Macy’s has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Hundreds of store closures, job cuts, and a rough 2024 have left shoppers, mall operators, and employees wondering if the iconic department store chain is on its way out.
But there’s a big difference between closing stores and going out of business. Here’s a clear-eyed look at what’s actually happening, what the numbers mean, and what it means for you as a shopper.
Macy’s Is Not Going Out of Business — Here Is What Is Actually Happening
Let’s get straight to the point: Macy’s is not shutting down. The company has not filed for bankruptcy, and there is no liquidation of the entire business underway.
What is happening is a large-scale, planned restructuring. Macy’s is closing roughly 150 underperforming stores over several years while keeping around 350 locations open and investing in them for the long term.
Think of it this way: closing some stores is not the same as closing the company. Plenty of major retailers periodically cut locations that are losing money. It’s a business decision, not a death notice.
After the closures are complete, Macy’s plans to operate approximately 350 “go-forward” stores, plus a national e-commerce platform. The brand is not disappearing. It’s shrinking its physical footprint on purpose.
The “Bold New Chapter” Plan — What Macy’s Is Trying to Do
In February 2024, Macy’s CEO Tony Spring announced a strategy called “Bold New Chapter.” The name is a bit corporate, but the logic behind it is straightforward.
The plan has three main goals:
- Improve the core Macy’s experience — better merchandise, better store layouts, better customer service at the stores that remain open.
- Grow the luxury side of the business — specifically through the Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury brands, where margins are stronger.
- Streamline operations — cut the fat, modernize technology, and fix the supply chain.
Alongside store closures, Macy’s plans to open 15 new Bloomingdale’s locations and 30 new Bluemercury stores over three years. That’s expansion, not retreat.
A useful way to think about it: imagine a sports team cutting underperforming players while signing better ones and promoting top talent from within. The team isn’t quitting the league. It’s rebuilding its roster to compete.
Forbes described the plan as “bearing fruit” rather than signaling collapse. That framing matters. This is a restructuring story, not a failure story.
How Many Stores Are Closing, and When
Here’s the breakdown of closures so far:
- 55 stores closed before 2025
- 66 stores closed in 2025
- 14 additional stores announced for closure in 2026
That puts Macy’s at roughly 80% of its 150-store closure target once the 2026 wave is complete, according to Forbes.
The original plan targeted all 150 closures by the end of 2026. That timeline has since been extended. CFO Tom Edwards confirmed that the full 150-store plan now runs through 2028.
Importantly, Edwards framed this as a choice, not a setback. He cited a strong balance sheet and solid cash flow as the reason Macy’s can afford to take its time and maximize the value of each closing location rather than rushing through them.
At the time the extended timeline was announced, 85 locations had already closed. The company is well into execution, not stalling.
The language Macy’s uses internally is worth knowing. “Non-go-forward” stores are those earmarked for closure. “Go-forward” stores are the ones receiving continued investment and upgrades. If your local store is a go-forward location, it’s not going anywhere.
Which Stores Are Closing and How to Check If Yours Is on the List
The 14 stores announced for 2026 closures span 12 states. According to Newsweek, the full list includes locations in:
- La Mesa, California
- Tracy, California
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Glen Burnie, Maryland
- Grandville, Michigan
- St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Newington, Connecticut
- Livingston, New Jersey
- Ramsey, New Jersey
- Amherst, New York
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Tarentum, Pennsylvania
- Corpus Christi, Texas
- Tukwila, Washington
Clearance sales at these stores typically begin around mid-January and last approximately 10 weeks before the stores close for good.
To find out if your local store is closing, check local news coverage and Macy’s official communications. You can also visit your store’s page directly on Macy’s website — closing stores often display updated hours and clearance signage.
If your local store is closing, use any remaining gift cards or loyalty rewards before the closure date. Those benefits carry over to other open locations and the Macy’s website, but it’s smart to plan ahead rather than scramble at the end.
What This Means for Employees and Local Communities
Store closures have real consequences for the people who work there. Macy’s has cut more than 1,000 jobs as part of this restructuring process.
In Connecticut alone, two distribution centers are closing — one in South Windsor in 2026 and another in Cheshire by April 2027 — adding to the local job losses tied to the broader plan.
Some affected employees may find opportunities at go-forward stores, new Bloomingdale’s or Bluemercury locations, or Macy’s corporate operations. But realistically, not everyone will land a soft transition. Layoffs in restructuring are common, and this one is no exception.
For malls, a Macy’s closure is a serious problem. Macy’s has long served as an anchor tenant — a big draw that brings foot traffic to smaller stores nearby. When an anchor leaves, the surrounding tenants often feel the impact in reduced customer visits. This is a pattern that has played out across American malls for years, and it’s continuing here.
Is Macy’s Shifting Away From Traditional Department Stores?
In a word, yes — but not entirely.
Macy’s is clearly moving toward a smaller, more focused store footprint. The growth investment in Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury signals that the company sees more upside in the luxury and beauty categories than in mid-market department store retail.
But the 350 go-forward Macy’s stores are not being abandoned. They are receiving upgrades, better inventory curation, and tighter omnichannel integration — meaning the goal is to make the online and in-store experience work together more effectively.
The honest read is that Macy’s is acknowledging what the broader retail data has shown for years: too many department store locations, too much square footage, and too much competition from e-commerce and specialty retailers. The company is adjusting to that reality instead of ignoring it.
For more business coverage on restructuring, retail strategy, and what these trends mean for operators and investors, visit Alpha Business Daily.
What Shoppers Should Actually Do
If you shop at Macy’s regularly, here’s the practical takeaway:
- Check your local store’s status. If it’s not on the closure list, you’re fine. Go-forward stores are staying open and being improved.
- Use gift cards before a closing store shuts down. You can redeem them online or at other open locations, but don’t wait until the last minute.
- Star Rewards loyalty points carry over. Your account doesn’t disappear when a store closes. Shop online or at a different location.
- Watch for clearance deals. Closing stores typically run 10-week liquidation sales with meaningful discounts. If you’re near one, it can be worth a visit.
The Bottom Line
Macy’s is not going out of business. It is going through one of the most significant restructurings in its history — closing roughly 150 stores, retaining around 350, and betting on luxury and e-commerce to carry it forward.
The closures are real, the job losses are real, and the impact on affected communities is real. But this is a planned strategic shift, not a company in freefall.
Whether the “Bold New Chapter” plan ultimately works is still an open question. Retail is hard, and the structural pressures facing department stores have not gone away. But Macy’s Inc. is not disappearing. It is changing shape — and right now, the change is deliberate and funded.
If your local store is closing, make practical plans now. If it’s staying open, Macy’s as a brand will be there to shop at for the foreseeable future.
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