As 2026 is just around the corner, let’s take a look back at the challenging year of 2025 for traditional brick-and-mortar retail businesses. Brands like Joann Fabrics, Party City, and Rite Aid have faced difficulties and had to close their doors, while some retailers and restaurants are already planning to shut down certain stores in the new year.
Several national chain enterprises from baby clothing to groceries to fast food have announced scaling back or completely shutting down some of their stores. Here is a list compiled by Nexstar Media Group of stores and fast-food chains that are set to close in 2026:
In the third quarter of 2025, children’s clothing retailer Carter’s announced plans to close approximately 150 stores over the next three years. Around 100 of these stores are set to close between 2025 and 2026, with the remaining 50 to follow suit by 2028.
As of December 2025, Carter’s website listed 776 stores in the United States.
Dick’s Sporting Goods acquired retail chain Foot Locker in 2025 and announced it will be closing some shoe stores in 2026.
The exact number of Foot Locker stores to be closed next year is still uncertain, as well as how many stores will continue operating. Before the acquisition, Foot Locker had previously stated it would close 400 stores between 2023 and 2026.
Grocery retail giant Kroger earlier this year announced an 18-month plan to close approximately 60 out of over 2700 stores. Interim CEO Ron Sargent did not specify which stores would be closing but mentioned they are spread throughout the country.
Macy’s continues its store closures with plans to shut down 150 stores by the end of 2026.
Macy’s owns the brand Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, which were praised for their performance in 2024.
Casual dining chain Red Robin is undergoing significant changes. The company mentioned back in March that they were considering closing 70 “underperforming restaurants,” but later reduced the number of closures to 50.
Outdoor gear retailer REI announced that it will be closing three stores in 2026, including its flagship store in New York. Stores in New York City and Boston are set to close by the end of 2026, while the Paramus, New Jersey store will shut its doors at the beginning of the year.
Pharmacy chain Walgreens is closing approximately 1200 stores across the U.S. as part of a three-year plan initiated in October 2024.
Although Walgreens has not disclosed a comprehensive list of all the stores to be closed, they indicated closures will begin with underperforming stores, those with expiring leases, or properties owned by the company.
Fast-food chain Wendy’s Interim CEO Ken Cook stated in November that they are considering closing between 150 to 300 stores by the end of 2026.