National Retailer Closing 20 Locations, Laying Off 900 Workers: What It Means For FL

The maker of Yankee Candle, which has 13 stores in Florida, said Monday it plans to close 20 stores and lay off more than 900 workers, or 10 percent of its workforce, in a cost-cutting move.

Over the years, Yankee Candle stores have been a mall staple for stocking stuffers and other holiday gifts. Newell Brands, the chain’s parent company, did not specify which stores would close, but said they are located in the United States and Canada. Layoffs are set to begin this month, the company said in a statement.

Yankee Candle stores in Florida are found at:

• Countryside Mall in Clearwater
• Edison Mall in Fort Myers
• The Loop in Kissimmee
• Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz
• Melbourne Square in Melbourne
• Paddock Mall in Ocala
• The Florida Mall in Orlando
• Pembroke Gardens in Pembroke Pines
• Cordova Mall in Pensacola
• Broward Mall in Plantation
• St. Augustine Premium Outlets in St. Augustine
• Tyrone Square in St. Petersburg
• Tanger Outlets Palm Beach in West Palm Beach

Atlanta-based Newell’s other brands include Sharpie, Mr. Coffee, Oster, Rubbermaid and Sunbeam.

Newell Brands, a publicly traded company, launched a turnaround plan in 2023 to boost sales. The strategy includes increasing the use of automation, digitization, and artificial intelligence “to simplify operations, accelerate decision-making, and strengthen execution across functions.”

“We’ve made meaningful progress executing our strategy and strengthening Newell Brands, but there is more work to do,” company president and CEO Chris Peterson said in the statement. “This productivity plan is about taking the next, disciplined step to enhance efficiency, sharpen our strategic focus, and deliver stronger, more consistent performance.”

The closing Yankee Candle stores represent roughly 1 percent of brand sales, according to Newell Brands.

Newell Brands said this restructuring will ultimately generate pre-tax cost savings of approximately $110 million to $130 million.

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