Retail Apocalypse: Major US Stores Set to Close in 2025 - Find Out Who's Affected!

Retail stores face big changes right now across United States. A significant increase in planned closures is expected in 2025. Data says about 15,000 stores might close doors this year. This number is almost double the stores that closed last year. Coresight Research tracks this retail and technology info.

Several reasons explain this pattern. More people buy things online using e-commerce sites today. Often online products are cheaper than what you find in a store. Rising prices, especially for food and energy, make finding deals very important. Retailers who did not change their operations faced major impacts. Shoppers pick the easiest way to buy things. This trend of stores getting smaller seems likely to keep going.

pharmacy, chemist, drunk, medical, pharmacy, pharmacy, pharmacy, pharmacy, pharmacy, chemist — Photo by 724edu on Pixabay

1. **Walgreens**: Pharmacy chain Walgreens announced plans for many store closures. Company faces money problems and a change in direction. It wants to close 1,200 stores not doing well. This is part of a cost-cutting plan over three years. About 500 stores will close in United States by next August. This aims to make the store business stable. It helps control operating costs better. Pharmacy chains feel pressure on payments for prescriptions. The company also deals with slow spending by customers now. Competition from online stores like Amazon is present too. Walgreens already closed around 2,000 stores over ten years. It has about 8,500 stores left in the country.

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**Party City**, the beloved party supply store, has faced severe financial struggles leading to its decision to close all physical locations; after emerging from bankruptcy in 2023, the company filed again in December 2024, announcing that all 700 stores would shut down by the end of February 2025, marking the end of an era for a brand that started in 1986 and failed to adapt to rising costs and shifting consumer behaviors.

3. **Forever 21**: **Forever 21** sells fast fashion in shopping malls. It is another brand leaving physical stores in United States. The company currently closing all its stores across nation. This big closure happened after company filed for second bankruptcy. Like many other retailers, **Forever 21** had trouble adapting. Changing customer tastes and tough competition were difficult. **Forever 21** joins list of brands Americans know. They are shrinking or leaving stores in 2025. This shows challenging market conditions for clothing stores.

top view mall interior photo — Photo by mostafa meraji on Unsplash

**Macy’s**, the iconic department store founded in 1858, is parting with many of its locations as it pivots in response to declining sales; the company revealed plans to close 65 stores by the end of January 2025, an increase from its initial forecast, as part of its Bold New Chapter strategy initiated in February 2024, ultimately aiming to shutter around 150 underperforming stores through fiscal 2026 while simultaneously investing in over 350 remaining locations for a better customer experience.

Read more about: 14 Fashion Faux Pas Women Over 50 Should Avoid

**Best Buy**, the well-known big box electronics retailer, continues to trim its physical footprint with plans to close an additional 10 to 15 stores this year following the closure of 24 locations last year, as reported by Money Digest; while specific details about which stores will close remain unannounced, this ongoing review is part of a larger strategy to optimize its presence in today’s competitive retail landscape.

6. **Kohl’s**: **Kohl’s** department store started in Wisconsin in 1962. It began year 2025 by saying it will reduce stores. Company revealed plans earlier this year. It will close some stores that are not performing well. Specifically, **Kohl’s** plans to close 27 underperforming locations. Company also closing one e-commerce center location. This fulfillment center is in San Bernardino, California site. Company stated all remaining stores closing will shut. This will be by March 29 date. Their webpages will also be taken offline. **Kohl’s** CEO said these decisions are hard. They are seen necessary to help future business. It helps for customers and team members. Company is building on long-term growth plan.

7. **Joann**: Fabrics and crafts store **Joann** announced going out of business. This leads to closing their many stores network. Company is closing all 800 stores nationwide now. This decision made after **Joann** could not find a buyer. Nobody would keep stores running then. Company sold its remaining things to GA Group company. **Joann** stores located in 49 states. Company statement thanked team members, customers, and communities. They thanked them for support over eighty years. It stated commitment to working with winner. This helps wind down operations in orderly way. It minimizes impact on everyone involved.

8. **Liberated Brands (Volcom, Billabong, Quiksilver, etc. )**: **Liberated Brands** manages surf and skate clothes names. These include **Volcom**, **Billabong**, **Quiksilver**, **Spyder**, **RVCA**, **Roxy**, and **Honolua** labels.

The company recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware, which has resulted in the decision to completely shut down all its U.S. stores, marking a significant shift in its operational strategy and leaving many customers and employees affected.

According to Todd Hymel, company head, money troubles came from competition. Fast-fashion powerhouses were a big factor then. Also ongoing high prices and interest rates caused problems. Hymel explained fast-fashion caters to small trends better. Traditional seasonal trends did not work as well.

This caused less profit and losing market share now. Company made tough choice in December month. It closed corporate offices and let staff go. About 350 office workers and 1,040 retail staff were laid off.

Company grew fast after COVID-19 happened. It increased money earned and store count hugely between 2021-2022. But money issues piled up afterwards. Accounts payable became stretched thin. Authentic Brands Group ended its licenses last December.

ABG will sell labels through other stores.

Retail changes affect many shops everywhere now. It effects places selling **auto parts** and sports gear too. Clothing shops across the nation also are seeing shifts. Businesses often decide they must close some physical locations. Online shopping gets much more dominant today impacting buyers. Persistent high prices often impact how shoppers spend their money much. Companies need restructure operations for better health financially going forward.

These store closures show a fundamental change happening across retail. It reflects how people fundamentally shop across nation today. Retailers really must adapt fast survive well nowadays. They hope to thrive strongly in this market evolving rapidly forward. More stores will likely close their doors permanently through 2025 soon. Some may significantly reduce their physical space much going forward now. Let us look at the next important group making big changes this year.

9. **Advance Auto Parts**, the **auto parts** retailer, announced big steps happening presently. This constitutes part of a wide company restructuring effort overall. The company is closing 523 corporate stores nationwide now quickly. They also exit 204 independent locations across the country. Four big distribution centers are shutting down as well right now. This wide action aims at improve company money results much now.

**JCPenney**, a historic department store established in 1902, is deliberately closing certain locations as part of its ongoing restructuring after successfully emerging from bankruptcy in 2020 and becoming a private equity-owned company; in January, the retailer announced it would close eight stores by mid-2025 as leases expire, citing challenging market conditions as the primary reason for these closures, affecting various states across the nation.

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**Big Lots** initially faced plans to close hundreds of stores due to financial difficulties but received unexpected support from Variety Wholesalers, which acquired the company out of bankruptcy, enabling many locations to remain open; currently, approximately 200 stores are operating, a reassuring outcome for shoppers although the overall footprint has significantly reduced.

**Dick’s Sporting Goods**, the sporting goods powerhouse, is set to decrease its number of locations, planning to close 35 stores this year across 17 states, from coast to coast, as part of an ongoing performance review of its network; these closures are aimed at improving efficiency by targeting underperforming stores, reflecting a strategic shift in their operational model.

13. Discount retailer **Dollar General** adjusts its stores now presently. They plan number closures first quarter 2025 coming soon quickly. Company intends close near 100 **Dollar General** stores nationwide overall. Plus they will close 45 Popshelf stores too overall widely. This announcement was made in its earnings report recently today. Todd Vasos their CEO commented on this decision made by them. He said it strengthens their business foundation further overall now.

14. **Foot Locker** plans big store closures over next couple years now soon. Company plans close 400 locations by end 2026 then quickly. Many stores closing are in shopping malls often widely located. This is part of larger business rebranding plan overall for them currently. **Foot Locker** also reboots 280 locations focusing concept stores like others. This modernizes customer experience overall very much nowadays for people.

**Kirkland’s**, the home décor chain, is actively reshaping its store portfolio through closures and rebranding efforts, with about 6 percent of stores slated for closure or rebranding as part of a strategy focused on enhancing profitability; the CEO has indicated that the company will steer investments toward more successful brands, including **Kirkland’s Home** and **Bed Bath & Beyond**, optimizing store locations to align with its assets and future goals.

16. Specialty apparel retailer **Torrid** plans close a number stores now presently overall. They sell apparel for women sizes 10-30 very much today for everyone. Company intends close between 40 and 50 locations overall nationwide. Plan finish by end 2025 quickly soon happening. This move is part of their “optimization” plan overall for future. It was discussed on earnings call for investors last month publicly. Fourth quarter 2024 closed 22 locations already previously then.

As retail undergoes significant changes nationwide in 2025, this year is set to be pivotal for store closures across various sectors, including pharmacies and restaurants; the evolution of e-commerce and rising prices are compelling companies to make tough decisions regarding physical locations, which will ultimately shape the future of shopping for years to come.