A minority-owned business is a proprietorship, partnership, corporation or joint-venture that is 51% owned, operated and controlled by United States citizens who are members of the following racial groups: African American, Asian American, Hispanic American and Native American. The minority business must obtain certification by an affiliate council of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), before it will be recognized by Macy's, Inc. as minority owned.

A woman-owned business is a proprietorship, partnership, corporation or joint-venture that is 51% owned, operated and controlled by United States citizens that are female. The woman-owned business must obtain certification by an affiliate of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) before it will be recognized by Macy's, Inc. as woman owned.

A certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) is owned, operated and controlled by one or more U.S. citizens that are members of a racial minority group -- African American, Hispanic America, Asian American or Native American.

Asian American means a U.S. citizen whose origins are in Japan, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh.

Hispanic American means a U.S. citizen whose origins are in South and Central America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, or the Iberian Peninsula (including Portugal).

Native American means American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians.

A certified Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) is owned, operated and controlled by one or more women that are U.S. citizens.

Ownership is defined as the owner of record having control of 51% or more of the company's voting shares, and control the day to day operations.

Third party certification organizations

NMSDC — National Minority Supplier Development Council

WBENC — Women's Business Enterprise National Council