Macy’s to close about 14 more stores in early 2026, including Marley Station Mall
Macy’s announced plans to close roughly 14 additional stores in early 2026, including the Marley Station Mall location in Glen Burnie, Md., as part of a larger effort to shutter about 150 underperforming locations by the end of 2026.
Key takeaways
- About 14 more closures are slated for early 2026 as part of Macy’s plan to close roughly 150 underperforming stores (see The Daily Record, Fox Business).
- Marley Station Mall in Glen Burnie, Maryland is on the closure list; clearance sales were expected to begin by mid-January and run about 10 weeks (The Daily Record).
- Macy’s will concentrate on ~350 “go‑forward” stores, reducing its footprint by roughly one‑third and reinvesting in remaining stores and digital platforms (The Daily Record, Macy’s, Inc. newsroom).
Scope of closures and where they are happening
Macy’s said the early-2026 closures span multiple states, including Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, and the Marley Station Mall store in Maryland. The company had already closed 66 stores in 2025; this round is described as part of the remaining slate to hit the 150-store target (The Daily Record, Fox Business).
Strategic rationale: Macy’s “Bold New Chapter”
Macy’s frames these reductions as part of its “Bold New Chapter” turnaround strategy. Company leaders say closing underperforming stores frees capital and staff to improve the remaining go‑forward locations and enhance digital shopping experiences. As Macy’s put it, “These moves allow us to focus on improving nearby Macy’s locations and invest in the stores and digital experiences where customers are choosing to shop today.” (The Daily Record, Macy’s, Inc. newsroom).
Investments are concentrated on staffing, store design and upgraded customer experiences at selected remodeled or go‑forward stores, reflecting a shift toward a smaller, better-performing physical footprint combined with a stronger online presence.
Recent performance and what it means
Despite headwinds, Macy’s reported some positive signs: in its third-quarter results released Dec. 3, 2025, the company posted its strongest Q3 comparable sales in three years, with overall comparable sales up about 2% for the three-month period ending Nov. 1, 2025. Go‑forward stores achieved 2.3% comparable sales growth, while recently remodeled locations saw 2.7% gains (The Daily Record).
At the same time, Macy’s net sales declined 2.3% year over year to $4.7 billion, reflecting store closures, portfolio changes and traffic pressures — evidence behind the paired strategy of cutting underperforming locations while reinvesting in stronger stores and digital platforms.
Employee support and community effects
Macy’s said it has notified affected employees and will offer support, including transfer opportunities where available, or severance and outplacement resources when transfers aren’t possible. The company has not disclosed exact worker counts affected nationally or at each location, leaving local officials and workers seeking details during the transition (The Daily Record).
“Closing underperforming stores frees capital and staff to improve the remaining ‘go‑forward’ locations.”
For malls and shopping centers, the loss of an anchor tenant can reduce foot traffic and accelerate pressure to reconfigure large retail spaces into mixed‑use developments, entertainment venues or smaller specialty tenants.
Implications for Fresno, California
- Local store presence: Fresno shoppers should monitor Macy’s store listings; no Fresno closures were announced in this round, but the national reduction could affect local hours, services or assortments (The Daily Record).
- Jobs and workers: A local closure would affect hourly and salaried employees; Macy’s says it will offer transfers and outplacement, though numbers and timing remain undisclosed.
- Malls and real estate: Anchor vacancies can lower foot traffic; landlords may pursue nontraditional tenants or redevelopment to fill large spaces.
- Consumer choices: Fewer Macy’s stores nationally could push more Fresno shoppers online or toward other retailers, changing local competition and pricing dynamics.
- Practical steps: Fresno residents should check Macy’s online store locator and sign up for email alerts; employees should consult company HR and local workforce resources for transfer and retraining options (The Daily Record).
What to watch next
Macy’s is scheduled to provide updates on closure progress and broader results during its fourth-quarter earnings call on March 6, 2026. That event may disclose how many workers are affected, progress toward the ~150-store target, and specific investment plans for go-forward stores and digital initiatives (The Daily Record, Macy’s, Inc. newsroom).
