Popular Fashion Apparel Chain For Teens To Shut 25 Stores: What That Means For MD

Zumiez, a trendy fashion retailer found at malls in Maryland and dozens of other states, has announced it will close an additional 25 locations in 2026 after shuttering 17 stores last year.

Zumiez, headquartered in Lynnwood, Washington, sells clothing and accessories targeted at teens and other young consumers. There are currently nine locations in Maryland, including stores in Annapolis, Baltimore and Bethesda.

The company posted sales gains of 4.5 percent, up from $889 million on Feb. 1, 2025, to $929 million on Jan. 31, 2026. The company reported a net loss of $1.7 million the year before, according to Zumiez's fourth-quarter and fiscal-year earnings report released March 12.

CEO Richard Brooks told investors the company expects to close 25 locations in 2026, including 20 stores in the United States, and five in Europe. Despite the closings, the retailer is also expected to open five new locations in North America this year.

Zumiez operates 560 locations in the United States. It has not announced which locations will close.

"What we’re seeing in the U.S. is actually finally the end of, I think, the final leg on a bunch of mall locations at the lower end C- and D-volume mall locations, where we had traditionally been able to make some money, but now they’ve just got to the point where they’re just not working anymore," Brooks told The Street.

Zumiez's anticipated store closures follow a string of popular fashion retailers announcing similar plans to shutter locations, including Eddie Bauer, which will close all U.S. locations and shift to online sales. Forever 21 and Claire's also announced store closures last year.

Patch editor Corey Washington contributed reporting.