[Olog-hai]

So why are they closing a hundred stores?

[dragnet2]

So why are they closing a hundred stores?

It's because their doing great and stock is up!☺

[nascarnation]

Middle class targeted big box retail is failing.

It has been since the 90s, even before the internet.

The future of shopping malls is Section 8 housing. Although some are being converted to hold computer server farms.

[Shanghai Dan]

Because shopping mall attendance for mid-level malls (not high end) nation-wide is down. Vacancies are pushing 10% for non-high-end malls. Fewer people are going to low-mid end shopping malls in general, and if your chain is built on being an anchor in those shopping malls - that's not good.

Macy's, Sears, JC Penneys - all used to be staples of the middle/lower class shopper. And since that traffic is dying, their stores are dying, too. High end malls (think J. Crew, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, Gucci, etc.) are still going strong as the economic malaise isn't affecting the rich very much, if any.

Standalone store traffic is still holding steady, but middle-class shopping malls are slowly dying.

[mac_truck]

So why are they closing a hundred stores?

I'd imagine they're trimming back under performing locations, which is a prudent business practice that bodes well for the long term health of the company. I haven't seen the list of stores yet but it may also involve a real estate play, which could unlock some real value for share holders.

In other words, nothing to do with Donald Trump.