StoreClosings

Best Buy has a big plan to cut its costs and regain its focus: closing stores, laying off employees, shifting its focus to smartphones and mobile gadgets, and slimming down margins. Only problem is, none of that is going to save it.

First, U.S. manufacturing collapsed under the pressure from low-wage labor overseas, leaving the landscape dotted with hollowed-out plants and gutted factories. Now, assailed factors from online shopping to the economic downturn, the retail sector is suffering too, bequeathing us an increasing number of abandoned -- some say dead -- malls.

On Tuesday, Sears Holdings announced it would close as many as 120 Sears and Kmart stores after a holiday sales season in which it fell flat on its face. What Sears really needs is a new image -- an idea that will lure shoppers back. Could "Made in the USA" be it?

Shares of Sears Holdings fell 27% Tuesday on news that the retailer would close as many as 120 poorly performing Sears and Kmart stores -- an unusually harsh response to a cost-cutting measure. Clearly, investors are concerned that the problems run much deeper -- and they're right to worry.

Sears Holdings on Tuesday reported a sharp drop in holiday sales compared to a year ago, and said the results will force it to close 100 to 120 Sears and Kmart stores. The company said the stores to be closed have yet to be identified.

Gap executives this week set plans to turnaround its ailing namesake stores, which include jazzing up its concededly drab clothing mix with more colorful items and prints. But is that what shoppers really want from the iconic brand?

It's not very often these days I get notices about one new store openings, let alone 37. But that's exactly what Kohl's announced this week, taking its annual new store count up to 56. This is welcome news in today's environment. Even powerhouse retailers like Target scaled back expansion while...

If you live near a Harold's store, you may not want to wait until Black Friday or later to start your holiday clothing shopping spree. A judge approved a giant liquidation sale which will be going on across all the chain's 43 stores in 18 states. Harold's is an upscale retailer for women and men...

In Tweeter's hometown of Boston, the closing of the remaining 94 stores of the electronics retailer is sad news. The chain started in the shadows of Boston University in 1972, selling stereo equipment to undergrads, and then morphed into selling more and bigger stuff. These days, BU students...

Steve & Barry's, the chain that sells everything for a maximum of $10.98, is closing 100 stores by the end of this month, and selling everything right down to the light fixtures. The chain has a handy web guide to tell you which stores will be closing when, so you know where to go to get...