Parent company of Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant to close 667 locations

The parent company of clothing retailers Ann Taylor and Lane Bryant will close up to 667 locations in the next two years.

Acena Retail Group Inc., which operates Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant, Loft, Dressbarn, Catherines and Justice, announced it will close the locations due to a shift in consumer habits. As of late April, the company has approximately 4,850 locations.

Ann Taylor closed its location at The Greene back in early January.

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The company identified more than 250 locations that will be closed permanently through July 2019, and 71 stores have already shut down this year. An additional 400 or more stores could close as well. Several other retailers have announced store closures in recent weeks.

» RELATED: Children’s retailer files for bankruptcy

Children’s clothing retailer Gymboree Corp. is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the latest sign of traditional retailers’ struggles as shoppers shun stores and buy online. Shoe chain Payless ShoeSource filed for bankruptcy protection in April and The Limited closed all 250 of its remaining stores early this year. Teen retailer Wet Seal in January said it would close its 171 stores.

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