Macy's To Close 68 Stores Nationwide By Year's End, Including Eight In Texas

AUSTIN, TX — Officials at retailer Macy's announced Wednesday they would close 68 of their 730 stores nationwide by year's end, including eight stores in Texas, in a move that will result in more than 10,000 layoffs across the country.

While the stores targeted for closure are profitable, they aren't performing financially up to corporate standards, the president of the retailer said in a prepared statement. Moreover, the company is increasingly focused on building on its e-commerce sales efforts and enhancing the shopping experience for customers at its remaining store inventory.

“We believe that this reduction of 100 locations in the short term will result in a more appropriate store portfolio for Macy’s in the longer term and help us to accelerate our progress in building a vibrant omni-channel brand experience," Macy's Presidnent Jeff Gennette said. "Nearly all of the stores to be closed are cash flow positive today, but their volume and profitability in most cases have been declining steadily in recent years. We recognize that these locations do not yield an adequate return on investment and often do not represent a customer shopping experience that reflects our aspirations for the Macy’s brand."

In Texas, eight stores are among those slated to close. All told, 657 employees will be impacted by the closures with the biggest hit coming in Houston where 205 employees at two stores to be laid off as a result.

The Texas stores scheduled to close are:

• Parkdale, Beaumont, TX (171,000 square feet; opened in 2002; 67 associates);
• Southwest Center, Dallas, TX (148,000 square feet; opened in 1975; 68 associates);
• Sunland Park, El Paso, TX (105,000 square feet; opened in 2004; 71 associates);
• Greenspoint, Houston, TX (314,000 square feet; opened in 1976; 70 associates);
• West Oaks Mall, Houston, TX (244,000 square feet; opened in 1982; 135 associates);
• Pasadena Town Square, Pasadena, TX (209,000 square feet; opened in 1962; 78 associates);
• Collin Creek, Plano, TX (199,000 square feet; opened in 1980; 103 associates);
• Broadway Square, Tyler, TX (100,000 square feet; opened in 1981; 65 associates);

The stores being closed are part of the 100 closings it announced in August. When that earlier announcement was made, the specific stores that were closing were not named. For the full list of stores slated to be closed nationally, click here.

>>> Photo courtesy of Macy's