Editing Wanamaker Building (section)

== Department Store Legacy ==

John Wanamaker's department store, which occupied the building from its opening until 1995, pioneered retail innovations including the price tag, money-back guarantee, and employee benefits that subsequent retailers adopted. Wanamaker's status as Philadelphia's premier department store reflected both the building's grandeur and the institution's reputation for quality and service. The store's decline and eventual closure followed patterns common to department stores nationwide, as suburban malls and changing shopping habits transformed American retail.<ref name="ershkowitz"/>

The building's transition from Wanamaker's to Macy's preserved its commercial function while inevitably changing its character. Macy's has maintained the Grand Court, organ, and light show, recognizing their value to the building's appeal. The preservation of these elements within a functioning retail operation demonstrates that landmark features can survive commercial transitions when their value is understood.<ref name="gallery"/>