Macy’s Department Store announced the closure of 66 stores across the United States, including the “Macy’s Backstage” located in Queens Place Mall in Elmhurst, Queens. The clearance sale is expected to begin in February and last for about six weeks.
This decision is part of Macy’s strategy to streamline its operations and adapt to the rapid growth of e-commerce. The clearance sale starting in February will provide customers with a final opportunity to purchase goods at discounted prices before the store permanently closes.
Queens Place Mall (88-01 Queens Blvd.) is one of the busiest shopping centers in Queens. Macy’s Backstage, which opened in 2015, occupies approximately 30,000 square feet and offers clearance items from Macy’s department stores, attracting many bargain hunters in the area.
The closure of Macy’s Backstage may lead to a decrease in foot traffic for the shopping center and surrounding businesses. Currently, the shopping center has not announced plans for the space vacated by Macy’s Backstage. Other well-known retailers in the mall, such as Target and the newly opened Lidl supermarket (replacing the DSW shoe store), are still in operation.
Meanwhile, the nearby Queens Center Mall is also undergoing transformation. Fast-fashion retailer Primark and discount chain store Burlington opened new stores there in September last year, indicating a shift in consumer demand towards affordable and trendy brands.
Macy’s store closure plan highlights the ongoing challenges faced by traditional department stores. With more consumers turning to online shopping, retailers like Macy’s are reassessing the layout of their physical stores. Retail industry analysts warn that such closures could have a broader impact on the local economy.
The store at Queens Place Mall is one of the nine Macy’s stores in New York State that are slated for closure. Other stores set to close include Macy’s Backstage in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Fordham Place in the Bronx, and Lake Success in Long Island.
Additionally, stores planned for closure also include Macy’s department stores at Brooklyn Downtown, Huntington Melville Mall, and Sunset Mall in Massapequa, as well as a furniture store in Staten Island and Macy’s at Greece Ridge Center in Rochester.