AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT CATALYST BRANDS

Plano, Texas-based Catalyst Brands, formed by the merger of retail giants JCPenney and the SPARC Group, has announced a cost-cutting initiative and a 5% reduction in its workforce to streamline operations and enhance competitiveness following the merger earlier this year.

The reduction will impact 250 corporate employees across all of the venture's brands.

According to a company spokesperson, the decision is “essential for building a stronger, more competitive company.”

The company’s Forever 21 subsidiary has already announced its plans to shut down its Los Angeles headquarters and lay off 358 corporate employees starting April 21, 2025. It will also close 200 stores nationwide. Its parent company, Catalyst Brands, is seeking a sale to avoid filing for another bankruptcy. If no qualified buyer can be

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT IV MEDIA

Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based IV Media, a cable, satellite and broadcast home shopping television network and multi-channel video retailer, has announced a reduction in force.

The personnel realignment will impact 122 employees and is scheduled for February 24. 2025.

A company statement noted, ”As consumer behavior shifts and more customers move away from traditional cable services, we are embracing new opportunities. By focusing on innovative strategies such as produced content, social selling, and video-on-demand, we are ensuring we meet our customers where they are and deliver the experiences they value most.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT AMERICAN FREIGHT

Delaware, Ohio-based American Freight, a discount retailer selling furniture, mattresses, and home appliances, has announced its plans to permanently close its headquarters and lay off additional headquarters employees.

In this second round of layoffs, 62 HQ employees are targeted and will be laid off no later than February 3, 2025. The total number of impacted HQ employees now stands at 112 employees.

According to the company, the decision was driven by “sustained inflation and macroeconomic challenges.” The parent company, Franchise Group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 3, 2024. The company's 328 locations across 41 states will permanently close.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?