From NewsNet5 [Cleveland, OH], November 18, 2008. See http://www.newsnet5.com/news/18011458/detail.html# ; more details can be seen at http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=store+closings&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=
Retail Store Closings Could Top 6,000 In 2008
CLEVELAND -- Saks Fifth Avenue is the latest big retail chain to announce serious losses, and on Tuesday the CEO said people are not in the mood to shop.
Macy's, Gap, Target, Nordstroms and Kohl's all reported feeling the pinch, and one source expects almost 6,000 store closings this year.
Consumer expert Jay Seaton said some of your favorite stores may not be around this time next month.
"People for the holidays, they need to feel as though their gifts are coming from the heart, but this is a Christmas where I think the financial part of it comes into it too," said Seaton.
Seaton did say that stores closing may not necessarily be a bad thing for shoppers this season.
"This is one of the best years I've ever seen to shop early because the sales are now, or if you're willing to take a real chance, right at the end, because I think right at the end, right before the holiday, there's going to be an enormous amount of bargains," he said.
But he also warned that you need to be very careful because of the uncertainty of store closings.
"You need to be very clear with them and understand what the rules of the road are for that card or that particular sale item," Seaton said.
If you don't want to take a chance, Seaton said you could get a Mastercard or Visa gift card that the recipient can use anywhere.
Seaton said some stores are also bringing back lay away plants this year because of the tough economic times.
Here is a list of the store closings Newschannel5 has been able to confirm:
Circuit City 155 stores closing / 6 in NE Ohio / 2 will remain open in NE Ohio
Ann Taylor 117 Stores to close nationwide / Closings planned over the next 3 years / No specifics announced
Lane Bryant 40 Stores closing nationwide
Fashion Bug 100 stores closing nationwide
Catherine's 10 stores closing nationwide
KB Toys 150 stores closing nationwide / Akron location remains open
Eddie Bauer 27 stores closing nationwide
Cache 14 stores closed but several others open
CompUSA All stores closed
Dillards Closed Middletown, Ohio store in April
Disney Store 98 stores closed nationwide
Home Depot 15 stores closed nationwide / 2 in Ohio - Findley & Lima / Won't open 50 stores planned for 2009 / Hurt specifically byr eal estate crisis
Talbots 78 men's and children's stores closed by September
Fifteen furniture chains closed last year, up from 10 in 2006 and five in 2005, according to Furniture/Today, a trade publication. Two of the largest, Wickes and Domain, closed this year.
Pacific Sunwear 154 remaining Demo stores closing
Foot Locker 140 stores closing by end of 2008
Linens N' Things 371 stores liquidating / All set to be closed by Jan. 1
Macy's Already Closed: Rolling Acres Mall / Akron Canton Centre, Canton / Randall Park Mall, North Randall
Zales 100 Stores
J. C. Penney, Lowe's and Office Depot are scaling back or delaying expansion. Office Depot had planned to open 150 stores this year, but will now open 75.
Sprint Nextel
125 retail locations
--Akcooper 19:41, 25 November 2008 (UTC)
