Additional Coverage:
- Macy’s and 9 Other Major Stores That Are Closing in February (financebuzz.com)
Retail Ripple Effect: Major Brands Announce Store Closures as Consumers Tighten Belts
Across the nation, big-name retailers are feeling the pinch of a challenging economic climate, leading to a wave of store closures expected to continue throughout 2026. As Americans grapple with soaring prices, many are opting to save rather than spend, directly impacting the bottom lines of established chains.
Following a significant number of shutdowns in 2025, the trend shows no signs of slowing down this year. Here’s a look at some of the major brands closing locations in February 2026 or soon after:
Saks Off 5th
Saks Off 5th is optimizing its retail footprint by closing nine stores, with closures beginning in January and continuing through February. Locations affected include:
- Austin, TX
- Chicago, IL
- East Hanover, NJ
- Niagara Falls, NY
- Pittsburgh North (McKnight Road), PA
- Franklin Mall (formerly Philadelphia Mills) Philadelphia, PA
- Plymouth Meeting, PA
- Washington, DC
- West Hartford, CT
The company currently operates approximately 100 locations across North America.
Yankee Candle
Newell Brands, parent company to numerous household names, announced plans to close approximately 20 Yankee Candle stores in North America. These closures, which follow a layoff of 900 employees in December, were slated to begin in January 2026. Specific store locations have not yet been disclosed.
REI
Outdoor retailer REI is set to close three locations in 2026. The Paramus, NJ store will close early in the year, with additional closures in Boston and New York City anticipated later in the year.
GameStop
The once-dominant video game retailer, GameStop, is initiating the new year with the closure of an estimated 300 locations nationwide. These shutdowns commenced in January and are projected to continue indefinitely. This follows 590 store closures last year.
Macy’s
Macy’s, a long-standing anchor of American malls, continues its strategic store reductions, announcing an additional 14 closures across 12 states. Clearance sales began in January, with stores expected to be fully closed by March. Affected locations include:
- La Mesa, CA
- Tracy, CA
- Atlanta, GA
- Glen Burnie, MD
- Grandville, MI
- St Cloud, MN
- Newington, NH
- Livingston, NJ
- Ramsey, NJ
- Amherst, NY
- Raleigh, NC
- Tarentum, PA
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Tukwila, WA
Kroger
Following a failed merger with Albertsons, Kroger announced plans to close approximately 60 stores throughout 2026. While specific locations and dates remain unreleased, the grocery giant also plans to open 30 new locations, resulting in a net loss of about 30 stores.
Wendy’s
Fast-food chain Wendy’s anticipates closing roughly 200 to 350 locations across the U.S. in 2026. These closures are part of a planned, extended timeline initiated in 2025 to mitigate impact. Specific details are not being released to the public.
Starbucks
Coffee behemoth Starbucks announced in September its intention to close approximately 400 cafes nationwide as part of a $1 billion restructuring plan aimed at countering declining sales. While an official list has not been released, closures have been noted in major cities including:
- New York City (42 locations)
- Chicago (15 locations)
- Los Angeles (20 locations)
- Minneapolis (6 locations)
- San Francisco (7 locations)
- Baltimore (5 locations)
Starbucks maintains that opening and closing cafes is standard operational practice.
Salad and Go
The fast-food salad chain began 2026 by announcing a complete exit from the Texas and Oklahoma markets, shutting down all 32 remaining locations in those states. This follows 41 closures in the same markets in September.
JCPenney
JCPenney will close its Pleasanton, CA location on February 22. The company cited an inability to continue lease terms and a failure to secure an alternative suitable location in the market.
The Bottom Line: As the cost of living continues to outpace average salaries, consumers are making difficult choices about their spending. This economic strain is directly impacting businesses, leading to ongoing retail and restaurant closures across the country.
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- Macy’s and 9 Other Major Stores That Are Closing in February (financebuzz.com)