Business & Finance
Decades of retail shifts drive major brick-and-mortar chain closures
Shifting consumer habits, e-commerce competition, and debt continue to eliminate physical storefronts across North America.
The short version
- Dozens of prominent retail chains have liquidated physical storefronts over several decades due to competition, debt, and evolving shopping patterns.
- Recent closures in 2025 and 2026 include brands such as Joann Fabrics and Crafts, Rite Aid, Francesca's, and Eddie Bauer.
- Several impacted brands have shifted exclusively to e-commerce, wholesale, or licensing models rather than maintaining brick-and-mortar networks.
Key facts
- Eddie Bauer closed around 200 North American storefronts in 2026 to focus solely on manufacturing, wholesale, and online business.[Business Insider]
- Francesca's ceased operations and closed approximately 400 remaining locations in 2026 following sustained financial difficulties.[Business Insider]
- Rite Aid concluded operations in 2025 following bankruptcy proceedings, down from over 2,000 stores at its height.[Business Insider]
- Joann Fabrics and Crafts moved to liquidate around 300 stores in February 2025 after two Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings within a year.[Business Insider]
- Bed Bath & Beyond closed all 896 remaining locations during bankruptcy in 2023, subsequently continuing as an online-only platform.[Business Insider]
Sources
- Dozens of retail chains you once loved that don't exist anymoreBusiness Insider metered