It Was True in 1959, It’s Still True Today: An Educated Consumer Is the Best Customer

Marcy Syms became the youngest female president of a publicly traded New York Stock Exchange company when she was named to the position with her family’s business in 1983.

At its peak, the Syms chain of off-price, brand-name fashion stores operated 46 outlets across 16 states, generating annual sales approaching $350 million.

The chain’s slogan — coined by founder Sy Syms, Marcy’s father — was iconic: “An educated consumer is our best customer.”

While Syms was not the very first off-price fashion retailer when it opened its original store in 1959, Sy and Marcy Syms went on to define the sector and dominate it until — faced with increased competition and a soft economy — Syms filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors in 2011 after more than 50 years.

Marcy shares her compelling story and the story of Syms Corporation in a new book, set for release on August 26th. The book is titled Leading with Respect: Adventures of an Off-Price Fashion Pioneer.

“Respect,” as she explains on this week’s podcast, is the key trait — often misunderstood — of effective leadership.

Marcy is a former member of the board at Midlantic Bank and Rite Aid. She is president of the Sy Syms Foundation, which continues her family’s philanthropic legacy supporting charitable, educational, and cultural organizations, including the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University. The foundation has awarded over $60 million to worthy organizations.

Monday Morning Radio is hosted by the father-son duo of Dean and Maxwell Rotbart.

Photo: Marcy Syms, Sy Syms Foundation
Posted: August 11, 2025
Monday Morning Run Time: 49:00
Episode: 14.10

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