PENNSYLVANIA - The retail landscape in the Keystone State is undergoing a seismic shift this season. As the first half of 2026 comes to a close, three major household names are finalizing their exit or significantly reducing their physical presence across Pennsylvania. Driven by nationwide liquidations and strategic pivots to e-commerce, these departures leave massive vacancies in premier malls and local shopping centers from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.
Here are the three retail giants leaving Pennsylvania this June.
1. Big Lots (Statewide Exit)
In what is arguably the most significant blow to Pennsylvania's discount retail market, the Columbus-based Big Lots is entering its final weeks of operation in the state. Following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and a series of warnings from state officials, the company is finalizing the closure of its remaining 64 stores in Pennsylvania.
For decades, Big Lots has been a staple for "treasure hunt" shopping in suburban Pennsylvania. Total liquidation sales have been underway throughout the spring, with doors expected to lock for the last time by mid-June 2026. This exit clears out major footprints in communities such as:
- Clearfield (Daisy Street)
- Harrisburg and the Lehigh Valley corridors
- Multiple regional sites across Western Pennsylvania
2. Express (Strategic Portfolio Trim)
Following its high-profile bankruptcy and subsequent acquisition efforts, fashion staple Express is narrowing its footprint to focus on its top-performing flagship sites. While the brand is not disappearing entirely, it has identified nearly 100 underperforming locations for permanent closure this spring.
In Pennsylvania, the restructuring has targeted several high-traffic metropolitan areas. Liquidation sales at these sites are slated to conclude by late June 2026, marking the brand's departure from:
- Fashion District Philadelphia (901 Market St.)
- Oxford Valley Mall (Langhorne)
- Center City (Express Edit on Walnut St.)
Shoppers in these areas will now have to look toward the brand's remaining presence at King of Prussia or Willow Grove malls, or transition fully to their online platform.
3. Eddie Bauer (All Locations)
In a major loss for Pennsylvania's outdoor enthusiasts, the legendary Eddie Bauer is officially exiting the brick-and-mortar market. After the entity operating the brand's physical stores failed to secure a bidder at auction during bankruptcy proceedings, the 106-year-old brand is shifting to a digital-only and wholesale model.
Pennsylvania is losing all 11 of its physical Eddie Bauer storefronts this June. Final inventory clear-outs are wrapping up, with all locations expected to be vacated by late spring 2026. Affected sites include major retail hubs such as:
- King of Prussia Mall
- Lehigh Valley Mall
- Capital City Mall (Camp Hill)
- Tanger Outlets (Hershey)
The Evolution of PA Retail Space
The departure of these three icons leaves millions of square feet vacant across Pennsylvania's commercial corridors. However, developers are already looking ahead. Many of these former "big box" and mall anchors are being scouted for experiential tenants, including indoor pickleball courts, medical outpatient clinics, and high-end fitness centers. As Pennsylvania shoppers adapt to a digital-first economy, the malls of 2026 are rapidly transforming into lifestyle and service destinations.
