On August 11^th, Macy’s Inc. announced that they would be closing 100 stores—about 15% of its total properties—in an effort to overhaul their retail strategy in January of 2017. Instead of focusing on in-store retail, Macy’s is conforming to the norms of the 21^st century by placing more emphasis on their online store. The department store has been on the economic decline the past several years, with their latest quarterly sales reporting the lowest it has been since the recession in 2008. Macy’s decision to close 15% of their stores, The Motley Fool says, will mark a turnaround in the company’s financial status.

However, an unfortunate side effect of the anticipated growth of Macy’s Inc. is the eventual unemployment that the personnel of the 100 Macy’s locations will face. As of right now, a list of the closing locations has not been disclosed.

Online stores such as Amazon and eBay have been perpetually on the economic rise because of their nature: they’re websites. Anyone alive today can attest to the fact that technology has grown exponentially in recent years. From the commonality of smart phones to social media phenomenon such as Pokémon Go, advanced technology is a staple in the lives of many people around the world. Especially among the younger generation, online shops are usually considered much more convenient than an in-store experience.

Junior Alexandra Sostenuto says she buys most of her clothing online because it’s “much easier than leaving the house,” and “offers a much wider range of selections.”

Macy’s already has a presence on the internet, but their announcement means they will focus more attention on the technology aspect of the company’s retail. Reports on Seeking Alpha say that their decision was probably spurred on by the fact that the cost of keeping certain locations open most likely outweigh the profits the location makes.

“Retail giants like Macy’s are sitting on prime real estate that is worth much more than the cash flows generated,” the report says.

Usually, when it is announced that a chain is closing locations, it means that the company is going under. In this situation, however, 100 Macy’s stores closing will mark a turnaround in profits for the company. Sean O’Reilly from The Motley Fool described the move as “brilliant.”

“Macy’s is uniquely positioned to profitably adapt to a world where e-commerce and physical store locations work hand in hand,” he said. “Make no mistake, this is no ordinary situation, this is no ordinary retailer, and its announcement to close some 100 locations (no matter how painful for the many lives that will be affected) is absolutely the right decision.”

This Macy’s news will not be the last of its kind. With more and more of everyday life being transferred to online media, huge retailers are bound to switch their focus online to keep their company afloat.