Retailer Delays Earnings Report Following Revelation of Three-Year Cover-Up
Macy’s revealed on Monday that a single employee was responsible for hiding up to $154 million in expenses over nearly three years, forcing the retailer to delay its quarterly earnings report. The shocking revelation prompted an independent forensic accounting investigation and has raised questions about the company’s financial oversight.
Hidden expenses and delayed reporting
The company stated that the unnamed employee, who is no longer with Macy’s, “intentionally made erroneous accounting accrual entries” to conceal expenses tied to small package deliveries. The hidden expenses, while only a fraction of the $4.36 billion in delivery costs reported by Macy’s since late 2021, were significant enough to push the company’s earnings release to December 11.
“There is no indication that the erroneous accounting accrual entries had any impact on the company’s cash management activities or vendor payments,” Macy’s said in a statement, underscoring that its operational capabilities remain intact despite the issue.
The motive behind the employee’s actions remains unclear. Investigators have not identified any other staff members involved in the scheme, suggesting the discrepancies stemmed solely from this individual.
Macy’s CEO reaffirms ethical commitment
“At Macy’s, Inc., we promote a culture of ethical conduct,” said CEO Tony Spring in a statement. “While we work diligently to complete the investigation as soon as practicable and ensure this matter is handled appropriately, our colleagues across the company are focused on serving our customers and executing our strategy for a successful holiday season.”
Investor concerns and analyst reactions
The accounting irregularities come at a challenging time for the 165-year-old retailer, whose stock has already fallen nearly 20% this year. Retail analyst Neil Saunders of GlobalData Retail criticized the company’s auditing practices, stating, “Such things create more nervousness for investors who are already concerned about the company’s performance.”
Preliminary earnings reported Monday showed a 2.4% decline in quarterly sales to $4.7 billion, driven by weaker performance in digital channels and categories like cold-weather apparel amid an unusually warm fall. While Macy’s continues its turnaround strategy, Saunders noted that the retailer’s sales trends reflect broader struggles.
“The middle-market isn’t great, and Macy’s is far from being on the front foot across all of its stores. But it still underlines the fact the company is in overall decline,” Saunders said.
High-end divisions outperform
Despite challenges at its core locations, Macy’s reported stronger performance in its higher-end divisions. Sales at Bloomingdale’s increased by 1.4%, while Bluemercury sales rose 3.2%. Meanwhile, Macy’s continues to implement a turnaround plan that includes identifying underperforming stores for closure.
The company had previously rejected takeover bids in July, opting instead to pursue its internal strategy to rejuvenate the iconic chain.
Market impact
Shares of Macy’s fell nearly 3% in early trading Monday following the announcement, reflecting continued investor uncertainty. As the retailer works to restore trust and navigate an increasingly competitive retail environment, the holiday season will serve as a critical test of its resilience and strategic direction.