Nordstrom's closure sparks outrage as stores vanish from Massachusetts malls

In Massachusetts, Nordstrom has announced the closure of its stores located at the Northshore Mall in Peabody and South Shore Plaza in Braintree. The Northshore Mall location will cease operations on January 31, while the last day of business for the South Shore Plaza Nordstrom store is scheduled for March 8. A representative of the department store chain attributed these closures to expiring leases at both malls. The Nordstrom chain, which has served customers for over a century, is undergoing significant changes following a $6.25 billion acquisition deal finalized in December. This deal saw Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group take over the company. In light of the store closures, a Nordstrom spokesperson expressed the company’s commitment to aiding affected employees through this transition period, including opportunities for other roles within the organization. As a result of the Nordstrom closures, both locations are set to welcome new establishments. Simon Property Group, the operator of the malls, plans to open Dick's Sporting Goods at the South Shore Plaza and a Dick's House of Sport at the Northshore Mall. The Dick's Sporting Goods is expected to provide a more interactive shopping experience with facilities like climbing walls and batting cages, resembling the success seen at similar stores across the country. The new sports stores are anticipated to open sometime in 2026, which is part of a broader strategy to enhance customer experience and increase foot traffic in the malls. Nordstrom remains committed to serving Massachusetts shoppers through its other locations in Boston, Burlington, Danvers, Framingham, Millbury, Natick, and Westwood. This shift highlights the retail sector's adaptive nature in response to changing market dynamics, emphasizing both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for traditional and sporting goods retailers in the region.