CINCINNATI, Jan 08, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Macy's, Inc. (NYSE:M) today announced the closing of 11 underperforming
Macy's stores.
"These closings are part of our normal-course process to prune
underperforming locations each year in order to maintain a healthy
portfolio of stores," said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and
chief executive officer of Macy's, Inc. "While new store growth has
slowed in the current economy, our long-term strategy is to continue to
selectively add new stores while closing those that are underperforming."
(Editor's Note: Macy's, Inc. this morning also issued a separate news
release reporting December 2008 sales.)
Stores to be closed are located in:
--
Ernst & Young Plaza (Citicorp Plaza), Los Angeles, CA (135,000 square
feet; 136 employees; opened in 1986)
--
The Citadel, Colorado Springs, CO (195,000 square feet; 105 employees;
opened in 1984)
--
Westminster Mall, Westminster, CO (156,000 square feet; 110 employees;
opened in 1986)
--
Palm Beach Mall, West Palm Beach, FL (190,000 square feet; 71
employees; opened in 1979)
--
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, Island of Hawaii, HI (3,000 square feet; 3
employees; opened in 1983)
--
Lafayette Square, Indianapolis, IN (160,000 square feet; 84 employees;
opened in 1974)
--
Brookdale Center, Brooklyn Center, MN (195,000 square feet; 72
employees; opened in 1966)
--
Crestwood Mall, St. Louis, MO (166,000 square feet; 176 employees;
opened in 1969)
--
Natrona Heights Plaza, Natrona Heights, PA (73,000 square feet; 124
employees; opened in 1956)
--
Century III Furniture and Clearance, West Mifflin, PA (83,000 square
feet; 3 employees; opened in 2000)
--
Bellevue Center, Nashville, TN (211,000 square feet; 76 employees;
opened in 1990).
Final clearance sales at these stores will begin within the next week
(with the exception of the Hawaii location, which will not hold a final
clearance sale).
"The decision to close stores is difficult, and often occurs when the
market changes, new competing shopping centers are opened nearby to
existing older ones, or when customers change shopping habits. In the
store closing process, we are committed to treating affected associates
with respect and openness," Lundgren said.
Affected associates in good standing may be considered for open
positions at other Macy's locations. Regular full-time and part-time
associates who are laid off due to a store closing will be provided
severance benefits and outplacement assistance.
Costs associated with these 11 store closings will be approximately $65
million (of which approximately $12 million will be cash), most of which
will be booked in the fourth quarter of 2008.
The company opened four new Macy's stores and one furniture gallery in
2008, as well as reopened a New Orleans store damaged by Hurricane
Katrina. In 2009, Macy's, Inc. expects to open three new Macy's stores
and one replacement store. Following the store closings announced today,
Macy's, Inc. will operate 848 stores - 808 Macy's and 40 Bloomingdale's.
Macy's, Inc., with corporate offices in Cincinnati and New York, is one
of the nation's premier retailers, with fiscal 2007 sales of $26.3
billion. The company operates more than 840 department stores in 45
states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico under the names
of Macy's and Bloomingdale's. The company also operates macys.com and,
bloomingdales.com. Prior to June 1, 2007, Macy's, Inc. was known as
Federated Department Stores, Inc.
All statements in this press release that are not statements of
historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are
based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Macy's management and
are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could
differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the
forward-looking statements contained in this release because of a
variety of factors, including conditions to, or changes in the timing
of, proposed transactions, prevailing interest rates, competitive
pressures from specialty stores, general merchandise stores,
manufacturers' outlets, off-price and discount stores, new and
established forms of home shopping (including the Internet, mail-order
catalogs and television) and general consumer spending levels, including
the impact of the availability and level of consumer debt, the effect of
weather and other factors identified in documents filed by the company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(NOTE: Additional information on Macy's, Inc., including past news
releases, is available at www.macysinc.com/pressroom)
SOURCE: Macy's, Inc.
Macy's, Inc.
Media - Jim Sluzewski, 513-579-7764
Investor - Susan Robinson, 513-579-7780