Small Format ‘Bloomies’ to Open This Fall

The introduction of this new Bloomie’s concept, which borrows a nickname bestowed on the retailer by New Yorkers years ago, follows the strategy first articulated by parent company Macy’s early last year, before the pandemic interrupted its plans.

Executives said then that more than a hundred stores would close, most anchoring malls, with smaller formats heading to open-air centers instead. Strip centers, family centers and “power centers” all deviate from the indoor mall format, which is anchored by huge department stores and filled inside with smaller specialty tenants. A Macy’s spokesperson said that strategy is ongoing and that the company “will continue testing several smaller-format, off-mall stores, including Bloomie’s.”

Throughout the years, as department stores have given up selling various categories, most have filled the vacant space with apparel. The smaller stores minimize that.