Tough economic times for electronics conglomerate Sony have forced the company to announce it will be shutting down all 14 of its Canadian retail stores in a matter of months.
As the Ottawa Citizen reports, the downsizing was announced today (January 15), with the company explaining that it will be shutting the doors to its stores countrywide over the next two months.
A press release explains that despite losing the brick-and-mortar locations, Sony will still be supplying its products to the market via outside retailers and products will still be available through "our national network of Sony retailers, our online store … as well as through our Sony-trained Telesales team."
It adds: "Our network of Sony authorized retailers offer a full range of Sony products and will be supported by our in-store Merchandisers and Product Trainers on an ongoing basis in order to ensure that our past customers have continued access to knowledgeable Sales consultants who can support their ongoing Sony electronics needs."
It's unclear how many jobs will be affected by the closure of the Sony stores, but the decision comes as the company estimates a $1.9 billion loss for the current fiscal year, which ends in March.
The last year has seen Sony sell off its Vaio personal computer and laptop manufacturing wing to Japan Industrial Partners, and Sony is rumoured to be phasing out its TV production as well.
The news comes on the same day that Target announced it will be closing its 133 Canadian locations.
As the Ottawa Citizen reports, the downsizing was announced today (January 15), with the company explaining that it will be shutting the doors to its stores countrywide over the next two months.
A press release explains that despite losing the brick-and-mortar locations, Sony will still be supplying its products to the market via outside retailers and products will still be available through "our national network of Sony retailers, our online store … as well as through our Sony-trained Telesales team."
It adds: "Our network of Sony authorized retailers offer a full range of Sony products and will be supported by our in-store Merchandisers and Product Trainers on an ongoing basis in order to ensure that our past customers have continued access to knowledgeable Sales consultants who can support their ongoing Sony electronics needs."
It's unclear how many jobs will be affected by the closure of the Sony stores, but the decision comes as the company estimates a $1.9 billion loss for the current fiscal year, which ends in March.
The last year has seen Sony sell off its Vaio personal computer and laptop manufacturing wing to Japan Industrial Partners, and Sony is rumoured to be phasing out its TV production as well.
The news comes on the same day that Target announced it will be closing its 133 Canadian locations.
