The rise and fall of Macy's, the beloved American retailer that just received a $6.6 billion buyout bid

• As one of the oldest and largest department stores in the nation, Macy's is an icon of American retail. 
• Despite its dominance, Macy's has struggled in recent years to overcome slumping sales and continues to shutter stores.
• Here's the story of Macy's rise to iconic American retailer and a look at its recent stumbles. 

In its nearly two centuries in operation, the Macy's name has become more or less synonymous with pure Americana.