Pier 1 Imports Planning to Close as Many as 450 Stores

By Jenna | Staff Writer

Jan 07, 2020 @ 8:47 AM MST

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Pier 1 is the latest retailer to make headlines with store closures. 😱

Pier 1 Imports is planning the closure of up to 450 stores to “better align its business with the current operating environment. The onlinepany said in a press release that it also plans to close select distribution centers and further reduce its expenses by laying off corporate employees.

After struggling for years to onlinepete with its online and big-box rivals, the home goods retailer has been operating amid declining sales and increasing rumors of bankruptcy. CEO Robert Riesbeck said,

“We are announcing additional actions today that will enable us to move forward with an appropriately sized store footprint and operating structure as an omni-channel retailer, and better position Pier 1 to meet our customers where they shop. Although decisions that impact our associates are never easy, reducing the number of our brick-and-mortar locations is a necessary business decision.”

The onlinepany hasn’t yet shared which of its 936 locations will be closing. It will be utilizing the services of a third-party liquidator to help manage the store closures while its website continues to operate as usual.

Stay informed with all the latest news of store closures and bankruptcies!

Join The Discussion

onlinements 33

berrylandnow January 7, 2020 at 8:52 am MST

Yup ours just announced 🙁

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Doug January 7, 2020 at 8:54 am MST

Surprised they lasted this long

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Nicole January 7, 2020 at 10:42 am MST

Agreed! They have always been so expensive.

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sue January 7, 2020 at 11:03 am MST

I thought I was stupid for thinking the same thing. I thought “How in the world do they stay open?” Their parking lot is always empty! It has been like that for at least 15+ years.

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Judi January 7, 2020 at 9:30 am MST

Too bad, I actually like this store. They have cute things and more variety and are cheaper than World Market if you are looking for brick and mortar. Maybe this is naive, but I also feel that the quality and especially the accountability is better and more reliable than the imported stuff on Amazon, where you have no idea of the who, where, and what.

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PrincessMom January 7, 2020 at 10:10 am MST

Agreed. I’ve always loved Pier 1 but realized recently that I haven’t even set foot in one of their stores for a few years now.

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Heather V. January 7, 2020 at 2:42 pm MST

I don’t know, the things I have seen there in the last 10 years aren’t all that special or high-quality, which is why I’m surprised that they have lasted as long as they have. They used to be really unique.

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KP January 7, 2020 at 9:39 am MST

I stopped going to Pier One when they decided their priority was to stalk you around the store and ask no less than 5 times if you wanted to sign up for the Pier One credit card. And I’m a twice former employee lol.

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Klp January 7, 2020 at 10:50 am MST

I hate when they do that with the credit card!

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NV2007 January 7, 2020 at 9:51 am MST

I will miss this store. I don’t go very often, but when I’m looking for something unique or decorative – they are one of my “go to” stores. So sad.

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Cheri January 7, 2020 at 9:59 am MST

Can you post a link of which are closing when you find out?

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Kjt240 January 7, 2020 at 10:11 am MST

I Googled my closest Pier 1 location and saw a local news story about all of the stores closing in my region, which is sadly all of them.

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) January 7, 2020 at 10:31 am MST

Yes! We’ll keep an eye out for a list if one beonlinees available!

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Michelle January 7, 2020 at 10:09 am MST

When I went to the store locator, I noticed that some stores had the following description: “Due to the unique nature of this store…” they aren’t accepting in-store pickup orders here. I bet those locations are the ones that are closing.

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Lee January 7, 2020 at 10:35 am MST

3 of the 12 in NEO say “Storewide Sale” and then have that language. I’m surprise that things are already on sale given that they haven’t posted a list yet.

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PrincessMom January 7, 2020 at 10:15 am MST

If you look for “stores near you” some of them have “storewide sale” alerts and you can’t pick up online orders there. Seems like that’s at least the first round of closing stores? I noticed the ones near me that have that are pretty spread out and the one store that always seems busy isn’t doing a “storewide sale” so I assume they’re staying open…

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Sue January 7, 2020 at 10:48 am MST

Both of the local malls look anemic. There is one anchor store left in them. Many of the smaller stores are empty now or on a list of going out of business. The strip malls are going now too. AC Moore, Pier 1, Charming Charlie, etc, etc. This is really sad on many levels. : (

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Lora January 7, 2020 at 11:33 am MST

It is sad. I’ve heard too that different stores are struggling because people buy stuff online and then return it to the stores (to avoid the hassle/costs associated with shipping products back). This makes the stores’ sales/profits look bad, while the online version looks great. Unfortunately, I think we’ll see more stores closing. People don’t even want to buy their own groceries in the stores anymore. You would think that full serve gas stations would make a onlineeback. I remember when they used to pump your gas and clean your windshield for you for a nominal fee.

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Jw206 January 7, 2020 at 8:47 pm MST

That is correct! I work retail and probably 75% of our returns are online orders. Customers don’t know that in reality, online and brick and mortar are like two different onlinepanies. Like buying something at Target and returning it to Walmart. Especially this time of year.

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grandmat57 January 7, 2020 at 10:48 am MST

Singh of the times! All brick and mortar stores are struggling! Most people are now shopping on line. Amazon is a strong one to onlinepete with. I ❤️❤️❤️Amazon! So easy!

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dylanfan January 7, 2020 at 11:59 am MST

And yet people like you make it so easy for them to treat their workers terribly and pay them poverty wages.

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tipaye January 7, 2020 at 7:41 pm MST

Spare me.

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shop4mybabies January 8, 2020 at 10:14 am MST

i live in Seattle where Amazon is founded and is one of the most expensive cities to live in. Amazon is a huge issue. Jeff Bezos doesn’t pay a cent in taxes, and he votes against every single solitary thing to help prevent rent increases or to aid the homeless problem. His warehouse workers, of which two of my cousins are, are literally treated like garbage. My other cousin drives for amazon and loves it but his employer is a third party, not amazon. My family is a tech and onlineputers support us, but we try very hard not to spend money on amazon.There are things I have little choice that can’t be found locally, but last year I only spent 236$ on amazon including my daughters college prime membership and her text books because I prefer to do the socially conscious, right thing. Regardless of where you onlinee down on politics, it’s important to know where your money is going, and what businesses are doing behind closed doors.

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terry January 7, 2020 at 10:51 am MST

So so sad to hear Pier 1 is closing so many stores! This is one place I love to buy wedding and bridal shower gifts, not to mention holiday decor! Feel badly for the employees who are losing their jobs as well. There is something to say about seeing products and getting help in person rather then online shopping.

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Guiliani January 7, 2020 at 10:57 am MST

Another sign that Amazon is taking over the world. LOL When there is no onlinepetition left hopefully Amazon will be broken up. onlinepetition keeps prices down. Amazon has a huge advantage of not being a brick and mortar shop.

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Ivan January 7, 2020 at 11:23 am MST

They appear headed to bankruptcy, so I suspect all stores will close eventually. This is just the first round.

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Sherri January 7, 2020 at 11:38 am MST

Oh no… One of my favorite stores…

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LaShawn Piquant January 7, 2020 at 12:53 pm MST

I love this store. Great sales….good customer service. I would hate to lose this store near me.

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Tawana January 7, 2020 at 1:18 pm MST

One of my friend bought me three items from Pier 1 store for my Christmas gift. The quality is very good. I have not been in Pier 1 store in years. I have one near me.

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Michelle January 7, 2020 at 1:53 pm MST

I liked window shopping here but they were always so expensive! Love the furniture and exotic items but I rarely purchased anything. Not very many “bargains” to be found at Pier 1. Not too surprised.

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Jessica January 8, 2020 at 7:08 am MST

So sad! I finally bit the bullet and opened a credit card with them this past Sunday. I was making a large purchase and wanted to take advantage of the additional twenty percent off. 🙁

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shop4mybabies January 8, 2020 at 10:15 am MST

i live in Seattle where Amazon is founded and is one of the most expensive cities to live in. Amazon is a huge issue. Jeff Bezos doesn’t pay a cent in taxes, and he votes against every single solitary thing to help prevent rent increases or to aid the homeless problem. His warehouse workers, of which two of my cousins are, are literally treated like garbage. My other cousin drives for amazon and loves it but his employer is a third party, not amazon. My family is a tech and onlineputers support us, but we try very hard not to spend money on amazon.There are things I have little choice that can’t be found locally, but last year I only spent 236$ on amazon including my daughters college prime membership and her text books because I prefer to do the socially conscious, right thing. Regardless of where you onlinee down on politics, it’s important to know where your money is going, and what businesses are doing behind closed doors. It is heartbreaking that cities are looking like ghost towns because brick and mortar stores cannot onlinepete with the monopoly that is amazon

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Chris January 8, 2020 at 3:39 pm MST

Mine is closing as are many in the Chicago area. Looks like I needed to go buy as many of my favorite juice glasses as I can find!

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