Macy's Partners with Martha Stewart for Debut of National Weddings Magazine; Available Exclusively at Macy's and Bullock's Stores Beginning in March

Business Wire, Dec 22, 1994

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 22, 1994--"Martha Stewart Living Weddings," a unique new magazine devoted to all aspects of bridal planning, will make its debut in Macy's and Bullock's stores, as well as on national newsstands, beginning Monday, December 26. The magazine, featuring a 54-page section on Macy's bridal services and merchandise of interest to soon-to-be brides and grooms, then will be available exclusively at Macy's and Bullock's department stores, beginning March 26, 1995.

Martha Stewart, the magazine's editor-in-chief, said: "We are excited about this issue because in it we will show that even within the parameters of a 'traditional' wedding, there are a number of different types of ceremonies -- each dictated by the couple's taste, setting of their courtship, their family setting and traditions. It is my belief that every couple, no matter what their personal style or budget, can have a perfect wedding day. In addition, we hope to demystify and simplify the process of putting a wedding together by examining and explaining all of the elements that go into making this most important of days a success.

"A good bridal registry," she continued, "provides service and inspiration. We are proud to have Macy's as the exclusive advertising sponsor of the Bridal Registry section of our premier Wedding Issue."

"Martha Stewart represents a universally appealing taste level to which people of various lifestyles can relate, and Macy's has been serving the needs of new brides for decades. On that basis alone, Macy's and Martha Stewart make for a perfect marriage," said Linda Lee, group vice president for special services at Macy's East, the New York-based division of Federated Department Stores, Inc.

There are 90 Macy's and 21 Bullock's stores in 16 states nationally. The magazine will be on sale in these stores in tabletop departments, as well as in fine jewelry, cosmetics, housewares and domestics departments. The magazine, which will retail for $5, complements Macy's national bridal registry, a computerized service -- the largest of its kind in the United States -- that is fully equipped to meet virtually all of a couple's wedding planning needs. "What could be more exciting for a bride than being able to find the images she dreams of for her wedding in the 'Martha Stewart Living Weddings' magazine she has just purchased, and then to be able to walk right over to the registry that can fulfill all of these dreams for her," said Susan Finkelstein, vice president and administrator of special services at Macy's West, headquartered in San Francisco.

Finkelstein also noted that because the Macy's computerized registry links stores in cities coast to coast, "This means, for example, that friends in Dallas, San Francisco, New York and Atlanta can easily and conveniently fulfill the needs of the bride who registers at a Macy's in Miami."

Finkelstein and Lee said they expect to sell more than 100,000 copies of "Martha Stewart Living Weddings" magazine at Macy's and Bullock's during 1995.

CONTACT: Federated Department Stores Inc., Cincinnati

              Christine Carter, 212/494-5437
              Jeri Grier, 513/579-7315