The Monday "Mall List": Why Macy's and 3 Other Major Chains are Shutting Down These 150 Locations by February

Macy's store closures — Image Source: Shutterstock

If you’re planning a trip to your local mall this Monday, you might be greeted by more than just “New Year, New You” sales. For many communities, this Monday marks the start of the “Great Retail Reset.” As of mid-January 2026, four of America’s most iconic retail chains—led by Macy’s—have officially finalized their “Mall List,” designating 150 underperforming locations for permanent store closure by the end of February.

The move is part of Macy’s aggressive “Bold New Chapter” strategy, which aims to shutter 150 underproductive stores to reinvest in 350 “go-forward” locations. But they aren’t alone; Carter’s, Kroger, and Saks Off 5th are also trimming their physical footprints as high operational costs and shifting consumer habits force a leaner approach to 2026. Here is the breakdown of the store closures and how you can spot a liquidation deal before the doors lock for good.

The Macy’s 14: The First Wave of 2026

While Macy’s plans to close 150 stores by the end of 2026, the first wave of 14 specific locations has already begun its 10-week clearance cycle. These stores were selected based on “low single-digit sales performance” and are largely located in “dead or dying” malls where anchor foot traffic has evaporated.

According to Retail Dive, the specific stores targeted for closure in Q1 2026 include:

California: La Mesa (Grossmont Center) and Tracy (West Valley Mall).
New Jersey: Livingston (Livingston Mall) and Ramsey (Interstate Shopping Center).
Georgia: Atlanta (Northlake Mall).
Maryland: Glen Burnie (Marley Station).
Minnesota: St. Cloud (Crossroads Center).
Texas: Corpus Christi (La Palmera).
New York: Amherst (Boulevard Mall).
Pennsylvania: Tarentum (Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills).
North Carolina: Raleigh (Triangle Town Center).

Carter’s “Tariff Trim”: 100 Stores by Year-End

The children’s clothing giant Carter’s has announced a massive cost-cutting initiative for 2026, citing an “unprecedented tariff landscape” that has nearly tripled their effective duty rates. To save an estimated $45 million this year, Carter’s will shutter up to 100 locations by the end of 2026. As reported by Money Digest, the company is prioritizing the closure of older, mall-based stores in favor of standalone “Side-Walk” locations that offer easier curbside pickup for busy parents. If your local Carter’s is in a traditional enclosed mall, check the windows this Monday for “Inventory Reduction” signage.

The Kroger and Saks Off 5th Optimization

Even the grocery and luxury sectors aren’t immune to the February cull. Kroger has confirmed plans to close approximately 60 underperforming supermarkets over the next 18 months, with the first dozen slated for closure this quarter.

Simultaneously, Saks Off 5th is closing nine luxury outlet locations in early 2026 as part of a “footprint optimization” following their merger with Neiman Marcus. These closures are concentrated in high-rent suburban markets where digital sales have outpaced physical showroom traffic.

How to Spot a “Real” Liquidation Deal

When these stores hit the “Monday List,” the clearance sales usually follow a strict 10-week schedule.

Weeks 1–3: Discounts are often modest (20–30%). This is when you should grab high-demand items like cosmetics or electronics that rarely go on sale.
Weeks 4–7: Discounts hit the 50–60% range. This is the “sweet spot” for clothing and home goods.
The Final 2 Weeks: You’ll see 80–90% off, but you’ll be picking through leftovers. This is also when the store will start selling its fixtures—everything from mannequins to clothing racks.

As Axios reports, clearance sales at the impacted Macy’s locations began in mid-January. If your local store is on the list, this Monday is the ideal time to check for second-tier markdowns.

The “Reimagine” Flip Side

It’s not all bad news. For every store Macy’s closes, they are reinvesting in their 125 “Reimagine” stores. These locations are seeing a 2.7% uptick in sales thanks to better staffing, upgraded fitting rooms, and “Bloomingdale’s-lite” luxury experiences. The goal for 2026 is a smaller, more profitable fleet that can compete with Amazon and Target.

Retail Survival in 2026

The “Monday Mall List” is a reminder that the retail landscape of the 1990s is officially a memory. For seniors who use malls for social walking or accessible shopping, these closures can be a major disruption. If your local anchor store is closing, now is the time to sign up for their digital loyalty program; most retailers are offering “Moving Discounts” to entice physical shoppers to transition to their apps.

Is your local mall losing its Macy’s or Carter’s this month? Leave a comment below with your city and state—let’s see which regions are being hit hardest by the 2026 Retail Reset.