Get All Access for $5/mo

Macy's Is Cutting Jobs and Closing Locations Amid a Leadership Shakeup — Is Your Local Store on the Chopping Block? The retail giant is laying off approximately 2,350 corporate employees.

By Amanda Breen

Key Takeaways

  • Macy's will shutter five store locations and introduce more automation in supply chains.
  • The changes align with consumer research and incoming CEO Tony Spring's new leadership.

Macy's Inc. is making some major changes to its leadership and operations in 2024.

The department-store chain is laying off around 2,350 corporate staff members — 13% of its corporate workforce — and closing five locations in an attempt to streamline costs and refocus resources on enhancing the consumer shopping journey, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Related: Target to Cut Thousands of Jobs as It Seeks to Trim Costs by $2 Billion

Macy's overall workforce will see a 3.5% reduction, excluding seasonal hires, as the company looks to introduce more automation to its supply-chain operations and outsource some roles to third-party providers. Additionally, tiers of management will be reduced to improve efficiency.

The department-store behemoth, also the parent company to Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury, plans substantial investments in customer-facing areas. Soon, Macy's stores will feature more visual display managers to boost store aesthetics and digital improvements for a smoother online shopping experience, per the report.

This reorganization comes ahead of Tony Spring's ascension to CEO, succeeding Jeff Gennette next month. Macy's faces not just transitional leadership but also considerable pressure from activist investors who have publicized a $5.8 billion takeover offer.

"The buyout group is undoubtedly interested in Macy's large real estate portfolio, which has attracted activists and potential buyers in the past," Morningstar analyst David Swartz said in a note reported by Reuters.

According to JPMorgan analysts, Macy's total real estate value is estimated at approximately $8.5 billion, or $31 per share, including its Herald Square property worth about $3 billion, per the outlet.

Related: The Full List of Major U.S. Companies Slashing Staff Next Year, from Nike to Intel

While Macy's has not publicly addressed the buyout bid, more details on its new strategy are expected in the coming weeks, per WSJ.

The changes will take effect on January 26 and include the sales of two furniture locations and store closures in Ballston Quarter, Arlington, Virginia; Bayfair Center, San Leandro, California; Kukui Grove Center, Lihue, Hawaii; Simi Valley Town Center, Simi Valley, California; and Governor's Square, Tallahassee, Florida.

The wave of layoffs at Macy's is part of a broader trend witnessed in early 2024, with peers such as Google, Amazon, and Citigroup also streamlining their workforce. However, this occurs against a backdrop of a potential "soft landing" for the U.S. economy, as inflation shows signs of easing, and sectors like retail continue to demonstrate growth — albeit at a moderate pace compared to pre-Covid patterns, according to the outlet.

Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.

Business News

Former Steve Jobs Intern Says This Is How He Would Have Approached AI

The former intern is now the CEO of AI and data company DataStax.

Leadership

Visionaries or Vague Promises? Why Companies Fail Without Leaders Who See Beyond the Bottom Line

Visionary leaders turn bold ideas into lasting impact by building resilience, clarity and future-ready teams.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Green Entrepreneur®

How Global Business Leaders Can Build a Sustainable Supply Chain

Businesses can build sustainable supply chains by leveraging technology to reduce environmental impact, optimize resources and track emissions while balancing operational efficiency and sustainability goals.