BIG NAME IN RETAILING can be summarized by two crossword solutions: SEARS (5 letters) and MACY (4 letters). SEARS is an American chain of department stores founded in 1886, and is one of the oldest department store chains in the United States. Macy's is an American department store chain founded in 1858, and is one of the largest department store chains in the world. Both SEARS and Macy's are well-known names in the retail industry, and have been around for many years.