A popular mall retailer is shutting down 25 locations across the United States.
Zumiez, a streetwear and skate-focused brand with nearly five decades of history, announced the closures as part of a strategic shift away from underperforming malls.
Once a go-to destination for teens and skateboarding enthusiasts, the company said the closures are tied to struggling mall traffic rather than declining interest in its products.
The announcement came in the company’s fourth-quarter earnings report, which showed sales rising 4.5% to $929.1 million. CEO Rick Brooks said 2025 marked “an important step towards returning to historical levels of sales and earnings.”
Brooks added, “We started the new year with good momentum and believe we have the right plans in place to build on our recent progress, including generating increased cash which we’ll deploy to drive growth and enhanced shareholder value.”
Despite improved sales and a net income of $13.4 million last year, Zumiez reported a net loss of $1.7 million in 2024, prompting earlier store closures as well.
Brooks emphasized that the decision is not due to weak demand but reflects a broader shift away from malls that have struggled to regain foot traffic since the pandemic and amid the continued rise of online shopping.
Zumiez has not released a list of affected locations or closure timelines. Of the 25 stores set to close, 20 are in North American malls, while five are located in Europe.
Even with the closures, the company plans to expand, with five new stores expected to open in North America in 2026. As of February 2026, Zumiez operates more than 700 stores worldwide, including 560 in the U.S., 45 in Canada, 83 in Europe, and 28 in Australia.
International operations run under brands such as Blue Tomato and Fast Times.
The closures come as other mall retailers also scale back. Francesca’s is shutting down all its locations after two decades in business, while Claire’s previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed underperforming stores. Forever 21 has also exited physical retail while maintaining its online presence.
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