STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 It was a rough year for big-box brands and major department stores, with many U.S. retail chains announcing significant store closures or filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy over the past 12 months. Blaming the brick-and-mortar shrinkage on declining foot traffic, shifting shopper habits and inflation, many of the companies claim change is necessary in this current retail landscape.<\/p>\n
And as the convenience of online shopping overpowers the in-store experience, the downsizing marches on. <\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a closer look at which retailers recently reinvented themselves, and which permanently disappeared:<\/p>\n
Macy\u2019s<\/p>\n
In February 2024, Macy\u2019s announced it would close more than 100 stores<\/a> as part of its \u201cBold New Chapter\u201d regrowth strategy. In early 2025, the retailer made good on that promise, shutting down a total of 66 locations. The company\u2019s Staten Island Furniture Gallery, located at 98 Richmond Hill Rd. in New Springville was part of that initial chop.<\/p>\n Advance Auto Parts <\/p>\n Advance Auto Parts announced plans to close 523 corporate and 204 independent locations<\/a> as part of what it called a \u201cstrategic plan to improve business performance.\u201d The brand\u2019s Port Richmond store, located at 2060 Forest Ave., was part of those closures, shutting its doors in March. <\/p>\n JCPenney<\/p>\n Department store retailer JCPenney shuttered at least eight stores in 2025<\/a>, including locations in California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire and West Virginia. The company attributed the closures to \u201cexpiring lease agreements, market changes and other factors.\u201d<\/p>\n Forever 21 <\/p>\n Trendy fast-fashion retailer Forever 21 filed for bankruptcy in March and officially closed all its stores about a month later<\/a>. Brad Sell, chief financial officer for the brand, noted that the company was \u201cunable to find a sustainable path forward, given competition from foreign fast-fashion companies \u2026 pricing and margin, as well as rising costs, economic challenges impacting our core customers, and evolving consumer trends,\u201d<\/p>\n Dollar General <\/p>\n In an effort to optimize store performance after a decrease in profits, Dollar General announced in March it would close 96 stores throughout the country<\/a>, and shutter 45 of its pOpshelf locations before year\u2019s end. The discount chain operates over 19,000 stores across 48 states, including two on Staten Island, which were not affected by the closures.<\/p>\n Walgreens <\/p>\n Walgreens, one of the largest pharmacy chains in the United States, announced in October 2024 it would close approximately 1,200 locations over the next three years<\/a>, made good on those downsizing claims in 2025. According to the company\u2019s website, 29 of its retail stores across the country shuttered in May.<\/a><\/p>\n Rite Aid<\/p>\n Rite Aid, the embattled pharmacy chain that first filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2023<\/a>, officially shuttered all its stores nationwide in October, ending a 62-year-run as a staple in the U.S. pharmacy industry<\/a>.<\/p>\n Citing slumping sales and a Justice Department complaint<\/a> alleging excessive fills of opioids as the cause, the chain had closed hundreds of stores<\/a> over the past two years, including both Staten Island locations in New Springville<\/a> and Eltingville<\/a>.<\/p>\n Claire\u2019s<\/p>\n