Coresight Research has a dedicated team tracking news about store closures and openings, bankruptcies and management changes. Our Weekly Store Openings and Closures Tracker focuses on department stores and specialty retail, including, but not limited to, softlines, hardlines, consumer electronics,grocery and furniture.

2018 Major US Store Openings and Closures

Year-to-date 2018, the number of US store closure announcements stands at 3,164 and the number of store openings is 1,699.

What Is Happening this Week in the US?

Toys“R”Us Files for Bankruptcy, Closing 740 US Stores Toys“R”Us has filed for bankruptcy and is headed toward shuttering its US operations, closing the company’s 740 US stores over the coming months.Toys“R”Us will try to bundle its Canadian business, which includes about 200 stores, and find a buyer. The company’s US online store will still be running for the next couple of weeks while it looks for a buyer for it.Amazon has been reportedly eyeing some of the Toys“R”Us locations, as the e-commerce giant looks to expand its physical footprint. Southeastern Grocers Plans to File for Bankruptcy, Closing 94 Under performing Stores Southeastern Grocers—the Florida-based owner of Bi-Lo, Harveys and Winn-Dixie—said in a statement that it has made “the difficult but necessary decision” to voluntarily file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to execute its restructuring. The company said it will continue to operate its other 582 stores. As part of a major restructuring and planned bankruptcy, the owner of Bi-Lo said it is closing 94 under performing stores, including six in the Charlotte area. Claire’s Files for Bankruptcy, Closing 92 Stores in the US The tween jewelry and ear-piercing retailer Claire’s, has filed for bankruptcy, closing 92 stores in the US. The company operates 7,500 stores across the world.“This transaction substantially reduces the debt on our balance sheet and will enhance our efforts to provide the best possible experience for our customers,” said Claire’s CEO Ron Marshall. “We will complete this process as a healthier, more profitable company, which will position us to be an even stronger business partner for our suppliers, concessions partners and franchisees.” Signet Jewelers to Close 200 Stores Against the Backdrop of Online Shopping Signet Jewelers said it will close around 200 stores this year.The jewelry retailer, which owns Kay Jewelers, Zales and Jared The Galleria of Jewelry, said it has not adapted quickly enough to the e-commerce threat, as consumers make fewer trips to stores and shop more online or on their smartphones.

Non-Store-Closure News

The Walking Company Files for Bankruptcy for the Second Time in 10 years Shoe seller The Walking Company has filed for Chapter 11 protection, for the second time in 10 years. The retailer—which operates 208 stores in the US, including the Foot Smart and Big Dogs Sportswear banners—said that current shareholders have committed to invest $10 million in new equity. The company has not yet announced a plan for closing its stores.

Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

2018 Major UK Store Openings and Closures

Year to date in the UK, there have been 221 store closure announcements and 491 store opening announcements. Irish Retailer Dunnes Stores Pulls Out of Scotland, Closing All Five Shops Irish retailer Dunnes Stores has pulled out of Scotland, closing all five shops. The group, which primarily sells food, clothing and household wares, continues to operate 16 shops in Northern Ireland. The retailer was pulling out of the UK market, citing Brexit future costs as the main contributor to their decision.

Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

2017 Major UK Store Openings and Closures

Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

Source: Company reports/Coresight Research