List of stores closing in March

Several stores have announced upcoming closures throughout the month of March, including major retailers like Francesca’s and Macy’s as well as fast food chains like Wendy’s and Pizza Hut.

“The retail reckoning we’re seeing is incredibly unfortunate. Not only will it cause thousands of workers to lose their jobs, but it also equates to fewer options for consumers, particularly in rural areas and smaller cities,” Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, 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.”

Why It Matters

Retail closures can indicate larger strife within the economy and also typically reflect shifting consumer behavior. 

In recent years, many shoppers have adopted a greater emphasis on online shopping over brick-and-mortar sales. This has impacted many retailers’ business models and sparked several closures or even bankruptcies.

Francesca

Francesca announced that it would be closing all 400 U.S. stores after a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on February 5.

Going‑out‑of‑business sales began in February and continue through March as stores wind down.

Macy’s

Macy’s is another major retailer that plans to close a slew of stores by the end of this year.

Roughly Q1 closures were slated for between January and March as the retailer aims to shut down 150 stores by the end of the year.

Wendy’s

In the restaurant space, Wendy’s will be closing 300 underperforming stores during the first half of 2026, per a recent February earnings call.

“Some businesses attempted to keep these locations through cutting costs on staff, which only deepened the problem,” Beene said. “If higher prices weren’t already an issue, having a skeleton crew that delayed service times added to the negativity of remaining customers. It’s a lose-lose situation.”

Pizza Hut

Another restaurant chain, Pizza Hut, announced 250 U.S. locations would be closing during the first half of 2026.

These underperforming locations will be cut as the brand takes on a “Hut Forward” strategy, according to the company.

During a February 4 Yum! Brands earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Ranjith Roy said the restaurant chain plans to focus on “vibrant marketing, modernization of technology, and franchise agreements.”

GameStop, which operates more than 2,000 stores nationwide, said more than 470 stores are slated for closure throughout 2026.

That will include ongoing closures for this quarter, including within March, although exact locations have not been publicly listed.

Eddie Bauer

Eddie Bauer will be closing all 175 of its remaining U.S. and Canada stores after filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Closures were previously said to occur by April 30 unless a buyer emerges, so most of the shutdowns are occurring during the February to March liquidation period.

Saks Off 5th

Another fashion retailer looking to close stores this month is Saks Off 5th/Saks Fifth Avenue.

Dozens of locations are closing under the Saks Global bankruptcy, with some closures underway during the first quarter and in March.

Keep in mind, exact dates vary by market, and not all stores are affected.

What People Are Saying

Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek: “These store closures aren’t some big economic meltdown. 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.”

Drew Powers, the founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek: “The brick-and-mortar retail sector has been suffering for years.  These stores have simply not been able to keep up with the competition during the rise of the online retailer, and have not yet developed a robust online experience that creates enough sales nor drives in-store business.”

What Happens Next

Based on the store closures ahead, Ryan said consumers are still spending, but they’re only spending where it counts. 

“They’re hitting up Aldi and Dollar General, not mid-tier mall chains that haven’t updated their playbook since 2005. I’m expecting 8k plus total closures in 2026, but… 5,500 new stores are opening. And guess who’s opening them? Discounters. Value plays. Convenience stores,” Ryan said.

Brick and mortar is becoming a luxury for the top performing retailers, he added.

“Macy’s is consolidating down to 350 core stores. Wendy’s and Pizza Hut are pruning underperformers and investing in remodels and delivery instead,” Ryan said. “This is what smart companies do when they realize the old model doesn’t work anymore.”