Someone in the comments section on Zerohedge speculated that the “plumbing issues” claim is simply a standard way for a company to get around notification requirements of 2 months before closing.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/2102
“(A) An employer may order a plant closing or mass layoff before the conclusion of the 60-day period if the closing or mass layoff is caused by business circumstances that were not reasonably foreseeable as of the time that notice would have been required.”
So why they want to close 5 stores in a hurry?
To save on labor costs, or because inventories are low and prices are rising? 5 stores is a very tiny portion of the 4500 they have.