Tractor Supply is closing 75 of its 209 Petsense stores across the United States. The closures will cut the pet store chain down to about 125 locations in 23 states.
Why Tractor Supply Is Closing These Stores
Tractor Supply announced the closures on July 23 during its second quarter earnings call for fiscal 2026. The company said the 75 stores were operating at negative cash flow, which means they were losing money instead of making it. Leaders decided to shut these locations to stop the losses and put more money into parts of the business that earn better returns (Retail TouchPoints).
CEO Hal Lawton told analysts that the decision came after a full review of the Petsense business. He said the closures will help the company improve returns, simplify operations, and move resources toward higher growth areas (Chain Store Age).
The company also pointed to weaker customer spending. Shoppers are buying pet and farm supplies more carefully, combining trips, and focusing on needs instead of extra purchases. This shift in spending habits made it harder for smaller, underperforming stores to stay profitable (TheStreet).
Financial Impact of the Closures
The store closures will cost Tractor Supply about $71.7 million in impairment and other charges. This includes a $5.9 million write-down of unsold inventory sitting in the closing stores (PetfoodIndustry).
Gordon Brothers, a company based in Boston, will handle the process of ending the store leases for the closed locations (CoStar).
Tractor Supply’s overall second quarter results also came in weaker than expected. Net income fell 16.1% to $360.7 million, down from $430.0 million a year earlier. Earnings per share dropped 14.9% to $0.69. Net sales still grew 2.3% to $4.54 billion for the quarter (Chain Store Age).
Which Petsense Stores Are Closing
Tractor Supply has not released a complete list of every store closing nationwide. So far, the company has only confirmed specific closures in Arkansas, where six of the state’s nine Petsense stores will shut down.
| State | Stores Closing | Stores Remaining Open |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Searcy, Beebe, Jacksonville, Pine Bluff, El Dorado, Fayetteville | Batesville, North Little Rock |
Officials confirmed these details during a call following the July 23 earnings announcement (KARK). Local news outlets in other states are expected to report their own confirmed closure lists as Tractor Supply notifies communities in the coming weeks.
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Company Background on Petsense
Petsense was founded in 2005 to serve small and mid-size communities with pet food, toys, and supplies. Tractor Supply bought the chain in September 2016 and later rebranded it as Petsense by Tractor Supply in 2022 (AOL).
As of late June 2026, Tractor Supply operated 2,463 namesake stores across 49 states, along with the 209 Petsense locations across 23 states (BigGo Finance).
What Remains Open and What Tractor Supply Is Building Instead
Even with the store cuts, Tractor Supply says Petsense is still part of its long-term plan for pet care, livestock wellness, and rural living products. Company officials pointed to recent moves like the purchase of Allivet, an online animal pharmacy, and VIP Petcare, a mobile veterinary care provider, as proof the company is still investing in pet services (AOL).
VIP Petcare runs veterinary clinics in about 2,700 retail locations, including 1,700 Tractor Supply stores. Management called VIP Petcare the largest provider of mobile veterinary care in the country, reaching close to one million pets each year (BigGo Finance).
Tractor Supply is also slowing down how fast it opens new stores. The company now plans to open 85 to 90 new Tractor Supply locations in 2027, down from an earlier goal of 100. Instead, it will put more money into remodeling existing stores under its Project Fusion program and expanding its Final Mile delivery service (TheStreet).
How This Fits the Broader Retail Trend
Tractor Supply is not alone in trimming its store count this year. Retail analysts expect around 7,900 store closures across the United States in 2026 as chains cut underperforming locations and shift money toward digital sales and stronger markets (ECIKS).
Other major retailers have made similar moves recently. Macy’s has been closing some of its stores, and Saks Global, now called Exemplar Luxury Group, shut around two dozen Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus stores during its bankruptcy process, along with nearly all of its Saks Off 5th locations (CoStar).
FAQ: Tractor Supply Closing 75 Underperforming Petsense Retail Locations
Q: How many Petsense stores is Tractor Supply closing?
A: Tractor Supply is closing 75 of its 209 Petsense by Tractor Supply stores, cutting the chain’s footprint by roughly 36%. Once the closures are complete, approximately 125 Petsense stores will remain, operating across 23 states.
Q: Why is Tractor Supply closing these Petsense locations?
A: The company said the closures follow a strategic business review that found these 75 stores were operating at negative cash flow. Tractor Supply is redirecting that capital toward higher-return parts of the business, including its core Tractor Supply stores, Project Fusion remodels, Final Mile delivery, and its newly acquired veterinary services division.
Q: When was the announcement made?
A: Tractor Supply announced the closures on July 23, 2026, during its second-quarter 2026 earnings call.
Q: Which specific Petsense stores are closing? Is there a full list?
A: Tractor Supply has not publicly released a complete list of the 75 closing locations. Closures are expected to be disclosed on a rolling basis or confirmed locally – for example, six of nine Arkansas stores (Searcy, Beebe, Jacksonville, Pine Bluff, El Dorado, and Fayetteville) have already been confirmed, while Batesville and North Little Rock will stay open. Customers should check with their local store or Tractor Supply directly for confirmation in their area.
Q: How much will the closures cost the company?
A: Tractor Supply expects to incur approximately $71.7 million in impairment and other charges related to the closures, including a $5.9 million inventory write-down.
Q: Who is handling the store closures and lease terminations?
A: Boston-based Gordon Brothers has been retained to handle disposition of the leases for the closing locations.
Q: Is Petsense shutting down entirely?
A: No. Tractor Supply executives have stated that Petsense remains part of the company’s long-term pet care strategy. Around 125 stores will continue operating, and the company says it’s investing more heavily in digital and service-based pet offerings, including veterinary care.
Q: Does this affect Tractor Supply’s main stores too?
A: Not directly by closure, but Tractor Supply also trimmed its 2026 new-store growth target from 100 to 85–90 new locations, citing softer discretionary consumer spending.
Q: How does this relate to Tractor Supply’s veterinary business acquisition?
A: Just months before the Petsense announcement, Tractor Supply completed its acquisition of VIP Petcare, a mobile veterinary services provider operating in about 2,700 retail locations, including 1,700 Tractor Supply stores. The Petsense closures are part of a broader pivot toward this integrated, service-heavy pet care model.
Q: What does this mean for Petsense employees?
A: Neither Tractor Supply nor major outlets have detailed specific plans for affected employees. Typically in similar retail consolidations, some staff may be offered positions at nearby remaining stores, though this hasn’t been officially confirmed for Petsense.
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