KANSAS - The "retail optimization" trend sweeping the nation is hitting the Sunflower State with particular force in 2026. From rural communities losing their primary general stores to major suburban hubs seeing anchor tenants go dark, the Kansas retail map is being redrawn this year.
Here are the five major retail chains shrinking their footprints in Kansas in 2026.
1. Family Dollar
The Headline: A critical blow to rural Kansas towns.
While many chains focus their cuts on cities, Family Dollar's massive closure plan is hitting Kansas's smaller communities hard. As part of parent company Dollar Tree's strategy to close 1,000 stores as leases expire, several Kansas locations have been identified for closure.
- Confirmed Locations: The list of impacted stores includes locations on N. Roosevelt St. in Marion, E. 9th St. in Peabody, and E. 13th St. N. in Wichita.
- The Impact: For towns like Marion and Peabody, Family Dollar often serves as a primary grocery substitute. These closures leave residents in "food deserts," forcing them to drive significantly further for basic household goods.
2. Big Lots
The Headline: The discount retailer retreats from the suburbs.
Following its bankruptcy restructuring, Big Lots is continuing to trim its portfolio in the Midwest. The chain has flagged multiple locations for closure as it attempts to stabilize its finances, with the Kansas City metro area seeing a reduction in store density.
- Location to Watch: The store on Nieman Road in Shawnee has been identified for closure.
- The Trend: This follows a pattern of the retailer exiting older suburban strip malls to focus on a smaller, more profitable core of stores. Shoppers can expect liquidation sales to clear out furniture and home decor inventory before the doors lock for good.
3. JCPenney
The Headline: Topeka loses a major mall anchor.
The slow decline of the traditional department store continues to reshape Kansas malls. JCPenney, a brand that once anchored nearly every major shopping center in the state, is proceeding with a strategic reduction of its physical footprint by mid-2026.
- The Closure: The location at West Ridge Mall in Topeka is among the specific stores targeted in this recent wave of cuts.
- The Consequence: This is a significant hit to West Ridge Mall, which—like many regional malls—relies on big-box anchors to drive foot traffic to smaller inline stores.
4. Advance Auto Parts
The Headline: A shift away from the DIY mechanic.
Advance Auto Parts is in the middle of a corporate restructuring that involves closing over 500 corporate-owned stores nationwide. Kansas is not immune to these cuts, as the company pivots toward serving professional repair shops rather than individual car owners.
- Confirmed Cut: The location on S. 4th Street in Leavenworth has been marked for closure.
- Strategy: The company is consolidating its presence, meaning DIY mechanics in Leavenworth will likely be redirected to competitors or forced to order parts online as the physical "corner auto store" model shrinks.
5. LL Flooring (formerly Lumber Liquidators)
The Headline: A total exit from the market.
- Unlike other chains that are merely downsizing, LL Flooring is winding down its business entirely after failing to find a buyer during bankruptcy proceedings. This marks the complete disappearance of the brand from the Kansas market.
- The Scope: All Kansas locations are liquidating.
- The Result: For homeowners in Wichita, Overland Park, and beyond, this removes a major budget-friendly option for hardwood and vinyl flooring, leaving Home Depot, Lowe's, and local boutique retailers as the remaining primary options.