8000 Major Stores Closing For Good As Retailer Apocalypse Goes From Bad To Worse

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The retail crisis that many people dismissed as overblown has now wiped out over 8,000 stores across the United States, and we're only getting started. In this video, we take a closer look at what's really happening in the retail industry in 2026, why so many beloved brands are disappearing, and what it all means for everyday shoppers and workers who are caught in the middle of it all.
Over the past few years, we've watched major retailers file for bankruptcy one after another. Some of them tried to recover. Some of them promised they'd bounce back. But the truth is, many of those brands are now closing their doors for good. Forever 21, Big Lots, Amazon Fresh locations, Francesca's, and even luxury names like Saks Fifth Avenue are either gone or hanging on by a thread. What used to feel like isolated incidents now looks like a full blown collapse that's only picking up speed.
One of the biggest stories this year has been Target. A brand that was once considered the gold standard of affordable, aspirational shopping has fallen behind in ways that are hard to ignore. Messy stores, unhappy employees, layoffs, and a shopping experience that just doesn't feel the same anymore. Target isn't alone in this, but it's become one of the clearest examples of how even the biggest names in retail can lose their way when they stop putting the customer first.
And that's really the core of the problem. The in store shopping experience has deteriorated across the board. Employees are being stretched thin, shelves are understocked, and customer service has become almost nonexistent in many places. Workers are being pressured to sell more to customers who simply don't have the money to spend. It's a frustrating cycle that's pushing more and more people toward online shopping, and it's one of the main reasons why malls across the country are emptying out.
Speaking of malls, the decline of American malls is something we also explore in this video. With anchor stores closing and foot traffic dropping, many malls have become shadows of what they once were. The brands that are thriving right now are the ones offering something different, whether that's the treasure hunt experience of thrift stores and resale platforms or the excitement of brands like Pop Mart. The old model of rows and rows of the same mass produced products just isn't cutting it anymore.
On top of all that, product quality has taken a nosedive. Consumers are paying more than ever and getting less in return. And thanks to social media, people are talking about it openly. They're sharing their experiences, comparing prices, and calling out brands that are cutting corners. That kind of transparency is something the retail industry has never had to deal with before, and it's changing the game completely.

This video is a deep dive into all of these issues and more. If you've noticed changes at your favorite stores or have thoughts about where retail is headed, drop a comment below. We'd love to hear your perspective.

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