The maker of Yankee Candle, which has 13 stores in Florida, said Monday it plans to close 20 stores and lay off more than 900 workers, or 10 percent of its workforce, in a cost-cutting move.
Over the years, Yankee Candle stores have been a mall staple for stocking stuffers and other holiday gifts. Newell Brands, the chain’s parent company, did not specify which stores would close, but said they are located in the United States and Canada. Layoffs are set to begin this month, the company said in a statement.
Yankee Candle stores in Florida are found at:
- Countryside Mall in Clearwater
- Edison Mall in Fort Myers
- The Loop in Kissimmee
- Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz
- Melbourne Square in Melbourne
- Paddock Mall in Ocala
- The Florida Mall in Orlando
- Pembroke Gardens in Pembroke Pines
- Cordova Mall in Pensacola
- Broward Mall in Plantation
- St. Augustine Premium Outlets in St. Augustine
- Tyrone Square in St. Petersburg
- Tanger Outlets Palm Beach in West Palm Beach
Atlanta-based Newell’s other brands include Sharpie, Mr. Coffee, Oster, Rubbermaid, and Sunbeam.
Newell Brands, a publicly traded company, launched a turnaround plan in 2023 to boost sales. The strategy includes increasing the use of automation, digitization, and artificial intelligence “to simplify operations, accelerate decision-making, and strengthen execution across functions.”