Macy’s To Launch Quartet Of “Off-Price” (AKA Discount) Stores This Fall

Earlier this year, Macy’s said it was going to dip its toes into the waters of discount retailing by creating some sort of off-price offshoot of its department store chain. Today, the retailer confirmed some details about the first four locations for the store it has dubbed Macy’s Backstage.

All four backstage locations (at about 30,000 sq. ft. each) will be in the New York City metro area, mostly in Long Island and the fringes of Brooklyn and Queens. The company says the stores will feature the same variety of goods you’d see at Macy’s — everything from clothing to housewares to jewelry — but at discounts of 20-80%.

Some items will be clearance sales from the regular Macy’s lineup. Others will be products purchased specifically for the Backstage stores, says the company.

While Macy’s store-brand charge cards will be accepted at the backstage stores, Macy’s coupons will not. The retailer says that the Backstage stores will not use promotional events to drive business to Backstage locations, but presumably will rely on everyday discounts to keep customers coming back.

The stores will also include free WiFi, so be sure to use it to check the prices to make sure you are getting a good deal.

“We believe we can deliver a whole new level of value to customers who appreciate fashion and love to hunt for a bargain,” said Peter Sachse, Macy’s chief innovation and business development officer in a statement.

The four locations for Macy’s Backstage:
• Sheepshead Bay (2027 Emmons Ave.), Brooklyn, NY
• Queens Place, Elmhurst (Queens), NY
• Lake Success Shopping Center, New Hyde Park, NY
• Melville Mall, Huntington, NY

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