Here’s the horrible way Torrid workers learned about store closures

Losing your job is a soul-crushing experience, but being blindsided is even more gut-wrenching. 

Being an adult means you have the authority (most of the time) to do what you want without being told what to do. However, aging also comes with many responsibilities, like paying bills and working long hours to make ends meet.

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E-commerce platforms have made shopping more convenient and time-efficient than ever, allowing consumers to purchase items from their favorite brands with the simple click of a button.

However, their popularity has reduced the need for traditional shopping malls and brick-and-mortar stores, causing retailers to reduce their retail footprints and prioritize their online platforms. 

Related: Huge retail chain suddenly closing 100s of stores, no bankruptcy

Over the last few years, Torrid has struggled with continuous sales declines, especially at mall locations, which comprise around 65% of its stores.

Torrid  (CURV)  is a retail chain specializing in a wide range of plus-size women’s clothing since 2001, with over 630 stores.

Torrid closes hundreds of stores.

Image source: Shutterstock

Torrid announces the closure of nearly 200 stores 

The rise of online shopping has taken away Torrid’s in-store clientele, with e-commerce sales now making up approximately 70% of the company’s business. 

As around 60% of its leases are set to be renewed shortly, the retailer revealed plans to downsize its retail footprint by up to 30% during its first-quarter earnings call, leading it to announce the closure of 180 stores

Related: Bankrupt retail chain makes major comeback, reopens new stores

However, that doesn’t mean the end of all its physical stores. The shutdowns will allow Torrid to reduce fixed costs and reinvest in areas that drive long-term growth.

Hence, the retail chain will revamp 135 key locations to make shopping at its brick-and-mortar stores more attractive to customers.

Torrid employees react to the unexpected news

The news about Torrid’s store closures is already devastating enough, but what’s even worse is how its employees found out about it. 

Although companies often let their employees know about any upcoming store closures or layoffs before making a public announcement, one person said they were a Torrid employee and learned about store closings on none other than social media, and at the same time as customers.

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The person took to Reddit to express their frustration about the shocking news, posting an image of the social media announcement.

“First they pause our merit increases a day before they take effect and now this? They constantly preach ‘A players’ yet corporate is not ‘A players’ themselves. I hope Torrid leadership is ashamed and embarrassed,” they wrote.

Although no specific date or locations have been revealed for the upcoming closures, the Reddit user claims that “maybe even 1,000” people will lose their jobs as a result.   

Another poster claiming to be a Torrid employee anonymously commented on the post, “Corporate does not care about us. They don’t care about the customers, or employees. They never have. The only people who care are us.”  

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