The End of an Era: The Full List of 150 Macy's Stores Closing by 2026 and What It Means for the Retail Giant

The End Of An Era: The Full List Of 150 Macy's Stores Closing By 2026 And What It Means For The Retail Giant

The End of an Era: The Full List of 150 Macy's Stores Closing by 2026 and What It Means for the Retail Giant

The iconic red star of Macy's is undergoing a dramatic and historic transformation, fundamentally reshaping its physical footprint across the United States. As of December 2025, the department store giant is actively moving forward with its aggressive "A Bold New Chapter" strategy, which involves the shuttering of approximately 150 "underproductive" store locations by the end of its fiscal 2026. This massive consolidation is not merely a cost-cutting measure; it is a strategic pivot designed to stabilize the core business, accelerate high-growth luxury brands like Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury, and shift focus toward a more profitable, omnichannel retail model. The first major wave of these closures, impacting dozens of locations, is set to be completed in early 2025, marking a significant change for countless regional shopping malls and the traditional retail landscape.

This comprehensive plan is a clear response to the shifting consumer behavior that prioritizes digital sales and convenience over the traditional, large-scale department store experience. Macy's is strategically abandoning lower-tier malls where foot traffic and profitability have been in steady decline, reallocating resources to its remaining 350 "go-forward" stores and a new generation of small-format, off-mall locations. Understanding this strategy is key to grasping the future of one of America’s most recognized retail names.

The "Bold New Chapter": Macy's Strategic Pivot and the 150 Store Consolidation

The decision to close 150 stores is the most dramatic component of the "A Bold New Chapter" strategy, announced to the public as the evolution of the earlier, multi-year "Polaris strategy." This strategic overhaul is spearheaded by CEO Tony Spring and is aimed at returning Macy's, Inc. to sustainable, profitable sales growth.

A Phased Approach to Closures (2025-2026)

The 150 closures are not happening all at once but are being executed in phases over a three-year timeline. The initial and most significant phase involves the closure of approximately 66 full-line Macy's stores. These locations have been identified as the most underperforming, largely situated in regional shopping centers that have struggled with declining foot traffic and a lack of investment. By shedding these anchor stores, Macy's aims to free up capital and leadership attention to invest heavily in its remaining, higher-performing assets.

  • Total Closures by 2026: Approximately 150 locations.
  • First Wave Closures (2025): 66 stores, with the majority expected to close in the first quarter of 2025.
  • Goal: To concentrate resources on the top 350 "go-forward" stores that represent the best opportunity for growth and profitability.

Representative List of Announced Macy’s Store Closures

While the complete, final list of all 150 closures is phased and subject to change, the initial list of stores slated for closure in the first major wave (Q1 2025) provides a clear picture of the company's focus on exiting lower-tier mall locations. These stores, often large mall anchors, will hold liquidation and clearance sales before permanently closing their doors.

Initial Closure Locations (A Sample)

The closures span numerous states, highlighting the national scope of the consolidation strategy:

  • Michigan: Grand Traverse Mall (Traverse City), Lakeside Mall (Sterling Heights).
  • Florida: Boynton Beach Mall (Boynton Beach), Ft Lauderdale Furniture (Fort Lauderdale).
  • Washington: South Hill Mall (Puyallup), Redmond Furnitureh (Redmond), Kitsap Mall (Silverdale).
  • Texas: Almeda Mall (Houston), Shops at Willow Bend (Plano), Southlake Town Square (Southlake).
  • California: Locations in areas like Simi Valley Town Center and others are often included in lists of stores previously or recently closed as part of the ongoing strategy.

The closure of these traditional department stores has a ripple effect on the entire retail ecosystem, particularly for the struggling malls that rely on Macy’s as a major anchor tenant to drive traffic. This shift signals the end of the traditional mall era in many communities.

The Future of Macy's: Investment in the "Go-Forward" 350 Stores

The "Bold New Chapter" is defined as much by what Macy's is keeping and investing in as by what it is closing. The company is prioritizing its investments in approximately 350 "go-forward" Macy's locations. These stores are considered the most viable, profitable, and strategically important to the brand's long-term health.

The "First 50" Success Story

Macy's has already seen positive results from its pilot program, the "First 50" stores, where initial investments and strategic improvements were made. These pilot locations have shown boosted sales for three consecutive quarters, providing the blueprint for the larger investment in the remaining 350 stores. The investment focuses on:

  • Enhanced Customer Experience: Improving in-store technology, optimizing inventory management, and enhancing personalized shopping experiences.
  • Digital Integration: Seamless integration with the company's robust digital sales and omnichannel strategy, allowing for services like Buy Online, Pick-up In Store (BOPIS) and same-day delivery.
  • Physical Upgrades: Modernizing store aesthetics, improving lighting, and creating more engaging product displays to elevate the shopping environment.

This targeted investment ensures that the remaining Macy's stores can effectively compete in the modern retail landscape, leveraging their prime real estate assets and established customer base.

Accelerating Luxury and the Off-Mall Strategy

Beyond the core Macy's brand, the strategic plan includes a significant acceleration of the company's luxury and small-format concepts, which are identified as key growth vectors. This diversification is crucial for capturing different customer segments and expanding the company’s geographical footprint outside of traditional mall settings.

The Bluemercury and Bloomingdale's Expansion

The luxury segment, driven by Bloomingdale's and the high-growth beauty retailer Bluemercury, is a major focus for capital allocation. The plan includes a substantial increase in the physical presence of these brands:

  • Bluemercury: At least 30 new Bluemercury stores and approximately 30 remodels are planned. Bluemercury, acquired by Macy's in 2015, has consistently delivered strong performance and is seen as a crucial component of the luxury market strategy.
  • Bloomingdale's: The company plans to open approximately 15 new Bloomingdale's nameplate stores, including both full-size and smaller-format outlet locations, to deepen its luxury footprint.

The Rise of Small-Format, Off-Mall Locations

To capture market share in areas where the large mall anchor format is no longer viable, Macy's is aggressively expanding its small-format, off-mall strategy, which includes "Market by Macy's" and new smaller Macy's stores. These stores are strategically located in high-traffic, off-mall shopping centers to bring the brand closer to existing and desired customers.

The company plans to open up to 30 new small-format stores through 2025. This model is more nimble, requires less overhead, and offers a highly curated selection of products tailored to the local market. By embracing this strategy, Macy's is adapting to the consumer trend of valuing convenience and accessibility over the vast, often overwhelming, scale of traditional department stores. This shift represents a major investment in the future of the brand, moving away from its historical dependency on the declining mall ecosystem.

The End of an Era: The Full List of 150 Macy's Stores Closing by 2026 and What It Means for the Retail Giant
The End of an Era: The Full List of 150 Macy's Stores Closing by 2026 and What It Means for the Retail Giant

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