What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 17 January 2013. Lots-o-grocery stores going down, thousands unemployed! More proof that economic competition in a saturated market is bad! Another college going down! China retaliates?

Sweetbay Supermarket in Florida, shutting down 33 of its 105 grocery stores!  Parent company officials, Delhaize Group in Belgium, say the stores are not making enough money, but, a Sweetbay official admitted most of the stores just happen to be at the end of their leases (letting leases expire, a growing trend within the U.S. retail industry).  2,000 people will be affected!

Two Food Lion grocery stores in North Carolina will close. Company officials say the stores are not making enough money.

Kroger to shut down Du Quoin, Illinois, grocery store in March. Company officials blame competition. 60 employees affected.

The nearly 100 years old Ray’s Food Place, in Crescent City, California, will shut down on 03 February.  Owners blame increased competition.

California Redwood Company to layoff 45 employees at its Krobel, California, factory. Blames it on a big decrease in demand for redwood lumber.

In Sacramento, California, the local school district is proposing closing down 11 elementary schools!  School officials say they need to save $11 million USD over the next four years. They will vote on the closures on 21 February.

Also in Sacramento, the Gap, and next door Gap Kids, clothing stores going down. This is part of the country wide trend for Gap.  Company officials claim these are the final closings that were outlined in their 2007 real estate plans.

350 people are losing their jobs in Kentucky! The Gap clothing business is closing down two distribution centers. The layoffs begin in April.

The Brattleboro Food Co-op, in Vermont, let go 11 people.  Delays in construction of a new Co-op building is being blamed for the layoffs.

Level 3 Communications, in Colorado, announced hundreds of layoffs worldwide!  Company officials say it is a direct result of their take over of competitor Global Crossing.

The Prickly Pear women’s clothing store in Monument, Colorado, shutting down. Owner wants to retire.

Berry Plastics in Easthampton, Massachusetts, laid off 20 people.  Their remaining 315 employees could have their hours reduced. Company officials blamed the bad economy for a huge reduction in demand for their products.

Despite North Dakota‘s booming oil industry, Sanford Health is shutting down its Underwood Continuing Care Center in March. It’s the result of last year’s merger between Sanford Health and Medcenter.  38 residents, and 62 employees affected!

The Upper Dublin School District, in Pennsylvania,  warned of pending layoffs and pay reductions.  They blame a $2.7 million USD budget shortfall.

The owner of furniture store, C.A. Hoitt in New Hampshire, is retiring and closing down the 133 years old business.

Corpus Christie, Texas, losing two stores.  A Abercrombie, and a Abercrombie & Fitch, shut down in the La Palmera mall.  It’s part of the 180 store closings announced by company officials last year.

Back Yard Burgers in Tupelo, Mississippi, closed for good. Owner refused comment, but the franchise went bankrupt in October 2012.  16 people out-o-work.

Pandolfi gift shop shutting down in Edina, Minnesota. The owner said she wants to focus on caring for her family.

The College of Visual Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota, shutting down!  School officials blame declining enrollment due to the bad economy.  They will close after the spring semester ends.

Chinese company, Zhongding Sealing Parts, will shut down its Ohio factory.  At least 117 jobs lost by the end of June!  The company makes rubber parts for the U.S. automotive industry. Company officials said the closure is due to rapidly changing economic environment within the U.S. (which could be code for they don’t like the way the U.S. government is coming down on Chinese companies).  Production at the Ohio factory will be moved to China as a result!