At a Glance
- 2026 already sees major closures across retail and food sectors.
- Carter’s plans 150 store shutdowns over three years, 100 in 2025-26.
- Kroger, Walgreens, and others cut hundreds of locations.
- Why it matters: Shifts in consumer access and corporate strategies reshape the landscape.
In 2025 the retail landscape shifted dramatically, and 2026 is already shaping up to be another tough year as chains across the nation announce shutdowns. From baby-clothing giants to grocery powerhouses, the list of closures is growing.
Retail Store Closures
Carter’s
Carter’s announced plans to shutter about 150 stores over the next three years, with 100 slated for 2025-26. The company cited new tariffs that added roughly $110 million in duties in fiscal 2024. As of December 2025, Carter’s operated 776 U.S. locations.
- 150 stores total over 3 years
- 100 in 2025-26
- $110 million in duties added
- 776 locations as of Dec 2025
Carter’s said:
> “The [Trump] Administration has implemented significant new tariffs on products imported into the United States from a wide range of countries… These additional tariffs have begun to add substantially to the approximately $110 million in duties on imported products paid by the Company in fiscal 2024.”
Foot Locker (Dick’s Sporting Goods)
Foot Locker, acquired by Dick’s Sporting Goods in 2025, will close some shoe stores in 2026. Executive chairman Ed Stack said the company would “clean out the garage” by clearing inventory and closing underperforming stores. Foot Locker had previously indicated that 400 stores would close between 2023 and 2026.
- Unspecified number of closures in 2026
- “Clean out the garage” strategy
- 400 stores slated to close 2023-26
Ed Stack, executive chairman at Dick’s said:
> “Taking decisive actions to ‘clean out the garage’ by clearing unproductive inventory, closing underperforming stores and laying the foundation for a fresh start in 2026.”
Kroger
Kroger announced an 18-month plan to cut about 60 stores from its more than 2,700 locations. Interim CEO Ron Sargent did not name specific sites but said the closures would be spread nationwide.
- 60 stores to close
- 2,700 total locations
- Nationwide spread
Interim CEO Ron Sargent said:
> “I didn’t specify which locations would close, but said they were spread across the country.”
Macy’s
Macy’s is closing 150 stores by the end of 2026 as part of its “Bold New Chapter” strategy. The retailer will focus on underproductive stores while investing in Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, described as outperformers in 2024.
- 150 stores to close by 2026
- Focus on underproductive stores
- Bloomingdale’s & Bluemercury remain
REI
REI plans to close three locations in 2026, including its flagship New York City store and a Boston outlet, while the Paramus, New Jersey store will close early in the year. The co-op said it will continue serving members at these sites until closing.
- 3 stores to close
- NYC flagship, Boston, Paramus
- Closure dates: late 2026 (NYC & Boston), early 2026 (Paramus)
REI spokesperson told News Of Austin’s News Of Austin:
> “As markets and customer needs evolve, we must adapt to position the co-op for long-term success. We will continue serving members and customers at these locations until closing.”
Walgreens
Walgreens is closing about 1,200 locations over a three-year plan that began in October 2024. The chain cites theft issues and a shift to online shopping as reasons for the roll-out. Walgreens will target poor-performing stores with expiring leases or owned properties.
- 1,200 stores to close
- Plan started Oct 2024
- Focus on poor performers and expiring leases
Food & Beverage Closures
Red Robin
Red Robin announced in March that it would close 70 underperforming restaurants, but later reduced the list to 50 after sales improvements. The closures are scheduled to occur by 2030.
- 50 restaurants to close by 2030
- Initial list 70, reduced to 50
- Sales improvements led to reduction
The closures are set to take place by 2030, according to News Of Austin.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s interim CEO Ken Cook said the chain is considering closing 150 to 300 restaurants by the end of 2026. He cited underperforming sites that drag on franchisee financial performance and may need closure or improvement.
- 150-300 closures by 2026
- Focus on underperforming restaurants
- Option to work with franchisees or close
Ken Cook said:
> “When we look at the system today, we have some restaurants that do not elevate the brand and are a drag from a franchisee financial performance perspective. The goal is to address and fix those restaurants.”
> “In some cases, the company would be working with franchisees to improve operations, but in other cases, they planned to close restaurants.”
Overall Impact
| Retailer | Planned 2026 Closures | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carter’s | 100 (total 150 over 3 years) | Tariffs driving cuts |
| Foot Locker (Dick’s) | Unspecified | 400 stores 2023-26 |
| Kroger | 60 of 2,700 | Nationwide spread |
| Macy’s | 150 by end 2026 | Underproductive stores |
| Red Robin | 50 by 2030 | Reduced from 70 |
| REI | 3 (NYC, Boston, Paramus) | Flagship NYC closing |
| Walgreens | 1,200 over 3 years | Poor performers, lease expiry |
| Wendy’s | 150-300 by end 2026 | Underperforming sites |
Key Takeaways
- Major chains are trimming hundreds of locations in 2026.
- Tariffs, sales performance, and online shift drive the cuts.
- Consumers face fewer brick-and-mortar options as companies refocus.
These closures signal a broader shift toward streamlined operations and digital focus across the U.S. retail and food sectors, leaving shoppers with fewer brick-and-mortar options and companies re-aligning their portfolios.
