Macy’s at the Boulevard Mall among stores slated for closure

By Sarah Skidmore Sell, Associated Press

Published Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 | 3:04 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 | 6:15 p.m.

The Macy's store at the Boulevard Mall in Las Vegas is among those the retailer says it will shutter this year, as it eliminates more than 10,000 jobs and moves forward with 68 store closures after a disappointing holiday shopping season. No other Nevada stores are on the closure list.

The department store chain also lowered its full-year earnings forecast.

The retailer said today that sales at its established stores fell 2.1 percent in November and December compared to the same period last year. Macy's Inc. pointed to changing consumer behavior and said its performance reflects the challenges that are facing much of the retail industry.

“We’re disappointed that one of our retailers, Macy’s, has struggled at the corporate level, resulting in the need to close the store,” said Timo T. Kuusela, vice president and general manager, Sansone Companies, which owns the Boulevard Mall. “However, we’re excited about the new opportunity we’ll have to bring even more family entertainment to the Boulevard to complement our new SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium and the movie theaters which will be built later this year.”

Kuusela said “online retailers, along with a combination of other factors, are really affecting the concept of the traditional department store.”

The company said the 68 store closures, which span the nation, are part of the 100 closings it announced in August. Of the 68, three were closed by the middle of 2016, 63 will close in the spring and two will be closed by the middle of 2017.

Macy's is selling or has sold three other locations, but is leasing the properties back and will keep operating those stores.

Some employees may be offered positions at nearby stores, but Macy's estimates that 3,900 employees will be affected by the closures.

Macy's also said it plans to restructure parts of its business and sell some properties. This will lead to the reduction of 6,200 jobs. The moves are estimated to save $550 million annually.

Overall, Macy's said, the job reductions represent about 7 percent of its workforce.

The company, which owns the Macy's and Bloomingdale's brands, has been struggling with declining traffic in its stores, where the bulk of its business is still conducted. It said it is closing stores that are "unproductive or are no longer robust shopping destinations" as well as selling those with highly valued real estate.

It plans to invest some of its savings in growing its digital business.

Macy's said it now expects to earn between $2.95 and $3.10 per share on an adjusted basis for its 2016 fiscal year, versus its prior forecast of $3.15 to $3.40 per share. The company is scheduled to report full results in February.

Shares in Macy's fell more than 10 percent to $32.20 in after-hours trading.

The Las Vegas Sun's Paul Szydelko contributed to this report.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct the location of the Las Vegas store that is closing. | (January 4, 2017)