An ongoing housing slump and consumers’ reluctance to spend in an uncertain economic environment have impacted sales at home improvement stores, forcing retailers to close down operations and, in some cases, file for bankruptcy protection.
Economic conditions have affected industry leader Home Depot as the home improvement giant’s sales declined by 3.8% in its fourth quarter of 2025, ending Feb. 1, 2026, though its annual sales still rose by 3.2%.
The list of home improvement and hardware retailers that have closed is lengthy, however. The reasons for closing stores have included retailers’ battle against fierce competition to remain profitable. In other cases, financial distress has led to bankruptcy filings and business closings.
Kitchen design retail specialist Wren Kitchens is a major home improvement chain facing financial issues that filed for bankruptcy liquidation and shut down operations.
Wren Kitchens closed all 15 U.S. locations and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation.
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Wren Kitchens files for bankruptcy
Wren Kitchens, which launched a strategic partnership to open showrooms in Home Depot stores in 2024, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation on April 24 and abruptly closed down all 15 of its brick-and-mortar retail stores on the East Coast.
The kitchen retailer also closed its Wren Kitchen Studios within Home Depot stores.
Retailer ceases operations in U.S.
“Wren Kitchens has alerted us that they’ve ceased operations in the United States, which includes closing their showrooms in our stores,” Home Depot said in a statement to WFSB-TV in Rocky Hill, Conn.
“We had no previous notice of Wren’s intent to close, and we’re actively evaluating how this has affected Wren customers to help those who may have questions or issues. For questions about operations, please contact Wren directly,” the statement concluded.
The U.K.-based home improvement retailer’s parent, Wren US Holdings Inc., posted a message on its website announcing the closing.
“We regret to inform you that our showrooms and studios are now closed. If you require assistance, please click button and complete the form,” the message said. The message included a green “Click for form” button for customers to use.
No other information is available on the website.
Wren US Holdings Inc. filed its Chapter 7 petition, No. 26-10581, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, listing $100 million to $500 million in assets, Bankruptcy Observer reported.
Complaint filed against debtor
A proposed class action complaint against Wren US Holdings was filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, according to court papers, alleging a violation of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, which requires employers with 100 or more full-time employees to file a 60-day notice informing employees and government officials of layoffs.
Employees were not given any advanced notice of layoffs, as in some cases, the company’s UK management informed employees on an April 23 Zoom call that it was closing all showrooms and stores immediately, WFSB-TV reported.
Employees received final paychecks, but no severance or continuation of benefits, according to WFSB.
Customers seek to recover payments
Many customers who had ordered kitchen products from Wren Kitchens and made advanced payments are not sure they will be able to recover 1,000s of dollars that they have paid Wren, according to WFSB.
Customers having difficulty obtaining refunds should consider contacting their bank or credit card issuer.
Wren Kitchens, which operated 15 retail stores in the U.S. and about 111 in the U.K., opened its first showroom in Milford, Conn., and a manufacturing plant in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in 2020, according to KBB Review.
Smaller hardware stores close operations
Among the smaller Home Depot rivals that closed operations instead of selling their business were Central Center Hardware and Miller’s Hardware.
Do it Best hardware cooperative member Central Center Hardware in Chillicothe, Ohio, revealed on its Facebook page that it would permanently close down its store on April 10 after operating for 49 years.
“Navigating the recent retail landscape has presented significant challenges, and we have made the difficult decision to close our doors,” Central Center Hardware’s owner Mark Weisenberger wrote on its Facebook page.
80-year-old Home Depot rival Miller’s Hardware said it is shutting down its iconic Winter Park, Fla., store by the end of May after the family-operated business’s owners decided it was time to close the establishment after three generations of running the business.
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