Macy’s has decided that it will convert two of its department stores into dark stores that more easily facilitate in-store and curbside pickup of online orders and product returns. “Many retailers are in survival mode and so this is a reasonable approach under this circumstance. However it’s a short-term survival tactic only,” says Mark Ryski, CEO of Headcount Corporation. “Macy’s decision to convert stores into dark locations is a short term tactic to try to serve customers through what will be a brutal holiday season for Macy’s. Using high priced mall real estate for dark store distribution is a losing proposition.”