CONNECTICUT - The retail landscape in the Nutmeg State is facing a turbulent 2026. While some high-end malls continue to thrive, others are being demolished or converted for industrial use. Corporate restructuring and bankruptcy filings are hitting local communities hard, from major logistics hubs to the neighborhood drugstores that residents have relied on for decades.
CONNECTICUT - The retail landscape in the Nutmeg State is facing a turbulent 2026. While some high-end malls continue to thrive, others are being demolished or converted for industrial use. Corporate restructuring and bankruptcy filings are hitting local communities hard, from major logistics hubs to the neighborhood drugstores that residents have relied on for decades.Here are 6 major retail chains closing doors or significantly reducing their presence in Connecticut this year.
1. Macy’s (Logistics & Retail)
The biggest retail news in Connecticut for 2026 isn't just about a storefront—it's a massive blow to the state's workforce. As part of its "Bold New Chapter" plan to shutter 150 stores and streamline operations, Macy's is making deep cuts to its local infrastructure.
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The Connecticut Impact: Macy's is permanently closing its major distribution and fulfillment centers in Cheshire and South Windsor. This move, scheduled to conclude by the end of 2026, results in the loss of nearly 1,000 jobs. While some retail locations like Westfarms remain safe, malls like Buckland Hills and Trumbull remain under close watch for potential future closures.
2. Bob’s Stores
In a heartbreaking development for local shoppers, Bob's Stores—a brand born in Meriden, CT, in 1954—is officially disappearing. After a failed attempt to restructure following a 2024 bankruptcy filing, the chain is liquidating its remaining footprint.
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The Connecticut Impact: The final "Going Out of Business" sales are concluding at locations in Milford and Norwalk this year. This marks the end of a 70-year legacy for the casual clothing and footwear staple in its home state.
3. Rite Aid
The pharmacy giant’s long-running bankruptcy saga has reached its conclusion in Connecticut. By early 2026, the chain has effectively completed a total exit from the state market.
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The Connecticut Impact: All remaining Rite Aid stores in Connecticut have now shuttered. In most cases, prescription records have been transferred to nearby CVS locations, specifically in towns like Ridgefield, Wallingford, and East Haven. If you still have a "Rite Aid" sign in your neighborhood, it is likely a dark storefront awaiting a new tenant.
4. Stop & Shop
While Stop & Shop remains the state’s dominant grocer, it is continuing to "right-size" its fleet by pruning underperforming locations to better compete with expanding rivals like Big Y and ShopRite.
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The Connecticut Impact: Following a wave of closures in 2025, the company has confirmed its Clinton location (215 East Main Street) will close its doors in 2026. Local leaders are already discussing potential replacements to prevent the area from becoming a food desert.
5. Big Lots
The discount furniture and home goods retailer is aggressively shrinking its footprint as it navigates bankruptcy protection. The chain has been selling off leases in waves to pay down creditors.
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The Connecticut Impact: Locations in Bristol, Derby, Middletown, and Wallingford have been targeted for closure or lease auctions in early 2026. Shoppers are encouraged to use any remaining gift cards immediately as the retailer’s future remains highly uncertain.
6. Saks OFF 5TH
Saks Global is pivoting away from the "off-price" market to focus exclusively on luxury full-price selling. This strategy includes shuttering the vast majority of its discount outlets nationwide.
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The Connecticut Impact: Connecticut is losing two major locations in early 2026. The Saks OFF 5TH in the Clinton Premium Outlets and the newer location on High Ridge Road in Stamford (which only opened in 2022) are both slated for closure.
The "De-Malling" of Connecticut
Beyond individual store closures, 2026 marks a turning point for two iconic Connecticut shopping destinations:
- Crystal Mall (Waterford): The mall is transitioning from a retail center to an industrial support hub for General Dynamics Electric Boat. Most remaining interior tenants are expected to vacate by spring 2026.
- Enfield Square (Enfield): Demolition is scheduled to begin in Spring 2026 to make way for "Enfield Marketplace," a mixed-use development that will replace the aging mall structure with a town-center style layout.
What’s Next?
As these national anchors exit, many Connecticut towns are looking toward "mixed-use" zoning to fill the gaps. These spaces are increasingly being reimagined as luxury apartments, medical offices, or specialized training centers for the state's growing defense industry.
