Retail apocalypse

Short description: Widespread decline in physical retail stores

‹ The template Infobox event is being considered for merging. ›

Retail apocalypse

Entrance to former Sears store at Hudson Valley Mall in Ulster, New York, closed in 2018. It had been the mall's last anchor store.

Date| 1990 (1990) – present
Venue| Shopping malls, physical retail
Location| Worldwide; initially began in the English-speaking world, Western Europe and Japan
Cause|

* Downsizing of retail chains caused by rise in global e-commerce operations related to the 2008 financial crisis
* Accumulation of corporate debt for retail overexpansion
* Changes in spending habits
* Impact of COVID-19 pandemic
* 2021–2023 inflation surge[1]
* Rise of e-commerce itself

Outcome|

* Numerous bankruptcies ensued from early 2010s
* Major decline in revenue from suppliers
* Bankruptcies accelerated from March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 recession and Inflation

The retail apocalypse (also known as retailpocalypse[2][3]) refers to the closing of numerous brick-and-mortar retail stores in the Western world, especially those of large chains, starting in the 2010s[4][5] and accelerating due to the mandatory closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2017 alone, more than 12,000 physical stores closed. The reasons included debt and bankruptcy in the face of rising costs, leveraged buyouts, low quarterly profits outside holiday binge spending, delayed effects of the Great Recession,[5] and changes in spending habits. American consumers have shifted their purchasing habits due to various factors, including experience spending versus material goods and homes, casual fashion in relaxed dress codes, as well as the rise of e-commerce[6] and particularly juggernaut companies such as Amazon.com and Walmart. A 2017 Business Insider report dubbed this phenomenon the "Amazon effect" and calculated that Amazon.com was generating more than half of retail-sales growth.[7]

Not everyone agrees that a "retail apocalypse" exists. Dissenting economists and experts asserted that recent retail closures are a market correction, suggesting that the phrase is misleading and instills insecurity in the 16 million U.S. retail workers.[8] Research published by global retail analyst IHL Group in 2019 suggests that the so-called retail apocalypse narrative was an exaggeration, with "more chains that are expanding their number of stores than closing stores."[9] That year, retailers in the United States announced 9,302 store closings, a 59% jump from 2018, and the highest number since tracking the data began in 2012.[10]

Corporate bankruptcies and store closings increased in 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most retail stores, especially struggling mall-based retailers, closed for extended periods of time.[11] Several large retail companies filed for bankruptcy during the pandemic, including J. Crew, Century 21, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, Stage Stores, Stein Mart, JCPenney, Tuesday Morning, and Pier 1 Imports.[12]

The most productive retailers in North America during the retail apocalypse are discount superstores[13] Walmart and Target, low-cost "fast-fashion" brands (Zara, H&M), dollar stores[clarification needed] (Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollarama),[14] and warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale Club).[15]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Factors
* 2.1 Shift to e-commerce
* 2.2 Oversupply of shopping malls
* 2.3 Experience economy
* 2.4 Shrinking middle class
* 2.5 Poor management
* 2.6 COVID-19 pandemic
* 3 Major retail bankruptcies
* 4 Strategies
* 5 See also
* 6 References
* 7 External links

## History

A permanently closed mom and pop health food store in Port Charlotte, Florida

The phrase "retail apocalypse" first appeared in print in an early 1990s essay by Peter Glen, author of It's Not My Department![16] Media appropriated the term to refer to multiple brick-and-mortar store closures resulting from shifts in consumer spending.[8]

Since at least the 2008 financial crisis, various economic factors have resulted in the closing of many stores in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia, particularly in the department store industry. For example, Sears Holdings had more than 3,500 stores and 355,000 employees in 2006.[17] By the end of 2016, Sears operated 1,430 stores.[18] In October 2018, Sears filed for bankruptcy and announced it would close an additional 142 of its 687 stores.[19] At the time of filing, Sears had 68,000 employees.[19]

The phrase "retail apocalypse" began gaining widespread usage in 2017 following multiple announcements from many major retailers of plans to either discontinue or greatly scale back a retail presence, including companies such as H.H. Gregg, Family Christian Stores and The Limited all going out of business entirely.[20] The Atlantic described the phenomenon as "The Great Retail Apocalypse of 2017", reporting nine retail bankruptcies and several apparel companies having their stock hit new lows, including that of Lululemon, Urban Outfitters, and American Eagle.[5] Credit Suisse, a major global financial services company, predicted that 25% of U.S. malls remaining in 2017 could close by 2022.[21]

Since 2017, the phrase is frequently applied to brick-and-mortar closures in retail, with the retail apocalypse creating a domino effect on manufacturers and suppliers; Hasbro, for example, cited the loss of the Toys "R" Us chain as a major cause for lost revenue and layoffs the company imposed in October 2018.[22]

A 2019 analysis conducted by IHL Group international research and advisory firm found that when a retailer closes many stores, it indicates more about the individual retailer rather than the retail industry overall. In 2019, the 20 stores announcing the most closures represent 75% of all closures. IHL found that for each retailer closing stores in 2019, more than five retail chains are opening stores, an increase from the 3.7 ratio of 2018. IHL also reported that the number of chains adding stores in 2019 had increased 56%, while the number of closing stores decreased by 66% in the last year.[9][23]

As of May 2020, bankruptcies and store closings were expected to intensify due to widespread business closures and the resulting financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. J. Crew, Century 21, Neiman Marcus, Stage Stores, Stein Mart, Lord & Taylor, JCPenney, Tuesday Morning, and Pier 1 Imports were among the first major retailers to file for bankruptcy during the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]

## Factors

This section is missing information about private equity. Please expand the section to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page. (September 2025)

|

### Shift to e-commerce

The main factor cited in the closing of retail stores in the retail apocalypse is the shift in consumer habits towards online shopping.[24] Holiday sales for e-commerce increased by an estimated 11% to 20% from 2015 to 2016. The same year, brick-and-mortar stores saw an overall increase of only 1.6%, with physical department stores experiencing a 4.8% decline.[25]

### Oversupply of shopping malls

Another factor is an over-supply of malls[26] as the growth rate of malls in North America between 1970 and 2015 was over twice the growth rate of the population. In 2004, Malcolm Gladwell wrote that investment in malls was artificially accelerated when the United States Congress introduced accelerated depreciation into the tax code in 1954.[27] Despite the construction of new malls, mall visits declined by 50% between 2010 and 2013 with further declines reported in each successive year.[28]

### Experience economy

Main article: Social:Experience economy

One idea presented in the 2010s for the supposed retail decline was a perceived ongoing "restaurant renaissance"— a shift in consumer spending habits for their disposable income from material purchases such as clothing towards dining out and travel.[5]

### Shrinking middle class

Another cited factor is the "death of the American middle class" represented by declining real wages and rising costs creating a middle-class squeeze, resulting in large-scale closures of retailers such as Macy's, JCPenney, and Sears which traditionally relied on spending from this market segment.[29] Particularly in rural areas, variety stores such as Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar, once thought to be unaffected by the apocalypse since they have continued growing rapidly, are now perceived as being at best a symptom of the phenomenon, and at worst a direct cause of rural, independent retailers collapsing, unable to compete with the lower margins that national chains can sustain.[30][31]

### Poor management

Poor retail management coupled with an overcritical eye towards quarterly dividends cause a lack of accurate inventory control, so the sales floor suffers from underperforming merchandise and out-of-stock merchandise, creating a poor shopping experience for customers. The focus on short-term balance sheets induces management to understaff retail stores to keep profits high.[32][33] Furthermore, many long-standing chain retailers are overloaded with debt,[34] often from leveraged buyouts from private equity firms, which hinders the profitable operation of retail chains.[35][36]

### COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated many issues affecting retailers, as many were forced to shut down due to non-pharmaceutical interventions that were issued in an effort to mitigate the pandemic.[37]

At the same time, online shopping boomed during the coronavirus-related lockdown, even though it came back down starting in 2022.[38] Most of the major e-commerce retailers in the United States were classified as essential businesses and were not required to shut down. Buyers stated that they would deliberately buy products from such categories as food and drinks, hygiene, household cleaning, clothing, health, and consumer electronics online rather than in person due to COVID-19. The outbreak is said to have changed shopping behavior permanently: in the US, 29% of surveyed consumers stated that they had no intention to ever go back to offline shopping. In the UK, this number reached 43%.[39]

In June 2020, retail research firm Coresight reported that they estimated that the number of store closures due to the pandemic and ensuing recession would exceed the 2019 record of 9,302.[40][41]

Coresight Research data later indicated that store closures had reduced by 49% from 2020 to 2021, with store openings increased by 36% over the previous year.[42] Clothing and accessories accounted for 43% of retail closures in 2021.[42] In July 2022, the analytics firm published findings that store openings had exceeded store closings for the first half of 2022, and that there were 10% fewer closings and 3% fewer openings than in 2021.[43]

## Major retail bankruptcies

Store closures and bankruptcy filings  Company name  | Time period  | Number of stores closed  | Bankruptcy  | Open stores  | Source

|
|
|
|
|

Borders Books  | 2011  | Closed all stores  | Liquidated  | None  | [44]
The Bon-Ton  | 2018  | Remaining 267 locations liquidated  | Filed February 2018  | None; last store closed October 2020[45] | [46]
Sears Holdings  | 2013–2021  | 1,380 Kmart and Sears stores  | Filed October 2018
Acquired out February 2019  | 5 (2026)  | [47]
J. C. Penney | 2015–2020  | 177  | Filed May 2020  | 669 (May 2022)  | [48][49]
Toys "R" Us  | 2018  | Closed all US, UK and Australia stores.  | Filed 2017
Re-emerged 2019  | 80 Canada stores, 160 Japan stores, 1 US Flagship store, 400+ stores within Macy's  | [50][51]
J. Crew  | 2018–2020  | 54  | Filed May 2020  | 492  | [52]
Barneys New York  | 2019  | 15  | Filed 2019, liquidated  | None  | [53]
Forever 21  | 2019 & 2025  | 1\. 200 (approx.) 2. Remaining 350 US stores  | 1\. Filed September 2019

2\. Filed March 2025

| 190  | [54][55][56]
A.C. Moore  | 2019–2020  | 145  | Filed September 2019  | Became Michaels  |
Payless ShoeSource | 2019–2020  | 2,500 – all stores in North America and Puerto Rico (2019)  | Filed February 2019
Emerged January 2020 (second bankruptcy)  | 700 (Latin and Central America, Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Middle East and India)  | [57][58]
Pier 1  | 2020  | Remaining 942 stores  | Filed February 2020  | None  | [59]
Neiman Marcus  | 2020  | 6  | Filed May 2020  | 37  | [59][60][61]
Tuesday Morning  | 2020 & 2023  | 196  | 1\. Filed May 2020; emerged December 2020

2\. Filed February 2023; announced liquidations in April

| None (Remaining stores liquidated by July 2023)  | [62][63]
GNC | 2020  | 2450 (approx.)  | Filed June 2020  | 4,850 (approx.)  | [64][65][66]
True Religion  | 2017 & 2020  | 37  | 1\. Filed July 2017
2\. April – Nov. 2020  | 49 (2020)  | [67][68][69]
Brooks Brothers  | 2020  | 253  | Filed July 2020  | 171  | [70][71][72]
Bed Bath & Beyond  | 2023  | 360  | Filed April 2023  | None (all US & Canada stores liquidated by July 2023)  |
Express, Inc. | 2024  | 100  | Filed April 2024  |  | [73]
Big Lots | 2024  |  | Filed September 2024  | 872 (200 likely remain open in 2025)  | [74]
Party City | 2023 & 2024  | 700 – all company-owned stores  | 1\. Filed January 2023
2\. Filed December 2024  | ≤150 (franchisee stores only)  |
Jo-Ann | 2024 & 2025  | 800  | 1\. Filed March 2024
2\. Filed January 2025; announced liquidations in February  | None (all US stores liquidated by May 2025)  | [75]
99 Cents Only Stores  | 2024  | 371  | Filed 2024  | None, 170 property leases sold to Dollar Tree, 10 sold to Ollie's Bargain Outlet  | [76][77]
Rite Aid | 2023 & 2025  | 1,245  | 1\. Filed October 2023
2\. Filed May 2025  | None (all stores liquidated by September 2025)  | [78][79]
Hudson's Bay  | 2025  | 80  | Filed March 2025  | None (6 originally meant to remain open but since all have closed. 28 Store leases are set to be revived under a different name.)  | [80]

## Strategies

Researchers say retailers' survival may be tied to customer experience and brand reputation. In 2019, Forbes said brand reputation was the biggest factor.[81] In 2020, Monash University in Australia said the three key factors were delivering a "great in-store retail experience", customer-targeted stock offerings, and "seamless omnichannel integration".[82]

Toys "R" Us may not have responded well to changing consumer behavior.[83]

Some retail chains are trying robots and other technologies to reduce costs or improve customer experiences. Ikea became one of the first retailers to use Apple's ARKit to develop an augmented reality app that allowed customers to visualize 3D renderings of Ikea products as they would appear in a certain room or place.[84][85] Macy's, American Eagle, Nike and Sephora were reported to be implementing various technologies to integrate digital experiences to improve consumers' physical shopping experiences. Sephora has installed smart mirrors that use augmented reality to allow customers to try on makeup.[86] Walmart automated some aspects of its supply chain. Kohl's reduced the size of some stores from 90,000 to between 60,000 and 35,000 square feet[81] and uses robots to help clean and stock shelves. Lowe's has been using LowesBot to help customers find items.[83] Company executives have said robots lower costs and improve efficiency, but employees report they don't like working with robots.[citation needed]

A 2018 study from the International Council of Shopping Centers indicated that opening new stores can increase traffic to retailer websites.[87]

## See also

* Dead mall
* Jobpocalypse
* Direct-to-consumer
* Economic history of the United States
* Pop-up shop

## References

1. ↑ Hartmans, Avery (15 December 2022). "The retail apocalypse isn't over: it's coming back to bite department stores, experts warn". Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/the-retail-apocalypse-isnt-over-its-coming-back-to-bite-department-stores-experts-warn/articleshow/96260856.cms.
2. ↑ Franck, Thomas (2018-06-04). "The 'retailpocalypse' is over and it's time to go long Macy's, Evercore ISI says" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/04/the-retailpocalypse-is-over-and-its-time-to-go-long-macys-evercore-isi-says.html.
3. ↑ "Retailpocalypse Now? Read Our New-Look Markets A.M. Newsletter" (in en-US). https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-sp500-nasdaq-02-25-2025/card/retailpocalypse-now-read-our-new-look-markets-a-m-newsletter-4tH3t6ZFXheL9H54EVNl.
4. ↑ Peterson, Hayley (1 January 2018). "A tsunami of store closings is about to hit the US — and it's expected to eclipse the retail carnage of 2017". http://www.businessinsider.com/store-closures-in-2018-will-eclipse-2017-2018-1.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Thompson, Derek (10 April 2017). "What in the World Is Causing the Retail Meltdown of 2017?". The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/04/retail-meltdown-of-2017/522384/. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
6. ↑ "These haunting photos of the retail apocalypse reveal a new normal in America". 24 March 2017. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/these-haunting-photos-of-the-retail-apocalypse-reveal-a-new-normal-in-america/ss-BByFpjX.
7. ↑ Taylor, Kate (1 November 2017). "One statistic shows how much Amazon could dominate the future of retail". Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/retail-apocalypse-amazon-accounts-for-half-of-all-retail-growth-2017-11.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Bernstein, Corinne. "retail apocalypse". Tech Target. https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/retail-apocalypse.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Wilson, Marianne (11 August 2019). "IHL Study: Five retailers opening stores for every retailer closing stores" (in en). https://chainstoreage.com/real-estate/ihl-study-five-retailers-opening-stores-for-every-retailer-closing-stores.
10. ↑ Valinsky, Jordan (8 January 2020). "Macy's is closing 28 stores and a Bloomingdale's store". https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/08/business/macys-store-closures/index.html.
11. ↑ Peterson, Hayley (9 April 2020). "Coronavirus could trigger a second coming of the retail apocalypse, with a new wave of bankruptcies and store closings expected to sweep the nation". https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-could-trigger-retail-bankruptcies-and-mass-store-closings-2020-4.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 D'Innoncenzio, Anne (27 May 2020). "Tuesday Morning faced 'severe consequences' from COVID-19". https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-coronavirus-tuesday-morning-bankrupt-20200527-fduq7zyxuvdppcn3cfl4lqud4e-story.html.
13. ↑ Edwards, Helen; Edwards, Dave (8 December 2017). "The US middle class is disappearing, which makes dollar stores very happy". https://qz.com/1120552/the-retail-apocalypse-isnt-just-amazon-its-that-the-middle-class-is-disappearing.
14. ↑ Urie, Daniel (18 March 2019). "'Retail apocalypse' continues: Gap, Family Dollar, thousands of other stores will close this year". The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. https://www.nola.com/news/business/retail-apocalypse-continues-gap-family-dollar-thousands-of-other-stores-will-close-this-year/article_6888c20e-0569-5915-83cd-a62efec9f647.html.
15. ↑ Jackson, Howard (29 March 2018). "Why Warehouse Clubs Aren't Facing an 'Apocalyptic' Decline". https://progressivegrocer.com/why-warehouse-clubs-arent-facing-apocalyptic-decline.
16. ↑ Glen, Peter (1994). Ten Years of Peter Glen. ST Publications. p. 125. ISBN 9780944094037. https://books.google.com/books?id=TIyWTu5TAr0C&q="retail+apocalypse". Retrieved 18 August 2022.
17. ↑ Thomas, Lauren; Kopecki, Dawn; Schoen, John W. (12 October 2018). "Timeline: The rise and fall of Sears". https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/12/timeline-the-rise-and-fall-of-sears.html.
18. ↑ Hirsch, Lauren; Thomas, Lauren (15 October 2018). "Sears files for bankruptcy, and Eddie Lampert steps down as CEO" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/15/sears-files-for-bankruptcy.html.
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Jones, Charisse; Bomey, Nathan (15 October 2018). "Sears files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, to close 142 more stores" (in en). https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/10/15/sears-bankruptcy/1595399002/.
20. ↑ Driscoll, Kara (27 March 2017). "RETAIL APOCALYPSE: 3,500 stores or more to close this year". Dayton.com. https://www.dayton.com/business/retail-apocalypse-500-stores-more-close-this-year/RzTeZhnIk13YIlF0skFV3H/.
21. ↑ Bomey, Nathan (12 June 2017). "Gymboree files bankruptcy, closing up to 450 stores". USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/06/12/childrens-apparel-chain-gymboree-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy/102772792/.
22. ↑ "Hasbro points to Toys R Us' demise in announcing layoffs". CBS News. 22 October 2018. https://www.wivb.com/news/national/hasbro-points-to-toys-r-us-demise-in-announcing-layoffs/1542038375.
23. ↑ Holman, Jordyn; Green, Jeff (13 December 2019). "Retail Apocalypse Gives More Women a Shot as CEO". https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-12-13/retail-apocalypse-gives-more-women-a-shot-as-ceo.
24. ↑ James, Mark (8 February 2019). "Retail Apocalypse". Target Help. https://target-help.com/retail-apocalypse/.
25. ↑ Kaplan, Marcia (12 January 2017). "2016 Holiday Ecommerce Wrap-up". PracticalEcommerce. http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/132707-2016-Holiday-Ecommerce-Wrap-up.
26. ↑ Bain, Mark (19 July 2017). "America's vast swaths of retail space have become a burden in the age of e-commerce". https://qz.com/1032723/theres-much-more-empty-retail-space-in-the-us-than-in-other-countries-on-a-per-capita-level.
27. ↑ Gladwell, Malcolm (15 March 2004). "The Terrazzo Jungle". The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/03/15/the-terrazzo-jungle. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
28. ↑ Sanburn, Josh (20 July 2017). "Why the Death of Malls Is About More Than Shopping". Time. https://time.com/4865957/death-and-life-shopping-mall/. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
29. ↑ Peterson, Hayley (6 June 2017). "Amazon's and Walmart's latest moves confirm the death of the middle class as we know it". http://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-and-walmart-confirm-the-death-of-the-middle-class-2017-6.
30. ↑ Meyersohn, Nathaniel (19 July 2019). "Dollar stores are facing backlash across America". https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/19/business/dollar-general-opposition/index.html.
31. ↑ Misra, Tanvi (20 December 2018). "The Dollar Store Backlash Has Begun". CityLab. https://www.citylab.com/equity/2018/12/closest-grocery-store-to-me-dollar-store-food-desert-bargain/577777/.
32. ↑ Rosenblum, Paula (15 April 2014). "Walmart's Out Of Stock Problem: Only Half The Story?" (in en). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/paularosenblum/2014/04/15/walmarts-out-of-stock-problem-only-half-the-story/#1fb788873696.
33. ↑ Rosenblum, Paula (22 April 2014). "The Walmart Out-of-Stock Problem: Lessons Learned". https://www.rsrresearch.com/research/the-walmart-out-of-stock-problem-lessons-learned.
34. ↑ Townsend, Matt; Surane, Jenny; Orr, Emma; Cannon, Christopher (8 November 2017). "America's 'Retail Apocalypse' Is Really Just Beginning" (in en). Bloomberg.com. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2017-retail-debt/?sref=CIpmV6x8.
35. ↑ Shephard, Alex (28 March 2018). "The Real Retail Killer" (in en-US). The New Republic. https://newrepublic.com/article/147669/real-retail-killer. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
36. ↑ Richter, Wolf (2 August 2017). "The retail apocalypse is being fueled by private equity firms adding to debt loads". Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/brick-and-mortar-retail-private-equity-debt-financing-lbo-2017-8?international=true&r=US&IR=T.
37. ↑ Holliday, Anne (13 May 2020). "Gordmans Parent Company Files for Bankruptcy" (in en). https://wesb.com/2020/05/13/gordmans-parent-company-files-for-bankruptcy/.
38. ↑ Hadero, Haleluya (2 February 2023). "Amazon beats Q4 revenue estimates, but profits slump". Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/technology-amazoncom-inc-north-america-earnings-business-3ed169ad4883a5f7cb6f6bf888564519. "Amazon has been struggling to right-size its business in the past year as consumers pulled back from the pandemic-induced move towards online shopping."
39. ↑ Kuhuk, Jane (19 May 2020). "COVID-19 shopping behavior: what products would customers rather buy online? [Infographic"] (in en). https://competera.net/resources/articles/ecommerce-online-shopping-behavior-retail-infographic.
40. ↑ Young, Sarah (9 June 2020). "Record number of retailers expected to close this year" (in en). ConsumerAffairs. https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/record-number-of-retailers-expected-to-close-this-year-060920.html.
41. ↑ "2020 Store Closures in the US: Update—Covid-19 Impact Set To Drive Up Closures". 9 June 2020. https://coresight.com/research/us-store-closures-2020-outlook-covid-19-update-prolonged-impact-set-to-drive-up-closures/.
42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "Coresight Bites: US Store Openings and Closures—2021 Review and 2022 Outlook". 6 January 2022. https://coresight.com/research/coresight-bites-us-store-openings-and-closures-2021-review-and-2022-outlook/.
43. ↑ Wargo, Buck (19 July 2022). "In Spite of Worries About Inflation, Downturn, Retail Leasing Has Thrived This Year". Wealth Management. https://www.wealthmanagement.com/retail/spite-worries-about-inflation-downturn-retail-leasing-has-thrived-year.
44. ↑ Spector, Mike; Trachtenberg, Jeffrey A. (19 July 2011). "Borders Forced to Liquidate, Close All Stores". https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303661904576454353768550280.
45. ↑ Pete, Joseph S. (10 October 2020). "Merrillville-based Carson's closed its only brick-and-mortar store". Times of Northwest Indiana. https://www.nwitimes.com/business/lake-newsletter/merrillville-based-carsons-closed-its-only-brick-and-mortar-store/article_29f59b28-79a9-50a3-b970-b3fb3016c128.html.
46. ↑ "Liquidators to wind down US department store chain Bon-Ton" (in en). 18 April 2018. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/17/liquidators-to-wind-down-us-department-store-chain-bon-ton.html.
47. ↑ Valinsky, Jordan (31 May 2022). "About 100 Sears Hometown stores are closing". CNN Business. https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/31/business/sears-hometown-closures/index.html.
48. ↑ Franco, Judi (6 July 2022). "Sad word on the street: This NJ JC Penney closing after 46 years". nj1015.com (New Jersey 101.5). https://nj1015.com/sad-word-on-the-street-this-nj-jcpenney-closing-after-47-years/.
49. ↑ Burch, Christopher (5 May 2022). "JCPenney makes offer to buy competitor Kohl's". NJ Advance Media. https://www.nj.com/business/2022/05/jcpenney-makes-offer-to-buy-competitor-kohls.html.
50. ↑ Bhattarai, Abha (18 July 2019). "Toys R Us is back from the dead, but its new stores are unrecognizable". The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/07/18/toys-r-us-is-back-dead-its-new-stores-are-unrecognizable/.
51. ↑ Valinsky, Jordan (31 January 2021). "Toys 'R' Us has closed all its stores – again". https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/31/business/toys-r-us-closures/index.html.
52. ↑ Geske, Dawn (4 June 2019). "J.Crew Store Closures 2019: Everything You Need To Know". https://www.ibtimes.com/jcrew-store-closures-2019-everything-you-need-know-2797676.
53. ↑ Tyko, Kelly (6 August 2019). "Barneys New York files for bankruptcy and announces 15 closing stores. See the list.". https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/08/06/barneys-new-york-bankruptcy-luxury-retailer-closing-15-stores/1930050001/.
54. ↑ Duffy, Clare (3 February 2020). "Forever 21 Bankruptcy: Retailer enters deal to sell for $81 million". https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/02/business/forever-21-bankruptcy-sale-brookfield/index.html.
55. ↑ Naidu, Richa; Venugopal, Aishwarya (29 September 2019). "Forever 21 closing stores in bankruptcy filing shows limits to fast fashion". reuters.com (Reuters). https://www.reuters.com/article/us-forever21-bankruptcy-idUSKBN1WF043. "815 stores"
56. ↑ "Forever 21 History Case Study- The Rise & Fall". 440 Industries. 11 April 2022. https://440industries.com/forever-21-history-case-study-the-rise-fall/. "Today, the brand owns over 600 stores"
57. ↑ Thomas, Lauren (16 January 2020). "Payless ShoeSource emerges from bankruptcy — again". https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/16/payless-shoesource-emerges-from-bankruptcyagain.html.
58. ↑ Johns, Nikara (6 January 2022). "Twitter Can't Stop Talking About Payless Shoes — Here's Why". https://footwearnews.com/2022/business/retail/payless-shoes-trending-twitter-1203227258/.
59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 "The running list of 2020 retail bankruptcies". https://www.retaildive.com/news/the-running-list-of-2020-retail-bankruptcies/571159/.
60. ↑ Ilchi, Layla (24 July 2020). "What to Know About Neiman Marcus' Bankruptcy". wwd.com (Women's Wear Daily). https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/neiman-marcus-bankruptcy-what-to-know-1203565951/.
61. ↑ "Neiman Marcus Group". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/companies/neiman-marcus-group/?sh=1f11f1136005.
62. ↑ Unglesbee, Ben (27 May 2020). "Tuesday Morning files for bankruptcy with plans to close a third of its stores" (in en-US). https://www.retaildive.com/news/tuesday-morning-files-for-bankruptcy-with-plans-to-close-a-third-of-its-sto/578660/.
63. ↑ "With fresh financial backing, Tuesday Morning turns its attention to store location strategy". Home Textiles Today. 19 July 2022. https://www.hometextilestoday.com/retailers/with-fresh-financial-backing-tuesday-morning-turns-its-attention-to-store-location-strategy/.
64. ↑ Tyko, Kelly (24 June 2020). "Is your GNC closing? Retailer releases list of first stores to shutter in bankruptcy. See the list.". usatoday.com (USA Today). https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/06/24/gnc-store-closures-list-2020-first-stores-bankruptcy/3252560001/.
65. ↑ Stone, Madeline (24 June 2020). "GNC is closing 248 stores after filing for bankruptcy. Here's the full list.". https://www.businessinsider.com/gnc-closing-stores-list-of-addresses-2020-6.
66. ↑ Muccigrosso, Catherine (4 March 2022). "Charlotte CBD company is expanding nationally by teaming up with major US retailer". charlotteobserver.com (The Charlotte Observer). https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/whats-in-store/article259016583.html.
67. ↑ Wattles, Jackie (5 July 2017). "True Religion files for bankruptcy". CNN. https://money.cnn.com/2017/07/05/news/companies/true-religion-bankruptcy/index.html.
68. ↑ Bhasin, Kim; Holman, Jordyn (13 April 2020). "True Religion Files for Bankruptcy Again as Denim's Allure Fades". Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-13/true-religion-files-for-bankruptcy-again-as-denim-s-allure-fades.
69. ↑ Moin, David (4 October 2021). "Behind a Rebound, True Religion Aims to Double Revenues". Women's Wear Daily. https://wwd.com/business-news/markets/true-religion-michael-buckley-1234962798/.
70. ↑ Kavilanz, Parija (9 July 2020). "Coronavirus canceled office clothing. These stores are in big trouble". https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/business/office-wear-dead-brooks-brothers/index.html.
71. ↑ Maheshwari, Sapna (12 August 2020). "Bankrupt Brooks Brothers Finds a Buyer". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/12/business/brooks-brothers-sale-authentic-brands.html.
72. ↑ "Number of Brooks Brothers locations in the United States in 2022". ScrapeHero. 27 June 2022. https://www.scrapehero.com/location-reports/Brooks Brothers-USA/.
73. ↑ Reuters 22 April 2024
74. ↑ Snider, Mike (February 5, 2025). "Which Big Lots stores will stay open? These 200 likely locations are on a list" (in en-US). https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/05/big-lots-bankruptcy-stores-staying-open/78248028007/.
75. ↑ D'innocenzio, Anne (24 February 2025). "Fabric and craft retailer Joann to go out of business and close all of its stores". AP News. https://apnews.com/article/joann-closing-bankruptcy-crafts-retail-b83c68fb641fad18cd6c8be925c6d90b.
76. ↑ "Dollar Tree acquires 99 Cents Only's North American IP" (in en-US). Grocery Dive. https://www.grocerydive.com/news/dollar-tree-acquires-99-cents-only-intellectual-property-stores/717578/.
77. ↑ Knauth, Dietrich. "Retailer 99 Cents Only files for bankruptcy, plans to shut down" (in en-US). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/retailer-99-cents-only-files-bankruptcy-plans-shut-down-2024-04-08/.
78. ↑ Knauth, Dietrich (5 May 2025). "Rite Aid files for second bankruptcy in two years" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/rite-aid-intends-file-second-bankruptcy-announces-job-cuts-bloomberg-news-2025-05-05/.
79. ↑ "All Rite Aid stores have now closed" (in en). https://content.riteaid.com/.
80. ↑ "Hudson's Bay will liquidate last 6 remaining stores, court filing says" (in en-US). Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/11146195/hudsons-bay-liquidating-remaining-6-stores/.
81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 Fertik, Michael (2 May 2019). "How to Avoid Being Victim to the Retail Apocalypse". https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelfertik/2019/05/02/how-to-avoid-being-victim-to-the-retail-apocalypse/.
82. ↑ "The trick to thriving in a 'retail apocalypse'". Australia: Monash Business School, Monash University. 12 February 2020. https://impact.monash.edu/retail/the-trick-to-thriving-in-a-retail-apocalypse/.
83. ↑ 83.0 83.1 Morgan, Blake (3 September 2019). "Slow Your Roll Robots: Not Everyone Is Excited About Walmart's Robots". https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2019/09/03/slow-your-roll-robots-not-everyone-is-excited-about-walmarts-robots/.
84. ↑ Lunden, Ingrid (12 September 2017). "IKEA Place, the retailer's first ARKit app, creates lifelike pictures of furniture in your home". https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/12/ikea-place-the-retailers-first-arkit-app-creates-lifelike-pictures-of-furniture-in-your-home/.
85. ↑ Lunden, Ingrid (2 April 2020). "Ikea acquires AI imaging startup Geomagical Labs to supercharge room visualisations". https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/02/ikea-acquires-ai-imaging-startup-geomagical-labs-to-supercharge-room-visualisations/.
86. ↑ Meyersohn, Nathaniel (15 August 2019). "Stores are starting to feel a lot more like the internet". https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/15/tech/retail-technology-nike-macys-reformation/index.html.
87. ↑ "ICSC "Halo Effect" Study Finds Physical Stores Drive Increase in Online Traffic and Brand Awareness" (in en). 15 October 2018. https://www.icsc.com/news-and-views/icsc-exchange/icsc-halo-effect-study-finds-physical-stores-drive-increase-in-online-traff.

## External links

* Brian Sozzi, "Coach CEO Perfectly Explains What Must Be Done to Survive Retail Apocalypse", thestreet.com 8 September 2017
* "The Death Knell for the Bricks-and-Mortar Store? Not Yet", Matthew Schneier, The New York Times, 13 November 2017
* "What It's Like to Work in the Last Big Store in a Dying Mall", Kate Seamons, Newser, 2 January 2018

Videos

* "American shopping malls struggle to survive". CBS Sunday Morning. CBS. 30 March 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBmvMpZCNJg.
* "The rise and fall of the American shopping mall". PBS Newshour. PBS. 28 November 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7y1FoFqtiw.
* "What America's shopping mall decline means for social space". Vox. 6 April 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oooVC3zfDc8.

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