Macy’s to Close 14 More Stores in Early 2026 as Part of ‘Bold New Chapter’; Clearance Sales to Begin Mid-January
Macy’s will close 14 additional stores in early 2026 under its “Bold New Chapter” strategy, targeting roughly 150 underperforming locations by year-end while concentrating investment on about 350 go‑forward stores; clearance sales start mid‑January.
Key takeaways
- 14 more closures: Primarily in Q1 2026, including Marley Station Mall in Glen Burnie, Maryland.
- 150-store goal: Macy’s plans to close about 150 underperforming stores by the end of 2026 and focus on ~350 go‑forward locations.
- Employee support: Affected staff have been offered transfers, severance and outplacement assistance; exact permanent job losses not disclosed.
- Liquidation timing: Clearance and liquidation sales are expected to begin mid‑January and run roughly 10 weeks.
What Macy’s announced
Macy’s Inc. provided an update to investors and employees confirming a new wave of closures: 14 locations across multiple states, including Maryland, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. The company says these actions continue its “Bold New Chapter” plan to reduce footprint at underperforming sites and invest in a smaller, more productive store base.
Strategy and context
First unveiled in February 2024, the strategy aims to shutter underperforming stores and concentrate resources on about 350 “go‑forward” locations. Macy’s also plans investments in smaller, curated-format stores and enhancements to staffing, store design and customer experience in remaining stores.
Why Macy’s is making the cuts
Executives cite changing shopping habits, intensified competition and the need to improve customer experience. CEO Tony Spring emphasized in an internal memo (dated Jan. 8, 2026) that decisions were “not made lightly” and are intended to let Macy’s reimagine flagship stores, expand luxury offerings and strengthen supply chain operations.
“These decisions are not made lightly,” Tony Spring wrote, framing closures as a path to revamp service, product mix and store experience.
Financial snapshot
Macy’s reported mixed financial results: comparable sales in Q3 2025 rose about 2% overall, with remodeled and go‑forward stores showing stronger growth, yet net sales for the quarter fell 2.3% to $4.7 billion. Macy’s says it expects short‑term closure costs while pursuing longer‑term gains from a smaller, more productive store fleet.
Timing, sales and employee support
Clearance and liquidation events for the newly announced closures are expected to begin in mid‑January and run about 10 weeks. Macy’s has notified affected employees and offered transfer opportunities to nearby stores, severance and outplacement resources, though the company has not released a full accounting of permanent job losses.
Broader retail context
Macy’s move follows a broader retail trend of paring physical footprints as e-commerce expands. Industry reports project roughly 300 U.S. store closures among several chains in 2026 as retailers reshape footprints toward smaller, curated formats and investment in best-performing locations. Macy’s closed 66 stores in 2025 as part of the same restructuring effort.
Smaller-format experimentation
Macy’s is piloting and expanding smaller-format stores—about one-fifth the size of traditional department stores—focused on curated brands and immersive experiences. Since a 2021 pilot in Texas, Macy’s has opened 21 such locations, positioning them as flexible options where a full-size store is no longer viable.
Investigative view: questions to watch
- Transparency on jobs: How fully will Macy’s disclose the number of permanent layoffs so local workforce programs can respond?
- Use of savings: Will savings be reinvested into payroll and store experience or prioritized for shareholder returns?
- Local mall impacts: How will anchor vacancies affect mall traffic and local small businesses?
- Smaller-format viability: Are compact stores a durable strategy or a stopgap measure?
Implications for Paso Robles, California
Paso Robles was not named among the closures, but the wave matters locally. Potential effects include shifts in tourist shopping patterns, fewer national-brand draws in nearby shopping hubs, and impacts on part‑time or seasonal workers who rely on retail schedules.
Practical guidance for residents and local leaders:
- Shoppers: Watch nationwide Macy’s liquidation events for deals but anticipate limited returns and inventory constraints during closures.
- Workers: Monitor county job centers and workforce boards for upskilling and placement opportunities.
- Business owners: Assess opportunities to capture shifting customer traffic and coordinate with the local chamber and Main Street programs.
- Local government: Request data from mall owners on vacancy and consider incentives or zoning changes to repurpose large retail spaces.
Source links for reporting and verification
Reporting and verification for this article draw on national and regional coverage and the company newsroom. Follow these original reports:
- The Daily Record — “Macy’s Maryland store closure 2026” (reporting on closures, employee notices and sales schedule)
- Macy’s Inc. newsroom — Company confirmation of planned Macy’s store closures and prior announcements
- Fox Business — Coverage of Macy’s closure list and turnaround strategy
- Axios — Story on Macy’s store-closing list and liquidation timing
- TheStreet — Reporting on major retailers’ store closures for 2026
- Business Insider — Industry overview of stores closing in 2026
