The iconic red star of Macy's is undergoing a dramatic transformation, and it means the end of an era for dozens of communities across the United States. In a major strategic pivot announced in early 2024, the retail giant confirmed plans to shutter 150 underperforming full-line Macy's locations over the next three years. This massive restructuring effort, dubbed "A Bold New Chapter," is already underway, with the first wave of closures—a staggering 66 stores—set to be finalized throughout 2025. This move is designed to stabilize the company's financial health, focus resources on its most profitable locations, and accelerate the growth of its luxury and smaller-format brands.
As of late 2025, the closures are proceeding as planned, affecting dozens of states and thousands of employees. The list of the 66 "non-go-forward" stores has been officially identified, signaling a significant shift in the American retail landscape. This article provides the most up-to-date details on the closures, the strategic rationale behind the decision, and the full context of Macy's ambitious plan for the future.
Macy's "A Bold New Chapter": The Strategy Behind the Closures
The decision to close 150 stores, including the 66 slated for 2025, is not merely a cost-cutting measure; it is the cornerstone of a comprehensive corporate strategy. Announced in February 2024, the "A Bold New Chapter" initiative aims to fundamentally reposition Macy's, Inc. for long-term growth by concentrating on its strongest assets and most loyal customers.
The core components of this strategic overhaul include:
- Reducing Square Footage: The 150 closures represent a significant reduction in the company's physical footprint, specifically targeting the least productive, underperforming full-line Macy's stores.
- Investing in "Go-Forward" Locations: Resources will be redirected to upgrade and enhance the remaining 350 full-line Macy's stores, ensuring they offer a modern, compelling, and high-quality customer experience. This includes significant capital investment in technology, merchandising, and store design.
- Accelerating Luxury Growth: The company is heavily investing in its luxury brands, Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury. The plan includes opening new, smaller-format Bloomingdale's stores and expanding the Bluemercury beauty and spa concept.
- Focus on Off-Mall Formats: Macy's is also experimenting with smaller, off-mall store formats, which are generally more profitable and allow the retailer to enter new markets without the large overhead of a traditional department store.
This aggressive restructuring is a direct response to changing consumer behavior, which has increasingly favored e-commerce and specialized retail experiences over the traditional large-format department store model. The goal is to create a more modern and profitable Macy's brand.
Confirmed List of Macy's Store Closures for 2025
The 66 stores identified for closure in 2025 are considered "non-go-forward" locations, meaning they are the least productive in the company's portfolio. While the complete, granular list of all 66 stores spans dozens of states, the following representative locations and regions have been confirmed by various reports and official company statements. These closures are expected to proceed throughout the calendar year 2025, with final clearance sales often starting months in advance.
A Partial List of Confirmed 2025 Macy's Store Closures:
- California (Bay Area/Southern CA):
- Broadway Plaza - Los Angeles, CA
- Hillsdale Furniture - San Mateo, CA
- Sunrise Mall - Citrus Heights, CA
- Florida:
- Boynton Beach Mall - Boynton Beach, FL
- Ft Lauderdale Furniture - Fort Lauderdale, FL (Specific furniture location)
- New York (Northeast Region):
- Lake Success - New Hyde Park, NY
- Melville Mall - Huntington, NY
- Queens Place - Elmhurst, NY
- Sheepshead Bay - Brooklyn, NY
- Mall at Greece - Rochester, NY
- Georgia (Metro Atlanta Area):
- Multiple locations in the metro Atlanta region, including at least three stores in Gwinnett County.
- Other States Affected: The remaining closures are spread across the country, affecting dozens of other states where underperforming stores are located, including areas in the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Southwest.
Customers in these areas should monitor local news and the Macy's corporate website for the specific liquidation and closing dates for their nearest location. The closures often result in significant clearance sales, providing a final opportunity for shoppers to grab deep discounts.
The Long-Term Impact on Retail and Local Communities
The closure of 66 Macy's stores in 2025 is more than just a corporate restructuring; it has profound economic and social implications for the communities involved.
Economic Entities and Topical Authority
The departure of a Macy's anchor store often triggers a cascade of effects on the surrounding retail ecosystem. Malls that lose their anchor tenants—a phenomenon increasingly common in the current retail climate—can see a significant drop in foot traffic, negatively impacting smaller, co-located businesses and local sales tax revenue. This shift highlights major topical entities in modern retail:
- Mall Vacancy Rates: The closures will likely accelerate the decline of older, less-trafficked regional malls, increasing vacancy rates and forcing property owners (like Simon Property Group or Brookfield Properties) to reimagine the use of the space, often converting it into mixed-use developments, residential areas, or entertainment venues.
- E-commerce Dominance: The strategy underscores the growing dominance of e-commerce platforms and the need for physical retailers to offer a unique, experiential shopping environment that cannot be replicated online.
- Luxury Segment Resilience: The investment in Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury demonstrates the resilience of the luxury retail segment, which continues to attract affluent consumers who prioritize experience and high-end brands.
- The Future of Department Stores: Macy's is attempting to redefine the traditional department store model, moving away from a "one-size-fits-all" approach to a more curated, focused selection in its remaining "go-forward" locations.
The Human Cost and Employee Transition
The closures also carry a significant human cost, resulting in thousands of job losses across the 66 locations. Macy's, Inc. typically offers severance packages and outplacement services to affected employees, attempting to mitigate the impact of the mass layoffs. The company's focus shifts to ensuring that the remaining 350 stores are staffed with highly trained personnel to deliver the enhanced customer experience promised under the "A Bold New Chapter" plan.
Looking Ahead: The Path to 2026
The 2025 closures are merely the first phase of the company's three-year plan. By the end of 2026, Macy's aims to have closed a total of 150 underperforming stores. This means that two more waves of significant closures are anticipated after the 2025 list is finalized.
The success of the "A Bold New Chapter" strategy hinges on two critical factors: the performance of the remaining 350 flagship Macy's stores and the successful expansion of the luxury portfolio. If the upgraded, "go-forward" stores can capture greater market share and the new Bluemercury and Bloomingdale's locations meet their growth targets, the company will solidify its position in the evolving retail market. However, if the closures do not lead to the desired financial improvement, further, more drastic measures may be required in the future.
For now, 2025 marks a pivotal year for the 167-year-old retailer, as it sheds its weakest links to fund a leaner, more focused future. Consumers and communities alike are watching closely to see if this dramatic restructuring can successfully modernize one of America's most recognizable retail institutions.
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