May 15--MORE STORE CLOSINGS PREDICTED FOR 2009: Nearly 7,000 major U.S. retailers closed stores in 2008 while opening about 5,700 new locations for a net loss of more than 1,000 stores last year, according to a study by CoStar Group, a commercial real estate information firm.

That number could be even higher this year, experts say, because retail recovery probably won't begin to happen until late 2009 or early 2010.

Still, the study of 250 major retailers found they plan to open 4,000 stores this year while closing about 3,600 -- a number that could grow depending on the rate of economic recovery. Even if all 4,000 stores are opened, store-opening activity will still be down a "staggering" 39 percent compared to 2007 levels, the report said.

The stores anticipating the most new openings in 2009 are those selling pet supplies and groceries, dollar store or deep discount merchants, warehouse clubs, drugstores and big-box discounters. Meanwhile, electronics, discount department, jewelry, apparel and office supply categories are projecting the biggest loss in the number of stores.

Among those included in this CoStar analysis, the specific retailers planning to open the most U.S. stores in 2009 include Walgreens (540), Dollar General (450), CVS (275), Gamestop (250), Dollar Tree (235), Family Dollar (200), Walmart Supercenter (125), Aldi (80), Target (75) and Tractor Supply (75). The numbers do not take into account the unprofitable

stores these retailers plan to close this year.

Retailers that are liquidating or are projected to close the highest number of stores in 2009 include: Circuit City (567), Ritz Camera (400), Goody's (287), Steve & Barry's (252), Jones Apparel (225 for 2009 and 2010), Blockbuster (150), Office Depot (118), Rite Aid (117), Zales (115), Gap (100) and Charming Shoppes (100). The figures do not account for locations some of the retailers plan to open this year.

CoStar notes that if recession woes continue, merchants will likely adjust their store openings by June or July.

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