For years, “retail apocalypse” headlines have cried wolf. Many blamed Amazon, others warned of overbuilt malls, but most claims fizzled. What’s happening now is different. Target just slashed its 2025 outlook after a brutal quarter, projecting a “low-single digit decline” in annual sales. Walmart’s CEO Doug McMillon has gone straight to President Trump with warnings that store shelves may soon run dry. 

These aren’t fringe forecasts, they’re direct signals from America’s largest retailers. For the first time, retail’s titans are sounding the same alarm. The collapse isn’t theoretical anymore. Behind the aisles, a perfect storm of tariffs, supply chain chaos, and consumer panic is brewing.

Target And Walmart Sound Alarm Over Retail ‘Collapse’ As Shelves Go Empty

WWD Instagram For years, “retail apocalypse” headlines have cried wolf. Many blamed Amazon, others warned of overbuilt malls, but most claims fizzled. What’s happening now is different. Target just slashed its 2025 outlook after a