12 Household Brands That May Not Survive the Next 5 Years

Trips to the grocery store and mall don’t look the same anymore. Well-known brands are closing stores, restructuring, or disappearing altogether. Debt, falling foot traffic, and new competition all play a part, but the result is the same—familiar names are under real pressure. Here are twelve that could be next.

Big Lots Is on the Brink

The discount chain has warned investors there’s “substantial doubt” it can keep operating, after steep losses and cash strain. Stores have held deep clearance sales and trimmed assortments to raise quick cash. Even if a buyer steps in, shoppers should expect more closures and thinner shelves. If you rely on Big Lots for basics, have a backup plan.

Rite Aid’s Repeat Bankruptcy Raises Survival Questions

Rite Aid reentered Chapter 11 in 2025 and is closing more stores while it restructures again. Pharmacy traffic is tough, and the company is juggling heavy debt and legal costs. That makes a clean turnaround harder, even with new financing in the mix. Plan prescriptions and transfers early if your local store is on a closure list.

Joann Is Shutting Down Completely

Craft lovers are already feeling this one. Joann moved to close all U.S. stores in early 2025 after a second trip through bankruptcy court. Some liquidation sales have wrapped, and the brand’s future looks limited to IP sales and remnants. If you sew or quilt, local shops and online specialty sellers will fill the gap.

Sears Is Down to a Handful of Stores

Sears has shrunk from a national giant to just a few locations left—about five as of mid-2025. The remaining stores are scattered and face uncertain timelines. Without scale, it’s tough to bring in traffic, inventory, or vendor support. Expect the brand to live on mostly as nostalgia—and maybe as licensing, not real stores.

The Body Shop’s U.S. Exit Shows Ongoing Strain

The Body Shop shut down all U.S. operations in 2024 and slashed stores in other countries while wrestling with insolvency proceedings. A UK rescue kept part of the business alive, but the global footprint is much smaller now. That kind of disruption takes years to recover from, if recovery happens at all. Stock up on favorites online while you still can.

Party City’s Liquidation Signals a Fade-Out

After emerging from bankruptcy in 2023, Party City filed again in late 2024 and began winding down its roughly 700 stores. The brand is selling off assets and IP, not rebuilding a store fleet. Seasonal competitors and big-box store party aisles have already soaked up demand. Expect the name to survive on packaging—but not as a neighborhood store.

At Home Is Restructuring Under Court Protection

Home décor chain At Home filed Chapter 11 this year to cut debt, close weaker stores, and seek a sale that keeps the rest operating. That’s a lifeline, not a cure. If financing tightens or sales slip, more closures may follow. Shoppers will see deeper promotions while the company tries to stabilize.

Del Monte Foods Is Selling Under Chapter 11

The 139-year-old canned-foods staple entered Chapter 11 this summer and is pursuing a court-supervised sale with lender financing to keep products on shelves for now. Changing tastes and private-label competition are tough headwinds. Even if production continues, ownership could change and product lines could shrink. If you’re brand-loyal, keep an eye on labels and sizes.

Claire’s Is Back in Bankruptcy—Again

The mall jewelry chain filed for Chapter 11 in August 2025, its second bankruptcy since 2018, and plans to close hundreds of stores while selling its North American business. A buyer deal could keep many locations open, but the footprint will be much smaller. That makes ear-piercing and impulse jewelry harder to find at the mall. Expect more in-store kiosks and big-box partnerships instead of full boutiques.

LL Flooring Is Closing Stores to Survive

Formerly Lumber Liquidators, LL Flooring filed Chapter 11 in 2024 and said it would close nearly 100 stores during restructuring. Higher rates and slower home sales left a dent in renovation demand. Even if it sells to a new owner, footprint cuts are likely. If you’re mid-project, confirm delivery timelines before you order.

QVC/HSN’s Debt Worries Are Mounting

The TV-commerce group has seen multiple credit downgrades in 2025 as revenue slips and refinancing gets tougher. The company is still operating, but debt pressure can force faster cost cuts, narrower assortments, and fewer live hours. That hurts discovery and impulse buys, which drive the model. Loyal shoppers should watch for shorter return windows and more vendor exits.

GameStop Is Shrinking its Store Footprint Fast

After closing nearly 600 U.S. stores in 2024, GameStop said it will shut a “significant” number more in 2025 while it shifts strategy. Digital downloads keep pulling sales away from physical shops. Collectibles and trading cards help, but not enough to support a huge fleet. Expect fewer locations and more online-only drops.

Keep an Eye Out

Turnarounds do happen, especially if new owners bring fresh capital and tighter assortments. But when you see repeated bankruptcies, credit downgrades, and large-scale closures, that’s usually a sign of a brand in slow retreat.

If your favorite store is on this list, plan alternatives now—sign up for emails, find comparable products, and watch for liquidation deals that actually make sense. A little planning keeps you from getting stuck when a familiar sign finally goes dark.

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The article 12 Household Brands That May Not Survive the Next 5 Years first appeared on Cents + Purpose.