The International Council of Shopping Centers estimates that 148,000 retail stores closed in 2008 — the most since 2001 — and projects that 73,100 will shut down during the first six months of this year. The organization also estimates that the closures will result in the loss of 625,000 to 800,000 retail jobs. (Washington Post).

Check back for an updated list of store closings, layoffs, and bankruptcies…

February 3, 2009 – Liz Claiborne – cutting 700 jobs (8% of workforce) (CNBC)

February 2, 2009 – Macy’s – cutting 7,000 jobs (3.9% of workforce) (Bloomberg)

January 30, 2009 – Sears – cutting 300 jobs (4.3% of corporate staff) (Reuters)

January 30, 2009 – Eddie Bauer – cutting 193 jobs (15% of non-retail staff) (IHT)

January 30, 2009 – Chicos – closing 25 stores, cutting 180 jobs (WSJ)

January 29, 2009 – Starbucks – closing 300 stores, cutting 6,700 positions (6000 cafe jobs, 700 corporate) (Bloomberg)

January 28, 2009 – Pamida Stores – closing 10 stores (out of 215) (WDAY News)

January 27, 2009 – Target – cutting 600 jobs at corporate HQ (Target)

January 27, 2009 – Home Depot – closing all Expo Design Center Stores (34), cutting 7,000 employees (5,000 retail, 2,000 support) (LATimes)

January 27, 2009 – Fortnum & Mason (UK based Grocer) – cutting 55 positions (aprx 10% of workforce)  “January so far is OK and has been buoyed by the tourist market, but we think the underlying figures in 2009 will be very, very tough. So we are taking action now in anticipation of it being a very difficult this year.” (Evening Standard)

January 26, 2009 – Quiksilver – cutting 200 employees, but no store closings (SFGate)

January 24, 2009 – Pro Cook (UK based kitchenware and appliance manufacturer) – closing 18 stores, cutting 100 employees (HousewaresLive.net)

January 23, 2009 – Famous Footwear – closing 35 stores (out of 1000) (KY3.com)

January 23, 2009 – American Greetings – closing 60 stores (out of 415) + at least 200 jobs (WKYC.com)

January 22, 2009 – Williams Sonoma – laying off 1400 employees (18% of workforce) – “The plan involves closing a 38,000-square-foot call center in Camp Hill, PA and a 500,000-square-foot distribution center in Memphis, TN.” (MultiChannelMerchant)

January 21, 2009 – Filene’s Basement – closing 11 stores (out of 36) (Atlanta Business Chronicle)

January 21, 2009 – “More pain is on the way. One-third of U.S. women recently surveyed by America’s Research Group said they plan no clothing purchases–none–in 2009. Normally, it’s just 4%. That means the market is still far too saturated with stores.” “Expect closings and bankruptcies to rattle the likes of Lane Bryant, Gap, and Starbucks. It’s the inevitable counterpunch to the days of retailers fighting hand over fist for market share during an era of loose credit and minuscule interest rates.” (Forbes)

January 20, 2009 – Yankee Holding Corp. (Yankee Candle) – closing 1 store, 330 positions (mostly from Illuminations division (BusinessWeek)

January 17, 2009 – Circuit City – closing remaining 567 stores, 34,000 employees cut (LATimes)

January 16, 2009 – Saks – 1,100 in store + corporate support jobs – 9% of workforce, eliminating merit-based wage increases and suspending matching contributions to employee 401(k) plans for at least a year (NYTimes)

January 15, 2009 – Cost Plus, Inc. (World Market) – Closing 26 stores (NBC Washington)

January 14, 2009 – Barnes & Noble – Cutting 100 positions at HQ (WSJ)

January 14, 2009 – Neiman Marcus – Cutting 375 positions – 2.3% of workforce  (WSJ)

January 9, 2009 – 67,000 Jobs lost Nov-Dec 2008 (NYTimes)

January 9, 2009 – Macy’s -  Closing 11 stores (The Business Review)

January 9, 2009 – Michael’s – Closing 1 store (Mansfield News Journal)

January 8, 2009 – New York & Co – Closing 50 stores (Forbes/AP)

January 8, 2009 – Goody’s – Liquidating 287 stores (9800 workers)  (Nashville Business Journal)

January 6, 2009 – Pier 1 – Closing 1 store (Meridian Star)