Coresight Research tracks 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 3,889 and the number of store openings is 1,789.

What Is Happening this Week in the US?

Rockport Group Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection, May Close All 27 Stores in the US Footwear maker The Rockport Group is the latest shoe company to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, following Payless ShoeSource and Nine West. The shoe retailer hopes to sell its shoemaking business to a private equity firm, but it may be forced to close all of its standalone retail stores, including 27 in the US.

Non-Store-Closure News

Sears Explores Sale of Kenmore to CEO’s Hedge Fund Sears is exploring the sale of its Kenmore brand, as well as its Home Improvement Products, Home Services and Parts Direct businesses, to ESL Investments, the hedge fund run by its CEO Eddie Lampert. Sears’ board has formed a special committee to evaluate the asset sales and to explore any other alternatives that maximize value for the company. [caption id="attachment_83128" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Coresight Research 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/Coresight Research[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_83129" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Coresight Research 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 net 26 stores for the fiscal year ended September 2017, and plans to open net 25 stores for fiscal year 2018. In June 2017, Aldi announced it was aiming for 900 store openings by end-2022.
Source: Company reports/Coresight Research[/caption]   Year-to-Date 2018 Major US Store Bankruptcies [caption id="attachment_83130" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Company reports/Coresight Research[/caption]   2017 Major US Store Openings and Closures [caption id="attachment_83131" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Coresight Research has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers.
Source: Company reports/Coresight Research[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_83132" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Coresight Research has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers.
Source: Company reports/Coresight Research[/caption]   2017 Major US Store Bankruptcies [caption id="attachment_83133" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Company reports/Coresight Research[/caption]   2018 Major UK Store Openings and Closures Year to date in the UK, there have been 416 store closure announcements and 524 store opening announcements. Mothercare to Close 50 Stores in Its CVA Proposal Mothercare this week unveiled a rescue plan that involves the closure of 50 stores. The store closures account for more than one-third of its 137 stores. Also in its plan, it seeks material rent reductions on a further 21 stores and to reduce its total store portfolio to 78 stores by 2020. The struggling retailer will implement the reorganization of its UK high street presence through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), which will be overseen by KPMG. [caption id="attachment_83134" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Coresight Research has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers. Monsoon Accessorize announced in 2016 that it will close 141 stores as leases expire over the next five years.
Source: Company reports/Coresight Research[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_83135" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Coresight Research 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. Greggs plans to open net 110–130 stores this year.
Source: Company reports/Coresight Research[/caption]   2017 Major UK Store Openings and Closures [caption id="attachment_83136" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Coresight Research has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers.
Source: Company reports/Coresight Research[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_83137" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Coresight Research has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers.
Source: Company reports/Coresight Research[/caption]