MASSACHUSETTS - As 2026 kicks off, the retail landscape in Massachusetts is undergoing a significant shake-up. While January is typically a season for post-holiday clearance sales, this year it brings a wave of permanent farewells. Several major national retailers have announced strategic withdrawals from the Bay State, citing everything from bankruptcy restructuring to lease expirations and changing consumer habits.
Here are the four major retail chains closing doors in Massachusetts this February.
1. Saks Off 5th (and Neiman Marcus Last Call)
The luxury off-price sector is taking the hardest hit this month. Saks Global, the parent company formed from the merger of Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, has announced a massive restructuring plan following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
- What’s Closing: The company is shuttering the majority of its Saks Off 5th locations nationwide and all remaining Neiman Marcus Last Call stores.
- Massachusetts Impact: Shoppers in the Greater Boston area should be aware that the Somerville (Assembly Row) and Wrentham Village Premium Outlets locations are set to begin closing sales immediately, with final operations winding down in February.
- The Why: The closures are part of a strategy to cut debt and refocus on the company’s full-price luxury business.
2. Macy’s
The department store giant continues its "Bold New Chapter" strategy, which involves pruning underperforming locations to invest in its more profitable stores.
- Massachusetts Impact: The Kingston Collection location in Kingston, MA, is confirmed to be on the chopping block.
- The Details: Clearance sales have been running since mid-January, with the final days of operation expected to conclude by late February or early March. This leaves the South Shore with one fewer anchor department store, reflecting a broader trend of big-box retailers exiting traditional malls.
3. REI Co-op
In a move that surprised many urban outdoor enthusiasts, REI is reducing its footprint in the state's capital.
- Massachusetts Impact: The retailer is closing its Boston-Fenway location at the historic Landmark Center (401 Park Drive).
- The Details: While REI maintains a strong presence in suburbs like Framingham, Hingham, and Reading, the closure of the Fenway store marks a retreat from the dense urban center. The store is scheduled to cease operations in early 2026, forcing city-dwelling hikers and cyclists to travel further for their gear.
4. TJ Maxx
Even the hometown heroes aren't immune to the shifting retail tides. TJ Maxx, headquartered in Framingham, is making a notable adjustment to its portfolio.
- Massachusetts Impact: The iconic Newbury Street location in Boston’s Back Bay closed its doors in early January 2026, but the impact is still rippling through the local shopping scene this February as regulars adjust to the loss.
- The Context: Unlike other retailers on this list, TJ Maxx is not in financial distress; the company recently reported sales growth. This specific closure is attributed to real estate strategy rather than bankruptcy, as the brand continues to open new stores in other, more profitable locations.
Other Retailers on the Watchlist
Beyond these four major names, Massachusetts shoppers should keep an eye on Yankee Candle and TD Bank.
- Yankee Candle: Parent company Newell Brands announced it would close 20 stores across North America starting in January. With 15 locations in Massachusetts, local stores could be at risk.
- TD Bank: The bank is closing dozens of branches across the East Coast by late January and February, with potential closures identified in Beverly, Chicopee, Lowell, and Peabody.
As these doors close, residents can expect to see a shift in the local real estate market, with prime spaces in Assembly Row, Newbury Street, and the Kingston Collection opening up for potential new—and perhaps very different—tenants in late 2026.
