While some retailers are scaling back in 2026, others are expanding their footprints across the US.
The success of discount retailers like Dollar General and Nordstrom Rack suggests that American consumers are rewarding retailers that can offer them deals over those that charge full price for groceries and apparel.
For now, 2026 openings appear to be on track to outpace closures, which now tally at around 300 announced so far. In 2025, store closures reached over 4,100.
While retailers like Macy’s cut back on stores to focus on their digital footprint, these retailers are finding ways to capitalize on expansion in the physical retail space.
See the list of major openings below.
Dollar General: 450 stores
On a December 4 earnings call, Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos told analysts that the company plans to open 450 new stores in 2026. It’s a step down from the planned 575 in 2025, but Vasos said there’s no need to race to fill the vacant retail space left by competitors.
“Our competition today is really not opening a lot of stores,” Vasos said on the call. “We don’t feel compelled to have to rush to open a lot of stores.
Ollie’s: 75 stores
Discount retailer Ollie’s Bargain Outlet showed a strong performance in foot traffic and store openings 2025, and its growth appears to be continuing in 2026.
The company said on a December earnings call that it’s targeting 75 new stores for fiscal year 2026.
Barnes & Noble: 60 stores
Barnes & Noble is set to open 60 new stores in 2026, and has attributed its success to its new decentralized strategy, Fox Business reported on December 23.
“Barnes & Noble is enjoying a period of tremendous growth as the strategy to hand control of each bookstore to its local booksellers has proven so successful,” the company told Fox Business in a statement.
The book chain was acquired by activist firm Elliott Management in 2019, which jumped at the opportunity to turn the business around as it faced competition from online channels like Amazon. Today, Elliott is reportedly eyeing an IPO along with the new stores openings in 2026, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Nordstrom Rack: 13 stores
In a series of press releases published in 2024 and 2025, discount apparel retailer Nordstrom Rack announced plans to open at least 13 new stores across the US throughout the spring and fall of 2026.
The new locations include states like Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia, and California.
Uniqlo: 11 stores
Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo is expected to expand by 11 new stores in the US in 2026, according to an announcement obtained by Retail Dive in October.
The openings reportedly include two new flagship stores in Chicago and San Francisco.
“These new stores are not only a milestone of our growth, but a way of honoring the customers who welcomed us two decades ago and continue to inspire everything we do,” Fuminori Adachi, Uniqulo’s US CEO, said in a statement to Retail Dive.
L.L. Bean: 8 stores
Outdoor lifestyle brand L.L. Bean announced on December 9 that it has plans for a “major retail expansion in 2026,” which includes the opening of eight new stores across the US. The new locations will bring the brand’s total stores to 76 nationwide.
“We continue to see physical retail as an essential part of our growth strategy,” said Greg Elder, L.L.Bean chief retail officer. “Our 2026 expansion reflects our commitment to reaching more people who share our love for the outdoors.”
Benihana: 2 locations
The One Group Hospitality, which acquired the Japanese restaurant chain Benihana in 2024, announced an agreement on December 29 that secured it the development rights to 10 Benihana or Benihana Express locations.
The deal is expected to see two Benihana locations open in 2026 with the remaining locations to open over the next seven years.
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