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Macy’s Closures to Usher in a New Era of Mall Transformation: Apartments, Hockey Rinks, and Amazon Warehouses

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Macy’s Closures to Usher in a New Era of Mall Transformation: Apartments, Hockey Rinks, and Amazon Warehouses

Macy’s decision to close nearly a third of its stores by early 2027 is expected to bring significant changes to shopping malls and communities across the U.S. The retailer plans to shut down about 150 of its namesake locations, which account for 25% of the company’s gross square footage but less than 10% of its sales. This move is part of Macy’s strategy to invest more in the remaining 350 stores and focus on expanding its more successful brands, like Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury.

As Macy’s exits these locations, malls will face the challenge of filling the large spaces left behind. Macy’s stores typically range from 200,000 to 225,000 square feet, and few single tenants are capable of occupying such expansive areas. Even major retailers like Nordstrom and Belk, which once opened large stores, are no longer pursuing that strategy.

However, Chris Wimmer, senior director at Fitch Ratings, sees the closures as an opportunity for many malls. He believes that the departure of Macy’s could accelerate the transformation of low-performing malls that are no longer viable. For healthier malls in good locations, the closures present a chance to repurpose prime real estate, potentially revitalizing the shopping centers.

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In some cases, the vacant spaces left by Macy’s could be redeveloped into more relevant real estate projects, such as medical buildings, retirement communities, grocery stores, or even Amazon warehouses. However, in areas with declining foot traffic or less desirable locations, the vacant Macy’s stores might become difficult to repurpose, potentially leading to further decline and blight.

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Travelers Brace for Hurricane Milton: Airlines, Theme Parks, and Cruise Lines Adjust Plans

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Travelers Brace for Hurricane Milton: Airlines, Theme Parks, and Cruise Lines Adjust Plans

With Hurricane Milton rapidly approaching Florida’s west coast, travel plans across the region are being significantly disrupted. The Category 4 storm, carrying winds of up to 145 mph, has triggered widespread cancellations, route changes, and closures as airlines, theme parks, and cruise lines prepare for its anticipated landfall on Wednesday.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency across more than 50 counties, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warning that Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida’s west coast with dangerous force.

Airports are taking precautionary measures, with Tampa International Airport suspending operations early on Tuesday, stating that it will “reopen when safe to do so.” Orlando International Airport, a major hub, announced it will close by 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Southwest Airlines, which accounts for a significant portion of flights in and out of Orlando, has already canceled 402 flights for Wednesday. FlightAware reports that over 85% of flights at Orlando International Airport have been grounded for the day, with many more cancellations at Tampa and Southwest Florida International airports.

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Theme parks are also responding to the storm. Busch Gardens Tampa will be closed from Tuesday through Thursday, while SeaWorld Orlando remains open for the time being but continues to monitor Hurricane Milton’s path closely.

Cruise lines have been proactive as well, with Carnival informing passengers that ports in Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami are likely to close. As a result, several routes and destinations have been altered to steer clear of the storm’s impact.

As Hurricane Milton nears, travelers and local residents are urged to stay informed and adjust plans accordingly, with further disruptions expected in the coming days.

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States Sue TikTok, Alleging Impact on Teen Mental Health Crisis

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States Sue TikTok, Alleging Impact on Teen Mental Health Crisis

A coalition of 14 U.S. states has filed lawsuits against TikTok, accusing the social media giant of exacerbating a mental health crisis among teenagers. The bipartisan group of attorneys general claims the platform’s addictive features target young users, misleading the public about the safety of prolonged use, and contributing to negative mental health outcomes.

In the lawsuit, filed in New York, the attorneys general argue that TikTok intentionally designed features that drive compulsive use, negatively affecting millions of teens. New York Attorney General Letitia James stated that TikTok’s influence has led to tragic incidents, including the death of a 15-year-old boy in Manhattan, who died while “subway surfing” after watching similar videos on TikTok.

James emphasized that many teenagers are struggling with increased anxiety, sadness, and depression, attributing some of these effects to the app’s alerts, disappearing videos, and beauty filters. These features, she said, encourage constant checking of the platform and contribute to issues surrounding body image.

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TikTok, which is already grappling with legislation that could ban it from the U.S. unless its parent company, Bytedance, sells the app, called the lawsuit “disappointing.” The platform contends that it has introduced tools to limit screen time and content exposure, but the lawsuit claims these tools are ineffective.

In addition to the mental health accusations, the lawsuit also points to TikTok’s virtual currency as running an unlicensed money transmission business in Washington D.C. The plaintiffs seek financial penalties and a court order to halt TikTok’s practices that allegedly harm teenagers.

TikTok has responded by defending its efforts to protect young users, stating, “We strongly disagree with these claims,” and reaffirming their commitment to improve the platform.

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Rolls-Royce Unveils Exclusive NYC Showroom for Ultra-Wealthy Clients

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Rolls-Royce Unveils Exclusive NYC Showroom for Ultra-Wealthy Clients

Rolls-Royce has launched its first U.S. “Private Office” in New York City’s Meatpacking District, offering a VIP design studio experience for its most affluent clients. This highly exclusive showroom marks a significant step in the luxury carmaker’s strategy to enhance profits by focusing on high-end, personalized vehicles rather than increasing production.

Last year, Rolls-Royce manufactured just 6,032 cars—less than half of Ferrari’s output—but its custom designs continue to drive profit growth for parent company BMW. The Private Office takes car personalization to an elite level, where select clients can work closely with designers to customize every aspect of their vehicle, from paint colors to fabrics, woods, and even intricate lighting schemes. Rolls-Royce CEO Chris Brownridge emphasized that customer requests can be as unique as matching the car’s exterior to the color of a pet’s eyes or incorporating mother-of-pearl from a private collection.

This bespoke design service, known as the “Bespoke” program, allows clients to add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the base price of a Rolls-Royce. For instance, a Phantom priced at just under $500,000 could exceed $1 million after personalization.

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Unlike traditional dealerships, the Private Office is a discreet and luxurious space, designed more like a billionaire’s Manhattan loft than a car showroom. The entrance is unmarked, with clients entering through a secure elevator. Inside, the studio features a sleek black kitchen, an outdoor terrace, and a collection of classic vinyl records, creating an intimate environment for clients to explore materials such as paint samples, leather, and metals.

This Manhattan showroom brings the expertise of Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood factory directly to clients, accommodating the increasingly intricate requests of the brand’s top-tier clientele.

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