Major Clothing Retailer In Massachusetts Closing 150 U.S. Stores

A popular mall retailer with stores in Massachusetts is closing 150 locations nationwide this year in a bid to stay afloat after being battered by tariffs.

The children’s clothier Carter’s has not disclosed what stores will be shuttered but said in a press release that stores would close as their leases expired as part of its turn-around push.

See also: MA State Senator's Bill Would Cap Grocery Self-Checkout Stations

Atlanta-based Carter’s, which also operates the OshKosh and B’Gosh labels, has 24 stores in Massachusetts.

The stores are in Burlington, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Dorchester, Dedham, Dartmouth, Hudson, Hanover, Lee, Methuen, Millbury, Medford, Natick, North Attleboro, Peabody, Sagamore, Somerville, Springfield, Stoneham, Seekonk, Saugus, Wrentham, Watertown and West Springfield.

See also: Walmart To Remodel 13 MA Stores: What Changes Are Coming Near You?

Douglas C. Palladini, the former CEO of Carter’s, said last fall after the release of the company’s third-quarter 2025 earnings report that the company had made “meaningful progress in stabilizing our business. But, he added, “elevated product costs, in part due to the impact of higher tariffs, as well as additional investment, weighed meaningfully on our profitability.”

Carter’s previously planned to close 100 stores over the 2025 and 2026, but increased its target to 150 that collectively represent about $110 million in annual sales.

See also: AI Threatens Massachusetts Jobs The Most: Report

On top of the store closures, Carter’s also laid off about 300 employees to absorb losses, Retail Dive reported.

The Carter’s closings are among 1,400 stores expected to close in 2026, including other clothing stores such as Macy’s, Francesca’s and Eddie Bauer. The convenience store chain 7-Eleven is closing about 645 stores in North America.

See also: Popular Retailer Plans MA Comeback After Closing All Stores

Grocery Outlet and Kroger are also reducing their store footprints as grocery stores nationwide face pressure from rising food prices and labor costs, as well as evolving consumer preferences to online markets.

Are you a local business owner? Post a business listing on Patch! It’s an easy way to reach a local audience and connect with customers close to home. Go here to get started today.

See also: List Of Companies Planning Layoffs This Week Include These MA Businesses

Read More

• 1,400 Stores Expected To Shutter In 2026
• Major Convenience Chain Closing Hundreds Of Stores
• Grocery Store Closures Are Driven By These Pressures

Are you a local business owner? Post a business listing on Patch! It’s an easy way to reach a local audience and connect with customers close to home. Go here to get started today.