Hundreds face layoffs as popular retailer closes two Greater Boston stores

Popular fashion retailer Nordstrom is closing two Greater Boston locations in early 2025 and 300 employees are facing layoffs as a result.

The company confirmed last week it is closing its doors at the Northshore Mall in Peabody on Jan. 31, and its South Shore Plaza location in Braintree on March 8.

Of the total layoffs, 134 employees from the Nordstrom Northshore Mall in Peabody will be affected and 166 employees from the Nordstrom South Shore Plaza will be affected, state filings show.

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All employees affected by layoffs will be laid off by March 8.

A spokesperson for the company said the leases are expiring at both locations “soon,” prompting the closures.

“We believe we’ll be best able to serve customers in the area by leveraging our surrounding stores and through our digital channels,” the company said in an emailed statement to MassLive.

“Decisions like this are never easy and we understand the impact they have on our team members. We’re committed to taking care of our employees through this transition, which includes supporting those that are interested in finding another role within Nordstrom.”

• Read more: Here’s what’s replacing closing Nordstrom stores in 2 Greater Boston malls

After the closures, Braintree will still have one Nordstrom storefront at 200 Grossman Drive, while Peabody will no longer have any physical locations.

While both Nordstrom locations are closing in early 2025, real estate investment trust and owner of the South Shore and Northshore locations, Simon said two DICK’S stores will be taking their place and expects those to open sometime in 2026.

A DICK’S House of Sport is expected to open in its Northshore location while a “multifaceted DICK’s Sporting Goods,” is slated to open in the South Shore Plaza.

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According to ModernRetail, a DICK’S House of Sport “has a much different look than typical Dick’s Sporting Goods store,” as it features a more immersive experience.

While the merchandise may be the same, House of Sport stores have components like batting cages, golf simulators and rock walls which DICK’S Sporting Goods does not.

Its footprint per store is approximately 100,000 square feet, Simon said in a statement.

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“With the addition of Northshore Mall, the number of DICK’S House of Sport locations across Simon’s nationwide portfolio of properties will grow to six, along with over 40 DICK’s Sporting Goods locations,” Simon told MassLive in a statement.

“We are proud to expand our relationship with DICK’S to significantly upgrade our offerings at two of suburban Boston’s top shopping destinations,” said Mark Silvestri, president of development at Simon.