#retail

Is there any credible information regarding closures of retail locations or conversions? When is this supposed to begin and how big of an impact?

Also, for stores that stay open, has anyone heard about changes in leadership structure?

Any news on the change for R2B? Heard it going to change from retail into office?

A significant layoff is expected soon on the retail side. I’ve heard from a source that leadership plans to convert up to 90% of corporate locations to indirect locations by the end of the summer.

Additional layoffs are expected in June for the retail workforce, and more stores are being converted to indirect locations.

My leadership has indicated new comp plan training will be coming in the next weeks, implemented as soon as April. Haven’t heard any more details besides this.
Anyone have any more information on this? This will be my fourth comp plan. Besides the move from team commission, usually comp plans are incentivizes to increase Verizon revenue while making it harder for employees to make money.

They think they can run the whole store on skeleton crew indefinitely. It's just a matter of time before all of us just stop showing up.

Link to the article: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/money/business/2026/02/28/nordstrom-department-store-closing-christiana-mall-location/88917538007/
Link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFCAruqmrrU

Belk has hired about a half dozen visual merchandising senior executives, now officially on Belk’s payroll.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t89am-mBYIE

New comp for retail is coming… it’ll be announced next week but they’re doing away with strategic multiplier and solely relying on bucket dollars. Reps and ASM at risk will go up but no chance for Sr Mgr or Dir… kinda feel like they want us to quit before they have to fire us.

Someone said it’s prepping for a structure of 2 ASMs in each store and that’s it.

Who else knows???

I used to believe that I was helping my local community by buying from stores like Lowe’s. However, now I believe they and stores like them are taking advantage of all their customers. If I have a project that requires lumber and a mix of other products I buy the lumber from a lumberyard and then all the fasteners and adhesives and tools from Amazon. Reason?
Pricing. Box of 30degree clipped 3” framing nails are 1/2 the Lowe’s price on Amazon. Caulk, same.
People plan for projects and have time to shop around. Sorry for the employees of brick and mortar stores, but Amazon and Lowes treat them like cr-p in either case. So I do what is best for me and my family.

Walgreens will lay off hundreds of employees across two states. The company confirmed at least 628 job cuts. These layoffs affect 469 positions in Illinois and 159 in Texas. Walgreens also plans to close dozens of retail stores in 2026. The pharmacy chain faces increased competition and higher costs.

https://www.fastcompany.com/91496106/walgreens-layoffs-store-closures-locations-on-doomed-list

Everyone sees the writing on the wall Get out while you can! This is as bad as it can get in luxury retail.

Last April was the first major closing of the year, what about this year?

Neiman Marcus will close its Copley Place location. The closure is scheduled for April. This action affects 73 workers. The store leaves 100,000 square feet vacant. Simon Property Group plans redevelopment through 2028.

https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2026/02/13/copley-neiman-marcus-layoffs-closure-disclosed.html

Home improvement retailer Lowe’s (LOW.N) is cutting roughly 600 corporate and support positions, accounting for under 1% of its overall workforce, in an effort to prioritize staffing and resources at its stores.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2026/02/13/lowes-cuts-corporate-and-support-roles-to-focus-on-store-employees/88667837007/

Virginia experienced a significant increase in unemployment claims last week. The state received 5,592 initial claims, a 71% rise from the prior week. Amazon announced plans to lay off 691 employees in Northern Virginia. These layoffs are due to the closure of five Amazon Fresh grocery stores in April. Most affected employees are retail workers, food production staff, and managers.

https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_6eb49c3a-3a7e-414a-b43e-a391b09f02af.html

ttps://the-mcclure-standard.ghost.io/lowes-new-rounds-of-layoffs-may-be-of-interest-to-the-sec/

I'm curious to know how many Wal Marts are on other territories around the country.
I'm not going to get too specific, but in the area I'm in out entire team only has 12 Wal Marts and is completely dwarfed by other chains in the area.
We hear all the time Wal Mart is the main chain for the country, but it's difficult to see that when we have so few in total.

We now have to have security clearances to work for Sycamore. Every answer is shrouded in either secrecy or extremely vague. Every day we get after hours invites to either get laid off or learn about your our org that go out at 6pm. WTF? Do they enjoy creating a more toxic workplace with these useless meeting invites? Send me an invite during business hours. We don’t need to prepare for you to tell us we are gone since you won’t answer any questions. A simple email with a new org sent out during business hours would be much more efficient than vague emails where we hope to hear exciting, insightful information only to be let down with more non-answers.

How about a portal where we can sign up for layoffs next time rather than watch you layoff those that want to stay?

I can’t wait to find out what overpaid washed-up execs we hired (to replace the useless ones we just fired) start to tell us how this new org chart will save Walgreens. Do more with less. Keep doing more with almost nothing. Here’s nothing….DO MORE!!!! The Walgreen family did it well for 100 years. It was some rich billionaire who brought in PE that messed it up the first time. His solution…bring in more PE to fix it.

And before I get the “just leave.” Why? We all whine and complain and still get paid. I am just saying what most want to say. Except for Jeff, Greg, Bryan, Alec, Tracey, Tracy, Ron, Tim, and Joe. The love it. (All names are fictional and any similarities are purely coincidental).

Walmart mgrs in meetings down here in Texas , was told by Keebler rep ,they had a call and was discussed on call ,nabisco is leaving dsd in Walmart only in 6to 8 weeks!

The RAM+ call today mentioned dealer stores closing and driving traffic to corporate. Could be wrong but probably not the time or place to make that comment... Did anybody catch that today?

Target Corporation has announced that it will cut about 500 roles at the company, partially in an effort to reallocate financial resources to boost the in-store customer experience.

https://www.fastcompany.com/91490082/target-layoffs-today-more-jobs-cuts-customer-experience-lags

Circle Furniture, a 70-year-old retailer, closed all its locations in December 2025. The company filed for Chapter 7 liquidation on January 30, 2026. Court documents reveal $13.7 million in liabilities and $2.2 million in assets. Customer deposits for orders are now unsecured claims in the process. Management stated regret for hardship caused to customers and creditors.

https://www.thestreet.com/retail/70-year-old-circle-furniture-chain-shuts-down-files-chapter-7

Target Corporation is cutting approximately 500 jobs. These reductions impact regional offices and distribution centers. The retailer will invest more in store staffing and training. This strategy aims to improve the overall customer experience. New CEO Michael Fiddelke is implementing these operational shifts.

https://patch.com/minnesota/minneapolis/target-cut-500-office-jobs-pour-more-money-stores-report

The macro labor market is weak with lots of retailers going out of business (experienced managers looking for jobs would take half of what I make).

Who else is ready for severance vs just coasting and taking the 25 pto +6 holiday=31 paid days off per year, profit sharing match, and bonus?

Imagine getting the top paid MGRs off the books now before the next fiscal year starts.

Create a new position that changes the store manager title and pay...Forcing this change.

The HR data shows store manager vacancy and turnover is already horrendous, so clearly the current system isn't working.

WOW, private equity would make so much profit!

Target’s latest bid to win back shoppers is leaving customers and workers deeply uncomfortable.

The retail giant rolled out a new in-store rule late last year requiring employees to smile, wave and greet customers based on how close they are standing.

The policy, internally dubbed the “10-4” program, has triggered backlash online from shoppers who say the forced cheer feels awkward and invasive.

https://nypost.com/2026/02/07/us-news/targets-forced-smile-policy-sparks-backlash-amid-sales-slump/

At this rate, I don't see how Macy's survives as a brick-and-mortar chain. My prediction is we'll be completely out of business in several years, another casualty of changing times.

I've heard that the beauty merchandiser positions at many stores are being cut. I don't know exactly how true this is throughout the company, but it is certainly true for our store. Our beauty merchandiser was moved to another position, and the beauty merchandiser position was cut. From what I heard, the position may still exist at a small number of stores, but that most of the positions are being cut.

Again, this is just what I have heard. If you have more information, please post it to inform others. I just wanted to give everyone, especially current beauty merchandisers, a heads up just in case.

Honestly, these landlords shouldn’t have anything to do with the Macy’s name if they continue to own malls with the stores in them.

The writing really is on the wall when you see a mall owned by one of these two. I think that if your store is owned by these companies, then you should probably be scared. Is it safe to say that the company should adjust their closing locations in relation to these slumlords?

Sorry, I’m just a little upset for the condition of the mall I used to really like and since it’s been owned by one of these two companies, it’s gone to absolute he-l regarding maintenance and tenants leaving, and overall neglect.

Designer Brands Inc., is the parent company of DSW. Thet recently conducted a new round of layoffs. These job cuts impacted employees across various operations and brands in late January. A company spokeswoman stated these actions simplify the organizational structure and reduce complexity. The changes aim to improve execution, manage costs, and create long-term value. This follows a period where DBI reported increased net income but decreased sales and comparable store sales.

https://wwd.com/footwear-news/shoe-industry-news/designer-brands-layoffs-2026-dsw-jobs-1238537102/

Chanel, Zegna, Kiton, Brioni, Cucinelli, Stefano Ricci, Burberry, Ferragamo
The top names in luxury fashion, have all had staggering price increases on merchandise since 2020. Some items have doubled and tripled in price. A Chanel handbag that was $5,500 in 2022 is now over $11,000. kiton men’s blazer was $3,900 in 2022 is now $9,000. Wealthy Customers are not stupid.

According to the Triangle Business Journal, the men’s store is closing and merchandise will be crammed into the main store. It will be a complete trashy mess!

Do you guys think they will role out the retail territory managers all over? What areas have gone to it so far?

• Michael Fiddelke, who started at Target as a finance intern, takes over the top job at the retailer on Sunday.
• He must deal with declining sales and civil unrest in Minneapolis, the city where Target is based.
• The company's outgoing CEO will stay on as executive chairman, raising questions about how much change is possible.

https://www.businessinsider.com/target-ceo-michael-fiddelke-thrown-into-crisis-mode-day-one-2026-1

Did they ever come out for stores? Or our we still waiting?

Links: https://filecache.investorroom.com/mr5ir_saksglobal/1210/Saks_OFF_5TH_and_Last_Call_Store_Footprint.pdf

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/saks-global-sharpens-focus-on-luxury-retail-and-full-price-selling-302674428.html

Link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkdAhcsd0eA

Johnny Was, a boutique, has closed its Country Club Plaza location. The store is no longer listed on the Plaza’s directory. Racks and other items were seen being removed on Wednesday. Corporate headquarters confirmed the closure. This adds to recent Plaza shop closures.

https://fox4kc.com/news/boutique-closes-at-kansas-citys-country-club-plaza/

High street shops Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop are going into administration, which could put about 2,500 jobs at risk. Claire’s, which is well known for selling accessories to young people, had been looking for a buyer after its American owner went bankrupt last year. Modella Capital, which owns both stores, said the businesses will enter insolvency proceedings in the UK and Ireland.