Macy’s to Buy Bluemercury for $210 Million


The Georgetown-based luxury beauty company Bluemercury will be acquired by Macy’s for $210 million in cash, the company announced Feb. 3.

Macy’s, Inc., has signed an agreement to grow its beauty business and enhance customer offerings in stand-alone Bluemercury specialty locations, in digital channels and in Macy’s stores.

“We are excited to continue our aggressive expansion of Bluemercury, while simultaneously leveraging Macy’s leadership in omni-channel technology, supply chain and retail operations,” said Marla Beck, Bluemercury’s co-founder and CEO.

Marla and Barry Beck co-founded Bluemercury in Georgetown in 1999. Bluemercury has been recognized as the largest and fastest-growing luxury beauty products and spa services retailer, in the U.S. Beside its online business, the company operates 60 stores in 18 states.

The Becks and their business were profiled in a Sept. 24th Georgetowner cover story.

Bluemercury products include well-known luxury brands, as well as Marla Beck’s own proprietary skincare brand, M-61, all supported with personalized assistance from a team of beauty experts. Most locations include in-house spas.

“With the full weight of Macy’s resources, we will be able to accelerate our store penetration across the United States, bringing our specialty store format to urban and suburban markets throughout the country,” said Barry Beck, co-founder and COO.

“Keeping Bluemercury as a stand-alone business, while adding new expertise, will enable us to fulfill our mission of being the best at giving beauty advice and helping our customers make their way through the often complex process of purchasing beauty products,” explains Marla Beck.

The company will remain headquartered in Georgetown, with Marla Beck remaining as chief executive officer and president and Barry Beck remaining as chief operating officer.

Its team of approximately 600 associates will remain in their current roles operating stand-alone Bluemercury specialty business.

”With Bluemercury, our company can access a new channel to reach additional customers, add new dimensions to our product offering and apply our expertise in omnichannel retailing,” said Terry Lundgren, Macy’s chairman and executive officer.

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