NEW YORK — Macy’s warned Thursday that it could lose more than a $1 billion and see sales fall at least 45 percent during its first fiscal quarter after the coronavirus pandemic paralyzed retail operations nationwide.

The dire preliminary report from the iconic department store chain offers the latest evidence that the pandemic is widening the divide between big box stores like Walmart and Target and mall-based clothing chains.

L Brands, which operates Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works, reported a wider-than-expected loss on a deep sales drop, particularly with the lingerie brand.

But Best Buy, the nation’s largest consumer electronics chain, said it retained 81 percent of its sales during the pandemic quarter — even with stores closed.

TJX Cos., which operates T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods and Marshals and is usually one of retail darlings, took a beating during the quarter because it was forced to temporarily close its stores and its fledgling online business. The chain said Thursday it swung to a loss and sales were down a little more than 50 percent. But the company, known for its deep discounts of major brands, sees “strong initial” sales from the stores that have reopened, and analysts believe the chain will bounce back.

Neiman Marcus, Stage Stores and J.C. Penney filed for bankruptcy protection this month and more are expected to go down that road.

Kohl’s said this week that sales had slumped more than 40 percent and it lost money in its first quarter. But its CEO Michelle Gass believes that the chain will fare better than its peers since most of its stores are at strip centers.