Dive Brief:

• Neiman Marcus on Tuesday said that full-line stores in Walnut Creek, California, at Mazza Gallerie in Washington, D.C., and in Natick, Massachusetts, will permanently close.

• The three stores were added to previously reported closures in Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach in Florida, and in Bellevue, Washington, and at Hudson Yards in New York City, according to a company spokesperson.

• In March, the department store announced it would close almost all its Last Call off-price stores in a pivot to focus on luxury. The company filed for bankruptcy in May.

Dive Insight:

In June, Neiman Marcus anticipated a smooth exit from Chapter 11 protection, but the process has grown choppy as creditors push back against the treatment of the MyTheresa e-commerce business. Previously a lender also accused the company of breaching its loan terms, and some lenders reportedly wanted it to drop the reorganization plan and sell itself. 

Neiman Marcus Mazza in Washington, D.C., will shutter for good by the end of September, while the Walnut Creek and Natick stores will operate into next year, with closing dates yet to be announced, the spokesperson said in an email.

"We are always assessing our store footprint to ensure it is optimal to enhance revenues, overall profitability, and our integrated retail strategy," the spokesperson said. "These actions will help ensure the continued long-term success of our business and underscore our unrelenting focus on providing unparalleled luxury experiences and engagement," the spokesperson added.

The department store is carrying on with plans to boost its e-commerce and virtual services, with some operations developed months ago coming in handy as the pandemic has forced stores to close temporarily and deterred many shoppers from going to stores even as they've reopened. Most recently, the retailer launched "Neiman's State of Mind," a digital hub that replaces its Fall Book.