I called it.
From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Circuit City announced plans Monday to close 155 stores, including all 16 of the electronics retailer’s metro Atlanta locations.
The company will also close stores in Macon, Warner Robins and Athens. The store locator on the Circuit City Web site now lists only three stores within 100 miles of Atlanta — Rome, Columbus and Chattanooga, Tenn.
The company said in a news release that the 155 stores that will be closed “are under performing or are no longer a strategic fit for the company.”
The press release blamed the decision to downsize the chain on several factors, including “waning consumer confidence and a significantly weakened retail environment” that the company said has negatively impacted sales.
The press release conveniently forgot to mention firing all the knowledgeable, higher-paid sales people as a factor. Meanwhile, a friend of mine and I went into Best Buy this weekend and dropped $500 with the help of a nice saleswomen who dealt with us exclusively for at least 30 minutes.
Let us take a moment to remember the good old days:
While these closings are only 20% of CC’s stores, I’m sure the rest will be gone soon.