There might be a few layoffs, too...


Circuit City to close 20% of stores
Ailing consumer electronics retailer says it will shutter 155 of its U.S. stores by year's end.

Last Updated: November 3, 2008: 9:32 AM ET

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Circuit City Stores Inc. is pulling the plug on about 20% of its U.S. stores in an effort to return to profitability, the nation's No. 2 consumer electronics retailer said Monday.

The Richmond, Va.-based company said it will shutter 155 of its more than 700 stores in 55 markets, including Phoenix and Atlanta, by Dec. 31, laying off about 17% of its domestic work force. Circuit City also said it will further reduce new store openings and plans to work with landlords to renegotiate leases, lower rent or terminate agreements.

The move comes as Circuit City heads into a crucial holiday shopping season that could determine its future, amid a slowdown in consumer spending that has even the least vulnerable retailers worried.

"The weakened environment has resulted in a slowdown of consumer spending, further impacting our business as well as the business of our vendors," James A. Marcuм, vice chairman and acting president and chief executive officer said in a statement. "The combination of these trends has strained severely our working capital and liquidity."

Marcuм called the decision to close stores "difficult, but necessary."
Facing heightened competition

Circuit City (CC, Fortune 500) has had only one profitable quarter in the past year, posting a wider second-quarter loss in September with a 13 percent decline in sales at stores open at least a year. Its results have weakened as the company faces significant declines in traffic, heightened competition from rival Best Buy Co. (BBY, Fortune 500) and others and a weakened brand position.

The company, which is reviewing its operations while exploring strategic alternatives, has been working with advisers to determine how to substantially improve its operating and financial performance.

Circuit City said last week that the New York Stock Exchange has warned it that its stock price is not high enough for continued listing.

The NYSE said shares in the nation's No. 2 consumer electronics retailer had an average closing price of less than $1 over 30 consecutive trading days as of Oct. 22, falling short of the exchange's requirement. Its shares have closed under a dollar in trading since Sept. 30, when they closed at 76 cents. Shares have traded between 17 cents and $8.24 in the last year.

In order to regain compliance with the NYSE, Circuit City's common stock share price and the average share price over a consecutive 30-trading-day period must both exceed $1 within six months following receipt of the notice.
Holdings cut

A major Circuit City shareholder - Classic Fund Management AG, a Liechtenstein-based asset management company - also said in a regulatory filing last week that it cut its holdings to 8.2 million shares, or about 4.8%, from 9.5 million shares, or 5.6%. It did not disclose a reason for the change.

Circuit City has been under new leadership since late September, when Chief Executive Philip J. Schoonover agreed to step down. He was replaced by Marcuм, who was tapped to oversee Circuit City's multiyear turnaround efforts.