OAKLAND, Calif.–Specialty home retailer Cost Plus will close 26 stores and exit eight media markets. Upon completion of the store closures, the home specialty chain will operate 270 stores in 30 states.
Stores slated for closure are in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia, as well as Ontario, Canada.
“Closing underperforming stores allows Cost Plus to rationalize its operations and media markets in this challenging economic environment, and to take full advantage of better growth opportunities when the retail climate improves,” said Barry Feld, president and chief executive officer, in a statement.