2 Major Pharmacy Closures In New York State: Spring 2026

Here is the breakdown of the major supermarket and pharmacy closures hitting New York state in Spring 2026.

The Final Exit of Rite Aid

In one of the most substantial shifts in New York retail history, Rite Aid is in the final stages of exiting the state market entirely. Following its second bankruptcy filing in late 2025, the Philadelphia-based chain is shuttering its remaining 178 New York locations.

• The Timeline: Most remaining stores are expected to close their doors by the end of March 2026.
• Impact Areas: This exit heavily impacts the five boroughs, Long Island, and Upstate hubs like Buffalo and Rochester.
• Prescription Transfers: Residents still using Rite Aid for medications are being urged to transfer their prescriptions to competitors like CVS or Walgreens as the company winds down operations.

Walgreens and Duane Reade Consolidations

Following a multi-year plan to close roughly 1,200 underperforming stores, Walgreens (and its New York-specific brand Duane Reade) is accelerating its footprint reduction this spring.

• Targeted Areas: Closures have been reported in New York City, Rochester, and Ellenville.
• The Reasoning: The company cited low profitability in approximately 25% of its stores, driven by rising operational costs and shifts in consumer pharmacy habits.

Stop & Shop’s Regional Strategy

Stop & Shop continues to refine its New York footprint, focusing on modernizing high-performing stores while exiting leases for underproductive ones.

• Completed Closures: Following a round of closures late last year that affected sites in Brooklyn, Mt. Vernon, and West Haverstraw, the chain is focusing its 2026 efforts on remodeling existing locations to include larger "Click and Collect" staging areas.
• Long Island Shifts: Several Long Island locations (including Greenvale, Coram, and Hempstead) have recently shuttered as the brand recalibrates its presence in the competitive Nassau and Suffolk markets.

The "Marketplace" Pivot: Macy’s and Beyond

While not a traditional grocer, Macy’s is a major anchor for many New York shopping centers that house supermarkets. Under its "Bold New Chapter" strategy, Macy's is shuttering approximately 150 stores through 2026.

• Local Impact: The Macy’s at the Boulevard Mall in Amherst is among those identified for closure in early 2026.
• Grocery Synergy: These closures often trigger shifts in neighboring grocery stores, as the loss of a major department store anchor can decrease foot traffic for the entire shopping plaza.

Why the Shift?

Industry analysts point to three primary drivers for the 2026 New York retail "reset":

1. Omnichannel Evolution: New Yorkers are increasingly choosing "Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store" (BOPIS). Chains are closing smaller, older storefronts that can’t accommodate the logistics of high-volume digital fulfillment.
2. Post-Bankruptcy Realities: For brands like Rite Aid, the cost of maintaining a massive physical presence in high-rent New York districts became unsustainable following years of legal and financial challenges.
3. The Rise of High-End Specialization: While traditional mid-market anchors close, the state is seeing growth in high-end specialty brands like Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, which are expanding even as their parent companies (like Macy’s) trim traditional storefronts.