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 1,768 and the number of store openings is 1,510.

What Is Happening this Week in the US?

Toys“R”Us Plans to Close 182 Stores Toy retailer Toys“R”Us announced that it will close up to 182 underperforming stores across the US as it navigates bankruptcy proceedings. Store closings are scheduled to begin in early February and run through mid-April. The retailer also plans to convert some Toys“R”Us stores into combined Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores. JCPenney to Close Four Stores Department store operator JCPenney announced plans to close four stores by May. Three of the stores are smaller stores and the fourth one is in a dead mall. Lidl to Open 20 Stores in the US this Year Klaus Gehrig, CEO of the group that owns Lidl, said that the company will open 20 stores this year, falling short of its plan to open up to 100 stores by this summer. The retailer has opened 48 stores since June 2017.

Non-Store-Closure News

Abercrombie & Fitch’s Executive Chairman Steps Down Upscale casual wear retailer Abercrombie & Fitch announced that Arthur C. Martinez will step down as Executive Chairman of its board of directors on February 3, the end of the current fiscal year. Terry L. Burman, lead independent director and Chair of the nominating and board governance committee, will be appointed as Non-Executive Chairman at that time. Lowe’s Announces Three Board Appointments Lowe’s announced that it has appointed David Batchelder, Lisa Wardell and Brian Rogers to its board of directors effective March 22. The appointment came after talks with activist hedge fund D.E. Shaw Group, which recently built a stake in the home improvement chain. Casper Hires Two New Executives Casper, an online mattress retailer, announced that it has appointed Greg Macfarlane as CFO and Jeff Brooks as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). [caption id="attachment_84323" align="aligncenter" width="720"] 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[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_84324" align="aligncenter" width="720"] 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 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/FGRT[/caption]   2017 Major US Store Openings and Closures [caption id="attachment_84325" align="aligncenter" width="720"] FGRT has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers.
Source: Company reports/FGRT[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_84326" align="aligncenter" width="720"] FGRT has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers.
Source: Company reports/FGRT[/caption]   2018 Major UK Store Openings and Closures Year to date in the UK, there have been 76 store closure announcements and 455 store opening announcements. [caption id="attachment_84327" align="aligncenter" width="720"] FGRT 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/FGRT[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_84328" align="aligncenter" width="720"] 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. Greggs plans to open net 110–130 stores this year.
Source: Company reports/FGRT[/caption]   2017 Major UK Store Openings and Closures [caption id="attachment_84329" align="aligncenter" width="720"] FGRT has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers.
Source: Company reports/FGRT[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_84330" align="aligncenter" width="720"] FGRT has calendarized the announcements of store openings/closures, which involves an estimation for some retailers.
Source: Company reports/FGRT[/caption]