Talbots to Close 78 Kids, Mens Stores

Hingham, Mass. Talbots Inc. said Friday it will close 78 kids' and mens' stores by September and discontinue those businesses as part of a bid to focus more on its core customer—women who are 35 years old or older.

The company also said its fourth-quarter sales so far were trending lower for both its Talbots and J. Jill brands.

Talbots said it will close 66 Talbots Kids stores and 12 Talbots Mens stores in a move that will affect about 800 full- and part-time jobs, or about 5% of the total Talbots work force, the company added.

The retailer said the decision to close the brands was part of the company's strategic business review first announced in October.

In that review, Talbots said it found the concepts did not "demonstrate the potential to deliver acceptable long-term return on investment."

Talbots said it will redirect resources to its other businesses.