TJ Maxx rival Ross shuts two locations in the same state as shoppers ‘say goodbye’ to iconic retailer
Shoppers were left stunned to discover that two stores owned by popular TJ Maxx rival Ross had closed their doors for good.
The Ross Dress for Less stores at the Fort Street Mall and on Ke’eaumoku Street in Honolulu, Hawaii, closed their doors on January 10.
Customers initially learned of the closures after both stores posted flyers confirming the news.
‘I was shocked. I work close by, so I come here often,” said a resident of the Ke’eaumoku area KHON2 before closing.
‘They have everything. It is very convenient to go shopping.”
The company did not reveal why it closed the Honolulu stores, but Retail Merchants of Hawaii (RMH) explained that brand consolidation has become increasingly common.
“They look at things like the performance of the store,” RMH President Tina Yamaki told KHON2, adding that factors beyond financial status could be reasons behind the closures.
Shoppers were positive about their experiences at the locations.
Ross Dress for Less stores at the Fort Street Mall and on Ke’eaumoku Street in Honolulu, Hawaii, permanently closed on January 10
“This location has several items that we can’t find at any other store so I’m saddened by the closing, but I’m sure they are doing what’s best for the business so we don’t lose the other stores,” customer Lisa Shandoria Johnson told it Hawaii News Now.
“Personally, it’s also a shame for the area because the more closed the area is, the more difficult it will be, as will the homeless, and it will only become a little more dangerous if things don’t go well,” store owner Carolyn Kopecky added .
Following the closures, employees from both Honolulu stores were relocated to different locations.
Despite the closures, 15 Ross Dress for Less stores in Hawaii remain open.
Ross has been successful for several years and operates more than 2,000 locations in the US.
According to its November 2024 earnings report, the company posted net income of $489 million in the 13-week period ending November 2.
The amount was higher than the previous year’s period, but the company was still unimpressed.
“We are disappointed with our third quarter sales results as business slowed following the solid earnings we reported in the first half of 2024,” CEO Barbara Rentler said in an earnings call.
Looking ahead, Rentler said: ‘We remain confident that our continued focus and commitment to delivering the most compelling values will enable us to maximize our potential for profitable growth now and into the future.’
Ross Dress for Less employees who worked in the Honolulu stores were transferred to other locations
There are currently 15 Ross Dress for Less locations operating in Hawaii
Ross is one of many retailers that have closed stores in the US.
Macy’s recently devastated its customers by announcing that 66 of its 150 stores will close permanently by the end of 2026.
The luxury retailer plans to close the stores within the next four to 12 months to focus resources on its go-forward stores.
Kohl’s announced earlier this month its plans to close 27 locations in 14 states due to underperformance.
‘We always take these decisions very seriously. As we continue to build on our long-term growth strategy, it is important that we also take difficult but necessary actions to support the health and future of our business for our customers and our teams,” Kohl’s CEO Tom Kingsbury said in a statement.