New York City is a global powerhouse for the retail industry. As one of the top four fashion cities in the world, the city is home to luxury fashion houses and some of the country’s largest department stores. Beyond that, it’s also a hub for tech innovation, giving rise to e-commerce companies that are reshaping how consumers shop. Below are some notable retail companies that are either headquartered in NYC or maintain a significant corporate presence in the city.
Retail Companies in NYC
- Macy’s
- Ralph Lauren
- Barnes & Notable
- Tiffany & Co.
- Warby Parker
Retail Companies in NYC to Know
Industry: Luxury Fashion
What it does: Headquartered on Madison Ave, Ralph Lauren is one of the United States’ most iconic designers. The company focuses on the design, marketing and distribution of luxury lifestyle apparel, and has a large retail footprint across North America, Asia and Europe. Ralph Lauren also focuses on digital transformation to bridge the gap between its physical stores and e-commerce platforms.
Industry: Eyewear
What it does: Warby Parker pioneered the direct-to-consumer (DTC) model for eyewear. Founded with the goal of providing designer glasses at a fraction of the traditional cost, the company has grown from an online-only startup into a massive retail operation with hundreds of physical stores. Its Soho headquarters serves as a major hub for its product management, design and data science teams.
Industry: Apparel and Accessories
What it does: Bombas is a digitally native apparel brand headquartered in New York City. Originally known for its socks, the company has expanded into a variety of apparel categories, including underwear, loungewear and slippers — and all while maintaining a mission-driven business model that donates items for every purchase made.
Industry: Apparel
What it does: Gap Inc. maintains a significant corporate office in New York City to support its global house of brands, which includes Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. Its NYC hub is particularly important for product development and marketing operations. Across its brands, Gap has over 3,500 retail locations.
Industry: Books
What it does: Barnes & Noble is one of the largest retail booksellers in the United States, and maintains its headquarters and a flagship store in Manhattan. Beyond its brick-and-mortar presence, the company has integrated tech into its business model through its digital reading platform and mobile apps.
Industry: Luxury Jewelry
What it does: Tiffany & Co. is a staple in the luxury jewelry space, and is headquartered on New York’s famous Fifth Avenue. Its flagship location — often referred to as “The Landmark” — not only serves as the company’s primary retail space but also acts as a hub for the company’s design, marketing and brand strategy operations.
Industry: Apparel, Home Goods and Accessories
What it does: Macy’s is one of the most iconic and largest retailers, with over 450 locations in the United States. The company has its headquarters in New York City, which houses its leadership and corporate teams, along with its flagship Herald Square store. Macy’s operates a portfolio of brands, including Bluemercury and Bloomingdale’s, and has significantly expanded its digital capabilities to serve its customer base online.
Industry: Furniture and Home Decor
What it does: Headquartered in Brooklyn, West Elm is a modern furniture and home decor retailer. The company is known for its focus on sustainable materials and original design, and operates a number of retail locations across the country, as well as a large e-commerce platform.
Industry: Luxury Apparel
What it does: Headquartered in Manhattan, Tory Burch designs luxury handbags, fragrances and women’s clothing. Since launching in 2004 with a single boutique, the company has grown into a global brand, with hundreds of retail stores and a large e-commerce platform.
Industry: Athletic Footwear and Apparel
What it does: Foot Locker is one of the largest retailers focusing on shoes and apparel. Headquartered in New York City, the company also has some 2,500 locations in over 20 countries. Foot Locker operates a number of brands beyond its namesake brand, including Kids Foot Locker and Champs Sports.
