Macy stores closing is shaping one of the biggest retail shifts in the United States in 2026, as the iconic department store chain moves ahead with a new round of permanent shutdowns that will affect malls, employees, and millions of shoppers nationwide.
From large suburban shopping centers to long-established regional malls, the familiar red star is disappearing from select locations as Macy’s trims its physical footprint and redirects investment toward stronger stores, digital services, and higher-margin categories. The changes are part of a broader transformation of how Americans shop and how legacy retailers adapt to modern consumer behavior.
This report explains what is happening, why it is happening now, how the closure process works, and what customers should expect in the months ahead.
Why Macy’s Is Closing Stores in 2026
The decision to reduce store count is driven by a combination of financial, operational, and consumer-behavior factors that have reshaped the retail landscape over the last decade.
Shifts in Shopping Patterns
More customers now browse, compare, and purchase online. Apparel, beauty, footwear, and home goods are increasingly ordered through mobile devices, with delivery or curbside pickup replacing in-store browsing for many households. As digital demand grows, some physical locations no longer generate the traffic needed to justify large real estate and staffing costs.
Mall Performance Gaps
Not all malls perform equally. While top-tier centers continue to attract strong foot traffic, mid-tier and aging properties have struggled. Macy’s stores located in weaker malls often see declining visits, lower sales per square foot, and rising operating costs, making them prime candidates for closure.
Cost Structure and Efficiency
Running hundreds of large-format department stores requires significant spending on rent, utilities, security, maintenance, and labor. Closing underperforming locations allows Macy’s to redirect resources toward:
- Modernizing profitable stores
- Improving digital platforms
- Speeding up order fulfillment
- Enhancing customer service
Strategic Repositioning
Rather than maintaining a vast but uneven network, the company is focusing on a smaller, stronger portfolio of stores that align with current demand and long-term profitability goals.
Scope of the 2026 Closure Wave
The current phase of Macy stores closing involves more than a dozen full-line department stores across multiple U.S. states. These locations span the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West Coast, reflecting a nationwide rebalancing rather than a region-specific pullback.
This round follows earlier closures in 2024 and 2025 and fits into a multi-year plan to significantly reduce the total number of underperforming locations by the end of 2026.
How the Closure Process Works
Once a store is selected for shutdown, a structured sequence typically unfolds.
1. Internal Notification
Employees are informed first, allowing time for transition planning, transfer opportunities, and severance arrangements.
2. Public Announcement
In-store signage appears, store locator listings are updated, and local customers begin to see “closing” banners and promotional displays.
3. Inventory Consolidation
Departments are reorganized, duplicate items are grouped, and back-of-house stock is moved to sales floors to prepare for liquidation.
4. Discount Phases
Clearance pricing progresses in stages:
- Early Phase: 20%–40% off across many categories
- Middle Phase: 50%–70% off as inventory declines
- Final Phase: Up to 80% off remaining merchandise and fixtures
5. Operational Wind-Down
Store hours may be shortened. Fitting rooms, returns, and customer service desks can operate with reduced capacity. Restocking generally stops, meaning once an item sells out, it is gone.
6. Final Day and Exit
After liquidation ends, the store closes permanently and the property is prepared for redevelopment, re-leasing, or sale.
Most locations in the current cycle are expected to complete this process by early spring 2026.
Impact on Employees
Store closures affect thousands of retail workers nationwide. Typical support measures include:
- Transfer opportunities to nearby open stores
- Severance packages based on tenure
- Job placement assistance and career counseling
In areas with multiple Macy’s or affiliated brand locations, some employees are able to remain within the company. In markets with only one store, the impact is often more disruptive.
What Shoppers Will See Inside Closing Stores
For customers, a closing Macy’s looks and feels different from a regular location.
Changing Store Layouts
Departments may be condensed. Aisles become wider as racks are removed. Clearance signage becomes more prominent, and entire sections may be roped off as inventory sells through.
Pricing Patterns
Discounts increase over time, but selection decreases. Popular sizes, colors, and well-known brands tend to sell out early, while less common items may remain longer and reach deeper markdowns.
Service Adjustments
As staffing levels change, shoppers may notice:
- Fewer open checkout lanes
- Limited fitting room availability
- Stricter return and exchange policies
- More items labeled final sale
How Online Shopping Fits Into the Transition
As physical locations close, digital channels take on a larger role.
Home Delivery
Customers can continue ordering through Macy’s website and app, with shipping to home or alternative pickup locations.
Buy Online, Pick Up In Store
Open stores continue to support in-store and curbside pickup, allowing shoppers encourage faster access without browsing inside.
Regional Fulfillment
Distribution and logistics networks are being adjusted to support faster shipping times and better inventory accuracy as store counts change.
The Role of Remaining “Go-Forward” Stores
The stores that remain open are not simply staying the same. They are becoming the centerpiece of Macy’s physical strategy.
Modernized Environments
Many locations are receiving:
- Updated lighting and flooring
- Redesigned fitting rooms
- Streamlined checkout areas
- Improved signage and navigation
Focused Assortments
Product selection is being tailored by market, with stronger emphasis on:
- Women’s fashion
- Beauty and skincare
- Footwear
- Home essentials
- Seasonal and private-label lines
Enhanced Service
Staffing is being concentrated in high-traffic departments. Mobile tools help associates check inventory, locate sizes, and assist with online orders from the sales floor.
Growth of Luxury and Specialty Segments
While some traditional department stores are closing, other parts of the business are expanding.
Bloomingdale’s
The upscale banner continues to attract higher-spending customers and performs well in urban and premium suburban markets.
Bluemercury
The beauty-focused chain benefits from strong demand for skincare, fragrance, and cosmetics, categories that have shown resilience even during economic slowdowns.
These brands play a key role in balancing the reduction of standard Macy’s locations.
How Mall Owners Are Responding
The departure of a major anchor tenant can reshape an entire property.
Redevelopment Options
Former department store spaces are being considered for:
- Entertainment venues
- Fitness centers
- Grocery stores
- Medical offices
- Mixed-use residential projects
Traffic Rebalancing
Malls often reconfigure entrances, parking, and internal walkways to adapt to new tenants and maintain customer flow.
What Shoppers Can Do Now
For those planning to visit a closing location:
- Shop early for the best size and brand selection
- Track discount stages rather than waiting only for final markdowns
- Review return and final-sale policies before purchasing
- Check updated store hours online before visiting
For those without a nearby store:
- Use online ordering and delivery services
- Take advantage of pickup options at remaining locations
- Monitor digital promotions that often mirror in-store clearance events
What the 2026 Closures Signal for U.S. Retail
The current wave of Macy stores closing reflects broader trends:
- Fewer but stronger physical stores
- Deeper integration of online and in-store experiences
- More emphasis on service, speed, and convenience
- Greater focus on profitable categories and premium segments
Department stores are no longer competing only with each other. They now face pressure from:
- E-commerce giants
- Fast-fashion chains
- Off-price retailers
- Direct-to-consumer brands
Survival depends on agility, cost control, and relevance to modern shopping habits.
Looking Ahead
As the liquidation process continues through early 2026, attention is increasingly shifting from the closures themselves to what the next phase of Macy’s transformation will look like. Retail analysts and shoppers alike are watching how the remaining stores perform once nearby locations go dark, particularly in markets where traffic and sales are expected to consolidate into fewer, higher-volume outlets. These “go-forward” stores will serve as a real-world test of suggested layout upgrades, refined merchandise assortments, and staffing models designed to deliver faster service and a more engaging in-store experience.
Customer response to expanded digital services will also be a key indicator. With online ordering, curbside pickup, same-day delivery in select areas, and improved mobile app features playing a larger role, Macy’s is measuring how effectively it can blend convenience with personalization. Strong adoption of these tools could further reshape how physical stores are used, shifting them toward fulfillment hubs, service centers, and experiential shopping spaces rather than purely transactional locations.
Another major focus will be the future of the large properties left behind. Mall owners and city planners are already exploring redevelopment options that range from entertainment complexes and fitness centers to mixed-use residential and office conversions. The pace and success of these projects will influence local economies, job markets, and the overall health of regional shopping districts.
Finally, investors and industry observers are closely tracking whether additional rounds of portfolio optimization will be announced after this cycle. The goal is a leaner but more productive store network, supported by stronger logistics, better data-driven inventory management, and a sharper focus on profitable categories such as beauty, activewear, and home.
The retail landscape that emerges is expected to feature fewer Macy’s locations, but those that remain are likely to be more modern in design, more digitally integrated, and more closely aligned with how Americans shop today—combining in-person service, fast fulfillment, and online convenience into a single, unified customer experience.
FAQ
1. Why are Macy’s stores closing in 2026?
Macy’s is closing selected underperforming locations to reduce costs, focus on higher-performing stores, and strengthen its digital and omnichannel operations.
2. How long will liquidation sales last at closing stores?
Most clearance events run for about 8 to 10 weeks, with discounts increasing in stages until the final closing date.
3. Will Macy’s continue operating in the U.S.?
Yes. While some locations are shutting down, hundreds of stores will remain open nationwide, supported by online shopping, curbside pickup, and home delivery.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. All details reflect the most current publicly available information at the time of writing and are subject to change as Macy’s updates its store operations, timelines, and business strategy.
Macy stores closing is not simply about doors shutting. It represents a fundamental shift in how a historic retailer adapts to a new era, balancing tradition with transformation, and physical presence with digital reach.