Kirkland’s Home will close 25 stores in the United States by the end of this year, and in total, more than 2,700 popular stores across the country will close their doors by 2025. In various cities, liquidation signs and empty storefronts are beginning to multiply, affecting both long-established chains and retailers facing financial difficulties. In Kirkland’s case, Amy Sullivan, CEO and director of Brand House Collective, has stated that the closures are due to the expiration of leases that will not be renewed. She also clarified that these stores will not be converted into Bed Bath & Beyond locations.
It’s worth noting that the giant Bed Bath & Beyond went through difficult years
The CEO’s official statements made it clear that the sole reason was the expiration of the leases and that these stores would not be included in the two-year conversion plan. Furthermore, in early September, The Brand House Collective announced the sale of Kirkland’s intellectual property to Bed Bath & Beyond for $10 million, a transaction that, according to Bed Bath & Beyond, would accelerate the conversion of its stores. It’s worth noting that the giant Bed Bath & Beyond went through difficult years, ultimately declaring bankruptcy.
While the outlook seems worrisome, the mass closure of popular stores doesn’t imply the collapse of retail
This isn’t the only major closure; closures are happening across the vast country. According to experts, while the outlook seems worrisome, the mass closure of popular stores doesn’t imply the collapse of retail, but rather a transition to a more concentrated and digital model. Specifically, in this case, Sullivan stated in the conference call with analysts that the new Bed Bath & Beyond network would have approximately 250 locations. This comes on top of the fact that giants like Walmart, Costco, and Target continue to open new stores.
This decision is part of a larger plan that includes a name change and integration with other brands under the same parent company
It’s important to note that Bed Bath & Beyond Home reopened its first store near Nashville on August 8th, and has since opened two more in Tennessee, according to the company’s store locator. These openings complement the online shopping options, which are now a major reality for almost all retailers. Bed Bath & Beyond is on a path of restructuring and rebuilding, attempting to recover after declaring bankruptcy and closing all its stores in 2023, as mentioned earlier. This decision is part of a larger plan that includes a name change and integration with other brands under the same parent company. Full details have not yet been released.
Traditional brands are struggling to adapt to the digital age and changing consumer habits
Some of the locations affected by the closure of Kirkland’s stores include New Jersey, California, Arizona, and Florida. It’s worth remembering that 2025 is shaping up to be a challenging year for the retail sector in the United States. Traditional brands are struggling to adapt to the digital age and changing consumer habits. Many chains are making routine adjustments to their store networks to adapt to the market. This wave of closures not only reflects the impact of digitalization but also the effects of inflation and new shopping trends.
The wave of closures has included well-known brands such as Saks Fifth Avenue, JCPenney, Rite Aid, and Family Dollar…
In short, the shift in the retail market is a reality, as this store closure is not the only one announced for 2025. Family Dollar, with approximately 8,000 stores in the United States, already announced the closure of more than 900 stores in 2024, and this trend only continued in 2025. The wave of closures has included well-known brands such as Saks Fifth Avenue, JCPenney, Rite Aid, and Family Dollar, according to reports from USA Today, Bloomberg, and CNN.
