A growing number of major U.S. retailers are set to shutter locations in May, as financial pressures and shifting consumer habits continue to reshape the brick‑and‑mortar lineup. “The retail reckoning we’re seeing is incredibly unfortunate,” a finance instructor told Newsweek.
Department stores, mall staples and specialty chains are among those trimming their footprints, with closures spanning multiple states and regions.
Why It Matters
While some companies say the moves are part of broader turnaround strategies, the pace of store closures highlights ongoing challenges facing physical retail in 2026.
Store closures can have ripple effects well beyond individual shopping centers. For consumers, shutdowns may reduce access to nearby pharmacies, grocery stores or department retailers, particularly in suburban or rural areas. For workers, closures can mean job losses or forced transfers.
What To Know
Several well‑known retail chains have confirmed store closures scheduled for May, though many have not released complete, finalized lists of every affected location.
Retailers with May closures include:
- Ikea
- Francesca’s
- Saks OFF 5th
- Neiman Marcus Last Call
- Macy’s
- Kroger
Ikea
The furniture giant is closing its Memphis, Tennessee, store on May 3, citing a strategic shift to modernize its U.S. footprint and focus on higher‑growth markets and new store formats. Ikea has said it will continue investing in other U.S. locations despite the closure.
Francesca’s
Women’s apparel retailer Francesca’s is completing the shutdown of its entire U.S. store fleet after filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. The company previously operated roughly 400 boutiques nationwide. Many locations are expected to close permanently in spring 2026, including May, as liquidation sales conclude.
Saks OFF 5TH
About 57 Saks OFF 5TH locations are closing nationwide as part of Saks Global’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. The discount chain’s shutdowns are rolling through early 2026, with some stores expected to shutter in May once inventory is sold.
Neiman Marcus Last Call
All remaining Neiman Marcus Last Call outlet stores are being closed as the retailer’s parent company restructures. The shutdowns are occurring throughout spring 2026, with some locations expected to close during May depending on liquidation timelines.
Macy’s
Macy’s continues to close underperforming department stores in 2026 as part of a multiyear plan to shutter up to 150 locations by the end of the year. Some stores are expected to close in late spring, including May, as leases expire.
Kroger
Grocery chain Kroger is carrying out an 18‑month plan to close approximately 60 underperforming stores nationwide following the collapse of its proposed merger with Albertsons. The company has said closures are spread throughout 2026, with some stores expected to shutter during the spring months.
Households Cutting Back
Retailers often announce closures at the local level or allow individual stores to close once inventory is depleted, meaning exact dates can vary and change with little notice.
Due to the closures, thousands of workers are likely to lose their jobs, and consumers will also face fewer options, especially in rural areas and smaller cities, said Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin.
“The retail reckoning we’re seeing is incredibly unfortunate,” Beene told Newsweek. “As inflationary pressures have weighed on American households, many have cut back on spending for some items, while shifting to more affordable online options for others.”
What Happens Next
Retail analysts expect store closures to continue throughout 2026, particularly as companies re-evaluate leases signed before the pandemic and shift more resources toward e‑commerce and smaller footprints.
Roughly 7,900 U.S. stores will close in 2026, according to an earlier CNBC report, and Business Insider reported that more than 1,200 closures have already been publicly announced.
“These store closures aren’t some big economic meltdown,” Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, previously told Newsweek.
“They’re the retail sector finally admitting what we’ve all been watching happen in slow motion for years. They’re all brands that never figured out how to matter in a world where people shop online and eat at home.”
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