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Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
Amanda Blankenship

7 Department Store Chains That Went Online and Never Came Back

Image Source: 123rf.com

Not long ago, department stores were the backbone of American shopping—one-stop destinations where you could grab clothes, furniture, cosmetics, and even a slice of pizza at the food court. But as online shopping exploded and foot traffic declined, many iconic chains struggled to stay relevant. Some attempted to pivot by ditching physical locations altogether and moving online. While a few found success in the digital space, others faded quietly into retail history. Here are seven once-thriving department store chains that closed their doors for good—and never looked back.

1. Sears

Sears was once the undisputed king of department stores, offering everything from appliances and tools to clothes and catalog orders. But years of mismanagement, competition from Walmart and Amazon, and failure to modernize led to its downfall. After declaring bankruptcy in 2018, Sears closed hundreds of stores, leaving behind a ghost of what it used to be. Though a barebones version of Sears.com still exists, the in-store shopping experience is essentially extinct. For most shoppers, Sears is now just a memory—and a digital shell of its former self.

2. JCPenney (In Some Markets)

While JCPenney hasn’t disappeared entirely, it has shuttered a large number of its locations across the U.S., particularly in rural and mid-sized cities. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and was eventually acquired by new owners, who aimed to keep it alive through online operations and a smaller store footprint. In many regions, shoppers now rely solely on JCPenney’s website for access to the brand’s deals and private-label clothing. While it still operates in select malls, many longtime customers miss the familiar in-store experience. For them, JCPenney is effectively one of the closed department stores that never came back.

3. Lord & Taylor

As America’s oldest department store, founded in 1826, Lord & Taylor held a special place in retail history. But even legacy status couldn’t save it from the digital age. After struggling for years, the chain declared bankruptcy and closed all of its remaining stores in 2020. A new owner revived the brand as an online-only retailer, but the iconic department store experience—elegant displays, high-end fashion, and seasonal sales—is gone for good. Lord & Taylor now lives on in name only, through a website that few shoppers would recognize as the same brand.

4. Barneys New York

Known for luxury and trendsetting fashion, Barneys New York was a go-to for designer clothing and exclusive collaborations. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and ultimately shut down all of its physical locations, including its flagship Madison Avenue store. The Barneys name was later acquired by Authentic Brands Group and relaunched online and as a “store-within-a-store” concept at Saks. While the name still exists digitally, the original shopping experience—fashion-forward, upscale, and undeniably New York—is a thing of the past. Barneys’ legacy now survives mostly in e-commerce form.

5. Stein Mart

Stein Mart was a beloved off-price department store offering discounted designer brands and home goods in a more upscale setting than its competitors. After nearly 100 years in business, the chain filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and closed all of its roughly 280 stores. Later that year, the brand was purchased and relaunched as an online-only retailer. While SteinMart.com continues to sell apparel and home décor, fans of the physical store lament the loss of in-person browsing and treasure hunting. This once-thriving chain is now another example of closed department stores that never returned to brick and mortar.

6. Century 21

Century 21 was a New York institution, offering designer labels at outlet prices in a bustling, no-frills environment. The COVID-19 pandemic delivered a major blow to its already strained finances, leading to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy and full store closures in 2020. The chain attempted a comeback with a single location in Manhattan and a revamped e-commerce site, but the brand’s future remains uncertain. The current digital presence lacks the chaotic charm and bargain-bin thrill that made the original stores so popular. For most, the iconic Century 21 shopping experience is a thing of the past.

7. Bealls (In Certain States)

Not to be confused with Bealls Florida (which still operates), Bealls stores in other states, such as Texas and Arizona, were converted or closed altogether as the company underwent restructuring. While the brand name lives on online, many customers in those regions were left with no physical location to visit. Instead, they’re now directed to shop online for similar inventory that once lined the aisles of their local Bealls. The digital version lacks the regional charm and in-store clearance racks that drew loyal shoppers. It’s yet another name added to the list of closed department stores surviving only in cyberspace.

Shopping Changed—And These Stores Didn’t Survive the Shift

Retail is always evolving, but the shift to online shopping sped up faster than many of these department stores could adapt. While some have attempted digital comebacks, most never recaptured the magic of their in-person experience. From beloved local chains to luxury flagships, these brands serve as reminders of a bygone era when a trip to the department store was an event, not just a click. As shopping habits continue to change, it’s clear that not every brand can make the leap from mall anchor to online success story. Some doors closed—and never reopened.

Share your memories or favorite finds in the comments—let’s reminisce about the golden age of department stores together.

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The post 7 Department Store Chains That Went Online and Never Came Back appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.

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