NEW HAMPSHIRE - The retail landscape in the Granite State is navigating a period of high turnover this season. As the first half of 2026 comes to a close, several national mainstays are finalizing their exit from New Hampshire's premier malls and neighborhood shopping centers. Driven by a wave of nationwide liquidations and a decisive shift toward "right-sizing" physical footprints, these departures mark a definitive turning point for local commerce from the Seacoast to the North Country.
Here are the three retail giants leaving New Hampshire this June.
1. Rite Aid (The Final Statewide Exit)
In the most significant blow to New Hampshire's healthcare and retail access this year, Rite Aid is finalizing the total wind-down of its presence in the state. Following its transition to private ownership and subsequent bankruptcy proceedings, the chain failed to secure a bidder to keep its physical doors open in the region.
Final inventory liquidations and building handovers are slated for completion by mid-to-late June 2026. This total exit creates immediate challenges for residents who relied on the brand for essential services, including:
- Nashua (Selective neighborhood hubs)
- Dover (Central Ave location, being replaced by a Dollar Tree)
- Manchester and the Seacoast corridors
2. Big Lots (The "Northway" Retreat)
In a major hit to the State discount furniture and pantry market, Big Lots is entering its final weeks of operation at several key New Hampshire locations. Following a total liquidation announcement earlier this spring, the company is finishing the wind-down of its remaining storefronts as it retreats from underperforming sites to stabilize its finances.
For decades, Big Lots has been a staple for bargain-priced home goods in New Hampshire. Total liquidation sales are currently reaching their 70% to 90% off peak, with doors expected to lock for the last time by late June 2026. This exit clears out large-scale footprints in communities such as:
- Goffstown (Mast Road)
- Nashua (Northwest Boulevard)
- Claremont and regional centers in the Monadnock region
3. Macy's (Strategic Anchor Exit)
As part of its "Bold New Chapter" strategy, Macy's is finalizing a wave of closures this June to focus on its top-performing 350 "go-forward" stores. The company is closing approximately 150 stores nationwide by the end of 2026, with several regional anchor positions identified for immediate shuttering as leases expire this spring.
While the brand is maintaining its presence in major flagships, June marks the deadline for the final set of "underproductive" units to lock their doors. These closures are often part of larger redevelopment plans in which traditional department store spaces are being repurposed into mixed-use residential and entertainment hubs. Affected New Hampshire locations finalized for exit this June include sites that have anchored regional malls for decades.
The Evolution of New Hampshire Retail Space
The departure of these three icons leaves notable gaps in New Hampshire's commercial footprint, particularly in suburban plazas and regional malls. However, the vacancy also brings a turning point.
Developers in cities like Nashua and Manchester are already looking toward the future. Many former "big box" and pharmacy sites are being scouted for value-driven retail, medical outpatient clinics, and experiential tenants like boutique fitness centers or indoor recreation. As Granite Staters adapt to a digital-first economy, the shopping centers of 2026 are rapidly transforming into essential service destinations.
