Weekly Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2018 #1: A Review of 2017’s Record US Closures; Sears to Close Over 100 More Stores; Macy’s to Close 11 Stores
KEY POINTS
FGRT tracks store openings and closures for a select group of retailers in the US and the UK. This week, we review US store openings and closures for 2017 and look at what has happened so far in 2018.
- In 2017, major US retailers closed some 6,955 stores, the highest recorded rate of closures—even exceeding the annual store closure count during the global economic downturn.
- Year-to-date 2018, the number of US store closure announcements stands at 1,446.
- Mattress Firm to close 200 stores.
- Sears to shutter over 100 more stores.
- Macy’s to close 11 stores in early 2018.
- Camping World to Acquire Erehwon Mountain Outfitter and close 13 stores.
- Rent-A-Center CEO resigns.
- Year to date in the UK, there have been 26 store closure announcements and 270 store opening announcements.
- The Co-op to open 100 new stores.
FGRT has a dedicated team tracking news about store closures and openings, bankruptcies and management changes. Our Weekly Store Openings and Closures Tracker focuses on department stores and specialty retail, including, but not limited to, softlines, hardlines, consumer electronics, grocery and furniture.
This week, we look back at 2017, as well as wrap up news from the first week of the year.
2017 Wrap-Up of US Store Openings and Closures
2017 was a landmark year for US retail. Store closures during the year increased 229% from a year ago, with major US retailers closing some 6,955 stores, the highest recorded rate of closures—exceeding even the annual store closure count during the global economic downturn. At the same time, major US retailers announced 3,433 store openings for the year, up 50% compared to 2016. Below, we review the trends for 2017 by category.
We group US retailers into five main categories: softlines, hardlines, department stores, drug stores and grocery (including dollar stores). Closures were almost entirely confined to nonfood retailers in the apparel, toys and electronics categories.
As shown in the chart above, softline retailers such as clothing specialist stores were impacted the most: major names such as Payless, rue21, Ascena Retail and Gymboree emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings with fewer stores. Several of these retailers blamed the store closures on the continued emergence of online stores and fierce competition from off-price retailers.
Unsurprisingly, department stores were also impacted, suffering from declining foot traffic, a more promotional environment and heightened competition from e-commerce. Sears, Kmart, JCPenney and Macy’s felt the greatest pressure, announcing a combined total of 566 closures. Management of a number of these retailers stated that they are looking at how to better integrate the online and offline segments and enhance operational efficiency through digitalization.
Grocery, however, was the bright spot of 2017. Competition from e-commerce in food retailing remains negligible and discount formats are growing fast. Value retailers such as Dollar General, Aldi and Lidl led the charge to open stores. Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos commented that his company is being very aggressive in delivering price to the consumer, and will continue to redesign stores to highlight the breadth of on-trend products at compelling prices.
2018 Major US Store Openings and Closures
What Is Happening this Week in the US?
Mattress Firm to Close 200 Stores
Mattress Firm plans to close 200 stores as part of an ongoing restructuring effort. Management commented that the closures are designed to optimize the fleet of stores as part of the company’s strategy to close underperforming and/or duplicative locations following a series of acquisitions of other mattress companies.
Macy’s to Close 11 Stores in Early 2018
Macy’s announced the closure of 11 stores. With these closures, the company will have completed 81 of the approximately 100 planned store closures announced in August 2016. These closures are part of a multi-year effort by the company to ensure the optimal mix of brick-and-mortar stores and digital footprint.
Sears to Shutter over 100 More Stores
This week, Sears announced it would be closing at least another 100 stores, including 64 Kmart stores and 39 Sears stores, between March and April this year.
Camping World to Acquire Erehwon Mountain Outfitter and Close 13 Stores
Camping World announced plans to purchase Erehwon Mountain Outfitter, a specialty retailer of outdoor gear and apparel. The company scrapped its original plan to preserve 70 Grander Mountain stores with a recent decision to keep just 57 open nationwide.
Non-Store-Closure News
Rent-A-Center CEO Resigns
Rent-A-Center CEO Mark Speese has stepped down. Mitchell E. Fadel, the company’s former President and CEO and a current member of its Board of Directors, has been appointed as CEO, effective immediately.
2017 Major US Store Openings and Closures
2018 Major UK Store Openings and Closures
Co-op to Open 100 New Food Stores
Co-op has confirmed plans to open 100 new food stores in 2018.
2017 Major UK Store Openings and Closures
