It's vital to know the best ways to save more on everyday essentials at your favorite stores and retailers. And for shoppers on a budget, it's important to be informed of potential store closures in order to shop smarter.
From bankruptcies to declining sales, the retail landscape has been dismal. Here are eight retail chains that have been projected to close locations in 2026.
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Foot Locker
In November, following Foot Locker's acquisition by Dick's Sporting Goods, it was announced that underperforming stores would be closing in 2026. It was not stated how many locations would be shut down.
"We need to clean out the garage," said Dick's Sporting Goods Executive Chairman Ed Stackduring in a 2025 earnings call. "This means clearing out unproductive inventory, closing underperforming stores, and right-sizing assets that don't align with our go-forward vision for the Foot Locker business."
GameStop
According to Fast Company, 470 GameStop locations in 43 states will close in 2026. This is due to declining foot traffic and rising operating costs. USA Today reports that as of Feb. 1, 2025, there were 2,325 GameStop locations.
Saks Off 5th
After a recent bankruptcy filing, on Feb. 2, Saks Off 5th announced major changes to its footprint. "Saksoff5th.com, Neiman Marcus Last Call stores, and the majority of Saks OFF Fifth stores are closing," the company said in a social media statement.
The post also mentioned that closing sales will be happening at select locations. According to USA Today, the closures come as a result of a sharper focus on luxury retail
Pizza Hut
As a result of parent company Yum! Brands, Inc.'s review of Pizza Hut, 250 underperforming locations will close in the first half of the year, which comes after declining sales.
"The 250 stores that we mentioned is a very small portion of the 20,000-unit estate that Pizza Hut has globally. And it is the right answer for the brand as we move through the strategic review," said Chief Financial Officer Ranjith Roy in an earnings call.
Walgreens
In late 2024, Walgreens announced that approximately 1,200 underperforming locations would close by 2027, mainly due to declining profits. This plan was initiated as part of the company's turnaround strategy.
"This turnaround will take time, but we are confident it will yield significant financial and consumer benefits over the long term," said Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth in 2025.
Kroger
Kroger plans to close 60 locations in 2026. This news was announced during the company's first quarterly meeting of 2025, and those slated to close are slated to do so due to underperformance.
The full list of closing stores has not been revealed, but based on local news sources, The Kitchn reports that some closures will occur in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Macy's
In January, it was announced that 14 Macy's locations will close during the first fiscal quarter as part of the company's "Bold New Chapter" turnaround strategy, which hopes to improve profitability. This also includes closing about 150 stores in total by the end of 2026.
Francesca's
After 25 years of business, women's clothing boutique Francesca's will shut down all operations. The company has been operating since 1999, and customers will have to say goodbye to its roughly 400 locations.
Francesca's initially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2020 due to financial challenges.
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Bottom line
While bidding farewell to a beloved local store can sting, remember that it also presents a rare financial opportunity. Redirect those saved shopping trips towards proactive money moves, like tackling debt in order to lower your financial stress.
Soon, you might find yourself thanking the shuttered doors for paving the path to a more secure financial future.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- 12 ways to pocket up to $300.
- Are you a homeowner? Get a protection plan on all your appliances.
- 10 little weird hacks Costco shoppers should know.
- Learn how to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck grind.
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