Laura Layden | Naples Daily News
For years, rumors have swirled about a second Costco in Collier County.
The wholesale club has shown interest in a forested site at the corner of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Snake Hammock Road in Southeast Naples.
A map of the area on LoopNet, a commercial real estate website, even shows a Costco as “coming soon.”
Yet, there are rumblings the members-only warehouse has changed its mind. As is often the case with retailers in the exploratory or early planning stages for a new site, Costco isn’t commenting on its interest, or non-interest, in the location.
It’s never easy to track the comings and goings of retailers, as they expand, contract and evolve. They’re often a secretive bunch. This much is clear: Retailers big and small are looking to expand – or in some instances to establish a presence – in Collier County, through traditional stores.
Some stores are closing or relocating this year, making it even harder to keep up with the musical chairs of retail tenants locally.
As of May, major retail chains had announced plans to shutter nearly 3,200 stores across the country in 2024, a 24% increase over last year, according to research firm CoreSight. Experts blame the closings on several factors, including inflation and higher operating costs.
Family Dollar is among the biggest casualties, with at least 600 stores expected to close in the U.S. this year, and more over the next few years, as leases expire, due to a lackluster performance in 2023.
Here retail isn’t dying, but rather evolving.
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