Macy’s Inc. is pressing forward with its multiyear store rationalization, announcing the closure of 14 underperforming locations across 12 states in early 2026. This latest wave forms part of the retailer’s ‘Bold New Chapter’ strategy, unveiled in February 2024, targeting 150 total closures by the end of its fiscal 2026. The moves come as Macy’s shares have climbed 48% over the past year, buoyed by cost-cutting and a focus on higher-performing assets, according to Fast Company.

Clearance sales have already begun at the affected sites, signaling the end of operations within the next 10 weeks. ‘Macy’s, Inc. continues to execute its Bold New Chapter strategy, making targeted adjustments to its store footprint to better serve customers and support long-term growth,’ the company stated in an email to reporters on Jan. 9. These actions enable reinvestment in remaining stores and digital channels, per the retailer.

The strategy prioritizes ‘go-forward’ locations, with Macy’s committing to upgrades at 350 stores through fiscal 2026, ending Jan. 30, 2027. In 2025, the chain shuttered 66 stores, including two in Ohio, as detailed by the Cincinnati Enquirer. Ohio’s 18 remaining Macy’s outlets dodged this round’s list.

Strategic Footprint Overhaul

The closures reflect a broader pivot amid e-commerce pressures and shifting consumer habits. Macy’s fiscal 2025 results showed comparable sales growth at upgraded stores, validating the approach. Investors have responded positively; the stock hit multiyear highs post-announcement, as noted in Macy’s investor release.

Key sites include Grossmont Center in La Mesa, California (5500 Grossmont Center Dr.), and West Valley Mall in Tracy, California (3400 Naglee Road). Others span Atlanta’s Northlake Mall (4880 Briarcliff Road NE, Georgia), Glen Burnie’s Marley Station (7900 Ritchie Hwy., Maryland), and Rivertown Crossroads in Grandville, Michigan (3850 Rivertown Pkwy. SW), per Cincinnati Enquirer reporting aggregated from USA TODAY.

Additional closures hit Saint Cloud’s Crossroads Center (4101 W Division St., Minnesota), Newington’s Fox Run Mall (50 Fox Run Road, New Hampshire), Livingston’s Livingston Mall (112 Eisenhower Pkwy., New Jersey), Ramsey’s Interstate Shopping Center (225 Interstate Shopping Center, New Jersey), Amherst’s Boulevard Mall (1255 Niagara Falls Blvd., New York), Raleigh’s Crabtree Valley Mall (3801 Sumner Blvd., North Carolina), Tarentum’s Pittsburgh Mills (100 Pittsburgh Mills Cir., Pennsylvania), Corpus Christi’s Moore Plaza (5488 South Padre Island Dr., Texas), and Tukwila’s Southcenter Mall (17855 Southcenter Pkwy., Washington).

Ohio Spared, But Prior Cuts Linger

While no Ohio stores feature in the 2026 roster, the state felt the impact earlier. Two locations closed in 2025 as part of the initial 66, leaving 18 operational amid a national footprint of about 500 pre-cut stores. ‘Macy’s plans to close 14 stores in 2026 after identifying 66 stores for closure in 2025,’ the Cincinnati Enquirer reported in January 2025.

Posts on X highlight investor sentiment, with users noting the strategy’s role in stock gains despite retail headwinds. One thread detailed the California and Georgia sites, echoing news reports. Macy’s emphasized profitability: ‘This plan is designed to return the company to sustainable, profitable sales growth,’ from its 2024 press release.

The chain’s investments include store remodels and small-format ‘Market by Macy’s’ concepts, now numbering over 30. Fiscal 2025 digital sales rose 10%, offsetting physical declines, per earnings calls referenced in People.

Financial Tailwinds and Investor Calculus

Macy’s market cap has rebounded to $5 billion-plus, with analysts citing closure efficiencies. ‘Shares have risen 48% over the last 12 months,’ Fast Company observed. Cost savings from exits are funneled into high-traffic hubs and online fulfillment.

Competitors like Kohl’s and Nordstrom face similar pressures, but Macy’s aggressive timeline sets it apart. X discussions compare it to Big Lots and Joann closures in Ohio, framing a regional retail contraction. The Bold New Chapter also involves 28,500 job reductions over three years, though offset by new hires at upgraded sites.

Customer impact varies: affected malls lose anchors, potentially accelerating vacancies. Yet Macy’s data shows 20% sales lifts at revamped stores, per internal metrics shared in earnings.

Regional Ripples and Future Bets

In California, dual closures underscore suburban mall woes. Atlanta’s Northlake follows prior exits, per local coverage. Minnesota’s Saint Cloud site joins a trend of Midwest rationalizations, as Fox Business detailed.

Ohio stakeholders breathe easier, with Cincinnati and Columbus anchors intact. The Cincinnati Enquirer tracked early Ohio cuts, noting two sites from March 2025 lists. Nationally, 12 states affected signal precision targeting of low single-digit sales performers.

Looking ahead, Macy’s eyes fiscal 2027 growth via experiential retail and AI-driven personalization. ‘These actions allow us to reinvest in go-forward stores and digital capabilities,’ the company reiterated. With closures nearing completion, the retailer positions for a leaner, tech-augmented era.