Burlington to shrink most of its store fleet by 2028

Burlington Stores is undertaking a significant overhaul of its physical footprint, with chief executive Michael O'Sullivan telling WWD in an exclusive interview that by 2028, 80% of the company's store fleet will have been relocated, downsized, or newly opened to a smaller, more efficient format now being rolled out across the chain.

The strategy reflects a broader recalibration in off-price retail, where smaller stores can be cheaper to open, easier to keep stocked with fresh inventory, and quicker to turn profitable, even as they carry less merchandise per location. For Burlington, which has built its business on value-driven apparel and home goods, the shift suggests a belief that a denser network of smaller, better-located stores will outperform a smaller number of larger boxes, particularly as shopping patterns favour convenience and frequent visits over destination trips.

The move also puts Burlington's real estate strategy in sharper contrast with rivals such as TJ Maxx and Ross Stores, both of which have pursued their own store growth plans, and comes as many mall-based and off-price retailers reassess lease economics amid still-uneven consumer spending. Investors and landlords will be watching how quickly the downsized format can prove its economics at scale, and whether the pace of conversion holds up as Burlington balances capital spending against growth in a value-conscious retail environment.

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