Express (Columbus, Ohio) announced that it will be closing all 17 of its Canadian stores. While the retailer will keep all 635 of its U.S. stores open, the Canadian closures are a part of its efforts to improve profitability and optimize its store footprint. Stores will begin conducting store-closing sales later this month.
“The challenging Canadian retail environment, coupled with unfavorable exchange rates, prevented us from meeting the expectations we had when we entered the market in 2011,” said company President and CEO David Kornberg.
Consequently, the company will discontinue operations with its Canadian subsidiary, Express Fashion Apparel Canada Inc., reports EPR Retail News.