Scrubs & Beyond, a national specialty retailer focused on medical apparel, announced it is shutting down all of its physical retail locations and shifting to an online-only sales model. The company operates more than 115 stores across 30 states, according to its store locator page. While no official reason for the closure was disclosed, Scrubs & Beyond’s website displays a message stating “All Retail Stores Closing — Shop the Sale,” and many locations have already commenced liquidation sales.
The closure reflects a broader shift in consumer shopping behavior toward digital retail channels. According to United States Census Bureau data, e-commerce sales in the second quarter of 2026 accounted for 17.1 percent of total sales. Consumer research indicates that convenience remains a dominant factor influencing purchasing decisions, with 77 percent of U.S. consumers surveyed citing convenience in terms of comfort, speed, accessibility, and availability as key to their choices. Morgan Stanley data showed that 78 percent of internet users agree or agree strongly that online shopping is convenient, while 68 percent say it saves them time.
Scrubs represent a product category particularly well-suited to online sales, as these loose-fitting garments generally do not require precise fitting once a consumer knows their size, eliminating the traditional need to try items on in physical stores. Retail analysts noted that consumers increasingly prefer to purchase fixed, repetitive items such as uniforms through online channels rather than visit specialty shops. Shipping, return, and pricing policies have become critical to online retail success, with 90 percent of shoppers citing free shipping as important, 84 percent emphasizing fast shipping, and 81 percent prioritizing return policies.
Other specialty apparel retailers have taken similar steps in response to changing consumer preferences. Companies including Torrid and Destination XL have reduced their store counts rather than closing entirely. The broader retail landscape reflects what analysts describe as a fundamental shift in the center of gravity of shopping experience away from physical locations and toward delivery to consumers’ preferred locations.
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