Fossil is closing 15 stores this year as malls continue to see declining retail sales.
Franco Fogliato, the CEO of Fossil Group, announced the closures during an earnings call in May. The retailer operates roughly 200 stores across the United States, but has already closed seven stores in the first three months of 2026.
If the additional closures go forward, Fossil will operate 185 locations globally by the end of the year.
The move follows a trend of closures for the company, with Fossil shuttering over 100 stores since 2024, including 54 in 2024 and 49 in 2025.
USA TODAY contacted Fossil for a list of the 15 closing stores.
Fossil Moving More Toward E-Commerce, CEO Says
The company reported that its first-quarter adjusted operating income was $10 million versus $9 million for the same period last year. One of the company’s main priorities moving forward is investing in its e-commerce platforms, Fogliato said.
Mall stores are experiencing a heavy rotation as several long-time brands continue to shut down. In August, Claire’s filed for bankruptcy for the second time in seven years, with the first time being in March 2018. The company had operated 1,326 stores in the United States before the filing.
Malls are experiencing a decline in popularity as e-commerce becomes the preferred way to shop, according to the University of Michigan’s Journal of Economics. The shopping centers have experienced a decline in retail sales due to economic and technological challenges over the past few decades, making them no longer a strong investment, according to the student-run economic journal.
As major retailers close, malls struggle. When Forever 21 went bankrupt, the university notes, the company closed 200 stores in the United States, making large spaces difficult for malls to rent out to other tenants.
However, there is hope, as younger generations appear to be buying their clothes at the mall. Shoppers aged 18 to 24 bought 62% of their total general merchandise purchases in stores last year, according to the university.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected].