NEW JERSEY - The "retail winter" is hitting the Garden State hard this month. February 2026 brings a wave of closures that strikes at the heart of New Jersey's retail identity—from the "de-malling" of major shopping hubs to the retreat of big-box discounters from the Shore.
Here are the four major retail chains that shrank their New Jersey footprints in February.
1. Macy's
The Headline: Two major North Jersey malls lose their anchor.
As part of Macy's "Bold New Chapter" strategy to shed 150 underperforming stores, the department store giant is shuttering two prominent New Jersey locations. These closures are particularly significant as they hit high-traffic corridors in affluent counties.
- Locations: The Livingston Mall (Livingston) and the Interstate Shopping Center (Ramsey).
- The Status: Both stores are currently in the final weeks of liquidation. Shoppers can expect discounts of 60-80% in February as the retailer aims to clear all inventory before the quarter ends.
- The Impact: Macy's departure from the Livingston Mall is a critical blow to the property, which has struggled to retain anchors in recent years. In Ramsey, the closure opens up a massive retail box on the busy Route 17 corridor.
2. Big Lots
The Headline: A massive retreat from the Jersey Shore and South Jersey.
The bankruptcy restructuring of Big Lots has hit New Jersey harder than almost any other state in the region. February marks the "final countdown" for a cluster of stores, particularly in the southern half of the state.
- Locations to Watch: Confirmed closures include stores in Freehold (Route 9), Ocean Township (Route 66), Glassboro, Millville, and Mays Landing.
- The Deal: Layoff notices filed with the state indicate that many of these locations have an effective closure date in late February. "Everything Must Go" signs are up, and the retailer is aggressively selling furniture and home goods.
3. Stop & Shop
The Headline: The "Grocery Correction" hits Ocean County.
In a move that surprised many locals, Stop & Shop has confirmed the closure of its key Toms River location. This decision comes as the chain faces intense competition from Wegmans, ShopRite, and discount grocers like Aldi.
- The Location: The store at the intersection of Route 9 and Route 70 is set to cease operations.
- The Reality: This closure highlights the difficulty traditional supermarkets face in aging strip malls. For residents in Toms River, it removes a convenient option on a heavily traveled commuter route, forcing them to travel farther down Route 37 to find alternatives.
4. GameStop
The Headline: A statewide sweep of mall and strip center locations.
Video game retailer GameStop is starting 2026 with a significant "fleet optimization" strategy, closing stores across the state to focus on e-commerce.
- Affected Communities: The closure list is extensive, hitting locations in Bayonne, Newark, North Bergen, Rockaway, Deptford, and Somers Point.
- The Vibe: This continues the retailer's trend of pivoting away from physical retail density. For gamers in Somers Point and Deptford, this removes a primary dedicated video game store, forcing locals to rely on big-box retailers or digital downloads.
February 2026 marks a significant contraction in New Jersey's retail landscape. The closure of Macy's locations in Livingston and Ramsey signals continued trouble for traditional department stores. At the same time, Big Lots' massive retreat from the Shore and South Jersey leaves large vacancies in key power centers. The loss of the Stop & Shop in Toms River highlights the competitive pressure in the grocery sector, and the widespread closures of GameStop locations reflect the ongoing shift toward digital entertainment. For New Jersey shoppers, this month offers deep liquidation discounts and a preview of a rapidly changing commercial landscape.
