While areas like Silicon Slopes are seeing new growth, many household names are shrinking their footprints or leaving the state entirely. For Utah shoppers, this means it’s time to use those gift cards and prepare for empty storefronts at local plazas.
Based on recent bankruptcy filings, corporate restructuring announcements, and ongoing "fleet optimization" plans, here are six major retail chains closing locations in Utah this year.
1. Big Lots
This is the most significant hit for many Utah bargain hunters. The discount furniture and pantry retailer has been navigating severe financial distress and filed for bankruptcy protection.
Utah has been directly impacted by these cuts. The company explicitly marked stores in Layton, Logan, and Murray for closure. Shoppers in these areas should expect aggressive "store closing" sales. As the company attempts to restructure, the future of the remaining Utah locations remains uncertain, and more closures could be announced if the brand cannot stabilize its finances.
2. LL Flooring
Formerly known as Lumber Liquidators, this flooring retailer is closing its doors entirely. After failing to find a buyer during its bankruptcy process, the company announced a total liquidation of all stores nationwide.
This affects locations across the Wasatch Front, including stores in Salt Lake City and Orem. Homeowners who were planning renovations should know that "all sales are final" and installation services have ceased. The storefronts will go dark once the remaining inventory is sold off, leaving empty boxes in major retail strips.
3. Family Dollar
Dollar Tree, the parent company of Family Dollar, is in the middle of a massive closure of nearly 1,000 stores nationwide. Utah is feeling the impact, particularly in older suburban areas.
The closures are targeting locations where theft, maintenance costs, or "market oversaturation" have made profitability impossible. Stores in the Salt Lake Valley—specifically in areas like West Valley City and Magna—are often vulnerable during these fleet reviews. If your local store has had consistent inventory issues, it may be next on the list.
4. Walgreens
The pharmacy giant is in the midst of closing roughly 1,200 stores nationwide to cut costs. While Utah hasn't seen the mass exodus that states like California have, the "optimization" plan is active here.
Walgreens is focusing on closing locations that are too close to other Walgreens stores or are not profitable enough to sustain rising labor costs. With a heavy presence in Salt Lake and Utah counties, often on opposite corners of the same blocks, specific underperforming units are expected to shutter as the company thins the herd through 2026.
5. Advance Auto Parts
The auto parts giant is pumping the brakes harder than almost any other retailer this year. Advance Auto Parts announced a massive restructuring plan to shutter over 700 locations nationwide by mid-2026.
Utah is seeing the impact, as the company consolidates its footprint to focus on its "Pro" business (selling to mechanics) rather than retail DIY stores. Underperforming locations in the state are expected to be consolidated into nearby hubs. If you have a warranty on a car battery or part, you should check if your local store is remaining open.
6. Foot Locker
If you buy sneakers at the mall, you might need to find a new spot soon. Foot Locker is in the middle of a massive pivot, closing as many as 400 underperforming stores by 2026.
Their new strategy involves moving away from smaller, older mall-based stores and focusing on larger "power stores." Expect to see smaller Foot Locker locations in Utah’s regional malls—particularly those outside of the prime City Creek or Fashion Place hubs—close their gates this year as the brand shifts its focus.
