2008.11.23
Ann Taylor's response to apparent email hoax
By now, you've probably heard about an email that's being circulated nationally, claiming that a large group of retailers are shutting down stores. While the information is accurate for some of the retailers, it's false for others. Some of the retail companies, including Talbots and Ann Taylor, are refuting the email as a hoax. This story has additional details.
This weekend I received the below email message from Ann Taylor, a women's apparel chain, discussing the apparent email hoax:
It has come to our attention that false and misleading information, regarding our Company and our store closure program, is circulating on the Web, as part of a hoax to scare consumers away from purchasing gift cards. Ann Taylor is a financially strong Company that operates nearly 1,000 Ann Taylor, LOFT, Ann Taylor Factory and LOFT Outlet stores across the U.S. In January 2008, we announced plans to close some underperforming stores as part of a strategic restructuring program to make us an even stronger Company that can continue to serve you in the future. Our gift cards continue to be a popular and great option for gifting this Holiday season and can be redeemed at any of our stores, as well as online at anntaylor.com and anntaylorLOFT.com. We look forward to serving you again soon!
Kay Krill
President and Chief Executive Officer
Ann Taylor Stores Corporation
Awesome Jenny! I think these blogs are great but let this be a lesson to us all. Please don't post everything your grandma sends you unless you can verify it's truthfulness. At the very least, send it to Jenny via e-mail and let her investigate first. I know times are hard and we all expect them to get worse but let's not make things harder on these retailers by posting false information.
Comment by Greg — November 24, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
Do you know anything about J Jill? Their name was also published in the e-mail.
Comment by Amanda — November 24, 2008 @ 1:40 pm
I've found Snopes a good source for accuracy of information, and in particular things circulating on the internet.
The following link has the latest info on those closings, some real, some unreal, and more.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/storeclosings.asp
Comment by Steve — November 25, 2008 @ 10:21 am
Amanda,
The information about J.Jill store closings is incorrect, according to the story that I mentioned in the blog post. Talbots only has announced that it wants to sell its J.Jill division.
Comment by Jenny — November 25, 2008 @ 10:55 am