Things haven’t been going so well for many retailers recently, thanks to the popularity and ease of online shopping.
It can be hard to keep track of all the brands that say they’re closing many of their retail locations in 2017, including JCPenney, Macy’s and other favorites. In fact, 2017 was a record year for store closing announcements, according to one analysis.
Unfortunately, this also means a lot of people will be looking for new jobs in 2017 and 2018, which is a huge bummer.
To help you keep track, and make sure that you use up those valuable gift cards in time, we round up some of the retailers that are closing stores this year.
1. JCPenney
JCPenney announced earlier this year that it plans to close between 130 and 140 locations in 2017. Now, JCPenney has released a list of exactly which stores will be closing this year—a total of 138 stores across the United States will close, leaving many employees out of work.
“During the year, it became evident the stores that could fully execute the company’s growth initiatives of beauty, home refresh and special sizes generated significantly higher sales, and a more vibrant in-store shopping environment,” said Marvin Ellison, chairman and chief executive officer of JCPenney.
2. RadioShack
Once you get over your “Wait, RadioShack is still a thing?” reaction (yes, yes it is), you should know that the consumer technology company is preparing to file for bankruptcy. As a result of its financial struggles, RadioShack plans to close roughly 200 stores around the country, which will leave some 1,300 stores remaining.
3. The Limited
You’ll have to buy your clothes and accessories elsewhere because The Limited is shutting down. The store is closing all 250 of its stores across the United States and has also shut down online sales. A message on The Limited’s website says that all online orders that haven’t shipped yet will be canceled.
“Please know it has been such an honor to provide fashion for you and other strong, confident women for more than 50 years,” according to the website message. “Unfortunately, we’ve recently had to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy and can no longer accept any purchases.”
What does this mean for your gift cards? They may be totally worthless, but you can always trying emailing their customer service email address (customerservice@thelimited.com) for a refund—it’s worth a shot.
4. Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill and Carraba’s Restaurants
This one isn’t as alarming, but the parent company for Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill and Carraba’s says it will close 43 underperforming locations in 2017. That leaves more than 1,400 remaining stores in 48 states and 20 countries, so there’s still plenty of opportunities to use your gift cards if you’re obsessed with Bloomin’ Onions and Bang Bang Shrimp.
5. Macy’s
Department store chain Macy’s says it plans to close roughly 100 of its 730 stores, some of which have already closed.
If your local Macy’s is still standing, you might have noticed some other surprising changes the last time you were there. The retailer is mirroring discount chains such as T.J. Maxx and Nordstrom Rack by letting customers get their own shoes and makeup, as opposed to working with a sales associate.
6. Sears And Kmart
Roughly 350 Sears and Kmart locations closed this year—that includes both Kmart stores and Sears locations across the country.
The company also recently announced that they plan to close even more stores (approximately 60) in January 2018.
Our advice? Use those gift cards fast, in case the company decides to shutter even more stores.
7. HHGregg
HHGregg, the electronics and appliance retailer based in Indianapolis, closed 88 of its stores earlier this year, which represents 40 percent of all locations. The stores are located in 15 states, which unfortunately resulted in about 1,500 layoffs.
Shoppers in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia will have to say goodbye to their local HHGregg.
8. CVS
The popular drugstore chain closed 70 stores in early 2017. Don’t worry—there are still more than 9,500 CVS locations across the country.
9. Family Christian Stores
Family Christian Stores is closing up shop after 85 years in business, which means it’s closing 240 stores in 36 states. Unfortunately, that also means that 3,000 employees are out of work, too. The non-profit ministry organization sells Christian-themed books, music and gifts.
10. American Apparel
This popular clothing manufacturer closed all of its 110 stores this year. American Apparel was founded in 1989 but filed for bankruptcy in late 2016. Canadian t-shirt and underwear maker Gildan bought the failing company in January for $88 million and decided to close all American Apparel locations, including its Los Angeles headquarters.
11. Abercrombie & Fitch
Alert the teenagers in your life—Abercrombie & Fitch closed about 60 locations this year as leases expire. There are still 670 remaining stores located across the United States, so there’s plenty of time to use those gift cards to buy jeans and graphic tees.
12. Chico’s
Chico’s FAS, the parent company for Chico’s, White House Black Market and Soma, is in the middle of a multi-year transformation process. In 2015, the company said it would close 120 underperforming stores by 2017, then upped that number to 150 stores last year. This year, the company says it expects to open 10 stores and close 50 stores as part of this plan.
13. The Children’s Place
The Children’s Place is also in the middle of a multi-year plan to turn things around. The company said in 2015 that it planned to close 200 stores through 2017, but recently revised that goal to 300 stores by 2020.
14. Whole Foods
Don’t panic—Whole Foods is only closing a tiny fraction of its stores. The natural grocer announced earlier this year that it planned to close nine stores before April, while at the same time opening six new stores. The chain has 440 stores across the country. Though Whole Foods initially planned to expand to 1,200 stores, the company said it’s scrapping that plan for now.
15. Wet Seal
Wet Seal closed up shop, which means it shuttered all of its 171 stores around the country. The teen retailer closed roughly two-thirds of its stores two years ago when it filed for bankruptcy. In January, a company executive said Wet Seal could not find the funding or the partnership it needed to continue.
16. Gordmans
The popular discount chain Gordmans filed for bankruptcy this year and closed roughly 48 stores.
17. Vanity
Vanity announced earlier this year that it will shutter all of its 137 stores spread across 27 states. The clothing retailer was a staple in many shopping malls and popular among teens and young women.
RELATED: These 12 Kohl’s Shopping Secrets Will Save You A Boatload Of Money
18. Payless Shoesource
Payless closed approximately 400 stores after filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. Then, the company added another 122 stores to that list.
19. Gap and Banana Republic
The parent company for Gap announced this fall that it planned to close approximately 200 Gap and Banana Republic locations in favor of opening more Old Navy and Athleta locations. There’s no clear word on exactly how many Gaps versus Banana Republics closed out of the 200.
20. Michael Kors
Unfortunately, Michael Kors announced this year that it plans to shutter 125 brick-and-mortar locations over the next two years.
21. True Religion
Popular denim retailer True Religion announced plans to close 27 stores this year after filing for bankruptcy.
22. Teavana
Tea lovers got some sad news this year when Starbucks announced that it would close all 379 Teavana locations because they were underperforming. The closures were planned to be finished by spring 2018.
23. Gander Mountain
Gander Mountain filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and announced plans to close dozens of stores. Then, the sporting goods and outdoor gear supplies found a new owner, and the list of stores that would close became murkier. It seems that the new owner is still working out the details, but does hope to be able to keep more stores open than initially planned.
24. J. Crew
J. Crew announced in November that it planned to close 39 brick-and-mortar stores by the end of January 2018.
25. Bebe
Women’s clothing retailer Bebe announced this spring that it planned to close down all 180 brick-and-mortar stores. It appears that you can still get your Bebe fix online, however.
26. Perfumania
Another shopping mall staple, Perfumania, filed for bankruptcy this year and announced plans to close down 64 locations.
27. Ann Taylor, Dress Barn, Loft, Lane Bryant, Justice, Maurices and Catherines
The parent company for Ann Taylor, Dress Barn, Loft, Lane Bryant, Justice, Maurices and Catherines announced that it planned to close between 250 and 650 store locations over the next two years.
28. Aerosoles
The comfy shoe retailer Aerosoles filed for bankruptcy this year and announced plans to close down 74 stores.
29. Guess
Guess announced plans to close some 60 stores in 2017. Another mall staple bites the dust.
30. BCBG
BCBG closed 118 stores this spring, with closures happening across the country.
31. Crocs
Crocs makes those rubbery, casual shoes with holes in them that lots of people wear. Well, unfortunately, the retailer announced earlier this year that it planned to close 158 stores. Bummer.
32. Rue 21
Popular teen clothing retailer Rue 21 closed roughly 400 stores this year in favor of luring customers to its website instead.
33. Vitamin World
Vitamin World says it wants to close 124 stores and sell off the rest as part of bankruptcy proceedings.
34. Staples
Office supply chain Staples closed 70 stores in North America this year. Don’t worry, however, there are still more than 1,000 Staples in operation.
35. GameStop
Due to increased competition, GameStop decided to close 150 stores this year.
36. Charming Charlie
Popular accessory retailer Charming Charlie just announced that it plans to close 100 stores after filing for bankruptcy. Boo!
Sarah Kuta is an award-winning writer and editor based in Colorado. She writes regularly about how to find deals, save money and find side gigs. Reach her at sarah@dontwasteyourmoney.com. More.
