Macy’s is expanding its off-price pilot program, adding two more New York area locations to the four it previously announced last month.
The department store chain said Monday that two Backstage stores will open this fall in Fordham Place in the Bronx and Essex Green Shopping Center in West Orange, New Jersey, bringing its total number of discount stores to six.
“Feedback we have heard from shoppers since the initial public announcement of our first four pilot locations has been enthusiastic and our team looks forward to bringing this fresh new retail concept to life,” Peter Sachse, Macy’s chief innovation and business development officer, said in a press release, noting that the retailer will see what resonates with consumers before rolling out the concept to additional locations.
Essex Green’s current Macy’s will be converted to a Backstage store. A final clearance sale will start on Sunday and run for six to eight weeks, after which it will close for remodeling before reopening this fall in about one-half of the existing space. The Bronx store will occupy a former Sears location that closed earlier this year. The four previously announced pilot stores will be located in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, Queens Place in Queens and New Hyde Park and Huntington in Long Island.
All six Backstage stores will average 30,000 square feet in size and carry an array of men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, shoes and accessories, as well as home goods, intimate apparel and jewelry, at 20-80 percent off regular prices. Merchandise will comprise a mix of clearance goods from Macy’s 800 department stores and exclusive styles from top brands.
The pilot stores won’t be driven by promotional events and Macy’s coupons will not be accepted. Each store will offer free WiFi and one location will test a cafe concept. More details will be announced as the opening dates approach.