The retail landscape is constantly shifting, and September 2025 is proving to be a significant month of transition for several major chains. From beloved home goods stores to essential grocery outlets, a wave of closures is sweeping across the United States, leaving consumers wondering about their local favorites.
This isn’t just about individual stores shutting their doors; it’s a story of corporate restructuring, economic adaptation, and the ever-evolving nature of how we shop. If you’ve heard the buzz and are asking, “What retail stores are closing in September 2025?” you’ve come to the right place.
Why Are So Many Stores Closing in September?
The end of the third quarter (Q3) is a common time for retailers to evaluate their performance. September closures often follow the back-to-school rush and precede the critical holiday season, allowing companies to streamline operations and cut losses from underperforming locations before the year’s biggest sales period.
The reasons are multifaceted:
- Post-Bankruptcy Restructuring: Some chains are emerging from Chapter 11 and are closing locations as part of a court-approved plan to stay solvent.
- Economic Pressures: Rising operational costs, inflation, and shifting consumer spending habits continue to squeeze margins.
- The Strategic Shift to E-commerce: The pandemic accelerated the move to online shopping, and many brands are now optimizing their physical footprint to focus on digital sales.
- Lease Expirations: September can be a common expiration date for commercial leases, prompting decisions to not renew.
The Major Stores Closing Locations in September 2025
Here’s a breakdown of the key retailers shuttering doors this month.
1. HomeGoods (TJX Companies)
Number of Closures: 29 stores nationwide.
Details: The parent company of HomeGoods, TJX Companies, has announced a strategic decision to close 29 underperforming HomeGoods locations by the end of September 2025. This move is part of a broader effort to optimize their extensive portfolio, which also includes T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. The company has stated that these closures will allow them to strengthen their overall brand health and reinvest in more profitable locations and their digital infrastructure.
- You can find the official list of closing HomeGoods locations on KBTX’s report.
2. Big Lots
Number of Closures: Multiple locations.
Details: The discount home furnishings chain has been facing significant financial headwinds. After a series of quarters with declining sales, Big Lots is continuing its closure program throughout 2025, with several stores slated to shut down in September. The company has been vocal about its struggles with supply chain costs and low consumer confidence impacting its core customer base.
3. Rite Aid (Post-Bankruptcy)
Number of Closures: Ongoing.
Details: Following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2023, Rite Aid has been on a steady path of closing hundreds of locations. The pharmacy chain is still working through its closure list, and September will see the final shuttering of several remaining stores that were part of the bankruptcy court’s approval process. These closures are a stark reminder of the fierce competition in the pharmacy sector from giants like CVS, Walgreens, and online providers.
4. Restaurant Chains: Applebee’s and IHOP
Number of Closures: Several franchise locations.
Details: The casual dining sector continues to feel the pinch. Dine Brands Global, the parent company of both Applebee’s and IHOP, has indicated that underperforming franchise locations are being shuttered. While not a mass closure, several individual restaurants across the country are closing their doors in September. The cited reasons often include rising food costs, labor shortages, and inability to renegotiate favorable lease terms.
5. Regional Grocery Stores
Number of Closures: Varies by chain.
Details: The grocery industry is in a state of flux, with mergers and acquisitions leading to consolidation. Regional chains, in particular, are affected. For example, some Kroger and Albertsons locations are on the chopping block as the two giants work toward a merger, though this is a longer-term process. Smaller, independent grocery stores are also facing immense pressure from mega-chains and the growth of delivery services like Amazon Fresh.
What Stores Are OPEN on Labor Day and Beyond?
Amidst the closures, it’s important to note that the vast majority of retail stores will remain open for business as usual, especially during holidays like Labor Day (September 1st, 2025). Major retailers like Walmart, Target, Costco, and Kroger have historically remained open on Labor Day, though often with modified holiday hours.
- For a specific list of stores open on Labor Day, you can check reference guides from sources like Live Mint.
The closures represent a strategic pruning, not a wholesale collapse, of brick-and-mortar retail.
The Human Impact: What to Do If Your Store Is Closing
For employees and loyal customers, a store closure is disruptive.
- For Shoppers: Closing stores often hold “Going Out of Business” sales with deep discounts on inventory. If you have a favorite store on the list, it’s worth visiting for potential deals. Remember to use any gift cards or store credit before the final closing date.
- For Employees: Most large corporations like TJX Companies aim to transfer affected employees to nearby locations whenever possible. Employees are typically encouraged to apply for open positions within the company.
The Bigger Picture: This Isn’t the End of Retail
While the list of closures can seem alarming, it’s a natural part of the retail cycle. For every store that closes, new ones are opening. The industry is not dying; it’s transforming. Brands that succeed are those investing in a seamless omnichannel experience—integrating their physical stores with a robust online presence, offering buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS), and creating engaging in-person experiences that can’t be replicated online.
The stores closing in September 2025 are making a strategic retreat to fortify their broader brand for the future of retail.
Staying Informed
The retail environment changes rapidly. For the latest updates on store closures, grand openings, and retail trends, it’s best to follow trusted financial news sources and the official social media channels of your favorite stores.
- To understand broader economic trends affecting these decisions, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce provides valuable insights on commerce, small business, and the economy.
- For data and analysis on the health of the retail sector, National Retail Federation is an excellent resource.