Macy’s, a major American department store chain dating back to 1858, stated that it will close at least 14 stores throughout the United States this year.

In a report on its performance released on Jan. 8, Macy’s said it has made “meaningful” progress under its “Bold New Chapter” strategy, while noting plans to further close some weaker-performing stores and streamline operations.

“In executing our strategy, we continue to review our portfolio and make careful decisions about where and how we invest, including closing underproductive stores and streamlining operations,” the store said in the report.

A Macy’s spokesperson told The Epoch Times that the company will close 14 stores but did not disclose their locations.

“We are confirming details market by market and will provide location-specific information upon request,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also noted that the move is part of the store’s new strategy.

“We are making targeted changes to our store footprint to focus investment on our strongest locations and deliver a better experience for customers.”

The number of Macy’s planned store closures this year is far lower than last year.

In January 2025, the company announced that it would close 66 stores as part of the new strategy launched in 2024. Under the plan, the retail giant said it would consider closing up to 150 underproductive stores over a three-year period.

“Closing any store is never easy, but as part of our Bold New Chapter strategy, we are closing underproductive Macy’s stores to allow us to focus our resources and prioritize investments in our go-forward stores, where customers are already responding positively to better product offerings and elevated service,” Tony Spring, Macy’s chairman and CEO noted in the announcement.

Over the past few years, Macy’s faced declining sales, intense competition from online retailers, and a 2024 accounting scandal involving an employee who apparently misclassified delivery expenses and hid more than $151 million.

Last year, Macy’s refurbished 75 of its stores, following renovations at 50 stores in 2024. In addition, it concentrated on rebranding, improving visual merchandising, and increasing staff. Sales at those stores grew 1.2 percent during the second quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, sales at its Bloomingdale’s subsidiary also experienced an increase of 4.6 percent.

In the Jan. 8 press release, Spring noted that Macy’s 125 Reimagine stores are continuing to outperform, with sales increasing by 2.7 percent in the third quarter of 2025. Bloomingdale’s contributed with 9 percent comp sales growth during the same time period, while comp sales at Bluemercury—a luxury cosmetics retailer that joined Macy’s stores in 2015—rose for the 19th consecutive quarter.

Macy’s currently owns and operates 424 stores, down from about 480 in early 2024. At its peak, the retailer offered more than 700 stores across the nation. Headquartered in New York City, Macy’s celebrated its 99th Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2025, featuring its flagship store at 34th Street in Herald Square.