Scott Fleischer, partner, was featured in the CoStar News article “Despite Recent Surge, Announced Store Closings Expected to Slow in 2026.” The article notes that, while more than 1,400 store closures have already been announced in 2026, overall closures are expected to slow compared to 2024 and 2025.
Scott noted that financial distress remains prevalent among mid-tier retailers, explaining, “While many of the bigger names have come off the list, there’s a bubbling under the surface of a large number of mid tier names where a near term filing would not surprise me.” He also observed that “2026 will also be an interesting test as to whether the wider trend toward more out of court restructurings will take hold with distressed retailers.”
Scott added that landlords should take proactive steps to protect their interests, including marketing at-risk spaces and evaluating lease strategies, as bankruptcy can expand tenants’ ability to assign leases.
CoStar subscribers can read the full article here.