Macy’s prepares to unlock the doors

In the latest sign of a post-coronavirus retail world, Macy’s will reopen all its 775 locations by the end of June.

The company will begin on Monday with 68 stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, according to the New York Times. CEO Jeff Gennette said in a presentation that the retailer expects to only bring in about 20 percent of its typical business at its stores, and “slowly build” from there, according to the Times.

Gennette said Macy’s wasn’t sure how many shoppers would return, but hoped that data from the reopened stores would indicate what sort of business could be expected moving forward.

Macy’s closed all of its stores on March 18 and furloughed the majority of its employees at the end of March. It also suspended its dividend, froze hiring, and drew down its credit line. The move comes as at least 31 states have indicated they will partially reopen in the coming days, after stay-at-home orders shuttered nonessential businesses, according to CNN.

The retailer kept open its online shopping portal and Gannette said that April sales were “stronger than expected.”

About a quarter of Macy’s stores that will open Monday are part of the 49 malls that Simon Property Group said it will reopen over the weekend.

Shoppers who visit Macy’s stores should expect a different experience from what they have had. Employees will be issued masks and sometimes gloves. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the stores and plexiglass barriers will be put up at cash registers.

Macy’s also plans to open a limited number of fitting rooms, and items that customers try on will be put aside for at least 24 hours before going back on the racks. [Bloomberg] — Dennis Lynch