It won't be long before people will be very happy that Federated was the survivor.
Macy's is bringing back some of the refinement and polish that distinguished department stores.
It will not have a cookie-cutter feel and shoppers will see variances among its stores in every market.
The fresh merger will make Macy's more competitive and will have more leverage with vendors and can develop more exclusive product.
For years, analysts questioned the long-term viability of department stores as consumers spent more of their dollars off-mall but with the launch of Macy's as a national brand, the consumers may feel more enthusiastic about traditional department stores.
It has a combination of better fashion and affordable luxury that should help change minds about what a department store should be.
Over the summer, Macy's stocked the Marshall Field's stores with its private apparel and home goods brands, including INC International Concepts, Style & Co., the Cellar, Alfani, American Rag and others.
Last year, 18 percent of Macy's sales came from its private label business.