FGRT 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 2,781 and the number of store openings is 1,278.

What Is Happening this Week in the US?

Lands’ End Plans to Open Another Four to Six Stores this Year

Lands’ End is planning to open another four to six stores this year to test and refine a new brick-and-mortar concept. The company will also open between 40 and 60 stores over the next five years, and move away from the locations it runs in Sears stores.

RadioShack Exits Bankruptcy and Plans to Keep up to 28 Stores

RadioShack has exited bankruptcy. The restructured business will exist primarily online and through its dealer network. RadioShack’s operator, General Wireless Operations, decided that the reorganized business operations will consist of e-commerce business, dealer network operations, between zero and 28 brick-and-mortar retail stores and warehouse operations. The company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, for the second time, in March 2017, with about 1,300 stores.

Walmart to Close 63 Sam’s Club Stores

Walmart announced it will  close 63 Sam’s Club stores across the US. According to Sam’s Club CEO John Furner, 10 of the affected stores will be turned into e-commerce distribution centers to better serve the growing number of online members.

Non-Store-Closure News

Neiman Marcus CEO Karen Katz Steps Down

Neiman Marcus has appointed Geoffroy van Raemdonck to succeed Karen Katz as CEO, effective February 12, 2018. Katz will remain on the company’s board of directors.

 FGRT has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers. The Children’s Place will close 300 stores by 2020. Ascena will close between 268 and 667 stores by July 2019, depending on negotiations with landlords. Gap will close 200 stores by 2020. Vera Bradley will close 50 stores by 2021. Source: Company reports/FGRT

FGRT has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers. Mackage plans to operate 25 stores across North America in the next five years. Gap will open 270 stores by 2020. Costco has opened 26 stores net for the fiscal year ended September 2017, and plans to open 25 stores net for fiscal year 2018. Source: Company reports/FGRT

2017 Major US Store Openings and Closures

FGRT has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers. Source: Company reports/FGRT

FGRT has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers. Source: Company reports/FGRT

2018 Major UK Store Openings and Closures

Year to date in the UK, there have been 26 store closure announcements and 325 store opening announcements.

FGRT has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers. Source: Company reports/FGRT

FGRT has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers. Aldi will complete a 300-store expansion by 2022. Smiggle will open 200 stores by 2019. Pets at Home will open five stores in fiscal 2017 and 10 stores in fiscal 2018. M&Co will open 60–75 stores by 2022. Footasylum plans to open 8–10 new stores a year. Lidl opens 50-60 stores per year. Source: Company reports/FGRT

2017 Major UK Store Openings and Closures

FGRT has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers. Source: Company reports/FGRT

FGRT has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers. Source: Company reports/FGRT