Grand Chute Macy’s store in jeopardy of closing
Macy’s in Grand Chute faces an uncertain future as the popular department store chain plans to close an increasing number of locations by the end of the year. While it has not been confirmed if the Fox River Mall Macy’s will be one of the stores to close, the possibility remains.
The Grand Chute location is one of only four department stores left in the mall, with former anchor stores like Younkers and Sears shutting their doors in recent years. Macy’s announced in its third-quarter earnings report that it expects to close 65 of its over 500 locations by the end of 2024, up from previous estimates.
CEO Tony Spring revealed in an earnings call that Macy’s is moving forward with their plan to close underperforming stores as part of their “A Bold New Chapter” initiative. This strategy involves closing 150 stores by 2026, while investing in 350 “go-forward” locations. The company’s First 50 stores, where new retail strategies are being tested, saw positive sales growth in the last quarter.
While Macy’s sales were down overall compared to the previous year, Bloomingdale’s department stores and Bluemercury cosmetics stores saw an increase in sales. Wisconsin is home to two Bluemercury locations, but Bloomingdale’s stores are located in the Chicagoland area.
As Macy’s continues to evaluate its store portfolio, it has not yet disclosed which specific locations will be closing by the end of the year. With Macy’s locations in nearly every state, including Wisconsin, customers may need to stay tuned for updates on the fate of their local stores.
In Wisconsin, besides the Fox River Mall store, Macy’s has locations in Greendale, Madison, and Wauwatosa. The retail landscape is ever-evolving, so it’s important to keep an eye on developments as Macy’s navigates its future.
