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

The parent company of Rubbermaid, Sharpie and Yankee Candle announced that it will lay off 900 people from its international workforce in a news release on Monday.

There are five Yankee Candle locations in Michigan, with storefronts in Auburn Hills, Birch Run, Byron Center, Frankenmuth and Grand Rapids.

Newell Brands said the cuts will affect approximately 10 percent of its professional and clerical employees and will have a limited impact on manufacturing or supply chain operations. Layoffs in the U.S. are set for this month, with international cuts continuing through 2026.

The company also said it will close about 20 Yankee Candle stores in the U.S. and Canada in January. It did not say which Yankee Candle stores would shutter.

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.