Post 200 The guide to the region's top businesses

Macy's Herald Square location in New York City is covered in Christmas lights. (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Major employers

Macy's

The behemoth department store chain has 16 Macy’s and four Bloomingdales locations in the Washington area. The company outperformed rivals such as J.C. Penney and Kohl’s with a strategy of tailoring merchandise to local markets, such as adding more business suits in its Washington area stores. In November, the company announced it plans to spend about $400 million over the next four years to expand and overhaul its iconic flagship store at Herald Square in Manhattan.

Trivia

Macy’s was the first retailer to introduce such products as the tea bag, the Idaho baked potato and colored bath towels. It also was the first retailer to hold a New York City liquor license.