Business & Tech
Multiple VA Retailers Planning 2026 Closures: See List
Hundreds of big-name retail stores have announced plans to close locations in the U.S. in 2026. Here's what the Virginia impact could be.
Several national retail chains doing business in Virginia 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 Virginia that could close.
Find out what's happening in Across Virginiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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 Virginia, Foot Locker has eight stores, including sites in Fredericksburg, Richmond, Woodbridge, and Dulles.
Kroger said in June that it would close 60 “unprofitable” stores across the United States through 2026. Kroger did not reveal a full list of store closures. In Virginia, the grocery giant operates 55 Harris Teeter stores in Arlington, Ashburn, Alexandria, Falls Church, McLean, Manassas, Reston, and other towns. What changes may come to these stores is unknown. Harris Teeter closed three Northern Virginia stores this summer: 950 S. George Mason Drive and 3600 S. Glebe Road in Arlington, as well as the Tysons Corner location at 200 Crestwood Heights Drive in McLean.
Find out what's happening in Across Virginiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Macy’s, which has 15 stores in Virginia, 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. Stores include Arlington, Manassas, Dulles, McLean and Fairfax. At least 66 stores closed in 2025 nationally, and the chain will shutter 150 underperforming stores by the end of 2026.
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. Virginia has six REI stores — including Fairfax, Woodbridge, and Tysons — that are not affected by the outdoor outfitter’s plans.
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 Virginia, the fast casual gourmet burger restaurant had 18 locations early in 2025. It’s unclear if any of them will be closed.
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 about 100 stores in Virginia, including in Vienna, Woodbridge, Manassas, McLean, Herndon, Fairfax, Falls Church and more.
Wendy’s, which operates 210 fast-food restaurants in Virginia, 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 12 stores in Virginia, including shops in Potomac Mills, Leesburg, Fredericksburg and Gainesville.
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