The retail landscape is shifting dramatically this year, with major brands streamlining their operations to stay afloat. While some companies are pivoting to digital-first models, others are facing Chapter 11 bankruptcy and liquidating brick-and-mortar locations.
Even essential businesses like grocery stores aren’t immune to the trend, as companies reassess their physical footprints to cut costs and improve profitability.
If you have gift cards or loyalty points for these retailers, you should use them sooner rather than later. Here are major chains closing doors in 2026.
Ikea
The Swedish furniture giant is making a rare move to shrink its physical presence in a specific market. Ikea announced plans to permanently close its Memphis, Tennessee, location on May 3, 2026.
The company stated this decision is part of a “strategic shift” to modernize its U.S. footprint, though it remains committed to expansion elsewhere, with plans to open new format stores throughout the year.
The Memphis store, located at 7900 Ikea Way in Cordova, will remain open for business until the May deadline. Ikea indicated that the closure allows them to focus on markets with higher growth potential and better accessibility for customers. While the Memphis location is shuttering, the retailer is investing billions into other U.S. markets to strengthen its delivery networks and digital capabilities.
Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th
Luxury retail is taking a significant hit as Saks Global navigates Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The parent company is closing eight Saks Fifth Avenue department stores and the majority of its discount Saks Off 5th locations (approximately 57 stores). This massive restructuring aims to cut debt and refocus the business on its most profitable luxury centers.
The Saks Fifth Avenue closures include prominent locations in:
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Columbus, Ohio
- East Rutherford, New Jersey
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Richmond, Virginia
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
Neiman Marcus and Neiman Marcus Last Call
Neiman Marcus, now part of the same struggling Saks Global entity, is also seeing its footprint reduced.
The retailer will close its location at Copley Place in Boston, Massachusetts, along with remaining Neiman Marcus Last Call locations. This move parallels the strategy at Saks, effectively eliminating the company’s outlet division to protect the prestige of the core brand.
The decision comes as the combined company attempts to stabilize its finances under bankruptcy court protection. By shedding the Last Call discount chain entirely, Neiman Marcus is abandoning the off-price sector that many luxury retailers previously used to clear excess inventory. Shoppers looking for deals at Last Call should expect liquidation sales to clear out remaining stock quickly.
Francesca’s
The boutique retailer Francesca’s is facing a total shutdown. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in six years, the company is closing all of its approximately 400 stores. Liquidation sales have already begun at locations nationwide, with deep discounts offered to clear out inventory before the doors lock for good.
This complete liquidation marks the end of the road for the chain, which struggled with high debt and shifting consumer habits. If you frequent malls where Francesca’s operates, expect to see “going out of business” signs soon. The closures are comprehensive, meaning no physical locations are expected to survive this bankruptcy process.
Eddie Bauer
Outdoor apparel retailer Eddie Bauer has filed for bankruptcy and is on the verge of disappearing from the physical retail map. The company announced that all 175 of its stores in the U.S. and Canada will close by April 30, 2026, unless a buyer steps in to save them.
The bankruptcy filing is a protective measure to wind down operations while seeking a potential savior, but the default plan is a total liquidation of brick-and-mortar assets. Shoppers holding gift cards or loyalty rewards should act fast, as these are typically the first benefits to be suspended during bankruptcy proceedings.
If no buyer emerges, the brand may exist solely as an online entity or a licensed label sold by other retailers.
Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go
Amazon is aggressively retreating from its physical grocery experiment. The tech giant is closing its fleet of Amazon Fresh grocery stores and Amazon Go convenience stores. This strategic pivot allows Amazon to focus its resources on Whole Foods Market and its online grocery delivery services.
Most locations are set to close by early February, though stores in California will remain open slightly longer to comply with state labor laws. While the “Just Walk Out” technology pioneered at Amazon Go will live on in third-party venues, the branded storefronts are vanishing.
Amazon has indicated that some of the shuttered Fresh locations may eventually be converted into Whole Foods stores, but the Amazon Fresh brand will no longer exist as a physical supermarket chain.
GameStop
Video game retailer GameStop is accelerating its downsizing efforts significantly. Reports indicate the company is closing more than 470 stores to start 2026. This number is substantially higher than initial projections, reflecting an urgent push to cut costs and improve the company’s balance sheet.
The closures are nationwide, with significant impacts reported in:
- Alabama
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Ohio
These closures are part of a broader “de-densification” strategy to eliminate unprofitable locations while the company attempts to pivot its business model.
Macy’s
Department store veteran Macy’s is continuing its multi-year optimization plan with a fresh round of cuts. The retailer confirmed it will close 14 stores in 2026, with most shutting down in the first quarter. This is part of a larger strategy announced previously to close roughly 150 underperforming locations over several years.
The affected stores span the country, including locations in:
- Amherst, New York
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Corpus Christi, Texas
- Glen Burnie, Maryland
- Grandville, Michigan
- La Mesa, California
- Livingston, New Jersey
- Newington, New Hampshire
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Ramsey, New Jersey
- Saint Cloud, Minnesota
- Tarentum, Pennsylvania
- Tracy, California
- Tukwila, Washington
The Ramsey, New Jersey location is notable as it was a small-format store, signaling that even newer concepts are being scrutinized for profitability.
Kroger
Grocery giant Kroger is trimming its portfolio as it navigates a complex regulatory environment. The company plans to close 60 stores over an 18-month period that extends through 2026. These closures are targeted at underperforming locations and are described by leadership as necessary to streamline operations.
Reports indicate that the affected stores are located in:
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
This move comes as Kroger adjusts its strategy following challenges with its proposed merger activities. The company emphasizes that these closures will allow it to reinvest resources into upgrading its remaining stores and expanding its digital offerings.
Foot Locker
Sneaker retailer Foot Locker is nearing the finish line of a massive store consolidation plan. The company is on track to close 400 stores by the end of 2026. This strategy, first outlined in 2023, focuses on exiting underperforming locations in shopping malls to prioritize “power stores” and off-mall locations.
The closures primarily affect stores in lower-tier malls where foot traffic has declined. Foot Locker is simultaneously clearing out inventory to reset its merchandise mix, focusing on exclusive releases and stronger partnerships with top athletic brands. By the end of this year, the retailer’s footprint will be significantly smaller but theoretically more profitable and better aligned with modern shopping behaviors.
Add a Comment