Teen apparel retailer closing hundreds of stores

Tough times have caught up with Rue 21.



The struggling teen apparel chain plans to close nearly 400 stores nationwide, the Associated Press reported. The shutterings will leave the retailer with about 700 stores nationwide.



Rue 21 confirmed the news in a post on its Facebook page, calling it a “difficult but necessary” decision.



“We still have hundreds of locations across the country, and our website rue21.com open for business,” the retailer added.



Rue 21, which has struggled under the weight of increased competition from online and fast-fashion players, did not say when the stores would close.