Viral Closure List Fact-Check: Debunking the Walmart 23-Stores Myth
Have you seen those alarming online lists claiming massive store and bank branch closures are happening everywhere? They’re often shared on social media, sometimes with a political agenda, painting a grim picture of the economy.
It’s tempting to share these lists, especially when they mention big names like Walmart and Starbucks. But as an experienced editor, I always urge readers to take a moment and ask, ‘Is this the complete picture?’ When we compare these viral claims to actual facts and past reports, a much more nuanced reality comes into view.
Take the claim circulating in March 2024 that Walmart was closing 23 stores in eight states, all supposedly “blue” states. This specific claim was directly addressed, and according to a spokesperson for Walmart who spoke via email, it was simply “not true.”
While that particular viral number was false, it’s worth noting that AL.com did report on plans for six Walmart store closings in 2024 across California, Maryland, and Ohio. Interestingly, while California and Maryland voted for Biden in 2020, Ohio was a red state for former President Donald Trump. So, the “all blue” part of the viral claim didn’t hold up even for the actual, smaller number of planned closures mentioned in this reporting.
Interestingly, that same reporting noted Walmart closed 20 stores in 2023 across various states, but crucially, Walmart also announced plans for *future store openings and expansion*, which directly contradicts the widespread closure narrative.
Stepping back, we’ve heard warnings from retailers about the pressures they face. Walmart’s U.S. CEO, John Furner, who has deep roots with the company starting as an hourly staff member, has spoken about challenges like inflation, theft, and geopolitical conflicts. He’s known in the industry for seeking input from a vast team and traveling to stores, emphasizing the importance of hearing from employees on the ground because, as he put it, “You can’t solve a problem you don’t know about. You can’t solve a problem that’s a secret.”
Walmart’s CEO did express concerns about theft possibly leading to store closures and increased prices, a significant warning that reflects broader anxieties within the retail industry.
Theft Crisis Dual Narrative: From $1B Loss to Management Improvements
Executives at other major chains echoed this sentiment over the past year or so. Target’s CEO indicated theft was costing the company upward of a billion dollars, and Home Depot’s finance chief called it a “consistent pressure.” Retailers like Macy’s, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, T.J.Maxx, and Dollar General have also mentioned “shrink” – inventory missing due to theft or other reasons – as a factor impacting profits.
But here’s where the story gets really interesting: recent earnings reports suggest the intense fear might be subsiding for some companies. While Walgreens still calls theft a ‘systemic issue,’ others are reporting improvements or no significant impact.
Foot Locker described changes in shrink as “relatively neutral,” T.J.Maxx’s parent company found it “better than expected,” and Target cited “really solid progress.” Many retailers didn’t even mention shrink on their latest calls. This suggests that while theft is a real issue, its perceived impact or the ability of retailers to manage it may be evolving.
Now, let’s circle back to those viral lists and dig into some of the other claims, using the fact-checking provided in the context. The viral post claimed Target was closing nine stores in four states, all “blue.” This part about the nine stores is true, according to a September 2023 report, and they were indeed in blue states (California, New York, Oregon, Washington).
This information was actually from before March 2024, when the viral post started circulating. Moreover, an investigation in October 2023 found that the stores Target cited as closed due to theft and organized retail crime actually experienced lower levels of theft than nearby stores that remained open, adding a complex layer to the simple viral claim.
And what about Walgreens? The viral post falsely claimed they were closing 900 stores, mostly in ‘blue’ areas. That 900 figure actually referred to CVS’s 2021 announcement, not Walgreens, whose own previously announced closures were much smaller, around 200 in 2019 and an additional 150 later.
The context further clarifies that reasons cited for pharmacy closures “for years” include the online availability of prescription drugs as well as retail theft. It’s a long-standing trend with multiple causes, not solely tied to recent events or specific political affiliations of states.
Bed Bath & Beyond was listed as closing its remaining 360 stores. This was true, but again, outdated by the time the viral post was shared widely in March 2024, as these closures happened in 2023. More importantly, the company’s sales had reportedly been declining for over a decade due to competition, long before the period the viral post tried to link these closures to.
Regarding Lowe’s closing 50 stores, that news dates back to November 2018, during President Trump’s term, making it significantly outdated for a post about current closures.
Macy’s closing 150 stores (mainly blue)? The number 150 is true, announced in February 2024, with 50 slated for closure by the end of the year. However, the context notes these closures “marked the second-biggest store cuts since February 2020,” which was under Trump. And significantly, Macy’s reportedly did *not* provide a list of planned closures, making the viral post’s claim about them being in “mainly blue” states pure speculation or invention by the post’s author.
Starbucks closing 61 stores (mainly blue)? This was labeled misleading and lacking context. According to one source mentioned, Starbucks had closed 17 U.S. stores in 2024 in a mix of red and blue states. Crucially, Starbucks’ own public financial statement for fiscal year 2023 shows the company *opened* 483 new stores while closing a far lower number, 103 locations. Focusing only on closures without mentioning expansion is a classic way to create a skewed narrative.
Timeline Trap in Closure Data: From 2008 Home Depot to 2023 Bed Bath & Beyond
As for Home Depot closing 15 stores, that’s ancient history from 2008, during the George W. Bush administration. In fact, a Home Depot executive stated in February 2024 that the company plans to open about 80 new stores over the next five years, the exact opposite of the viral post’s suggestion.
Dollar Tree closing 1,000 stores? This one is true and recent news, announced in March 2024. The news involved both Dollar Tree and its owned brand, Family Dollar. However, the reasons cited were “years of mismanagement and poor conditions,” a significant fine for a warehouse rat infestation, inflation, and reduced benefits for low-income families – a mix of company-specific issues and broader economic factors, not a single cause or political connection.
Foot Locker closing 400 stores? Outdated. This was announced in March 2023 as part of a strategy to “reset” its business and grow revenue to $9.5 billion by 2026. It involved closing in-mall stores while pivoting their business strategy – a strategic move, not just a simple failure.
And Gap closing 350 stores? That was announced back in October 2020, during the Trump administration, as part of a pandemic-driven shift to online shopping. Those closures, affecting both Gap and Banana Republic stores in various states, have already been completed.
Political Narrative Manipulation: Fact-Checking Red-Blue Closure Distribution
The truth about retail closures is rarely as simplistic as viral posts make it seem. While challenges like theft, inflation, and shifting consumer habits do impact stores, the idea of a natift, inflation, and shifting consumer habits do impact stores, the idea of a nationwide “closure crisis” tied to political leanings falls apart under scrutiny. Many brands, from Walmart to Starbucks, are opening more stores than they close, balancing strategic adjustments with growth.
As consumers and social media users, our responsibility is to demand context over catchy headlines. The next time a list of closures lands in your feed, ask: When was this news published? Does the company have a statement? Are openings being ignored? In a world where information spreads faster than facts, critical thinking remains the best defense against misleading narratives.
