Over 15,000 stores are expected to close nationwide in 2025, doubling the 7,325 closures from 2024. All 800 JoAnn Fabrics stores closed permanently by May 2025, including multiple Louisiana and Texas locations. All 700 Party City stores shuttered by February 2025. Walgreens closing 500 stores in 2025 as part of 1,200 total closures by 2027. Advance Auto Parts closing 727 locations by mid-2025, including multiple Texas stores.\n\nThe \"retail apocalypse\" is accelerating across America, with Louisiana and Texas communities facing unprecedented store closures that will reshape how families shop, work, and live. LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) — We have seen a lot of major retail and grocery chains announce cutbacks and store closures in 2025, and there are some major worries that more are on the way. According to Coresight Research, an estimated 15,000 stores will shutter in 2025, compared to 7,325 last year, representing more than a doubling of closures that experts are calling the most severe retail downturn since the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nFor Louisiana and Texas families, this wave of closures hits particularly hard. Major chains with significant presence in both states are either completely shutting down or dramatically reducing their footprint, leaving communities scrambling for alternatives and thousands of workers facing uncertain futures.\n\nMajor Chains That Have Already Closed\n\nJoAnn Fabrics: A Complete Shutdown\n\nJoAnn Fabrics announced in February the closure of all its 800 stores nationwide, across 49 states, marking the end of an 80-year run serving craft enthusiasts. All stores closed by May 31, 2025, with the final 440+ locations shuttering on the last day of May. In Texas alone, 18 JoAnn locations closed, including four in the Houston area. The Houston-area stores that shuttered include locations at 15520 FM 529, 1219 N. Fry Road in Katy, 9960 Old Katy Road, and 290 Meyerland Plaza. Dallas-Fort Worth lost the most JoAnn Fabrics stores in the state, at 8 locations. Louisiana JoAnn customers also lost their local stores as part of the nationwide closure. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for a second time before announcing all locations would go out of business after failing to find a buyer.\n\nParty City: The End of an Era\n\nParty City announced the closure of its 700+ stores by February-March 2025, ending nearly 40 years as America's go-to party supply destination. The company closed completely by the end of March 2025, with CEO Barry Litwin telling staff the company would be shutting down immediately and that employees would not receive severance pay. Texas and Louisiana families who relied on Party City for birthday parties, graduations, and holiday celebrations had to find new sources for decorations and supplies.\n\nMassive Chains Reducing Footprint\n\nWalgreens: A Pharmacy Desert Crisis\n\nWalgreens announced it will close 1,200 underperforming stores across the U.S. over the next three years, with 500 to be closed in 2025. This represents one of the largest pharmacy chain closures in American history. Louisiana has Walgreens locations in 65 cities and towns, with Lafayette Parish alone having 11 locations and over a dozen in and around the Baton Rouge area. While specific Louisiana closures haven't been announced, the company's criteria for shuttering underperforming stores puts several locations at risk. \"In fiscal 2025, we are focusing on stabilizing the retail pharmacy by optimizing our footprint, controlling operating costs, improving cash flow,\" said Tim Wentworth, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance.\n\nCVS Health: Strategic Downsizing\n\nCVS has confirmed it will close 270 locations in 2025, based on \"changes in population, consumer buying patterns and future health needs.\" This comes after the company closed 900 stores between 2022 and 2024. The closures target areas with overlapping locations or low foot traffic, as CVS focuses on expanding its healthcare services rather than traditional retail.\n\nMacy's: Department Store Decline\n\nMacy's is closing 66 stores as part of its \"A Bold New Chapter\" plan, representing about one-third of its locations. The company announced it will close 150 stores through 2026 while investing in its 350 \"go-forward\" Macy's locations. \"Closing any store is never easy, but as part of our Bold New Chapter strategy, we are closing underproductive Macy's stores to allow us to focus our resources and prioritize investments in our go–forward stores,\" said Macy's, Inc. chairman and CEO Tony Spring.\n\nAuto Parts and Retail Giants Hit Hard\n\nAdvance Auto Parts: Major Texas Impact\n\nAdvance Auto Parts announced it will close 727 locations by mid-2025, including roughly 500 corporate-owned stores plus about 200 independently operated locations and four distribution centers. Texas, with its car-centric culture and sprawling geography, will feel this impact significantly. \"This action is prudent to support the long-term health of the company,\" said CEO Shane O'Kelly.\n\nGameStop: Digital Gaming Transformation\n\nGameStop confirmed plans to shutter a significant number of stores in 2025, following the closure of nearly 600 U.S. locations in 2024. The company filed an SEC filing detailing the closures as it invests in Bitcoin and collectibles while digital gaming continues to dominate.\n\nBig Lots: Complete Closure Then Successful Revival\n\nBig Lots, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September, initially planned to close all remaining stores. However, in a remarkable turnaround, Variety Wholesalers acquired 219 Big Lots stores and successfully reopened all of them by June 2025. The 219 reopened stores are located across 15 states, mostly in the South and Midwest, with North Carolina seeing the most locations. Unfortunately for Texas shoppers, no Texas locations are currently included in the reopening plan, though Variety Wholesalers is exploring options to acquire additional Big Lots stores in the future.\n\nDiscount and Dollar Stores Struggling\n\nFamily Dollar: Massive Closures\n\nFamily Dollar will close 370 stores in 2025, following 600 closures in 2024. In February 2022, Family Dollar temporarily closed 400 stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee due to unsanitary conditions at a distribution center. In March 2025, Dollar Tree sold its interest in Family Dollar to private equity firms Brigade Capital Management and Macellum Capital Management for $1 billion.\n\nDollar General: Strategic Cuts\n\nDollar General has over 19,400 stores in 48 states and approximately 158,000 employees, making it one of the largest retailers in America. The company announced it will close 96 Dollar General stores and 45 Popshelf stores based on current and predicted future performance. Texas alone has thousands of Dollar General stores, with just five states – Texas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania – having over 5,800 Dollar General stores combined.\n\nFashion and Clothing Chains Collapse\n\nForever 21: Second Bankruptcy\n\nForever 21 filed bankruptcy for the second time in six years and announced it will close all of its remaining U.S. locations. The company was closing around 200 of its 354 U.S. locations before deciding to shut down completely.\n\nKohl's: Targeted Closures\n\nKohl's Corp. closed 27 retail locations in 2025, including closures in California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and other states. \"We always take these decisions very seriously,\" said Tom Kingsbury, Kohl's CEO.\n\nWhat's Driving the Closures\n\nEconomic Pressures\n\n\"Inflation and a growing preference among consumers to shop online to find the cheapest deals took a toll on brick-and-mortar retailers in 2024,\" said Coresight Research CEO Deborah Weinswig. \"Not only do (customers) want the best prices, but they also have no patience for stores that are constantly disorganized, out of stock, and that deliver poor customer service,\" Weinswig added.\n\nThe Amazon Effect\n\nThe \"Amazon effect\" has been generating more than half of retail-sales growth, fundamentally changing how Americans shop. The increasing shift toward online shopping, driven by companies like Shein and Temu, is expected to result in over 45,000 store closures in the next five years.\n\nPost-Pandemic Changes\n\nDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, most retail stores, especially struggling mall-based retailers, closed for extended periods. Several large retail companies filed for bankruptcy during the pandemic, creating lasting financial damage that continues to impact operations.\n\nImpact on Louisiana and Texas Communities\n\nRural Areas Hit Hardest\n\nFor many Louisiana and Texas communities, especially in rural areas, these store closures represent more than lost shopping options. In many parts of Louisiana and Texas—especially rural areas—stores like Walmart serve as more than just retail chains; they're community anchors.\n\nEmployment Crisis\n\nThese store closures usually offer a significant number of employment opportunities and boost the local economy. The wave of closures means thousands of Louisiana and Texas workers face job searches in an already challenging economy.\n\nShopping Deserts\n\nDollar stores have been alleged to proliferate food deserts: areas with limited access to healthy and affordable food, as they outcompete local grocery stores. When these discount chains also close, communities face even greater challenges accessing basic necessities.\n\nWhat Survives and Thrives\n\nWalmart's Resilience\n\nAs of now, no Walmart stores in Louisiana or Texas are on the 2025 closure list. The retail giant continues expanding while others contract. Retail strategist Steve Dennis predicted that \"massive retailers\" such as Walmart and Costco will \"rise above the rest\" due to their \"strong value and convenience reputations as well as the ability to offer one-stop shopping\".\n\nGrowing Chains\n\nAldi is expanding their presence in the U.S. by over 225 new locations in 2025, while Trader Joe's is opening 21 locations across 14 states.\n\nLooking Ahead: More Pain Expected\n\nBrandon Svec, national director of U.S. retail research at Colliers, warned that rising costs will push retailers to \"look for more efficient ways to operate their stores\". Coresight Research expects this trend to continue, warning that retailers unable to adapt their supply chains and implement cost-cutting technology will face continued pressure. For Louisiana and Texas shoppers, the message is clear: the retail landscape they've known for decades is fundamentally changing. Communities that adapt to online shopping, support local businesses, and advocate for essential services will fare better than those that don't.\n\nThe retail apocalypse isn't just about empty storefronts – it's about the transformation of American commerce and community life. Louisiana and Texas are experiencing this change firsthand, with more closures likely ahead as the industry continues its painful evolution.

Over 15,000 Store Closures Hit Louisiana and Texas in 2025 as Retail Apocalypse Accelerates

The article details the rapid closure of over 15,000 retail stores nationwide in 2025, with Louisiana and Texas facing the most severe impact. Major chains like JoAnn Fabrics, Party City, Walgreens, and Advance Auto Parts have shut down or significantly reduced their presence, exacerbating economic and community challenges in these states.