Recession Shut Down? These Chains Are Closing Stores in 2023

Even when the company is well-liked and well-established, the retail industry may be unpredictable. Even the seemingly invincible titans of the industry have experienced hard times recently, closing down operations permanently.

It seems like nobody is safe, from Aldi to Costco, Walmart, and even designer shops. Business status can change at any time, so let’s have a look at which well-known brands will be permanently closing their doors in 2023. Will your neighborhood shop be the next to go, or has it escaped the retail apocalypse?

CVS

Established in 1963
200 Branches of stores have closed.

Despite the fact that CVS (and its CVS/Pharmacy brand) has done a better job than others of adapting to consumers’ needs for online delivery, the corporation still confronts an existential dilemma given its significant national presence of over 10,000 shops. The corporation has been obliged to both innovate and make selected cost reductions as a result of this significant real estate investment in the face of declining walk-in business.

As a result, this year CVS plans to shutter at least 200 underperforming stores nationwide by the end of 2022, including its famous Springfield, Missouri location (known as the “largest CVS in the world”). Though this is less than 1% of their overall footprint, the move will cost CVS more than $130 million.

Dunkin’ Donuts

Year Established: 1950
Store Closures: 800

Due to its effective marketing tactics, Dunkin’ Donuts is a corporation that many Americans are familiar with. However, that does not guarantee that it will always be extremely profitable. This industry is subject to the same rapid tide changes as other industries.

In 2020, the business declared that it would close over 800 outlets. It seems sense that this procedure is being carried out in stages; additional stores are still expected to close by the end of 2021.

AMC

Year Established: 1920
Store Closures: TBD

Although there is a lot of money to be made in the film industry, movie theaters don’t necessarily get the biggest share. Companies like AMC rely on concessions and add-ons for the majority of their revenue instead of making the most money on movie tickets.

AMC has struggled over the past few years, just like other theater chains, and many have questioned how some of their sites can continue to operate. Given that AMC has recently faced and escaped bankruptcy four times, the business is keeping relatively mum about the future of its theaters.

Starbucks

Year Established: 1971
Store Closures: 500 Branches*

Although the hospitality business has been hit particularly hard, the retail industry has had a difficult time as well. Even this industry titan, Starbucks, which has been serving coffee enthusiasts worldwide since 1971, hasn’t avoided the effects of 2021.

The well-known chain made closure announcements for over 500 of its locations in the US and Canada as it shifted its emphasis to pick-up-only outlets. Despite this, Starbucks stated that it was optimistic that this change will “enhance the customer experience” and “enable profitable growth for the future.”

AT&T

Year Established: 1983
Store Closures: 320 Branches*

AT&T closed 250 of its physical locations in 2020. According to the Communications Workers of America Union, it will now be closing another 320 locations. More than 1,600 jobs would be lost as a result of these closures, according to the CWA. The total of 570 closures have been justified by AT&T’s claim that it is “adjusting” its retail presence to “reflect” consumer “shopping practices.”

According to AT&T, the company has always intended to prioritize online sales above in-person retail visits. The retailer claimed that the retail apocalypse of 2020 hastened the preparations, which is why everything was happening so swiftly.

Bed Bath & Beyond

Year Established: 1971
Store Closures: 200 Branches*

Even while fewer than 4% of Bed Bath & Beyond’s global store count will close by the end of 2022 (approximately 200 locations), many industry experts believe that this could only be the beginning of a wave of closures in the coming years.

According to a CNBC article, Bed Bath & Beyond is attempting to “save itself from extinction.” Less upbeat was Business Insider, which claimed that the “iconic brand” was going through a “rise and fall.” The company’s bonds, which traded at 73 cents on the dollar in December 2019, have been on the verge of being classified as junk debt for a long.

Walgreens

Year Established: 1901
Store Closures: 200 Branches* 

Given that they seem to be present everywhere in various American cities, Walgreens may come as a surprise to some people to find on the list. They do, however, face stiff competition given the dominance of CVS and other well-known brands in the pharmacy sector.

In an effort to maintain their ability to make money at their other sites, pharmacy retailers are currently closing off 200 additional businesses. Walgreens has kept losing money, and Fox Business brought to light some disturbing statistics about the downfall of the business. The Walgreens Boots Alliance-owned business lost $1.7 billion over a three-month period in 2020. The chain cited shoplifting as the reason for closing 17 additional sites in the San Francisco area in 2021.

Target

Year Established: 1995
Store Closures: 13 Branches*

Despite the fact that the firm was founded more than ten years ago, Target shot to fame in the 2010s as one of the largest competitors to the retail behemoth known as Walmart. Its previous name was Goodfellow Dry Goods.

By concentrating on Internet sales and aiming (pun intended) for the more image-conscious consumer, Target has adapted into the Internet age extraordinarily effectively. Target expects to close approximately 13 stores by 2022 despite higher sales, however additional store additions are probably in the works.

H&M

Year Established: 1947
Store Closures: 215 Branches*

Customers all across the world turn to H&M when they want stylish clothing at a reasonable price. The fashion juggernaut provides garments for men, women, and kids for every occasion, from workwear to streetwear and everything in between.

H&M, like other physical retailers, experienced financial difficulties in 2020 and announced the closure of 250 locations by the end of 2021. After receiving unexpectedly high sales data in the fourth quarter of the year, they later withdrew their announcement.

Best Buy

Year Established: 1966
Store Closures: >20 Branches*

The one-stop shop for all things electronic is Best Buy. They have everything you could want or need, from fantastic bargains on flat-screen TVs to locating a replacement for that one random wire you need for an old camera.

However, as online shopping has become more popular, the computer merchant has seen a sharp fall in sales over time. Although senior corporate officials indicate more than 20 outlets would close in the coming years, it is unclear exactly how many.

GNC

Year Established: 1935
Store Closures: 900 Branches*

GNC is yet another health and wellness retailer that has closed its doors, similar to Earth Fare. Before 2020, the vitamin retailer wasn’t doing well, and what happened that year merely cemented GNC’s demise. The company filed for bankruptcy in June 2020 and announced it would close 900 of its 7,300 total outlets.

The closures are expected to happen over the following few years, ending in 2023. GNC requested the court’s protection against its debtors when it filed for bankruptcy. The sale to Harbin Pharmaceutical Holding Co., which the judge later approved, stopped GNC from being put up for auction.

Bath & Body Works

Year Established: 1990
Store Closures: 50 Branches*

Within a decade of its existence, Bath & Body Works rose from relative obscurity to market supremacy, making it perhaps one of the malls’ most reliable fixtures. One of the few brands to not only survive but also thrive throughout the “retail apocalypse” of the 2010s is the firm.

Despite this, the firm just disclosed that 50 shop locations, mostly in the US, will close permanently by the end of 2022. With a three-year plan to open up to 46 new stores and refurbish up to 175 current ones, the company intends to make up for this. This is not a little amount, given that the corporation has more than 1,600 locations worldwide.

Ulta Beauty

Year Established: 1990
Store Closures: 19 Branches*

For those who adore makeup, Ulta Beauty is a paradise. It provides pretty much everything you could possibly need, and it constantly strikes new partnerships with cosmetics companies and other retailers. For instance, Ulta said that it would open 100 mini-stores in Target locations around the US in the second half of 2021.

Fans were excited about these new openings, but not all of Ulta’s news was good. In addition to reducing its corporate employees, Ulta revealed that it would close 19 shops in the third quarter of the 2020 fiscal year. Hopefully, Ulta customers will be able to visit Target instead if their favourite store closes.

Pet Valu

Year Established: 1975
Store Closures: 358 Branches*

For many years, Pet Valu offered discounted pet products and services. The news that Pet Valu would be closing all 358 of its locations disappointed the chain’s supporters. The statement on the closures was made in November of 2020, and they are still in effect.

Pet Valu announced that all of its operations, including corporate headquarters and warehouses, were being shut down. Ultimately, Pet Supplies Plus, a longtime rival of Pet Valu, benefited from this closure. Pet Supplies Plus stated in December 2020 that it would rebrand Pet Value in the likeness of P.S.P. after purchasing forty of Pet Value’s locations.

The Gap

Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: 350 branches – all UK and Ireland Locations*

In an effort to keep ahead of the market and cut costs, The Gap has undergone a significant restructuring and rebranding in addition to closing up to 350 stores globally by 2024.

Former CEO Art Peck estimates that more than half of The Gap’s 2,300 domestic sites may close in the coming years as a result of this change. Customers from abroad have already witnessed a substantial number of Gap stores close in recent years, with particularly significant reductions in Israel and Australia.

Victoria’s Secret

Year Established: 1977
Store Closures: 30-50 Branches*

Roy and Gaye Raymond established Victoria’s Secret in 1977. The lingerie shop is recognised with popularising hip, trend-setting lingerie. Later, the firm launched its sleepwear and apparel subsidiary Victoria’s Secret Pink. Victoria’s Secret ultimately made the decision to concentrate only on lingerie, therefore Pink was the one to close first.

Despite becoming the leading lingerie shop in the US in 2019, Victoria’s Secret has seen revenues gradually decline. In order to cope with the demands of e-commerce, the corporation closed more than fifty outlets in 2019 and 250 in 2020.CEP “We would expect to have a meaningful number of additional store closures beyond the 250 that we’re pursuing this year,” Stuart Burgdoerfer told ABC News. “This means that there will be more in 2021 and probably a little bit more in 2022.”

Urban Outfitters

Year Established: 1970
Store Closures: TBD*

The value of Urban Outfitters’ stock plummeted by a staggering 32% in the first quarter of 2020. Since then, the store’s situation has only gotten worse, and a stock analyst for Barrons.com advised selling the shares in July 2020. Sales in-store have decreased dramatically.

Urban Outfitters, on the other hand, has performed better in terms of digital sales, with a 76% increase in new digital customers during the second quarter of 2020. Retail locations, despite the fact that digital transactions still count as sales, kept underperforming well into 2021. Since 1970, Urban Outfitters has occupied the “trendy” nook of the retail industry. However, a specialty is not enough to ensure a company’s survival and success. Future times could be more difficult.

The Children’s Place

Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: 122

For more than 50 years, many parents and families have relied on The Children’s Place, yet the business has had some difficult times. Profits had already started to decline before 2020, thus it should not have come as a surprise when significant adjustments were announced in March 2021.

In addition to the 178 other locations that were shut down in 2020, the firm determined that closing 122 locations by the end of the year is the best course of action. Although it’s a severe blow to the workforce, executives believe it will give the brand the boost it needs to continue doing business.

Neiman Marcus

Year Established: 1907
Store Closures: 4 Branches*

The number of Neiman Marcus stores that will close is currently unknown because the news about the 113-year-old shop emerged in mid-April of 2020. Reuters received confirmation from insiders at Neiman Marcus that the Dallas-based company is in the midst of filing for bankruptcy and haggling with creditors for an emergency loan.

Fortunately, the process was completed in late 2020, and Neiman Marcus was acquired by a number of investment firms that intend to restore the brand to its previous splendour.By the middle of 2021, the beloved brand is attempting to recover and grow its online presence while clinging to its physical locations. Neiman Marcus was referred to as a former “symbol of luxury” by the New York Times, but it is unclear if any other locations will close by 2022.

Foot Locker

Year Established: 1974
Store Closures: 117 Branches*

The bad news is that 117 stores will be closed by popular sportswear retailer Foot Locker. what is good news? Since most of these stores are located outside of the US, its US market and locations will mostly be unaffected.

Sales, however, don’t provide a whole picture of a store’s operations. Even though Foot Locker has good sales figures, things are not always easy. A managerial shuffle is the cause of the closures. Foot Locker has a new CEO, and the new CEO is directing job cuts and staff layoffs as part of an organisational restructuring.

Guess

Year Established: 1981
Store Closures: 200 Branches*

Since its emergence from California in 1981, Guess has played a significant role in American history, but like many upscale stores, it has recently faced challenges. Guess announced plans to eliminate 200 locations worldwide in the next two years in January 2021. The majority of closures will occur in the US and China even though it only represents 9% of their global presence.

Due to business closures brought on by the pandemic, the company’s stock is down 52% in the past year. Guess is choosing to close their doors and wait for better times because they have no other option to make up their losses.

Walmart

Year Established: 1962
Store Closures: 154 Branches*

According to an old proverb, “When one door closes, another opens.” This is the situation with Walmart, which declared it would close 154 shops by the year 2022. Even though the department store had shut down the exact same number a few years earlier, not everyone received only negative news.

In addition to opening 50–60 new Walmart SuperCenters—Walmart locations featuring pharmacy, restaurants, and eye care services—Walmart also announced plans to open 85–95 standard “neighbourhood markets.” The chain estimates that the closures will have an impact on about 10,000 employees.

American Eagle Outfitters

Year Established: 1977
Store Closures: Up to 250 branches* 

With hundreds of locations across the United States, American Eagle Outfitters has been around for a while. Although by no means the largest retailer, the business has enormous goals and aspires to $2 billion in sales by 2023. It intends to close approximately 250 stores by 2023 in order to make this happen.

This should enable it to concentrate on expanding its other brand, Aerie, and allocate more resources in that manner. It will take some time, but it will be worthwhile to keep a watch on your neighbourhood shop. It will be regrettable if the retailer starts to go because it is a mainstay in malls all around the country.

DSW

Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: 65 stores over the next four years* 

DSW, also known as Designer Brands, had an especially difficult time surviving 2020 undamaged. Due to temporary store closures, the company’s sales fell 36%, and like many others, it now needs to find a method to make up for its losses.

The company intends to close 65 various stores during the subsequent four years. Longtime admirers of the apparel retailer might find that surprising, but it’s just one of several fashion businesses trying to recover financially from a bad period.

Pottery Barn

Year Established: 1949
Store Closures: 3 Branches*

It is presently unknown if any further Pottery Barn shops would close by the end of the year. Owned by Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn had announced the closing of at least one of its store locations before the beginning of 2020. The San Francisco-based company is known for its stylish, modern home furnishings.

Unfortunately, despite praise from the media, Pottery Barn is currently having trouble in the market. The issue was first brought up by The Denver Post in 2017, which said that the business was “struggling to adapt” to a shifting “retail landscape.” Because the company’s furniture is not suitable for apartments, a sizable portion of potential clients have been excluded.

Macy’s

Year Established: 1858
Store Closures: 125 Branches* (Over the next 3 years)

Macy’s department store, a fixture in almost every mall in America for decades, shuttered 28 locations in 2020 alone. Although more are on the coming, devoted Macy’s shoppers may unwind for the time being. Since the corporation will be closing about 125 locations over the following three years, there is a good chance that your neighbourhood store won’t be closing anytime soon.

These 125 store closings follow Macy’s decision to close roughly 100 stores countrywide during the previous few years. Nearly 15% of Macy’s entire physical presence in America is represented by this (the company now runs an estimated 690 of its renowned department stores).

Disney

Year Established: 1987
Store Closures: 60 stores*

Disney, of course, has been around for a lot longer than 40 years, but the first Disney store just opened in 1987. Since then, children and families have been raving about the sites, yet even this titan has experienced financial difficulties.

The House of Mouse has intentions to shut 60 of its locations in North America by the end of 2021. That is a reasonable portion of the market given Disney’s 300 venues across the globe. On top of this figure, more stores might close.

Banana Republic

Year Established: 1978
Store Closures: 84 Branches*

Banana Republic started having issues in 2016. The clothing chain closed all of its locations in the UK. There were 700 stores left as of 2017, the majority of them in America and Asia. Due to ongoing financial difficulties, Banana Republic is reportedly liquidating 84 outlets over the coming few years.

15 stores are closed on average by the retailer per quarter, though this number may increase. The actual numbers for the closures of Jack and Intermix, two of Banana Republic’s other sibling stores, are unknown.

Kmart

Year Established: 1899
Store Closures: 100+ branches*

For Kmart**, things simply keep getting worse and worse. Kmart was formerly a significant rival to stores like Walmart and Target, but its revenues started to decline in the late 1990s. In 2002, the business was forced to file for bankruptcy and let more than 30,000 workers go. The company was able to redesign itself the next year, and by 2005, thanks to a combination with Sears, it had recorded its first year-over-year growth.

However, the emergence of e-commerce turned out to be Kmart’s undoing. By 2010, the retailer had closed hundreds of outlets, followed by what seemed like constant liquidations and failed efforts to revitalise their brand. In 2018, Kmart filed for Chapter 11 once more and announced the immediate closure of hundreds more shops. Kmart’s days are essentially numbered, according to the company’s announcement that at least another 100 shops will close permanently before 2020. According to a CNN story, only 48 Kmart sites will still be open by the end of 2021 because “they’re closing stores where possible and listing virtually all of the other locations with commercial real estate brokers.”

Chico’s

Year Established: 1983
Store Closures: 100 Branches*

Chico’s**, a chain with many locations across the US, has made plans to close over 100 of its sites by 2022. This comprises numerous outlets under the original Chico’s name as well as a sizable number of Soma and White House Black Market stores.

Chico’s, which opened its doors in 1983, quickly rose to the top of the list of women’s apparel businesses. Stars like Martha Stewart and Oprah, who were particularly fond of their Silver Ox Cuff Watches, gave the company significant boosts.

Office Depot

Year Established: 1986
Store Closures: Unknown*

Office Depot is one of the biggest office supply retailers in the United States, with headquarters in Florida and more than a thousand stores around the continent. Over the years, the business has made every effort to compete with Amazon and other E-Commerce giants.

Following weak sales in 2019, stock prices fell, forcing the company to announce the closure of a number of dozen outlets before the start of the 2020 fiscal year. The corporation announced a restructuring in early May 2020 that would result in the closure of stores and the termination of 13,000 employees by the end of 2023.

Kohl’s

Year Established: 1962
Store Closures: 27 Branches*

A department store called Kohl’s offers a variety of things including clothing, housewares, jewellery, and cosmetics. It has a similar makeup to Macy’s and is headed in the same direction as its primary rival. This is due to a Credit report’s prediction that 25% of malls will close their doors during the next several years.

In order to concentrate on growing its standalone stores and online presence, Kohl’s closed its mall locations. Because of its minimal reliance on mall traffic, Kohl’s has received accolades for its economic resiliency.

Carter’s

Year Established: 1865
Store Closures: 25 Branches*

OshKosh B’Gosh, the William Carter Company, and other comparable businesses are owned by Carter’s Inc.**, a baby and children’s clothing retailer. It generates $3.4 billion in annual revenue and employs close to 21,000 people. Carter’s, however, had to close some branches as a result of changing consumer shopping patterns.

Numerous OshKosh B’Gosh locations have lately closed because to Carter’s. Although it has fewer physical stores, it is growing in other places. At the moment, it manages brands that are only available at big-box stores like Target, Walmart, and Amazon. These brands include things like Simple Joys and Child of Mine.

Express

Year Established: 1980
Store Closures: 60 Branches*

Express, a retailer of formal wear, announced some reductions in staff commencing in January 2020 and taking effect in 2022. In 2020, the closures would start. Express made the announcement that it would start closing 100 outlets in January. It will close 31 stores in 20 states this year, starting with the mall outlets in California.

Express initially said that it will close 91 outlets, but they immediately increased that number. 35 more closures will occur in 2021, and the rest will happen in 2022. Express made the decision to close the stores because it is experiencing low sales, which was likely prompted by the growth of e-tail.

Modell’s

Year Established: 1889
Store Closures: 134 branches (all stores)*

Modell’s Sporting Goods, one of the list’s oldest businesses, has long been a staple in the world of sporting goods, competing successfully with former industry titans like Sports Authority, Dick’s, and Galyan’s.

They are also starting to struggle now that the majority of sporting goods can be purchased online for less money. Since its financial difficulties, Modell’s has experienced the closure of 134 stores in 2020–2021, liquidating all physical locations. A significant competitor of Dick’s Sporting Goods, Modell’s, “failed to invest” in response to a shifting market. In March 2020, Modell’s formally declared bankruptcy. Following the news of the branch closure, Modell’s took steps to establish an online-only presence for the years 2021 and 2022.

White House Black Market

Year Established: 1985
Store Closures: 1 Branch*

When White House Black Market closed 100 stores in 2019, it did so at the majority of its locations. An upscale retailer, White House Black Market is owned by the same parent company as Chico’s. 150 of Chico’s locations will be shut down.

According to MSN Money, WHBM’s Bayshore location is one of the last locations to close. SOMA is a different brand owned by the same parent business, although closures for SOMA have not yet been publicised. In an interview, WHBM said that it aimed to balance its shop portfolio by shifting its attention from in-person traffic to its omnichannel presence.

Z Gallerie

Year Established: 1979
Store Closures: 7 Branches*

Z Gallerie stated that it filed for bankruptcy in 2019 after experiencing financial difficulties. The home décor retail chain has 76 stores spread out over America, but it appears that at least 10 of them shuttered in 2019 and another 7 will be permanently closed by the start of 2022.

The business was founded in the late 1970s, and it gradually expanded into one of the most diverse chain stores for home furnishings in the country. In 2009, Z Gallerie overcame bankruptcy, and they were able to accomplish the same this time. After being acquired by Direct Buy in July 2019, the business launched four new Z Gallerie locations across the country.

Burger King

Year Established: 1954
Store Closures: 200-250 stores*

Burger King is a restaurant that Business Insider predicted we’d “see a little less of come 2022.” The burger-and-fry business is owned by RBI, and it was RBI’s parent company that decided to eliminate 200 to 250 Burger King locations in an effort to improve profitability in some underperforming regions.

With an ambitious goal of having 40,000 outlets overall, RBI has long planned to open new Burger Kings, albeit its plans slowed down in 2020. In 2019, 1,042 new Burger Kings were opened, but in 2021, the trend was reversed—hopefully only briefly.

Christopher & Banks

Year Established: 1956
Store Closures: 37

In the middle of January 2021, it was announced that clothing company Christopher & Banks, which operates in 44 states and sells women’s apparel and accessories, will be declaring bankruptcy and closing 37 of its locations (with probably more to follow).

Jones claimed that Christopher & Banks had to make difficult decisions in order to “position…for the future” due to the “financial distress” brought on by the current global environment. The statement went on to caution Christopher & Banks customers that, if nothing changes, all of the company’s physical locations may close soon.

Vera Wang

Year Established: 1990
Store Closures: 50 Branches*  

By 2021, Vera Wang plans to close fifty of its retail locations. The business wants to put more of an emphasis on its licencing than its physical storefronts. Vera Wang largely avoided the 2019 retail crisis untouched. In 2019, 9,300 locations shuttered, however the luxury brand experienced minimal closures.

High-end bridal wear is where Vera Wang first gained fame. Vera Wang dresses are still on sale at retailers including Neiman Marcus, SOYOO Bridal, and more as of summer 2021. Having said that, 2022 might see further decreases in Vera Wang’s shop presence.

Zara

Year Established: 1974
Store Closures: 1,200 Branches*

Zara was referred to as the most recent “retail victim” of 2020 by FastCompany.com. By the start of the new year, the clothes retailer will close all 1,200 of its stores in order to concentrate more on online sales. The Spanish business Inditex, which owns the brand, stated that it aims to modernise its fashion brand by the year 2021.

When Inditex noticed a 44% decline in its in-store sales, it decided to go completely digital. In 2021, the parent firm said it would put $3 billion into the online Zara stores. This is another “fast-fashion exit” from the world of physical sales, according to Glossy. Moving into 2022, certain stores in various territories are still open, although additional closures may be soon.

Williams-Sonoma

Year Established: 1956
Store Closures: 30 Branches (reducing by a further 25% over the next five years)*

Williams-Sonoma, which has a small army of brands including Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma Home, and West Elm, is well known for its extensive assortment of upscale kitchen and home furniture and appliances. The business, which is more than 50 years old, has successfully evolved into one of the biggest e-commerce behemoths on the planet.

Denny’s

Year Established: 1953
Store Closures: 15*

Denny’s lovers in New York will be disappointed to hear this. 2020 saw the permanent closure of fifteen Denny’s locations and the loss of over 500 jobs. The “unforeseen” consequences of the overall situation were cited as the cause in the state’s WARN notices. The same franchisee, Feast American Diners, owned all of the Denny’s locations.

Customers question if the closures would extend to more than just a few Denny’s because Feast operates 230 restaurants overall, including Corner Bakery Café and Jack in the Box, in ten states. Rochester, New York, will be the most severely impacted of all the locations that Denny’s expects to close through 2021 and beyond.

Francesca’s

Year Established: 1999
Store Closures: 140 stores*

2020 was a harsh year for many firms, as we all know. While some were able to recover undamaged, others were forced to reconsider their options. Francesca’s has been in business for 20 years, but that wasn’t enough to completely preserve it.

At the end of 2020, the Texas-based company filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy, announcing its intention to liquidate 140 of its 700 stores. Even if many well-known sites are still operational, it creates a concerning precedent for the business going forward. Loyal customers are praying that Francesca’s can withstand the crisis.

Ralphs

Year Established: 1873
Store Closures: 2 stores*

Although it might be difficult to imagine, Ralph’s has been around since 1873. For any supermarket, that is a long time. Even though the Kroger-owned business is smaller than several other supermarkets, it is nevertheless well-known. Tragically, two sites in LA will close their doors in 2021–2022.

Locals will be disappointed to learn that the businesses on Pico Boulevard and West Slauson Avenue will permanently close up shop in the middle of the year. A brand representative acknowledged that 2020 would see significant financial losses and that damage control was absolutely necessary.

Family Video

Year Established: 1978
Store Closures: 200 Branches*

One of the last of its sort was Family Video, a chain of DVD rental stores in Illinois. After struggling with sales in 2020, it declared that Family Video would be gone in many locations by 2021 due to “tough business decisions.” 200 of the chain’s locations will be shut down. There are only 400 people left.

Given that everyone is aware of the failure of chains like Blockbuster Video and others, it is surprising that Family Video has survived this long. Forbes attributes the “last video chain[‘s]” survival to its straightforward corporate strategy. The retail chain had a 2017 value of $750 million, but by 2022, that is probably going to alter.

OfficeMax

Year Established: 1988
Store Closures: 90 Branches* (Over the next 2 years)

OfficeMax, like its parent business Office Depot, is a major retailer of office supplies in the US; however, the chain also has outlets in Mexico and Canada. The business was founded in the late 1980s, and in 2013, it merged with Office Depot.

Following weak sales in 2019, OfficeMax closed a number of its facilities, and it is rumoured that it may close a further 90 locations over the following two years. The liquidation is viewed as a critical step in helping the business get back on its feet and achieve its financial targets.

Tiffany & Co.

Year Established: 1837
Store Closures: 1 Branch*

Given that it was established in the middle of the nineteenth century, Tiffany & Co. is among the oldest jewellery retailers in history. The company announced in 2020 that its NYC flagship location will be temporarily closed for refurbishment. Tiffany & Co.’s Fifth Avenue store is arguably its most well-known location, so brand supporters will be happy to hear that the closures are temporary.

When queried about the closures, Tiffany’s assured Americans that they weren’t long-term and weren’t a hint that the company will face difficulties in the future. In a statement, it claimed that “love and optimism” were always at the core of the brand. The store won’t reopen until the spring of 2022 due to delays.

Zales

Year Established: 1924
Store Closures: 455 Branches* (Over 3 year period)

A division of Signet Jewellers is the jewellery retailer Zales. The Kay Jewellers’ sister firm, Zales, is well-known in malls and department stores. Signet disclosed that it intended to close many of its subsidiaries. Signet announced that overall, 13% of its locations would be shut down.

455 of its locations are represented by this thirteen percent. The company has 3,500 shops altogether, and will close them over a three-year period to give customers time to prepare. The news became official when it made the ground-breaking announcement in the spring of 2019.

Luby’s

Year Established: 1947
Store Closures: All

After opening its doors in 1947 in San Antonio, Texas, Luby’s went on to grow and build a tonne of other sites. Customers learned with sadness in 2021 that the company was closing its doors. It made intentions to completely hide the brand from view by closing all of its placements by 2022.

It moved quickly to sell every location it could, but the process is still continuing on. Many of the regular customers, some of whom have been coming to the cafeterias for the past 70 years, will miss the southern cuisine.

Pizza Inn and Pie Five

Year Established: 1958/2011
Store Closures: Continuous 

Restaurants and hotel chains have found the last few years to be exceptionally challenging, especially if they were already experiencing a decline in revenue. Despite slowly closing more sites each year, Pizza Inn and Pie Five closed over 40 locations in 2019, according to Eat This.

As a result, it’s possible that this facility, which is owned by the Rave Restaurant Group, will experience future closures. Pizza is still a beloved dish, but with so much competition, it seems like local eateries are having a harder time staying on top.

Roti

Year Established: 1998
Store Closures: A third of all locations 

Although Roti developed a name for itself as a contemporary Mediterranean eatery, the year 2020 wasn’t kind to the company. The corporation was forced to announce the closure of a third of facilities in order to make up the financial losses incurred during one of the most difficult periods in contemporary history.

The biggest devastated area is Chicago, where six Roti restaurants will kiss its customers farewell throughout the course of 2021. The corporation should be able to find a way to move forward and recover its footing after the closures.

Collected Group

Year Established: 2001
Store Closures: TBD

Although Collected Group owns several stores, it is not a chain in and of itself. The Joie, Current/Elliott, and Equipment brands are owned by the corporation. Sadly, the company has been struggling to stay afloat for some years, which led to a chapter 11 filing in mid-2021.

The company owes numerous lenders an astounding sum of money, so it’s impossible to predict what will happen to it as the new year approaches. Over $200 million is thought to be owed in total to several creditors.

CSA Czech Airlines

Year Established: 1923
Store Closures: TBD

There aren’t many airlines that are as old as CSA Czech Airlines, but as we all know, in the commercial world, age is irrelevant. Long-established businesses can fail just as swiftly as newer ones. After failing to pay its obligations, CSA announced in February 2021 that it was shutting down the entirety of its business.

However, the business is still running at the time of writing in August 2021 although having a substantially smaller fleet. It’s unclear how this nearly 100-year-old business will fare, but the outlook is not good.

IHOP

Year Established: 1958
Store Closures: 100

Since 1958, IHOP has given patrons the opportunity to eat reasonably priced meals in a nice environment. Even if some customers have been coming to their neighbourhood businesses since they were young, sentimentality has never increased a company’s profitability.

Unfortunately, IHOP said in 2020 that it would shut down about 100 stores by the middle of 2021, which means that a tonne of travellers will look elsewhere for their mid-road trip lunches. Other major fast-food goliaths will probably pick up the burden.

McDonald’s

Year Established: 1955
Store Closures: 100+

There is no denying that McDonald’s, which has stores in practically every country, is the largest fast-food chain in the world. The fact that McDonald’s has endured since 1955 is due to a variety of factors, including its dynamic business model. The firm revealed plans to shutter numerous eateries housed inside Walmart stores in 2021.

With more than 1,000 locations inside the stores, Walmart and McDonald’s once had a strong cooperation. Only 150 slots are anticipated to be open once the closures go into effect.

Westfield Malls

Year Established: 1960
Store Closures: TBD

The United States is well renowned for its malls, some of which are run by Westfield. Given how recently malls and department shops have been impacted, it is not surprising that several mall landlords are considering changing their approach.

According to Retail Dive, Westfield stated plans to “significantly reduce its financial exposure to US assets in 2021/2022”. Although the exact locations that will be eliminated are unknown, it is likely that some will close while others will be sold.

Becca Cosmetics

Year Established: 2001
Store Closures: All locations 

Becca Cosmetics was in business for 20 years before suffering a fatal blow in 2001. Fans were stunned to see that Becca had closed the brand in a statement that was uploaded to her social media accounts at the beginning of 2021.

The statement said, “At BECCA, a collection of challenges…has sadly been more than our business can handle, and we have had to make the heartbreaking decision to close down the BECCA brand at the end of September 2021.” All products were no longer available for purchase in stores or online after that date.

Fresh Acquisitions

Year Established: 1946
Store Closures: All locations 

Six restaurant brands, including Ryan’s, Old Country Buffet, HomeTown Buffet, Fire Mountain, and Furr’s, are owned by Fresh Acquisitions. It had numerous outlets spread across 27 states during the height of its business, but in the middle of 2021 Fresh announced it was declaring bankruptcy.

When all other businesses are shut down, Tahoe Joe’s will be one of the company’s only brands still operating, while Furr’s will have a slight brand makeover and fewer locations. The business stated that it wanted to come out of bankruptcy in a significantly stronger position.

Aldi

Year Established: 1946
Store Closures: TBD*

Before recently becoming a well-known brand in the US, Aldi first gained notoriety as a European grocery store. However, Aldi also experienced difficult times in 2020. Aldi, on the other hand, was able to emerge from the crisis comparatively undamaged, unlike several other businesses.

Despite a few brief closures, Aldi has succeeded in succeeding. One of the few businesses trying to expand in the US, it plans to open 100 outlets over the coming years. There is no doubting that Aldi stands out in a historically terrible period for retail.

GameStop

Year Established: 1984
Store Closures: 180-200 Branches*

Gamers of all ages have long turned to GameStop to purchase the most recent system or exchange their used games for cash. However, they’ve recently had financial difficulty. GameStop, like many other traditional brick and mortar stores, is suffering from the growth of e-commerce and the evolution of gaming.

Nowadays, you may download games via the internet and buy them from online app shops rather than running to the store to buy the newest hot game. Despite a recent fourth-quarter profit, GameStop is still trying to stay afloat despite a flash-pan news article about a stock market short squeeze that was motivated by a large number of Reddit users.

Levi Strauss

Year Established: 1853
Store Closures: Unknown 

Back in March, Levi made the difficult choice to close all of its stores in the US and Canada in order to weather what was, in everyone’s opinion, the worst of the pandemic. The store is still suffering the consequences, which might have an impact on its business in 2022, despite the majority of shops having reopened.

In an effort to mitigate the effects, Levi fired 15% of its corporate staff, or about 700 people. The 170-year-old brand hasn’t had a good financial year, but since it is so well-known, it stands a better chance of recovering than many others.

Bose

Year Established: 1964
Store Closures: 119 Branches*

The tech retailer Bose declared that it would switch to online shopping because it thinks that’s where retail is headed (and they do have a point). Bose is drastically reducing the number of its retail locations by shuttering 119 of them in Japan, North America, Australia, and Europe. The business said that the “dramatic shift” away from in-person purchasing towards online shopping was the cause of its actions.

Midway through January 2020, Bose made this statement by issuing press releases to CNN Business, Business Insider, Fox Business, and all other major media organisations. 130 stores will still be open in China, so there won’t be much of a change there.

Burgerim

Year Established: 2011
Store Closures: TBD*

In 2018, Burgerim was growing, with new locations and franchises opening up in numerous areas. Although it appeared to be a brand on the rise, things quickly turned sour. Just in 2019, legal problems began to surface, having a significant negative influence on the business.

Currently, eateries are rapidly losing physical presence as a result of ongoing closures. Even though the business isn’t technically bankrupt, it is attempting to recover after returning more than $57 million in franchise fees.

Goop Lab

Year Established: Store opened in 2019
Store Closures: 1*

These days, Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle company Goop is just as well-known as her acting career. Goop has been a brand for a while, but in 2019, Paltrow unveiled the Goop Labs flagship location in Pacific Heights, San Francisco.

Paltrow’s business wasn’t exactly a big popular with the neighbourhood residents, and its closure was announced in July 2020. Although there are still five Goop Labs open, it’s probable that more will close as the company’s online presence expands in the upcoming years.

L’Occitane

Year Established: 1976
Store Closures: 23*

L’Occitane has been around for a while, just like many other retailers, and has seen its share of ups and downs over the years. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t constantly trying to change their approach and save money.

According to Retail in Asia, CEO Mr. Reinold Geiger stated, “After a good FY2021, we are thrilled to see our growth trajectory continue into FY2022. Importantly, the shift in our channel balance towards online has persisted even as stores reopen globally, proving the effectiveness of our omni-channel distribution.

Marks & Spencer

Year Established: 1884
Store Closures: 30*

Marks and Spencer is one of the oldest merchants in the UK even if it doesn’t have a significant presence in America. After reporting a staggering loss of more than $200 million in the middle of 2021, the behemoth stated that it would be closing about 30 of its outlets.

While some of the stores have already closed, others have yet to do so and will be demolished by the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022. The British people are sorry to see these places close and wish more shops would open again in the future.

Fossil

Year Established: 1984
Store Closures: 65 to 75*

Since it first opened its doors in 1984, Fossil has had a significant retail presence, but the most recent year has been especially difficult for the watch and handbag company. In 2020, the company lost $96 million, leaving it with no choice but to consider cost-cutting measures.

As a result, it was announced that around 75 locations would close in 2021 and 2022. If the business can’t get back on solid ground, more stores may close as the years pass. Fossil simply decided not to renew the lease on a few locations.

Alamo Drafthouse

Year Established: 1997
Store Closures: 3*

Although the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz in Austin, Texas, and Missouri will permanently close, not all of them will at the time of writing in the autumn of 2021. Unless a little miracle occurs before 2022, these locations may be permanently closed.

Global Brands Group

Year Established: 2013
Store Closures: TBD*

Compared to several other businesses in the fashion industry, Global Brands Group is still a young business. The 2013-founded company offers apparel and accessories from a variety of manufacturers, including Fiorelli, Lego, Disney, and more. Sadly, the company declared bankruptcy under chapter 11 at the end of July 2021.

It makes sense that this will most certainly result in shop closings in the latter part of this year and into 2022, although it’s unclear how many will really do so. Keeping expenses to a minimum is crucial.

Palmer House Hilton, Chicago

Year Established: 1871
Store Closures: 1*

Even though Hilton as a company owns numerous hotels, some of them are more well-known than others. Although Chicago’s Palmer House Hilton originally opened its doors to visitors in 1871, recent years haven’t been kind to it.

The hotel was forced to close in March 2020 and remain down for more than a year until it reopened in 2021 due to a sharp decline in its value and a severe blow to the hospitality industry. Although it is still accepting reservations, analysts are not entirely confident in the hotel’s ability to remain open for the long term.

Paper Source

Year Established: 1983
Store Closures: TBD (Filed Bankruptcy)

Paper Source is a one-stop shop for personalised invitations, paper items, and greeting cards, as you would have guessed from the name. The business declared its intention to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2021. Due to the events of 2020, sales had drastically decreased, and Paper Source needed to make sure it was protected while restructuring.

Like many firms, the restructuring probably entails closing stores. Paper Source had just begun expanding, thus the announcement caught stock market observers off guard. It also purchased a few chains from Papyrus, a competitor that was liquidating itself, before declaring the sudden change in fortune.

Goodwill

Year Established: 1902
Store Closures: 8 Branches*

Goodwill is a bargain retailer that sells just about anything you can imagine, including furniture, clothing, and miscellaneous objects. It’s unfortunate that the chain has to shut down a number of locations in particular regions because low-income people depend on Goodwill for reasonably priced goods.

In March 2021, Goodwill made the announcement that it would close eight of its Bay Area thrift stores. Goodwill’s regional president, Mike Keenan, described the choice as “difficult” but necessary for “economic reasons.” The Goodwill stores will close in particular in the following cities: Vallejo, Dixon, Berkeley, Albany, Oakland (Durant Square), Livermore, Dublin, and Oakley.

Justice

Year Established: 1987
Store Closures: TBD (1,600 Total from Ascena)

Owner of the tween apparel retailer Justice, Ascena Group, filed for bankruptcy in 2020. As a result, there have been long-lasting impacts that are anticipated to last beyond 2022. Justice is following in the footsteps of its sibling firms Lane Bryant, LOFT, and Ann Taylor.

In a statement, Ascena stated that 1,600 of its 2,800 locations will be closing. It is unclear which 1,600 closures would include the tween-focused retailer Justice, which makes up 826 locations under the Ascena brand and was once known as Limited Too. Customers have been purchasing products that have been discounted down by 50% at Justice’s liquidation sales. Despite the brand’s declining sales, Justice customers are at least increasing its revenue.

24 Hour Fitness

Year Established: 1983
Store Closures: 130 Branches*

Since the chain’s founding in the 1980s, 24 Hour Fitness has enjoyed popularity as a gym destination. The corporation has undergone extensive reorganisation, which is expected to go through 2022 and has already proceeded into 2021. A total of 300 sites would remain after the gradual closure of 130 branches, according to 24 Hour Fitness.

In June 2020, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing hardship brought on by the year’s events. Since December 2020, the company’s situation has improved, but they are still not out of danger. Before 2020, 24 Hour Fitness was having financial problems, and after that, everything just got worse until the company filed for bankruptcy.

Lane Bryant

Year Established: 1904
Store Closures: 150 Branches*

For many years, Lane Bryant has served as a retailer of plus-size clothing. Unfortunately, as a result of the Ascena Group’s insolvency, about 150 Lane Bryants, including 52 outlet locations, are closing. Some of the most well-known clothing retailers in the country were severely impacted by Ascena Group’s financial problems, and Lane Bryant was one of them.

With over 700 retail and outlet locations, Lane Bryant generated $919 million in fiscal sales in 2019. The next year, those decreased, which prompted Ascena to decide to close 150 branches. Similar plus-size retailer Catherines is closing all of its 300+ locations, but it will likely relaunch as an online-only business.

Cricket Wireless

Year Established: 1999
Store Closures: 111 Branches*

AT&T owns the wireless service provider Cricket Wireless. In the US, there are roughly 10 million subscribers. There were 111 physical outlets that AT&T really owns and runs. The remaining stores, which total around 4,400, are franchises.

After 2020, AT&T plans to shut down its Cricket Wireless locations. The telecommunications behemoth claimed that Cricket represented a “small portion” of AT&T’s “overall portfolio.” The thousands of additional Cricket locations will continue to be open and managed by “authorised retailers.” AT&T claims that “changes in buying behaviour” were mostly to responsible for the closing choice.

Earth Fare

Year Established: 1975
Store Closures: 20 Branches*

In the middle of the 1970s, Earth Fare, a wellness and health supermarket, was established. The company stated that it would close all of its locations in February 2020, which was far before many businesses were forced to close that year.

In eight states, there are still twenty left. Unfortunately, despite the dreams of some supporters of the organic food chain, Earth Fare will no longer be operating. The inventory liquidation process at Earth Fare is currently ongoing. It was the third grocery store to either close its doors or try to sell itself under Chapter 11 in February of 2020.

Loft

Year Established: 1998
Store Closures: 30 Branches*

Taylor, Ann LOFT is a division of the Ann Taylor company, which is itself a division of the Ascena Group, which as of 2021 has come to a very hard end. Ascena’s bankruptcy filing resulted in LOFT being a victim once more, as the parent company stated that 30 of LOFT’s 666 outlets and stores would be closing.

Along with this statement, it was decided that 38 of Ann Taylor’s 290+ sites will close as well. Once again, Ascena consented to the 1,200-store closure plan in order to prevent the company from going out of business.

L’Occitane

Year Established: 1976
Store Closures: 23 Branches*

High-end lotion and bath product retailer L’Occitane. The brand simply has an upscale appearance, making it ideal for a premium gift (or a present for yourself). Unfortunately, L’Occitane customers may have to shop through the brand’s online store since the company filed for bankruptcy in 2021.

In the petition, L’Occitane disclosed closure plans for 23 of its 166 American locations. The action was taken to try and complete its “store footprint optimisation plan,” a method of streamlining its revenue. The closures followed a 56.5% decline in sales between April 2020 and December 2020. In contrast, the brand’s online sales increased by 72%.

Microsoft

Year Established: 1975
Store Closures: 83 Branches*

Microsoft’s intention to close all 83 of its physical stores is already known to those who keep up with tech news. Microsoft just cannot compete with Apple in the in-store market, according to pundits and tech bloggers for a very long time.

Microsoft resolved to cut its losses and close all of its stores after 2020, indicating that it does so. Four locations will be the only exceptions; they will be renovated and, in Microsoft’s words, “reimagined.” These four locations will function as “experience centres” to showcase new technology rather than actual stores.

Muji

Year Established: 1980
Store Closures: 7 Branches*

Muji was established in 1980, and the company is based in Tokyo, Japan. If you don’t reside in California, there’s a high chance you haven’t heard of Muji. Muji originally tried its luck in California when it first arrived in the United States. Sadly, the brand didn’t last long there.

Muji USA Ltd. made the decision to permanently close all seven of its shops in July of 2020. company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and indicated that company would need to undergo a significant restructuring, which would necessitate closing its physical stores as soon as possible. Los Angeles, Santa Anita, San Jose, Stanford, San Francisco, and Santa Monica will all lose their Japanese-themed stores.

Rent The Runway

Year Established: 2009
Store Closures: 5 Branches*

Another apparel retailer, Rent the Runway, discovered that it was more profitable to concentrate on its online operation than on foot traffic. The subscription-based firm declared in August 2020 that it would close its locations in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, L.A., and New York City.

The more than ten-year-old company Rent the Runway announced it would not reopen any of the five storefronts, choosing instead to concentrate on its online ventures and drop-box network. When customers finished renting an item, they may leave it off at the NYC store, which would then become a drop-off location.

Kay Jewelers

Year Established: 1916
Store Closures: 400 Branches (Total from Signet)*

Kay Jewellers, like many other businesses on this list, is a victim of the business mistakes made by its parent firm. Under the Kay Jewellers, Jared, Piercing Pagoda, and Zales brands, Signet Jewellers has almost 3,200 retail locations throughout the world. By the end of 2021, Signet intends to close 150 of its retail locations.

This was announced shortly after it was revealed that 400 stores would close in June 2020. The news that several of its stores wouldn’t reopen after 2020 shocked the high-end jewellery industry because Kay Jewellers is the largest retailer of diamond jewellery in the world.

Compass Airlines

Year Established: 2006
Store Closures: N/A (Entire Airline Shut Down)

Compass Airlines is no longer in operation, hence all references to the regional airline must be made in the past tense. Launched in 2006, Compass was a division of Delta (formerly Northwest Airlines). During its fourteen years in business, Compass operated more than 1.5 million passenger flights and employed over 2,000 people.

Compass stopped operating in 2020. Due to the circumstances of that year, it mentioned decreased travel demands. Compass attributed its demise to Delta as well, claiming that Delta had failed to acquire more flights for its subsidiary. A week following the announcement, 56 of Compass’s aircraft were no longer operational.

Stobart Air

Year Established: 1970
Store Closures: N/A (Entire Airline Shut Down)

Prior to ceasing service on June 12, 2021, Stobart Air, renamed Aer Arann in 1970, operated for five decades. The regional airline Stobart has bases in Belfast, Dublin, and Cork in addition to its headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. Thirteen aircraft make up the Irish airline’s fleet, which flies to twenty different places.

2014 saw a significant reorganisation for Stobart, which changed its name from Aer Arann to “Stobart” after that. Before making the announcement that it was ending its franchise deal with Aer Lingus, Stobart had a turbulent seven years following that. Soon after, we anticipate that all of its flights were cancelled and the tickets were reimbursed.

Kroger

Year Established: 1883
Store Closures: 7 Branches*

With sales of $132 million and record profits of $2.5 billion, Kroger really performed fairly well in 2020. Its shop sales were 8%, which was outstanding considering that the industry standard for sales is 2%. Despite experiencing a windfall in 2020, Kroger nonetheless stated in 2021 that it would be closing seven shops.

The performance of the stores, according to Kroger, was the basis for its decision. Kroger had to lay off employees because it was unable to pay the bills in the stores. Due to Kroger’s adamant opposition to hazard pay laws, these layoffs occurred without hazard compensation, which has caused the chain to face backlash from its former employees.

California Pizza Kitchen

Year Established: 1985
Store Closures: 46 Branches*

California Pizza Kitchen, a popular restaurant chain that was founded in California but has spread across the country, had a rough fall in 2020, and the effects are carrying over into 2021 and could continue into 2022. In the fall of 2020, California Pizza Kitchen declared bankruptcy.

It declared that it would gradually close 46 of its eateries because they were not “suitable for off-premises.” In November 2020, the bankruptcy agreement was finalised and submitted with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. CPK was able to wipe away $220 million in debt and negotiate $67 million in rent savings over the following four years.

Sur La Table

Year Established: 1972
Store Closures: 51 Branches*

Privately held retailer Sur La Table was established in Seattle in 1972. There are 130 sites, although not all of them will continue to be active. The kitchen appliance company emptied out many of its locations in 2020 and 2021, and more are scheduled to close at the end of the year.

Sur La Table filed for Chapter 11 in July 2020, and since then, it has revealed that it will close 51 of its locations, or about one-third fewer. The closures will happen gradually, and the places chosen for closure will hold liquidation sales.

Mango Airlines

Year Established: 2006
Store Closures: TBD (Currently Grounded)

This situation is still uncertain. Regional carrier Mango Airlines has an airport hub at O.R. Tambo International. South African Airways, with its corporate headquarters in Gauteng, is the parent corporation of the South African airline. Due to South African Airways’ financial situation, Mango, which debuted in 2006, is currently in financial jeopardy.

The low-cost airline has two fleets and about 750 employees. Mango was grounded in late April 2021 as a result of its failure to make payments on its debts to the Airports Company for South Africa. Up till a solution is found, no Mango airliners are permitted to take off. If the South African government can provide South African Airways money, a rescue is probably the only way out for Mango.

Ruby Tuesday

Year Established: 1972
Store Closures: 185 Branches*

Ruby Tuesday, a restaurant chain serving fast-casual American food, has been shrinking lately. It is continuing to close a total of 185 of its chains. The restaurant filed for Chapter 11 in October of 2020, and its fate is a little less shaky, but still up in the air.

Ruby Tuesday stated that it and its secured lenders had “reached an understanding…to support restructuring” when it filed for bankruptcy in order to reduce its debts. In addition to an unspecified number of sites operated by 10 different franchisee groups, there are still 236 Ruby Tuesday shops that are still owned by the firm. In addition to the 185 closures, Ruby Tuesday stated that it “does not anticipate” any additional events.

Applebee’s

Year Established: 1980
Store Closures: 15 Branches*

Applebee’s is yet another restaurant brand to experience the effects of 2020 when it comes to American fast-casual dining. Since Applebee’s has been around for a while, it seems difficult to find a neighbourhood without the restaurant. However, given that the chain announced it will be closing an additional fifteen locations in the fourth quarter of 2020, some communities may find themselves without an Applebee’s.

The business closed an additional twenty stores the previous quarter, bringing the total number of closures to 100. These fifteen stores were added to those. In total, Applebee’s plans to eliminate 200 underperforming restaurants, with the remaining closures to be determined.

Steak N Shake

Year Established: 1934
Store Closures: 83 Branches*

People frequently choose Steak’n Shake as their first stop for a milkshake and a burger, but the chain just shuttered 13% of its locations. Steak’n Shake opened the year 2020 with 610 locations; eighty-three of those locations were closed.

Steak’n Shake declared that business was debt-free as of March 2021, having just barely escaped bankruptcy thanks to an angel investor. Biglari Holdings paid out the restaurant chain’s $153 million in debt, preventing Steak’n Shake from needing to file for Chapter 11. The 83 locations the chain sold were used to fund the implementation of Biglari’s completely new service model.

SEE Eyewear

Year Established: 1997
Store Closures: Unknown 

According to Forbes, the retail market for eyewear is on the verge of “extinction.” Prior to the occurrence of the events of 2020, this headline appeared in 2019. Stores like SEE Eyewear were among the hardest hurt by these changes even though the retail market for eyewear was already in decline.

Although the precise number of closures is still unknown, it is expected that the eyeglasses retail sector will see further difficult times in the coming years, particularly through 2022. SEE Eyewear has been established since the late 1990s, and it hasn’t yet been acquired by significant businesses like Luxxotica, which is said to control 80% of the eyewear market.

Club Monaco

Year Established: 1985
Store Closures: 1 Branch* (Flagship)

Following the sale of Club Monaco by Ralph Lauren, word spread that the store’s flagship location in Toronto, Canada, would be closing. Fans and customers alike were shocked to learn that the two-story store, which has been open since the 1980s, will be closing.

Fortunately, the stunning edifice from the 20th century won’t be destroyed. Club Monaco is merely leaving. The store attempted to organise pop-ups, and even explored opening a restaurant in the flagship, but neither strategy was successful in increasing foot traffic. These problems, together with the exorbitant rent (almost $362,000 annually), led to Club Monaco’s closure.

Piggly Wiggly

Year Established: 1916
Store Closures: Unknown

Since Piggly Wiggly was the first self-service supermarket, when it initially opened its doors more than a century ago, it was seen as cutting-edge. The grocery sector underwent a revolution thanks in part to Piggly Wiggly. Despite still having 530 sites, the business has been rapidly shuttering shops.

In the course of a month, it shut down two stores, one each in North Carolina and Alabama. Labour shortages, which are having an impact on pretty much every sector of the food industry, were the cause of the closures. Though the precise number of Piggly Wiggly closures is currently unknown, if the store maintains its current course, more closures should be expected.

Long John Silver’s

Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: 1 Branch*

The past five years have been difficult for John Silver’s, a fast-casual restaurant company that was once among the most well-liked in America. The restaurant has had to shoulder the burden of having to buy back struggling franchisees, closing an average of sixty locations annually.

Long John Silver’s started to turn things around in 2019, but it is still not out of the woods. It has been forced to continue closing stores, including one in Joliet, due to the events of 2020. The chain’s failing CEO was appointed, and changes are probably coming in 2022. These modifications are intended to streamline the company, which may result in more closures.

Boston Market

Year Established: 1985
Store Closures: 45 Branches*

Boston Market has had to close significant portions of its locations before. The restaurant franchise had to close 400 of its outlets after declaring for bankruptcy for the first time in 1998. The footprint of the restaurant business has decreased yearly since then.

It declared that it would gradually close 45 locations in 2019. This indicates that 330 Boston Market outlets are still open. Before 2020, the franchise had been having trouble. Overexpansion was the root of the difficulties in the 1990s, but the current financial issues are more intricate. Boston Market had 1,200 locations at one time. Now, only a portion of that number is present.

Brio Italian Mediterranean

Year Established: 1992
Store Closures: 71 Branches*

A fast-casual restaurant chain called Brio Italian Mediterranean focuses on cooking in the Italian and Mediterranean styles. Things have been difficult ever since Brio’s parent business and Bravo, a subsidiary brand, filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2020.

The goal is to shutter 71 of the 92 eateries that are currently open. Although the closures were described as temporary, it’s likely that the business won’t restore every location that was shut down. Brio requested a buyer for its chain in the application, and it was successful. The chain was acquired by Earl Enterprises in June 2020, the same business that runs Buca di Beppo, Planet Hollywood, and Earl of Sandwich.

Save A Lot

Year Established: 1977
Store Closures: 300 Branches* (Selling Them)

Save A Lot has been rapidly closing down stores. It sold fifty-one of its stores in January 2021, and another thirty-two nine months later. In order to reduce debt, the Ohio-based company closed many of its locations in the South, particularly in the Tampa, Florida, area.

Save A Lot is cutting back on branches in part due to its new business strategy. More than 300 of the grocery store’s branches will be sold to retailers as it transforms into a wholesaler. Save A Lot is already making progress towards resolving its difficult financial status as a result of this change. The firm declared that it had so far reduced its debt by $500 million in April 2021.

Friendly’s

Year Established: 1935
Store Closures: Unknown 

The number of Friendly’s restaurants that close in the upcoming year remains to be seen. Friendly’s filed for bankruptcy in November of 2020, although the franchise’s issues date back a number of years before that. For instance, Friendly’s closed the majority of its stores in upstate New York and New England in 2019.

More closures occurred later that year. The restaurant struggled after the demands of 2020 until it filed for Chapter 11 protection. For less than $2 million, Red Mango acquired Amici Partners Group, the same company that owns Red Mango. It is unknown how many Friendly’s will close in order to help the family restaurant brand with its financial difficulties.

Fuddruckers

Year Established: 1979
Store Closures: 49 Branches* (Possibly)

Finalisation of the liquidation of Luby’s Inc., the parent company of Fuddruckers, is scheduled for June 2022. Fans of the restaurant chain can indulge on its “World’s Greatest Hamburgers” while they wait. This won’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been following the headlines from the restaurant industry, as Fuddruckers has been having financial difficulties for quite some time.

In September 2020, the cafeteria-style chain made an announcement that it would be liquidated as part of Luby’s closure. There is a potential that some of the franchise-owned Fuddruckers would remain operational, if not the company-owned restaurants, as Black Titan Franchise stated in the summer of 2021 that it would purchase the chain for $18.5 million. We must wait and see.

Le Pain Quotidien

Year Established: 1990
Store Closures: 46 Branches*

In March 2020, Le Pain Quotidien closed all 98 of its U.S. locations. It soon after submitted a Chapter 11 filing in May of that same year. But according to court documents, the chain has been planning such filing since a good while before the events of 2020.

Le Pain Quotidien’s new parent company, Aurify, will enable it to reopen just over half of its eateries. Among other restaurants, Aurify, a New York-based culinary company, runs Five Guys, Melt Shop, and Fields Good Chicken. For $3 million, Autify acquired the failing LPQ. The company will streamline operations and reopen profitable locations.

Stop & Shop

Year Established: 1914
Store Closures: 19 Branches* (In-Store Pharmacies)

In the past two years, a few physical Stop & Shops have closed, but the in-store pharmacies are the area of the company that has been hardest hit. One of Stop & Shop’s most well-liked features is its in-store pharmacies, which provide prescription medications at competitive costs.

The chain announced that it would close 19 of its in-store pharmacies in September 2021. The issue is “steadily declining reimbursements” of prescription costs by private and public payors, said Caroline Medeiros, a spokeswoman for Stop & Shop. According to Medeiros, retail pharmacies all over America have been harmed by this “decline”. Nevertheless, Stop & Shop will keep running 200 pharmacies in the Northeast.

Perkins

Year Established: 1958
Store Closures: 29 Branches*

Perkins is a family restaurant chain that has a devoted following, much like Friendly’s does. Despite earning the reputation of a local eatery, Perkins has faced challenges. There will undoubtedly be 29 Perkins closures, many of which have already closed their doors.

Perkins and Marie Callender’s parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019. In North America and Canada, it has more than 400 restaurants. The parent business of Perkins apparently faced financial difficulties due to a decline in clients as well as rising labour and food prices. Events in 2020 didn’t help the chain, which was already having trouble, so it’s probable that Perkins will have to close more locations.

P.F. Chang’s

Year Established: 1993
Store Closures: Unknown

P.F. Chang’s has closed its Chicago outlets, but there is an interesting twist to these closures that may persist in other cities. In Chicago, the chain of restaurants with an Asian influence debuted its first-ever “to go” kiosks in January 2020, replacing two actual dine-in locations.

Tana Davila, vice president of brand development, said the company was “excited” to explore this new product. The “curated” menu at P.F. Chang restaurants for takeaway means that only the most well-liked dishes are offered. It concentrates on delivery, takeaway, and catering. To-go restaurants might replace P.F. Chang’s locations that close in the future.

Red Robin

Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: 5 Branches*

Popular fast-casual burger chain Red Robin has had a difficult few of years. Five of the chain’s outlets were permanently closed. Red Robin lost $6.5 million as a result of these five closures, despite having temporarily closed several dozen locations in 2020.

The locations were no longer lucrative. By providing curbside pickup and increasing outdoor sitting, Red Robin attempted to prevent the closure of some of its locations. Even worse, it ceased paying its headquarters’ full rent. However, these adjustments were insufficient to stop the closures, and the five locations have now been permanently closed.

Subway

Year Established: 1965
Store Closures: Unknown

There have been numerous reports of Subway’s closure. The sandwich brand is still one of the most well-liked fast food restaurants in the world, despite these unfounded rumours. It is accurate to say that Subway is losing units and closing restaurants.

In 2020, 10% of Subway’s stores closed. It had 1,000 stores closed in 2019 and experienced a $210 million decline in revenue. Three years prior to that, 359 Subway locations were closed. The slow deterioration has a long history. The issue is that Subway has too many outlets and is suffering from diminishing sales. Closing chains is the solution, and in 2022, this trend of closures will continue, albeit the precise number is yet uncertain.

Giant Eagle

Year Established: 1931
Store Closures: 1 Branch*

Giant Eagle has long been a favourite stop for food consumers worldwide. In the 1930s, the chain launched its first location; today, there are more than 400 locations nationwide. Giant Eagle has shuttered a few locations here and there, most recently deciding to close the Lewis Centre, Ohio, location.

Giant Eagle has long been a favourite stop for food consumers worldwide. In the 1930s, the chain launched its first location; today, there are more than 400 locations nationwide. Giant Eagle has shuttered a few locations here and there, most recently deciding to close the Lewis Centre, Ohio, location.

Sweet Tomatoes

Year Established: 1978
Store Closures: 97 Branches*

Two sister chains that have gone through a lot of upheaval recently are Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation. In May 2020, Sweet Tomatoes made the decision to permanently close all of its American restaurant locations. There are 97 Sweet Tomatoes restaurants in the United States, with 44 of them in California alone.

Souplantation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May of 2020, which was probably the first step towards the closures. Garden Fresh Restaurants, which generates $250 million in annual revenue, is the owner of both Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes. How many Sweet Tomatoes eateries will reopen in 2022 is yet to be determined.

Taco Bell

Year Established: 1962
Store Closures: 1 Branch*

Although there have always been rumours that Taco Bell might cease operations, the company is most likely still around. Although Taco Bell has shut down 12 locations since 2020, there haven’t been many.

Even while the closures aren’t a big deal, customers will nonetheless be disappointed by some of the sites. One of them is the Taco Bell in Laguna Beach, which Eat This called a “iconic location.” To the dismay of customers, this Taco Bell permanently closed its doors in September of 2021. The longest-running Taco Bell in Orange County, it had been operating for 54 years.

TGI Fridays

Year Established: 1965
Store Closures: 20%*

Another fast-casual restaurant brand with a solid reputation as a place that welcomes families is TGI Friday’s. Like Friendly’s and Perkins, TGI Friday’s is regarded as a sort of neighbourhood eatery. Sadly, it is following Friendly’s and Perkins in failing.

TGI Friday’s announced in February 2021 that it would permanently close 20% of all of its American locations. The closures followed a challenging 2020. The CEO of the restaurant chain indicated that while they hoped to save “as many jobs” and “businesses as possible” globally, it would be impossible for the entire organisation to survive.

Cosi

Year Established: 1964
Store Closures: 30 Branches*

Contrasting with Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks has proven to be challenging for the sandwich and coffee company Cosi. As it looks for a dependable, long-term buyer, the chain has battled to exist, filing for bankruptcy twice in the past five years. Thirty stores have already shuttered, and there will probably be more.

As of November 2020, Cosi had twenty sites, although that number may not last. Cosi stated that it intends to concentrate as much as it can on its catering business, which might include closing down any remaining dine-in and in-person establishments from the last Chapter 11 case.

Chuck E. Cheese

Year Established: 1977
Store Closures: 10-20 Branches*

Kids won’t be happy to hear this, even though parents might be relieved. Due to the games and mascots it offers, Chuck E. Cheese is a well-liked children’s eatery. Despite being well-liked by children, the chain is $1 billion in debt.

Chuck E. Cheese was immensely popular in the 1990s. When the pandemic struck, the business was already having trouble due to debt that had started to accumulate in the early 2000s. Ten to twenty stores are closing or asking to have their lease agreements renegotiated in states like California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Iowa, and others. In June 2020, the kids’ restaurant chain formally filed for bankruptcy.

Maison Kayser

Year Established: 1996
Store Closures: 16 Branches*

Sixteen Maison Kayser locations are located in New York City alone, and the future of the bakery brand is still in doubt. After Maison Kayser filed for bankruptcy in the autumn of 2020, Le Pain Quotidien, once the chain’s main rival, acquired a large number of French bakeries.

According to news reports from July 2020, the bakery chain may close sixteen of its sites in New York City. Le Pain Quotidien purchased the French bakery after it claimed that the “hurdles” of 2020 proved to be “too great to overcome” in the end.

Shoprite

Year Established: 1946
Store Closures: 2 Branches*

In six states, including Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Connecticut, ShopRite has 321 stores. Since it was established in the 1940s, Shoprite has been a favourite among supermarket customers. The grocery chain is more of a retailers’ cooperative.

Over the years, ShopRite has occasionally had to close a few stores, which has reduced its unit count by a few. Tallman and Hudson Valley had the most recent closures in the autumn of 2021. The Shoprite in the Hudson Valley decided to close its doors after 43 years in operation, which severely impacted the neighbourhood.

Sizzler

Year Established: 1958
Store Closures: 6 Branches*

In the autumn of 2020, the Los Angeles restaurant franchise Sizzler filed for bankruptcy. The company was compelled to file for bankruptcy protection since it was struggling to cope with the disastrous effects that the events of 2020 had on enterprises.

Six Sizzlers were permanently shut down as a result of the complaint, despite the fact that numerous states have approved the reopening of eateries. Since 2015, Sizzler has shuttered 19 outlets throughout Australia. Although 2020 and slow sales can be held responsible for Sizzlers’ downfall, the company has had quite a few ups and downs during the course of its decades-long existence, including bankruptcy and brand takeovers.

Dave & Buster’s

Year Established: 1982
Store Closures: Unknown

Since 2020, the restaurant and gaming chain Dave & Busters has experienced a significant slump. The chain’s sales dropped by 75% in the final three months of that year. Many of its locations are still shut down, and it’s unclear whether (or how many) of those businesses will reopen.

Despite the fact that, for a time, it seemed as though Dave & Busters was recovering from 2020, Brian Jenkins, the chain’s CEO, acknowledged that there had been a “setback.” During one fiscal quarter, the total revenue loss surpassed $22 million, and it doesn’t seem like the “eatertainment” venue is out of the woods just yet.

Barnes & Noble

Years Established: 1886
Store Closures: Unknown 

Barnes and Noble has still had to rearrange some of its locations, despite the fact that the events of 2020 momentarily caused a book craze as more and more people became trapped inside and wanted something to do while they waited.

The bookshop will close “some” of its locations even though it intends to add twelve new stores in 2021 and 2022, according to The New York Post. Although the precise number is now unknown, readers everywhere are undoubtedly praying that the cherished bookshop won’t close in their neighbourhood. We can only hope that Barnes and Noble’s upcoming chapter is not its final one because it has outlasted other businesses like Borders.

Family Dollar

Years Established: 1959
Store Closures: 390 Branches* 

Discount retailer Family Dollar is well-liked in local communities all around America. Given that it was a cheap and convenient place to buy clothes, food, household products, and other items when it was first established in the late 1950s, it initially appeared as though all it did was develop and grow. But it seems as though things have changed for Family Dollar.

People who believed the chain was unbeatable were surprised when it revealed it would be closing 390 of its locations. Family Dollar still has more than 8,000 outlets in the United States, so there’s no reason to panic just yet. This fact makes the 390 figure appear less concerning.

New York & Company

Years Established: 1918
Store Closures: 500 Branches*

New York & Company is just another casualty of the “Retail Apocalypse,” a phrase that undoubtedly alludes to the reality that retail establishments across America have been forced to close their doors as the economy deteriorates and rent prices rise.

RTW Retailwinds, the parent company of New York & Company, declared bankruptcy in 2020. The chain attributed the closures to the events of 2020 and said that it will close “a significant portion, if not all” of its physical sites, leaving only the online portion of the company operating. Late in 2020, NY & Co. was acquired, however it is yet unclear what impact it would have on the company’s future.

Olympia Sports

Years Established: 1975
Store Closures: 76 Branches*

In the middle of the 1970s, Olympia Sports was established in Portland, Maine. 152 outlets of this athletic goods and retail chain now exist. The Mid-Atlantic, New England, and New York are home to the majority of these locations, therefore it stands to reason that this area will be the hardest effected by Olympia Sports’ closures.

After the business was acquired by JackRabbit, a different sporting goods firm, in late 2019, it made the announcement that it would close 76 of its locations over the following few years. More than twenty sites in Upstate New York would close, and “out of business” sales would probably take place at those and other locations.

Destination Maternity

Years Established: 1982
Store Closures: 180-201 Branches*

One of the biggest maternity clothing businesses in the world is called Destination Maternity. Since the early 1980s, the motherhood-focused boutique has catered to expectant mothers by offering affordable, fashionable clothing. Fans were shocked when Destination Maternity revealed that it would be seeking bankruptcy protection in 2019 despite owning some of the top maternity brands.

Given that its financial difficulties appear to have started much before than 2020, Destination Maternity was not a casualty of the Retail Apocalypse of 2020. The company disclosed that it would gradually close between 180 and 201 of its stores, including more than 20 locations in California, as a result of filing for Chapter 11 protection.

Lord & Taylor

Years Established: 1826
Store Closures: 38 Branches*

One of the oldest businesses in America, Lord & Taylor was established in Maine in the 1820s. It’s unfortunate to see that the store will progressively close all of its locations. There are now about 30 Lord & Taylor locations open, however they will all close in 2022 along with the others.

Lord & Taylor reopened its stores after forced closures in August of 2020, but the brand began liquidation sales almost immediately. Lord & Taylor filed for Chapter 11, and it announced that it would be closing all of its stores on August 27, 2020. It was bought by Saadia Group for $12 million, and the historic brand will remain open only for online sales.

Costco

Years Established: 1983
Store Closures: All photo booth centers

Although false stories from 2021 suggested that Costco locations would be closing in droves, the company confirmed in February of that year that all of its in-store photo booth facilities would be closing. Evidently, Costco didn’t make enough money from the centres to keep them open.

Fans shouldn’t give up hope or believe that Costco’s future is in doubt, though. In 2022, the bulk retailer will add 25 more warehouses. Therefore, even if they won’t have booths, these will still be fantastic places to shop. The events of 2020 don’t seem to have negatively impacted Costco as much as they do other retailers.

Air Namibia

Year Established: 1946
Store Closures: All 

Since it was founded in 1946, Air Namibia has been a significant airline in that region of the world. Even though it had only nine planes when 2021 rolled around, the company was rapidly failing. The Namibian government made the decision to permanently shut down the airline in February of that same year.

The fact that more than 600 individuals were laid off was undoubtedly painful for the workers. Simply put, there was too much debt to go on. Eventually, its unpaid obligations were bundled into repayment payments that would be paid off in 2021.

Peloton

Year Established: 2012
Store Closures: 15 branches, possibly*

Peloton is a fitness equipment manufacturer that was created in 2012 and is best known for its Internet-connected treadmills and stationary bikes. Peloton subscribers who pay a monthly fee can access streaming media to take part in classes. There are 123 showrooms and two studios at Peloton.

The New York Post reported in mid-January 2022 that the fitness firm was contemplating “store closings” and “job cuts” due to “struggles.” Last year, the business faced criticism after numerous children were hurt by the machines, and John Foley, the CEO of Peloton, was criticised for his slow response. In addition to discussing employment cuts in its apparel section, the NYC-based company is thinking about closing fifteen of its showrooms.

Rite Aid

Year Established: 1962
Store Closures: 63 branches*

Rite Aid, a chain of pharmacies and drugstores that competes directly with CVS, stated in late 2021 that it would be closing 63 locations by the end of 2022. The number of Rite Aid stores that “need” to exist in the United States is being evaluated as a result of these closures.

The closures, according to the retailer, will “reduce costs,” “increase profitability,” and support the chain’s “healthy foundation.” As the months pass and Rite Aid’s study is completed, the precise locations that will close will be known. Rite Aid isn’t the only pharmacy chain to announce location closures; CVS also said it will do so in 2022.

Chick-Fil-A

Year Established: 1946
Store Closures: N/A 

Numerous Chick-fil-A locations have shut down their dining rooms in an effort to “scale back” during the current pandemic, while the exact number is unknown. The long-running, wildly famous fast food company is known for its outstanding customer service as well as its delicious chicken sandwiches and waffle fries.

Although there haven’t been many store closings, aside from a few here and there, locations have experienced staffing issues, and the dining rooms at your neighbourhood Chick-fil-A locations are frequently shuttered. The chain will probably be able to reopen its dining rooms once the staffing issues are resolved and more individuals return to work.

Yankee Candle

Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: 1 branch, likely more to come*

Over the years, Yankee Candle has developed a reputation as a high-end, expensive candle retailer with a large selection of distinctive, high-quality goods. Fans of the Yankee Candle in Bridgeport, West Virginia’s Meadowbrook Mall will be shocked to learn that the store is shutting.

On February 14, 2022, the news was announced, and before the end of the month, Yankee is anticipated to vacate the shopping centre. This isn’t much of a surprise, according to mall authorities, as Yankee Candle is consolidating several of its physical sites countrywide in order to focus on its online business (although the precise number of closures to come is currently unknown).

Kum & Go

Year Established: 1959
Store Closures: 1 branch*

Those who don’t reside in the Midwest might not fully understand what Kum & Go is. The chain of convenience stores began operations in the late 1950s and now has 400 locations throughout eleven states. Its bulk of retail locations are in Iowa, the same state where it was initially established many years ago.

Midway through February 2022, Kum & Go made the decision to close its Drake location. There are two petrol stations and one convenience shop nearby, so Drake residents won’t be completely without access to a Kum & Go. It is anticipated that the 2211 University Ave. facility will close its doors within a few weeks, if not sooner.

Hallmark

Year Established: 1910
Store Closures: 16 branches*

Ownership of Hallmark stores isn’t a “viable business any longer,” according to a Hallmark store owner who spoke to the Forest Park Review, mostly because people aren’t purchasing and sending cards the same way they used to. Hallmark has been rapidly eliminating retail locations as a result of the transition to online and digital sales.

Similar to its rival Papyrus, which closed hundreds of its outlets after Schurman Fine Papers, its parent business, filed for bankruptcy in 2020, it appears to be heading in the same direction. According to owner Facebook posts and local media sources, sixteen Hallmark-branded stores will currently close. In the future, there might be more.

Sears

Year Established: 1893
Store Closures: 10 branches*

Over 3,500 Sears stores were once active across the country. The department store served as an anchor for numerous shopping malls around the nation, thus its decline has surprised many, especially given how prosperous it once was. The list of Sears store closings is ongoing, and the company has added 10 more stores to the list.

There are currently just few Sears left. What happened to this once-famous chain, then? Evidently, the corporation suffered a substantial financial loss of $10.4 billion between 2011 and 2016. It was compelled to sell off assets and lay off workers as its debt started to creep up higher than the value of its stock. The main cause of Sears’ demise was its inability to transition from a mall-based shop model to a more modern one.

Whole Foods

Year Established: 1980
Store Closures: 6 branches*

Since 1980, Whole Foods has been a consistent customer favourite; however, questions surfaced after Amazon acquired the brand in 2017. After all, several people were concerned about what the internet retailer planned to do with the cherished store.

When it was revealed in May 2022 that four Whole Foods outlets would be closing their doors, it did nothing to allay concerns about Amazon’s ambitious aspirations for the firm. However, Amazon does intend to grow soon, so customers shouldn’t worry. One of their spokespeople said that the closures were a result of the stores’ poor performance.

Jet Blue

Year Established: 1998
Store Closures: 27 Route Closures*

The closures in this instance involve planes rather than necessarily “stores.” The airline JetBlue reported that it had either closed down or discontinued 27 routes at the end of March 2022. These routes, the majority of which depart from Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, and Newark, won’t run from May through October.

The summer shutdown followed a 2021 warning from JetBlue’s CEO that the airline had “expanded a lot” and that many routes wouldn’t “stick around.” The airline is saying goodbye to the closures because they are not essential to its operations and will help to streamline services.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Year Established: 1986
Store Closures: 43 

Ten Carrabba’s Italian Grill stores started operating in Canada in the beginning of 2020, and the franchise was having success with its global development. The Italian Grill’s perspective now is a little different, though. Carrabba’s Italian Grill, like the other divisions of Bloomin’ Brands, was not immune to the 2020 worldwide economic crisis.

43 sites are not anticipated to join the rest of the franchise in 2023, according to a recent announcement. Do you yearn for Chicken Bryan with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes on top? Before heading over, do yourself a favour and give the Carrabba’s restaurant a call to make sure it is still open.

American Eagle Outfitters

Year Established: 1977
Store Closures: 200-250 

American Eagle had more than 900 outlets functioning by the beginning of 2021, but not everything was as perfect as it seemed. The performance of several of the retailers’ locations was lacking. The board of directors decided to close some stores in order to reduce some of its losses.

More than some of its stores, at least. 200 to 250 American Eagle Outfitters stores will close soon, according to CFO Mike Mathias, and the business will focus on another of its brands, Aerie. The majority of the American Eagle standalone stores will continue to be open. But if you frequently shop at mall-based stores, you might quickly notice some clearance offers.

Godiva Chocolatier

Year Established: 1926
Store Closures: 128 

Since almost a century ago, Godiva Chocolatier has been enticing taste buds. Without counting the 600+ standalone Godiva stores located throughout Europe, North America, and Asia, there were over 10,000 specialty retailers selling the Belgian chocolates during their height. After experiencing years of success, the chocolatier declared in 2021 that it would be closing more than 125 of its North American stores.

The closures may not always be detrimental. Godiva has changed its strategy and started concentrating more on its internet sale and wholesale sectors as a result of realising the direction the retail business is going.

Five Guys

Year Established: 1986
Store Closures: 27

In 2003, Five Guys made the decision that it was time to franchise out and explore how far its reach could extend after years of market dominance and overall control by large fast-food corporations. Five Guys grew more quickly than anyone could have anticipated, with 1,700 stores across the globe and another 1,300 on the way.

Recent years have seen a slowdown in the expansion. Although many of the 1,300 new locations have yet to open, there have been rumours that Five Guys is planning to reduce its size. It will please burger lovers everywhere to know that this was untrue. Yes, a few of the burger shops were bought by Encore Restaurants LLC, but the 27 franchisees kept serving the same food at the same times as the other 1600+ locations and continued to operate as Five Guys.

Nordstrom

Year Established: 1901
Store Closures: 16 

Since the first Nordstrom store debuted at the start of the 20th century, it has been a household name in the retail sector. With approximately 500 shops spread across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico by the 2000s, Nordstrom’s continuous growth appeared inevitable. The market, however, cannot ever be forecast, as every wise businessperson is aware.

The upscale department store started shifting its customer base to internet sales by the middle of the decade. As a result, Nordstrom didn’t experience too much financial strain when it decided to permanently close sixteen of its retail sites during the 2020 retail store massacre.

Stock+Field

Year Established: 1964
Store Closures: 25 

For more than 50 years, Stock+Field supplied the agricultural and farming needs of Americans. The firm once known as “Big R” fought to stay afloat when the global economy ran into difficulty in 2020 and the world all but came to a stop.

By 2021, Stock+Field had no choice but to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and all 25 of its locations were slated for liquidation. R.P. Lumber acquired the rights to Stock+Field’s remaining assets before the going-out-of-business transaction entered its last stage and renamed the stores as R.P. Home & Harvest.

The Cheesecake Factory

Year Established:1972
Store Closures: N/A

Tens of thousands of American companies shuttered their doors and never opened again amid the economic crisis that the world had to contend with in 2020–2021, including 110,000 eateries. The American locations of The Cheesecake Factory have (so far) managed to stay in business, despite a couple of its international counterparts closing their doors.

Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that Penny from The Big Bang Theory will be present when you visit the Cheesecake Factory, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a good time nonetheless. There are more than 30 different cheesecake flavours available, but ‘The Factory’ has more to offer. The restaurant also offers lunch and supper menus with a selection of delectable dishes not included on the dessert menu.

Bloomingdale’s

Year Established: 1861
Store Closures: 1 

In the spring of 2020, Bloomingdale’s temporarily ceased operations at each of its sites, similar to many other retailers. The upscale American department store started working towards a phased reopening as the year went on. The months of closure had a negative impact on Bloomingdale’s’ financial situation.

As of 2022, the Macy’s subsidiary has reopened many of its sites, even if Rachel Green’s favourite apparel store has yet to regain its former splendour. The Santa Monica Place branch of Bloomingdale’s in Santa Monica, California, is the only one that has been permanently shuttered so far.

Sbarro

Year Established: 1956
Store Closures: 300+

Sbarro has been serving ‘New York Style’ pizza for more than 50 years; the company was established in Brooklyn, New York, in 1956. The pizza restaurant had more than 600 sites when it was at its busiest in the early 2000s, but over the next ten years, that number gradually dropped.

The number of Sbarro retail stores had decreased to just 318 by 2016 due to fewer people eating at mall food courts. Numerous further pizzerias had to close due to the 2020 economic crisis. Before the World Trade Centre mall was devastated in the 9/11 attacks, it housed the busiest Sbarro restaurant.

Century 21

Year Established: 1961
Store Closures: 13

Since 1961, Century 21 has been a part of the American retail landscape (the department store chain, not the real estate company). Never one of the industry’s titans, Century 21’s 13 retail sites had a committed following of patrons dispersed around the Northeastern States who were shocked to learn of the store’s bankruptcy in December 2020.

Longtime customers of Century 21 have finally heard some good news after more than a year of yearning. The Gindi Family, who founded the business, and a private investor repurchased Century 21’s intellectual property in 2021 for just $9 million. It’s planned for 2023 for the lower Manhattan facility to reopen for regular business.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Year Established: 1892
Store Closures: 137 

Since its founding in 1892, Abercrombie & Fitch has offered casual clothing to Americans. Mall-based sites have started to appear everywhere over the past two decades, and by 2020, there were more than 800 Abercrombie stores worldwide. Expansion has slowed to a stop since 2020.

It even went backwards at times. If you appreciate people “that wear Abercrombie & Fitch,” like the 90s American pop band LFO, you probably won’t be happy to learn that 137 retail sites will close their doors in 2020. Surprisingly, the 137 establishments occupied more than 1.1 million square feet of excellent space in some of the biggest cities in North America.

Chipotle

Year Established: 1993
Store Closures: 65

For the Chipotle staff, the summer of 2018 was anything but happy and bright. After 25 years, the company moved its headquarters from Denver, upsetting the lives of more than 400 employees. Then, pink slips were distributed to 65 sites’ worth of workers. Could it possibly go worse? No doubt.

Like the majority of other food companies, Chipotle was impacted by the 2020 economic crisis. The main distinction? Chipotle not only made it through, but it is now back to growing. There are 200 more locations than there were prior to the crisis two years ago.

Amazon

Year Established: 1994
Store Closures: 68

As one of the e-commerce pioneers, Amazon has gone through the highs and lows of the business world’s roller coaster. Over the years, the company has tried out a countless number of items and concepts, many of which were less successful than anticipated.

The actual Amazon bookshops, the Amazon Pop Up shops, and Amazon 4-star were among the “good, not great” concepts. Amazon decided to close the 68 (combined) locations because these stores had lower profit margins than wanted, steering its ship towards a future without brick-and-mortar stores.

Signet

Year Established: 1949
Store Closures: 100

One of the biggest diamond dealers in the world, Signet, previously had approximately 3,000 outlets spread across more than a dozen nations. Signet was at the top of its game by the winter of 2018, but the majority of its locations were mall-based, which the business would not recognise as an issue until a few years later.

Signet’s mall-based outlets were no longer as effective as they previously were after more than a year of consumers shunning malls. One hundred of the diamond retailer’s physical shops were closed in 2021 due to a move towards internet sales.

Tuesday Morning

Year Established: 1974
Store Closures: 200+

The 2020 business strategy for Tuesday Morning was severely impacted by prolonged closures, and before the summer season arrived, the cheap home goods retailer filed for Chapter 11. However, the Dallas-based business pulled off the unthinkable and emerged from bankruptcy just six months later, reclaiming its assets and starting over.

Nearly one-fourth of TUEM outlets were closed as part of the company’s restructuring strategy following the “Red Wedding” of retail. The good news for Tuesday Morning didn’t stop there; one year after being delisted from NASDAQ, it was once again listed. The narrative of Tuesday Morning shows how to overcome obstacles in order to retrieve what is rightfully yours.

Hooters

Year Established: 1983
Store Closures: 4

Hooters has been in the news for a variety of reasons since it first opened, from the uniform requirements for its servers to wear tight tops and short shorts to the gender discrimination lawsuit the wing bar faced in the late 1990s. Hooters re-evaluated and revised its business model in response to the #MeToo movement to incorporate ‘Hoots,’ a comparable restaurant where employees are fully clad.

Only four Hooters (or 1.3% of its locations) have closed their doors as a result of this choice and the economic difficulties that businesses around the world faced in 2020. That’s not too awful, given that the economic crisis affected more than 10% of eateries in the US.

Forever21

Year Established: 1984
Store Closures: 178

For more than 20 years, Forever21 has provided clothing for 30-somethings who are frantically trying to maintain their youth. Midway through the decade of the 2010s, fashion had changed, and Forever was no longer hot. Forever21 was forced into a difficult situation as its sales fell 32% in 2019 and the company had limited options.

2019’s fall saw Forever21 declare bankruptcy. The business closed 178 of its American stores and withdrew from more than three dozen other nations shortly after the news. A collection of mall owners, including BPYPP, spent $81 million on Groundhog Day in 2020 to acquire all of Forever 21’s remaining assets.

Toys R Us

Year Established: 1948
Store Closures: 2 

For children who were growing up in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Toys R Us was at (or close to) the top of the list of places to be. Before the internet and online shopping, buying presents for those who are children or children at heart meant going to the big toy store.

Even though many of its overseas sites are still operational, Toys R Us’ American division started liquidating its 700+ U.S.-based stores in 2018. The company’s engagement with American customers spanned more than 70 years when its final toys were sold in 2021 at its two remaining stores, The Galleria in Houston and Paramus, New Jersey.

Bose

Year Established: 1964
Store Closures: 119 

This electronics business has been supplying superior, grade-A, “ain’t no sound like it,” audio equipment to homes for seven decades. Over the years, customers have enjoyed a variety of Bose products, from vehicle sound systems to noise-cancelling headphones. Bose recently had to change course and adjust to the retail industry or risk falling behind.

Bose made the difficult decision to shut down all 119 of its brick-and-mortar stores in order to concentrate on its online business in late 2019 or early 2020. The choice was wise because it came before the economic catastrophe that began just a few months later.

Topshop

Year Established: 1964
Store Closures: 11 

Topshop, which has been in business in the UK for more than 50 years, replicated the “British Invasion” strategy when it entered the American market. 2009 saw the opening of the first American outpost on Broadway in New York. Eight years later, there were eleven Topshop shops open in America, but none of them were doing as well as anticipated.

After only ten years of American business, Topshop’s U.S. partner Arcadia filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in 2019 and permanently shut its doors. Even if Topshop stores aren’t open to the public, you can still purchase their products online and at participating Nordstroms.

Papa Johns

Year Established: 1984
Store Closures: 51

Given the competition, it says a lot that what began in 1984 as a pizza operation in the back of a man’s father’s bar has grown into one of the top 5 global pizza delivery franchises. Although there are now more than 5,000 Papa John’s pizzerias in more than 45 nations, the majority of Papa John’s business still originates from the United States.

Following a couple disappointing quarters in 2018, 51 of Papa John’s worst failing locations were closed. The Indiana-born pizza firm changed its name as recently as November 2021 by getting rid of the apostrophe before the’s’ in ‘Johns.’

Pier 1 Imports

Year Established: 1962
Store Closures: 540

Since 1962, Pier 1 Imports has been presenting North Americans with a range of distinctive home furniture and accents. By the end of 2019, the business had launched its 1000th store, and it seemed like anything was possible.

Prior to the start of the 2020 global financial crisis, the top brass at Pier 1 had already made it known that it intended to find a buyer for the company due to the rise of internet shopping and a declining customer base. Pier 1 closed all 540 of its locations across the United States and Canada due to the economic climate and is currently listed under the category “Defunct Businesses.”

Stein Mart

Year Established: 1908 
Store Closures: 279

In Greenville, Mississippi, Stein Mart was established over a century ago as a general merchandise department store. During its third decade in business, the company began to resemble the one that customers from earlier remembered and adored by shifting its focus to discount apparel.

Stein Mart, which has nearly 300 outlets across the United States and a promising future, was particularly heavily struck by the worldwide economic crisis of 2020. The inexpensive clothes business filed for Chapter 11 in August 2020 after failing to survive the summer. By Halloween of that year, the final Stein Mart location had shut down, making the Jacksonville-based retailer inoperable.

Fry’s Electronics

Year Established: 1985
Store Closures: 30

Fry’s Electronics had everything you required, whether it was a new waffle maker for Saturday morning breakfasts with the family, gardening equipment, or parts to improve your PC. The one-stop store started out in Sunnyvale, California, and spread fast to eight other states.

The end of February 2021 saw Fry’s Electronics announce that it would be halting operations immediately, and the closures were permanent, citing “challenges posed” by the events of 2020 as one of the key explanations.

J.C. Penney

Year Established: 1902
Store Closures: 156 

The introduction of internet shopping has had a significant negative impact on J.C. Penney’s sales, along with those of many other businesses that used a similar business model. J.C. Penney filed for bankruptcy as a result of the 2020 economic crisis and a shift in the business environment.

Simon Property Group and Brookfield Management have reached an agreement to purchase J.C. Penney in the autumn of 2020 for a combined debt and cash price of around $800 million. Only 156 locations (90 in the US) were closed as a result of the company’s sale. Additionally, it signified that J.C. Penney as a store name had survived.

Michaels

Year Established: 1973
Store Closures: 5

Michaels undoubtedly has everything you need if you want to hand-paint wooden frames for images of your most priceless memories or use personalised crafts to decorate your home. Do you intend to have a kid or grandchild soon? Michaels carries all the supplies you’ll need to knit “blankies,” frilly hats, and scratch-free mittens for the upcoming baby.

With the exception of Hawaii, Michaels had close to 1,000 sites operating in 49 states by 2021, and its sales for the previous year were $5.3+ billion. Nevertheless, late that year, Michaels’ top executives sold the company to Apollo Global Management for $3.3 billion and $22 per share of the company’s outstanding stock.

Cracker Barrel

Year Established: 1969
Store Closures: TBC

Since its founding in 1969, Cracker Barrel has been providing service to patrons, much to the delight of many Americans around the nation. The restaurant business has over 600 sites, however there have been rumours in recent years that the chain may be considering closures.

Since its founding in 1969, Cracker Barrel has been providing service to patrons, much to the delight of many Americans around the nation. The restaurant business has over 600 sites, however there have been rumours in recent years that the chain may be considering closures.

Price Chopper

Year Established: 1973
Store Closures: 1

For the “people who love food…and low prices,” we’re known for constantly offering “fresher ways to save.” In 1973, Price Chopper launched its operations under its current moniker. Over the next forty years, Price Chopper opened more than 130 stores throughout the Northeastern United States, appearing to be unstoppable.

The Northeast Grocery firm was founded in 2021 as a result of the merger of Price Chopper and Tops supermarkets, both of which kept their original shop identities. Some locations are eliminated during mergers, as is typically the case, and this was no exception. The most recent Price Chopper to announce its closure was the Merle Hay Road facility in Des Moines, Iowa. The last day of it will be September 18, 2022.

ACME Markets

Year Established: 1891
Store Closures: 1

Most people associate the ACME corporation with the defective devices and traps the coyote is continuously using to capture the road runner. Not the enormously popular grocery company that has operated since 1891 and has as many as 161 stores in the Northeast of America,

Before a shift in the market led to a number of store closures, Albertsons had nearly two decades of success with the brand after purchasing ACME from American Stores as part of its grocery store acquisition in 1999. Three sites closed in 2016, and a few more followed over the following few years—the most recent being one in New Jersey at the beginning of 2022.

Bed, Bath & Beyond

Year Established: 1971
Store Closures: 37

Since 1971, there has only been one place to go if you needed something for the bathroom, the bedroom or something that was beyond anything you could have ever dreamed you may need. Beyond the Bedding.

Bed, Bath & Beyond had more than 1,500 locations at its height, spread throughout fifty states in the United States and six other nations. The company had a promising future going into 2020, but the economic crisis had a negative impact on the shop. There is only a third of the year left in 2022, yet Bed, Bath & Beyond has already announced the closure of 37 locations.

Super Foodtown

Year Established: 1955
Store Closures: 1

Midway through the 1950s, Foodtown was created and nurtured in New Jersey, but as it grew, it was forced to expand to neighbouring states including New York, eastern Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Over the following couple decades, Foodtown grew steadily until it had more than 160 stores.

Foodtown continues to lose locations even with its current location count in the 60s. The Super Foodtown in Ocean Township, New Jersey, at the intersection of Deal Road and Route 35 will cease operations permanently on August 12, 2022, citing an inability to reach an agreement on a new lease.

Panera

Year Established: 1997
Store Closures: 100+

Assume you reside in the United States or some Southern Ontario cities and enjoy fresh bread, salads, sandwiches, and affordable costs. There’s a decent possibility you’d like what Panera has to offer in such situation. Panera, which means “bread basket” in Latin, launched its first site in 1997 and had rapid growth over the next 23 years, amassing around 2,000 outlets by the year 2020.

Panera experienced the restaurant apocalypse that followed the worldwide economic crisis in 2020–2021, much like the majority of the hospitality industry. The issue caused Panera to lose a lot of stores, and the number is still growing. The Union Square location in New York stopped taking orders on August 2, 2022.

Panera

Year Established: 1997
Store Closures: 100+

Assume you reside in the United States or some Southern Ontario cities and enjoy fresh bread, salads, sandwiches, and affordable costs. There’s a decent possibility you’d like what Panera has to offer in such situation. Panera, which means “bread basket” in Latin, launched its first site in 1997 and had rapid growth over the next 23 years, amassing around 2,000 outlets by the year 2020.

Panera experienced the restaurant apocalypse that followed the worldwide economic crisis in 2020–2021, much like the majority of the hospitality industry. The issue caused Panera to lose a lot of stores, and the number is still growing. The Union Square location in New York stopped taking orders on August 2, 2022.

Lidl

Year Established: 1932
Store Closures: 1

Since 1932, Lidl has offered low-cost goods to German consumers, but it wasn’t until 2017 that the company expanded to the United States. Lidl opened more than 300 stores in nine states during its first five years operating in the United States, living the “American Dream.”

An already crowded market makes the risky practise of rapid expansion increasingly riskier. The most recent Lidl outlet to close (July 31, 2022) was in Danville, Virginia due to subpar sales and a general lack of interest in the store.

Costco

Year Established: 1983
Store Closures: 1

When Costco first appeared on the market in 1983, it adopted the profitable business strategy that Price Club, its forerunner, had successfully tried. It’s a big-box retailer and wholesaler where you can purchase absurdly large amounts of items for a lot less than you would pay at a conventional retailer. Instead of customers, Costco has members. And the store is exclusively open to members.

Tens of thousands of people are members of Costco, which has opened more than 800 warehouses in twelve different countries. The Springdale, Ohio location’s members will have to find a new club to join though, since theirs is set to close in the autumn of 2022, more than two decades after it first opened.

Fallas

Year Established: 1962
Store Closures: Unknown

A bargain retail chain with around 350 outlets has grown out of what Joseph Fallas started as a discount store to beat all discount stores in Los Angeles in the 1960s. You could probably find anything you wanted at a Fallas store, and it would be as cheap as chips.

Fallas stores across the country have begun closing their doors, including the Mission Street store in San Francisco, which was only open for nine years, citing the difficulties brought on by the lack of consumers in 2020 and 2021 and the lack of disposable income clients had in 2022.

Great Lakes Coffee

Year Established: 1994
Store Closures: 2

The Great Lakes Coffee company was founded by Greg and Lisa Miracle in the mid-1990s. Although it never achieved the same level of global success as some of its competitors, it has amassed a sizable following due to its commitment to the local community. But you have to walk the walk if you’re going to talk the talk.

In February 2022, workers at two Great Lakes Coffee outlets in Detroit demanded safer working conditions and higher pay. The ownership did nothing. Instead, the two stores were closed, leaving Great Lakes with just three open locations and the employees without jobs. Fans of Great Lakes Coffee might soon start using Starbucks instead.

Sprouts Farmers Market

Year Established: 2002
Store Closures: 2

In Chandler, Arizona, the first Sprouts Farmers Market debuted in 2002. To differentiate itself from its rivals, Sprouts concentrated on organic foods and nutritional supplements. The business plan was successful. At its height, Sprouts operated over 400 locations, making it one of the country’s biggest grocery chains of its sort. Even though some of its stores have shuttered after 20 years in business, Sprouts Farmers Market is still thriving.

The Mountain View and Fremont stores, both of which were located in the San Francisco Bay area, were the most recent Sprouts Farmers Market locations to close on June 3, 2022.

Borden Dairy

Year Established: 2009
Store Closures: 2

Since its establishment in 2009, the Dallas-based Borden Dairy has played a significant role in supplying milk and other dairy products to the south of the country. Sadly, Borden Dairy filed for Chapter 11 in 2020 (pre-pandemic) as a result of increased raw milk prices as well as a number of other problems.

In two years, on September 30, 2022, the Borden Dairy plants in Alabama and Mississippi will shut down. However, the corporation is not abandoning its devoted and diligent employees. Current employees of the facilities will have the opportunity to apply for jobs at other Borden Dairy factories and will get assistance as they navigate this novel and difficult period.

Maybelline

Year Established: 1914
Store Closures: Unconfirmed

Maybelline has been a staple of the mainstream cosmetic market since it was launched in 1914. The beauty care brand, which had a considerable presence in its native continent of Europe as well as in North America and Canada, began to grow into China in 1997. Over the course of the following two and a half decades, it opened more than 5,000 outlets in more than 130 cities.

The market picture has shifted in recent years due to increased local rivalry and consumer desire in pricey brands. Maybelline had held more than 15% of the Chinese market, but has since announced the closure of at least 80 of its physical stores there.

Pick ‘n Save

Year Established: 1975
Store Closures: 1

Pick ‘n Save was first founded as a warehouse grocery shop in 1975. But as time went on, it changed into one of Wisconsin’s most well-known and popular grocery stores. There are currently 93% of the state’s locations (and close to 10,000 employees) spread throughout those locations.

Even though the year 2020 was terrible for the retail and hotel sectors, the consequences of the financial crisis are still being felt today. Pick ‘n Save should count itself fortunate that only a small number of its facilities have closed, including the Ruby Isle branch, which is scheduled to do so on September 3, 2022. Grocery stores are closing left, right, and centre these days.

Full Service Barbeque

Year Established: 2008
Store Closures: 3 

Anthony DiFranco III, a chef and entrepreneur, created Full Service BBQ. Full Service BBQ prided itself on being “not just a pit stop,” serving its customers made-to-order, premium southern BBQ at affordable prices. Full Service featured everything you could possibly want and then some, whether you liked ribs, rump, sirloin, or a traditional handcrafted burger.

For 15 years, DiFranco III’s Full Service BBQ was a mainstay in Lenoir City, Farragut, and Maryville, Tennessee. However, at the beginning of August 2022, all three locations and the company’s food trucks put out their last fires, citing financial difficulties as the cause of their closure.

Plowboys BBQ

Year Established: 2001
Store Closures: All

Business owners should learn from 2020 and 2021 that the hotel sector is not as stable as originally believed. The industry had prospered for generations when everything suddenly came to a standstill. The founders of Plowboys BBQ were done taking chances after emerging from the global economic crisis in what seemed to be halfway respectable shape.

Randy Hink, Todd Johns, and the other two founders of the business have decided to hang up their BBQ tongs and retire from the restaurant business after more than two decades of above-average success, thus closing down all of the Plowboys locations.

GEICO

Year Established: 1936
Store Closures: 38

For more than eight decades, the GEICO gecko, who is considered to be everyone’s favourite reptilian representative, has been selling insurance both in person and over the phone in every state. But starting in August 2022, it won’t be the case anymore.

The presence of GEICO in California has essentially disappeared. The 38 GEICO locations in the Sunshine State have all been shut down, leaving hundreds of employees without work and Californians who have problems using the internet without any other way to sign up for GEICO insurance plans. The parent company of GEICO, BRK, offers a number of additional companies that may be of assistance if you need insurance.

Zoës Kitchen

Year Established: 1995
Store Closures: 1*

Zo’s Kitchen had gone a long way from its humble beginnings as a single Mediterranean restaurant in Homewood, Alabama, to having 90 outlets spread over 15 states. When it first opened, Zo’s Kitchen stood apart in a neighbourhood that was primarily known for BBQ and deep-fried meals.

It seems like the rest of America has finally caught up to Zos after a quarter of a century. Now that Mediterranean and Middle Eastern grills are prevalent, Zo’s Kitchen, one of the southern pioneers of the cuisine, has been forgotten.

Dollar General

Year Established: 1955
Store Closures: Unconfirmed

Due to sudden and unforeseen economic crises, some businesses have been forced to close, while others have overextended and underestimated their own success. Unfortunately, neither of those explanations is the cause of Dollar General’s store closures.

On the other side, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the US Department of Labour has identified a few Dollar General stores as having “Critical Safety Issues.” These problems are related to the existence of potentially fatal and hazardous conditions in the stores. You question what could have resulted in the closures. In some of the stores, the emergency exits were barred or padlocked. Additionally, they were marketing at least a dozen goods that contained dangerous chemicals.

Gopuff

Year Established: 2013
Store Closures: 76*

Gopuff, which was founded less than ten years ago as a delivery business for hookahs and hookah accessories, has grown into a comprehensive on-demand delivery service that offers consumers practically everything they would purchase at their neighbourhood convenience shop. Gopuff had a staggering $15 billion market cap as of the summer of 2021, but it hasn’t stopped it from experiencing its fair share of problems.

Gopuff, which is still regarded as a start-up despite its enormous success over the years, stated it will be closing 76 of its U.S. warehouse locations, essentially forcing over 1,500 employees (more than 10% of its global workforce) to look for new jobs.

Smithfield Foods

Year Established: 1936
Store Closures: 1*

Smithfield commodities, which has been producing and processing pork and other commodities since the 1930s, is more well-known than simply in America; it also has processing plants in a dozen other nations. Along with the more than 2,000 independent pig farmers that have contracts with the now-Chinese-owned corporation, Smithfield Foods operates more than 500 U.S. farms alone.

Smithfield Foods’ top brass has made the difficult decision to halt operations at the company’s Vernon, California, meatpacking plant by early 2023, citing the escalating expenses of doing business in the Golden State. Around 2,000 Smithfield employees will soon be out of a job as a result of the decision.

YMCA

Year Established: 1844
Store Closures: Unknown

There was a period when staying at the YMCA was enjoyable. That overwhelming urge to join the ranks of the Young Men’s Christian Association has substantially decreased in certain regions as a result of the epidemic, which has led many people to reevaluate their decisions to join community and fitness centres.

For instance, a YMCA in Southern Maine experienced a membership decline of more than two-thirds in the years 2020–2021 and has yet to fully recover. As a result, it was regrettably announced that the Y site would close on September 2, 2022.

Hale and Hearty

Year Established: 1990
Store Closures: 16*

The classic mealtime pairing of a hearty soup and a well-made sandwich was something brothers Jonathan and Andrew Schnipper recognised. They had such a strong belief in the idea that they opened Hale and Hearty Soups at 849 Lexington Avenue, which is now a well-known lunch destination in New York City.

Over time, more Hale and Hearty restaurants started to appear. The idea even made its way to Boston and Long Island due to their popularity. Every single one of the sixteen Hale and Hearty locations in New York will close in July 2022 without prior notice or explanation.

StubHub

Year Established: 2000
Store Closures: 3*

StubHub was established in 2000, at the height of the dot-com boom, as a one-stop marketplace for the purchase and sale of event tickets of all varieties. More than 25% of StubHub’s staff members who work in the United States are headquartered in the San Francisco location. The China and Shanghai City locations are also home to more than 100 additional employees.

At the very least, they did. The eBay-owned platform has announced the impending closures of those 3 office sites, citing the 2020–2021 global economic crisis as a major factor in the choice.

Hy-Vee

Year Established: 1930 
Store Closures: 2*

Since almost a century ago, Hy-Vee has offered customers baked products, a well-stocked delicatessen, lovely floral arrangements, wines & spirits, prescription needs, and a pre-prepared food section with a large selection of ready-to-eat meals. Almost two football fields are the size of its largest present location, and even larger stores are being planned.

The corporation is not exempt from store closures and repurposing, however, just because additional stores are planned. In fact, it was revealed at the end of 2021 that two Hy-Vee stores would close their doors by the spring of 2022.

Jokr

Year Established: 2021 
Store Closures: Exiting US

Jokr, like many other online grocery delivery services, seems to emerge during the pandemic and the “stay at home” movement. To avoid going to the stores personally, more and more individuals started using delivery. However, it appears that Jokr’s US activities weren’t made to stay.

The app stated in June 2021 that it would stop operating in the US and concentrate on business in Latin America. Many clients are now forced to hunt for an other method of getting food delivered directly to their doors after the company formerly served New York and Boston.

Wells Fargo

Year Established: 1852
Store Closures: Over a dozen locations

Despite being one of America’s oldest financial organisations, Wells Fargo won’t necessarily continue in the manner in which its clients have grown accustomed over time. Wells Fargo has also disclosed the closing of more than a dozen physical stores, joining Bank of America in doing so.

With the popularity of online banking, more and more banks are closing their physical locations. For individuals who like doing business over the counter, it might be a little frustrating, but from a commercial standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to keep the lights on when foot traffic is continuously falling.

Olive Garden

Year Established: 1982
Store Closures: Over 40 locations 

45 Olive Garden stores will be closing across the country, primarily as a result of a drop in business during the COVID-19 outbreak. The majority of these Olive Garden restaurants were older, smaller ones found in Florida, California, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The chain intends to eliminate an additional 40 restaurants within the following two years, in addition to current wave of closures. These places can be found in Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, and Ohio, among other states. As part of their parting packages from Olive Garden, all impacted employees will get transition support. Customers who frequented these places voiced their regret at their closing in social media posts and articles, as well as their good recollections.

Party City

Year Established: 1986 
Store Closures: 31 Branches*

The beloved centre of celebration, Party City, has unluckily encountered a problem. Since 1986, it has provided flavour to events, but it now faces the task of closing 31 locations in response to a number of issues, such as the global supply chain problem and obstacles brought on by the pandemic.

But CEO Brad Weston has outlined a strategy for a tenacious return, keeping the company afloat and the holiday joy alive. It’s a monument to their tenacity and shows that even the party business can pull together when the going gets tough.

Big Lots

Year Established: 1967
Store Closures: 4 Branches*

Big Lots, the legendary department store since 1967, is undergoing a lot of change. Before the end of 2023, there will be additional closures after the four Colorado locations that have already shut their doors. But don’t worry! Big Lots is committed to thriving in this dynamic retail environment.

The CEO and thinker Bruce Thorn is changing things up to keep up with the trends. Long-term growth and smart decisions are key. So bid adieu to a few shops, raise your cheap coffee mugs and get ready for a revolution in retail. You can rely on Big Lots to provide you with exceptional discounts and a memorable shopping experience.

Morphe Cosmetics

Year Established: 2008
Store Closures: 18 Branches*

The popular cosmetics company Morphe Cosmetics is discovering that the beauty business isn’t as dazzling as it first appears. Morphe has distinguished itself since its founding in 2008 with vibrant colours and high-quality goods.

The closing of 18 businesses, however, presents a different picture. The company’s decision to move its emphasis to wholesale and e-commerce activities is an example of a larger trend in the retail sector. Beauty lovers should exhale with relief, though, as Morphe’s goods will still be offered online and at a few select U.S. retailers.

Belk

Year Established: 1888
Store Closures: 1 Branch*

The Selma, Alabama, branch of regional department store giant Belk, which has a distinguished history stretching back to 1888, may soon close. For many people, Belk was more than simply a store; it was a mainstay, a haven for fashion, filled with well-known names and their own chic designs.

Belk’s ambitious ambition to adapt to and dominate the changing retail scene includes this choice. It’s like a makeover montage where they meticulously examine their operations and adjust their business plans to match the needs of the ever evolving fashion industry.

Dirt Cheap

Year Established: 1997
Store Closures: 13 Branches*

Since its inception as a “extreme value retailer” in 1997, Dirt Cheap has been providing customers with major brand returns and overstock at discount prices. The business, which is a subsidiary of Channel Control Merchants, is attempting to close 13 locations.

These closures, which are concentrated in Texas, are a result of a calculated effort to reposition the company for long-term growth without sacrificing the value it provides to customers. But value lovers need not worry! Dirt Cheap is still dedicated to its goal and evolving with the marketplace. Get ready for bargains that will be much better!

Dollar Tree Store

Year Established: 1986
Store Closures: 2 Branches*

Since 1986, our favourite discount variety store, Dollar Tree, has been our go-to place for amazing prices. They are closing two of their stores. Although challenging, this action represents Dollar Tree’s deliberate response to a retail landscape that is continually changing.

Despite these closures, Dollar Tree is adamant about maintaining its commitment to providing consumers with the value and convenience they’ve come to expect. Get ready for the next installment of the Dollar Tree story by gathering your shopping lists. They’re prepared to rule the world of deals and excite your wallet.

The RealReal

Year Established: 2011
Store Closures: 6 Branches*

The RealReal, a leader in luxury consignment since 2011, is making difficult choices in order to be competitive in an industry that is evolving quickly. The business announced the sad layoffs of 230 workers and the closing of six of its stores. This is a part of a larger cost-cutting drive to maintain competitiveness and lower operating costs.

In order to manage the constantly shifting fashion industry while upholding its ecological beliefs, The RealReal is implementing strategic modifications. Prepare yourself for a refreshed experience with premium consignment that will continue to boost your style and help create a more sustainable future.

Champs Sports

Year Established: 1984
Store Closures: 125 Branches*

Champs Sports, a well-known sports retailer founded in 1984, has long been the go-to place for fans of athletic apparel. Unfortunately, as part of a wider corporate reorganisation started by its parent company, Foot Locker, the corporation has announced the closure of 125 underperforming sites.

Despite making up a quarter of all of their locations, this tactical choice aims to improve profitability, streamline operations, and preserve a strong brand presence. In addition to continuing to serve its devoted clientele, Champs Sports is committed to fostering an engaging, inclusive, and motivational shopping environment in each of its remaining stores.

buybuy Baby

Year Established: 1996
Store Closures: 122 Branches*

Since 1996, buybuy Baby has played a significant role in many parents’ parenting journeys. The baby gear retailer helped parents navigate the fascinating world of parenthood by providing everything from diapers to high chairs. However, buybuy Baby has sadly announced the closing of all 122 stores in 37 states due to a turn of circumstances brought on by Bed Bath & Beyond, its parent business.

Despite the disappointing news, buybuy Baby is still dedicated to offering parents a wide range of baby supplies. Through June 30, 2023, shoppers will be able to purchase high-quality goods at discounted prices during liquidation sales. The closing of these storefronts signifies the end of an era, but buybuy Baby still fulfils a crucial demand for parents and families online.

Journeys

Year Established: 1986
Store Closures: 100+ Branches*

A difficult chapter in the history of Journeys, the footwear and apparel company that has been creating trends since 1986, will be marked by the closure of more than 100 stores. But this choice is not a misstep; rather, it is a calculated response to shifting customer demand.

Journeys is preparing for the marathon ahead by concentrating on improving its e-commerce strategy and streamlining processes. Closing outlets is a clever decision to save up to $40 million and provide the business a solid foundation for the future. Journeys is dedicated to walking alongside its clients even when times are tough.

Harmon

Year Established: 1971
Store Closures: 50 Branches*

As a result of the bankruptcy of its parent business, Bed Bath & Beyond, Harmon, a reputable brand in the health and beauty sector since 1971, has also suffered. A sincere farewell to their devoted customers who have been at their side for more than 50 years is indicated by the announcement that all 50 of the company’s remaining branches will close by the end of June 2023.

Harmon is dedicated to delivering quality and value through its online platform despite these difficult times. The business intends to concentrate more on e-commerce by offering a more user-friendly and customer-focused buying experience.

Christmas Tree Shops

Year Established: 1970
Store Closures: 10 Branches*

This year’s holiday season is tinged with melancholy as the beloved Christmas Tree Shops, who have been spreading joy and holiday happiness since 1970, battle the harsh winds of financial hardship. The quaint shop, a symbol of all that is joyful, is now burdened by Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which spreads a sense of hopelessness among its devoted customer base.

The news that 10 branches out of the 82 will be hanging up their garlands for the last time comes as a lump of coal in a Christmas stocking. Despite the silence that will surround these outlets, the remaining businesses remain dedicated to upholding the tradition and pledging to carry on with their goal of sharing life’s special moments with their devoted patrons.

Amazon Go

Year Established: 2016
Store Closures: 8 Branches*

Online retailer Amazon is saying goodbye to eight of its cutting-edge Amazon Go locations in an unexpected move. This tactical change suggests a renewed focus on internet operations despite allegations of internal dissatisfaction and layoffs. Amazon will no longer operate these physical storefronts in Seattle, New York, and San Francisco, but it will continue to offer a superior online shopping experience.

It provides a window into the evolving retail environment, where innovation and convenience continue to flourish. Get ready for Amazon’s online journey’s next chapter as they change how we shop in a matter of clicks.

JOANN

Year Established: 1943
Store Closures: 8 Branches*

The JOANN arts and crafts chain, a refuge for imaginative people, is getting ready to close eight of its more than 800 locations worldwide. Since its founding in 1943, JOANN has served as a welcoming location for craft lovers by providing a wide range of creative supplies. However, behind its confines, the sounds of a new era are echoing.

The choice to close stores, which is a part of a larger change to the physical retail landscape, denotes an inevitable transition to online commerce. While the closure of these stores evokes nostalgia, JOANN’s tenacity mirrors a shared resolve among merchants to withstand and adapt to the circumstances.

Men’s Wearhouse

Year Established: 1973
Store Closures: 150 Branches*

Men’s Wearhouse, a titan in men’s fashion since 1973, is at a turning point. The business has made the agonising decision to close every outlet in the US and Canada in reaction to the turbulent winds of the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation is representative of the struggle shops confront as consumer behaviour significantly transforms in favour of internet purchasing.

Men’s Wearhouse’s closure highlights the transformation of the retail industry and raises concerns about the viability of traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.

Brooks Brothers

Year Established: 1818
Store Closures: 75 Branches*

As we tell the history of Brooks Brothers, the oldest apparel retailer in the US, we invite you to enter the world of timeless style. It was founded in 1818, has survived several storms throughout history, and now must contend with the ongoing difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic. Authentic Brands and Simon Property intervene with a $325 million rescue agreement, giving rise to some glimmer of optimism.

Though the path to the future necessitates difficult decisions, 75 stores that are a part of its rich heritage will close. We do, however, hope that the new proprietors and committed team are committed to making sure this legendary fashion refuge remains, defining timeless style for future generations.

McCormick & Schmick’s

Year Established: 2009
Store Closures: 1 Branch*

McCormick & Schmick’s Steakhouse, which opened in 2009, is the definition of great dining and has a stellar reputation. However, the recent upheaval in the economy resulted in an unexpected announcement: the closure of its sole store in Central Ohio.

With Mastro’s, a high-end concept from its parent business, Houston-based hospitality group Landry’s, Inc., the steakhouse will soon be replaced, the change does not represent an end but rather a transition. Get ready to enjoy in the next chapter of culinary perfection, featuring searing steaks and a fine dining experience.

Primanti Bros.

Year Established: 1933
Store Closures: 2 Branches*

Primanti Bros., a Pittsburgh-based company famous for its storied sandwich restaurants, said goodbye to its two remaining stores in Michigan. The abrupt closure, which stunned both patrons and staff, presents a painful image of the constant constraints faced by the restaurant business.

Customers’ online rumours about the closures’ precise causes are stoked by the lack of clarity. Some claim that COVID-19’s effects altered the restaurants and caused a difference in how they felt. Others mention inflation as well as rising food and other spending costs. Alterations in management could also play a role. The real reason for the closures is still unknown.

Green Zebra

Year Established: 2013
Store Closures: 3 Branches* 

The three remaining locations of Green Zebra, a renowned Portland-based grocery shop noted for its charming blend of neighbourhood convenience and speciality goods, will close. Since its launch in 2013, this distinctive grocery chain has become a cherished element of the community, changing the idea of shopping with its avant-garde strategy.

Portland’s food economy has received substantial support from Green Zebra, which collaborates with over 100 regional NGOs and puts its employees first by increasing salaries and providing reasonably priced health insurance. Despite their best efforts, the retailer was unable to successfully navigate COVID-19 and the present economic climate, which left them feeling severely let down.

Aldi

Year Established: 1961
Store Closures: 1 Branch*

After 15 years of devoted service, the cheap grocery giant Aldi, recognised for its high-quality, competitively priced products, has strategically decided to close its Lower Burrell location in the Pittsburgh suburbs. This action demonstrates Aldi’s strategic ability to make difficult decisions. Aldi is recognised as America’s fastest-growing grocery chain with 49 new shops built in 2022 alone.

Fans of Aldi shouldn’t worry, though, as the supermarket chain will open a magnificent, brand-new 21,000-square-foot location in adjacent New Kensington in just two days. The story of Aldi reflects the continuously changing supermarket landscape and emphasises the value of flexibility in a constantly changing consumer market.

Family Video

Year Established: 1978
Store Closures: 250

It’s a remarkable accomplishment for a video rental company like Family Video to have survived this long. It’s amazing that Family Video managed to survive for as long as it did considering that rivals like Blockbuster had collapsed years earlier. Early in 2021, the video retailer shuttered all 250 locations and switched to an online business.

At its height, Family Video had 800 locations, making it a neighbourhood favourite for many people who frequented it to find their next movie for home movie night. Family Video was able to last as long as it did by purchasing the site outright rather than leasing stores.

Hardee’s

Year Established: 1960
Store Closures: 39 Branches*

When one of its main franchisees filed for bankruptcy, Hardee’s, a well-known name in fast food, saw a stunning turn of events that resulted in the closure of a startling 39 stores. Previously in charge of 145 locations spread out across the South, Midwest, and West, Summit Restaurant Holdings now manages a more manageable 108 outlets.

In 2022, Hardee’s experienced difficulties as system sales in the United States fell by 4.2% to close to $2 billion. Additionally, average unit volumes decreased by 3% to less than $1.2 million. The parent company, CKE, acknowledged the problems and reaffirmed their commitment to satisfying customer needs while putting money into restaurant infrastructure to support future expansion.

Red Lobster

Year Established: 1968
Store Closures: 8 Branches*

The iconic seafood restaurant Red Lobster, known for its exquisite lobster, limitless prawn platters and cheddar bay biscuits, deals with its fair share of choppy tides. The chain, which formerly had more than 700 sites worldwide, closed eight of its stores in 2022 and 2023.

Even though they only represent 1% of Red Lobster locations, the closures signal an unsettling pattern for the seafood brand. In 2021, five locations disappeared, while in 2020, four said goodbye. But don’t worry! With the exception of the effects of the pandemic, Red Lobster’s total sales have stayed constant. Although the process of returning to pre-pandemic levels is still ongoing, we remain optimistic about a future rich in seafood.

Krispy Kreme

Year Established: 1937
Store Closures: 14 Branches*

Krispy Kreme, a giant in the coffee and doughnut industries, decided to add some bittersweet sweetness to the smart business decisions by closing 14 locations. Instead of indicating a problem, these closures were calculated moves that strengthened the brand’s position and helped it reach a mouthwatering $1.52 billion in net revenue by the end of 2023.

Krispy Kreme, however, is moving. With the addition of 382 new shops in the most recent quarter, they intend to grow to a whopping 50,000 outlets worldwide. Do not worry if you lose your neighbourhood Krispy Kreme! You never know where you might find their delectable donuts, like McDonald’s. Prepare for a world filled with doughnut adventures!

David’s Bridal

Year Established: 195o
Store Closures: 52 Branches*

After declaring bankruptcy, David’s Bridal, the national bridal colossus long associated with wedding preparation, is currently going through a significant change as it looks for a potential buyer. This significant choice could result in the closing of stores nationally and more than 9,000 job losses. The brand’s problems serve as a stark reminder of the effects of the shifting wedding market and declining engagement rates.

In Q4 2022, store traffic and in-store appointments fell by 22% as a result of the growing popularity of atypical wedding clothing. The previous bankruptcy allowed the corporation to discharge approximately $434 million in debt, but the company still faces difficulties because of its extensive shop network and waning consumer base.