Future Uncertain For Hampton Bays Macy's As Retail Giant Announces 100 Closures

This story was written by Alex Costello.

HAMPTON BAYS, NY —The future is uncertain for the Hampton Bays Macy's, which could be among the 100 stores slated to close in early 2017, according to an announcement Thursday by the retail giant.

The Hamptons Bays location is sited at 190 West Montauk Highway in the Hampton Bays Shopping Center, the only major department store in the area.

Macy's issued a release Thursday that it plans to close about 100 stores by early 2017, continuing a trend in the retail world of reduced consumer locations following the double-whammy hit of the great recession and the incursion in sales from online retailers such as Amazon.

A Macy's press release regarding the changes said locations of stores closing "will be announced at a later date, once the company makes final decisions."

The company still plans on keeping locations in 49 of the top 50 U.S. markets. Macy's currently operates 728 stores, including 675 "full-line" locations.

Macy's will focus its resources on its highest-performing stores while pouring more into "online shopping and mobile apps," according to the press release.

In stores that stay open, Macy's plans to add new vendors and increased staffing. The company is planning on "infusing new technology, accentuating high-potential businesses such as fine jewelry, and creating new in-store events and experiences," the release said.

"Customers nearly everywhere in America will have easy access to Macy’s stores, with the additional convenience and increased functionality of our dynamic digital offering,” Macy's President Jeff Gennette said in the press release.

Employees who work at stores that are closing will be offered positions at nearby stores "where possible," Macy's says, and eligible part- and full-time employees will receive severance benefits.

In September, Macy's announced that it would be closing 40 locations.

Similar fates have befallen other major retailers. Walmart is slated to close 154 U.S. stores this year and just announced a $3 billion deal to purchase Jet.com as it looks to improve its online retail presence.

Sports Authority is closing all of its nationwide stores as it wades through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Target, Kmart, Sears, Kohl's and other major retailers have announced similar scale-backs.

Macy's was founded in 1858 when it opened four small department stores in Massachusetts. The company is now an iconic brand in retail nationwide and sponsors the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade through Midtown Manhattan.

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