US Retail Expansion: 500+ Stores Planned for 2026

Retailers across the United States are preparing for a major expansion of physical store locations in 2026. Despite some retailers scaling back their physical presence, data indicates that store openings are currently outpacing closures. The trend highlights a divergence in strategy between traditional department stores and discount retailers.

Key players in this expansion include discount giants and specialty retailers. The success of stores offering value pricing suggests that American consumers are actively seeking deals on groceries and apparel. While 2025 saw over 4,100 store closures, the outlook for the coming year shows a more balanced approach to physical retail space.

Major expansions are planned by:

• Dollar General: 450 new locations
• Ollie's Bargain Outlet: 75 new locations
• Barnes & Noble: 60 new locations
• Nordstrom Rack: 13 new locations

These openings represent a strategic shift for companies looking to capitalize on physical retail space while competitors focus on digital channels.

The retail landscape in 2026 will see a significant shift toward expansion, with nearly 300 closures announced so far. However, the total number of planned openings exceeds this figure, with retailers announcing more than 500 new stores. This represents a stark contrast to the previous year, where store closures reached over 4,100 in 2025.

The success of discount retailers suggests a changing consumer behavior. Retailers that offer deals on groceries and apparel are seeing increased foot traffic and growth. Meanwhile, traditional department stores are adjusting their strategies. For example, retailers like Macy's are cutting back on physical stores to focus on their digital footprint.

Despite this digital shift, other retailers are finding ways to expand in physical retail spaces. The current trajectory indicates that 2026 will be a year of growth for companies that can balance value with physical accessibility.

Dollar General is leading the charge with plans to open 450 new stores in 2026. During a December 4 earnings call, CEO Todd Vasos explained that this represents a step down from the 575 stores planned for 2025. Vasos noted that the company does not feel compelled to rush into vacant retail spaces left by competitors.

"Our competition today is really not opening a lot of stores," Vasos said. "We don't feel compelled to have to rush to open a lot of stores."

Ollie's Bargain Outlet is also continuing its growth trajectory. The discount retailer showed strong performance in foot traffic and store openings in 2025. The company announced during a December earnings call that it is targeting 75 new stores for fiscal year 2026.

Nordstrom Rack plans to open at least 13 new stores across the US in 2026. The discount apparel retailer announced these plans in a series of press releases published in 2024 and 2025. New locations will include states such as Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia, and California.

Barnes & Noble is set to open 60 new stores in 2026, attributing its success to a new decentralized strategy. The company reported tremendous growth after handing control of each bookstore to local booksellers. This strategy was implemented after the chain was acquired by activist firm Elliott Management in 2019 to turn the business around.

"Barnes & Noble is enjoying a period of tremendous growth as the strategy to hand control of each bookstore to its local booksellers has proven so successful," the company stated.

Uniqlo is expected to expand by 11 new stores in the US in 2026. The Japanese apparel retailer's expansion includes two new flagship stores in Chicago and San Francisco. Fuminori Adachi, Uniqlo's US CEO, emphasized the importance of these locations.

"These new stores are not only a milestone of our growth, but a way of honoring the customers who welcomed us two decades ago and continue to inspire everything we do," Adachi said.

L.L. Bean announced plans for a "major retail expansion" including 8 new stores. This will bring the brand's total to 76 nationwide. Greg Elder, L.L.Bean chief retail officer, highlighted the importance of physical retail.

"We continue to see physical retail as an essential part of our growth strategy," Elder said. "Our 2026 expansion reflects our commitment to reaching more people who share our love for the outdoors."

The expansion extends beyond retail into the hospitality sector. The One Group Hospitality, which acquired the Japanese restaurant chain Benihana in 2024, announced an agreement on December 29 securing development rights for 10 locations.

The deal is expected to result in two Benihana locations opening in 2026. The remaining eight locations are scheduled to open over the next seven years. This represents a long-term commitment to expanding the brand's physical footprint.

These restaurant openings join the broader trend of physical expansion across the retail and hospitality industries in 2026.

The year 2026 represents a pivotal moment for US retail, with physical store openings outpacing closures for the first time in recent years. The data shows a clear divergence in strategy: while traditional retailers focus on digital channels, discount and specialty retailers are aggressively expanding their physical footprints.

Companies like Dollar General, Barnes & Noble, and Ollie's are betting on the continued importance of physical locations. Their success will likely determine the future of retail strategy in the United States. As consumers continue to seek value, retailers that can offer competitive pricing through accessible physical locations appear well-positioned for growth.