Macy’s To Lay Off 79 Workers in New Jersey as Part of Turnaround Plan

Macy's will cut 79 jobs in New Jersey by March 7. The department store chain filed notice with the state Department of Labor & Workforce Development about the workforce reduction.

Which positions will be eliminated? The retailer didn't say. Where will the cuts happen? That remains unclear. A spokesperson said the company is making adjustments across a small set of functions as it moves forward with its Bold New Chapter growth strategy.

"As we continue advancing our Bold New Chapter growth strategy, we regularly review how our teams are structured to stay aligned with business priorities. As a result, we are making a limited number of role adjustments across a small set of functions. The majority of teams are not affected, and some roles are being added or realigned," the media representative said, according to NJ Biz.

Workers who will lose their jobs have been notified. They're getting support that includes transfer opportunities where available or severance and outplacement resources where applicable, according to the company.

The job cuts come about six weeks after the chain announced plans to close stores in Livingston and Ramsey. The Livingston Mall anchor location will shut down, along with a small-format store at Interstate Shopping Center in Ramsey. Meanwhile, the Paramus Furniture Gallery location on Route 4 will move into the full-line store at Paramus Park.

Those three store changes will affect 89 workers. Layoffs take effect March 31 in Paramus and Ramsey and April 30 in Livingston.

Livingston and Ramsey are among 14 locations that the New York City-based retailer expects to shut down this year. Dozens of stores have closed over the past two years, including the off-price brand Backstage at Essex Green Shopping Center in West Orange.

The chain unveiled its Bold New Chapter restructuring strategy in 2024 in a bid to return to profitable sales growth. At the time, the company anticipated shutting down 150 stores by the end of 2026 while reinvesting in remaining locations. Last year, sixty-six sites closed.

After the latest round of closures in Livingston and Ramsey, the department store will have 26 stores in New Jersey.

The retailer also has closings planned in Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington, Retail Dive reported.