Retail giants that once dominated malls and main streets are now scaling back significantly. As 2025 unfolds, several major chains are planning significant store closures nationwide. It’s not just about declining foot traffic—it’s about a broader shift in how Americans shop and where retailers are choosing to invest.
E-commerce, inflation, and shifting consumer behavior are prompting these companies to reassess their brick-and-mortar strategies. The result? Fewer locations, leaner operations, and a retail landscape that looks very different from just a few years ago. Here are 12 well-known chains set to shut down stores in 2025.
Big Lots
The home goods discount retailer Big Lots is also part of the closure trend, with plans to close hundreds of stores as part of its strategic reassessment in 2025. The company is trying to navigate a challenging retail climate and return to profitability, which sometimes means tough decisions about its physical footprint.
Macy’s
The department store stalwart, Macy’s, is continuing its “Bold New Chapter” strategy, which includes a significant reduction in its physical footprint. While some closures happened in 2024, more are slated for 2025 as part of a plan to shutter 150 underperforming stores. This move reflects the broader challenges facing traditional department stores in a digital-first lifestyle.
Walgreens
Pharmacy giant Walgreens is actively reducing its number of locations as part of a broader strategic realignment. The company announced plans to close 1,200 stores, with a substantial portion of these closures expected in fiscal year 2025. This strategy aims to optimize its retail footprint and improve overall health service delivery.
CVS Pharmacy
Following a similar path to its competitor, CVS has been implementing a store reduction strategy that began in 2021 and is expected to continue through 2025. These closures are part of an effort to balance its extensive retail pharmacy network with its growing emphasis on health services and digital platforms. This move is a sign of shifting consumer interest in healthcare access.
Party City
After filing for bankruptcy in December 2024, Party City announced the closure of all its corporate-owned U.S. stores by February 28, 2025. This decision affects hundreds of locations nationwide, signaling the end of an era for many as they search for home decor and party supplies elsewhere. It’s a stark reminder of the financial complexities facing some retailers.
Joann
The popular fabric and craft retailer JOANN has faced significant financial struggles, leading to Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early 2025. While initially planning to close approximately 500 of its 800 stores, the company declared the closure of all remaining locations by February 2025, having failed to secure a buyer. This closure highlights the challenges faced by specialty retailers in adapting to online sales.
Family Dollar
Family Dollar, a well-known discount retailer, is undergoing a significant restructuring, which includes the closure of hundreds of stores in 2025, following substantial closures in 2024. This action is part of a broader effort to improve profitability and shed underperforming locations, reflecting economic pressures on discount chains and their finance models.
Foot Locker
Foot Locker announced in 2023 plans to close more than 400 low-performing stores located in shopping malls through 2026. This strategic move aims to optimize its store portfolio, focusing on more profitable locations and adapting to shifting consumer preferences for fashion and footwear. This impacts the productivity of their store network.
JCPenney
While JCPenney has undergone restructuring in recent years, the department store chain has confirmed additional store closures for 2025. These closures are part of an ongoing effort to streamline operations and adapt to the current retail landscape; however, the company has not specified the exact number of locations that will be affected.
Kohl’s
Kohl’s, another department store chain, is also shedding some of its physical locations in 2025 as part of a broader consolidation effort. With over 1,150 locations at the start of the year, the company aims to optimize its real estate and focus on areas with stronger customer engagement. In 2025, an estimated 15,000 brick-and-mortar stores are projected to close their doors in the US, more than doubling the 7,325 closures recorded in 2024.
Advance Auto Parts
The automotive parts and accessories retailer Advance Auto Parts is undertaking a strategic plan to reduce the number of its properties in 2025. This includes closing hundreds of corporate stores and exiting independent locations, as well as consolidating distribution centers. This reflects a shift in how even specialized retailers are adapting to market demands and finance pressures.
GameStop
Despite efforts to pivot its business model toward digital gaming, GameStop continues to struggle, resulting in additional store closures in 2025. Many locations in smaller towns or declining malls will be shuttered, as the company faces sustained competition from online game distribution and changes in consumer interest.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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