The retail landscape in the Western United States is set to undergo a significant change as a major player announces its final bow. The 99 Cents Only Stores, a retail store chain based in California, known for its extensive reach and affordable merchandise, recently expressed its intent to close its doors permanently across all of its 371 stores. The decision comes in the wake of a challenging economic climate and widening inflationary gaps that have put intense strain on businesses, particularly those operating in the retail industry.
Established in the year 1982, the 99 Cents Only Stores have been a steadfast presence in states such as Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and its home ground California. However, an announcement on a recent Thursday indicated that this era of budget retail is reaching its unfortunate end, as all stores across the four states are set to cease operations in the ensuing months.
With the temporary reins of the company in the hands of Mike Simoncic, the Interim Chief Executive Officer, he pointed to a myriad of factors that forced the hand of the company towards this closure. The narrative is a familiar one echoing across businesses globally – the aftershocks of the COVID pandemic, and an economy grappling to regain its footing.
In a recently issued press release, the company offered insights into how it intends to wind down operations gracefully. Instead of a sudden cessation of business, 99 Cents Only Stores plans to enter into an agreement with Hilco Global. This liaison would facilitate the liquidation of all the merchandise, equipment, and furnishing that fill the stores’ shelves and warehouses.
At the height of its operation, the 99 Cents Only Stores enjoyed its status as one of the leading discount retailers in the Western US. Its array of product offerings ranged from inexpensive, fresh produce, and daily household essentials, to seasonal and party merchandise, as well as office supplies.
However, the impending closure will have ramifications that resonate beyond the cheap shopping aisles and checkout counters. Roughly 17,000 employees currently make up the workforce of this retail chain. This shutdown, thereby, implies that these individuals stand on the precipice of unemployment.
The broader context shows an unsettling trend where many California-based retailers have found it difficult to conduct business over the last few years. Various factors have contributed to establishing an environment of adversity for these enterprises.
Perhaps foremost among them are the impacts of the COVID-19 lockdowns. With stores shuttered and potential shoppers remaining indoors to curb the spread of the virus, the continuity of retail operations was severely disrupted. Customer footfall fell dramatically, and as a result, so did the revenues.
Furthermore, the prevalence of theft, especially in many urban store locations, has proven to be a significant hurdle for retailers. Confronting an already strained economy, these cases of rampant shoplifting only served to compound the financial woes of these businesses.
A more shadowy adversary faced by these retailers, and in fact, most businesses recently, has been inflation. As the purchasing power of the dollar weakens, businesses have been finding it increasingly difficult to keep their expenses in check while still providing their goods and services at an affordable rate.
These economic and logistical challenges have directly influenced the operations and bottom line of retail businesses. In particular, the challenges faced by the 99 Cents Only Stores are acutely reflective of these broad trends, bringing to fore the issues plaguing much of the retail industry in the nation.
The setting sun on the 99 Cents Only Stores is indeed an unfortunate symbol of struggle for many enterprises in challenging times. However, it is a scenario that unflinchingly highlights the urgent call for economic stability and fiscal soundness to assist the survival and growth of businesses across the board.
Retailers, just like any other industry, play a crucial role in the economy not just as providers of goods and services, but also as employers and contributors of growth. Hence, it remains imperative to create an environment that fosters the prosperity of businesses, ensuring their stability for the sake of the economy, the job market and ultimately, the wellbeing of our nation’s citizens.
