Macy's Is Closing 150 Stores

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Macy's announced more store closures and Jason Markk earned B Corp Certification. Plus, an artist designed a pair of special-edition sneakers for Chicago Bulls mascot Benny the Bull.

Here's what you need to know.

Macy’s Is Closing 150 Stores, Leaning Into Small-Format Locations

Macy’s Inc. announced a plan to close more of its namesake stores across the country as part of a new strategic plan to grow business.

The department store retailer said on Tuesday it would close about 150 “underproductive locations” through 2026, with 50 of these closures set for 2024. The company also said it would invest in 350 other Macy’s locations and would open 30 new small format Macy’s stores over the next two years.

As for its other banners, Macy’s Inc. said it plans to continue leaning into its luxury labels, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, which it described out “outperformers.” Throughout 2026, Macy’s Inc. plans to open 15 new Bloomingdale’s stores and at least 30 new Bluemercury stores. The company also expects to remodel 30 Bluemercury stores and open a combined 15 new Bloomie’s and Bloomingdale’s the Outlets stores over three years.

Jason Markk Founder and CEO Talk ‘Culture of Care’ as Shoe Care Brand Earns B Corp Certification

Jason Markk is taking its “culture of care” to the next level by marking a new milestone.

The shoe care brand announced on Tuesday that it has earned B Corp Certification after the company went through a demanding and rigorous evaluation of its operations. With this certification, Jason Markk joins the ranks of more than 8,000 purpose-driven companies in 95 countries that commit to using their businesses to positively impact all stakeholders and the environment.

“It’s taken a lot to get this certification,” Jason Angsuvarn, founder and chief mission officer at Jason Markk, told FN in an interview. “We’ve done a lot of work over the past two years to be in-line with B Corp, and we’re really happy we can share this with the world now. It’s an extremely exciting time for us here at Jason Markk.”

As part of the certification process, Angsuvarn and his team took on the task to reformulate and upgrade its natural cleaning and care formulas. Now, 90 percent of these products will be certified as USDA bio-based, EPA Safer Choice and biodegradable by the end of this year. What’s more, “forever chemicals” like VOC, PFAS, PFOA and PFCs will also be removed from the line later this year. The first reformulated product to be released is the bestselling Jason Markk Ready-To-Use Foam Cleaner.

Exclusive: Hip-Hop’s Favorite Cross Stitch Artist Made Custom Sneakers for the Chicago Bulls Mascot

Emma “Stitch Gawd” McKee — the Chicago-based cross stitch artist known for her work Chance, the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar and more — has designed a pair of special-edition sneakers that she’ll present Tuesday night to Chicago Bulls mascot Benny the Bull.

McKee is the third designer to make custom sneakers for Benny the Bull through an annual project facilitated by the payment network Klarna. Last year’s edition was designed by Don C, who also serves as the Bulls’ creative strategy and design advisor and personally selected McKee. He was preceded by local artist Chuck Anderson.

“I often tell people that my work is a love letter to the city of Chicago, so to be able to do this project is basically a dream come true. ” McKee told Footwear News on a call Monday.

About the kicks: The all-red sneakers look to the old Chicago Stadium as inspiration, as do the Bulls’ City Edition jerseys for this season, with four key design elements modeled after Klarna’s “Pay in Four” feature. The shoe’s pull tabs feature the years “1929” and “1994,” which was when Chicago Stadium was open. Three stripes on the side represent the Bulls’ first three championships that came in the arena’s last four years. Benny’s hair then inspires the multi-color shoe laces, while the all-red color scheme is a nod to the mascot’s original shoes.

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