Malls said goodbye to longtime stores in 2025. Here’s who closed locations this year

As 2025 nears its end, many major retailers are gearing up to take a deep dive into their portfolios and tie up any loose ends needed to meet their annual bottom line.

But for some retailers, a portfolio audit was done well before year's end.

Companies like Macy's and Claire's pivoted early and mid-year to shutter " underperforming " stores or to " prioritize investments. "

Claire's closed hundreds of stores in 2025 while grappling a high-profile bankruptcy — at least six of which were in Massachusetts.

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Similarly, Forever 21 faced its second bankruptcy this year — a battle that left the brand closing more than 200 stores and sealed its fate as the company has permanently closed.

And regardless of why mall staples have shuttered, its no secret that those strolling the mall this holiday season in search of that perfect gift will find there are fewer storefronts to browse and less racks to sift through.

Here is a list of major mall staples who closed stores in 2025:

• Macy's— Macy's closed 66 stores in 2025 to uphold its "Bold New Chapter" strategy " designed to return the company to sustainable, profitable sales growth which includes closing approximately 150 underproductive stores over a three-year period while investing in its 350 go-forward Macy's locations through fiscal 2026 ."

• Claire's— Claire's closed more than 290 stores in 2025 while navigating bankruptcy. The company said stores included in the closures were " not viable under current lease terms or otherwise underperforming. "

• Forever 21— The fast-fashion chain known for its trendy and affordable apparel closed 354 stores this year, MassLive previously reported .

• JCPenney— JCPenney closed at least eight stores in 2025, according to USA Today . The closures add to the chain's growing list of more than 200 closures since its 2020 bankruptcy filing.

• Dillard's— Dillard's closed at least one location in 2025 with plans to close at least one more location in 2026, MassLive reported .

• Khol's— Khol's closed 27 locations nationwide this year, including one in Massachusetts. The company said it "continues to believe in the health and strength of its profitable store base, these specific locations were underperforming stores."

• Nordstrom— Nordstrom closed at least four locations this year: Two in California and two in Massachusetts . Both Bay State closures affected local malls.

• Saks Off 5th— Discount retailer Saks off 5th and its sister store Saks Fifth Avenue are closing nine locations in 2025, including one in Connecticut .

• Carter's- Carter's announced in October 2025 it would close approximately 150 stores within the next three years, though the company did not say how many would be closing by years-end.

• Starbucks— A mall staple in its own right, Starbucks announced in September it would close several locations and layoff more than 900 employees by October 2025. At least 20 Massachusetts stores were closed as a result .

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