When I worked for Toys R Us ~20 years ago, I worked on the closing of three stores (two mainline TRUs and one standalone Imaginarium). As I recall, once the store closing is announced, everything within the building and the store's labor falls under the jurisdiction of the liquidator. Store management has no discretion as to what gets sold or for how much and the markdown schedule (20% this week, 30% next week) is also determined by the liquidator, not corporate. It was kind of strange to still show up to a Toys R Us building in a Toys R Us uniform but essentially to be employed by a third party contractor who specializes in closing down stores.
Fascinating! And not just because I’m about to visit Kohl’s for winter gloves, first time I’ve needed them since moving to Central Florida from Boston 15 years ago. It’s also interesting because I recently toured the Crystal River Mall just north of where I live when it was about to close (it’s since been demolished).
I also liked your take on working a customer-facing job. I was an ad agency art director for decades until the late 2000s implosion. Since then it’s been retail, first the Apple Store for nine years and now Lowe’s. Totally different environment working at a home improvement store than a tech company that manufactures the products it sells but much better exercise!
I enjoy your column. Glad I decided to pay and stop freeloading! 😳
When I worked for Toys R Us ~20 years ago, I worked on the closing of three stores (two mainline TRUs and one standalone Imaginarium). As I recall, once the store closing is announced, everything within the building and the store's labor falls under the jurisdiction of the liquidator. Store management has no discretion as to what gets sold or for how much and the markdown schedule (20% this week, 30% next week) is also determined by the liquidator, not corporate. It was kind of strange to still show up to a Toys R Us building in a Toys R Us uniform but essentially to be employed by a third party contractor who specializes in closing down stores.
Bummer, Addison. Apparently, you didn't know that all the really cool people have a Levi's sign.
Fascinating! And not just because I’m about to visit Kohl’s for winter gloves, first time I’ve needed them since moving to Central Florida from Boston 15 years ago. It’s also interesting because I recently toured the Crystal River Mall just north of where I live when it was about to close (it’s since been demolished).
I also liked your take on working a customer-facing job. I was an ad agency art director for decades until the late 2000s implosion. Since then it’s been retail, first the Apple Store for nine years and now Lowe’s. Totally different environment working at a home improvement store than a tech company that manufactures the products it sells but much better exercise!
I enjoy your column. Glad I decided to pay and stop freeloading! 😳