At least 10 big businesses have said they will be shuttering some, if not all, of their brick-and-mortar stores this year. Many are affected by the popularity of online shopping.
Here are the stores that announced closures in recent months:
1. Victoria's Secret
Sales in 2018 dropped dramatically for Victoria's Secret, and it announced 53 stores will close in 2019.
2. JCPenney
At least 24 JCPenney stores will close in 2019, after it closed dozens in 2018 and 2017.
3. Family Dollar
Family Dollar announced in March 2019 that it will close 390 stores in the year and make big changes to the stores it is keeping open as the discount chain seeks a turnaround.
4. Gymboree
Gymboree announced in January it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and that filing has led to the impending closure of 800 stores.
5. Payless ShoeSource
Payless ShoeSource filed for bankruptcy a few years ago, and in 2019 announced it will close all of it's stores. Sales on its website immediately closes.
6. Charlotte Russe
Clothing retailer Charlotte Russe will close all of its 416 stores in 2019, which it announced after filing for bankruptcy in February.
7. GAP
The CEO of Gap said stores that are not meeting its profitability requirements will close, and the Old Navy brand will be split off and made its own company. Closures will include 230 Gap stores in 2019 and 2020.
8. Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Brant: The Ascena Retail Group
Ascena Retail Group owns brands such as Ann Taylor, Loft and Lane Bryant and has been closing stories since 2017. More are expected in 2019.
9. Macy's
Eight Macy's stores in locations the company believes may be over-saturated will close in 2019. The company closed dozens of stores in 2017.
10. LifeWay Christian Stores
LifeWay leaders said all of its 170 brick-and-mortar stores will close, but it will continue in the online retail business.
