Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend brands and products we genuinely believe in.
Few retailers are as woven into American life as Macy’s. For generations, it’s been a place for back-to-school clothes, wedding registries, holiday gifts, and the famous Thanksgiving Day Parade. But the department store business has been under pressure for years, and Macy’s has spent the last couple of years reshaping itself, closing stores, investing in others, and leaning more heavily on luxury. Here’s a full, up-to-date breakdown of what Macy’s is today, what’s changing in 2026, and whether it’s still worth shopping.
What Is Macy’s?
Macy’s is an American department store chain with its roots in 1858, when Rowland Hussey Macy opened a store in New York City. Its Herald Square flagship, which opened in the early 1900s, became one of the best-known department stores in the world, and the company’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which began in 1924, has become a national tradition. Today, Macy’s is part of Macy’s, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE: M) headquartered in New York, led by Chairman and CEO Tony Spring.
Macy’s, Inc. operates three main brands, which it calls nameplates:
- Macy’s, the mainstream department store known for clothing, shoes, beauty, and home goods
- Bloomingdale’s, its upscale department store, founded in 1872, which sits closer to the luxury end of the market
- Bluemercury, a beauty and spa retailer focused on prestige makeup, skincare, and fragrance
Together, these brands give the company a broad reach, from everyday shoppers to customers looking for luxury and premium beauty.
Macy’s “Bold New Chapter” Strategy
The biggest story at Macy’s right now is its turnaround plan, called “A Bold New Chapter,” which the company unveiled in February 2024 under Spring. The plan has several parts:
- Closing underperforming Macy’s stores. The company announced plans to close roughly 150 locations by the end of 2026, which would leave it with around 350 Macy’s stores. A round of about 14 additional closures was announced for early 2026, with clearance sales running for roughly 10 weeks at those locations.
- Investing in the stores that stay open. The company has focused on a group of locations it calls “Reimagine 200,” upgrading staffing, store design, and the in-store experience, and it has reported that sales at those stores are outperforming the rest of the chain.
- Growing luxury. Plans include opening more Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury locations, since those brands have been growing faster than the main Macy’s brand.
- Improving the shopping experience across channels. The company says it’s focusing on a more connected experience between stores, its website, and its app.
How Is Macy’s Doing in 2026?
Recent results suggest the strategy is gaining some traction, though the picture is mixed. In the second quarter of 2026, reported in September, Macy’s, Inc. had net sales of about $4.9 billion, up 1.1 percent, with comparable sales up 2.7 percent. The Macy’s brand itself saw comparable sales rise 1.1 percent, its fifth consecutive quarter of gains, led by the Reimagine 200 stores, which grew 1.9 percent. Bloomingdale’s comparable sales jumped 11.3 percent, its second consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, and Bluemercury grew 6.2 percent. The company also raised its full-year outlook.
What does this mean for you as a shopper? In short, Macy’s is not a company in freefall, but it is a business in transition. If you live near a store that’s closing, you may find clearance deals, and if your local store is one of those getting an investment, you may notice a better experience. If you’re not sure about your local store, use the store locator on the Macy’s website before you go.
What Does Macy’s Sell?
Women’s, Men’s, and Kids’ Clothing
A broad mix of national brands and Macy’s own labels across casual, work, and dressier clothing.
Shoes, Handbags, and Accessories
Footwear, bags, jewelry, watches, and accessories from well-known brands.
Beauty and Fragrance
Makeup, skincare, and fragrance from major beauty brands, with a larger prestige selection at Bluemercury.
Home and Furniture
Bedding, towels, cookware, small appliances, furniture, and decor, as well as wedding and gift registries.
Private Brands
Macy’s own labels, such as INC International Concepts, Alfani, Charter Club, and Style & Co, offer house-brand alternatives to national names, usually at lower prices.
Luxury (Bloomingdale’s)
Designer and contemporary brands, and a more upscale shopping experience.
Is Macy’s Good Quality?
Because Macy’s carries a very wide range of brands, quality depends on what you buy rather than on the store itself. National brands generally match the quality you’d find elsewhere, while private-label items vary by line and price point. As with any department store, it’s worth reading the fabric and care details, and checking customer reviews on the website for specific items.
One thing worth knowing is that Macy’s runs frequent sales and coupons, and many items are marked with a “regular” price that’s rarely the one customers actually pay. That makes it important to compare the final price with other retailers, and not to assume a deep discount is a bargain just because of the percentage off. Signing up for the Star Rewards loyalty program can help you take advantage of offers, but check the current terms before enrolling or opening a store credit card.
How Does Macy’s Compare to Other Department Stores?
| Feature | Macy’s | Typical Department Store |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1858, New York | Varies |
| Parent company | Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE: M) | Varies |
| Brands | Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bluemercury | Varies |
| Strategy | Closing ~150 stores by end of 2026, investing in others and in luxury | Varies |
| Private labels | INC, Alfani, Charter Club, Style & Co, and more | Varies |
| Pricing | Frequent sales and coupons | Varies |
If you’re comparing department stores, see our Nordstrom review for a look at a competitor with a different approach to service and returns.
Tips for Shopping at Macy’s
- Check your local store’s status with the store locator, especially if you’ve heard about closures
- Compare final prices, not just the discount percentage
- Look for coupons and promotions before you buy, and check whether they apply to the items you want
- Try the private brands if you want savings, but read reviews and care details
- Use the website or app to check size and color availability before heading to the store
- Look at Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury if you want a more premium selection
Final Verdict: Is Macy’s Still Worth Shopping?
Macy’s remains one of the most recognizable names in American retail, with a huge selection and a mix of everyday and premium options across its three brands. It’s in the middle of a major restructuring, closing weaker stores while investing in others and growing its luxury business, and early results in 2026 are encouraging, especially at Bloomingdale’s. For shoppers, the best approach is to compare prices, take advantage of sales and rewards, and check your local store’s status. For a one-stop shop for clothing, beauty, and home goods, Macy’s is still well worth a visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Macy’s founded?
Macy’s traces its origins to 1858, when Rowland Hussey Macy opened a store in New York City.
Who owns Macy’s?
Macy’s is owned by Macy’s, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE: M) that also owns Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury.
Who is the CEO of Macy’s?
Tony Spring is the chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc.
Is Macy’s closing stores?
Yes, as part of its “Bold New Chapter” strategy, Macy’s plans to close roughly 150 underperforming stores by the end of 2026, including about 14 announced for early 2026.
What are Macy’s private brands?
Macy’s private brands include INC International Concepts, Alfani, Charter Club, and Style & Co, among others.
Is Macy’s doing well in 2026?
In the second quarter of 2026, Macy’s, Inc. reported 2.7 percent comparable sales growth, with Bloomingdale’s up 11.3 percent and Bluemercury up 6.2 percent, and it raised its full-year outlook.
