Office Depot has announced that they are closing 112 under performing stores over the next three months. In addition, they are slowing their expansion plans for 2009. Three stores are closing in my area. Office Depot joins Circuit City, Linens N Things and Boscov’s as retailers who have closed up shop in Monmouth County.
Last year, Office Max closed all but one of their locations in my county. With Office Depot leaving, this leaves Staples as the only national office supply chain with more than one location here.
Kohl’s has announced that they’ve entered into an agreement with Iconix Brands to become the sole distributor of Mudd Apparel. Starting in July of 2009, Kohl’s will oversee the product design and manufacturing of the Mudd line. Kohl’s currently carries the Mudd line in Juniors and Girls apparel, sleepwear, jewelry, accessories, and footwear. While the deal does not include the exclusivity to the footwear line, this deal expands on the success that Kohl’s has seen with the exclusive Candies’ brand license within the same departments.
In other Kohl’s news: Former Kohl’s executive vice president, Thomas Kingsbury, has been named the new president and CEO of Burlington Coat Factory. Kingsbury was previously the CEO and president of the Filene’s/Kaufmann’s division of May Department Stores. Kingsbury joined Kohl’s after Federated Department Stores acquired Department Stores.