Throughout the U.S., a number of longtime retailers are closing places in 2026 as lease expirations, property redevelopments, and shifting retail circumstances reshape the business. For bookstores, whereas digital codecs like e-books and audiobooks have grown in recognition, demand for print books stays sturdy.
These adjustments come as one of many nation’s largest bookstore chains balances closures with an ongoing growth technique. Barnes & Noble, whose retailer rely fell under 600 in 2023 following its 2019 acquisition by Elliott Funding Administration, has already confirmed extra closures simply two months into 2026.
Barnes & Noble is closing its Portland location after 24 years
Barnes & Noble confirmed that its Lloyd Heart retailer in Portland, Oregon, will shut on Might 2, 2026, because of the expiration of its lease after practically 24 years of operation, in keeping with a publish on the shop’s official Instagram account.
“It is with great sadness that we confirm the closure of our Barnes & Noble bookstore as our lease has ended,” wrote the Barnes & Noble Lloyd Heart crew. “We have loved being a part of this neighborhood and it has been our honor and privilege to be your bookseller for the last 24 years.”
After the closure, the closest Barnes & Noble location will probably be roughly 7.5 miles away by automobile at 9963 NE Cascades Parkway, in keeping with Google Maps.
Portland’s mall demolition drives exit
The closure is a part of a broader redevelopment of Lloyd Heart, town’s oldest mall. House owners City Renaissance Group and KKR Actual Property Finance Belief have introduced plans to demolish the property by the tip of 2026.
The 29.3-acre website will probably be reworked right into a mixed-use neighborhood with housing, retail, eating places, leisure venues, workplace areas, and public group areas, in keeping with the press launch.
Mall operations will proceed throughout the phased redevelopment to help remaining tenants and group occasions.
“We believe this initial master plan demonstrates the incredible potential to create an inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant experience that will play a major part in this city’s next chapter,” stated City Renaissance Group Managing Director Tom Kilbane in a press launch assertion.
Barnes & Noble confirms extra retailer closures in 2026.
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Extra Barnes & Noble closures in 2026
The Portland Barnes & Noble is one in all a number of places that shut down in 2026. Not less than three different closures have occurred resulting from lease expirations.
2026 retailer closures
- Nanuet, NY: Closed January 18 after practically 33 years (Supply: Rockland Instances)
- Pembroke Pines, FL: Closed January 18 after practically 20 years (Supply: The Miami New Instances)
- Waterbury, CT: Closed January 18 after practically 30 years (Supply: Norwich Bulletin)
Barnes & Noble’s growth technique amid retail comeback
After closing a number of shops during the last 15 years, Barnes & Noble is pursuing an aggressive growth plan, in keeping with a press launch.
The corporate opened 67 shops in 2025, greater than it had opened from 2009 to 2019, and plans so as to add greater than 60 new places in 2026. As of February 2026, Barnes & Noble operates round 700 bookstores nationwide.
Extra Retailer Closures:
- The Large Firm acquires shops as proprietor exits market
- Aritzia brings again iconic trend model after shutdown
- 159-year-old retail large publicizes extra retailer closures
Barrie Scardina, President of Americas retail companies for Cushman & Wakefield, stated the corporate is prioritizing in-store expertise by bringing again group and displaying its worth in society.
“Barnes & Noble could have had a digital-only life and been perfectly fine, and so it is exciting to see that they are not going to do that,” Scardina advised ICSC. “It is a great example of a brand coming back, figuring out what it stands for and taking space.”
Neil Saunders, Managing Director and Retail Analyst at GlobalData Retail, famous that Barnes & Noble is adopting a extra versatile location technique, opening new shops in smaller cities, many with a smaller footprint than its conventional format.
“This isn’t just about doing what has been done before on a different scale,” Saunders stated in a LinkedIn publish. “It’s about rethinking the business as a whole, so everything pulls together to create success.”
The print market stays resilient regardless of digital progress
The worldwide books market dimension was estimated at $156.57 billion in 2025 and is projected to achieve $215.89 billion by 2033, rising at a 4.1% CAGR, in keeping with Grand View Analysis. North America’s e-book business held the most important share, at 33.21%.
Print stays dominant, accounting for 78% of client market income. Nonetheless, audio consumption is rising quickly, with round 51% of People over 18 reporting that they’ve listened to an audiobook in 2025.
Barnes & Noble retail transformation
Whereas retailer closures usually sign footprint shrinkage, Barnes & Noble’s current shutdowns have been pushed by lease expirations, redevelopment tasks, and a brand new technique relatively than weakening demand.
As the corporate continues to open new places and redesign shops in key areas, it’s repositioning its enterprise to stability growth with a extra versatile, experience-focused mannequin.
Associated: Applebee’s confirms extra closures in 2026 as new idea expands
