Macy's: More Stores Closing! | Retail Archaeology

In this episode of Retail Archaeology we take a look at Macy's and their closing store at Paradise Valley Mall.
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[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

Yes, Macy’s started to look more like Sears, JC Penney, or Mervyns did back in the day. It’s sad to have watched its demise in my lifetime. I used to be intimidated to go in there as a kid, my Mom made us feel like only rich people shopped at Macy’s. I got my first izod polo shirt there with my own money and it was a very big deal

[@Maki-00]

Funny to hear you say that. When I was a kid, going into The May Company department store, I felt like a peasant sometimes, LOL!

[@robnorwood3591]

I will really miss Macy's at Christmas time. Their displays were beautiful, with the Christmas music. It was a tradition for my wife and I.

[@TotosSword]

They still have like 500 stores. So it’s fine for now

[@johnnymichael1804]

Macy's isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

[@JoeMotionVideos82]

Here-here. Sears had a great Christmas display too.

[@MUSICBOY183]

There are some other retail stores that really should closed not MACY’S .

[@user-jl1to2zg6w]

@@MUSICBOY183From what I’ve noticed is that Macy’s is closing stores more as a plan than them being completely out of business. JCPenny’s hasn’t made a profit since 2010 yet they still have hundreds of stores and just as of recently are beginning to close them.

[@MensAsses33]

Well, Macy's grew into a big, hungry octopus 🐙 that took over all of the local department store chains that gave individual cities their own look, feel, uniqueness and identity. So, I'm not really crying crocodile tears over this.

[@disan930]

That seems to occur alot to these big companies that expand to quickly, spending millions on new stores and renovations of older ones. I would think that they would focus more on quality than quantity

[@Pugetwitch]

Yeah, I was just about to comment Macy's destroyed the bon marche, and the bon used to be a classy department store here Seattle, where I was born and raised. When Macy's took over, it seemed like Kmart had entered the building. Everything downgraded and started looking super homogeneous. All the luxury brands were replaced by cheaper versions, not that it's necessarily a bad thing, but it was nice to have luxury options and gave the Bon a classy feel. It could compete with Nordstrom's. When Macy's entered the building, it no longer was a competition. At that point it became Nordstrom versus Barney's.

[@bandersong4650]

RIP Burdines in Florida

[@AndrewBarsky]

@@bandersong4650BURDINES

[@mlev1111]

My mom has worked at Macy's for the last 7 years. She lost her job at the Clinique counter during the pandemic and had to get 2 jobs to cover what she was making there. Even though she's gotten her Macy's job back, numbers aren't anywhere near what they were pre-pandemic, and she's working a part-time job alongside Clinique to help pay the bills.

[@bellesogne]

1:24 Last Act - this is a callback to the 1980s heyday for Macy's and is a particular reference to former CEO Ed Fiinkelstein. Mr. Finkelstein coined the phrase "theater in retailing" to explain the merchandising philosophy he used to create The Cellar, his re-design of Macy's housewares department which brought him many accolades in the retailing industry. Since then, Macy's has always used theater imagery and theater terms in its business. That's why Macy's stand-alone outlet store is named Macy's Backstage.

[@jwb52z9]

If you're someone who has a big closet, those clothing racks are not a bad idea to pick up on while they are there.

[@ShanGamer1981]

Pawn shops should buy up those display cases

[@CommodoreFan64]

If I had a big walk in closet, I would love to have one of those shoe racks in the middle for all my girlfriend's boots, and what not lol!

[@skiparkcityut]

All heavy duty well built. Items like that now are all plastic and flimsy

[@hawktalon7890]

I'm always keeping an eye out for clothing racks, but sadly my closet is too small to even fit half of my clothes.

[@brotwater8863]

It’s sad to see that so many retail giants are just phasing away over time. Back when I was a kid I never expected any of these places to every go under

[@EbikeAdventuresSD]

Your old everything ends including your life

[@Moonbeam143]

Me, too.

[@ladytron1724]

It’s the same in the uk.Debenhams department stores have just announced there closing all stores in Scotland.

[@coreym162]

@@EbikeAdventuresSD Nah! It's just poisonous Corporatism destroying the competition with the help of government leniency aka: Socialism.

[@EbikeAdventuresSD]

@@coreym162 Ok make I’m sure you give back your stimulus checks and don’t take any government help because that is socialism your a idiot.

[@R32R38]

Something to remember is that for most of its history Macy's was strictly a regional company in the New York area. It had no national presence until the well-known series of mergers and acquisitions. Transitioning from regional to national may have been too large a step.

[@vengeance1701]

I think it had special appeal as a New York institution. That made it unique/special. Expanding nationwide made it disposable.

[@andysorensen1737]

@@vengeance1701 Even when the only Macy’s in Minnesota was at Mall of America there was some appeal to it. Now that they’re in most high profile malls, generic is the word I’d use.

[@watershed44]

@R32R38 Yes, it was a special destination back then. These MBA types have no clue about such qualities in businesses and preserving them. It's what makes them profitable.

[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

We had them all over California for as long as I can remember and I’m old af (in my 40s) The store in San Francisco has been around forever and did well until the Internet

[@andysorensen1737]

@@Bingewatchingmediacontent I remember visiting the Santa Rosa store about 10-15 years ago and hearing a story that it was the first escalator in Sonoma County so employees had to train customers how to use it.

[@cs188creations]

"Not well-priced, even on clearance." Sounds about right. A shame they try to charge crazy amounts even when going out of business.

[@X-OR_]

And, by the way....... goodby Fry's Electronics. We Will Miss You.

[@cmdraftbrn]

i wont lol

[@lmao2703]

I mean as a kid I went there a lot but as an adult I don't even think about it. NewEgg serves the same purpose, Best Buy is closer, and parts are now a lot easier to find than they were in like 1998.

[@monkeywkeys3916]

Couldn't care less about Fried Electronics. Junk Awful culture to work in.

[@arugulaempire8779]

Fry's sucked. They treated their employees horribly!!! Good riddance.

[@brianmatthews4149]

Soon we will only have worst buy and there kicking 5000 people to the curb

[@SamanthaNoelCakes]

Just wanted to let you know that your videos are a sense of calm and security for me. I’m a teacher dealing with a lot of stress and panic attacks due to this awful year and I watch your videos when I’m feeling anxious or coming out of tough moment. Something about your videos grounds me, even if it’s taking about store closures ( weird I know).Keep up the great content.

[@scherzva]

I agree. I hope you feel better soon.

[@SOS-School_Of_Survival]

*snowflake*

[@scherzva]

@@SOS-School_Of_Survival I doubt she is a MAGAt. They are the biggest snowflakes.

[@marisam9803]

Same!!

[@XboxJoint]

Recently in just these few years, I always found Macy’s selling outdated clothing and clothing brands. Just clothing that was popular in the early 2000’s and Style that was completely outdated. But i will miss them when they close as they were a staple in malls during my youth.

[@spicyspinach9899]

Maybe it's just retro...if you know anything about fashion...you know that it has ALL been done before...so it may look like something old but it may be back in style...I can think of thousands of items that were around in the 70s n 80s n are still around today ...

[@michaeljohn9263]

Teal green, Dusty Rose, and Grey carpeting, along with the dark red wood and dark green with brass sections of walls tells me that place was renovated between 1989-1993 TOPS. Those colors were not around when this store was built in 1980.

[@dindog22]

not only did Macy's not change the carpet, they clearly did not ever clean the carpet. probably should have grabbed one of those lateral file cabinets. the lateral ones are really expensive when new

[@JustinClarkMEM]

Macy’s purchased an iconic department store chain in Memphis: Goldsmiths. They promptly ran it into the ground, changed all the merchandise and the vibe of the store. Such a shame.

[@pilotgrrl1]

They did the same to Marshall Fields in Chicago.

[@theinitiate110]

I never liked Macys that much. Always found their brands and selection to be sub par and marked up way way too much.

[@larrycj4382]

It was a huge mistake to convert all the regional stores to Macy's! They just should have kept them running with their original names and identities. 😺

[@ludastout2852]

Now we can guess how much Macy's got as an aid money or just Google it

[@angelaw7704]

I missed Goldsmiths.

[@toiletfarm]

You're really close to applying for verified status. Nicely done.

[@lisas8244]

I worked at Macy's and as a non management employee it was difficult to even enjoy working with customers because management brow beat us into getting so many customers to sign up for credit card accounts that we were under constant threat of firing for not meeting our quota. There was continuous haranguing and an endless number of meetings to discuss how terrible we were at getting new charge accounts and threats made as to the consequences. I loved helping the customers but I will not miss Macy's.

[@mstcrow5429]

There must be a story behind those massage chairs that all seem to be the same models in every mall.

[@djinfreemind1966]

I haven't been to a Macy's in years but the world and especially Christmas wouldn't be the same without them.

[@twilightqueen221]

Also Thanksgiving cuz they do the parade

[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

I miss how Macy’s used to be. It hasn’t been the same for years since it became less of a brick and mortar store and more of a credit card company. I will still miss them, tho. And my nostalgia for what they were in my youth I went to my local Macy’s this year to get chocolates because they have Frango mints on sale from some other department store that closed, Marshall Fields I think, for 65% off

[@ecaillette]

And that might be the problem in a nutshell - people feel nostalgic about the retail experience of their childhood, but shop elsewhere. Which is fine, times have been changing since the days of cave people exchanging flint stone tools for a freshly killed deer....

[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

@@ecaillette what “problem” do you mean? We shop elsewhere because the stores are a former shell of themselves and became terrible, had less of the luxury feel while offering terrible customer service and lower end goods you could get at Target, so might as well shop at Target. I get better customer service at Target and they actually have better designers at the Target women’s dept sometimes, weirdly. But I legit posted a positive experience I had with Macy’s where I went there this year and you said “that might be part of the problem”, so I am confused

[@studebricker2845]

@@Bingewatchingmediacontent They weren't replying to you. They were responding to the original post.

[@ladytron1724]

No closing down sale in a department store is complete without the sad looking Christmas tree sulking in the corner.🌲

[@icecreamforcrowhurst]

For me it’s the amassed naked headless mannequins lol

[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

My favorite part is zero salespeople

[@julieb6512]

I know!! I felt the same way about that poor little tree, I probably would have taken it home 😪😪😪😪

[@HH-iv6mf]

Going to the mall and hanging out was a way of life!!!! Heart breaking!!!!!!!!

[@briangriffith4574]

I've almost exclusively bought my clothes at Macy's since I was a young teenager, even when it was the bon marche before the merger. My local store is closing and its going to make me sad. It's right next to the Sears that is being demolished at the moment.

[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

I bought all of my furniture there. Until this year when I bought it all online. I guess I’m part of the problem

[@briangriffith4574]

@@Bingewatchingmediacontent well you probably didnt have much of a choice during all the lockdowns.

[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

@@briangriffith4574 yes and I think a lot of stores that were on the edge of bankruptcy got that final kick because of lockdowns and all of us shopping on amazon and Wayfair and stuff instead. Still makes me sad. I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid, going to the mall was such a part of my childhood and I’ll weirdly miss that aspect of my life even if it was kind of a shallow and time wasting experience I guess

[@cccycling5835]

That’s the thing though: I see it all as nostalgia. I miss Fry’s Electronics. But lets face it I stopped going there for computer parts 11 years ago out of choice. Same with Macy’s. Why pay the same price as Macy’s when I can get better service and products at Nordstrom? Why Fry’s Electronics when there’s Central Computer and the Internet? I think I miss these places out of good memories from my youth, but someday all sand castles fall into the sea, eventually.

[@briangriffith4574]

@@cccycling5835 we dont have central computer and frys was the last place I could go and grab everything to build a computer. I know it's all replaced by the internet but still it's not the same. Look what has happened with the PS5 release. The entire thing was online and taken over by bots and resellers

[@thereignwolf]

i used to come to this mall fairly frequently as a kid, with my grandpa, and eat at the Luby's that used to be there and maybe do a bit of shopping. definitely been into this robinson's/macy's many a time. i'm gonna miss it, for sure.

[@davis6123]

Fortunately Macy’s does have a strong online business and most of their remaining stores are very successful. They’ll be around for a while

[@caseybeaty7094]

It's gonna be a sad day if Macy's goes under entirely and vanishes nationwide. I have had so many memories shopping at them and wouldn't wanna see them gone.

[@MRVISTA-wz7vj]

Liquidators own the merch now and this location is a Macy's in name only; as are all the Macy's that are closing.

[@amazonqueen5694]

They all had problems before covid. It started in 2008 after the recession

[@agbook2007]

Visiting one location, it’s obviously not the same outfit running JC Penney’s store closing locations. The difference between two in Texas were world’s different. The Macy’s store experience in the video matches the atrocious state here in Texas. Folks, don’t bother with the “up to 70% clearance” sales. They’re still at 50% and are already a mess. Bad form. 👎

[@30roundz]

The Lord and Tailor in my area mall had rugs for sale in their liquidation too! I don't recall LnT selling rugs so I think you are right about the liquidation company slipping them into the inventory.

[@reallyluckygirl1]

They do. When our store closed in 2017 rugs were added and so were fur coats. We also had other random things that were brought in. 🤔 it was wild.

[@spicyspinach9899]

Macys has a furniture department they sell rugs...some are inexpensive and some are thousands n thousands of dollars they have Persian rugs which are expensive...Lord n T had houseware on line so ...maybe they came from that vantage point

[@MilePost106]

It’s sad to see all this going! I’m glad I grew up when there were stores everywhere and seeing what you are actually buying. Online is taking a risk not being able to see what you are buying such as clothes.

[@NorthAndre]

Never thought much of it until now. But with the interior design more exposed....At 7:44. Nicely detailed display shelves and lighting. It may be dated, but it was well designed and well constructed for its time. Back in the day, an architect had clearly spent time getting trim, cove lighting and casework to work together in a composition. It would cost a lot to rebuild this today. Even luxury stores would probably go minimal on complex assemblies.

[@zcb477]

Oooo, exciting! Also, I can't wait for you to do another one on Fry's Electronics (RIP).

[@EbikeAdventuresSD]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqCQoKaHgq2rpqc Company man did one

[@Edsavage404]

@@GreyMailMare33 he already did one

[@mutantlavalampderg412]

I remember pressing all the speaker buttons as a kid...

[@brianpeace4218]

The Macys at Superstition Springs had the red tile in the kitchen area as well. Its left over from the Robinsons May days.

[@Frankfurtdabezzzt]

That "Paradise valley Macy's" whiteboard would be neat to have

[@thankuyuh6245]

I had fond memories of going to Macy's with my mom because she always had a coupon she'd use

[@JoeMotionVideos82]

I remember Robinson's and Robinson's-May. I bought my first pager from their electronics dept. I hate seeing any business go under, no just memories lost, but people losing a lively hood.

[@Moonbeam143]

I haven't been to a Macy's in a long time, but it's sad to see the stores go.

[@isleofgreg]

If you haven’t been there in a long time, then that’s why they’re closing.

[@jonnieinbangkok]

You never go...so why?

[@thobbs4526]

Their clothing became cheap crap a long time ago

[@spicyspinach9899]

Well maybe u could shop online and support them from closing

[@urbanpreppie05]

1- worked at a macy’s store PT until it’s closure, the rugs are brought in for the liquidation. also furs. liquidation is not a fun time, i remember people that had been at our store since day one in the last 70s. 2- one thing that were really starting to see is a right sizing of locations- the us has more retail locations than what we actually need. (example- my market at one point had 10 macy’s stores. we now have 5- which makes more sense) at the same time...support your local stores! use ship to store or curbside when you can!

[@gordontaylor2815]

Macy's has been "rightsizing" for years (and might still need to do some more even after the 125 that they were already intending to shut down are gone). Makes you wonder how badly things got out of whack for that to even be possible...

[@urbanpreppie05]

@@gordontaylor2815 well...online shopping really has changed the retail landscape too, there’s just not a need for so many physical locations anymore. there’s still a need, but 20 years ago there was just too much.

[@Ozzy_2014]

Don't think I ever set foot in a Macy's in my trips with my parents to the US. Not been across the border since 96 at the latest. One reason I really enjoy your videos and the topic. Seeing what exists or still exists across the border. If I could afford to and it were possible, I do want to come visit again. Friendly Canadian cousin who has great fondness for my American cousins. Seeing what we have.in common and what we don't a fun experience. K-Mart, Sears, Wool-co Target all gone from the retail scene. Eaton's a Canadian brand gone. Sears Canada extinct. Zellers was sold and replaced by Target stores. Last 3 in the country went under last year. The Downtown 100 year old Bay department stores gone in several cities. A few newer mall outlets still exist in the suburbs. The Mall of Warts doing just fine though. Discount retailer/department store Giant Tiger ( Canadian) thriving. Seems that is what survives. Canadian Tire who owns many business brands doing fine it seems. Discount, dollar stores, online does alright. The big box stores in the burbs do OK. Though Future shop was left in the past. No idea if the best of buys will carry on in Canada, heard about the US stores. Then there's the collapse if Peter Nygaard's empire as he faces legal troubles in the US for allegedly doing very bad things to the most vunerable of persons. All in all its been tough for more than 10 years now and I'd say never truly recovered from the recession of the early 90s.

[@comfeefort]

Indeed We are!!!!, I did My Genealogy, years ago People went North and some came South. I have quite a few DNA relatives in Canada. I think alot of People in U.S. are facing a return to Practicality, much like Our Ancestors lived......it's not so bad, as long as Nobody goes hungry, that's not fair to Anyone

[@sandied2057]

These liquidation companies that take over these stores will try and squeeze out every penny. Every item whether used, half broken, hanging by the thread they will try and make money off of it haha. It was an eye opener when I went through it when we closed toys r us. Definitely an experience.

[@dekalb]

A closing Macy's near me (Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta) also had rugs for sale, and I wondered the same thing about why they were there. Never seen them in a Macy's before.

[@astraldirectrix]

_bites nails nervously for the Gwinnett Place Mall Macy’s_

[@codybrandoncargle3129]

I am still amazed Greenbriar Mall Macy’s lasted as long as it did, because I used to live in Metro Atlanta and Macy’s at Arbor Place is extremely nice, but it’s in extremely bad position because of Arbor Place itself is dying, Town Center at Cobb Macy’s is decent but Town Center at Cobb is also dying it’s not doing as good as it could be, and lastly Cumberland Mall Macy’s is really nice, but who knows how long that Macy’s will last. 🤔

[@raymondmartin6737]

I remember the original Macy's in White Plains, NY, around where I grew up, and in the 1960's had a pharmacy and book store, then they remodeled it to be more modern and those things disappeared. I believe now, the Macy's relocated to the Galleria Mall is going to close. They more recently had a Backstage area to unload various items.

[@donutman.24]

I was actually walking through Paradise Valley Mall as you uploaded this video! It’s quite dismal there. More vacancies than ever. I hope the revitalization works. I did check out this Macy’s too. There were quite a few people as well. We found and bought a bucket of paint with a Home Depot label on it! The store is okay, but kinda outdated in my opinion; the carpets are a bit worn and dirty, it’s a little on the small side, and the escalators are kinda narrow. The lighting was nice, though! Also, your commentary is spot on about this store.

[@12inch_monster]

i believe the wood, green, and brass was the aesthetics of the polo ralph lauren section

[@LazyVidya]

love the vaporwave, its the perfect choice for videos like these

[@carolynd.3405]

I was there for the closing of my Sur La Table location and yeah, we sold EVERYTHING. It was the worst experience of my life. RIP Macys.

[@ericacruz8261]

It really is sad seeing this happen. I’ve been working in retail for in little over 20 years and just recently started working for a grocery store warehouse but I think back at me working retail fondly. I even worked at a Macys as a Fossil vendor 5 years ago and it was one of my greatest jobs❤️Miss it sometimes but it hurts little seeing this. My mom works at a Macys as a merchandiser but I’m sure that location will be ok, there’s still a lot of foot traffic there

[@gordontaylor2815]

I certainly think Macy's is in a better position than anyone else in the department store sphere (except maybe Kohl's). They'll probably will STILL need to slim down even more than the 125 odd stores they intended to close, though.

[@misterhat5823]

That carpet could be original. The high school I went to was built in the 70s and the carpet has never been replaced. It even has carpet in the cafeteria. It is that Monkey Wards burnt orange that doesn't show stains though.

[@dinaannnirenstein87]

Sadly, I’ve had some less than pleasant experiences at a Macy’s near me. I believe that this is more of a reflection of some of the recently hired employees than it is a reflection of Macy’s itself. It saddens me, because Macy’s might have been one of the major department stores which my grandfather might have managed back in the 1930’s, including the New York location. Honestly, department stores should be careful to take complaints seriously, because customers’ experiences in their stores are very important.

[@nooneatall1784]

There is no excuse for poor customer service behavior, but have you ever worked a minimum wage job that involves standing all day?

[@nooneatall1784]

@The W1nd In The W1llows A good percentage of shoplifters will actually pay for part of a purchase to conceal their shoplifting/tag switching. If a person is carrying around high-dollar items, they could be watched, ideally discreetly. The merchandise is followed, not the person.

[@nooneatall1784]

@The W1nd In The W1llows That's so amazing, and good work! That kind of ethic is extremely admirable.

[@nooneatall1784]

@The W1nd In The W1llows All I can tell you is their procedure: if they see a risk they are supposed to follow up. There probably isn't much training or accountability as to how they do it though. It certainly should not make customers feel annoyed or insulted. I'm sorry that was the result.

[@dinaannnirenstein87]

@@nooneatall1784 Yes, as a GEM (“General Executive Mom”, an acronym I created as a better, shorter, more accurate way to describe “stay-at-home-Mom”... we actually don’t stay home all the time!), I’m on my feet all day long, and I don’t get paid one cent.

[@andysorensen1737]

“Here’s a half drunk bottle of Coke. Let’s liquidate it!”

[@djinfreemind1966]

I guess it is a liquid? 😆😆🤪

[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

Seeing those half empty bottles of paint and windex for sale, then he pans to a guy with crutches with a mask on trying to make his way across the empty store, it’s just too much

[@UndeadEggmiester]

" those red tiles aren't even from the 80s they are tacky... Look like from Sears " oof shoots fired at Sears there. Honestly in nearly my 40 years living I think I have shopped at Macy's maybe two times at best. So will I miss them not really but it's sad to see another giant in the shopping world die. Also it's amazing that department stores never throw anything away then true to sell it off in closing sells.

[@worldofjai5158]

while i was watching this, it did remind me of my experience when Macy’s in downtown-seattle is having the same thing. it was hard for me to go to work and see all the signs and all items even the ones in the offices, in our break room, like all fixtures amd stuffs are getting sold. i remember, i was one that took off some virtual displays in cosmetics and took them all the way to the crushing area where they have to be thrown and grinded. it’s just so sad.

[@groton27]

yeah I noticed the Macy's at my local mall in Waterford CT also had a lot of Rugs for sale and I did not remember them ether. It also was never updated after it changed from a Jordan Marsh to Macy's in the late 90's

[@jodihowell8077]

All these retail stores closing is right depressing. Rip my childhood.

[@warj.3577]

With many Macy's closing, it kinda has me worried for my local mall. My Macy's is essentially encapsulated by the entire mall, and aside from the Hot Topic and the theatre, it's one of the main reasons to go inside of the mall itself. While I'm not sure of the current state of that Macy's (last I went to that mall was ~April of last year), I have to wonder if it's doing well enough.

[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

Our local mall has only one store that’s thriving - the Apple Store. The entire mall is just super dead, has been for years, both of the anchor stores at both ends gone. But as soon as you open the doors to the Apple Store it’s like there’s a bazillion people in there. It’s super weird

[@warj.3577]

@@Bingewatchingmediacontent Yeah, that's how it feels with the Hot Topic, kinda. I wouldn't say my mall is quite as dead as what you're describing, but the symptoms are getting there.

[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

@@warj.3577 for my area the problem is that rents are super high, so half the mall is now empty. They kinda blew it by being greedy

[@northsidediva6465]

We lost our Sears at the Volusia Mall in Daytona Beach in 2019. Our Macy's is closing now, as well. 😔

[@viper2131]

Macy's needs to update their stores and change their model if they want to survive. They can still save themselves but they gotta think outside the usual ideas.

[@RandomGuyComments]

😎 love the content. Always makes me feel nostalgic, calm voice too

[@philipwayne7794]

Truly: it's like meditation or a relaxation video, I just love his calming voice. Amazing nostalgia and fascinating content for sure. One of the best on KZbin.

[@wolfaliceinchains]

I'm Canadian so I've only been to a Macy's a couple times on vacation but the one I've been to (Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center in Maui, Hawaii) is a really nice store with a chill atmosphere. It's still open and not slated to close yet but sadly I don't think it has much longer to go. The mall as a whole seems to be struggling, it's facing a foreclosure suit.

[@MorryB]

That interior reminds me of the Sears here in Canada just before they closed, A hodgepodge of ugly / dated fixtures, broken tiles, and worn carpets. Other than perhaps some loyalty by the baby boomers who grew up with a different era of Sears when they were a one-stop shop (pre-Amazon), there weren't many reasons for anyone else to want to go there. You could buy almost everything they carried for less or with better selections at other retailers. Even the Sears-branded household appliances and tools weren't what they used to be. Sad how poor management destroyed that company. Now, it looks like another big Canadian department store called The Bay is headed in the same direction.

[@AmbientWalking]

I love traveling with you. It's always a super nice experience and I feel like I've been somewhere new. Thank you!

[@DjSportsGirl86]

It's tough for the Department Stores. Rumors says that Sears might be going out of business pretty soon because they had 29 stores left.

[@randomtinypotatocried]

Wait it's that low now?

[@DjSportsGirl86]

@@randomtinypotatocried Hi, nice to meet you. Anyway, yes, it had 29 stores left.

[@alexdhall]

I believe it. Here in VA the last Sears has or will close soon enough...

[@DjSportsGirl86]

Here in Detroit, the last Sears location in this area is still running

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

Orlando, Orlando.gov had a huge Sears & auto repair location near down town east 50, Fashion Sq. I remember going there up until 2014/2015. Its torn down now. 1🏗🚧🔨. Fun Hollywood fact, the 2000s era comedy: Waiting was based on a trendy chain restaurant by the Orlando Sears store, Fashion Square Mall.

[@oliviasoutherland195]

Macy’s was always our go to for dressy outfits. My mom would buy her makeup and skincare at their cosmetic counter.

[@mallaholicretailadventures]

Our macys stores use to be marshall fields stores. It seems that these werent remodeled. These last act clearance areas are realky tacky and have really cheapened macys. Good video.

[@jbar_85]

Very sad. They closed the Macy’s I worked at, too. In WPB years ago. It was a fun side job. Was sad to see it close. I live in Fort Lauderdale now, so I still have atleast 3 in the county.

[@larrylaffer3246]

Had a JC Penney go under near me a few months back. Got a $300 Suit, A $100 Pair of Suit Pants, Some Undies, A Robe, Some Sweatpants, and a Couple of T-Shirts for Like $80. It was closer to the end of it's end so the deals weren't half bad.

[@QuietJ0Y]

In Chattanooga Tennessee we never had a Macy’s. I have been to 1. Thanks for what you do!

[@cnnw3929]

I remember visiting Dillards in Albuquerque, New Mexico back in the 1980s. I ended up making friends with one of their sales men, in the camera department. Would always go and visit him, plus look at small appliances, table ware, major appliances, and just wish I could purchase them and have a place where I could actually use them. Just about everything there was out of my price range, but I did manage to buy some small items once in a while. Then of course, there's Macy's. I would visit the one at the Mall Of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. I always enjoyed those places, including the mall its self. I don't go out and do much of that stuff anymore. These videos are hard for me to watch.

[@rlb224]

Macy’s in Pompano Beach, Florida recently closed... I have such amazing memories of my Grammy taking me shopping there as a child. The smell of a Macy’s always makes me smile.

[@allisonwade4840]

I'm kind of surprised with the lack of uniformity in the display furnishings.

[@michaelanthony508]

When the sears closed last year here in auburn massachusetts @the auburn mall they had those same style rugs for sale.

[@jodihowell8077]

Our Macy’s closed 2 years ago. Depressing I used to love that store especially around the holidays 🥺

[@reallyluckygirl1]

Our Macy’s closed 4 years ago. It was sad. They’re several others in town just a little further.

[@gregraymond428]

It’s still happening here in Australia mate. My local Target shop is closing soon and Aldi will move in to the building. Times they are a changing.👍🇦🇺

[@jbar_85]

They have Target in Australia? Wow! That’s cool! We have Aldi’s in South Florida, too, LOL!

[@Sv_vic]

Valco Fasion Park in Cupertino Ca was recently demolished . It was a big mall on two sides of Wolfe Road . They had everything there , movie theater , anchor stores like Macy's and JC Penney . It is located near the new apple campus . There will be a mixed use retail and housing complex , with a massive living roof park . Pretty sure apple had something to do with it , since it's right down the street . Crazy times we are living , I fear the near future . So many jobs gone . Its going to be crazy in the next few months, years .

[@mmichal]

After what they did to Marshall Field's (aka Hudson's here in MI) Macy's can rot for all I care. Good riddance to a crappy company.

[@valentinusaurelius2259]

Ha! Same.

[@pilotgrrl1]

Same for Marshall Fields in Chicago.

[@northsidediva6465]

Same for Kaufmann's in Pittsburgh.

[@irishman3375]

JL Hudson's, great Thanksgiving day parade on Woodward downtown

[@crowmigration8245]

Where was the half-drank drink?

[@valentinusaurelius2259]

The half drank drink was drunk.

[@chellastation]

I remember when my mom worked at Macy. During Christmas time, it would be fully packed and festive. She would tell me that Macy would pay employees double on the weekend. It was a good time back than 🛍😮‍💨

[@marisam9803]

So close to 100k! I've been a follower since 20k!

[@Napsteraspx]

Well this is what happens when a store chain doesn't update their interiors or products for 40 years. That and the perfume section carpets not being steam cleaned for longer.

[@clisaa6974]

I think what 2020 showed was that for the most part people don't need to go to the mall really! I mean it's nice to try on clothes, shoes, and test out makeup on your hand. Especially if you are purchasing something that is a lot of money like a handbag. But, for the most part these big department stores aren't super needed especially. The only good thing about having a physical store is it's easy to return something there you bought online. Although at the same time I do like the going to the mall/store experience and it's always nice to actually hold a product. It's interesting to note that in Italy( random comparison lol) they don't really have big department stores and big malls like ours- also it may have to do with the fact they have a poorer economy and many people out of work.

[@stubby200]

The liquidators usually bring in oddball merchandise like those rugs to make more money . They usually do that at most liquidations that I have been to.

[@NoahSties]

I think macy's will continue to thrive in their big-city standalone building locations

[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

San Francisco’s Union Square“flagship” store looks like crap. The entire store was empty when I went in there this Christmas. I couldn’t find a salesperson. The one at Stonestown Mall closed a couple of years ago. I don’t expect the entire chain to be around much longer Granted, I know it’s lockdowns, but I haven’t seen that store “thrive” in many years. I was sad to see the one in downtown Manhattan not doing much better when I went there a few years ago. It looked quite rundown

[@larrycj4382]

@@Bingewatchingmediacontent The Macy's NYC flagship @ 34th St completely renovated the main floor. They now have shops within the store like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. NOT rundown!

[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

@@larrycj4382 ok well that was about 7 years ago I was there so maybe it’s been renovated since then 🤷‍♀️ The one in San Francisco’s union square has some renovated areas of the store on the first floor, but then you go up or down a flight and it’s kinda gross

[@larrycj4382]

@@Bingewatchingmediacontent NOT maybe. A multi-million dollar renovation of the Macy's Herald Square store is still underway. The work is being done in stages and several floors have already been competed including the shoe department, which is one of the largest in the US. The main floor has already been complete for 2 years and stuns tourists upon entering, as it is not your "mall Macy's". Perhaps you should visit in the future?

[@scallopohare9431]

Nah, they had disinterested staff, and refused to offer nice clothes in plus sizes. The NYC store did, but none others

[@kaitlynr8340]

The little Christmas tree in the corner broke my HEART

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

I was at the Macy's in Merrillville, IN over a year ago - possibly January 2020 - just briefly as I used the Macy's as the entrance to the mall. They also had a rug section. Possibly made in Pakistan or Afghanistan if I can remember. I remember I took a picture and sent it to my wife. The rugs were hundreds of dollars from what I recall as well.

[@DjSportsGirl86]

When alot of store and malls were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, lot of people are doing online shopping.

[@PaladinLarec]

I remember when Jamesway went bankrupt back when I was a kid (late 80s or so) and I was sad about that. Now, as an adult, watching Macy's, Sears, JC Penny all fade away is even sadder. Lot of family trips and back to school shopping memories. Internet sales hurt them, then Corona was the final blow.

[@makitalo007]

Looks somewhat like Åhlens here in Sweden. They are also closing stores and trying to survive in the new digital world. Thanks fore a really nice video.

[@petrobull2560]

Great video, loved the music. To be honest Macy’s is not my go to store but I occasionally shop for cologne and nice shirts on sale. I live nearby the Desert Sky mall in Phoenix and found out now it’s just a clearance outlet. For a full service Macy’s I have to go to Arrowhead Mall.

[@garryjohnson3107]

something special about walking through a macy's during Christmas season.

[@josephn9639]

Two quick things. First, I talked to a former city planner who works in the Paradise Valley Mall Dillard's and he said what killed Paradise Valley Mall is Kierland. When that opened is when the mall died. Second, you mentioned this is one of the stores converted from the May Co. takeover. I know that even after all these years, the stores Macy's bought and converted to a Macy's have always underperformed native Macy's stores. Shoppers had loyalty to their brands.

[@macdre6392]

I think most of us were expecting a video on Frys...

[@gordontaylor2815]

Patience, grasshopper. I'm sure it's on the RA to-do list right now. :)

[@spookerd]

I'm getting more and more concerned with each year as to where I'll be buying my clothing in the near future. I'm not a big fan of buying clothes online other than t-shirts.

[@brianmatthews4149]

The hassel of sending it back.would you ever buy shoes online .

[@spookerd]

@@brianmatthews4149 Ya that's one of the big draw backs. Maybe big retailers like Macy's could stay afloat if they went majority online and used smaller store fronts as return locations that double as discount/clearance stores as well.

[@kite6864]

yea, and the mattresses (just seeing them in the video) don't most people like to see and try things on before buying? you can't send a mattress back to amazon that easily. amazon also really limits your lifetime returns - with the clothing they sell you never know what you are getting and could just be stuck with it.

[@sct4040]

Nordstrom Rack.

[@migaisnotacat]

When I was at the Cane's across the street and saw the "store closing" sign here I was wondering if you were gonna do a video on it haha. Great to see you did!

[@RedHotMessResell]

I think what makes losing Macy’s stores hurt most is the Christmas experience and memories.

[@nealwhaley63]

Macy’s didn’t sell rugs. They were brought in for the close-out. Same thing happened at JCPenney. I have no idea how many actually go out the door.

[@nilkaarcher5783]

I have always loved Macys, I have been shopping at Macy's since a teenager and I'm now 64. I will be disappointed if they closed all their doors. Because of covid19 I have been shopping Macy's on line. I love all their clothes, quality and great looks always

[@kevinwilliams7717]

@retailarchaeology they didn’t change anything. That’s an old Rob May layout.

[@lorrainewhitlock5377]

I miss my old Macy's on 34th Street as of now I live in Colorado. But I miss going it Christmas time with my parents to see Santa Claus and all the displays

[@rcelestefelix9299]

Since I'm a NYC native, the only Macy's store I would miss is the one on 34th Street, where they feature their annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Macy's in the malls, like this have here in Florida, always seemed so unauthentic to me, especially when they started stocking them with cheaper items akin to Sears.

[@SecondTake123]

I went to a closing Lord and Taylor before Christmas. Great deals but yes it's so sad how the Department Stores are going away!

[@bellesogne]

4:09 Regarding the fixtures, the majority of them are about 25 years old, but they are mostly Macy's own. Around 1995, about the time Macy's acquired Carter, Hawley, Hale, Macy's West underwent a merchandising consistency initiative, redesigning store layout and buying new fixtures for all stores. Here's a rough guide, as I recall from my time in the MW executive ranks: T-stands, brushed chrome, solid base with wheels - mid-90s, part of merchandising consistency project T-stands, shiny chrome, frame base, wheels - holdover CCH fixtures that Macy's West acquired in the merger T-stands, shiny chrome, frame base, no wheels - very old Macy's fixtures, circa '80s 4-ways, brushed chrome, wheels - mid-90s, merchandising consistency project 4-ways, shiny chrome, wheels - holdover CCH fixtures yellow z-racks - circa 2000, purchased by Macy's to replace '80s era rolling racks used at all stores and distribution centers. My logistics managers LOVED these things because they stacked so much easier and saved space. men's underwear fixtures - late '90s, most designed and shipped from Warnaco, the licensee of the vast majority of underwear name brands. Although they look massive, they were relatively easy to move, even when fully loaded. I remember moving those around the sales floor while wearing an Armani business suit. Was hilarious. all jewelry caselines with light blonde wood paneling - mid '90s, part of merchandising consistency project And, yes, those desks and black wire chairs all came from the executive offices. Those wire chairs got rolled out to some stores, but most stores maintained their own unique exec suite furniture. Most of the buying offices in San Francisco (O'Farrell building and the Phelan Bldg) did not use this furniture, thankfully.

[@andrefecteau]

I ran my own apparel/online business for 20 years...the problem you had at Macy's was 1) ZERO sales people on the floor to help, those that did work there were clueless...just clerks ringing you up. 2) the staging of the clothes had no coherent structure..all the brands just thrown on the floor in a maze of racks 3) The prices were too high, the clothes out of fashion 4) Anything run by remote management will fail...you gotta have an involved owner to ever be successful 5) the death of the mall and pandemic finished them off

[@sunspot42]

Goldwaters was just about the highest-end department store chain operating in Arizona, besides the few outposts of Bullock's in the state. Beyond big national rivals like Penny's, and regional powerhouse LA-headquartered Carter Hawley Hale Stores with their Broadway Southwest chain, Goldwaters local rival was Diamonds, which was acquired by Dayton-Hudson and in '84 sold to Dillard's. Goldwaters was acquired by May in '86 and rebranded as Robinson's (later Robinsons * May), which with the prior disappearance of Diamonds was the end of the road for locally-branded department stores in Arizona. Their regional rival Broadway Southwest got acquired by Macy's in 1995 when they gobbled up the whole Broadway Stores chain out of Los Angeles after it had been floundering for several years during the recession. Macy's later went on to acquire Robinsons * May as well in 2006, uniting three of the largest legacy department store chains in Arizona under one brand. Macy's "won" the merger war but - as we can see - this turned out to be a pyrrhic victory.