Sell on Macy’s Marketplace with Acenda.

Sell on Macy’s Marketplace: curated, not open

Macy’s Marketplace is invite- and approval-based. Brands express interest through a questionnaire at marketplace.macys.com, and Macy’s selects a curated group. Approved sellers sign a contract limited to agreed categories, and they can only list items Macy’s does not already sell itself. Marketplace listings look like Macy’s own and carry a “Shipped and sold by [seller]” badge.

The Mirakl-powered marketplace was announced in November 2021 and launched on macys.com in September 2022. Bloomingdale’s Marketplace followed in 2023 under the same Macy’s, Inc. program. The two are one company and one partner site, on one platform, but each has its own assortment strategy and works independently with sellers. Approval for one does not mean approval for the other. Storefronts, seller accounts, and catalog setup are separate, and Bloomingdale’s has its own image requirements. Shared day-to-day mechanics help the second channel; they do not replace a second review.

There are two routes to that review. Submit the interest questionnaire, or come in through an Acenda introduction or nomination for qualified brands. Neither route bypasses Macy’s decision. See Macy's vs Bloomingdale's Marketplace and Macy's Marketplace vs wholesale.

What Macy’s asks of marketplace brands

These are the published requirements from the Macy’s FAQ. They can change, so confirm the current terms during onboarding. The full checklist: Macy's Marketplace requirements.

• U.S. business. A U.S. tax ID, a W-9 that matches IRS records, a U.S. business address and phone, and a U.S. bank account in USD. Past Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s vendors may be asked for a DUNS number.
• U.S. warehouse. A domestic warehouse for both outbound shipping and returns.
• Customer service. A customer-service address and phone that meet the INFORM Consumers Act. The seller handles customer service; Macy’s steps in if service levels are not met.
• Escrow account. A J.P. Morgan escrow account set up before the seller account goes live. Sellers are paid weekly through it.
• Ship window. Ship within 48 business hours with valid tracking. Approved carriers are UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL, LSO, LaserShip, and OnTrac. Freight is a separate program. Multi-box shipments are discouraged, and items over 150 lbs or needing scheduled delivery need approval.
• Packaging. A plain brown box; poly mailers are fine for small items. No other marketplace branding and no promotional inserts.
• Returns. Via UPS (Macy’s can provide an account) or in person at Macy’s stores. Process returns within 2 business days of receipt.
• UPCs. A GS1-certified UPC on every product.
• Category templates. Category-required attributes, with colors and sizes using Macy’s standard values rather than brand marketing names. Variants sit in families with a unique standard color and size per variant.
• Images. Some categories need several images, and apparel may need a size-chart image. Image links must be direct files; a link to a webpage is a common rejection cause.
• Categories and stock. Only agreed categories, and nothing Macy’s already sells itself. Catalog content and the offer (price and quantity) are sent separately. Items are buyable only when they have stock; zero-stock offers stay hidden even if approved.

Onboarding includes listing style guidelines.

The path to live

The 5–6 day figure is a Macy’s FAQ minimum after onboarding is complete. There is no published end-to-end timeline from application to launch; it depends on approval, escrow, and catalog readiness.

What usually slows brands down

Catalog acceptance is usually the longest stage. Most delays trace back to one of two points.

• Application stage. A W-9 name that does not match Mirakl or IRS records. Escrow not set up. An assortment or categories that are not a fit. Wanting to list items Macy’s already sells itself. No U.S. entity or U.S. warehouse.
• Listing stage. Missing or non-GS1 UPCs. Missing required attributes. Nonstandard color or size values. A duplicate standard color and size inside a family, which can hold the whole family. Too few images, a missing size chart, or webpage image links instead of direct files. Waiting on Macy’s review. Approved items that stay hidden because stock is zero.

Getting attributes, standard color and size values, GS1 UPCs, and direct image files right the first time is what shortens review. That is the work Acenda is set up to do.

Fulfillment, returns, and fees

You ship within 48 business hours with valid tracking from your U.S. warehouse, in a plain brown box or a poly mailer for small items. Returns come back via UPS or through Macy’s stores and are processed within 2 business days of receipt. You handle customer service.

Customers can earn and use Star Rewards points on marketplace purchases, with some exclusions. Sellers can opt into select category-specific Macy's events and promotions, and Macy's offers sponsored product ads.

Macy’s Marketplace fees align with industry-standard marketplace commission and referral structures, with exact commercial terms set by Macy’s and confirmed during onboarding. Acenda’s platform fee is separate (flat rate per channel, never a percentage of sales). Macy’s does not publish a public rate card. Sellers are paid weekly through a J.P. Morgan escrow account. See Macy's Marketplace fees, orders and fulfillment, and returns and settlement. Book a demo and we’ll walk through the fees for your setup.

An approved, pioneer partner on Macy's Marketplace

Acenda is an approved, pioneer partner of Macy's Marketplace and has been part of Macy's Marketplace since day one. With that comes the honor and responsibility of assisting with introductions and nominations for qualified brands. An introduction or nomination is not approval — Macy's makes the final decision.

Macy's publicly lists Acenda among the selected feed aggregators that Macy's Marketplace sellers can use to upload their items.

Acenda can introduce or nominate qualified leads to almost any third-party marketplace. Macy's Marketplace is one example; Bloomingdale's Marketplace, Target Plus, Nordstrom Marketplace, Ulta Beauty Marketplace, and Kohl's are others.

What Acenda handles for Macy’s

More on what Acenda handles for Macy's

Acenda is named on the Macy’s Marketplace FAQ as an approved integration partner (feed aggregator). Once Macy’s approves your brand, Acenda is the layer between your catalog and the channel.

Macy’s Marketplace FAQ