Kohl’s abruptly closes location just days after notice goes up leaving customers ‘shocked and blindsided’

KOHL’S shoppers have been left shocked and disappointed after a branch suddenly closed.

Last week, the department store announced that Saturday, September 16, would be its last day of business at its Albuquerque, New Mexico location.

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As shoppers at Kohl’s tried to score last-minute bargains, some shelves were already empty.

Customers felt surprised by the closure, including one customer whose friend called her to make sure she could go back to the store before closing.

“She calls me yesterday and says, ‘We have to go to Kohl’s tomorrow,'” one shopper told local CBS and Fox outlet KRQE.

“It’s just really sad to see. Everyone in the store is also very sad and upset about this. It’s just terrible to see this happen.”

Another shopper said: “I’m shocked. I hate it.”

There are two other locations in the area; One is on Holly Avenue and the other is on Ellison Road.

A Kohl’s spokesperson issued the following statement about the closure: “Kohl’s has made the decision to close its store at Coronado Center, 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE in Albuquerque, effective Saturday, September 16.”

“Kohl’s regularly evaluates our store portfolio to ensure our store fleet provides the best experience for our customers. All Kohl’s employees will be offered positions at nearby locations. We encourage our customers to visit other Kohl’s locations in Albuquerque, including our locations at 3715 Ellison Rd. NW and 6800 Holly Ave. NE, both of which are within 15 miles of Coronado Center.”

An employee told KRQE that crime also played a role in the decision.

Last year, the location was part of a local sheriff’s office retail theft operation that resulted in 14 shoplifting-related arrests.

The US Sun reached out to Kohl’s for more information on the deal.

CHANGES ON THE WAY

Kohl’s new CEO Tom Kingsbury told the Wall Street Journal that the company would open new, smaller stores tailored to shoppers’ needs and selling localized goods.

He explained that the new layout would contribute to the department store’s long-term growth.

Shoppers in Wisconsin will see one of these newer stores later this fall, and seven more will open in downtown Milwaukee by the end of the year.

Kingsbury said: “We’re really looking at the size of the stores, the cost of the stores and how we can effectively add some additional stores.”

“We will do it with a lot of analysis behind it.”

In addition to a new store design, the company is also working on rearranging the placement of in-demand products and reducing the number of checkouts.

Rather, Kohl’s will introduce self-checkout lanes at 250 locations nationwide.

A popular shoe store recently closed permanently after a mall closed, taking 17 popular stores with it.

In addition, Wells Fargo announced it would close seven branches in the fall.