Kids R Us closing before Jan. 31; 3800 jobs lost

[Gloria]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10544360&BRD=1091&PAG=461&dept_id=425643&rfi=6

Kids 'R' Us closure includes Lawrence
By: Steve Feitl , Managing Editor 11/20/2003
Nationwide chain shutting down before Jan. 31.

As construction continues on the new ShopRite supermarket expected to anchor Lawrence's Mercer Mall shopping center, another store there will be closing its doors.
Kids "R" Us, a clothing store for children, will close on or before Jan. 31, its parent company Toys "R" Us Inc. announced Monday.
The entire chain of 146 freestanding KRU stores and 36 freestanding Imaginarium stores will be closed due to diminishing sales. Three distribution centers that service the stores also will close.
There are no closures planned for the Toys "R" Us brand stores — including its Route 1 location in Lawrence — according to a corporate press release. Toys "R" Us is the nation's second-largest toy retailer, behind Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
A manager at the 21,500-square-foot Lawrence KRU location would not confirm Tuesday how many local employees will be affected, though the company expects 3,800 jobs will be eliminated nationwide. The company is exploring the best methods for its associates to be aware of other positions within the organization, the press release said.

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[HawkerHurricane]

1. And the Economy continues its turnaround!

Bush sure to be elected with this souring economy!

[SoCalDem]

2. Gee Whizz..

Maybe those "upscale yuppie moms" are not spending as much for their little darlings' clothing as they used to..

The Kids R U closed here a few years ago..

[ramapo]

3. KRU's been on the ropes for years

They can't compete against Wal-Mart, Target, etc. Same as TRU. TRU used to make money so they kept Kid's around (which has lost money for years). It's become too much of a drain on finances.

The economy didn't help but this is much about TRU/KRU losing their market leadership.

I wouldn't be shocked to see TRU go the same way in a few years.