Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss announcements and shutdowns made or announced in March 2017:

Here’s more proof the internet excuse is bullshit: Bermuda based Signet Jewelers announced it will shutdown 170 stores across North America blaming a sales shift to the “digital ecosystem”!  But wait, if that’s so why did the jewelry retailer also announce that it plans to open as many as 115 new brick-n-mortar stores? In a round-a-bout way administrators admitted that it wasn’t the internet that was killing brick-n-mortar sales but the classic real estate mantra ‘location, location, location’.

International law firm Denton’s suddenly laid off 60 people in the United States.

Sears-Kmart Death Spiral, March 2017: “substantial doubt”

Alabama: In Selma, after 57 years Gray’s Furniture shutting down so the owner can take care of her parents and have more time with her grandchildren.  After nine years Renaissance Consignment and Marketplace shutting down by the end of April so the owner can focus on her other business.

Arkansas:  Abilities Unlimited shutting down three thrift store locations due to “low customer count and declining sales” over the past five years.

 California: Banc of California issued layoff WARNs, 139 jobs gone by May! City National Bank revealed it shutdown a San Diego office last month.  Gateway One Lending issued layoff WARNs, 58 jobs lost in May. Internet based clothier Byer California issued a layoff WARN, at least 99 jobs lost by May!  Clothing company BCBG Max Azria Group issued a mass layoff WARN for its Vernon HQ, 116 jobs lost in May!   Clothier bebe issued mass shutdown WARNs for 36 California locations, hundreds of jobs lost in May! T&B Sports shutting down its Santa Rosa store due to crashing sales since Autumn 2016.  In Manteca, after 34 years Tammy’s Baby Shoppe shutting down in April, the owners telling local news media they need a “vacation”.   Iconic 66 years old piece of commercial architectural art Brunswick Zone Covina Bowl shutdown, the property is being sold: “Covina Bowl has been in decline for years. They haven’t been making any money. The banquet rooms were shut down last summer.”– Frank Barraco Junior

Colorado: Niwot based shoe seller Crocs (yes, they sell on the internet) says sales are so bad they will shutdown 160 stores by the end of 2018.  Despite having a website Crocs lost $31.7-million USD in 2016!  In Longmont, after 45 years Bike-N-Hike shutdown, the owners saying “We just didn’t want to do it anymore.”  The owners tried to sell the popular bike shop but there were no takers. Washington based thrift store Savers suddenly shutdown its remaining three locations in The Centennial State saying operating costs are going up: “We are not immune to rising labor costs and other trends pressuring the retail industry….. As a thrift retailer, securing quality products at a manageable cost is critical to our success.”

Connecticut:  Too Big to Jail British empire based RBS continues eliminating jobs in Stamford.      Dollar Express issued shutdown WARNs for six locations, shutting down by the end of June due to the sudden takeover by Dollar General.  What construction industry recovery? In Danbury, after 29 years Deep’s Hardware shutdown after three failed attempts to sell it.  In Bloomfield, after 80 years Riley Lumber shutdown, the owner said “….it’s just been harder and harder each year to remain profitable being a small type of operation compared to the box stores.”

Florida:  Boca Raton based office supplier Office Depot (which has a website) said sales are expected to continue crashing so they will shutdown at least 75 more stores.  Iconic 50+ years old surf shop Juno Beach up for sale so the owner can retire.  Source One Direct shutting down its Jacksonville credit/debit card ops, 170 jobs lost by the end of the year!  Administrators said competition is getting so tough they have to consolidate their services.  Michigan based direct mail seller Valassis shutting down its Orlando ops, 71 jobs lost between May and June.  Too Big to Jail British empire based HSBC issued a mass layoff WARN for its Brandon operations, 357 jobs lost in June!  California based clothier bebe issued shutdown WARNs for 13 locations, about 1-hundred jobs lost between now and the end of May!

Georgia: After 68 years Nearly New shutdown.  Local news media said the thrift store was “popular”, but the operators claimed sales crashed due to increased competition with other second hand stores!

Hawaii: Washington based thrift store Savers suddenly shutdown in Kahului.  Administrators said sales had not declined but that operating costs are going up: “We are not immune to rising labor costs and other trends pressuring the retail industry….. As a thrift retailer, securing quality products at a manageable cost is critical to our success.”

Idaho: Burley based King’s Variety shutdown its 14 years old, and recently remodeled, store in Orofino. Last month King’s announced the shutdown of 19 stores, but local news media now say all remaining 21 stores will shutdown.   Dollar Express issued a shutdown WARN for its Emmett store, due to the sudden takeover by Dollar General.  In Pocatello, after six years Element Outfitters shutting down soon, the owners are focusing on their other retail operations saying “We’re just consolidating and becoming a lot more efficient”.  They told local news media that while their brick-n-mortar-store sales have flat-lined their internet sales are “growing strongly.”    In Idaho Falls, after 20 years Park Avenue Antique Mall shutdown, the owners were forced to retire after an ice-jam caused water damage to the building, and they don’t have enough money to fix it and maintain their retail business.   However, since they own the building they hope to find a sucker, I mean people who’ll want to rent it.  In the same area, The Collective Cache shutdown, the building is being renovated for a retail business that’s moving from The Grand Teton Mall to the former Collective Cache location.  U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, of Idaho, (along with David Perdue of Georgia) reintroduced a bill that would make labor strikes at U.S. ports illegal, for the benefit of foreign companies: “By qualifying the ‘slowdown’ tactic as an unfair labor practice, this bill will ensure businesses can continue to import and export their goods…..:”

Illinois: Clothier Children’s Place shutting down its Hickory Point Mall store in April.  After ten seasons Tympanic Theater shutting down.  Bath & Body Works shutdown its Sandburg Mall store. Local news media also revealed that since January retailers Holmes Shoes, Universal Sporting Goods, clothier Christopher and Banks and jeweler Zales also shutdown their Sandburg Mall locations!  Thrift store operator Savers issued shutdown WARNs for five locations, about 260 jobs lost by May!  Too Big to Jail British empire based HSBC issued a mass layoff WARN for its Elmherst operations, 150 jobs lost in June!  After 25 years, flower seller Olivia’s Garden shutdown.

Indiana:  Indianapolis based and bankrupt electronics retailer hhgregg says sales are so bad they must shutdown at least 88 stores. Indianapolis based athletic shoe retailer Finish Line conducting a second round of store shutdowns in the past two years, this time 20 stores going down because “The fourth quarter was more challenging than we expected…”  In Evansville, after 44 years Harp’s pet store shutdown, the owners realized they can make more money renting out the property. Fort Wayne based maker of women’s clothing accessories Vera Bradley is shutting down 15 of its retail stores due to crashing sales. Administrators said the Obama declared recovery “…is taking longer than we had originally planned, and the overall retail environment and accessories space are significantly more challenging than anticipated.”

Iowa: After more than 80 years Frederick Furniture shutting down when the inventory is gone.

Kentucky: In Lexington, after 58 years Eastland Lanes Bowling Alley shutting down by June due to years of losses.

Louisiana: West Baton Rouge Credit now chapter 11 bankrupt busted saying it owes $6-million USD to other creditors.

Maryland: In Elkton, after more than 70 years Colonial Jewelers shutting down by Summer.

Massachusetts:  More proof of age discrimination as Boston based Fidelity Investments attempts to bribe 3-thousand employees, aged 55 or older, to voluntarily quit!  Mormon Mitt Romney co-founded Framingham based Staples shutting down at least 70 more stores and selling off its European operations, due to poor sales.

Minnesota: Dying Radio Shack shutting down a 45 years old store in Ann Arbor.  In Saint Paul, after 50 years John’s Antiques and Anderson’s Lamps shutting down by May.

Mississippi: In Gulfport, Pinkston Music shutdown, the owner saying “27 years opening to close, six days a week, I’m done!”

Missouri: North of Springfield, Carpet Barn shutting down its 44 years old location in May.

Nebraska: Omaha based apparel and home décor chain store Gordmans now bankrupt busted.  A Texas based company (Stage Stores) took over and will shutdown at least 48 Gordmans stores across the U.S.  Fast Cash shutting down its 20 years old Beatrice location, the owner blamed government saying “Currently, they have on paper 3-hundred pages of new regulations to be imposed in the near future and 90 percent of them would just wipe out the mom and pop shops……it just economically didn’t make sense for my family to stay invested in it.”

New York: In Brooklyn-NYC, “popular” thrift store Housing Works shutting down its Montague Street location due to the greedy landlord.  Hotel service company The Dumont NYC shutting down, 79 jobs lost by mid-June.  In NYC, A.I. Friedman shutdown its 80 years old art supply store.  Local news media report its the fourth independent art supply store in NYC to shutdown in the past two years.  Local news media doesn’t blame the internet, it blames competition from Illinois based chain-store operator called Blick Art Materials.  Record Theater shutting down its University Heights location, leaving only one location left.  Administrators told local news media that at one time there were 25 Record Theater locations.  Shoe seller Reebok shutting down its Queensbury Outlet store by the end of April.  Local news media pointed out that Reebok jacked-up the prices right before the going-out-of-business sale!    Exclusive Group Travel issued a shutdown WARN for its Bethpage ops, 116 jobs lost by July! In NYC, Eton Park Capital Management shutting down, 53 jobs gone by July.  CLSA Americas revealed it shutdown its NYC office, at least 67 jobs lost at the end of February.  Savers shutting down its thrift store in Henrietta, 58 jobs gone by June. Texas based JCPenney issued shutdown WARNs for locations in Massapequa and West Nyack, 183 jobs lost in June!  What housing market recovery?  PHH Mortgage issued a shutdown WARN for its Williamsville ops, at least 69 jobs lost at the end of June in what is most likely a first round of layoffs.

North Carolina: In Chapel Hill, after 40 years ‘educational’ toy seller Children’s Store shutdown, the owner saying “a lot of changes would’ve needed to happen” in order for her to keep it open.  In Greensboro, after 44 years Mary’s Antiques shutting down in May.  After 20 years Main Oak Emporium now up for sale: “Somebody else can have this fun…..” “Main Oak Emporium has been downtown Mount Airy’s leading retail store for almost 20 years. However, all good things must come to an end.”-Burke Robertson, ownwer

North Dakota:  Fargo based clothing retailer Vanity is now bankrupt and dead, all 137 stores across 27 states shutting down between the end of March and May!

Ohio: After 93 years B&B Appliance shutdown both locations saying “The bottom line is that we are no longer profitable.”   New Albany based Abercrombie & Fitch continues its slow burn death spiral, this time announcing the shutdown of an additional 60 stores. Administrators say they will follow the example of Sears/Kmart and allow leases to expire.  In Hillard, Movie Tavern shutting down by April.

Pennsylvania: Internet based clothing and electronics retailer Haband issued a layoff WARN, 59 jobs lost in May.   York based retailer The Bon Ton shutting down an additional six stores.  American Signature Furniture shutdown its Whitehall location because the property owner ended the lease early.

South Carolina:  In Charleston, Dixie Furniture shutdown its 71 years old original location on King Street saying “The business climate changed…” Baby Furniture Plus Kids shutdown its Greenville location.

Tennessee: Law firm T. Robert Hill bankrupt busted and its offices for sale.  Bed, Bath & Beyond shutdown its store in Antioch. 

Texas: The new owner of Radio Shack, General Wireless, took it bankrupt (again) and will shutdown 552 more stores!  Plano based iconic U.S. retailer JCPenney shutting down 138 stores and eliminating as many as 6-thousand jobs!  ‘Outdoors’ retailer Gander Mountain shutting down three Houston area stores, as part of bankruptcy plans to shutdown 32 locations.  Too Big to Jail Capital One Financial shutting down seven San Antonio area locations by June.  The Dallas-Fort Worth airport Marriott hotel eliminating 240 jobs by June, due to change in management!

Utah: Proficio Bank failed, FDIC turned assets over to Cache Valley Bank.

Virginia: Richmond based international advertising company Martin Agency conducted a second round of layoffs, this time 21 people lost their jobs.  The first round of layoffs were blamed on Walmart, which then forced the company to restructure hence the second round of layoffs.  In Virginia Beach, after 13 years RVA Fine Rugs shutting down brick-n-mortar operations and shifting to internet only,  blaming it on two years of crashing sales and a greedy landlord who put the property up for sale.  In Warrenton, after 30 years British empire themed gift shop Piccadilly Limited shutdown due to the death of the owner.

Washington: In Union Gap, thrift store Value Village shutdown without explanation.  Seattle based retailer Nordstrum suddenly laid off 106 phone and internet based ‘customer care’ employees across the U.S. claiming there “…has been a decrease in the number of customers who reach out to Customer Care…”!   After 26 years the New Phoenix Casino shutdown due to crashing sales and “Our labor pool is diminishing. We have employees leaving us…..”  Local news reports say at one time the casino employed 3-hundred people.

West Virginia:  After more than 1-hundred years fur coat seller House of Luxe shutdown, the current owner is changing careers.

Retail/Banking/Service sector February 2017: “THE ECONOMY WENT INTO THE DUMPSTER”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification.

I found a 2010 AFL-CIO analysis (titled The Public Availability of WARN Notices: Lack of Accessibility and Disclosure…) which proves what I’ve been suspecting in my search of state WARN notices; most states are not complying with federal WARN regulations and are not publicizing or tracking mass layoffs.

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”