Macy’s to Close 14 More Stores in Early 2026; Clearance Sales Start Mid‑January as Retail Shakeup Continues
Macy’s announced it will close 14 additional stores in Q1 2026 across several states as part of its “Bold New Chapter” plan to shutter about 150 underperforming locations by end‑2026; clearance sales at affected stores begin mid‑January 2026.
- The 14 closures are part of a broader plan to close ~150 underperforming Macy’s stores by end‑2026 and to invest in roughly 350 stronger “go‑forward” locations and digital capabilities — Macy’s press release.
- Clearance sales at affected stores are expected to begin mid‑January 2026 and typically run about 10 weeks (reporting; Axios).
- Confirmed locations include sites in California, Georgia, Maryland and Minnesota — lists and local coverage are available via Fox Business, The Daily Record, and Bring Me The News.
- Local impact for San Luis Obispo: no closures confirmed in this list, but regional retail effects and vacancy risks merit monitoring — check Macy’s official closing list for updates (Macy’s Inc. newsroom).
Main story
What Macy’s announced
New York, New York (Times Media Service) — Macy’s confirmed plans to close 14 additional stores in the first quarter of 2026 across states including California, Georgia, Maryland and Minnesota. Company leaders described the move as part of its “Bold New Chapter” strategy to reduce the footprint of underperforming locations and to concentrate investment on stronger stores and digital growth — see the company release: Macy’s press release.
Which stores are on the Macy’s closing list
Macy’s has provided or confirmed a number of affected locations through company notices and local reporting. Confirmed sites include:
- California: Grossmont Center, La Mesa (5500 Grossmont Center Drive) and West Valley Mall, Tracy (3400 Naglee Road) — see Fox Business.
- Georgia: Northlake Mall, Atlanta (4880 Briarcliff Road NE) — Fox Business.
- Maryland: Marley Station Mall, Glen Burnie — The Daily Record.
- Minnesota: Crossroads Center, St. Cloud — Bring Me The News.
- Other planned closures were reported in states including Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington — reporting.
News outlets compiling Macy’s closing-store lists also published broader liquidation and closing timelines and advised shoppers to expect heavy markdowns as clearance phases begin — see detailed timelines at Axios and coverage at Fox Business.
Why Macy’s is closing more stores now
Retail patterns have shifted sharply over the past decade: online sellers, off‑price chains and changing shopper habits have pressured traditional department stores. Macy’s leadership says trimming underperforming sites lets the company focus dollars, staffing and experience on higher‑performing locations and digital tools.
Macy’s reported mixed recent results — the company noted its strongest Q3 comparable sales in three years among remodeled and go‑forward stores, even while net sales for the period ending Nov. 1, 2025, declined 2.3% to $4.7 billion, reflecting prior closures and continued traffic pressures (The Daily Record; Fox Business).
“Targeted adjustments” was how CEO Tony Spring described the changes in an internal memo, saying closures follow careful portfolio reviews and that Macy’s will continue testing new formats while trimming underperformers — press reporting.
Store staff, timelines and clearance sales
Macy’s expects clearance sales at the 14 closing stores to begin around mid‑January 2026 and to run about 10 weeks before doors close, with steep markdowns during liquidation (Axios; The Daily Record).
Macy’s typically offers severance, job‑placement help and potential transfers to nearby stores when possible; local managers and employee groups will be updated with staffing plans as each closure progresses.
Macy’s strategy: invest in go‑forward stores and smaller formats
Alongside closures, Macy’s plans to invest in roughly 350 “go‑forward” locations and expand smaller, curated formats designed to create immersive brand experiences. The chain has opened 21 small‑format stores since the pilot program began in Texas about five years ago, according to reporting (The Daily Record).
Company leaders say concentrating resources on top-performing locations, refreshed store layouts and enhanced digital tools should help Macy’s improve sales and margins across the chain — see the company release: Macy’s press release.
How this fits into broader retail trends
Macy’s closures mirror a larger U.S. retail shift: dozens of national chains announced nearly 300 closures for 2026 as retailers pare physical footprints to adjust to e‑commerce and cost pressures. Some chains are shrinking while others experiment with smaller, experience‑driven formats (Business Insider; TheStreet).
Analysts say companies that balance strong physical locations with efficient digital operations and fast adaptation to shopper preferences will be best positioned going forward.
Implications for San Luis Obispo, California
Economic impact: There are no confirmed Macy’s closures in San Luis Obispo County in this latest list; confirmed California closures are in La Mesa and Tracy (Fox Business). Still, closures elsewhere can reduce regional mall traffic and raise vacancy risks for local retail.
Political and municipal consequences: City leaders may be asked to accelerate redevelopment plans for vacant anchor space or consider incentives to attract new tenants; changes in sales tax revenue could affect municipal budgets if anchor losses curb local consumer spending.
Social and community effects: Shoppers who prefer in‑store experiences may travel for clearance bargains; employees near affected stores could face job uncertainty and may seek assistance from local workforce agencies.
Practical steps for residents: Check Macy’s official closing list and store pages for up‑to‑date schedules and liquidation details (Macy’s Inc. newsroom). Employees should contact store management or Macy’s HR about severance, transfers and job‑help resources.
Sources and further reading
- Macy’s Inc. newsroom: Macy’s Inc. Confirms Planned Macy’s Store Closures (company release)
- The Daily Record: Macy’s Maryland store closure 2026
- Fox Business: Macy’s to close 14 stores
- Axios: Macy’s store closing list and liquidation timeline
- Bring Me The News (Minnesota): Macy’s to close St. Cloud store
- Business Insider: Stores closing list for 2026
- TheStreet: Major retailers plan sweeping store closures for 2026
- AOL: coverage of earlier Macy’s closures
For San Luis Obispo readers: Local officials and small‑business owners should monitor vacancy reports and mall leasing updates. Shoppers seeking discounts can expect Macy’s clearance sales to begin mid‑January and run for several weeks at impacted locations — check official Macy’s pages for the latest schedules and details (Macy’s Inc. newsroom).
