These Target stores are set to close: Here’s the full list..

 

# 📉 *These Target Stores Are Set to Close: Here’s the Full List (and What It Means for Retail in 2026)*

Target is one of America’s most recognizable retail brands—with nearly 2,000 stores nationwide and household penetration that rivals long-standing rivals such as Walmart and Costco. But even retail giants aren’t immune to changes in shopping habits, economic pressures, and operational challenges. While Target announced dozens of new store openings in 2026, it is also facing closures of certain locations—sometimes permanent, sometimes temporary for strategic reasons.

This blog post explores:

* **Which Target stores have been confirmed to close**

* **Why those closures are happening**

* **How Target is responding with new store openings**

* **The broader implications for the retail landscape**

* **How this affects shoppers, communities, and store employees**

Let’s dive in.

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## 📍 **Confirmed Target Store Closures: The Known List (2023–2025)**

Target has publicly acknowledged closures of some specific locations, most notably in late 2023. These closures were driven by operational challenges and safety concerns that Target described as making continued operation unsustainable. ([corporate.target.com][1])

### 🎯 Target Closure Announcement (2023)

In September 2023, Target officially confirmed the closure of **nine stores across four U.S. states**, effective *October 21, 2023*. These closures were attributed to challenges including *theft, organized retail crime, and issues that made day-to-day operations unsafe or financially untenable*. ([corporate.target.com][1])

Here’s the *list of the Target store locations* that were confirmed to close at that time:

#### **🛑 California (Bay Area)**

* **1690 Folsom St., San Francisco**

* **2650 Broadway, Oakland**

* **4301 Century Blvd., Pittsburg**

  (Three California locations in the Bay Area closed due to retail crime impacts.) ([ABC7 San Francisco][2])

#### **🛑 Oregon**

* Three Target stores in **Portland metro area**

  (Exact addresses were noted in local reporting as near Morrison, Powell Blvd., and Hollywood districts.) ([Reddit][3])

#### **🛑 Washington**

* Two locations in **Seattle**

  (Seattle University Way and Ballard areas.) ([Reddit][3])

#### **🛑 New York**

* Target store at **517 E. 117th Street, East Harlem (Manhattan)** ([Reddit][3])

➡ *All nine of these stores were part of a decision to shutter underperforming locations where security challenges fundamentally impaired safe operations.* ([corporate.target.com][1])

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## 📊 **So What About 2025 and 2026?**

As of early 2026, **Target has not publicly issued a consolidated new shutdown list** covering the entire year. Instead, available information shows something more nuanced:

### ✅ Fixed Holiday Closures

Target announced specific *dates* in 2025 when all of its stores would be *closed for the day*—for example, Thanksgiving and Christmas. This should not be confused with permanent closures. ([LA NACION][4])

### ❌ No Major New Corporate Announcement

Unlike the consolidated press release of 2023, Target has *not yet* issued a broad 2026 closure list. Searchable press releases and corporate statements do not show an updated list of additional permanent store closures for 2026 beyond what was already reported. ([corporate.target.com][5])

### 📌 Minimized Mini-Store Closures

Target is *ending its partnership with Ulta Beauty* in 2026, which means that **13 small Ulta shop-in-shop spaces inside Target stores (especially in the Bay Area) will close** as the partnership winds down. These closures are *part of an agreement expiry* rather than a store shutdown. ([San Francisco Chronicle][6])

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## 📈 **Target Is Also Growing — Not Just Shrinking**

Perhaps surprisingly, Target is not only closing a few stores—it is also **adding many new ones**.

📍 In 2026 alone, Target **confirmed the opening of more than 40 new store locations** across the United States, including in states like Arizona, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Utah. Development timelines suggest these stores will open throughout the year. ([The Sun][7])

This expansion contrasts with the closure of underperforming or challenging stores, illustrating a shift toward **strategic footprint optimization**: Target is closing locations where operational challenges outweigh benefits, while also launching stores in emerging markets or underserved communities.

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## 📌 **Why Are Some Target Stores Closing?**

Closures aren’t happening randomly. The reasons tend to cluster around a few themes:

### 1. **Organized Retail Crime and Safety**

Target specifically cited *theft and organized retail crime* as a direct reason for several store closures, emphasizing that safety and sustainable operations were no longer feasible at some sites. ([corporate.target.com][1])

This isn’t unique to Target—many retailers report theft and security risk as a growing business cost and operational hazard, particularly in large urban environments.

### 2. **Performance and Financial Metrics**

Like most national chains, Target periodically reviews store performance. Locations that consistently underperform compared to corporate benchmarks may be flagged for closure or conversion to a different store format.

### 3. **Strategic Real Estate Decisions**

Retailers often close stores not because they aren’t needed, but because the *economics of a lease* or *a building’s footprint* no longer justify continued operations, especially in areas where e-commerce or smaller formats are more effective.

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## 📍 **How Many Stores Does Target Still Have?**

As of 2026, Target operates **nearly 2,000 brick-and-mortar stores** across the continental U.S. and continues to invest in both physical locations and digital fulfillment options. ([Hindustan Times][8])

This is an important context: closures affect a *small percentage* of its overall footprint, and new openings frequently balance out past closures.

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## 🛒 **What This Means for Shoppers**

If your local Target is on a confirmed closure list, here’s what to expect:

### ✔ Closure Notices and Timing

Stores set to close permanently typically announce the closure weeks to months in advance, giving local shoppers time to visit one last time and use up gift cards or coupons.

### ✔ Transfer and Support for Team Members

Target has publicly stated that *eligible team members from closing stores will be offered opportunities to transfer to other nearby locations*. ([corporate.target.com][1])

### ✔ Neighboring Locations Stay Open

In most metro areas, shuttered Target stores don’t leave citizens without options—nearby stores often remain fully operational, sometimes just a few miles away.

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## 📉 **Retail Closures: Part of a Larger Trend**

Target’s store closures are *not happening in isolation*. The broader U.S. retail landscape has been shifting dramatically:

* Business Insider reported that **nearly 300 retail store closures were planned for 2026 alone** across various brands. ([Business Insider][9])

* Department stores such as Macy’s continue large-scale optimization, shutting many locations nationwide. ([Good Housekeeping][10])

This trend reflects changing shopper habits, increased online competition, rising lease costs, and evolving expectations for physical retail.

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## 🧠 **So Is Target Shrinking or Growing?**

The answer isn’t black or white.

🟢 **Growing:** Target is opening dozens of new stores in key U.S. markets this year. ([The Sun][7])

🔴 **Closing:** A small number of longstanding locations are shutting, often for *specific, operational reasons*. ([corporate.target.com][1])

In many ways, Target’s strategy mirrors a modern retail playbook: **optimize the store footprint** to focus on high-value locations, enrich digital fulfillment, and invest in formats that serve local needs best.

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## 📌 **Key Takeaways for Consumers and Analysts**

### 🔹 Consumers

* A local Target closure may be inconvenient—but it’s typically not part of a national shutdown.

* Most communities will still have Target stores within a reasonable distance.

* New Target stores may come to your area, especially in growing markets.

### 🔹 Retail Industry Observers

* Target’s closures tend to be *targeted* rather than wide-sweeping, driven by performance and safety.

* The company’s growth plans for 2026 show confidence in its long-term strategy.

### 🔹 Employees

* Target often provides transfer options for employees at closing stores.

* Corporate shifts also include broader investments in store upgrades, technology, and digital channels.

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## 📅 **What’s Next for Target in 2026?**

While the exact *comprehensive list of closures in 2026* hasn’t been published, the landscape is clear:

* Target will **continue expanding** into new regions and formats. ([The Sun][7])

* Select *underperforming or challenging* locations may close permanently.

* The company will adapt its overall store network in response to safety trends, shopper habits, and economic conditions.

For the latest information on specific store closures or openings near you, Target’s official **store locator on its website** provides real-time status for every location.

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## 🧾 **Conclusion**

In the dynamic world of retail, change is constant. Target’s mix of closures and openings in 2026 reflects a thoughtful strategy: keep thriving stores accessible, address challenging locations head-on, and build a network that’s resilient, responsive, and future-ready.

While no official *full closure list* for 2026 has been issued as of this writing, the confirmed closures from 2023 and the ongoing trend of optimization paint a clear picture: Target is **refining—not retreating**.