replying to you since #1 got deleted.
maybe they hired extra people who fit the appropriate boxes for diversity, and now that they need to cut staff they don’t want to appear racist so they will just close whole stores instead of letting go the last few hired?
If the problem is mostly overhiring to meet a bigger demand then laying off last hireds can help. But based on comments and my own observations it primarily seems to be overbuilding and the Malling of America. Also, if you want to compete with WalMart and Amazon you can’t be paying your top execs over $20 million like they do and charge more than they do for products. Also, if you have overbuilt, then closing stores makes sense too.