Macy's is leveraging luxury demand, omnichannel selling, artificial intelligence, and supply-chain upgrades to reshape its business, though tariffs and uneven consumer spending continue to weigh on margins. Bloomingdale's posted 10.2% comparable sales growth in the first quarter of 2026, its highest first-quarter sales volume in 154 years, while Bluemercury added 6.4% comparable sales growth led by makeup, dermatological skincare, and fragrances. Digital sales rose to 34% of net sales from 33% a year earlier, supported by reimagined store locations that helped the Macy's nameplate achieve 1.6% comparable sales growth. The company is deploying AI for inventory forecasting and management, and has introduced Ask Macy's, an AI-powered conversational shopping assistant, while its China Grove distribution facility is ramping up automation to improve service levels and cost efficiencies. However, tariffs reduced first-quarter gross margin by about 30 basis points, and second-quarter guidance assumes a 20- to 40-basis-point gross margin headwind from tariffs and fuel costs, with lower-income customers remaining selective and big-ticket home categories soft.
Macy’s IncBloomingdale's and Bluemercury posted strong comparable sales growth, and Macy's nameplate grew 1.6%, indicating robust luxury and omnichannel demand.
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