These RI Retail Stores Could Shutter In 2026 As Business Closures Continue

Several national retail chains doing business in Rhode Island have already announced plans to shutter stores in 2026 to adapt to a consumer shift to e-commerce and a broader industry trend toward downsizing physical footprints to focus on digital growth and efficiency.

Overall, nearly 300 U.S. chains have already announced store closures in 2026, according to research by Business Insider.

Here’s a look at stores in Rhode Island that could change.

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Carter’s, one of the biggest baby and children’s apparel retailers in North America, said in October it would shutter 150 stores over the next three years, with 100 closures by the end of October. It’s unclear if Carter’s one store in Rhode Island is affected. The store is in Providence.

Dick’s Sporting Goods, which acquired Foot Locker in 2025, said in a November earnings call that it would “clean out the garage” by shuttering underperforming stores. Dick’s did not say which of its stores — which also include Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, WSS and Japanese sneaker brand atmos — did not disclose specific stores targeted for closure. In Rhode Island, Foot Locker has two stores.

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Macy’s, which has two stores in Rhode Island, announced plans in January 2025 to close 150 stores through the end of 2026 to focus on its best-performing locations and improving the digital experience.

REI told Business Insider that it will shutter three stores, beginning in the first quarter of 2026 with the closure of a store in New Jersey. In late 2026, stores in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood and Boston are expected to close. Rhode Island has one REI store that is not affected by the outdoor outfitter’s plans.

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Red Robin said in March it would close 70 underperforming restaurants in 2025, but said in November that improvements allowed them to cut the list of pending closures to 50. The closures are expected to take place by 2030. In Rhode Island, the fast casual gourmet burger restaurant has one location. It’s unclear if it will close.

Walgreens is continuing a three-year plan that began in October 2024 to close underperforming stores whose leases are expiring. The chain did not release a list of stores to be closed. Walgreens has 33 stores in Rhode Island.

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Wendy’s, which operates three fast-food restaurants in Rhode Island, plans to close between 150 and 300 locations by the end of 2026. In some cases, the company will work with franchisees to improve the financial success of the restaurant, but others would be shuttered.

Yankee Candle parent company Newell Brands said in December that it would close 20 stores, starting in January 2026. The company also said it was laying off about 900 employees. Yankee Candle has three stores in Rhode Island.

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