US: Department store chain Macy’s to lay-off 2,350 employees, close five stores

US department store chain Macy’s is laying off around 3.5 percent of its workforce and even planning to shut down five of its stores.

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American department store chain Macy’s to slash 3.5 percent jobs. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

The 3.5 percent is likely to hit 2,350 jobs.

“As we prepare to deploy a new strategy to meet the needs of an ever-changing consumer and marketplace, we made the difficult decision to reduce our workforce by 3.5% to become a more streamlined company,” a Macy’s spokesperson told CNN.

In 1858, Macy’s started its journey with a small dry goods shop that opened on the 14th Street and 6th Avenue in New York City.

The brand has been operating for 150 years.

Stock prices likely a factor in recent developments

Macy’s stock price has dropped 75% from a peak of $73 a share in 2015. Since then, it has closed nearly 300 stores — almost one third of its stores — and operates about 700 across its brands, reports CNN.