Macy's Signs Deal to Put FAO Schwarz in its Stores

FAO Schwarz will open toy stores in close to 700 Macy's department stores over the next two years, the companies said Friday.

About 75 full-size FAO toy stores will open across the country in the fall, along with about 200 smaller shops that will be up to 300 square feet, the companies said.

The FAO Schwarz gave its first Macy's store-within-a-store a trial run in Chicago late last year. There are 685 Macy's-FAO toy stores planned over the next two years.

''This is an outstanding partnership that will bring toys back to Macy's in an exciting and unique way,'' said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cincinnati-based Macy's. ''FAO Schwarz is the world's most famous toy retailer with interesting and distinctive products that appeal to our customers and will drive store traffic, particularly to our children's departments.''

FAO Schwarz will sell its private label collection at Macy's stores. The 146-year-old company continues to independently own and operate its own stores, including a flagship store on New York's Fifth Avenue.

Macy's, formerly known as Federated Department Stores, operates more than 850 department stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico under the names of Macy's and Bloomingdale's.

''Our two brands have a combined history of 296 years of bringing joy and retail magic to consumers,'' said Edward Schmults, chief executive officer of FAO Schwarz. ''I am thrilled that, through Macy's, we will be able to offer the FAO Schwarz products to every American family.''

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On the Net:

Macy's, Inc.: http://www.macys.com

FAO Schwarz: http://www.fao.com