JOANN customers are scratching their heads after spotting hiring adverts – when the company is closing all its stores.
The crafts and fabric retailer filed for bankruptcy for the second time in a year in January.
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The shop, which is present in 49 states, admitted there were “significant” challenges ahead, but believed it could survive.
But then, in late February, bosses declared that all 800 of the nationwide locations would be closing down.
So one would expect them to be laying workers off, rather than taking on new staff.
But one eagle-eyed customer noticed the brand advertising for new roles.
The notice reads: “JoAnn is hiring and needs your help for our closing down sale.
“Earn money, get extra employee discounts, have fun, flexible hours. Apply today!”
The confused customer asked: “Why hire when you’re about to close all stores?”
He posted his query to a Facebook group called Retail Dead or Alive.
Other users chimed with possible explanations for the unusual turn of events.
David Gill wrote: “I’d assume because most of their staff bounced for new jobs. I see this as a temporary seasonal type job till closing.”
Rich Kwolek agreed with that theory.
He wrote: “Stores that are closing down are busy and need all the help they can get.
“And there is always someone looking for a job, even if it’s temporary.”
Meanwhile, Lindsay Pritchard was unsurprised by the ad, writing: “This is pretty common for closing stores because their regular workers get new jobs. It’s a seasonal type thing.”
With the company folding, shoppers have been watching their local JoAnn branches close before their eyes.
One to go already is the branch in Wilmington, Wisconsin.
Scott Carpenter, CEO of GA Group’s Retail Solutions and Wholesale & Industrial Solutions teams, said that most Joann stores slated for closure will remain open until the end of May.
He said: “JoaAnn leadership, our board, advisors, and legal partners made every possible effort to pursue a more favorable outcome that would keep the company in business.”
JoAnn’s leadership has thanked its employees and loyal customers, acknowledging their unwavering support over the past 80 years.
US braces for ‘45,000 store closures’
Some 45,000 bricks-and-mortar stores could close in the next five years, experts have warned.
Several major retailers have announced store closures or gone out of business altogether in recent years.
In 2023, chains such as Foot Locker announced plans to close up to 400 outlets by 2026.
While, other well-known retailers like Tuesday Morning and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams filed for bankruptcy in 2023.
Bed Bath & Beyond has closed all of its brick-and-mortar stores and is now an online-only retailer.
The most affected retailers have been clothing, consumer electronics, sporting goods, hobby, book, music, and home furnishing stores since the start of 2019.
UBS has predicted the total number of retail stores will drop by 45k from 958k to 913k.
Despite that, the report says that certain stores should thrive while others decline.
It said retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, and Target, could be among the winners.
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