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- Nearly 300 US retail stores, including Macy’s and Kroger locations, are set to close by the end of 2026.
- Major chains are citing efficiency as the reason behind the closures.
- Yankee Candle owner Newell Brands is one of the latest companies to announce store closures.
Retailers are gearing up for another wave of store closures.
It’s shaping up to be the continuation of a retail pullback that Business Insider tracked in 2024 and 2025. Major chains, from department store Macy’s to grocery chain Kroger, have already announced multiyear closure plans that extend into 2026, as have some niche stores.
Many companies, such as Macy’s, are closing their physical stores to invest more resources into their online businesses.
In 2025, Business Insider tracked around 4,100 closures as of late December. Retail data and consultant firm Coresight Research predicted earlier in the year that roughly 15,000 retail locations would close in the year.
So far for 2026, Business Insider has identified roughly 270 planned closures.
See the list of major closures below.
Carter’s: 100 stores
Carter’s, one of North America’s biggest children’s and baby apparel retailers, said in October that it plans to close 150 stores across the region over the next three years as leases expire, including about 100 by the end of 2026.
Macy’s: 80 stores
In January 2025, Macy’s said it planned to close 150 locations through 2026, allowing it to focus on its best-performing locations and online experience. After the closures are complete, there will be about 350 Macy’s stores left. Macy’s closed at least 66 stores in 2025.
Kroger: 60 stores
Grocery giant Kroger said in June 2025 that it planned to close 60 “unprofitable” stores across the US over the next 18 months. The company said in September that it had begun that process.
The company said in its last annual report that it operated 2,731 supermarkets in 35 states and Washington, DC, as of February 2025.
Yankee Candle: 20 stores
Newell Brands said in December 2025 that it would close 20 Yankee Candle stores in the US and Canada beginning in January 2026. The closures were announced alongside the reduction of its workforce by over 900 employees.
“This productivity plan is about taking the next, disciplined step to enhance efficiency, sharpen our strategic focus, and deliver stronger, more consistent performance,” CEO Chris Peterson said in a press release.
Saks Off 5th: 9 stores
Saks Off 5th, a luxury outlet retailer offering discounted designer brands, told Business Insider that it plans to close select stores in early 2026. The closures include stores in nine locations.
“We are confident this will better position the Saks Off 5th business for long-term success and look forward to continuing to deliver for our customers,” a spokesperson told Business Insider.
REI: 3 stores
REI confirmed to Business Insider that it plans to close three stores, starting with a location in New Jersey, in the first quarter of 2026. Its stores in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood and Boston are set to follow in late 2026.
“As markets and customer needs evolve, we must adapt to position the co-op for long-term success,” the company said in a statement.
Read the full article here
