Macy’s has announced the opening of applications for the 2024 class of The Workshop at Macy’s, the company’s vendor diversity accelerator program. This four-week program, featuring education and mentorship from Macy’s executives and industry partners, aims to empower underrepresented retail businesses for future growth.
The Workshop at Macy’s is accessible to US-based businesses primarily owned by individuals who identify as women, veterans, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+, or those of Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian-Indian, or Asian-Pacific origin.
Interested applicants can submit their applications from now until 30th November. Finalists will be revealed in February, with the program commencing in May. The program’s culmination grants participants a pop-up shop on Macy’s.com.
Established in 2011, The Workshop at Macy’s has supported over 220 graduate brands, offering more than 500 hours of educational training and over US $ 500,000 in business grants.
The upcoming program will be a hybrid experience, combining virtual sessions with in-person components at Macy’s Herald Square store in New York City, according to Michelle Wang, Macy’s Vice President of Retail Diversity Strategy.
Michelle Wang stated, “For more than a decade, The Workshop at Macy’s has represented our ongoing commitment to amplify and uplift underrepresented businesses by providing entrepreneurs with a best-in-class development program.” She added, “Through our social purpose platform, Mission Every One, and programming like The Workshop at Macy’s, we are dedicated to reinventing and reimagining representation in retail by providing participants with the tools and resources to grow.”
Graduates of the program appreciate its comprehensive curriculum, which extends beyond the fundamentals. The education and training cover topics crucial for business growth, including building brand identity, financial management, perfecting pitches, and accessing growth capital.
Upon completion, participants have the opportunity to become vendors and introduce their products to Macy’s customers through the company’s digital marketplace. Currently, more than 45 brands that have completed the workshop are available for sale on Macys.com.
