Retail Apocalypse 2.0? Store Closures to More Than Double—What’s Next?
Remarkable Retail Podcast
Strategic Retail Shift: Warby Parker Partners with Target
This chapter explores Warby Parker's innovative move to establish mini-stores inside Target, signaling a shift from their traditional retail model. It examines the potential for accelerated growth and the strategic alignment with Target’s brand as a part of Warby Parker's expansion vision.
The retail industry is once again in flux, with store closures predicted to more than double this year, leaving many to wonder: is this a retail apocalypse or just a market correction? In this compelling episode of Remarkable Retail, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Steve Dennis dive deep into the state of physical retail, exploring the reasons behind the latest surge in store closings, the impact of e-commerce growth, and what it all means for retailers, brands, and consumers in 2025.
Backed by fresh data from Coresight Research, Michael and Steve break down which retailers are expanding, which are contracting, and why. With 15,000+ store closures projected for 2025, the conversation covers everything from the collapse of the unremarkable middle to the rise of value-driven retail (think TJX and Dollar Stores) and the resilience of luxury retail. They analyze how major economic uncertainties—tariffs, inflation, consumer confidence, and shifting shopping behaviors—are influencing retail strategies.
Key discussion points include:
- The “Retail Apocalypse” Myth: Is physical retail actually in decline, or is the landscape simply evolving?
- Who’s Thriving Amid the Closures? Off-price retailers like TJ Maxx, warehouse clubs, and specialty brands continue to expand, proving that physical stores still have a critical role in today’s retail ecosystem.
- E-Commerce vs. Brick-and-Mortar: While online shopping keeps growing, it’s not the death knell for stores—brands like Warby Parker, Sephora, and Aritzia are doubling down on physical retail.
- Strategic Store Closures vs. Brand Decline: Why some retailers are pruning their store networks to optimize profitability while others are collapsing due to outdated business models.
- The Role of Retail in Customer Acquisition: How brick-and-mortar locations remain essential for brand discovery, experiential shopping, and omnichannel success.
With exclusive insights from leading retailers and industry experts, this episode provides a roadmap for navigating today’s turbulent retail landscape. Whether you’re a brand leader, an industry analyst, or a retail enthusiast, you won’t want to miss this deep dive into what’s really happening in the world of brick-and-mortar retail in 2025.
Tune in now and stay ahead of the retail transformation!
#RetailTrends #RetailApocalypse #StoreClosures #Ecommerce #BrickAndMortar #RetailStrategy #RetailNews #ConsumerTrends #RetailInnovation #Retail2025 #RetailGrowth
Thanks to Deb Weinswig and Coresight Research for providing data on store openings and closings.
Steve will be back on stage at Shoptalk coming up in Las Vegas at the end of March. Listeners can save on registration by using our discount codes below:
For Retailers & Consumer Brands go here and use code RBREMARK549
For General Admission go here and use code GAREMARK1399
Steve's 2025 Retail Predictions
Neil Blumenthal (Warby Parker) episode
How the Internet Made In-Store Shopping Miserable (WSJ)
About Us
Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.
Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.
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