4 Major Supermarket & Retail Chains to Close Massachusetts Locations This Spring 2026

From the final disappearance of a historic pharmacy giant to a sudden retreat by high-tech grocery experiments, here is what you need to know about the supermarket closures hitting Massachusetts this spring.

1. The Total Exit of Rite Aid

After decades as a neighborhood staple, Rite Aid has officially completed its total exit from Massachusetts this spring. Following a second bankruptcy filing and a multi-year liquidation process, the brand that once operated dozens of stores in the state has reached its final chapter.

• The Final Holdouts: The last remaining locations—including those in Clinton, Fall River, Greenfield, and New Bedford—finalized their liquidation sales earlier this spring.
• The Aftermath: By March 2026, the familiar blue-and-red signs had been removed. Residents are urged to ensure their prescription records have been transferred to local Walgreens or CVS hubs to avoid disruptions in care.

2. Stop & Shop: The Efficiency Reset

Stop & Shop, the region's largest grocery chain, is in the midst of a multi-year effort to "clean out the garage." After shuttering several underperforming stores late last year, the chain is now pivoting its logistics.

• E-Commerce "Warerooms": In a major shift for online shoppers, Stop & Shop is closing its dedicated e-commerce fulfillment centers (warerooms) in Revere and Whitman this spring.
• The New Model: Online orders are now fulfilled directly from local neighborhood stores rather than centralized hubs. While this allows for faster delivery, shoppers in-store may notice more professional "pickers" in the aisles during peak hours.
• Recent Closures: This logistical shift follows the permanent closure of storefronts in Brockton, Raynham, Halifax, and Shrewsbury, as the brand focuses on "fresh-focused" remodels for its top-performing sites.

3. Amazon Fresh: The High-Tech Retreat

The experiment of "cashier-less" grocery shopping has officially ended in the Bay State. In February 2026, Amazon announced the closure of all its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go physical stores nationwide, including those in the Boston area.

• The Strategy: Amazon is pivoting its physical grocery strategy almost entirely toward Whole Foods Market.
• The Future: While the high-tech Fresh locations are gone, Amazon has announced plans to convert several former Fresh sites into Whole Foods Market Daily Shop locations—a smaller, convenience-focused format—by the end of the year.

4. Big Lots: The Discount Department

Following a failed attempt to find a buyer during its 2025 bankruptcy, the closeout retailer Big Lots has begun its final nationwide "going out of business" sales.

• Statewide Liquidations: All remaining Massachusetts locations, including those in Saugus, Seekonk, and West Springfield, are expected to complete their final liquidations by the end of March 2026.
• The Impact: For many budget-conscious families, Big Lots was a primary source for discounted pantry staples and home goods. Its disappearance leaves a significant gap in the discount grocery sector, which is currently being filled by Aldi's rapid expansion.

Why is this happening now?

Industry analysts point to three primary factors driving the Spring 2026 Massachusetts shakeup:

1. Omnichannel Evolution: Nearly 15% of Massachusetts grocery sales are now digital. Retailers are closing older, smaller storefronts that cannot accommodate the logistics of high-volume pickup and delivery.
2. The "Aldi Effect": The rapid expansion of deep-discount grocers is forcing traditional supermarkets to either lower prices or exit neighborhoods where they can no longer maintain their margins.
3. Real Estate Reset: With commercial rents rising in hubs like Boston and Worcester, chains are consolidating their footprints into "hub" locations rather than maintaining multiple neighborhood branches.