ARIZONA - The "retail correction" is hitting the Grand Canyon State hard as we move deeper into the first quarter of 2026. From the final days of a major mall anchor in Mesa to a sudden bankruptcy affecting rural healthcare, February is bringing a wave of closures that spans from the Valley to Kingman.
Here are the five major retail chains shrinking their Arizona footprint in February.
1. Macy's
As part of Macy's "Bold New Chapter" strategy to shed 150 underperforming stores nationwide, the Superstition Springs Center location in Mesa is in its final countdown.
- The Status: After being identified on the closure list in late 2025, the store is currently in the final stages of liquidation. Shoppers can expect deep discounts on fixtures and remaining inventory throughout February.
- The Impact: The closure leaves a massive void at Superstition Springs Center, a mall that has faced increasing vacancy. Residents in the East Valley will now have to travel to SanTan Village or Chandler Fashion Center for a full-line Macy's experience.
2. GameStop
Video game retailer GameStop is executing a quiet but significant "fleet optimization" in Arizona to start 2026. The company has shuttered multiple locations across the state, with closures accelerating into February.
- Affected Areas: Confirmed closures include five locations in the Phoenix metro area (including spots at Desert Sky Esplanade and Maryvale Plaza), as well as stores in Tucson, Flagstaff, Lake Havasu City, and Bullhead City.
- The Shift: This move is part of the company's broader pivot away from physical retail density. For gamers in Lake Havasu and Bullhead City, the closure effectively removes the primary dedicated video game store from the local market.
3. Uptown Pharmacy
In a blow to residents of Mohave County, Uptown Pharmacy (serving Kingman and Golden Valley) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
- The Timeline: Following a filing on New Year's Eve, the bankruptcy proceedings are moving quickly, with a key creditor meeting scheduled for February 12, 2026.
- The Reality: While the pharmacy aims to restructure, the filing has created uncertainty for patients in these rural communities who rely on Uptown for prescriptions and medical supplies, highlighting the fragility of independent pharmacies in 2026.
4. Big Lots
Following its bankruptcy restructuring, Big Lots is continuing to trim its Arizona portfolio. While the initial wave of closures hit in late 2025, the "lease rejection" phase is claiming more storefronts this month.
- Locations to Watch: The store on West Cactus Road in Glendale was recently added to the closure list, joining a growing number of shuttered locations in Phoenix and Tucson.
- The Deal: February serves as the final "everything must go" period for these locations, with the retailer aiming to vacate the properties before spring lease renewals kick in.
5. Starbucks
While Starbucks is expanding its drive-thru and mobile-pickup concepts, it is simultaneously closing older "café-only" locations that don't fit its new efficiency model. Arizona is seeing a specific cluster of these closures in early 2026.
- The Cuts: A total of 14 Arizona locations have been flagged for closure, with Tucson taking the brunt of the hit (losing seven stores, including the location on East 22nd Street). Scottsdale is also seeing reductions, including multiple spots on Scottsdale Road.
- The Vibe: This signals a shift away from the "third place" model, where customers sit with laptops for hours, moving toward a "grab-and-go" model prioritized by the corporate restructuring.
February 2026 is proving to be a pivotal month for Arizona's retail landscape. The closures reflect a mix of national trends—like the shift away from traditional malls (Macy's) and physical media (GameStop)—and specific local hardships, such as the bankruptcy of Uptown Pharmacy in Mohave County. While Big Lots continues its retreat from the suburbs to stabilize its finances, Starbucks is aggressively modernizing by closing traditional cafes in Tucson and Scottsdale. For Arizona shoppers, this means fewer options for browsing and hanging out, as retailers prioritize speed, efficiency, and digital sales over physical footprints.