Alberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
Macy’s to close up to 40 stores
The retailer said although physical stores are vital to its omnichannel strategy, it must shut down stores that are lagging in sales.
Cincinnati--Early next year, Macy’s Inc. will close 35 to 40 underperforming stores, which represents about 5 percent of the total number of Macy’s stores.
While the exact locations will be announced at a later date, Macy’s said Tuesday the stores that’ll be closing have annual sales of $300 million, excluding sales expected to be retained in nearby stores and online.
The closings are taking place as it works to optimize its omnichannel approach to customers shopping across America.
“Physical stores remain absolutely vital to our omnichannel strategy,” said Macy’s CEO and Chairman Terry Lundgren. “As new shopping centers are opened, however, many customers change their shopping habits and often the sales volume of a store gets divided among the new and nearby, existing centers. Each year, we prune some stores that are our weakest performers so that we can concentrate our resources on the best locations and maintain a strong physical presence.”
He added that Macy’s opens a small number of new stores every year to fill in gaps in market coverage or take advantage of real estate opportunities.
As part of its omnichannel strategy, Macy’s also now offers same-day delivery for purchases made online in 17 cities, and has grown its digital offering to include apps and mobile-enhanced websites. Allowing customers to shop wherever, whenever and however they choose enables the retailer to “attract new customers and grow sales profitably,” Lundgren said.
“While making the decision to close stores is difficult, we know it is necessary for us to remain competitive as customer shopping patterns continue to change,” he said.
Macy’s is far from the only major chain retailer in the country that is closing stores.
AboutMoney’s list of U.S. retail chains’ store closings and downsizing plans for 2015 included jewelry-selling stores Sears (closing 77 stores), J.C. Penney (closing 40) and Walmart (2).
Other retailers on the list were Walgreens (200), Staples (55) and Gap/Gap Kids (35 stores by 2016).
Macy’s said its upcoming store closings will be communicated directly with employees in those locations prior to a public announcement, with the retailer adding that associates displaced by closings may be offered positions in nearby stores where possible. Severance benefits will be given to all eligible full- and part-time associates who are laid off due to a closing.
The retailer currently operates 770 Macy’s stores. In the past five years, the retailer has closed 52
RELATED CONTENT: Macy’s gets into the off-price business
Overall, Macy’s Inc. operates about 885 stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico under the Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bloomingdale’s Outlet and Bluemercury names, as well as macys.com, bloomingdales.com and bluemercury.com. There’s also a Bloomingdale’s in Dubai, operated by Al Tayer Group LLC under a license agreement.
The Latest

The “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.

Four directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.


The jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.

The Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.

Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.

Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.

The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.























