Macy’s (NYSE:M) is planning to reopen 68 department stores Monday, in states including South Carolina and Georgia, where local governments are loosening lockdown restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.
Media reports say the retail giant expects to have all of its roughly 775 stores reopened in six weeks, should COVID-19 infection rates taper off, and local governments allow retailers to proceed.
A second wave of roughly 50 stores is scheduled to reopen May 11. Macy’s, which also owns Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, said it has been offering curbside pickup at roughly 20 Macy’s locations for the past week, in a bid to drive some sales.
The 68 Macy’s stores set to reopen soonest will be operating on reduced hours, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. About 25% of these locations are in Simon Property Group’s malls. Media reports have 49 of Simon’s malls and outlet centers set to reopen as soon as this Friday.
Macy’s will also take a number of other precautions to try to make its workers and customers feel safe, and to enforce social distancing.
Workers will be asked to take their temperatures before they come in, and be mandated to wear masks in stores.
The retailer will only have open a few fitting rooms at once. Any items tried on by customers will be held for 24 hours before going back to racks. Returned items will also be held for 24 hours.
All of Macy’s stores have been shut since March 19.
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