Map Shows States Most Impacted by 2025 Stores Closures

Several major retailers have announced store closures in 2025. Joann Fabric, GameStop, Kohl’s, Macy’s, JCPenney and Big Lots are just six big-brand companies reducing their physical presence this year.

This trend, impacting states across the U.S., highlights the ongoing shifts in consumer preferences and the broader challenges facing the retail industry.

Why It Matters

Store closures can reflect deeper economic shifts and consumer behavior changes. The transition to online shopping, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has left physical stores struggling to maintain profitability.

Coresight Research, which monitors U.S. retail store openings and closures, has predicted up to 15,000 retail outlets may shut down this year. This figure significantly exceeds the 7,325 closures recorded in 2024.

Which Retail Stores Are Closing in 2025?

In 2025, several major retailers have announced closures. Most recently, Joann Fabric announced it’s closing 300 of its 500 stores nationwide. GameStop, reeling from a shift toward digital gaming, closed over 400 stores last month.

Kohl’s and Macy’s are reducing their physical footprint as well, with Kohl’s closing 27 stores this year and Macy’s shuttering 66 locations across the country. Big Lots is facing one of the most significant reductions, closing nearly 300 of its stores in 2025 due to bankruptcy.

JCPenney is also closing another eight stores in 2025, as recently confirmed by Axios.

Which State Will Have the Most Store Closures?

California is experiencing the most substantial impact, with numerous closures across the six major brands highlighted. The state’s large economy and significant retail footprint make it a critical indicator of retail health nationwide.

Other states with high closure rates include Florida, Ohio, New York and Michigan—reflecting wide-reaching challenges in the retail sector.

Why Are Family Dollar Stores Closing?

In March 2024, Family Dollar announced the closure of 600 stores slated for the first half of the year. This decision followed a strategic review in Q4 2023, which assessed store performance and market conditions to determine necessary closures, relocations, or re-brandings.

Like many in the retail sector, Family Dollar was responding to underperforming stores and shifting market dynamics.

Which Macy’s Stores Are Closing?

Macy’s is set to close 66 stores across several states in 2025, most notably in California, New York and Florida, as part of its strategy to stabilize its operations. Specific locations include underperforming spots in suburban and urban areas where foot traffic has declined and profitability has waned.

Read more: Which Macy’s Stores Are Closing in 2025?

What People Are Saying

Deborah Weinswig, CEO of Coresight Research, said in a press release: “Last year we saw the highest number of closures since the pandemic. Retailers that were unable to adapt supply chains and implement technology to cut costs were significantly impacted, and we continue to see a trend of consumers opting for the path of least resistance… Retailers need to embrace technologies like artificial intelligence to deliver a better customer experience and to optimize pricing to remain relevant and avoid ongoing closures.”

Tony Spring, chairman and CEO of Macy’s, said in a press release: “Closing any store is never easy, but as part of our Bold New Chapter strategy, we are closing underproductive Macy’s stores to allow us to focus our resources and prioritize investments in our go–forward stores, where customers are already responding positively to better product offerings and elevated service.”

Tom Kingsbury, CEO of Kohl’s, said in a January press release: “We always take these decisions very seriously… As we continue to build on our long-term growth strategy, it is important that we also take difficult but necessary actions to support the health and future of our business for our customers and our teams.”

A spokesperson for Joann said in a recent press release: “As part of the ongoing Chapter 11 process and our efforts to maximize the value of the business, JOANN has filed a motion seeking court authority to begin closing approximately 500 stores across the nation. This was a very difficult decision to make, given the major impact we know it will have on our Team Members, our customers and all of the communities we serve.”

A spokesperson for JCPenney told Axios: “The decision to close a store is never an easy one, but isolated closures do happen from time to time due to expiring lease agreements, market changes or other factors.”

What Happens Next

The continued closure of retail stores across the U.S. not only changes the landscape of shopping malls and streets but also signals a shift in consumer behavior and economic realities facing the retail sector.