Well over 2,500 stores will be closed.

We’re not yet into May, and already 2016 is proving to be another banneryear for store closures. Chain retailers across the country, faced with increased competition from online shops like Amazon and a consumer base not quite recovered from the Great Recession, are restructuring in an effort to cut losses.


Big-box, specialty, department, clothing retailers alike have been affected by the closures.
Following Thursday’s announcement that dozens of Sears and Kmart stores are shutting down this summer, here’s a partial list of others stores that have closed or are closing their doors. Add them all up, and it means there will be well over 2,500 store closures around the country in 2015 and 2016.
  • Wet Seal: 500-plus
  • Office Depot: 400
  • Barnes & Noble: 223 (through 2017)
  • Walgreens: 200
  • Children’s Place: 200 (through 2017)
  • Aeropostale: 175
  • Walmart: 154
  • Finish Line: 150
  • American Eagle: 150 (through 2017)
  • Sports Authority: 140
  • Sears/Kmart: 128
  • Chico’s: 120 (through 2017)
  • Pier One: 100 (through 2017)
  • Sports Chalet: 48
  • Macy’s: 40
  • Gap/Gap Kids: 35
  • Target: 13
  • J.C. Penney: 7