Macy's, one of the most famous department store chains in the world, is known for its distinctive red five-pointed star logo, which has become synonymous with the brand's identity. Over the years, the Macy's logo has gone through several redesigns, reflecting both the brand's evolution and the changing design trends. The star itself holds a special place in Macy’s history, stemming from a significant event in the life of the company's founder, Roland Hussey Macy.

Logo Evolution

1920 — 1932: The Early Years
In the 1920s, Macy's logo featured a cursive black logotype that displayed the company's name "R. H. Macy & Co" with the firm’s address beneath it. This was a traditional design for its time, simple and elegant, fitting the company's stature as a growing department store.

1932 — 1938: Streamlined Design
A redesign in 1932 simplified the logo with a more modern and shorter version. The “Macy’s” lettering was rendered in a white serif typeface with black outlines and delicate shadows. This logo signified the shift towards a more contemporary and streamlined identity.

1938 — 1948: Minimalism and Capitalization
By 1938, the logo adopted a more minimalist style, with all the letters capitalized in a flat black serif typeface. The company’s address was still included beneath the main name, maintaining a classic feel.

1948 — 1986: Introduction of the Star
The iconic red five-pointed star first appeared in the Macy’s logo in 1948, replacing the comma between the “Y” and the “S” in the word "Macy’s." This bold, confident star would become a staple of the logo. The wordmark was set in a solid serif font, with both monochrome and red-and-white color options available.

1961 — 1970: Multiple Versions
In 1961, two versions of the Macy’s logo were introduced. The first featured an extra-bold serif inscription in all caps, accompanied by the star. The second was a simple, friendly lowercase sans-serif wordmark with a comma instead of the star, signaling a more casual, approachable direction for the brand.

1970 — 1977: Bold Red Sans-serif
By 1970, Macy’s embraced a bolder lowercase sans-serif style, with letters tightly spaced and colored dark red. There was no symbol between the “Y” and “S,” giving the logo a compact and modern look.

1978 — 1982: Minimalism and Elegance
The 1978 redesign was one of the brand’s most minimalist efforts, using a sleek black sans-serif type without the star or comma. However, later that year, a more traditional serif version with a delicate comma returned to the logo.

1982 — 2004: Refining the Identity
From 1982 to 2004, Macy’s used two similar versions of the logo. Both featured a lightweight sans-serif wordmark, with either a bold star or a comma between the “Y” and “S.” This design reflected a modern yet timeless aesthetic.

2004 — 2019: The Red Star
In 2004, the red star became a prominent feature of the Macy’s logo, placed to the left of the wordmark. This version featured a light and delicate sans-serif typeface, with the star standing out as a bold and iconic symbol of the brand.

2019 — Present: Bold and Confident
The most recent update in 2019 balanced the logo by adjusting the star’s size to match the thickness of the letters. The typeface was also modified, with thicker lines added to the wordmark, enhancing its strength and presence. The logo is now a confident and bright visual representation of Macy’s iconic status.

Font

The typeface used in the Macy’s logo is closely aligned with Avant Garde Gothic (in its Extra Light version), a geometric sans-serif font designed by Herb Lubalin and Tom Carnase. This font is known for its clean lines and modern aesthetic, making it a fitting choice for Macy's sophisticated yet approachable brand.

Conclusion

Macy's logo has evolved significantly over the decades, reflecting the brand's growth and adaptation to changing design trends. The iconic red star remains a central symbol, representing the brand's rich history, while the modernized wordmark ensures Macy's maintains a fresh and confident visual identity in today's competitive retail market.