More Macy’s stores are closing as retailer reshapes its footprint

Macy’s is changing fast

Shopping at Macy’s has been part of family traditions for generations. From holiday sales to back-to-school trips, many Americans grew up walking through those big department store aisles.

Now, the company is making major changes that could affect shoppers nationwide. Macy’s is closing more stores as part of a nationwide restructuring effort.

After reporting stronger fourth-quarter 2025 results in March 2026, the retailer says it wants to focus on stronger locations and improve long-term growth. The company is investing more in digital shopping, upgraded stores, Bloomingdale’s, and Bluemercury.

Why Macy’s is closing stores

Macy’s says the closures are part of its long-term strategy, “A Bold New Chapter.” The company first announced the plan in early 2024, following years of shifting shopping trends and pressure on traditional department stores.

Executives believe reducing the number of weaker locations will help the business stay competitive. Macy’s originally planned to close about 150 underproductive stores through 2026, but the company has since extended the remaining closure timeline through 2028. Macy’s wants to spend more money on stores that perform better.

Company leaders also hope these changes will create a smoother shopping experience while helping Macy’s adapt to modern retail habits nationwide.

More closures arrive in 2026

Macy’s confirmed another round of store closures for 2026. The latest list included 14 locations across 12 states as part of the company’s ongoing restructuring plan.

Many of those stores have already closed, while at least 1 location was still listed as set to close in early May 2026. The closures continue Macy’s push to shrink its weaker store base and focus more investment on stronger locations.

Shoppers at closing stores could see liquidation discounts as those locations clear out inventory before permanently shutting down. Macy’s says these changes are designed to improve efficiency and reduce costs tied to locations that no longer attract enough customers.

Workers face major changes

Store closures not only affect shoppers. Employees working at these locations are also facing uncertainty as Macy’s moves forward with its restructuring plan. The company says it plans to support workers during the transition process as stores begin shutting their doors.

Some employees may have the opportunity to transfer to nearby Macy’s locations if positions are available. Others may receive severance packages in accordance with company policies.

Macy’s says it hopes these efforts will reduce the impact on workers and families. Retail jobs have become less stable in recent years as more companies shift spending toward online operations and smaller store networks nationwide.

Holiday results showed some strength

Even with closures on the way, Macy’s reported stronger fourth-quarter 2025 results. The company said Macy’s Inc. comparable sales grew 1.8% in the quarter, while Bloomingdale’s posted its best holiday performance on record.

Those results did not stop the company from continuing its restructuring plans. Macy’s leaders say the closures are still part of its effort to improve profitability, focus on stronger locations, and reduce pressure from weaker stores.

Running large department stores remains challenging as online shopping continues to grow. The company believes focusing on stronger locations, digital shopping, and better customer experiences will help Macy’s stay competitive.

Macy’s bets on modern stores

Instead of spreading money across hundreds of locations, Macy’s is investing heavily in selected stores through its “Reimagine” program. Macy’s began with 125 Reimagine locations and expanded the effort to 200 locations by 2026.

The company says these upgraded locations have already shown encouraging results. In Q3 2025, Macy’s Reimagine 125 locations posted 2.7% comparable sales growth on an owned-plus-licensed basis, and in Q4 2025, they posted 0.9% comparable sales growth.

Executives believe modernized stores can create a more enjoyable shopping experience while helping Macy’s compete with retailers that focus heavily on convenience, fast service, and cleaner store designs.

California loses two Macy’s stores

California is among the states affected by Macy’s 2026 store closures. The La Mesa store at Grossmont Center and the Tracy store at West Valley Mall were both included in the company’s latest closure round and were listed as closed by early May 2026.

These stores served local shoppers for years before being added to the closure list. California has experienced major shifts in retail as shopping habits continue to change rapidly.

Many customers now buy clothing, home goods, and beauty products online instead of visiting malls regularly. Macy’s says it will continue focusing on stronger locations while expanding digital shopping options.

East Coast malls feel the impact

Several East Coast locations are also affected by Macy’s 2026 closure round. Macy’s stores in Livingston and Ramsey, New Jersey, along with Glen Burnie, Maryland, were listed as closed by early May 2026, while the Amherst, New York, store remained on the 2026 closure list.

Many malls across the East Coast have struggled with lower foot traffic in recent years. As shoppers spend more time online, traditional department stores often face pressure from weaker sales and higher operating costs.

Macy’s says these closures are part of a larger effort to focus on locations with stronger performance and better long-term growth potential. The company still plans to maintain a presence in many major shopping markets across the region.

Southern stores also make the list

Macy’s closures are not limited to one region. Stores in Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Corpus Christi, Texas, were included in the latest closure round and listed as closed by early May 2026.

These locations were selected as part of Macy’s review of underproductive stores and stronger long-term opportunities. The retail industry has changed quickly as population shifts, online shopping, curbside pickup, and fast delivery reshape consumer behavior.

Many shoppers now prefer convenience instead of long trips to large malls. Macy’s says it wants to invest more heavily in stores that continue attracting steady customer traffic while improving its growing online retail business nationwide.

Midwest shoppers see more closures

Several more Macy’s locations are disappearing in 2026. Stores in Grandville, Michigan; St. Cloud, Minnesota; and Tarentum, Pennsylvania, were all included in the latest closure round and were listed as closed by early May 2026.

For many communities, department stores once served as major attractions inside shopping malls. Over time, changing buying habits and competition from online retailers reduced customer traffic at many locations.

Macy’s says closing weaker stores allows it to focus on stronger markets while controlling expenses. The company believes this strategy will help it adapt to the retail industry’s rapid transformation.

Luxury brands become a bigger focus

One major part of Macy’s strategy involves growing its luxury business. The company says divisions like Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury have performed better than many traditional department store locations in recent years, making them important parts of future growth plans.

Luxury shoppers often continue spending even during slower economic periods, giving retailers more stable revenue opportunities. Macy’s believes investing in higher-end brands can help balance weaker performance at some traditional stores.

The company also hopes that luxury expansion will attract younger shoppers seeking premium beauty, fashion, and lifestyle products. Executives say these investments are designed to strengthen Macy’s overall business.

Online shopping keeps changing retail

Macy’s is far from the only retailer shrinking its store count. Across the country, many companies are reducing physical locations as online shopping becomes more popular with consumers of all ages.

Retailers now face pressure to balance digital growth with maintaining profitable stores. Department stores, in particular, have struggled as customers opt for faster, more convenient shopping methods.

Mobile apps, home delivery, and online discounts continue pulling shoppers away from malls. Macy’s says its restructuring is designed to match these new habits while improving long-term financial stability.

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Big changes still lie ahead

Macy’s restructuring plan is now expected to continue beyond its original 2026 timeline, with remaining closures stretching through 2028. The company hopes its smaller store network, upgraded locations, and stronger digital business will create a more stable future for the iconic retailer.

For many shoppers, these closures mark the end of an era tied to familiar malls and longtime shopping routines. At the same time, Macy’s believes these changes are necessary to stay competitive in today’s retail world.

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What do you think about Macy’s new direction? Would you still shop there online or visit one of the redesigned stores?

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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