Apparel retailer Talbots will close a total of 83 stores by the end of the year and a total of 110 stores by the end of 2013 as part of its cost reduction program. Implemented in the fourth quarter of 2011, the program is intended to generate approximately $50 million in annualized cost savings by the end of fiscal 2012.

 

"We are on track to close an additional 45 locations in the fourth quarter, bringing our total closings to approximately 83 in fiscal 2011," explains Michael Scarpa, COO of Talbots, in a recent call discussing Q3 2011 results. "We expect to close approximately 110 locations in total through fiscal 2013, and believer there is additional opportunity to close stores beyond this and we'll look to do so opportunistically in fiscal 2012."

 

Scarpa outlined other components of the cost reduction program which include:

 

• Reducing marketing spending, including the suspension of national advertising and television campaigns

• Structural streamlining across the business, including a 9% reduction in corporate headcount

• Adjustments to store workforce and reduction of store payroll hours aided by the implementation of a workforce management system