These Stores Are Leaving North Carolina By 2020

NORTH CAROLINA — The brick-and-mortar business landscape in North Carolina continues to change. Several national retailers announced store closings this summer, with plans to carry out those closings by the end of the year.

Some, like Kmart, are adding to a list of stores already slated for closure. Others, like Bed Bath & Beyond, say they're scaling back retail operations and reinventing themselves as a brand. Unsuccessful stores will be closed as part of the new strategy, according to company officials.
By the time the holiday shopping season arrives, North Carolina residents can expect fewer chain stores to choose from.

Here's a look at the national retailers that announced store closings this summer:

Kmart, Sears
Kmart has announced another round of store closings, including two North Carolina locations — in Clemmons and Waynesville — set to close by the end of the year, according to USA Today.

Bed Bath & Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond, the popular home store with 27 locations in North Carolina, has a few changes coming to a chunk of its stores before Christmas, while underperforming locations might close or be relocated in the near future.

Dressbarn
All Dressbarn stores will be closing by the end of the year, the company announced this summer, including 20 in North Carolina. Some locations have already closed. "We have received overwhelming landlord support for our plan, which will allow us to implement our wind down in a manner that provides the best recovery for our landlords. Further, we are current, and expect to remain so, with our vendors and suppliers," Steven Taylor, Dressbarn CFO, said in a statement over the summer.

Walgreens
The Deerfield-based national pharmacy chain will be closing 200 store in 2019, the company said in an August SEC filing. A list of locations to close was not released by the company.

Pier 1
The home wares and furnishings chain has plans to close 57 stores by the end of 2019, USA Today reported. A list of locations was not released by the company.

Charming Charlie
Women's fashion accessory retailer Charming Charlie filed for bankruptcy will close its roughly 260 stores across the country, including its 9 locations in North Carolina.

By Kara Seymour, Patch Staff