Citing changing retail habits, Macy’s to close CityPlace store
Brick-mortar retailers have struggled to vie with online shopping.
WEST PALM BEACH — Macy’s will close its CityPlace store this spring as part of a downsizing effort aimed at boosting the retailer’s digital sales, outlet stores and luxury beauty division, the company announced Wednesday.
The 108,000-square-foot store in Cit yPlace is one of 68 locations the retailer plans to close this year as part of the streamlining measure. The CityPlace location opened in 2000 and has 72 employees.
Wednesday’s announcement followed disappointing holiday sales for the retailer. Macy’s said comparable sales fell by 2.1 percent in November and December from a year ago.
“We had anticipated sales would be stronger,” said Terry J. Lundgren, Macy’s Inc. chairman and chief executive officer. “We believe that our performance during the holiday season reflects the broader challenges facing much of the retail industry.”
Lundgren said the company continues to “experience declining traffic” in its brick-and-mortar stores.
In an emailed statement, CityPlace officials said they plan to bring a “dynamic new use” to the Macy’s space, which is located on one of the shopping and entertainment hub’s most prominent corners.
“We have been in talks with Macy’s about their plans to close their store at CityPlace, as a part of a broader initiative to close a portion of their stores around the country,” CityPlace said. “Our goal is to not only bring a dynamic new use to this important location, but also ensure that the job base and economic contributions to the city and region are pre- served or enhanced. CityPlace opened over a decade ago, and its continuous evolution has been a critical element to maintaining its position as one of Palm Beach County’s most favorite shopping and entertainment destinations.”
Macy’s is one of CityPlace’s original tenants. The outdoor center opened in late 2000 with a mix of national retailers and restaurants, but over the years it has lost many of its original tenants, including FAO Schwarz, White House/Black Market, A/X Armani Exchange and Ann Taylor.
Brick-and-mortar retailers like Macy’s have struggled to compete with the rise of online shopping. Macy’s announcement follows a string of recent closures at malls across Palm Beach County.
The Limited, a national women’s apparel chain, recently closed its doors in The Gardens Mall.
Specialty home goods retailer Williams-Sonoma is closing its location at the Mall at Wellington Green, and Disney Store is set to leave The Boynton Beach Mall later this month.