Before this announcement, there had been 2,187 U.S. store closing announcements this year, with Gymboree and Ascena Retail, the parent of Lane Bryant and other brands, accounting for more than half the total, according to the research firm. This year's total is up 23% from the 1,776 announcements a year ago. Year-to-date, retailers have announced 1,411 store openings, offsetting 65% of store closures, it said.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 16, 2019 01:52 UTC