employment.
Building on sustainability, Macy’s Inc is committing to relying on 100% sustainably sourced raw materials and fibers across its private-label brands by 2030. The retailer will invest $500,000 by 2025 to support nonprofit organizations such as Fashion Makes Change and conduct audits to ensure worker well-being and environmental responsibility across 100% of its Strategic Tier-1 private-brands supplier facilities. Macy’s also will seek to eliminate waste through reducing, reusing and repurposing materials, while also reducing emissions and adhering to climate science guidelines through its development of Science Based Targets (SBTi).
