Consumer Affairs reports that the cruelest month but for retailers, is often December. If stores don't perform well during the make-or-break holiday shopping season, they can end up on the chopping block, just like 68 Macy's stores did Wednesday. Macy's called it "a series of actions to streamline its store portfolio, intensify cost efficiency efforts and execute its real estate strategy" and said the closings (and, of course, firings) would "bolster the company’s strategy to further invest in omnichannel capabilities, improve customer experience and create shareholder value." About 3,900 employees are expected to lose their jobs. The closings are part of about 100 that were originally announced in August 2016, Macy's said. That will leave Macy's with about 630 stores, and the company said it will "opportunistically close approximately 30 additional stores over the next few years as leases or operating covenants expire or sale transactions are completed." Like other retailers, Macy's has been battered by Amazon and other online outlets and it has also been hurt by TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshalls and other discounters that have largely displaces full-service department stores in the minds of many consumers. Macy's said it estimates it will lose about $575 million in sales as a result of the closings but said it expects to "retain sales at nearby stores and on macys.com through targeted marketing and merchandising efforts." Here is Macy's list of the stores that have already been closed, those that are about to be closed and a few that fall into the "other" category: Already Completed 2016 Closings Laurel Plaza, North Hollywood, CA (475,000 square feet; opened in 1995; 105 associates); Ala Moana Jewel Gallery, Honolulu, HI (2,000 square feet; opened in 1986; 9 associates); Valley Fair, West Valley City, UT (106,000 square feet; opened in 1970; 53 associates); Already Announced Year-End 2016 Closings Final clearance sales at the following Macy’s stores closing in early 2017 will begin on Monday, January 9, and run for approximately eight to 12 weeks (with the exception of Lancaster Mall*, where final clearance sales are already in progress): Greenwood, Bowling Green, KY (124,000 square feet; opened in 1980; 63 associates); Carolina Place, Pineville, NC (151,000 square feet; opened in 1993; 69 associates); Douglaston, Douglaston, NY (158,000 square feet; opened in 1981; 144 associates); Downtown Portland, Portland, OR (246,000 square feet; opened in 2007; 85 associates); Lancaster Mall, Salem, OR (67,000 square feet; opened in 1980; 53 associates); Oakwood Mall, Eau Claire, WI (104,000 square feet; opened in 1991; 55 associates) Year-End Closings Mission Valley Apparel, San Diego, CA (385,000 square feet; opened in 1961; 140 associates); Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA (141,000 square feet; opened in 1990; 77 associates); Lakeland Square, Lakeland, FL (101,000 square feet; opened in 1995; 68 associates); Oviedo Marketplace, Oviedo, FL (195,000 square feet; opened in 2000; 83 associates); Sarasota Square, Sarasota, FL (143,000 square feet; opened in 1977; 86 associates); University Square, Tampa, FL (140,000 square feet; opened in 1974; 73 associates); CityPlace, West Palm Beach, FL (108,000 square feet; opened in 2000; 72 associates); Georgia Square, Athens, GA (121,000 square feet; opened in 1981; 69 associates); Nampa Gateway Center, Nampa, ID (104,000, square feet; opened in 2009; 57 associates); Alton Square, Alton, IL (180,000 square feet; opened in 1978; 54 associates); Stratford Square, Bloomingdale, IL (149,000 square feet; opened in 1981; 87 associates); Eastland, Bloomington, IL (154,000 square feet; opened in 1999; 55 associates); Jefferson, Louisville, KY (157,000 square feet; opened in 1979; 52 associates); Esplanade, Kenner, LA (188,000 square feet; opened in 2008; 101 associates); Bangor, Bangor, ME (143,000 square feet; opened in 1998; 65 associates); Westgate, Brockton, MA (144,000 square feet; opened in 2003; 79 associates); Silver City Galleria, Taunton, MA (152,000 square feet; opened in 1992; 82 associates); Lakeview Square Mall, Battle Creek, MI (102,000 square feet: opened 1983; 51 associates); Eastland Center, Harper Woods, MI (433,000 square feet; opened in 1957; 121 associates); Lansing, Lansing, MI (103,000 square feet; opened in 1979; 57 associates); Westland, Westland, MI (334,000 square feet; opened in 1965; 106 associates); Minneapolis Downtown, Minneapolis, MN (1,276,000 square feet; opened in 1902; 280 associates); Northgate, Durham, NC (187,000 square feet; opened in 1994; 72 associates); Columbia, Grand Forks, ND (99,000 square feet; opened in 1978; 53 associates); Moorestown, Moorestown, NJ (200,000 square feet; opened in 1999; 107 associates); Voorhees Town Center, Voorhees, NJ (224,000 square feet; opened in 1970; 77 associates); Preakness, Wayne, NJ (81,000 square feet; opened in 1963; 72 associates); Cottonwood, Albuquerque, NM (173,000 square feet; opened in 1996; 56 associates); Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV (178,000 square feet; opened in 1966; 84 associates); Great Northern, Clay, NY (88,000 square feet; opened in 1989; 55 associates); Oakdale Mall, Johnson City, NY (140,000 square feet; opened in 2000; 58 associates); The Marketplace, Rochester, NY (149,000 square feet; opened in 1982; 77 associates); Eastland, Columbus, OH (121,000 square feet; opened in 2006; 73 associates); Sandusky, Sandusky, OH (133,000 square feet; opened in 1979; 61 associates); Fort Steuben, Steubenville, OH (132,000 square feet; opened in 1974; 59 associates); Promenade, Tulsa, OK (180,000 square feet; opened in 1996; 58 associates); Neshaminy, Bensalem, PA (211,000 square feet; opened in 1968; 89 associates); Shenango Valley, Hermitage, PA (106,000 square feet; opened in 1976; 69 associates); Beaver Valley, Monaca, PA (203,000 square feet; opened in 1987; 78 associates); Lycoming, Muncy, PA (120,000 square feet; opened in 1995; 61 associates); Plymouth Meeting, Plymouth Meeting, PA (214,000 square feet; opened in 1966; 74 associates); Washington Crown Center, Washington, PA (148,000 square feet; opened in 1999; 67 associates); Parkdale, Beaumont, TX (171,000 square feet; opened in 2002; 67 associates); Southwest Center, Dallas, TX (148,000 square feet; opened in 1975; 68 associates); Sunland Park, El Paso, TX (105,000 square feet; opened in 2004; 71 associates); Greenspoint, Houston, TX (314,000 square feet; opened in 1976; 70 associates); West Oaks Mall, Houston, TX (244,000 square feet; opened in 1982; 135 associates); Pasadena Town Square, Pasadena, TX (209,000 square feet; opened in 1962; 78 associates); Collin Creek, Plano, TX (199,000 square feet; opened in 1980; 103 associates); Broadway Square, Tyler, TX (100,000 square feet; opened in 1981; 65 associates); Layton Hills, Layton, UT (162,000 square feet; opened in 1980; 72 associates); Cottonwood, Salt Lake City, UT (200,000 square feet; opened in 1962; 88 associates); Landmark, Alexandria, VA (201,000 square feet; opened in 1965; 119 associates); River Ridge, Lynchburg, VA (144,000 square feet; opened in 1980; 60 associates); Everett, Everett, WA (133,000 square feet; opened in 1977; 109 associates); Three Rivers, Kelso, WA (51,000 square feet; opened in 1987; 57 associates); Valley View, La Crosse, WI (101,000 square feet; opened in 1980; 57 associates) Other 2017 Closings Simi Valley Town Center (men’s/home/kids), Simi Valley, CA (190,000 square feet; opened in 2006; 105 associates); Mall at Tuttle Crossing (furniture/home/kids/men's), Dublin, OH (227,000 square feet; opened in 2003; 52 associates)