After streamlining its operations with hundreds of store closures, Advance Auto Parts is shifting gears toward expansion. The retailer is set to open 30 new U.S. stores in 2025 and at least 100 more by 2027, including larger market hubs to enhance inventory and service speed. With six new stores already launched this year and more on the way, Advance Auto is reinforcing its dominance in key markets. CEO Shane O’Kelly says the company is focused on growth and committed to delivering the right parts and service to both PRO and DIY customers.

GameStop is continuing to downsize, planning to close a “significant number” of stores in 2025 after shutting down 590 locations last year. The retailer has been pulling out of several markets, including Germany, and is now looking to exit Italy. Meanwhile, the company is making a bold move into Bitcoin, planning to invest part of its cash reserves and a $1.3 billion debt offering into the cryptocurrency. Financially, GameStop saw a sharp decline in sales, with annual revenue dropping from $5.3 billion to $3.8 billion, despite an increase in net income.

Retail space availability has hit a two-year high as a wave of store closures sweeps across the U.S. According to CoStar, retail vacancies climbed to 4.8% in 2024, with over 10,000 store closures announced—including major chains like Big Lots, Joann, and Party City shutting hundreds of locations. This has added 12.5 million square feet of available space since the start of 2025.

While markets like Austin, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta saw significant increases in retail vacancies, demand remains strong in fast-growing cities like Tampa, Nashville, and Orlando, where availability has dropped. Despite the shake-up, CoStar’s Brandon Svec notes that prime retail space is still in high demand, and the rise in mid-sized vacancies could create new expansion opportunities for retailers.

Dollar Tree is cutting its losses, selling off Family Dollar for $1 billion after nearly a year of searching for a buyer. The discount chain, which Dollar Tree acquired for $9 billion in 2015, has struggled to compete with retail giants like Walmart and Amazon, as well as online disruptors like Shein and Temu. Analysts see the sale as a smart move, lifting a major burden off the company’s finances.

Despite this shake-up, Dollar Tree faces ongoing challenges, including inflation-driven shifts in consumer spending and new tariffs impacting costs. Still, the brand expects solid growth in 2025, with budget-conscious shoppers—including middle- and high-income earners—turning to discount stores amid economic pressures. As CEO Mike Creedon put it, “Doesn’t matter how much money you make, everybody is hurting right now.”

America’s retail landscape has been tough in recent years, and even iconic brands like Macy’s, Nordstrom, and JCPenney haven’t been spared. The pandemic changed shopping habits dramatically, accelerating store closures while big-box retailers like Walmart and Target thrived.

JCPenney, a 100-year-old retail staple, has struggled to keep up, facing declining sales and failed modernization attempts. In 2024, its revenue took a major hit, leading to the closure of eight stores across the U.S. While the company insists it isn’t planning widespread closures, it recently merged with Sparc to form Catalyst Brands in hopes of a turnaround. With over 15,000 retail stores expected to shut down in 2025, the battle for survival in the retail world is fiercer than ever.

Joann's final chapter is unfolding as its 790 store leases and five distribution centers hit the auction block. With bidding set for April 16 and the auction scheduled for April 22, prime retail spaces across 49 states are up for grabs, offering opportunities for businesses looking to expand. The 82-year-old fabric and crafts retailer, which filed for bankruptcy in January, will keep stores open for going-out-of-business sales through May. Industry leaders see this as a rare chance to transform high-traffic locations into thriving new ventures, from specialty retail to entertainment hubs. As Joann winds down, its real estate and intellectual property are poised for reinvention.

Rising tariffs are already driving up construction costs, with key materials like iron, steel, and lumber seeing notable price hikes. Analysts warn that continued tariffs could further strain both commercial and residential projects, forcing contractors to adjust budgets and strategies. Homebuilders are also feeling the squeeze, with new residential construction permits declining and affordability concerns growing. Experts predict rising costs could slow home production and further limit inventory, worsening the ongoing housing crisis. As the industry braces for more tariff-related turbulence, collaboration and strategic planning will be crucial to navigating the challenges ahead.

Forever 21 is once again filing for bankruptcy in the U.S., struggling to keep up with fierce competition from Shein and Temu. The retailer’s operator, F21 OpCo, plans to wind down its U.S. business while seeking buyers for its assets, with liquidation sales already underway at its 360 stores. However, the brand's international stores remain unaffected. Authentic Brands Group, which owns Forever 21’s intellectual property, is actively seeking new partners to revive the brand. The company cites rising costs, economic challenges, and fast-fashion rivals leveraging tax exemptions as key factors in its decline. Despite the turbulence, Forever 21's iconic name may still have a future under new leadership.