The number of store closures announced in the first half of 2019 has already outstripped the number retailers announced in all of 2018.
More than two dozen chains, from Payless ShoeSource to Party City, have said they plan to shutter about 7,100 stores, up from about 5,400 throughout all of 2018, according to commercial real estate information firm CoStar Group.
Many of the locations retailers announced plans to close this year are smaller, easier-to-fill shops than the department stores and big-box chains that closed in prior years, said Drew Myers, senior consultant at CoStar.
And even though retailers announced plans to close more stores during the first half of this year, CoStar estimates that they left less vacant retail space than they did during the first half of 2018 — an estimated 72 million square feet this year versus 110 million last year.
That matters because there are a lot more companies interested in moving into boutiques than multistory department stores, Myers said.
Another relative bright spot: Other than a handful of chains like Payless, Gymboree and Dressbarn, many of the retailers closing stores this year are only shuttering a fraction of their stores, said Ryan Mulcunry, executive vice president with Great American Group, a company that helps retailers liquidate closing stores.
In prior years, retailers announcing store closures tended to be those that “didn’t have a reason to exist,” Mulcunry said.
Those companies are gone, and many of the retailers closing stores now are trying to adapt and strengthen the stores that remain, he said.
Some are also offsetting at least some closures with openings. CoStar estimates retailers have announced new stores totaling 38 million square feet in the first half of 2019, compared with 43 million throughout 2018.
“It’s not Armageddon or the apocalypse,” Mulcunry said.
Here’s a rundown of retailers that have said they plan to close stores this year.
Apparel chains and department stores
A handful of apparel chains closed their U.S. stores entirely.
All of the roughly 2,100 North American Payless shoe stores closed by late June, and all 798 Gymboree and Crazy 8 kids’ clothing stores in North America have closed. U.K.-based Topshop closed all 11 U.S. stores, and Dressbarn said in May it would shut down all of its roughly 650 stores.
Accessories and clothing chain Charming Charlie is the latest to join. Closing sales began at all 261 stores, after the company filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than two years earlier this month.
Some retailers only cut certain stores, like J.C. Penney, which said it would close 18 department stores and nine home and furniture stores in 2019. Saks Off Fifth expects to close 15 stores by the end of the year and Chico’s FAS plans to close about 100 Chico’s, 90 White House Black Market and 60 Soma locations over the next three years. About 60 to 80 are expected to close in the 2019 fiscal year.
Other apparel retailers said they will offset at least some closures with new stores, including Victoria’s Secret, which expects to close 53 stores this year while opening two Victoria’s Secret and three Pink stores.
Gap is closing 230 by the end of 2020 but opening some stores under other brands.
Abercrombie & Fitch plans to close up to 40 stores but also open 40 across its Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids and Hollister brands.
Foot Locker said it would close 165 and open 80 during the 2019 fiscal year, Francesca’s is closing at least 30 but opening four, and J. Crew said it would close 20 stores but open one J. Crew and 10 under its Madewell brand.
Specialty retailers
Big-box retailers Party City and Bed Bath & Beyond expect to close 45 and 40 stores in 2019, respectively. Bed Bath & Beyond warned it may add to the list of closing stores, but also plans to open 15 new stores.
Signet Jewelers is closing 150 of its more than 3,300 stores, with “limited” new openings. Pier 1 plans to close 57 during the 2020 fiscal year, and Build-A-Bear Workshop plans to close up to 30 stores in the next two years, about half in North America.
Bath & Body Works and jewelry retailer Pandora both said they expect to open enough new stores to more than offset planned closures.
Copyright 2019 Tribune Content Agency.