Nearly 50 workers will lose their jobs when TJ Hughes shuts this month. The shop closes on Sunday with 49 redundancies.
The nationwide chain has gone into administration, with 1,061 employees being out of work as 22 stores shut over five days.
Kirsty Lucas, 19, who has worked at the town store for three years since leaving school returned from holiday to find the store half empty.
She said: "We found out about the possible closure from the news.
"Then I went on holiday and when I came back the store was half empty with closing down signs everywhere. It’s sad. My sister works here too."
An Ernst & Young spokesman said staff were being offered support and advice, and they were working with Jobcentre Plus.
Tom Jack from the administrators said they were continuing negotiations with possible buyers.
Clare Hayward, from the Macclesfield Economic Forum, said: "It’s hugely disappointing for Macclesfield, however, it’s happening in every high street across the country.
"We need to galvanise enthusiasm for what the Macclesfield high street should look like.
"We’re hoping that the whole town plans creates other jobs opportunities for Macclesfield over the next few months."
