More closings. More layoffs. More economic bad news:

Macy’s will shutter 11 stores in 9 states

NEW YORK – Department-store operator Macy’s Inc. said Thursday it will close 11 underperforming stores in nine states — affecting 960 employees — and lowered its forecast for the fourth quarter after one of the weakest holiday seasons in years.

Stores slated to close include locations in Los Angeles, West Palm Beach, Fla., Nashville, Tenn., and St. Louis, among others. Cincinnati-based Macy’s Inc. says the closures will cost about $65 million, most of which will be booked in the 2008 fourth quarter.

Clearance sales at the stores begin next week.

“These closings are part of our normal-course process to prune underperforming locations each year in order to maintain a healthy portfolio of stores,” said Macy’s Chief Executive Terry J. Lundgren in a statement.