Reasons to Read

Understand how store closures and openings are reshaping the US retail landscape in 2026.

Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions:

• What is the projected full-year outlook for US retail store closures and openings based on midyear trends? Is US retail on course for 7,900 store closures and 5,500 store openings?
• How are store sizes, sector dynamics and location types influencing midyear closure and opening activity?
• Which retail sectors and retailers are driving the highest number of closures and openings—and why?

Companies mentioned in this report include: Burlington Stores, Ross Stores, The TJX Companies, 7-Eleven, GameStop, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Five Below and more.

Data in this report include: Updated estimates for 2026 store closures and openings; store closure and opening counts by sector and retailer; square footage analysis of closures and openings; confirmed vs. planned store activity; and breakdowns by location type.

Other relevant research:

• The full collection of Store Tracker reports, including our UK-focused series
• The US and UK Store Tracker Databank is the definitive resource for information on store openings and closures by sector in the US and UK retail industries.
• The Corporate and Financial Developments Databank includes details of management changes, financial guidance updates, retail and tech layoffs and capital raised by major retail companies.
• The Retail Bankruptcies Databank details bankruptcies of US and UK retail companies, restaurants and gyms since March 2020.
• US Store Openings and Closures Midyear 2026 Review and Outlook: Declining Closures Stabilize the Market and Drive Growth—Infographic