NJ Layoffs 2020: 1,300 To Lose Jobs Over Barneys, Walgreens, Sears Store Closings

Ignited by online retailing and the "Amazon effect," the relentless retail apocalypse savaging brick-and-mortar stores throughout the United States continues to take a heavy toll in New Jersey, closing ever more stores and inflicting painful job losses.

In 2019, U.S. retailers announced 9,302 store closings, a huge 59% jump from 2018. This huge number is the highest since data began being accumulated in 2012. The bleeding continues, and more than 1,200 stores have been closed as of Jan. 31, 2020 or are scheduled to close during the year. At this pace, closures will amount to over 14,000 stores in 2020 -- a new and unwanted record.

Before the retail apocalypse, retail was the country's largest private sector employer. It boosted the U.S. economy and created millions of jobs in the communities around the country. No longer.

New Jersey, which has long been seen as "over stored," is undergoing a painful winnowing that's seeing branches of established store chains closing alongside newer retailers. On Monday, it was learned more retailers are shutting down their New Jersey stores, leading to 1,300 job losses, Patch noted. Since last week, at least 24 stores have announced plans to close very soon.

The New Jersey government doesn't yet know how many jobs will ultimately be lost in the state, but the starting number of 1,300 is already awful to begin with. Among stores that have already begun laying-off people is distressed high-end luxury retailer Barneys which has shed hundreds of employees thus far. Barneys is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Among the stores announcing closures are sports retailer Modell's Sporting Goods. Three of the 24 stores it plans to close are in New Jersey. CEO Mitchell Modell said Modell's plans to shutter stores in Marlboro, Woodbridge and West Berlin.

Some 320 people will lose their jobs when Monmouth Ocean Hospital Service Corporation halts its patient treatment services on April 1. Berry Global, Inc., a global manufacturer and marketer of plastic packaging products, will shed 150 New Jersey jobs.

Pier 1 Imports, Inc., an omnichannel retailer specializing in imported home furnishings and decor, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will close 13 stores in New Jersey. Walgreens Company, the second largest pharma firm in the U.S., will close three stores in March.

Sears, which emerged from bankruptcy in 2018, and Kmart announced store closings in Moorestown, West Long Branch, Livingston, New Brunswick and Woodbridge. Macy's plans to close 24 stores in New Jersey within the year.