Another Retail Stores Bite the Dust…..

Major Retail Store Closures & Reopenings in 2026

The retail world is going through major changes in 2026, and it’s affecting shoppers across the country. From beloved craft stores and fashion chains to pharmacies and big-box retailers, companies are rethinking their future—whether that means shutting down, filing for bankruptcy, or making a bold comeback.

Whether you’re trying to plan your next shopping trip or hunting for liquidation deals, this updated list of retail store closures, reopenings, and transitions will help you stay one step ahead.

Here’s a breakdown of the biggest retail changes happening now—and what they might mean for you.

Francesca’s

• Status: Liquidating Inventory and Closing Soon (all locations) 

Francesa’s has decided after 25 years they will be closing their doors.  The retailer opened in 1999 and is known for their fashionable clothing and trendy accessories.   In 2020, they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with plans to sell.

Francesa’s is currently having a “warehouse sale” online.  Brick and Mortar stores haven’t yet announced their plans for clearing inventory, so keep an eye out if you have a local store for any sales and discounts.

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Claire’s

NEW! Yikes. This is not looking good! Claire’s just filed for bankruptcy again, seven years after its last Chapter 11 restructuring. The retailer plans to close at least 18 U.S. stores and is exploring selling some or all of its assets. Despite staying open for now, Claire’s is facing major debt (up to $10 billion) and struggling with declining mall traffic, online competition, and changing customer trends.

Experts say it’s getting harder for stores like Claire’s to keep up with fast-moving shoppers and low-cost online brands. While this bankruptcy could help them cut debt and reset, it may also be their last shot. If they can’t turn things around, they could end up shutting down for good.

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At Home

NEW! Yikes — big news if you’re a fan of At Home! The popular home décor chain that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in June has upped their anticipated store closings to go from 26 to 32, with 29 stores closing by Sept. 30. In an effort to reorganize its finances says it will remain open for business, but plans to close underperforming stores across 12 states as part of its restructuring – for now.

Known for its huge selection of affordable seasonal décor, wall art, furniture, and more, At Home operates 260 stores in 40 states — and for now, most locations will remain open. The company, however, is dealing with a heavy load of nearly $2 billion in debt, prompting this move to restructure and hopefully stabilize its operations.

All other stores will remain open and continue regular operations during the Chapter 11 reorganization. You can still shop online and in-store as usual, but if you’ve been holding onto a gift card, now might be a good time to use it – just in case more closures follow. Expect liquidation sales and clearance pricing at the closing locations – this is a great time to shop if you’re local to one of these outlets!

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 Kroger

Kroger recently announced it will be closing 60 locations nationwide—and we’re starting to see specific stores pop up across the U.S. If you live near any of the cities below, here’s what we know so far:

Georgia

• Alpharetta (Douglas Road): Closing in August
• Atlanta (Morosgo Way): Closing July 19
• Brookhaven (Buford Hwy): Closing October
• Decatur (Memorial Dr): Closing September

Indiana

• Elkhart (Johnson St.): Closing early August
• Dickinson: Closed in June (Texas location)

Kentucky

• Louisville (South Third St.): Closed in June

Texas

• McKinney (W University Dr): Scheduled to close over the next 18 months
• Dickinson, Texas (Gulf Fwy): Closed June 10

Virginia

• Abingdon, Charlottesville, Gassaway (WV), Bristol (TN): Closures expected soon
• Charlottesville, Virginia (Emmett  St): Scheduled to close August 22

Illinois

• Peoria (Sterling Ave): Closing in August

And that’s just the beginning—there are reports of additional Harris Teeter and Pick ‘n Save closures coming to Wisconsin, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and possibly more.

If your store is affected, you’ll likely hear directly from Kroger. But for most shoppers, hopefully this means better service, better stores, and better digital options in the months to come.

So what does this really mean? Kroger isn’t in trouble — they’re just shifting their focus. With 2,700+ stores nationwide, they’re still one of the largest grocery retailers in the country. This is all about streamlining, trimming the fat, and preparing for a more competitive future in the grocery game.

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JOANN

• Status: Second Bankruptcy in a Year

JOANN has officially filed for bankruptcy for the second time in just one year. And this time, the news hits even harder: the beloved fabric and craft store is closing all of its remaining retail locations.

BUT, we’re hearing two big updates since the announcement:

• Michaels has struck a deal to acquire all of JOANN’s private label brands, including the beloved Big Twist. That means you might still see some familiar products pop up on shelves (and even with a special welcome page online here)… just under a different roof. Read more about this acquisition here.
• Burlington will be taking over 45+ former JOANN store locations, likely repurposing them into their discount retail model.

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 Rite Aid Closing All Remaining Stores After Bankruptcy Filing

Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy earlier this month — marking its second time doing so. Although the company initially stated that stores would remain open during the process, it has now confirmed that all remaining locations will be shutting down.

According to Newsweek, a total of 1,240 stores are set to close across the country, including:

• 347 in California
• 345 in Pennsylvania
• 178 in New York
• 95 in Washington
• 60 in New Jersey
• 48 in New Hampshire
• 48 in Oregon
• 31 in Virginia
• 29 in Delaware
• 23 in Maryland
• 15 in Connecticut
• 8 in Idaho
• 5 in Vermont
• 4 in Massachusetts
• 4 in Ohio

The Rite Aid stores that remain will be acquired by competitors, with over 1,000 outlets being sold to companies such as CVS. So far, CVS Pharmacy has secured the largest share and is acquiring 625 Rite Aid stores across 15 states. Other buyers include Walgreens, Albertsons, Giant Eagle, and Kroger.

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WeightWatchers (WW)

• Status: Officially filed for bankruptcy, as of May 6th

WW International, known as WeightWatchers, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to eliminate $1.15 billion in debt and reposition itself for long-term growth. The move is supported by a majority of its lenders and aims to reduce the company’s total debt from $1.6 billion to approximately $465 million, cutting annual interest payments by half.

Despite the bankruptcy proceedings, WeightWatchers will continue operations without disruption to its 3.4 million members. The company expects to emerge from bankruptcy within 40 to 45 days.

The company has faced challenges due to the rising popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which have impacted demand for traditional weight-loss programs. In response, WeightWatchers acquired the telehealth platform Sequence in 2023 to offer prescription-based weight-loss solutions, leading to a 57% increase in clinical subscription revenue year-over-year.

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 Big Lots (Acquired by Variety Wholesalers)

• Status: Bankrupt & Reacquired

Variety Wholesalers acquired 219 Big Lots stores. The first 9 stores reopened on April 10, 2025, with plans to reopen the remaining 210 stores in phases through early June. Think family apparel, electronics, and closeout deals galore!

Reopened locations include:

• Tennessee: 1041 S Riverside Dr, Clarksville | 744 Nashville Pike, Gallatin | 220 Dickson Plaza Dr, Dickson
• Kentucky: 1342 Indian Mound Dr, Mount Sterling
• Louisiana: 755 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie
• Mississippi: 2605 W Main St, Tupelo | 5778 Hwy 80 E, Pearl
• North Carolina: 1432 E Dixie Dr, Asheboro
• Virginia: 2911 Hershberger Rd NW, Roanoke

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Forever 21

• Status: In Bankruptcy

Stores and the website are still open (for now), but they’ve stopped accepting gift cards and store credits. A full phase-out of U.S. stores is likely on the horizon.

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Dollar General & pOpshelf

• Status: Strategic Closures

As part of a company-wide optimization, 96 Dollar General stores and 45 pOpshelf locations will close. Some pOpshelf stores will convert to DGs.

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Kohl’s

• Status: Downsizing

27 underperforming Kohl’s locations are closing this year. Most of their 1,100+ stores remain unaffected.

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 Party City

• Status: Massive Downsizing

Only 29 Party City stores will remain open. The company is refocusing on digital and profitable locations, and currently revamping their online website. Big party supply clearances are underway!

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Walgreens

• Status: Major Closures Ahead

Up to 25% of stores could be shut down, beginning with 500 locations this year alone.

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JCPenney

• Status: 8 More Closures

This longtime retail staple is closing more doors in a continued effort to streamline.

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Macy’s

• Status: Phasing Out 150 Stores

Part of their “Bold New Chapter” plan, Macy’s is shuttering underperforming stores while investing in stronger locations.

Other Retailers on the Chopping Block:

• Advance Auto Parts: 727 stores closing
• Bargain Hunt: All 91 locations
• Denny’s: 100 closures
• Foot Locker: 100 closures
• Dollar Tree: 370 closures
• GameStop: Significant closures expected
• Hudson’s Bay Company: Final 6 stores to liquidate

What Does This Mean for Shoppers?

Store closures might mean fewer places to shop, but also more opportunities to save big. Liquidation sales, remodeled stores, and new concepts are popping up as brands evolve. If you’re a loyal customer of any of these chains, now’s the time to check your local listings and see what’s changing near you.

Have you noticed any of these stores closing in your area? Let us know what’s happening in your neck of the woods!