RHODE ISLAND – Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but the seismic shifts in national retail are hitting its shores just as hard as anywhere else. As 2026 unfolds, the Ocean State is seeing a major recalibration of its shopping centers, from the Providence Place mall to the neighborhood pharmacies and grocery stores that anchor local communities.
Here are 6 major retail chains that are closing doors or scaling back in Rhode Island this year.
1. Francesca’s
The popular women’s boutique, known for its presence in nearly every major shopping hub, is preparing to close all remaining locations nationwide by the end of 2026. This move comes after years of financial struggle and a strategic pivot away…..