Bath & Body Works, Bentley Leathers, and Bose, with announcements dating back to December 2019. The closures reflect a challenging environment for brick-and-mortar stores, as they grapple with the evolving habits of consumers and the explosive growth of online shopping.

Old Navy's parent company, Gap Inc., has not been immune to these challenges. The brand has been undergoing a global restructuring plan, which includes closing nearly half of its locations over the next two years.

This comes alongside reports of Gap Inc.'s financial performance, with net sales falling and comparable sales down from previous years. The reasons behind these closures are multifaceted. Analysts point to a lack of understanding of customers' new habits and an underestimation of the rise of digital shopping.

Additionally, Nordstrom's nationwide closure of all 13 stores highlights issues such as the shift to online shopping, inflation, and financial losses. Retail shops also face increasing operating costs and challenges in management…