Macy's looks to diversify cosmetics

NEW YORK Macy's today announced that it will hold its first-ever national supplier diversity fair in New York City on August 8-9. The fair will target the minority- and women-owned vendor community in the cosmetics and skincare categories with the goal of enhancing Macy's existing assortment for its diverse multicultural customer population.

The fair will invite minority- and women-owned vendors to showcase color and treatment products to Macy's corporate and buying office executives in a trade show format - with participants setting up merchandise in booths or mini-showrooms. Approximately 20 suppliers will be invited to participate over the two-day event - a model designed to allow for significant exchange between Macy's and the potential vendors. As part of the company's ongoing commitment to mentoring up-and-coming talent, Macy's will offer direction and guidance to select vendors to help them plan and ready for the strategic demands of a larger-scale retail relationship.    

"We are committed to making Macy's the headquarters for the multicultural consumer," says Debbie Murtha, senior vp of cosmetics for Macy's merchandising group. "This customer now represents 30% of our customer base, and she wants sophisticated and relevant brands that address her specific needs. We are always looking to collaborate with new suppliers to create and develop unique product offerings and new product categories with high significance to ethnic beauty care. The diversity fair has been created with this mission in mind."