"An astonishing number of national chains, 18, shuttered all of their shops in the five boroughs. The total number of chain stores across the five boroughs fell for the sixth time in the past eight years-declining 1.3 percent citywide, or a net loss of 112 stores since last year, according to the Center for an Urban Future's annual State of the Chains 2025 report on December 17."
"led by Starbucks, which closed 42 stores-the most of any retailer that did not fully exit the market. Claire's, Staples, Old Navy, Duane Reade, and Juice Press also experienced steep reductions, analysts said. "New York's retail landscape is undergoing a profound shift," said Jonathan Bowles, executive director of the Center for an Urban Future. "Legacy chains continue to cut back in NYC, but this year's findings show strong momentum among newer chains, especially food and beverage retailers.""
"Rite Aid was one of the most prominent closures in 2025. The company shut its remaining New York stores in May after longstanding financial issues. Other stores that closed their Big Apple locations this year include Party City and Forever 21. The report said that the 18 chains that closed all of their NYC shops represented the second-highest number on record outside the pandemic year of 2020."
Citywide chain-store counts fell 1.3 percent in 2025, a net loss of 112 locations and the sixth decline in eight years. Eighteen national chains closed all New York shops, the second-highest tally outside 2020, driven largely by contractions among long-established big-box retailers. Seven of the city's 10 largest chains reduced footprints; Starbucks alone shuttered 42 stores. Chains including Claire's, Staples, Old Navy, Duane Reade and Juice Press recorded steep reductions. Rite Aid closed its remaining New York stores in May amid financial troubles. At the same time, newer chains—notably in food and beverage—recorded notable expansion and reshaped local retail dynamics.
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