Major retailers closed stores in 2017

If your favorite shopping mall is looking different these days, it’s probably because several major retailers closed in 2017, and others have streamlined locations to better compete with online retailers.

Brands including women’s clothing stores Bebe, Wet Seal and BCBG Max Aria and appliance peddler HHGregg bit the dust, though some of the fashion retailers still have an online presence.

Creating the biggest stir in South Florida, though, was the closure of Alfred Angelo Bridal stores.

While there were only three stores in the tricounty region, brides took to social media to voice their concerns over losing their chosen wedding dress to the failed business. There were never so many disappointed “princess” brides, as Alfred Angelo carried the only line of bridal gown modeled after Princess Jasmine and other Disney characters.

Major mall retailers that are restructuring nationwide include Macy’s, Sears and Kmart.

Early in 2017, CityPlace in West Palm Beach lost its iconic two-story Macy’s store, which developer the Related Cos. reportedly plans to replace with apartments and restaurants.

Sears, which also owns Kmart, said it would shutter 63 more Kmart and Sears locations nationwide after the holidays, but none of the additional closings are in South Florida, according to the list released in November.

Toys “R” Us, which filed for bankruptcy in September, is reportedly considering closing 100 stores. The company declined to say whether any of the 10 South Florida stores were among them.

But all retailers can be cheered by holiday sales so far: sales exceeded expectations from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, according to the National Retail Federation.

Average spending per person over the five-day period was $336, with $251 going toward gifts. The biggest spenders were older millennials, ages 25 to 34, at $420, according to the retail association.

mpounds@sunsentinel.com or 561-243-6650, twitter: @marciabiz