Major Store Closures, Job Cuts Hit PA In 2026

Job losses and layoffs have mounted in Pennsylvania in 2026, with companies across sectors cutting back.

Pennsylvania's unemployment rate is around 4.2 percent, according to the latest data from Pennsylvania Department of Labor. That's up by about 0.3 percent from this time last year and about 0.6 from two years ago. The 4.2 percent number is in line with the national unemployment rate of 4.4 percent.

In April, eight of Pennsylvania's 11 industry supersectors saw increases in unemployment.

The largest layoffs have come from Amazon, which cut nearly 1,000 employees effective April 28 in Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Amazon announced in March that it would close its Fresh and cashierless Go stores in Pennsylvania and nationwide, although Amazon Fresh will continue to exist as an online brand.

QVC, the home shopping network with global headquarters just outside of West Chester, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-April. While they company says that their 15,300 employees will not be immediately impacted, the growing impact of streaming services on the network could have significant consequences in the near future.

A King of Prussia tax technology software company called Vertex announced 170 layoffs due to artificial intelligence, according to a filling with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has sparked alarm from officials who note the potentially devastating consequences AI could have on the economy.

Store closures have driven a number of job cuts.

Carter's, the popular children's clothing company, will be closing 150 stores nationwide; it has dozens of locations stores in Pennsylvania including in Bala Cynwyd, Exton, Kennett Square, Levittown, North Wales, Pottstown, Philadelphia, Springfield, and more.

Eddie Bauer is shutting down all 13 of its Pennsylvania stores after declaring bankruptcy earlier in the year. Another clothing retailer, Francesca's, is also shutting all its physical locations. The chain had locations in Warrington, King of Prussia, Willow Grove, Pottstown, Glens Mills, Ardmore, and more.

TD Bank closed six Pennsylvania branches at the end of January as the company continues to try to recover from a federal money laundering scheme that led to a guilty plea in October 2024 and a $3 billion fine.

Some other major layoffs thus far in 2026, according to the Department of Labor's WARN notices:

• Liberty Home Choices, Philadelphia, 615 layoffs, effective May 24
• Saks and Company, 435 jobs lost due to store closures, effective May 31
• Durham School Services, Philadelphia, 299 layoffs, effective June 29
• AVI Foodsystems, Philadelphia, 297 workers lost jobs when the company closed on Feb. 1.
• BPM Limited, Chesterbrook, Chester County, 248 workers will be laid off between March 29 and Sept. 30
• Chandler Hall Health Services, Newtown, 220 layoffs effective Aug. 1
• Lineage Logistics, 2018 layoffs effective May 27
• Church and Dwight Company, 195 layoffs effective June 30
• Geodis Logistics, Carlise, 185 job losses due to closure, effective Aug. 31
• Everett Foodline Inc. and Saxton Market, Everett, 122 employees effective April 20 (store closure)
• Giant Company: Coopersburg, 104 employees effective March 13 (store closing)
• Giant Company: Willow Grove, 105 employees effective April 3 (store closing)
• Alpek Polyester USA, Reading, 100 employees effective March 15 (company closing)

Analysts say many companies are trimming payrolls as they adjust to economic pressures and invest in automation and artificial intelligence, a trend that has driven widespread job cuts across sectors in 2026, according to Business Insider.

Other job cuts around the country reflect a mix of restructuring efforts, cost-cutting measures, and changing market conditions. The layoffs span industries including technology, finance, health care, manufacturing, hospitality, and agriculture, underscoring the breadth of workforce reductions across the U.S. economy.