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 stores, including, but not limited to, those selling softlines, hardlines, consumer electronics, groceries and furniture.

2018 Major US Store Closures and Openings

Year to date in 2018, US retailers announced they will close 5,437 stores and open 2,963 stores.

What Is Happening This Week in the US?

Sears May Close an Additional 50 to 80 Stores as Chairman Eddie Lampert’s Rescue Plan Hangs in the Balance Embattled retailer Sears Holdings may close an additional 50 to 80 stores as Chairman Eddie Lampert’s rescue plan may not work due to legal and financial challenges. Earlier this month, Lampert announced a $4.6 billion proposal to buy the company out of bankruptcy through ESL Investments, a hedge fund he founded. Sears Holdings announced in November that it will close 40 stores in February 2019. These are in addition to the 142 store closures the retailer announced in October when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. We have not updated our 2018 total with the latest round of Sears store closures as the company has not confirmed them. Gymboree Looking for Bankruptcy Loan to Keep Store Open as it Seeks Buyer Childrenswear retailer Gymboree will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than two years, to keep stores open as it looks for a buyer. The company emerged from its first bankruptcy in September 2017 after it closed over 300 stores. Historic Department Store Gump’s Draws the Curtain After 157 Years Historic San Francisco-based department store Gump’s closed its doors after 157 years in business. The retailer, founded in 1861 as a frame and mirror shop, held a liquidation sale with all items marked down by 70% to 90%. Gump’s final day of business was December 23; our store tracker has been updated to reflect this development.

*Total includes a small number of retailers that each announced one store closure and are not included in the chart above. Coresight Research attributes store openings and closures to the year in which they occurred or are expected to occur. We estimate this information for some retailers, including Ascena Retail, Casey’s General Stores, The Children’s Place, Gap, H&M, Lord & Taylor, Mattress Firm, Michael Kors and Vera Bradley. Tapestry and Victoria’s Secret store numbers are for North America. Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

*Total includes a small number of retailers that each announced one store opening and are not included in the chart above. Coresight Research attributes store openings and closures based on the year in which they are expected to occur, not when they are announced. This involves an estimation for some retailers, including Aldi, Casey’s General Stores, Casper Sleep, Gap, Lidl and Mackage. Lululemon Athletica, Tapestry and Victoria’s Secret store numbers are for North America. Store opening count for Amazon includes both Amazon Go (6) and Amazon 4-Star (3) stores. Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

Year-to-Date 2018 Major US Store Bankruptcies

Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

*Total includes a small number of retailers that each announced one store closure and are not included in the chart above. Coresight Research attributes store openings and closures to the year in which they occurred or are expected to occur. We estimate this information for some retailers. Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

*Total includes a small number of retailers that each announced one store opening and are not included in the chart above. Coresight Research attributes store openings and closures to the year in which they occurred or are expected to occur. We estimate this information for some retailers. Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

2017 Major US Store Bankruptcies

Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

2018 Major UK Store Closures and Openings

Year to date in the UK, retailers have announced 1,395 store closures and 785 store openings.

What Is Happening This Week in the UK?

No major store openings or closures were reported in the UK this week.

Other News

New Look Seeking to Cut £1.3 Billion ($1.6 Billion) Debt British fashion retailer New Look has enlisted advisers to explore opportunities to cut its £1.3 billion ($1.6 billion) debt, including a possible debt-for-equity swap at the start of 2019. The company is hoping to finalize a plan in the next three months. The proposed debt-for-equity swap would give New Look bondholders a share of the business in return for the debt owed to them, cutting New Look’s interest payments and reducing debt.

*H&M store closures include the Cheap Monday banner. Coresight Research attributes store openings and closures to the year in which they occurred or are expected to occur. We estimate this information for some retailers, including Argos, B&M, Homebase, M&S, Monsoon Accessorize, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

Coresight Research attributes store openings and closures to the year in which they occurred or are expected to occur. We estimate this information for some retailers, including Aldi, B&M, Footasylum, Greggs, Habitat, Hema, Heron Foods, House, Lidl, M&Co, M&S, Pets at Home, Sainsbury’s and Smiggle. Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

2017 Major UK Store Closures and Openings

*Total includes a small number of retailers that each announced one store closure and are not included in the chart above. Coresight Research attributes store openings and closures to the year in which they occurred or are expected to occur. We estimate this information for some retailers. Source: Company reports/Coresight Research

*Total includes a small number of retailers that each announced one store opening and are not included in the chart above. Coresight Research attributes store openings and closures to the year in which they occurred or are expected to occur. We estimate this information for some retailers. Source: Company reports/Coresight Research