6 Major Store Closures Witnessed In Canada Since The Pandemic Began

A lot has changed since March of last year.😢
Contributor

It's been one year since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and the lives of Canadians and others around the world changed. 

In the 365 days since, there have been many stores that Canadians have had to say goodbye to.

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These businesses have either been gradually shutting down select locations or closed their stand-alone stores for good.   

Here are six major stores that shut down in the year since the pandemic was declared.

Godiva 

The well-known chocolate chain is sadly coming to a close. The move will see 11 stand-alone Canadian stores shutting down by the end of March of this year.  

The Godiva closures will take place in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and B.C.  

Bed Bath & Beyond

Last year, the store announced it would be closing around 200 of its locations in North America in the span of two years.

It said it had a 49% drop in sales as a result of shopping restrictions and the overall impact of the pandemic.

Guess

The company reportedly decided to close about 100 locations around the world.

The decision means that North America and China will see closures in the next year and a half.

La Senza

The Canadian fashion retailer will reportedly close 17 stores in Canada in the coming years as a result of the company's goal to downsize amid a decline in sales. 

This will account for 30% of its locations

Pier 1 Imports

In the spring of last year, Pier 1 announced it would close 540 stores in Canada and the U.S.

This comes after the company tried to find a buyer, but had no luck. 

"Unfortunately, the challenging retail environment has been significantly compounded by the profound impact of COVID-19, hindering our ability to secure such a buyer and requiring us to wind down," the company said in a statement.

Le Chateau 

The Canadian chain filed to have its assets liquidated after struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Le Chateau plans on closing 123 stores.  

  • Osobe Waberi was a Toronto-based Ethiopian-Somali Francophone writer at Narcity Canada. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a specialist degree in journalism and a news media diploma from Centennial College. Before Osobe’s gig as a national trending writer at Narcity, she worked at Toronto Star, The Canadian Press, VICE, and CBC.

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