Over 33K Jobs Lost To Bankruptch In 2018

So far this year, employers have announced 33,530 job cuts due to bankruptcy, 30,212 of which were announced by retailers.

from Challenger Gray and Christmas

David's Bridal recently announced it is undergoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy to potentially eliminate $400 million in debt. The bridal wear retailer said it was not planning to close any stores or cut positions during this restructuring period. The announcement comes after several retailers declared bankruptcy with various outcomes.

So far this year, employers have announced 33,530 job cuts due to bankruptcy, 30,212 of which were announced by retailers. That's compared to 4,970 bankruptcy-related job cuts last year. The largest announcement this year came from Toys"R"Us, which in March eliminated 30,000 jobs when it filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations.

Meanwhile, Challenger has tracked 1,127 store closures due specifically to bankruptcy in 2018. This is in addition to the 4,156 retail store closures due to bankruptcy announced through all of 2017.

"Like many industries this year, retail is responding to changing consumer demands and the implementation of new technologies that are disrupting how, where, and when consumers purchase goods and services," said Andrew Challenger, Vice President of global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

"As a major industry, employing tens of thousands across the country, the potential loss of jobs will be significant. However, the new technologies implemented during this period across the industry could lead to an influx of jobs that require a higher level of skills, meaning those positions may demand higher wages and better benefits," he added.

Meanwhile, Challenger has tracked 714,000 hiring announcements for the holidays, the highest number since the firm began tracking individual announcements in 2012. Traditional retailers have announced 427,000 of those hiring plans.

Company

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Amazon

50,000

70,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

120,000

100,000

Target

88,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

77,500

100,000

120,000

UPS

55,000

55,000

95,000

95,000

95,000

95,000

100,000

Macy's

80,000

83,000

86,000

85,000

83,000

87,000

80,000

FedEx (Transportation)

20,000

20,000

50,000

55,000

50,000

50,000

55,000

JCPenney

40,000

35,000

35,000

30,000

40,000

40,000

39,000

Michaels

         

15,000

15,000

Kroger

         

14,000

10,000

Nordstrom

     

11,800

11,400

13,650

 

Toys"R"Us

45,000

45,000

45,000

40,000

 

12,500

 

Burlington Stores

         

12,000

 

The Bon-Ton Stores

       

13,500

10,000

 

1-800-Flowers

         

8,000

8,000

McDonald's

         

3,179

 

Williams-Sonoma

         

2,000

 

Fanatics

         

2,000

 

Plow & Hearth

         

400

 

Opryland

       

300

400

 

Kohl's

52,700

53,000

76,970

79,160

69,000

 

90,000

Walmart

50,000

55,000

60,000

60,000

     

GameStop

17,000

17,000

25,000

28,000

     

Sports Authority

N/A

N/A

N/A

3,500

     

Best Buy

14,000

N/A

N/A

       

Meijer

12,000

9,000

10,000

       

Radial

       

20,000

23,000

20,000

Party City

       

35,000

   

Gap

   

63,000

     

65,000

Versant Supply Chain

       

2,000

   

L Brands

       

4,000

 

4,000

XPO Logistics

         

6,000

8,000

Hickory Farms (Food)

5,225

6,000

         
               

Total

528,925

518,000

695,970

657,460

620,700

614,129

714,000

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