Another retailer will be closing down operations due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with specialty pet retailer Pet Valu announcing plans to close down all 358 store and warehouse locations in the U.S., with plans to wind down all operations in the country completely.

The news was confirmed in a statement by the company’s recently appointed Chief Restructuring Officer, Jamie Gould, who revealed the decision came as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“The Pet Valu U.S. team is proud to have met the needs of our devoted pet lover customers in the U.S. for more than 25 years. However, the Company's stores have been significantly impacted by the protracted COVID-19-related restrictions. After a thorough review of all available alternatives, we made the difficult but necessary decision to commence this orderly wind down,” he said.

The retailer has stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia.

The company said it will commence store closing sales at all locations in the U.S. on Nov. 5, and customers can still use their gift cards and loyalty rewards for purchases, but orders can no longer be placed on the website.

Liquidations and other store closings have been announced by several retailers in recent months, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered businesses deemed non-essential throughout the country during the earliest days. Other companies announcing liquidation included Century 21, Justice and Lord and Taylor, while American Eagle, Bed Bath & Beyond, Carter’s, Gamestop, H&M, JC Penney and Sur La Table all announced planned store closures.

Going Out Of Business
More retailers are announcing plans to liquidate their companies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A woman is pictured walking past a Going Out of Business sign in New York City on Sept. 20, 2020. Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
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