Tough Times For Retailers

The Hartford Courant reports:

Nationwide, store closures are up 25 percent this year over last. An estimated 148,000 stores are expected to close by the end of the year, resulting in a loss of 600,000 to 800,000 retail jobs, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. Another 73,000 stores are expected to close during the first half of 2009.