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 1,790 and the number of store openings is 1,546.

What Is Happening this Week in the US?

Warby Parker Aims to Operate Close to 100 Stores by the End of the Year

Eyeglass retailer Warby Parker, founded online in 2010, plans to operate close to 100 stores across the US by the end of this year. Currently operating 64 stores in well-vetted markets within prime real estate, this means Warby Parker will open around 36 stores this year.

Winn-Dixie Is Considering Bankruptcy and Could Close 200 Stores

Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of grocery store chain Winn-Dixie, may prepare to file for bankruptcy and close 200 of the chain’s 700 stores as early as March. This would be the third time Winn-Dixie has filed for bankruptcy, the other instances occurred in 2005 and 2009.

Tops Friendly Markets Could Prepare for Bankruptcy

Tops Friendly Markets is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, while the chain’s owner could potentially seek court protection from creditors as early as this month. The Williamsville, New York-based chain runs about 170 grocery stores with more than 14,000 employees in the Northeast. Its bankruptcy could lead to closure of all of its 170 grocery stores.

Non-Store-Closure News

Gap CEO Jeff Kirwan Is Stepping Down

Jeff Kirwan, President and CEO of the Gap brand, will leave the company. Kirwan had led Gap’s Chinese expansion and replaced Stephen Sunnucks in 2014 to head the Gap brand, around the time that Art Peck took over as CEO from Glenn Murphy. While a search is under way for Kirwan’s replacement, Gap Executive Vice President of Global Talent and Sustainability Brent Hyder will oversee the brand. Hyder was previously the brand’s COO and also served as Vice President and General Manager of Gap Japan K.K., leading all aspects of Gap’s business in Japan.

Albertsons Acquires more than 2,500 Rite Aid Stores

Albertsons announced that it will acquire more than 2,500 Rite Aid stores for an undisclosed amount, creating a company with estimated revenues of $83 billion. The remainder of Rite Aid's stores—around 2,000 locations—will be sold to Walgreens Boots Alliance under an agreement reached with federal regulators, which blocked a full merger of the two companies back in 2015. The combined Albertsons and Rite Aid company will operate around 4,900 stores and 4,300 pharmacies, along with 320 clinics. Albertsons’ pharmacies will be rebranded under the Rite Aid name.

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

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

2017 Major US Store Openings and Closures

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

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

2018 Major UK Store Openings and Closures

Year to date in the UK, there have been 76 store closure announcements and 491 store opening announcements.

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

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

2017 Major UK Store Openings and Closures

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

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