The retail churn that was already underway even before the pandemic began, and which turned into a bloodbath in 2020, is taking on a more positive cast. As of mid-March, according to Coresight Research, U.S. retailers had announced plans to open 3,199 stores this year as 2,548 close; last year, Coresight said, there were 8,953 closures and 3,298 openings.

The situation remains fluid – particularly as consumers have learned to do more of their shopping online — but more and more retailers, especially in the U.S., plan to open new stores and renovate older ones.  For example Dollar General this year plans to open 1,050 stores and renovate 1,750, while expanding its Popshelf locations, which focus on a broader assortment of seasonal, home goods and health and beauty to 35-45 locations from five last year.

Primark Expanding in Italy, France
Primark, which suffered a sharp sales downturn last year and continues to rely totally on brick-and-mortar stores, is opening several new locations in Europe, including Italy (8) and France (4). Primark sales were hit by pandemic-related temporary store closures, particularly throughout Europe and in the UK, where it has 163 stores that most recently reopened in mid-April.

On the other hand, H&M will shut 350 stores in mature markets by year-end, though it’s also planning to open 100 new locations in growth areas.

Dick’s Trying Several New Formats
In addition to reshuffling their real estate, some retailers also are trying out new formats. Dick’s Sporting Goods unveiled plans this week to open Going, Going, Gone off-price stores later this month and is adding experiential “soccer shops” to six existing locations. It also plans to unveil a pair of “Public Lands” outdoor (camping, fishing, hiking, etc.) specialty stores later this year, and recently took the wraps off an highly experiential House of Sport format in upstate New York.

Among other retail developments:

• While off-price chains such as TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross and Burlington struggled during the pandemic, they’re expected to rebound this year as consumers return to stores in search of “back-to-the-office” wardrobes, albeit with a more casual bent. TJMaxx is expected to open 122 stores, while Burlington adds 75, many of them half the size of the typical 50,000-sq.-ft. locations. Ross is adding 60 new locations under its namesake (40) and dd’s Discounts (20) banners.
• Tractor Supply Co. discovered newfound favor as consumers, including all-important millennials, left urban areas for more rural confines in droves. Behind a “Life Out Here” campaign that shifted marketing focus from print to cable, satellite and broadcast TV, the consumer awareness of the 731-store chain’s brand has increased 17% during the past 15 months, CEO Hal Lawton told analysts in late April. That’s leading Tractor Supply to add 90 stores under its namesake (80) and Petsense (10) banners this year. The chain also acquired 167-store Orsheln Farm & Home in February and is adding a Carhartt in-store format to 100 locations. That’s in addition to Side Lot gardening sections being added to 150-200 locations by year-end, up from the current 40.
• Dollar Tree plans to open 600 stores this year (up from 400 last year), including 400 under its own name and 200 Family Dollar locations. It will renovate another 1,250 locations.
• Off-price retailer Five Below will open 170-180 stores this year. It also will increasingly feature collaborations, most recently with illustrator/author Andrea Pippens (Young Gifted and Black, We Inspire Me) for paintbrush sets, mechanical pencils and journals. Five Below has 1,050 stores and has said there is room for 2,500 in the U.S.
• Macy’s, in the midst of a three-year plan to shed about 20% of its department stores, has added a second Market By Macy’s location in Dallas and will be expanding its BackSsage off-price sections within Macy’s stores this year, adding 45 locations.on the way to 270 in the U.S..
• Zara parent Inditex is expected to close 1,200 stores through year-end, while opening 450. Much of the restructuring will focus on its non-Zara chains including European Bershka, Pull & Bear and Massimo Dutti stores.
• Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo is expected to have opened 14 stores and closed 17 by fiscal year-end on Aug. 31. As of March, five of the chain’s 762 stores were temporarily closed and 79 were operating with reduced hours due to COVID-19 restrictions.
• Among U.S mass retailers, Target is expected to open 30-40 stores this year, many in its smaller 49,000-sq.-ft format that targets urban markets.